#BOXOFFICE: “SPY” STAMPS MELISSA MCCARTHY QUEEN OF THE BOX OFFICE

Melissa McCarthy continues to stamp herself Queen of the Box Office, with her latest Comedy, SPY debuting at number one this weekend for 20th Century Fox with  $30 million from 3,711 theatres.  In fact, since 2011, a remarkable seven out of eight of her Films have debuted in the Top Three, this being her second Film since Identity Theft to debut on-top.  In addition to commercial success, Critics adored the Film with remarkable 95% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore only.

SAN ANDREAS in its second week, lands in second with $25 million for Warner Bros. In two weeks it is just shy of the $100-million mark after a smashing debut at number one last week.

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 debuts in third spot with $23 million for Focus Features/eOne Films, from 3,002 theatres.  Critics gave it favourable reviews with a 60% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences responded fairly well with a B+ CinemaScore.  While a strong showing, this falls short of 2013’s $40 million opening for Chapter 2.

ENTOURAGE: THE MOVIE rewards Fans of the HBO Series handsomely and the Film continuation of the beloved Show, debuts in fourth spot with $18.3 million from 3,108 theatres for Warner Bros. While the Critics were tough on it with a 30% on the Tomatometer, Audiences gave it a decisive “yes” with an A- CinemaScore.

PITCH PERFECT 2 finds itself in fifth $8.5 million for Universal Pictures, now in its fourth week. It now has made $161 million domestically.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is POLTERGEIST with $2.7 million for 20th Century Fox in its third week out. The Horror Remake has made $44 million in its run thus far.

 

#FIRSTLOOK: GIL KENAN’S “POLTERGEIST” FIRST TRAILER

Filmed in and around Toronto, Gil Kenan’s POLTERGEIST had almost fallen off our radar until this new Trailer scared the living daylights out of us!

Official Synopsis:
Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagine and contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits. When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter, the family must come together to rescue her.

Watch the Trailer:

20th Century Fox release POLTERGEIST on Friday, July 24, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Fox)

#SPOTTED: SAM ROCKWELL IN TORONTO FOR “POLTERGEIST”

Easily one of Hollywood’s finest working Actors today, Sam Rockwell’s Career has been defined by unconventional role choices, often veering to the quirky and off-center.  At once, there are few who can play such roles with depth and dimension as he.  Time and time again he has mesmerized Moviegoers with his spirited and compassionate portrayals, whether it be Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Moon, Matchstick Men or this year’s amazing Water Park-Comedy, The Way, Way Back.

Although this certainly isn’t his first time in Toronto, having attended TIFF on multiple occasions in recent years for Films like Conviction and Seven Psychopaths, the Actor  currently is hard at work in a Remake of 1982 Horror Classic, Poltergeist.   Rockwell takes-on the renamed role of Eric Bowen, originally played by Craig T. Nelson, in the Story about a Family haunted by Ghosts in their home.  The upcoming release, directed by Gil Kenan, also stars Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris and Jane Adams.

The Social Media-shy Actor just celebrated his 45th Birthday in Toronto last weekend, spotted out for pre-Birthday Drinks, and he  appeared to be off to the Gym today solo with Knapsack in-tow earlier.  We spotted him last weekend also, out and about with flowers in-hand, perhaps for a visiting longtime Actress Girlfriend, Leslie Bibb?

Rockwell was more-than-kind, giving us an ultra-rare Photo Op (believe me, we tried in previous years!) and we made sure to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday, which he was appreciative of the gesture.  Basically, we love Sam Rockwell and he stands as one of our all-time Favourites, so this moment was extra-special!  He is everything I imagined he’d be.

Poltergeist, due for a 2014 release via 20th Century Fox, continues to film in Toronto through early December.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Fox Searchlight)

#FILMING: DATES CONFIRMED FOR “POLTERGEIST” REMAKE IN TORONTO

They’re here! After word broke out that a Poltergeist Remake was in development, many of us had our opinions about the matter. Being a Critical and Box Office success earning $121 million, which back in 1982 was a huge deal, the Horror also is not without its share of controversy, with Child Actor Heather O’Rourke who starred in the iconic role of Carol Anne Freeling, having passed away under sudden circumstances at the age of 12.  It will be interesting to see who will be brave enough to take on her role, with a dark cloud of intrigue surrounding it.  In total, the famed “Poltergeist Curse” took the lives of four Cast members during the six years it took to complete the Trilogy.

Originally produced by Steven Spielberg, Sam Raimi will be taking the reins this time around as Poltergeist films in Toronto between September through December. Gil Kenan (Monster House) directs, while David Lindsay-Abaire (Oz The Great and Powerful) writes the Screenplay.  It is said the Story will go through several modernizations and instead of the role Medium Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein) reprised, a team of Supernatural Experts instead will be introduced in this Remake.  Filming is set to take place at Pinewood Studios in Toronto.

Just writing this Post absolutely terrifies me, Poltergeist being one of the few Films I absolutely cannot watch alone!

20th Century Fox will be distributing the Remake, set to be released in 2014. Casting details to come…

(Photo credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)