#BOXOFFICE: “THE HOBBIT” NARROWLY HOLDS-OFF “DJANGO UNCHAINED” AT BOX OFFICE

Although they kicked-off with a bang on Christmas Day, neither  Les Misérables  nor Django Unchained could unseat The Hobbit from the throne on this final weekend of 2012 and believe me, the latter came close. The first installment of the Peter Jackson Trilogy earns $31.5 million this weekend in North America from 4,100 theatres and worldwide it already has grossed over $600 million for Warner Bros.

Quentin Tarantino‘s latest Opus, Django Unchained, debuts in second with $31 million for The Weinstein Co. and Alliance Films, already being touted potentially as the Auteur Filmmaker’s highest-grossing Film ever. With final numbers still come in, it is quite possible we might see a reverse in the order of finish tomorrow with this over-performing Oscar Contender on-top. Since Christmas Day, the Action/Thriller/Western/Drama was earned a stellar $64 million. Critics in addition to audiences are loving the Flick, earning a stellar 89% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.

Tom Hooper‘s Les Misérables started strong on Christmas Day earning $18 million, tailing-off a little since, but the $61 million Musical from Universal Pictures still performs exceedingly well in third with $27.4 million. With overall positive reviews at 72% on the Tomatometer, audiences worldwide are responding and in only a few days, it has grossed $68 million domestically.

Parental Guidance might not have gotten great reviews (17% on Rotten Tomatoes), but the Holiday–Comedy opens with $14.4million this weekend for 20th Century Fox in fourth, landing just a head of Jack Reacher starring Tom Cruise, in fifth with $14 million in its second week.

This is 40 gave Moviegoers a more lighthearted option this Christmas and gets rewarded with $12.5 million this weekend, already surpassing its production cost of $35 million in two weeks of release.

Meanwhile, Disney‘s Lincoln still is going strong in its eighth week with $7.5 million from 1,966 theatres at seventh spot. Rise of the Guardians in its fifth week rounds-out the Top Ten with $5 million from Paramount Pictures.

#BOXOFFICE: “THE HOBBIT” DOMINATES A SECOND WEEK

For a second week in-a-row, Warner Bros.’ The Hobbit maintains its dominance at the Box Office, bringing-in $36.7 million from 4,100 theatres. In its two week run so far domestically it has earned $145.2 million and despite a significant drop this weekend, it still is far and clear ahead of the competition.

Tom Cruise shows that he definitely still has what it takes to draw a crowd, with Paramount Pictures’ Novel Series Adaptation Jack Reacher earning a respectable $15.6 million in its debut from 3,352 theatres.  Critics had generally positive things to say about the Film,  tallying-in at 69% at Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.

Judd Apatow‘s Knocked-Up sorta Sequel This is 40 opens in 2,912 theatres this weekend in third with $12 million for Universal Pictures. Reviews unfortunately have been mixed for the Comedy starring Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, garnering only 49% on the Tomatometer.

Rise of the Guardians still is going strong in fourth with $5.9 million for Paramount Pictures, landing ahead of Disney‘s Lincoln with $5.6 million in fifth.

Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand on paper seemed like an amazing idea, but Mother-Son Comedy The Guilt Trip which perhaps would’ve better been saved for a Mother’s Day release than the already crowded Holiday slate.   It earns $5.4 million in its opening also for Paramount Pictures, good enough for sixth.

Experiencing a slip this weekend is former Champ Skyfall with $4.7 million in eighth, while The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 rounds out the Top Ten in its sixth week with $2.6 million.  Meanwhile, Oscar Frontrunner Zero Dark Thirty, which is set for a January wide release, opens limited in five theatres, grossing an impressive $410k from.  Keep a tab on this one as big things are expected from Director Kathryn Bigelow.

#SPOTTED: JUDD APATOW & LESLIE MANN IN TORONTO FOR “THIS IS 40” | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Girls, Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad.  These are just some of the many culturally-impacting Titles which just wouldn’t have been without the talents of Judd Apatow.  Toronto was extremely fortunate last night to have welcomed the brilliant Director/Producer/Writer and fantastically-funny Actress and Wife, Leslie Mann.  Although their Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40 which  re-teams the Duo once again, isn’t in theatres just yet, Apatow and Mann came to create a bit of buzz for the Film which is being touted not so much as a Sequel, but more a Continuation to 2007’s Knocked Up, where we first were introduced to the Characters of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann).

With Opening Remarks from Canadian Comedy Legend Eugene Levy and the Evening hosted by Author/Critic and Television Personality Richard Crouse, the Canadian Film Centre‘s An Evening with Judd Apatow & Leslie Mann took place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox – an Invite-Only Affair where we got to witness in-person the charming romantic and working Chemistry between Husband and Wife.  Crouse asked the Couple how they first met and apparently it wasn’t love at first sight between the two.

Watch them tell their Story below:

Hilariously, Apatow was unable to suppress his iPhone-obsession, repeatedly checking it and even taking a Call onstage from his Daughter Maude (who stars in This is 40), bringing her great embarrassment after she was told that we could all hear her amplified through the Speakers.  Finally, Mann addressed the matter by telling Apatow that he was being rude, prompting him to put-away his phone.

We learned that despite the outcome being humorous usually with Apatow‘s Work, rarely does he approach filming thinking a particular scene is going to be funny.  His Motto always is to present the truth and in doing so can we see the real humour in things, praising Mann especially for her uncanny ability to dig-deep  in her performances.

Interestingly, the topic of Music was brought-up with it being revealed that Crouse at the age of 16 had written a Book about The Rolling Stones.  Apatow told the Audience that at one point both Ben Stiller and himself had been close to collaborating with the Band on a Film and while Fanboy-ing with Stiller over their records in one room during their rehearsals here in Toronto, Mick Jagger had walked-in on them in an unforgettable moment asking, “Are you alright? Would you like some Water or anything?”.  We learned also that Mann rather dislikes Live Versions of songs and is a huge Fan of Pop Music including the likes of Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin.

Earlier in the evening, I was lucky enough to get a Snap with both Apatow and Mann who were extremely gracious.  To enter to win a Signed Photo from Apatow, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013. Good luck.

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.  Although I only had the chance to see a couple Clips, I can say that I was dying of laughter already!  Cannot wait.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TORONTOBOUND: JUDD APATOW & LESLIE MANN TO VISIT FOR “THIS IS 40”

In supporting of their upcoming Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40, brilliant Comedy Powerhouse Judd Apatow and amazingly-talented Actress/Wife Leslie Mann will be making a Visit to Toronto on Monday, November 26, 2012.  The Power-Couple will be appearing at an Evening of Conversation organized by the Canadian Film Centre, along with Partners Variety, Telefilm Canada, Just for Laughs and Universal Pictures.

This is 40 follows the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann), whom we got to know and love in Knocked Up.  Also starring in the eagerly-awaited Comedy is a superb Supporting Cast which includes: Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, Albert Brooks, Megan Fox, Jason Segel and John Lithgow.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

 

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)