ITV

Category: International

  • The Dark Knight garners $122.1 mn in opening weekend

    The Dark Knight garners $122.1 mn in opening weekend

    MUMBAI: Going by its weekend results, Warner Brothers‘ The Dark Knight Rises was seen ruling the foreign theatrical circuit, garnering $122.1 million from around 17,000 venues in 57 markets.
    This is a nearly 40 per cent increase from the Batman sequel‘s opening that generated $88 million from 7,173 sites in just 17 markets. This pushed the film‘s foreign gross total way past the $200-million mark to $248.2 million.
    Dark Knight Rises introduced itself in some 40 markets including No. 1 bows in France ($11.3 million at 892 sites including previews), Germany ($9.9 at 718 spots including previews) and in Mexico ($9.8 million at 1,141 situations). The film also premiered in Russia ($8.7 million at 1,310 screens including previews), Brazil ($6.6 million at 931 sites) and in Japan ($6 million including previews).

    Top holdover market was the UK where the film roped in $10.6 million from 598 spots for a market total of $47 million. Australia delivered $7.8 million in round two from 628 sites, pushing the overall total to $27.5 million. Average drop from opening round grosses in U.K., Australia, Korea and Spain was 52 per cent.
    The aftermath of the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado seems not to have significantly affected second round foreign action. The film still has a long way to go to catch up to the overseas gross total of $469 million registered by 2008‘s The Dark Knight.
    Passing the half-billion foreign gross mark ($514.1 million) was the weekend‘s No. 2 title, Ice Age: Continental Drift, that grossed $49.4 million at 15,924 venues in 69 markets. That puts the latest sequel in the computer animation franchise within very distant hailing distance of the best-grosser of the series, 2009‘s Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, that grossed a total of $693.9 million offshore.
    Continental Drift opened No. 1 in China, registering $15.7 million at some 3,500 locations, and also benefited from strong introductions in South Korea ($3.1 million at 501 sites) and in India ($1.5 million at 238 spots), both of which set market records for a Fox animation title.
    At the No. 4 position was The Amazing Spider-Man the fourth title in the blockbuster series, which has been playing overseas since June 27 — elevated is foreign gross total to $412.7 million thanks to a $12.2 million weekend at 9,920 sites in 86 markets. Distributor Sony said the sequel is the top grosser of the franchise in 30 markets. Biggest offshore title of the series is 2007‘s Spider-Man 3 (bagging a total of $554.3 million).
    Pixar‘s Brave continues to chug along on a measured release pattern overseas, playing in 24 territories — which distributor Disney describes as about 38% of the international market. Weekend tally for the animation title was $9.6 million, elevating the film‘s foreign gross total to $92 million. (Domestic cume stands at $217.3 million.) Brave is the weekend‘s No. 5 title.

  • Michael Moore to head NBCUniversal Studio

    Michael Moore to head NBCUniversal Studio

    MUMBAI: Michael Moore, currently the president of Raleigh Entertainment, is set to join NBC Universal as president and general manager, Universal Studios Operations, beginning 17 September. He will succeed Dave Beanes, who retires after 17 years with the studio.
    Moore, who will report jointly to Ron Meyer, president and COO, Universal Studios and John Wallace, president, Operations & Technical Services, NBCUniversal, will be part of NBCUniversal’s operations and technical services organisation and will oversee all the operations of Universal City Studios including production services, sound services, facilities, and marketing.
    In his current role as president of Raleigh Entertainment/Raleigh Film and Television Studios, Moore oversees the global operations of that company, including studio operations, post-production, facilities, leasing, marketing, and business development, for Raleigh’s Hollywood studios, as well as studio facilities across the United States, Europe and Asia.
    “Michael has the rare combination of skills to effectively lead our Studio Operations group and ensure the long-term success of this world-class studio lot,” Meyer has reportedly said.
    Prior to his current position, Beanes served as senior VP of production services, Universal Operations Group. Before that he was VP of production services, Universal Operations Group.

  • The Master release preponed to 14 September

    The Master release preponed to 14 September

    MUMBAI: American film studio The Weinstein Company has preponed the release of its drama film, The Master, to 14 September from 12 October.
    The film starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Laura Dern will release United States and Canada opening exclusively in New York and Los Angeles before having a wide nationwide release on 21 September.

    The Paul Thomas Anderson directed film is also likely to make a stop at the Toronto Film Festival which gets underway on 6 September.
    The company is moving Brad Pitt crime drama Killing Them Softly from 21 September to 19 October to accommodate The Master.

  • Despite robust growth in box office, China’s film industry hits five-year low

    Despite robust growth in box office, China’s film industry hits five-year low

    MUMBAI: According to a report, China‘s domestic film industry has hit a five-year low despite robust growth in box office sales across the country in the first half of this year.

    The industry is going through a rough patch as ticket sales of domestic films started plummeting in the first six months, a time when the country‘s total box office revenues gained by over 40 per cent compared to that a year ago.
    In the January-June period, 14 blockbusters hit Chinese theatres among the 38 imported films screened in the country, and only two of them failed to bring in more than 100 million yuan.

    In contrast, among the 141 China-made movies screened in the same period, only 5 per cent managed to break even and the rest lost money, it is understood.
    The box office for domestic films dropped by 4.3 per cent year on year to 2.8 billion yuan (444 billion U.S. dollars), according to the latest data from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
    The slump came just months after China amended rules in February to import more Hollywood movies for national distribution. In the meantime, ticket sales of foreign films jumped by 90.4 percent year on year to 5.27 billion yuan.
    China‘s rapidly expanding movie market collected 8.07 billion yuan in the first six months — up by around 41.7 per cent from a year ago.
    The country had previously allowed only 20 American films, mostly big-budget Hollywood fare,- to be distributed nationally each year. In February, the country agreed to allow an additional 14 US films to be distributed each year as long as they are made in the 3D or IMAX formats.
    China represents one of the most attractive growth opportunities for the US film industry that is facing declining theatre revenues and slumping DVD sales in North America.

  • Harvey Weinstein calls for summit to address on-screen violence

    Harvey Weinstein calls for summit to address on-screen violence

    MUMBAI: Legendary movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has opined that Hollywood should look in the mirror in the wake of the Dark Knight massacre. He has called for an unprecedented summit of the industry‘s top filmmakers to address how on-screen violence might lead to real-life bloodshed.
    “I think as filmmakers we should sit down – the Marty Scorseses, the Quentin Tarantinos and hopefully all of us who deal in violence in movies – and discuss our role in that,” Weinstein has been quoted as saying.
    The movie mogul insisted that the Hollywood elite can‘t “shirk our responsibility” for potentially inspiring the rampage in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 people and wounded 58 others. It‘s a question that I wrestle with all the time,” observed Weinstein.
    Insiders are of the view that Weinstein‘s call is sure to rankle some industry big shots.

  • Warner Bros to give helping hand to victims of Colorado shootings

    Warner Bros to give helping hand to victims of Colorado shootings

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros has decided to donate a ‘substantial‘ amount of money to help victims of the Colorado shooting.
    The studio issued a statement soon after hearing about the Colorado incident. “Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time.”
    Having collected $160.9 million on the film‘s debut weekend in North America alone, the studio is giving a helping hand to the Aurora community following the tragic shooting incident that killed 12 moviegoers and injured more than 50 others last Friday.
    Warner Bros. got in touch with Colorado governor John Hickenlooper‘s office and announced they would deliver the charity through givingfirst.org. Also, WB CEO Barry Meyer would send an email to the employees, encouraging them to make personal donations for the cause.
    Director Christopher Nolan, composer Hans Zimmer along with actors Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway have expressed their deep grief as well.

  • The Dark Knight Rises crosses $300 mn at worldwide box-office

    The Dark Knight Rises crosses $300 mn at worldwide box-office

    MUMBAI: In less than a week of its release, Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight Rises has crossed the $300 million mark at the worldwide box office.
    On Wednesday, The Dark Knight Rises got off to a spectacular start in France grossing $2.7 million to score the best opening day record of the year, according to early estimates.
    The superhero film, that opened in North America and 17 foreign markets last weekend, is making a major international push this week as it rolls out in additional 40 countries. On Thursday, it will open in Germany and Russia followed by numerous other territories on Friday.
    Through Tuesday, the film‘s domestic gross went beyond $198 million, slightly behind The Dark Knight that had earned $203.8 million. Overseas, it earned an outstanding $110 million.
    Dark Knight Rises debuted to $160.9 million domestically, the third-best debut of all time and the best ever for a 2D title. Insiders believe the film lost as much as between $10 to $20 million because of the shoot out at Aurora Cinema, Colorado.
    Like exhibitors in the US, foreign theatre circuits are tightening up security in the wake of last Friday‘s shooting that left at least a dozen people dead and 58 injured.

  • Grieved Batman, Bale visits Colorado theatre

    Grieved Batman, Bale visits Colorado theatre

    MUMBAI: Deeply hurt with the killings at Aurora cinema, Colorado, Batman Christian Bale travelled to the venue to meet those involved in the movie theatre shootings. The actor decided to make a personal visit to offer his condolences to victims and their families following the deadly cinema rampage last Friday at a screening for his new film The Dark Knight Rises.
    Earlier, the film‘s director Christopher Nolan released a statement expressing his sorrow at the tragic events. “I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie.
    “I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me,” the statement read.
    “Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families,” Nolan concluded.
    As a follow up, a “deeply saddened” Warner Bros. cancelled the premiere of the film in Paris. Even the upcoming promotional appearances by the cast have been postponed.

  • Grossing $7.11 mn, Intouchables becomes top grossing foreign language film of the year

    Grossing $7.11 mn, Intouchables becomes top grossing foreign language film of the year

    MUMBAI: The French comedy The Intouchables has grossed $7.11 million in the US and Canada to become the top grossing foreign-language film of the year, surpassing the $7.09 million earned by A Separation.
    The Weinstein Co., which is distributing the film in North America, touted the milestone on Tuesday as it prepares to expand Intouchables nationwide on 27 July. Directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, Intouchables opened in the US over Memorial Day weekend in four theaters in New York and Los Angeles. It‘s currently playing at 91 locations.
    “The best part about the film‘s success is the fact that a foreign language film is getting its fair turn in the spotlight in this industry. It is movies like this that help us continue to bring smart, entertaining and well-written films that break the mold to theaters everywhere,” TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein has reportedly said.
    At the worldwide box-office, the film grossed a massive $365.1 million, shattering records and becoming the top independent title of the year.

  • Sequel of Total Recall to release on 3 August

    MUMBAI: Total Recall, which was released in 1990, made Rachel Ticotin famous as the bold and beautiful Melina. The role made Rachel a household name and she was signed for many films like First Time Felon, Con air. Arnold Schwarzenegger played the male lead in the film.
    The reboot of this super hit blockbuster, now starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel, is ready for release. The film has Jessica playing Melina who will be seen butt kicking the goons.
    The audience awaits the arrival of new Melina with the release of the reboot Total Recall produced by Sony Pictures. The film releases on 3 August.