The Big Screen Bulletin 10.12.09: Everybody's Talking Edition!

Posted by Steve Gustafson on 10.12.2009

Paranormal Activity scares audiences and makes headlines, Avatar technology coming soon to a store near you, get your fill of Star Trek updates, Mission: Impossible 4 news, the box office results, new DVD releases, and much more!

Welcome to the Big Screen Bulletin. My name is Steve Gustafson and I'm filling in for Chad Webb this week. Mr. Webb is away on assignment, but he'll return next week. I can't comment on his whereabouts, but when Lucas calls...YOU ANSWER! If you haven't been paying attention, Chad is wrapping up his tenure writing the Bulletin and handing the reins over to me. I feel like Jay Leno taking over after Johnny Carson! It's been a busy weekend, so let's catch up!

But before we do, this shot of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson hit over the weekend. As most of you know, Jackson is taking on the role that Mr. T made famous in the new A-Team movie. It might just be me, but I wouldn't have minded if they didn't stick THAT close to the old crew. What about you?

The News Bulletin

Couples Retreat is Full Steam Ahead at the Theater!

BOX OFFICE TOP TEN

1. Couples Retreat - $35,340,000 ($35,340,000)
2. Zombieland - $15,000,000 ($47,801,000)
3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - $12,000,000 ($96,251,000)
4. Toy Story / Toy Story 2 (3D) - $7,674,000 ($22,676,000)
5. Paranormal Activity - $7,066,000 ($8,280,000)
6. Surrogates - $4,115,000 ($32,573,000)
7. The Invention of Lying - $3,370,000 ($12,327,000)
8. Whip It - $2,800,000 ($8,766,000)
9. Capitalism: A Love Story - $2,700,000 ($9,095,000)
10. Fame - $2,556,000 ($20,042,000)

Chad called it! He picked Couples Retreat to top the box office and it performed as well as, if not better than expected. Zombieland dropped to second in its second week while Sony's other holdover Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs continued to play strong in its fourth week. Paramount's haunted house phenom Paranormal Activity is causing ad men to raise their eyebrows with some record-breaking numbers; earning $7.1 million at 160 screens, the highest weekend grosser at 200 locations or less. Paranormal grossed the highest per screen average of $44,163. You have to hand it to those marketing gurus, they scored big on this one. Next week gives us a grab bag of treats with Where the Wild Things Are, The Stepfather, Law Abiding Citizen, New York, I Love You, and Black Dynamite. I'm giving the crown to Where the Wild Things Are.





Horror fans and curiosity-seekers lined up around the block to check out ShockTillYouDrop.com's free New York City screening of Paranormal Activity, an indication that they're craving something innovative in genre. Paramount has increased the theater count due to the audience response and if the film reaches a million demands writer-director Oren Peli's indie effort will be released nation-wide. Comingsoon.net spoke with Peli and here's what he had to say:

Ryan Rotten: What's your take on the slowly building buzz being generated around the screenings and web talk?

Peli: I think it's awesome. The whole thing is driven by the fans. The way Paramount set up the marketing and distribution is to really give the fans the power to decide how quickly they want the movie to expand and which cities it should go to. They're really embracing it and we're getting great word of mouth on the Internet.

Rotten: Your film is clearly tapping into what audiences want to see from a horror film, what do you think that is? What are they craving?

Peli: One of the things is that it goes back to a more classic formula of horror movie. Like the Hitchcock films or Rosemary's Baby. There's more of a slow build, giving the audience to connect with the character instead of just relying on quick cuts and a lot of early jump scares. A lot of horror movies these days have a specific formula, when something different comes along I think people want to stick with something unique and original. I think that's one thing they respond to. The other thing is they respond to the concept of being vulnerable at night while you sleep. That's one of the reasons I think the movie works.

Rotten: I think that opening night, when your film had its first midnight screening and the lines were around the block, was reminiscent of the old photos out there of audiences lined up to see films like The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, and The Omen.

Peli: It's mind-boggling, these people are willing to see the movie. It's extremely flattering.

Rotten: What do you have in mind for the DVD release?

Peli: When the time comes, it will be a full-blown special edition. I don't know if that will be the first release or later, we haven't talked about it much but there will be stuff to show.

Paranormal Activity is becoming the horror feel good film story of the year. Yesterday I received an email that, indeed, following 2-weeks of nationwide midnight only sellouts and fan frenzy over the limited release hit thriller, moviegoers everywhere have been heard...Over 1,000,000 people demanded the film play in their city and Paramount Pictures will release the film nationwide beginning Friday, October 16th. Bravo to Paramount. They pulled this off to perfection. Expect to see more small to mid size movies utilize guerrilla techniques to drum up buzz. Off the top of my head, the movie Trick 'r Treat could have benefited from ta snazzy type of campaign. It was one of those movies that had a fan base but the studio didn't have faith in it. As a result, it got a very limited theatrical release and then was quickly put out on DVD.



The premiere of James Cameron's anticipated 3D alien epic Avatar is less than three months away, but the action figures are already here. Last week LEE was kind enough to share the images of Cameron's Avatar toys, the line includes a strange six legged horse and what these figures lack in appearance they make up for on the inside. Smart chips.

What's impressive about these toys are that they come with an i-TAG augmented reality card which creates a virtual representation on the figure when filmed on a webcam. As you move the card about the digital figure follows suit.

How is this movie news? Well, it's movie related. You are looking at the next step in Toy/Movie synergy. If this idea catches on (Meaning $$$), expect other franchises to jump on the bandwagon. I can see applications with Transformers right away. I know Avatar hasn't exactly been lighting peoples torches in excitement, but you can't deny that the strides being made across the board in special effects and toy technology. You can thank Cameron for this.






Finally, a couple of Hollywood screenwriters that are treated like rock stars, or at least gurus of geek chic. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are easily the hottest name-brand writing team in Tinseltown after a year of major hits including Star Trek, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and their producing efforts Fringe and The Proposal. ComingSoon.net played the third wheel as the duo weighed in on what's about to come forth from their dual computers.

On building a brand new adventure or borrowing and tweaking more Star Trek canon for the highly anticipated Star Trek sequel:
Alex Kurtzman: Every franchise has a different need. So you have to look at them differently based on whatever kind of a mandate is there. But in the case of Transformers it was very important to us to have a sequel idea that stood on it's own. You need to have been able to not have seen the first movie to appreciate the second one. I think that for us it's always about going back to the sequels that we loved as kids and asking ourselves why we loved them. Empire Strikes Back, Superman 2, Aliens, Terminator 2, Star Trek 2, what do all of those movies have in common? Well, they are amazing stories all on their own. You didn't have to see the first movie. There was some incredibly emotional test of character in all of those movies. Superman has to give up his powers for love. The Spock and Kirk relationship is being tested by Kahn. Ripley finding a daughter, essentially. All of those things are such big ideas in and of themselves. And you really can't tell those kinds of stories in movie #1, because movie #1 is very much about establishing a world.

On the possibility of introducing concepts from the various Star Trek sequel series. like The Borg, for example, into the relaunched franchise:
Orci: I think we would think about it, because we do love The Next Generation.

On the potential for adding pre-established Star Trek elements, such as Khan Noonian Singh, into the sequel storyline:
Kurtzman: Where we are starting is "Okay, where are our characters now and what are interesting complications that we can put in their lives? What feels like an organic emotional place for them to get to? How do we want to test them?" Then you look at everything. You look everything and start asking "Who would be the best foe."
Orci: There are mental exercises we play with them, in fact ,we even at one point had one conversation I think was all about the first movie. It could have ended on "…and then the Botany Bay floats by." You can't be fans of this and not sit around one night and go "What if we…?" So we've gone through probably whatever you've gone through in your minds.
Kurtzman: The short answer is that we haven't landed on anybody yet.

I never thought the day would come but it's here. I'm excited by Star Trek news. Whodathunk it? While nothing groundbreaking, they are doing, and saying, all the right things to entice and keep the new fans the latest Star Trek garnered. I'm not really hip to the details of the Star Trek universe, but I do know the Borg and Khan. I'm torn. Should they mine old canon or venture off into new territory? I'm more interested in see what fresh directions they take.

And does anyone else find if odd that the same team who did Star Trek was involved with Transformers 2? Whoa.





With projects like Lost, Alias, Mission: Impossible III and Fringe on his resume, J.J. Abrams clearly knows the value of keeping secrets and maintaining an air of mystery. But the producer-writer-director also knows the value of a tantalizing tease. To that end he recently indulged in some intriguing details regarding his highly anticipated future projects, including a sequel to his blockbuster re-imagining of the Star Trek franchise, a fourth Mission: Impossible film and Leonard Nimoy's ongoing involvement in Fringe. ComingSoon.net reported on what Abrams was willing to reveal.

On the possibility of shooting the Star Trek sequel in 3-D:
Abrams: Paramount talked to me about doing the first one in 3-D and, having it only be my second film, I was petrified just at the addition of it. I thought it would be another dimension of pain-in-the-ass. I was just like, "I want to make a decent 2-D movie." I was so worried that instead of being a decent 2-D movie it would have been a bad 3-D one. I'm open to looking at it because now I feel a little bit more comfortable. And, if I, in fact, direct the Star Trek sequel, 3-D could be really fun, so I'm open to it. What I've seen of Avatar makes me want to do it because it's so crazy-cool looking.

On Leonard Nimoy's recent suggestion that future Star Trek films just might not need him anymore:
Abrams: I can't imagine a Star Trek movie not needing him. I'm sure that what he's saying is a combination of modesty and honesty. He may actually feel that way. But, the truth is, we could never have made this movie without him, and working with him again would be a joy. It is clearly too early, given that we are just now talking story, to conclude whether or not Spock Prime is in the film or not. Do I want to work with him again? Of course, one hundred percent. I'd love to.

On the notion of having Nimoy reprise his '60s TV role of Paris in a fourth Mission: Impossible film, and possibly other original cast members as well:
Abrams: How cool would that be? I just got a call that Peter Graves is in great shape, which would be a very bizarre bend in the space-time continuum, for obvious reasons. I almost feel like you could make him serious again and bring him back. Whether it's Nimoy, who I have an incredible affinity for, or Graves or anyone, we'll see. I actually tried to get Martin Landau in Mission 3, in a very small little moment just for fun, and was told that he had no interest in doing it. But then, when I met him, after the movie came out, it was the greatest thing. We were at this restaurant in New York for one of the TV Upfront parties, and someone introduced me to Landau. They took me over and Martin Landau came over to me, extended his hand, and [pretended to lift a false face off]. That was the greatest thing I'd ever seen!

On the rest of his future plans in film and TV:
Abrams: Jeff Pinkner and Joel Wyman are running "Fringe" very well. We're still very involved in that, but they're running that. We have a new series that we just sold to NBC that we're going to be producing. It's a pilot. And there's a movie that I'm writing that I would love to direct, early next year, so we'll see if that comes to fruition. There's a movie [I'm producing] called Morning Glory that's coming out next year, with Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams and Diane Keaton, that's being edited now. Roger Michell directed that. And we're obviously hard at work on Star Trek 2 and Mission: Impossible 4. There's a LOT that we're working on.

That man has a LOT on his plate. I've made my Star Trek thoughts clear so let's jump to Mission:Impossible. I'm a fan. The franchise has legs and I enjoyed the third one the best. Throw in some television nods and I have no problem with that. I hear Tom Cruise is returning, and that's fine too, but I wouldn't be averse to adding new characters or spinning off a more "team" aspect to it with lesser known names attached. Just no slow motion doves, please.

I've been seeing some Abrams backlash on the boards and I'm at a loss. He's obviously a fan of the movies and puts his heart into his work. Give the guy a break!





This isn't the first time we've heard this, but director Bryan Singer was at the South Korean Pusan International Film Festival, and opened up about a return to the big screen X-Men franchise that he created. Fox is trying to develop quite a few X-Men spin-offs, prequels, and sequels, including X-Men: First Class, X-Men Origins: Magneto, the Wolverine sequel, and Deadpool. Back in June, Singer was quoted as saying he'd "love to return to that universe," meaning the comic book universe. In August, hidden in a Variety story, they hinted that Singer "has been flirting with directing X-Men: First Class." At the Festival he went on to say, "I'm still looking to possibly returning to the X-Men franchise. I've been talking to Fox about it. I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast." Singer said that he enjoys using the X-Men and science fiction to comment on important real-world issues: "The excitement about working in science fiction and fantasy is, the stories, if they are good, are about the human condition."

I enjoyed Singer's foray into the X-Men universe but there's plenty of directors out there whose artistic vision I would be interested in seeing. Face it, the X-Men movies are a cash cow that is going to get milked till it's dry. When that happens, they'll give it a rest, reboot, and do it all over again. So, should Singer get the wheel again?

The 20 Second Sermon

Word around Tinseltown is a few industry executives have dropped the news that Michael Bay is considering the idea that Megan Fox will be killed at the beginning of Transformers 3, riding off into the sunset by way of a gory death scene! Thumbs up from me! The Pro is a hilarious one-shot adult comic from Garth Ennis, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti that showed some of the raunchier aspects of being a real-world superhero. Palmiotti mentioned on his blog that plans were in the works to turn the comic into an animated series, but that it fell apart. Now, The Pro may receive the big-screen treatment and Palmiotti posted his pick for the lead role: Sarah Silverman. Curious...

The DVD Release Rundown for September 15th

DVD Headline of the Week




Drag Me to Hell - Shawn S. Lealos reviewed Drag Me to Hell. I didn't catch it in the theater and don't really have the desire to see the DVD.

The Proposal - Jeremy Thomas reviewed The Proposal and gave it a 7. I happened to see it and agree with his thoughts on the movie. Nice little couple movie and let's Ryan Reynolds expand that audience demographic.

Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season - This has been on my list of shows I've been hearing about but haven't had the time to watch yet.

The Haunted Airman - Why is this getting ANY attention? Because Twilight's Robert Pattinson is in it of course! Pattinson stars as a wounded Royal Air Force pilot tormented by psychological horrors and a slow descent into madness." Much like me when forced to watch Twilight!

Land of the Lost - Oh boy. This was a misstep. Bryan Kristopowitz reviewed Land of the Lost and you can check that out to see why this did so poorly.

The Mighty Boosh Special Edition DVD (Seasons 1-3) - I'm going to claim American ignorance about this show but reading about it makes me interested in seeing it. Anyone out there see this and can fill me in?

Married... With Children: The Complete Eleventh Season - How many of you out there remember that this went 11 seasons? I have to admit that I didn't. Still, I remember a couple of episodes and might have to get moving picking up the rest of the series DVDs.

Jackass: The Lost Tapes - Still squeezing all they can from the crazy Jackass guys. Pretty much they are taking any outtakes or skits not on the other volumes and sticking them here. Completest only!

The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 - U.S. vs. U.K.. This season had it's moments but was more miss than hit to me.

Pets - I threw this in because the premise is wild!

The Critic's Quickee

- Paranormal Activity - I was in one of the cities in the second wave roll out so you can check out my review here. From my review: The 411: Low-budget has never looked so good and been so scary. This mockumentary raises the bar and turns a simple story of a house haunting into a gripping, glance behind you; cover your head while you sleep experience. It serves as yet another example that you don't need to pay big bucks for computer-generated scares, hire egotistic actors to deliver over dramatic monologues, and yes, you should be afraid of things that go bump in the night. I still get the creeps thinking about it and I stick with my 9 out of 10.

What Have I Done?

I would love to go into detail about my week but since I spent most of it under the weather, I don't don't think you want a play-by-play on my sneezing. I will say that I 3 interviews coming up that will be of interest to many of you reading right now. Stay tuned to 411mania for details!

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers
I save the trailer breakdown for Mr. Webb. The Toy Story 3 trailer hit early but every time I tried to link it, Disney shut it down soon after. BUT it does OFFICIALLY come out today, so be sure to check it out. I really liked it.

Now, this weekend, the big movie coming out is Where the Wild Things Are. Spike Jonze has taken a short children's story and crafted a eye pleasing journey through childhood. But another film is getting a limited release but is just as pleasing to the eye...just in a totally different way. I'm talking about Black Dynamite. IF this is opening at a theater near you, I suggest you check it out.