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Are critics out of touch with what audiences want? [More]

1939 the best-ever year for film: British survey *
British filmgoers consider 1939 -- the year of Gone With the Wind, Wuthering Heights and The Wizard of Oz -- as the greatest year in Hollywood history, according to an Internet survey. [More]

A concise history of the Oscars *
The highlights of the first 76 Oscar celebrations. . . [More]

A cynic lands a miracle *
A surprise $85,000 donation from a famous director is earmarked for a Cambodian museum [More]

A drama of home improvement *
Frances Mayes's bestseller Under the Tuscan Sun tells the story of a woman who buys a villa and has it renovated. So how do you make a movie about that? [More]

A folk-mock star: Eugene Levy never blows A Mighty Wind *
In A Mighty Wind, which opens on Friday, Christopher Guest and his gifted ensemble of improvisational actors, do for -- or to -- Sixties folk music, what they have previously done for amateur theatre in Waiting for Guffman, or dog competitions in Best in Show. [More]

A happy birthday for Cruise as War triumphs *
Tom Cruise celebrated his 43rd birthday yesterday atop the holiday box office in North America with War of the Worlds, the costly alien-invasion thriller directed by Steven Spielberg. [More]

A lucrative line of family violence *
Rick Skene is one of the busiest movie stunt co-ordinators in the country and his brother and son have joined him in the business, LEAH McLAREN writes. [More]

A rude shock from Down Under *
Only a few days in, a controversial Aussie film is provoking jeers and walkouts, writes MATTHEW HAYS [More]

A socko Québécois invasion *
Québec director Denys Arcand's new film must be considered a serious contender for the Palme d'or, writes LIAM LACEY [More]

A Turkey in every pot, but Potter's no turkey *
Goblet of gold still glitters at the box office. [More]

A-list: Box Office Prophets *
A wonderful site for movie stats, records set, film reviews and commentary... [More]

Academy partially lifts screener ban *
Hollywood studios partially reversed their ban on special video copies for awards groups, capitulating to widespread criticism that the move would make it harder for smaller films to win Oscars. [More]

Acting can be a shark pit *
Sometimes a role in a movie can literally mean swimming with the sharks, as actors Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis found out shooting Open Water, writes GUY DIXON. [More]

Adult acting world no child's play *
The historic best-actress Oscar nod for a 13-year-old may inspire more starstruck parents and put the spotlight on new changes in B.C. law, ALEXANDRA GILL writes. [More]

Ahoy, Hollywood! *
JONATHAN FOWLIE meets Gordon Laco, a boat captain from Midland, Ont., whose passion for Napoleonic-era ships and expertise in naval history landed him on a film set with Russell Crowe for seven months [More]

Alexander not great at box office *
Alexander the Great may have conquered millions in his march across the Persian Empire 2,400 years ago but moviegoers in North America easily repelled his advances over the weekend. [More]

Alexandre (Sacha Trudeau) faces the world *
As Pierre Trudeau's middle son steps reluctantly into the spotlight to promote his film on Iraq, he tells SARAH HAMPSON about lessons his father taught him: Confront your fears. Never enter politics [More]

All eyes on 'Watchmen's' box office with $25.1M opening day *
Watchmen clocked in with $55.7 million in ticket sales to claim the top spot at the box office, making director Zack Snyder's comic book adaptation about a team of twisted superheros the biggest opening of 2009 so far. [More]

All hail 007, King of Scotland *
The CBC is showing a 1961 staged version of Macbeth tonight. REBECCA CALDWELL discovers how the film, starring a then-unknown Sean Connery, got made. [More]

All is forgiven as Cannes welcomes back Hollywood *
Dispelling concerns about tense international relations between Paris and Washington over the Iraq war, Cannes Film Festival organizers promised a full complement of Hollywood movie stars for the event next month. [More]

Alliance action sparks union outcry *
News this week that Halifax production company Salter Street Films was closing shop is another example of the need for federal regulators to protect Canadian television drama, argued a coalition of unions representing actors and film production crews. [More]

Amazing what's in store at Documart *
High-school sluts, fag hags and obsessive compulsive teens were just a few of the topics pitched at this year's CTV Canadian Documart. [More]

Amityville makes debut on top of box office *
The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, the African desert adventure Sahara, slipped to second place with $13.1-million, lifting its 10-day total to $36.4-million, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

An animated battle for the box office *
Warner Bros. Pictures' costly new entrant The Polar Express goes up against reigning champ The Incredibles at the weekend box office, but is unlikely to dislodge the hit superhero cartoon. [More]

And the cash cow jumped over the moon *
Warning: I'm going to reveal the ending of every kids' movie that is out now, came out recently or is due soon. It's easy, because it's always the same ending. Everyone gets rich. Filthy, stinking, fish-eyed rich. [More]

Angelina Jolie looking beyond acting *
Thanks to her new film, Beyond Borders, Angelina Jolie's off-screen activities are once again overshadowing her acting. [More]

Angels underperforms at box office *
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle snatched the weekend box office halo from reigning champion The Hulk, but the feisty action comedy sequel failed to match the performance of its predecessor. [More]

Anger fights off the competition *
Anger Management kept its grip on the No. 1 spot at the North American box office for a second weekend... [More]

Anger muscles into top spot at the box office *
Anger Management bullied its way to the No. 1 box-office spot, earning a whopping $44.5-million (U.S.) in its debut weekend, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Animated 3-D 'Beowulf' Slays 'Bee' at box office *
The animated telling of "Beowulf," who rids a Danish kingdom of the feared beast Grendel, slew the box office over the weekend, giving a huge boost to 3-D films in the process. [More]

Another Disney star takes top spot at Box Office *
Zac Efron has taken the box-office crown from his Disney teammate Miley Cyrus. [More]

Anthony Minghella: One shot worth a thousand words (Schneller) *
Sometimes an entire movie boils down to a single scene. One perfect, definitive moment that, if creative lightning strikes, communicates the essence of a film. [More]

Ararat distributor, Turkish group said in talks *
Turkish newspapers were reporting yesterday that the Istanbul-based distributor of Atom Egoyan's award-winning film Ararat is in contact with associates of a right-wing nationalist group that forced the distributor this week to postpone Ararat's screening in Turkey. [More]

Arcand carries off the Oscar for best foreign film *
Canada's premier director, Denys Arcand, showed his usual self-effacing irony last night after winning his Oscar for The Barbarian Invasions when he waived the opportunity to make the usual acceptance speech. Known as a critic of American culture and its excesses, he made the ultimate statement by not making one at all. [More]

Arcand's film opens festival *
The Barbarian Invasion strikes a note of optimism in an uncertain year, writes ALEXANDRA GILL from 28th kickoff [More]

Are We There Yet? debuts atop N. America box office *
The comedy -- starring Ice Cube -- was expected to gross 18.5 million US dollars in its debut. Ticket sales results will be confirmed tomorrow. [More]

Are you looking at me? *
Director Adam Goldberg and actress Christina Ricci have a philosophical discussion on the nature of celebrity with LIAM LACEY, and how it inspired the film I Love Your Work [More]

At the festival Schmooze, look for the guy in black *
Andrew Ryan demystifies the real motivation for the Toronto International Film Festival -- the schmooze factor. [More]

Audiences 'fools' for McConaughey and Hudson *
Fool's Gold found real treasure as the romantic adventure starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson led the weekend box office with a $22 million debut. [More]

Audiences anted up for the Warner Bros. caper Ocean's Thirteen *
. . . still, number 13 proves somewhat UNlucky for the caper flick franchise. [More]

Audiences fall for paranoid teenager, drop Tarantino *
Enough moviegoers watched the Peeping-Tom thriller "Disturbia" to send it to a $23-million (U.S.) debut at the top of the weekend box office, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Audiences flock to holiday films, 2006 year-end results up over previous year *
Much to the chagrin of the gloom-and-doom merchants who insist the end of cinema is nigh, Hollywood ticket sales this year are on course to beat 2005 by 5 per cent. [More]

Audiences smitten with 50 First Dates *
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore spread the love at the North American box office as their romantic comedy 50 First Dates opened at No. 1 during a weekend marked by Valentine's Day, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Audiences warm to desert adventure *
Matthew McConaughey's Sahara heated up the weekend box office, with the action flick set in the African desert making its debut at the top with $18.5-million (U.S.). [More]

Author sues Steven Spielberg, Nick Park *
We think author hasn't got a (chicken) leg to stand on... [More]

B2K crew serves up the top box-office hit *
Recently split teen R&B band B2K put the moves on the North American box office as its dance flick You Got Served made its debut at No. 1 with $16-million (U.S.), according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Baby Mama Delivers a Box Office Win *
Baby Mama, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's comedy about surrogate motherhood, delivered the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office with $18.3 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Back from the grave to bore us to death *
The second-scariest thing about Freddy vs. Jason, the gross-out horror movie that pits sinew-skinned, claw-handed Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street series against hockey-masked, sword-swinging Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th series, is that it has been No. 1 at the North American box office for two weeks in a row, grossing about $50- million (U.S.). [More]

Bad boys dislodge pirates from top box-office spot *
Bad boys old and new ruled the North American box office this weekend. [More]

Bad timing, a Hollywood obsession *
How important is timing to a movie's success, anyway? The folks who've already staked out dates for summer 2004 think it's major. [More]

Bangkok Dangerous reaches No. 1 in slow weekend *
The total weekend box office gross was expected to reach just $66 million, the lowest figure since the $59.5 million reported for the weekend of Sept. 21, 2001. [More]

Barbarian Invasions: Laughing in the face of death *
RAY CONLOGUE talks to Denys Arcand, whose acclaimed new movie about a terminally ill man looks set to revive his own drooping career. [More]

Barbershop clips rivals at the box office *
The Barbershop comedy sequel enjoyed a hair-raising debut at the North American box office, while the hockey drama Miracle also scored with moviegoers, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Barbershop cut too deep for some *
First film evoked unintentional controversy with jokes about black icons. [More]

Basketball movie achieves box office 'Glory' *
The college basketball saga Glory Road triumphed at the weekend box office in North America, narrowly beating fellow newcomers Last Holiday and Hoodwinked, according to studio estimates issued today. [More]

Batman Begins holds onto top box office spot *
The debut of Bewitched could not hex Batman Begins, which held onto first place at the US box office for the second straight week, according to preliminary figures released today. It was the 18th weekend in a row the box office declined, passing a 1985 slump of 17 weekends that had been the longest since analysts began keeping detailed figures on movie grosses. [More]

Batman can't rescue box-office slide *
The Caped Crusader led the charge at the North American box office as Batman Begins sold an estimated $46.9-million (U.S.) worth of tickets in its first weekend, reigniting a lucrative superhero franchise that burned out eight years ago. [More]

Batman debuts at $46.9-million *
Batman was powerful enough to rule the box office on the weekend, but the caped crusader was unable to pull Hollywood out of its worst slump in 20 years. [More]

Batman fends off Mummy at Box Office . . .again. *
Taking in an additional $43.8 million this weekend, narrowly beating out The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (which brought in $42.5 million) to nab the #1 spot for a third straight week, Warner Brothers The Dark Knight is a sure bet to wind up the second highest domestic grossing film of all time. [More]

Batman No. 1 but overall box office still sliding *
Batman Begins took in $26.8-million (U.S.) to remain the top movie for the second straight weekend, but it could not keep Hollywood from sinking to its longest box office slump in recent memory. [More]

Batman tops US box office for fourth consecutive week *
The weekend haul lifted the Warner Bros. Batman sequel to No. 3 on the all-time domestic box-office charts with $441.5 million. [More]

Bee Movie reveals some box-office sting in second week *
Seinfeld fans might not have wanted to see their hero as a bee in its opening week, but strong word of mouth or "buzz" might have helped this week. [More]

Beijing bans Da Vinci Code *
The decision to protect the national film industry came two weeks after Catholic protests against the screening of the film in Beijing were branded as "medieval." [More]

Beloved C.S. Lewis series headed for big screen *
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the beloved fantasy novel by C.S. Lewis, will be made into a film in New Zealand, a newspaper reported Friday. [More]

Ben Stiller learns what 'heartbreak' really means at box office *
Despite early expectations that it would top $20 million in its opening weekend, The Heartbreak Kid failed to knock off The Game Plan at the box office, opening only at number two. [More]

Ben Stiller led the North American box office for a second weekend with Night at the Museum *
Ben Stiller's playful Night at the Museum was the top box office draw during the New Year's weekend with $37.8 million. [More]

Bertolucci snubs U.S. censors *
No compromise on big-studio picture with NC-17 rating. [More]

Bertolucci the bourgeois *
It seems the only revolution in the director's life these days is one against the U.S. censor, SIMON HOUPT writes. [More]

Between Iraq and a hard place *
Living in a country between Afghanistan and Iraq, the Iranian director Samira Makhmalbaf felt compelled to tell its stories, LIAM LACEY writes [More]

Beyoncé's catfight thriller leads box office *
Beyoncé's and teen-movie siren Ali Larter propelled the new Fatal Attraction-style thriller Obsessed to the top of the weekend box office in North America. [More]

Big Fish reels in a bundle at the box office *
Tim Burton's Big Fish took in $14.5-million (U.S.) to land the No. 1 spot at the North American box office on the weekend, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Big Momma makes big impression at box office *
Big Momma's House 2, with $28-million (U.S.) in estimated ticket sales, turned in the second-best January opening ever, trailing only the $35.9-million scored by the 1997 release of a special edition of Star Wars, according to Exhibitor Relations, which tracks box-office results. [More]

Bill kills at the box office *
Like the lethal exploding-heart technique unveiled in his new film, writer/director Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 2 ruthlessly dispatched its rivals at the weekend box office in North America. [More]

Bill makes a killing at the box office (Strauss) *
The Coen brothers' reputations as ironists, postmodern stylists who play with Hollywood genres with a critical eye, may need reassessment after Intolerable Cruelty, as close to a classic Hollywood comedy as any director has assayed in recent years. The genre is screwball comedy — a sassy, rapid-fire comedy [More]

Biting the head off the North American box office 'Cloverfield' sets new records *
Monster movie Cloverfield -- about a giant lizard's attack on Manhattan -- debuted at the top of North American box office this holiday weekend, according to preliminary figures Sunday. [More]

Blades Of Glory Gold At Box Office *
Will Ferrell's latest comedy lands a triple axel at box office. . . twice! [More]

Blades Of Glory Twice Gold At Box Office *
But bad-boy directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez fell victims to a box office bloodbath on Sunday as their ambitious double feature Grindhouse bombed during its first weekend of release. evalu8.org reviewers LOVED it, however, so consider it again. [More]

Blades of Glory wins box office gold *
Figure-skating rivals become the sport's first men's pair. Tee-hee -- "gay blades." [More]

Blizzard: Reindeer nightmares *
Star Trek star LeVar Burton tells GAYLE MacDONALD that the 'stupid' animals were a challenge to direct in his upcoming family Christmas movie, Blizzard. [More]

Blockbusters can't dodge Ben Stiller *
A pair of summer blockbusters couldn't get out of the way of Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, which took the top spot in box-office earnings this weekend, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Bloody graphic-novel-style epic 300 earns big numbers at North American box office *
The ancient battle of Thermopylae was the stuff of 2007's first certified blockbuster as the bloody action tale 300 debuted with ticket sales of $70-million (USD) over its opening weekend, according to studio estimates, yesterday. [More]

Bob Hope dies at 100 *
Bob Hope, ski-nosed master of the one-liner and favourite comedian of servicemen and presidents alike, has died, less than two months after turning 100. [More]

Bollywood tackles social stigma of AIDS *
For the first time, India's Bollywood film industry, famed for its frothy romances and lavish song-and-dance sequences, is tackling AIDS and the social stigma attached to the illness. [More]

Boogeyman scares up big box office numbers *
The new low-budget thriller Boogeyman haunted the No. 1 slot at the weekend box office in North America yesterday, a day when movie theatres will be lucky to scare up much business in the face of competition from the Super Bowl. [More]

Borat hauls in $29 million to remain top weekend box-office draw *
A make-believe son of the glorious nation of Kazakhstan continues to rule the North American box office. [More]

Borat makes benefit glorious at box office again *
A make-believe -- and often obnoxious -- son of the glorious nation of Kazakhstan continues to rule the North American box office. [More]

Borat shocks Hollywood with number-one box office debut *
Sacha Baron Cohen's Kazakh alter-ego Borat made glorious returns at the box office, surprising Hollywood with a No. 1 debut. [More]

Borat stuns rivals at North American box office *
The 20th Century Fox's comedy chronicles the journey of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's character Borat, a raucous TV journalist from Kazakhstan as he travels the United States as a kind of a latter-day -- and anti-semitic -- Andy Kaufman. [More]

Born to play Barbara Amiel *
Lara Flynn Boyle had never heard of Conrad Black's better half, but she found an affinity in her strength. [More]

Bourne Again tops at box office *
Spy thriller has $24.5 million opening day: "Bourne again" tops at box office. [More]

Bourne reigns supreme *
Matt Damon enjoyed box-office supremacy in North America over the weekend with his new spy thriller, while fellow Oscar-winner Halle Berry ended up as road kill with her widely panned turn in Catwoman. [More]

Bourne to be bad -- but GOOD at Box Office *
The third instalment in the movies based on the late Robert Ludlum's spy novels knocked The Simpsons Movie from atop the box office and eclipsed the August 2001 opening of Rush Hour 2 -- which took in $67.4 million, according to reports. [More]

Box office 'Treasure' found again *
Santa was good to Hollywood over the Christmas holiday, delivering hearty box-office returns more than 34 per cent higher than the same weekend last year. [More]

Box office buzz overwhelmed by crime boss *
A heroin pusher and a honey bee put some sting back into the movie business. [More]

Box office in grip of Ice Age 2 *
Ice Age: The Meltdown heated up the box office with a mammoth $70.5-million (U.S.) weekend, while audiences gave the cold shoulder to Sharon Stone, whose Basic Instinct 2 debuted with a paltry $3.2-million. [More]

Box Office Piracy: Scandal in the High Cs -- movie studios still obsessing about Pirates . . . *
. . .and we don't mean the "of the Caribbean" kind, either. [More]

Box Office Prophets predicts Number one spot for Ratatouille *
The rat who acts as chef in a French restaurant in Paris feasted on choice North American box office receipts this weekend. [More]

Box office rebounds as Kutcher claims 2 top spots *
The new animal cartoon Open Season tracked down the No. 1 spot at the North American box office, distributor Sony Pictures said Monday. [More]

Box Office Reports 'Epic' Takeover *
Oscar contenders get boost from nominations. . ."Dreadful movie, possibly the worst I've seen," says evalu8.org film critic, John T.D. Keyes. [More]

Box Office Scores 2004: Meet the record holders *
Millions of Americans went shopping for comedy over the holiday weekend, giving the star-studded Meet the Fockers the record for the best single Christmas Day box office take. [More]

Box office topped by dreadful Epic Movie *
We say the title stands for "Every Possible Insult to Cinema-lovers," or perhaps "Every Possible Innuendo & Cliché." [More]

Box Office: Carrey proves divine *
The new Jim Carrey movie Bruce Almighty bounced The Matrix Reloaded from the top spot at the North American holiday box office, setting a new record for a non-sequel comedy. [More]

Boxing film production in Toronto takes a punch *
The U.S. Congress is taking a punch at the Toronto production of Cinderella Man, a Ron Howard film starring Russell Crowe as former American heavyweight boxing champion James Braddock. [More]

Brad Peyton and The Spider and the Fly: Hollywood takes a gander *
Earlier this year, Brad Peyton was barely paying the rent on his tiny apartment. Now, Tom Hanks has hired the Newfoundland native to create the full-length feature, The Spider and the Fly, writes GAYLE MacDONALD [More]

Break-Up earns $38.1M to top box office *
by real-life romantic splits and hook-ups, Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn's The Break-Up pulled an upset over the mutant world of the X-Men. [More]

Break-Up tops X-Men at the box office *
Supported by real-life romantic splits and hookups, Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn's The Break-Up pulled an upset over the mutant world of the X-Men. [More]

Brokeback proves a holiday favourite *
Brokeback Mountain posted the highest per-screen average over the film-flush holiday weekend. [More]

Bucket kicks off weekend box office *
The Bucket List looks as though it has ended the three-week box office reign of National Treasure: Book of Secrets at North American theatres. [More]

Buffy's slays shark with remake of horror flick *
The Grudge, a low-budget horror movie starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, delivered an additional shock yesterday by selling $40-million (U.S.) worth of tickets in its first three days at the North American box office, doubling the expectations of its distributor. [More]

Bullock's `Proposal' engages fans with diamond status to the tune of $33.6M *
The Proposal, the romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock, came in number one at the North American box office at the weekend, pushing the hilarious buddy film The Hangover out of the top spot. [More]

Cage, pregnant teen in box office shootout *
The Nicolas Cage adventure National Treasure: Book of Secrets as the top movie in North America, for the third week in a row. [More]

Cameron Diaz tops actress pay list *
Cameron Diaz is the world's highest-paid actress, snatching the title from Julia Roberts, the Guinness Book of Records said on Friday. [More]

Can Sylvia emerge from the shadow of an icon? *
Sylvia Plath is the crown princess of fetishized writers, one of those great American cult talents (Hemingway, Kerouac) whose life and work seem indistinguishable. Every young woman with a soupçon of literary pretension spends a few broody weeks with The Bell Jar and Letters Home beside her bed (Plath's poems, which are tougher, come later). [More]

Can the canapés, we want local films *
Forget Cannes. Forget Toronto. Let us now praise not-so-famous film festivals. Let's celebrate the smaller, regional festivals that crop up because audiences subjected to a steady diet of blockbusters want to see movies that reflect their own experience. Those low-budget festivals happen in small cities because emerging filmmakers are desperate for an audience. [More]

Canadian film inspires tears, applause at Cannes *
Denys Arcand's film about a French-Canadian man whose friends rally around him as he fights cancer won prolonged applause at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday and had many people wiping away tears. [More]

Canadian films still struggling at home, Statscan says *
Canadian films and videos continued to struggle on their home turf, with foreign entertainment grabbing the lion's share of this country's market in fiscal 2000-2001, Statistics Canada said Friday. [More]

Cannes clips *
Sweet, sensitive Claire Danes from television's So-Called Life fighting deadly killing machines out to destroy humanity? [More]

Captain Jack Sparrow plunders $62.2 million more in box-office loot *
Johnny Depp's boozy, woozy buccaneer Jack Sparrow has plundered the US and Canadian box office, with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest taking in a fistful of doubloons to maintain its Master-of-the-High-Cs ("cinemas," that is) record. [More]

Carrey tops box office with 'Horton Hears a Who' *
Family audiences headed for Who-Ville as 20th Century Fox's animated tale Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! debuted with $45.1 million, the best opening so far this year. [More]

Cars drives to the top of the box office *
The animated comedy Cars raced to first place at the weekend box office with a $62.8-million (U.S.) debut. [More]

Cars Leads Box Office Again *
With a projected take of $31.2 million, the Pixar animated movie outpaces Nacho Libre and the latest Fast and the Furious instalment. [More]

Cars wins box office race for second week *
With a projected take of $31.2 million, the Pixar animated movie outpaced Nacho Libre and the latest Fast and the Furious instalment. [More]

Cars wins box-office race with $62.8 million *
The animated comedy Cars raced to first place at the weekend box office with a $62.8 million debut, maintaining the Disney-Pixar cartoon brand's undefeated record with a seventh straight hit. [More]

Cars wins race to top of North American box office *
Pixar's animated comedy Cars raced to the top of box office in North America over the weekend, bringing in an estimated 62.8 million dollars . . . [More]

Celebs looking lovely in blood-red *
The hottest thing to be in this fall is not a plaid minikilt -- it's a blood feud. Everybody who's anybody is in some bitter battle or other, and they're all quite the show. [More]

Charlie's Angels throttles Hulk *
The angels have lost a little of their kick but they can still pulverize the opposition, even if he is big and green. [More]

Chicken Little rules roost *
The box office tumbled again despite solid weekends for the animated Chicken Little, which debuted with $40.1-million (U.S.), and the Desert Storm drama Jarhead, which opened with $28.8-million, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Chicken wins, box office fails *
Chicken Little and Fantasy are chicken-feed in the movie boneyard. [More]

Chihuahua bounds to top of box-office *
A trio of stars lend their voices (and barks and growls) to cute canines in Beverly Hills Chihuahua, a movie some reviewers have described as "inexorable." Nonetheless, it topped the box office this weekend. [More]

China's iron beauty *
Riveting film star Gong Li plays a coy and flirtatious lover in her latest film, an unusual part for an actress known for her headstrong roles. But don't get the idea that Gong has gone soft, GUY DIXON writes [More]

Chocolate Factory still tops North American box office charts *
It's déja vu all over again at the box office in North America, with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory still in first place, Wedding Crashers second and Fantastic Four third, estimates released Sunday show. [More]

Chocolate Factory tops North American box office *
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory found sweet success at the box office in North America, grossing an estimated 55.3 million US dollars in its weekend debut, preliminary figures out show Sunday. [More]

Christmas glow outshines Twilight *
What would vampires be doing at Christmas, anyway? [More]

Christmas theme brings early gift to Box Office *
"In tough times, people are looking for comic relief and that's what we gave them," said Dan Fellman, distributor of this week's box office champ, Four Christmases. [More]

Chuck and Larry beat Harry at Box Office *
Two guys named Chuck and Larry edged out a teenager named Harry at the weekend box office. [More]

Click clicks at box office *
The Adam Sandler comedy Click took first place at the North American box office with weekend ticket sales of $40 million, according to studio estimates on Sunday. [More]

Clooney sports comedy fumbles ball at box office *
The gambling tale 21 kept up its winning streak as it took in $15.1 million to stay on top of the box office for a second-straight weekend. [More]

Close Up: Robert Altman *
The screen is blank, then our picture starts with an italicized crawl: This is a true story -- every quoted remark is accurate. But it's also a movie, a Robert Altman movie, and so it must abide by his distinctive style and conventions. [More]

Cloverfield is the Monster Hit of holiday weekend *
Paramount's tale of a giant reptile causing chaos in New York City surpassed the $35.9 million premiere weekend of the Star Wars special edition in 1997, the previous best for January -- Cloverfield debuted with $46 million. [More]

Cloverfield pulls down Monster $41M *
Paramount's tale of a giant reptile causing chaos in New York City surpassed the $35.9 million premiere weekend of the Star Wars special edition in 1997, the previous best for January. [More]

Colin Farrell to replace Heath Ledger in unfinished film *
Colin Farrell says it's an honour to help replace Heath Ledger in the actor's final film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. [More]

Collateral box office disappointing for Cruise *
Crime may not pay for Tom Cruise. The box office superhero's first outing as a villain, in director Michael Mann's thriller Collateral, made off with a middling $24.4-million (U.S.) during its first three days at the North American box office, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Columbus Day holiday boosts box office leaders *
Columbus Day was very good to new box office champ The Departed and the film it replaced last weekend, Open Season. [More]

Complete Unknown: Trailing the elusive Dylan *
Griffin Ondaatje and Craig Proctor have made a documentary on the myth of Bob Dylan in which Dylan barely appears -- which is fitting, given the subject matter, BRAD WHEELER writes [More]

Cost crunch hits movie theatres *
Canadians still love watching a good movie on the big screen, but the country's love affair with the cinema is waning, Statistics Canada says. [More]

Costner's last stand *
Kevin Costner poured his own money into Open Range, his epic western shot in Alberta and opening next week. Disney says it's too violent. The rest of Hollywood dismisses it as a stale genre piece. But, as the actor-director tells DAVID GIAMMARCO, he always has been a bit of a maverick [More]

Covenant debuts atop weakest box office in three years *
The Covenant -- a tale of supernatural teens trying to destroy each other at an elite boarding school -- ascended to the top of the weekend box office with a modest take of $9 million, according to studio estimates. [More]

Covenant leads weakest box office in three years *
The new supernatural thriller The Covenant conjured up the lead at a sluggish weekend box office in North America with the lowest sales for a No. 1 movie in three years. [More]

Crewson: 'I'm a consort of presidents and kings' *
Wendy Crewson joins a talented team of Canucks in the third season of 24, GAYLE MacDONALD writes. The White House setting is a familiar one for her. [More]

Cruise's 'Mission' underwhelms at US box office *
The film opened disappointingly at the weekend box office in North American, despite a whirlwind publicity tour by Cruise. [More]

Da Vinci Code boosts summer box office fortunes *
Moviegoers gave their blessing to the The Da Vinci Code over the weekend, spending an estimated $77 million to see the Tom Hanks religious thriller. [More]

Da Vinci code raises box office from the Dead *
"How Dark the Con of Man" -- see the film and find out what this means! [More]

Dallaire's Rwandan tale slated for film *
Halifax-based Salter Street Films has secured the rights to retired lieutenant-general Roméo Dallaire's upcoming book on his experience in Rwanda. [More]

Daniel Day-Lewis: Just call him Jack *
The residents of Souris are taking it all in stride as Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis and a film crew descend on a remote stretch of PEI's north shore [More]

Dark Knight continues to rule box office *
Batman epic rakes in more than $70-million (U.S.) on its second weekend of circulation; Step Brothers places a strong second. [More]

Dark Knight rewrites box-office record books *
Buzz has been building for weeks about director Christopher Nolan's follow-up to 2005's Batman Begins, with several reviewers hailing Heath Ledger's performance as worthy of a posthumous Oscar nod. [More]

Dark Knight swings past $500 million mark, while 'Tropic Thunder' trebles its box off rule *
Batman's rich alter-ego Bruce Wayne has added half a billion dollars to his riches. The Dark Knight on Sunday became the second movie in Hollywood history to top $500 million at the domestic box office, raising its total to $502.4 million, according to estimates from distributor Warner Bros. [More]

Date doctor defeats exorcist at the box office *
Will Smith's romantic comedy Hitch led the North American box office for a second consecutive weekend with $31.8-million (U.S.), narrowly fending off a strong challenge from the new Keanu Reeves sci-fi thriller Constantine ($30.5-million), according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Dawn of the Dead tops box office *
Audiences feasted on zombies as the fright flick Dawn of the Dead pulled in $27.3 million (U.S.) at the box office in its debut weekend and bumped The Passion of the Christ from the top spot. [More]

Debunking the myth of evil L.A. *
A filmmaker sets out to show a more just picture of the City of Angels [More]

Diary of a Mad Black Woman shocks box office *
The top spot at the North American box office this weekend went to a film by a formerly homeless playwright little known by movie fans. [More]

Director fired from Exorcist prequel *
Director Paul Schrader says he's been fired from work on the upcoming thriller, which is a prequel to the acclaimed 1973 original about a demon-possessed little girl. [More]

Disney blocks distribution of Moore's new documentary *
The Walt Disney Company is blocking its Miramax Films division from distributing Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which criticizes President Bush's handling of Sept. 11 and connects the Bush family with Osama bin Laden's. [More]

Disney musical, family fantasy can't catch Jumper *
The globe-trotting thriller "Jumper" soared to a box office win with $27.2-million (U.S.) on a weekend when Hollywood offered something for everyone, with new films for action fans, teens, family audiences and the date-movie crowd. [More]

Disney spoof tops weekend box office again *
Disney's fairy-tale romantic comedy "Enchanted" charmed audiences again this weekend. [More]

Disney to cut jobs despite record box office sales *
It's Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow -- the drunken pirate famously modeled on the Rolling Stones' Richards -- who may have propelled Pirates to the all-time largest opening box-office gross. [More]

Disney's 'Race to Witch Mountain' crosses finish line to top weekend box office *
Disney's Race to Witch Mountain raced to No. 1 at the weekend box office, bypassing expectations with $25 million in ticket sales. [More]

Disney's Ratatouille rules weekend box office *
The rat who wanted to be chef in a Paris restaurant proved he COULD take the heat in the kitchen. [More]

Disturbia holds on for third week as top box office draw *
Moviegoers continued to keep their eyes on the Peeping Tom thriller Disturbia, which fended off a weak batch of newcomers to remain No. 1 for the third straight weekend with $9.1-million (U.S.). [More]

Disturbia remains top box office draw *
The teen thriller "Disturbia" led the North American box office for a THIRD weekend, as another slew of lowly new releases tried to make an impact. [More]

Disturbia repeats as top box office flick *
The face of Hannibal Lecter was no match for Shia LaBeouf in a box-office battle of murder thrillers. [More]

Disturbia scares up $23 million at box office *
Movie-goers put the Peeping Tom thriller "Disturbia" under strong surveillance as the film took in $23 million to debut at the top of the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Does this box office triumph prove that chick-flicks 'BITE'? *
Audiences found the vampire romance Twilight infectious in its opening weekend, pushing the movie to a take of $70.6 million. [More]

Dog Bites Man (you read it here first) *
Former Titanic heart-throb was mauled by a tiny California house-pet at this week's Hollywood Box Office showdown. [More]

Don't take the wrong message *
Mel Gibson's talked-about film should serve as a springboard for bringing Christians and Jews closer together, says Catholic theologian THOMAS ROSICA, not driving them apart. [More]

Duelling monsters gobble box-office competition *
Moviegoers were easy prey for a double dose of space invaders. [More]

Dukes of Hazzard wreak havoc at U.S. box office *
The South rose again at the box office in North America as The Dukes of Hazzard raced to the top in its first weekend of release. [More]

Dukes wipe out Crashers at box office *
The good ol' boys of The Dukes of Hazzard crashed past another pair of joke-cracking buddies to the top of the weekend box office. [More]

Easter box office lays an egg *
Horton the elephant retained the heavyweight crown at the North American box office Sunday, but the Easter holiday failed to prevent overall sales from resuming their downtrend. [More]

Eastwood wins best director Oscar *
Hollywood tough guy Clint Eastwood on Sunday won the second best director Oscar of his career for his dark boxing drama Million Dollar Baby. [More]

Eastwood's 'Gran Torino' wins Box office race *
In his latest movie, the 78-year-old Hollywood icon plays one of the grouchiest characters in screen history. [More]

Eddie Murphy's 'Norbit' debuts on top of box office *
Three times the Eddie Murphy multi-player effect added up to a big win at the box office. [More]

Eddie Murphy's a box office hit. . .again *
Murphy's Norbit eats Hannibal for breakfast. [More]

Eight Below tops U.S. box office *
In its debut week, Eight Below grossed an estimated $20 million and topped the U.S. box office, Sunday. [More]

Eight Below wins dog-race to open at No. 1, edging out Date Movie *
Eight Below, a tale of survival among abandoned sled dogs, was the leader of the box-office pack with a $25 million US opening over the four-day holiday weekend. [More]

Eleven films eligible for animation Oscar *
Eleven films, including Shrek 2, Shark Tale and the Japanese movie Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, are eligible to be nominated for the best animated feature film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced. [More]

Elf overpowers Master at the box office *
Will Ferrell's Elf scuttled Russell Crowe's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World to finish as the weekend's No. 1 movie at the North American box office, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Enchanted still charms at box office *
Disney fairy-tale romantic comedy Enchanted stayed on top of the box office for a second weekend, while overall ticket sales returned to the slump after a booming Thanksgiving holiday. [More]

Enchanted weaves magic spell at box office *
Disney's fairy-tale romantic comedy Enchanted charmed audiences over the holiday weekend, taking home more than $50-million for the Thanksgiving five-day box office, according to studio estimates on Sunday. [More]

End of B.C. Film seed money decried *
Filmmakers in British Columbia have just lost a lucrative source of funding... [More]

Evan Almighty brings small flood to box office *
Steve Carell proved not nearly as all-powerful as Jim Carrey. [More]

Even blizzards can't stop Are We There Yet? *
According to studio estimates issued yesterday, Ice Cube's new comedy Are We There Yet? opened at No. 1 with box office of about $18.5-million (U.S.) in the three days beginning Jan. 21, exceeding the expectations of its distributor, Columbia Pictures. [More]

Ewan McGregor: How to spot a family man *
Famous for playing a junkie, today Ewan McGregor's addicted to work and being a dad, SIMON HOUPT writes. [More]

Exorcism thriller banishes US box office (low) spirits *
Low budget thriller The Exorcism of Emily Rose upset the apple cart to top the US box office this past weekend with a Beelzebub-banishing $30 million take. [More]

Exorcism tops box office *
The Exorcism of Emily Rose bedevilled the competition at the weekend box office in North America, grossing about 30.2 million dollars in its debut to take first place, according to estimates out Sunday. [More]

Exorcisms fail, love triumphs -- Heaven trumps Exorcism at box office *
Heaven beat the devil at the box office this weekend. [More]

Exorcist displaces Alien *
God vs. Satan cast out space creatures' bout at the box office. [More]

Exorcist prequel had its own demons *
The backstory of Exorcist: The Beginning is enough to make your head spin. . . [More]

Fahrenheit 9/11 heats up Alliance's bottom line *
The box office success of Michael Moore's controversial film Fahrenheit 9/11 has begun to spin revenue for its Canadian distributor Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. [More]

Fahrenheit burns up box office *
Michael Moore's red-hot documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 earned more in its first three days of release across North America than his Oscar-winning Bowling for Columbine did in its entire run, the film's distributors said yesterday. [More]

Failure to Launch takes off *
Failure to Launch, a romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker, took off at theatres, debuting as the top weekend movie with $24.6-million (U.S.). [More]

Family fare, horror share box office *
Inspector Clouseau bumbled his way to the top of the box office as Steve Martin's The Pink Panther debuted with $21.7 million (all figures USD) to lead a rush of new releases. [More]

Fans devour dinner with Kutcher *
Two guesses on who topped the weekend box office. Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher, that's who. [More]

Fantastic Four stops Hollywood's box office slump *
The Fantastic Four muscled War of the Worlds out of first place at the North America box office after a one-week reign, and managed to snap Hollywood's longest box office slump in more than two decades, according to preliminary figures released here Sunday. [More]

Fast & Furious wins by a Mile *
Fast & Furious -- the fourth episode in Universal's car-chase franchise -- solves the auto-buying drought and the Mexican drug wars in one giant testosterone fantasy. [More]

Fast and Furious . . . for kids *
'That pedal is the break. . . . Go.' LIAM LACEY hits the go-kart raceway and lives to tell about it [More]

Feel-good movies top New Year's weekend's box office *
Another good week for Ben Stiller, Will Smith. [More]

Feet, Royale again top weekend box-office draws *
A dancing penguin and the world's deadliest spy have settled in for a long stay at the top of the box office. [More]

Feet, Royale top weekend box office -- again *
The animated penguin tale Happy Feet remained the No. 1 movie for the third straight weekend with $17 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Ferrell comedy 'Semi-Pro' only 'Semi-Successful' *
Will Ferrell's basketball comedy Semi-Pro dribbled to the top of the weekend box office, but it fell short of his previous blockbuster openings in the sports spoof genre. [More]

Ferrell comedy Semi-Pro stumbles at box office *
Semi-Pro's weekend take isn't bad for an R-rated comedy, but it's less than half what most analysts had predicted, given Ferrell's track record and the movie's heavy marketing push. [More]

Ferrell skates to top of US box office *
Stars-on-ice Will Ferrell and Jon Heder took the box office gold for the weekend. [More]

Film folks give kudos to the King *
Barely out of the starting block, and Peter Jackson's third -- and final -- The Lord of the Rings adaptation is already the toast of the town. [More]

Film offers rare glimpse of Parizeau *
'I am not a sad man,' former PQ leader reveals in newly released documentary [More]

Films: An autumn of hope *
Could it be true? Decent movies in theatres between the uninspiring summer and the traditional Christmas flurry of Oscar contenders? With new offerings from the likes of Weir, Tarantino, Campion and the Coens, LIAM LACEY writes, the fall is looking good [More]

Final Rings movie rules the box office *
Movie audiences shelled out a king's ransom for one last trip to Middle Earth. [More]

Finding Nemo sinks competition *
The deep-sea adventure Finding Nemo hooked the top spot at the box office Sunday with an estimated $70.6-million (U.S.) opening weekend... [More]

Fish Flushers Learn Life Does Not Imitate 'Nemo' *
Margie Valadez, a dispatcher for RotoRooter, is used to calls from upset customers whose watches, rings or even cell phones were accidentally flushed down the toilet. Lately, though, she's been taking calls from hysterical parents asking if plumbers can rescue fish. [More]

Flightplan tops US box office *
Airplane thriller Flightplan took the No. 1 position during its first weekend at the North American box office on Sunday, reaping an estimated $US24.7 million. [More]

Fog lifts at box office *
The crowds were not quite as thick as pea soup, but the horror remake The Fog pulled in enough fans to win a close race at the weekend box office with a $12.2-million (U.S.) debut. [More]

Fonda-Lopez Face-off Tops at Box Office *
Moviegoers Are Fond of Fonda-Lopez Pairing in 'Monster-In-Law,' Movie Takes in $24 Million (USD). [More]

Foolproof Canadian marketing blitz *
But is the unprecedented campaign for the film motivated largely by the glittering prize of Telefilm funding? GAYLE MACDONALD reports. [More]

Foolproof... box-office hit? Doesn't look that way *
Despite the biggest and most aggressive marketing blitz in Canadian film history, the caper flick Foolproof got off to a disappointing start at the box office on the weekend. evalu8.org's John T.D. Keyes didn't like this film much, either. [More]

Fools 'Rush' in -- to top box office *
New Line Cinema's Rush Hour 3, starring Chinese martial arts hero Jackie Chan, topped North American box office this weekend as this summer's last blockbuster, while Hollywood's hot summer season is approaching its end. [More]

Football team tackles Black Dahlia at box office *
It was another down weekend at the box office, although moviegoers helped Sony Pictures and Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson score with the football flick Gridiron Gang. [More]

Former child star makes box-office comeback *
The band of grown-up kiddie actors in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star beat back the bloodthirsty bat-creature of Jeepers Creepers 2 at the weekend box office. [More]

Foster still aloft, but box office crashes *
Jodie Foster's Flightplan stayed aloft at the box office, as the airplane thriller took in $15-million (U.S.) to remain the No. 1 movie over a rush of new wide releases. [More]

Foster's Flightplan soars *
Jodie Foster piloted Flightplan to a No. 1 debut, her airborne thriller taking in $24.6 million (U.S.) to land ahead of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, the runner-up with $20.1 million. [More]

Foster's Flightplan Propels Box Office *
Despite controversy among allegedly maligned stewardesses, Jodie Foster's airplane thriller Flightplan remained at high altitude, finishing first at the box office for the second-straight weekend with $14.8 million. [More]

Four Brothers plus a Singleton equals Box Office Topper *
The action flick Four Brothers zoomed into first place at the weekend box office in North America, with an expected take of 20.7 million dollars in its debut, according to preliminary figures released today. [More]

Four Brothers tops at weekend box office *
The John Singleton revenge flick Four Brothers beat its cinematic siblings to take the top spot at the weekend box office. [More]

Four Christmases, take Two *
Movie crowds kept up their holiday spirit as Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn's comedy Four Christmases rang up $18.2 million to lead the box office for a second-straight weekend. [More]

Four turtles overtake 300 soldiers at box office *
TMNT -- a computer-animated comedy resurrecting the reptilian superstars of the 1980s -- sold an estimated $25.4 million worth of tickets during its first three days [More]

Frankie Avalon: 'Don't forget, I was a teenage idol' *
As long as the questions are gentle, he pours on the charm, SARAH HAMPSON writes. When they get tough, she finds out what it's like to get the celebrity brush-off [More]

Freddy vs. Jason slays box office *
The horror team of Freddy vs. Jason had a killer weekend as the showdown between the bad guys of the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises opened with $36.4-million (U.S.). [More]

Freeman to release new film online *
Just two weeks after 10 Items or Less opens in theatres, it will be available for digital download from Clickstar, a company that Morgan Freeman's production company and Intel have founded to bring small movies to those who live far from boutique cinemas. [More]

French author sues Disney *
French children's book author has filed a lawsuit against Disney claiming that the superstar fish Nemo closely resembles his own creation, a smiling, wide-eyed clown fish named Pierrot. [More]

From dude to deity *
Keanu Reeves, advanced being.
Five years ago, those words strung together would have elicited derisive laughter. Before then, the closest the Toronto-bred actor came to representing a state of bliss was the ignorant kind associated with his perfectly embodied teenage doofuses from the Bill & Ted and Parenthood movies. [More]

Gamble wins at box office, but revenues down *
21 rakes in jackpot to debut in Box Office top spot. [More]

Game Plan leads weekend box office *
The Game Plan, the comedy starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, proved a surprise No. 1 in theatres this weekend, taking in $22.7 million. [More]

Game Plan still tops box office *
The Game Plan, the comedy starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, proved a surprise No. 1 in theatres again this weekend, taking in $22.7 million, according to studio estimates. [More]

Gangster beats bees at box office *
Hard-hitting crime drama American Gangster gunned down the opposition in North American theatres over the weekend, netting 43.6 million dollars. [More]

Garth, Mel -- chose another hymn *
Of all the sacred texts to bring to the screen, why did you pick the most adversarial Gospel? asks scholar DONALD HARMAN AKENSON [More]

Getting the skinny on Renée Zellweger *
The actress has spent the last few hectic years getting fat, then thin again to play mind-bogglingly different roles. The latest is a feisty and independent Civil War wildcat in Cold Mountain. [More]

Ghost Rider devilishly hot at box office *
Satan's bounty hunter has looted the wallets of movie-goers. [More]

Ghost Rider retains top spot at the weekend box office, despite poor reviews *
New Jim Carrey film -- The Number 23 -- comes in second [More]

Ghost Rider Revs Up Box Office *
Studio estimates show that Sony's film with Cage as a motorcycle stunt driver moonlighting as a collector of evil souls for the devil took in 44.5 million. [More]

Ghosts of the Abyss: Titanic tour a memorial in 3-D ****
Using remote-controlled robots, director James Cameron takes us inside rooms that haven't been visited for almost a century [More]

Gibson film stirs passionate debate *
Critics accuse star of anti-Semitism, while he screens movie for D.C. elite [More]

Gibson's Aztec film leads box office in quiet weekend *
Mel Gibson's bloody epic Apocalypto debuted as the No. 1 weekend movie. [More]

Gibson's gamble storms box office *
Mel Gibson's gamble on The Passion of the Christ paid off enormously, riding a storm of religious debate to a $117.5-million haul in its first five days, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Gibson's Passion a box-office smash *
The Passion of the Christ was the top film for a third straight weekend, taking in $31.7-million (U.S.) and pushing its total beyond a quarter of a billion dollars. [More]

Giving good airport *
As anyone who has followed glossy-image merchant Bonnie Fuller from Us to the National Enquirer knows, the red carpet has gone big box. Paparazzi shots of Meg Ryan shopping at Ralph's or Nicole Kidman swigging a Starbucks have as much currency as portraits of them be-gowned and be-jewelled strutting into a movie premiere. [More]

Glory Road takes over top box office spot *
The college basketball saga Glory Road triumphed at the weekend box office in North America, narrowly beating fellow newcomers Last Holiday and Hoodwinked, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Goblet on fire at the box office *
The bespectacled boy wizard has worked his biggest box-office magic to date. [More]

Golden Compass points the way at weekend box office *
The Golden Compass -- the children's film criticized by detractors as anti-religious -- topped North American box offices with a less-than-stellar 26.1 million dollars in weekend receipts, according to industry estimates. [More]

Golden Compass tops weekend box office *
The Golden Compass -- the children's film criticized by detractors as anti-religious -- topped North American box offices with a less-than-stellar 26.1 million dollars in weekend receipts, according to industry estimates. [More]

Golden Globe winners 2008 *
If you are in an Oscar pool, you might find these 2008 Golden Globes wins helpful in formulation your own best-guesses. [More]

Golden Globes may lack cachet of the Oscars, but the stars glitter just as brightly *
Foxx, Eastwood, Bening, Canada's perennial winner, Howard Shore take home Golden Globes at Academy Award "preview" [More]

Golden Globes will delay 2004 ceremony *
The Golden Globe Awards, often considered a crystal ball for the Oscars, will air a week later than usual next year. [More]

Golden moments at 2006 Golden Globes *
Last night's 63rd annual Golden Globes, the world's second most important movie prize night after the Oscars, were a breakthrough night for small budget, independent films that dealt with once-taboo topics such as homosexuality and transsexualism. [More]

Good, clean summer fun (Cole) *
You know how children want their food the same and are keen on recycling? Hollywood is like that too as it dishes up its kiddie menu over the next few months, STEPHEN COLE finds [More]

Good, clean summer fun (Groen) *
There's no use getting hot and bothered about summer's shallow fare, RICK GROEN explains. Studio bosses are taking a page from Scott and Spenser, in a tradition as old as literature itself. [More]

Gory Hostel dominates box office *
There's nothing quite like a torture movie to shake off festive spirits. [More]

Grandpa Omar *
Aging screen legend Omar Sharif tells LEAH McLAREN that Monsieur Ibrahim could well be his last leading role in a feature film, but he's looking forward to playing the doting grandfather in real life. [More]

Gregory Peck: The screen image was never far from the man *
He displayed as a person the same qualities of basic goodness that epitomized his roles, RICK GROEN writes [More]

Gridiron Gang carries the ball at the box office with $15 million debut *
It was another down weekend at the box office, although moviegoers helped Sony Pictures and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson score with the football flick Gridiron Gang. [More]

Gustav quiets Labour Day box office *
As kids trudge back to books, entertainment and special-effects take second place to real-life weather concerns. [More]

Halloween arrives early this year *
Rob Zombie's gory remake of the classic "slasher" movie took a commanding early lead at the North American weekend box office, according to preliminary estimates issued on Saturday. Looks like a fun romp, eh? [More]

Halloween kills at box office, sets record for Labour Day weekend *
Halloween came early and closed Hollywood's strong summer season with a record-breaking Labour Day weekend debut. [More]

Hanging on to top spot at the box office: Hangover *
The Hangover lingered another weekend at No. 1, becoming the first film of summer to take the top spot at the box office for two consecutive weeks. [More]

Hanks versus Cruise -- the Battle of the Toms *
Does a star's personal philosophy and off-screen behaviour affect box office receipts? How far can a star push the limits of public endurance before a backlash is felt? Does the controversy of a film outweigh its strength as a story, or as entertainment? These, and other questions are about to be answered in coming weeks, as we see how well The Da Vinci Code fares in its opening next week, as measured against the already faltering Mission: Impossible III. [More]

Hannah Montana concert film sets box office record *
First, she sells out a nationwide concert tour. Now girl-next-door Miley Cyrus and pop-star alter-ego Hannah Montana are selling out movie theatres in such record-breaking style that the film's run has been extended. [More]

Hannah Montana rocks box office *
First, she sells out a nationwide concert tour. Now Miley Cyrus and pop-star alter-ego Hannah Montana are selling out movie theatres in such record-breaking style that the film's run has been extended. [More]

Hannah takes Easter box office crown *
Walt Disney's Hannah Montana: The Movie opened with $34 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. That followed Cyrus' first-place premiere last year with her 3-D concert film. [More]

Happy Feet dance handily to No. 1 spot at box office *
The animated penguins of Happy Feet stomped all over the competition to stay No. 1 in U.S. box office receipts over the Thanksgiving weekend. [More]

Happy New Year For 'Fockers' *
Moviegoers embraced the dysfunctional family comedy "Meet the Fockers" for the second straight week, as the star-studded sequel earned $42.8 million to retain its No. 1 slot at the weekend box office. [More]

Happy penguins look likely to beat out Bond at box office *
James Bond has met his match -- not a fellow spy but a tap-dancing penguin, in what some are calling the musical version of March of the Penguins. [More]

Harrelson: 'I make films for subcultures' *
From his childhood boycott of processed cheese slices to his new film documenting Woody Harrelson's crusade for organic living, Ron Mann has always been the master of the marginal, SARAH HAMPSON writes [More]

Harry Potter dominates weekend box office *
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire grossed $101.4-million (U.S.) in its debut weekend, the best results yet for the franchise, according to studio estimates released Sunday. [More]

Harry Potter holds top box office spot for third week *
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire made $20 million for a total box office of $230 million, topping the U.S. box office for the third week in a row. [More]

Harry Potter keeps magic alive at box office *
The third weekend was still a charm for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which remained the top movie with a take of $20.45-million (USD). [More]

Harry Potter sets new box office record *
The new Harry Potter film is casting a lucrative spell at the box office worldwide, as Warner Bros. opened the fifth big-screen version of JK Rowling's best-selling novel series Wednesday in a massive release. [More]

Harry Potter star muses darkly on character's fate *
Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the blockbuster Harry Potter movies, said yesterday that he believed the boy wizard might be destined to die in later episodes of the story. [More]

Harry Potter waves wand, makes megabucks *
With a flick of his wand, young wizard Harry Potter conjured up $92.7-million (U.S.) worth of ticket sales at the North American box office with his latest film, setting a new opening record for the hit franchise, according to studio estimates issued Sunday. [More]

Harry Potter works magic in $77.4M debut *
Harry Potter remains a box-office charmer. [More]

Harry Potter's fire goblet overflows *
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is poised to be China's biggest box office hit this year, reaping more than 80 million yuan (US$9.8 million) since its release nearly a month ago. [More]

Harry's magical Thanksgiving feast *
A boy wizard and a country-music legend outclassed a flurry of box-office newcomers over Thanksgiving. [More]

Hawayein: Bollywood gets real *
Mobs descend on innocent bystanders, killing, raping and maiming thousands in New Delhi as news of Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassination spreads like the rising flames in the city. [More]

Hawke eyes IPO for latest project *
Telefilm take note: An investment firm is raising money to finance movie projects by letting film buffs buy a piece of Ethan Hawke, or at least a share in a project he's involved with, and trade that as a stock. [More]

Hayden Christensen: Darth star *
Hayden Christensen bulks up in Sydney to play a 'non-wimpy' intergalactic villain and misses Toronto, GAYLE MacDONALD finds [More]

Heavy Metal crushes competitors at box office *
Ratatouille also performed well over the holiday since last weekend's initial, three-day haul of $47 million fell short of some box office watchers' expectations. [More]

Heist thriller has 'Inside' track at box office *
Washington's reunion with Spike Lee put them on the inside track at the box office. [More]

Hellboy beats Hancock *
Eccentric graphic novel antiheroes battled it out last weekend. . . [More]

Hellboy rises to the top *
A wisecracking demon from hell took down The Rock for the weekend's box-office title. [More]

Hepburn made the misfit into a star *
Katharine Hepburn, who died last Sunday at age 96, was it for me, I-T. Weekday afternoons in front of the Million Dollar Movie, she was mine -- my role model, my mentor, my substitute mother. It was the 1970s; my own (single) mother was at work. Through Kate's on-screen careers, I plotted the ways I would be, too -- glamorous lawyer, glamorous journalist, gritty frontier woman, queen. [More]

Here's looking at you, kids *
Raised by parents who are more likely to rent Chaplin or Hepburn, some of today's kids are spurning Hollywood blockbusters for the classics, REBECCA CALDWELL writes [More]

Hero's arrival cheered at box office *
Hero, Jet Li's acclaimed martial-arts epic, vanquished giant snakes, serial killers and a gang of superbabies to make its debut as the top weekend film. . . [More]

Hide and Seek takes top spot at box office *
Robert De Niro's fright flick Hide and Seek had a strong debut in its opening weekend, taking in $22 million (U.S.) to become the top movie and fending off a rush of Academy Awards contenders. [More]

High School Musical 3 boogies to top of box office *
HSM3 cashed in with 42 million dollars in weekend ticket sales, trailed by Saw V, which scared up 30 million dollars. [More]

Hitchhiker tops box office *
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy thumbed its way to the top of the box office, debuting at $21.7 million to beat out the explosive XXX brand. [More]

Hoffman, Witherspoon Win Lead-Acting Oscars *
Reese Witherspoon as country singer June Carter in Walk the Line and Philip Seymour Hoffman as author Truman Capote in Capote won the lead-acting Academy Awards on Sunday. [More]

Holding court in Cannes *
Canadian Charlotte Mickie is in the big leagues of global film distribution. LIAM LACEY finds her hunkered down in a back office, doing deals. [More]

Hollywood box office boasts first-ever $4-billion summer *
Bad weather? Hot movies? Free air-conditioning? Whatever the reason for this summer's success, Hollywood distribution moguls are no longer wringing their hands over box office receipts. [More]

Hollywood box office enjoys summer rebound *
After a dismal box-office year and gloomy prophecies about its future, the movie business has rebounded with a solid -- though far from spectacular -- summer 2006 season. [More]

Hollywood can't beat horror *
Lionsgate's Hostel bumped off the previous weekend's No. 1 film, Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which came in second with $15.4-million to lift its domestic total to $247.6-million, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Hollywood ends 2007 with hot box office amid writers' strike *
Strong holiday box office performance gave Hollywood a year-end gift -- despite the ongoing writers' strike -- with ticket sales up nearly 18 per cent in the last weekend of 2007 over a year earlier. [More]

Hollywood generates 'big' Hangover *
Hollywood had a bigger hangover this weekend than expected. [More]

Hollywood gets help from the S.W.A.T. team *
Calling in the S.W.A.T. team proved good business for Hollywood. [More]

Hollywood had a happy holiday with Christmas weekend revenues up 8 per cent over 2007 *
Marley & Me was based on John Grogan's best-seller about a couple going through the ups and downs of marriage with their mischievous dog in tow. The holiday timing was ideal for a story about an adorable pup, said 20th Century Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston. [More]

Hollywood reeling as 2003 box office sales slump *
This year's movie superheroes are getting licked by last year's. [More]

Hollywood reels in a record summer haul, 2008 edition *
Times may be tough in the real world. Not so in Hollywood. . . [More]

Hollywood studios to sell movies on-line *
The films can't be burned onto a disc for viewing on a DVD player. Still, the move is seen as a step toward full digital distribution of movies over the Internet. [More]

Hollywoodland Confidential *
Critics loved Ben Affleck in Hollywoodland, but -- even so -- audiences did not flock to see the film. [More]

Holy box office, Batman! *
Director Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, broke box office records on its opening weekend with $155.34 million, beating Spider-Man 3 by $4 million. [More]

Homer’s odyssey leads to box office gold *
The Simpsons Movie, an animated feature based on the TV mainstays from Springfield, smashed industry expectations to earn an estimated $29.1 million on its first day of release on Friday in the U.S. and Canada. [More]

Hoodwinked, Glory Road tops at box office *
Results this week are delayed until today, to allow box offices to account for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend crowds. [More]

Hopkins presents new film at Venice *
Anthony Hopkins' new film The Human Stain tells the tale of a brilliant man brought down by political correctness, a modern trend that the esteemed actor describes as "a cancer." [More]

Horrific reviews can't stop Amityville *
The Amityville Horror returned from the dead with a vengeance, with the gory update of the 1970s fright flick taking in $23.3-million (U.S.) to top the weekend box office. [More]

Horror movie makes some noise at the box office *
TriStar Pictures' Silent Hill topped the North American box office over the weekend, raking in an estimate of 20.2 million dollars for the horror thriller about a mother searching for her daughter in a deserted, haunted town. [More]

Horror retains its grip on a weak box office *
A weak batch of new movies made easy prey for Freddy vs. Jason, which took in $13.5-million to remain the No. 1 weekend flick, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Horror sequel The Grudge 2 opened to a $9.6 million Friday. . . *
. . .and tops weekend box office. Verdict: Grudge 2 thrills box office, Williams doesn't. [More]

Hostel tops box office *
The weekend box office was sheer torture as the bloody Hostel, a tale of buddies who stumble into a den of violent depravity, debuted at No. 1 with $20.1-million (U.S.). [More]

Hot Ice Age breaks $100 million box-office *
The 20th Century Fox family tale Ice Age: The Meltdown took in $34.5-million (U.S.) to remain the No. 1 movie for a second straight weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Hot Opening Weekend for 'Burn After Reading' *
A brilliant cast sparkles in this wonderfully dark and cynical film. A big box office win for the elusive Coen brothers. [More]

House Bunny beaten by Ben's boys at Box Office *
The action comedy Tropic Thunder weathered a rush of new movies to remain No. 1 for a second-straight weekend with $16.1 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

How do we define what a movie is? *
There were eight commercials before the feature, Bruce Almighty, on Monday. Before the previews, even. There was a grainy minidocumentary about Gatorade; a white-on-white L'Oréal pitch featuring pouty models with sticky hair enacting the seven deadly sins; a half-live, half-animated ad for the Toyota Matrix; a redhead with a put-on-sounding British accent touting Acuvue colour contact lenses; an Axe deodorant spot where gorgeous girls forgive all manner of male transgressions; plus ads for The Toronto Star, Labatt Blue and the DVD for Die Another Day. [More]

HSM3 bests Porno to stay atop box office *
Disney's clean-cut High School Musical 3: Senior Year kept would-be porn stars Zack and Miri at bay to keep its top slot on the North American box office earnings list, industry figures showed Sunday. [More]

Hugh Jackman's 'Wolverine' Box Office slashes through competition *
Despite an internet leak before the film was even released, Hugh Jackman's new Wolverine film broke box office records for a single-day showing. [More]

Hulking box office for Big Green Guy *
The Incredible Hulk, the action movie about a man whose temper transforms him into a green beast, was the top film at U.S. and Canadian theatres this weekend with sales of $54.5 million. [More]

I think it has a double life, Toronto *
Gay marriage, legal pot, strip clubs -- we've finally got Hollywood's attention [More]

I, Robot bumps Spider-Man 2 from top spot *
Will Smith has the summer crowd well programmed... [More]

Ice Age continues box-office warming trend with $34.5 million *
Score one for the prehistoric animals: The 20th Century Fox family tale Ice Age: The Meltdown took in $34.5 million to remain the No. 1 movie for a second straight weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Ice Age sequel heats up box office *
The animated sequel Ice Age: The Meltdown registered the biggest opening of the year at the North American box office, selling an estimated $70.5 million worth of tickets during its first three days, distributor 20th Century Fox said on Sunday. [More]

Imax box office Giant among Big Screens *
With box office receipts declining at North American theatres, Hollywood films adapted to the oversized Imax format are drawing record crowds, a trend analysts say represents a shift in the habits of moviegoers. [More]

Imitation of life *
There's a slew of juicy biographies coming soon to a theatre near you. GAYLE MacDONALD talks to fans and critics of the enduring genre, in which fact meets fiction. [More]

In America: An escape to America *
'Some people use the phrase "magic realism" to describe the film,' Irish director Jim Sheridan tells LIAM LACEY, 'but I always associate that with mushrooms' [More]

In praise of bolder directors *
Actresses Nicole Kidman, Sarah Polley and Meg Ryan tell JOHANNA SCHNELLER how the right person behind the camera can make all the difference. [More]

Indiana Jones digs up $126M in box office gold *
Addendum: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull chased down $311.1 million from moviegoers around the world, as nostalgic fans brought along their children to watch Harrison Ford's latest escapades as the action-hero-style archeologist. . . this time in the '50s. [More]

Inside Man looking up *
Denzel Washington's reunion with Spike Lee put them on the inside track at the box office. [More]

Into You Opens as Top Movie With $27 Million *
This weekend, women were particularly smitten with He's Just Not That Into You. generated an estimated $27.5 million in ticket sales -- a strong showing that knocked off the previous weekend's top flick, the abduction thriller Taken, which dropped to second place with $20.3 million. [More]

Invincible manages Box Office win *
Football season started early as Mark Wahlberg's Invincible, a Walt Disney tale about a real-life walk-on who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s, debuted as the top weekend movie with US$17-million. [More]

Invincible stays true to its name for another week *
Dreadful Cage remake of Wicker Man opens poorly, despite "hold-back" of press screenings and squelched word-of-mouth. [More]

Invincible was just that at Box Office *
Mark Wahlberg's Invincible underdog tale grabs box office crown with $17 million. [More]

Iron beats Speed at Box Office *
That big, iron pedal-to-the-metal pulls ahead in Box Office race. [More]

Iron Man 24K Gold at Box Office *
The Marvel Comics adaptation, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the guy in the metal suit, hauled in $100.7-million during its opening weekend and $104.2-million since debuting Thursday night -- the second-best premiere ever for a non-sequel. [More]

Is that the bell tolling for Big Ben? *
Vancouver's no longer a paparazzi-free zone, ALEXANDRA GILL writes. The National Enquirer has landed [More]

Israeli films go behind the news *
Just over a month ago, front pages and nightly news programs around the world carried startling pictures of a Palestinian teenager standing alone at an Israeli checkpoint south of the West Bank town of Nablus, wearing an explosives-packed vest, which he eventually cut free from his body with a pair of scissors delivered by a robot. [More]

It's a mad, mad, Maddin world *
Is filmmaker Guy Maddin a genius, or just another Prairie eccentric who will never be understood, asks GRAEME SMITH? [More]

It's still a foursome at the box office *
The 20th Century Fox sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer debuted as the number one weekend film with US$57.4 million, slightly surpassing the US$56.1 million opening of Fantastic Four two years ago, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

J.Lo and Affleck: Delivering the Lo-down on Jenny *
As the superstar lands in the BC interior to shoot her latest film, the local press vows to give Lopez her space -- sort of, ALEXANDRA GILL writes [More]

Jack Black Rocks out: Black and White and ROCK *
A little film starring Jack Black (High Fidelity) and written by Mike White may just turn out to be the ultimate rock 'n' roll movie, TRALEE PEARCE writes [More]

Jack Nicholson film on top of box office *
Love among older adults conquered the box office as Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton's romance Something's Gotta Give took the top spot with $17-million (U.S.). [More]

Jackassers ask 'What's wrong with this country?' *
Made for $11.5-million (U.S.), Jackass Number Two pulls in more than $28-million in its debut weekend. [More]

Jackson dribbles past the Fockers *
Samuel L. Jackson has coached his latest movie to a box-office championship. [More]

James Bond weekend box office lowered to $67.5 Million *
The James Bond movie Quantum of Solace saw its opening weekend ticket sales lowered to $67.5 million on Monday from a record $70.4 million estimate one day earlier, according to film studio estimates. [More]

Jeepers Creepers 2 scares Freddy off *
Jeepers Creepers 2 sunk its claws deep into audiences over the Labour Day weekend, raking in $18.5-million (U.S.) and replacing another horror flick atop the box office ratings. [More]

Jennifer Aniston finally gets her big box-office Break *
While her former husband is playing daddy in Namibia, Jennifer Aniston is basking in her new role as Hollywood's latest movie star. [More]

Jennifer Aniston to break Box Office Poison curse? *
If predictions hold true, Jennifer Aniston fans are running out to end her "Box Office Poison" curse. [More]

Jerry Seinfeld's 'Bee Movie' had plenty of sting left during its second weekend *
The animated film Bee Movie stung the competition over the weekend, climbing to the top spot after debuting at No. 2 last week. [More]

Jessica Simpson, Jandek's not *
A new documentary spins the tale of a most unusual recording artist, who in 26 years has made 35 recordings and no public appearances. [More]

Jewish group protests Gibson film *
The Anti-Defamation League is worried that Mel Gibson's The Passion will fuel anti-Semitism by reinforcing a belief that Jews were guilty for Jesus' death. [More]

Jewish groups left out of Passion *
Thousands have screened Gibson's Christ film, but Jewish officials haven't been invited. [More]

JoBros vs Madea at weekend box office *
Madea Holds Off Jonas Brothers at Box Office this weekend. [More]

Jodie Foster tops box office in 'The Brave One' *
Anne Garber rated The Brave One four out of five stars, but many other critics denounced this movie. [More]

Jodie Foster vigilante flick tops classic western *
A pistol-packing Jodie Foster shoots New York crime thriller The Brave One to the top of the North American weekend box office rankings. [More]

Johanna Schneller: Films not likely to fade away *
There's no point in gnashing your teeth, wondering how writer-directors Kevin Smith and the Coen brothers can make sharp, witty movies such as Clerks or Fargo, and then yawn out such tepidities as the current Jersey Girl and The Ladykillers. You just have to hope that some balmy L.A. night, these filmmakers recognize that they are lost, and steer themselves back toward the funny. [More]

Johanna Schneller: Welcome to the sex and violence festival *
At this point in the Toronto International Film Festival, my most significant relationship is with the bare breasts of the actresses on screen. I swear, going to festival films is like hanging out in the girls' locker room at Hollywood High on track-meet day. [More]

Johanna Schneller: What's in a face? *
What's in a face? Studies show that even babies prefer large, symmetrical features. Movies specialize in blowing them up two stories tall, inviting leisurely, detailed scrutiny of a matinee idol's mouth or cheekbones or chin. You could ponder for years which centimetre makes Jeff Bridges face so much more classically handsome than his brother Beau. [More]

Johnny Depp is the X on Disney's map to box office gold *
It's Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow -- the drunken pirate famously modeled on the Rolling Stones' Richards -- who may have propelled Pirates to the all-time largest opening box-office gross. Who knew a good Keith Richards impression could be so lucrative? [More]

Johnny Depp: Shiver me timbers! *
Johnny Depp is a notorious Hollywood bad boy. Jerry Bruckheimer is a take-no-prisoners producer. So what brought them together to make a family-friendly, swashbuckling tale? [More]

Jolie attends British Lara Croft premiere *
Angelina Jolie delighted screaming fans as she arrived in central London for the British premiere of her new film, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life. [More]

Karla movie gets 18A rating in Ontario *
Ontario is the first province to classify a Hollywood movie about infamous convicted killers Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo that is to be released in Canadian theatres next Friday. [More]

Kate Beckinsale: Kicking up her heels *
Kate Beckinsale eschews the lace and frills of the costume drama for her first shot at an action movie, TRALEE PEARCE writes [More]

Keanu's excellent adventure: Earth stands still, box office keeps moving *
Cheesy effects were a highlight of the 1951 movie . . . they've been replaced by super special effects, but critics are still saying "fromage." [More]

Keeping it all in the family *
Father and son filmmakers Melvin and Mario Van Peebles talk to LIAM LACEY about the great story in their own back yard -- a tale of two men and two films, 30 years apart [More]

Keith Richards, Johnny Depp -- and Babs Streisand as the mom *
Keith Richards co-starring with Johnny Depp? Laurence Olivier opposite Gwyneth Paltrow? In the sport of stunt casting, no name is too big or too strange for Hollywood, writes ELIZABETH RENZETTI. [More]

Kicking 'Forbidden Kingdom' fights to top of box office with $20.9M *
"I couldn't believe it had never been done before," said a studio exec -- about combining Jet Li and Jackie Chan in an action film. [More]

Kill Bill slays the box office *
It was payback time for Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman at the box office as their vengeance saga Kill Bill — Vol. 1 opened in first place with $22.7-million (U.S.), according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Killer culture: Viruses in the Movies *
The virus as a metaphor infected our popular culture long before SARS and mad cow hit the headlines. But this time there is no cure, writes LIAM LACEY [More]

King Kong gets the Gong *
King Kong brought in $9.8-million (U.S.) in its first day, disappointing analysts and indicating the movie may not be the blockbuster that Hollywood had anticipated. [More]

King Kong nudges Narnia at box office *
A Sunday-night surge gave Universal's King Kong the push for the No. 1 spot over the Friday-through-Monday period with $31.4-million (all figures U.S.), edging Buena Vista's $30.1-million take for Narnia. [More]

Kingdom of Heaven tops weekend box office *
The epic battle tale Kingdom of Heaven fought its way to the top of the box office, taking in $20-million (U.S.) in its debut weekend. [More]

Knight has finally fallen *
After more than a month atop the box office, the Batman sequel dropped to No. 2 this weekend, falling to the R-rated spoof Tropic Thunder. [More]

Kong not King of the box office *
King Kong was less of a box-office brute than Hollywood expected, taking in $50.15-million (U.S.) in its first weekend, a sturdy start but unremarkable by Hollywood blockbuster standards. [More]

Kong Nudges Narnia as Christmas champ *
King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe battled for the four-day box office crown, with the giant ape finally swiping the Christmas holiday prize. [More]

Kutcher film flutters into first place *
Ashton Kutcher punk'd the critics as his time-travel thriller The Butterfly Effect stole the top spot at the weekend box office. [More]

Lakeview Terrace leads slow weekend at box office *
Samuel L. Jackson makes the thriller Lakeview Terrace fun to watch. [More]

Last Samurai wields box-office clout *
A kimono-clad Tom Cruise, wielding a large sword, captured the top spot at the North American box office with his period epic The Last Samurai, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Lemony tops box office *
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events brought in $30.2 million of good fortune to debut in first place at the weekend box office. [More]

Leni Riefenstahl, 101 *
Leni Riefenstahl, whose hypnotic depiction of Hitler's Nuremberg rally, Triumph of the Will, was renowned and despised as the best propaganda film ever made, has died, a German magazine reported Tuesday, quoting a long-time friend. She was 101. [More]

Letter from Cannes *
People often ask me what the Cannes Film Festival is really like and I try to explain to them that, when sex-starved starlets aren't trying to pull you into bathtubs filled with champagne and European royalty of dubious pedigree aren't pressuring you to attend their gaudy little yacht parties, it can be a modest, relaxing spring interlude on the Riviera. [More]

Lights, camera, Apocalypse! *
As bombs explode, locusts swarm and seas turn to blood, GAYLE MacDONALD investigates a growing appetite for 'endtimes entertainment' and finds that two brothers running a tiny film company in St. Catharines, Ont., are feeling the Rapture [More]

Lining up for love *
A great deal of the avalanche of romance and lust at Toronto's film festival is not on the screen, GAYLE MacDONALD reports [More]

Lions Gate hits jackpot with Fahrenheit 9/11 distribution *
Shares in Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. touched a six-year high of $10 yesterday, as investors appeared to bet that boffo box office numbers posted by the controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 will translate into bigger profit and more publicity for its distributor. [More]

Little Miss Sunshine bright ray at SAG Awards *
The road-trip romp Little Miss Sunshine won the prize for best film ensemble, the guild's equivalent of a best-picture award. [More]

Looking for the next Bowling for Columbine? *
Truth, it is said, is stranger than fiction -- and, I would add, frequently more entertaining. Last year, Michael Moore's Bowling For Columbine was an uproarious success, while the buzz on films like Spellbound and Winged Migration lasted long after their Toronto International Film Festival screenings, both films becoming box office successes for the genre. [More]

LOTR: Special Extended Edition Screening Engagement announced *
For one week only, starting December 5, Motion Picture Distribution LP will present a screening series of the Special Extended Editions of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, culminating in an unprecedented marathon of the entire trilogy on December 16th. [More]

Louis Bélanger: A labour of love from Quebec *
Louis Bélanger grew up working in his father's gas station and pays tribute to those roots in his feature Gaz Bar Blues, the opener at Montreal's World Film Festival [More]

Low-brow comedy beats out Academy Awards heavyweights such as George Clooney and Cate Blanchett *
Tyler Perry's flick came in well ahead of Clooney's legal drama Michael Clayton, Blanchett's historical pageant Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg's crime saga We Own the Night, which all pulled in modest crowds. [More]

Lycans was the early pacesetter in the weekend box office race, but lost to Blart *
Best-picture nominees draw weekend crowds but can't steal No. 1 from Paul Blart: Mall Cop. [More]

Madagascar roars to top of box office *
The family-friendly sequel to the 2005 film takes up the tale of the former occupants of a New York City zoo, this time in the African savannah, where they discover their roots, romance and sneaky hunters. [More]

Madagascar rules the box-offices *
A talking lion became king of the box office as the animated tale Madagascar climbed to the No. 1 spot with $28.7 million in its second weekend. [More]

Madea hijacks box office *
Playwright Tyler Perry, who turned his crazy-granny Madea character into a lucrative cottage industry, returned to the top of the box office on Sunday, exactly one year after stunning the industry with a No. 1 bow for his first film. [More]

Madea No Drag at Box Office *
Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion, the sequel to Perry's surprise hit Diary of a Mad Black Woman, pulled in $30.2 million to dominate the weekend box office, according to preliminary studio figures, Sunday. [More]

Madea's Family Reunion remains No. 1 at box office *
Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion, a comic drama from the creator of Diary of a Mad Black Woman, held off a rush of new releases to maintain the top spot at the weekend box office. [More]

Madea's Family Reunion tops box office *
Tyler Perry fans reunited at theatres for another tale of mad black women. [More]

Madea's Family Reunion tops box office again *
"Not every weekend can be a blockbuster. This weekend definitely was not," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. [More]

Magicians keep Eastwood's troops at bay *
The Prestige reveals magic touch in debut. [More]

Making disposable movies *
SIMON HOUPT talks to the authors of a new book that looks at how the current obsession with Hollywood's box-office numbers can turn this weekend's blockbuster into yesterday's news. . . [More]

Making scene all in day's work for busy actress *
Count on Chloe Sevigny to show up all over town, ALEXANDRA GILL discovers [More]

Making waves in Cannes *
LIAM LACEY talks to underground folk hero Harvey Pekar and goes on the trail of the film fest's first flap [More]

Mall Cop tops box office *
Kevin James bumbled and stumbled his way to the top spot at the box office this weekend -- expected to reach $40-million over the U.S. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. [More]

Marley & Me tops Christmas Day box office *
First-day box office results are in, and -- in the battle of Jennifer Aniston versus ex-husband Brad Pitt -- Aniston's record-breaking Marley & Me wins "by a puppy's tale." [More]

Marley still box office top dog *
Film fetches $24.1 million for a total of $106.5 million. In second spot is Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories. [More]

Marlon Brando dies at 80 *
Method performances revolutionized acting profession. [More]

Martial-arts Hero defeated by Resident Evil *
In another quiet weekend at the North American box office, the Milla Jovovich sci-fi sequel Resident Evil: Apocalypse opened at No. 1, ending the two-week reign of the Chinese martial-arts saga Hero. [More]

Martin comedy rides King's coattails at the box office *
Brisk business for reigning box-office champion The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and several new releases helped drive ticket sales to a record high for the Christmas weekend in North America, according to studio estimates issued on yesterday. [More]

Master and Commander: A grand film epic sets sail *
The lavish adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's seafaring novels is the biggest movie project of Australian director Peter Weir's career. And he's a landlubber. [More]

Matchstick Men: Colour him comedic (Hays review/interview) *
He directed the legendary sci-fi flick Alien, but Ridley Scott says that really, he's always loved comedy. With Matchstick Men, he proves it [More]

Matrix and Cannes: Feelin' kind of blue *
LIAM LACEY listens to other hacks thrash out the merits of blue screens in the Matrix sequel and sees a film about the blues [More]

Matrix sequel loads up at the box office *
The sci-fi thriller The Matrix Reloaded sold $93.3-million (USD) worth of tickets in its first weekend of release across North America -- the second-best opening of all time behind Spider-Man, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

McConaughey, Hudson take 'Gold' at box office *
Fool's Gold found real treasure as the romantic adventure starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson led the weekend box office with a $22 million debut. [More]

Mean Girls top box office *
The comedy, starring Lindsay Lohan as a student who gets swept up in the backstabbing politics of fashion, love and popularity among high school cliques, earned $25-million (U.S.), according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Mean is good at the box office *
Maybe nice guys finish last, but Mean Girls came in first at the weekend box office. [More]

Meet the Fockers remains on top *
The horror of meeting the in-laws beat out the fright flick at North American theatres this weekend. . . [More]

Meet the Fockers sets Christmas Day record *
Millions of Americans went shopping for comedy this weekend, giving the star-studded Meet the Fockers the record for the best single Christmas Day box office take. [More]

Meet the Spartans beats Rambo to top box office *
Tough guy Sylvester Stallone's comeback as film action hero Rambo (which critics roundly hated) was narrowly beat to the top spot by a camp crew of Spartans on their opening weekend in North America (also despised by critics!). [More]

Mel Gibson defends The Passion *
Gibson insists his forthcoming film about Jesus Christ will "inspire, not offend" Catholics and Jews. [More]

Mel Gibson most powerful man in show biz *
Mel Gibson, whose controversial film The Passion of the Christ paid off big at the box office, is the year's most powerful celebrity, according to Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100 power rankings. [More]

Mel Gibson says Christian faith inspired new movie *
Mel Gibson says he attended Mass every morning while shooting his new movie, The Passion, because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this." [More]

Mel Gibson's new film leads North American box office *
Oscar winning actor-turned-director Mel Gibson, though facing personal troubles with his anti-Semitic and off-colour comments during a drunken-driving arrest last summer, proved he is still a lethal weapon at the box office with an exotic and bloody production. [More]

Messengers Maul Mothers at Box Office *
The fright film The Messengers -- about a city family that moves into a creepy haunted house in the country -- debuted as the top weekend movie with $14.5 million in ticket sales. [More]

Messengers wins box office on Super Bowl weekend *
Haunted house flick leads slow box office . . . [More]

Metallica gets St. Anger management *
SIMON HOUPT talks to the makers of a new film that follows the heavy-metal headbangers into group therapy. [More]

Miami Vice cops defeat Pirates at box office *
Miami Vice -- starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell as suave drug-busters -- earned about $25.2 million during its first three days, distributor Universal Pictures said on Sunday. [More]

Michael Moore doc to hit theatres in weeks *
Canada's Lions Gate joins 'coalition of the willing' to release scathing Fahrenheit 9/11. [More]

Michael Moore sued over anti-gun movie, Bowling for Columbine *
James Nichols, the brother of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols, says he was tricked into appearing in the anti-gun documentary Bowling for Columbine, according to a federal lawsuit filed against filmmaker Michael Moore. [More]

Michael Moore turns up the heat *
'There are some things I don't think you get about me,' filmmaker Michael Moore tells LIAM LACEY, before happily agreeing with that 'manipulative' comment. . . [More]

Mike Newell to direct new Harry Potter movie *
Mike Newell, the British director of Four Weddings and A Funeral will direct the fourth Harry Potter movie, Warner Bros. Pictures announced on Sunday. Filming will begin on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in April. [More]

Million Dollar Baby knocks out the competition *
Million Dollar Baby scored a knockout punch Sunday night, picking up Oscars for best picture, as well as best director honours for Clint Eastwood and acting statuettes for Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. [More]

Moderate Doom at the box office *
The Rock did not meet his doom at the box office, but his latest action flick came in with a light pop instead of a bang during another slow weekend at movie theatres. [More]

Momma still BIG *
Moviegoers embraced a supersize momma in a wig and a governess who tames an unruly brood as family-friendly films dominated the weekend box office. [More]

Monster hit at US box office *
Animated action comedy "Monsters Vs. Aliens" scared up the biggest opening of the year so far at the US box office, raking in more than $59 million this weekend. [More]

Monster-in-Law tops box office *
Moviegoers rewarded Jane Fonda's return to the big screen by making Monster-in-Law the weekend's top movie, though the comedy was short of a monster hit. [More]

Montreal faces wrath of urban separatists *
When the location scouts for The Terminal needed a major but underused airport to shoot parts of the Steven Spielberg film that hits theatres on Friday, their good luck at finding one was a reminder for Montrealers of their city's bad karma. [More]

Monty Python fans flock to castle *
Strange things happen to many travellers while they roam the dark passages and chambers of Doune Castle. They are overcome with the irresistible urge to say silly things like "Bring out your dead!" and "We are the knights who say Ni!" [More]

Moore cautions Canadians about Iraq *
Hopefully Canadians will not set a trend at the end of the current federal election and vote into power a political party that says it would have joined the Bush administration's invasion-of-Iraq coalition, says U.S. filmmaker Michael Moore. [More]

Moore may crash Bush's party *
The ever-colourful filmmaker Michael Moore is rumoured to be on the guest list for this year's White House Correspondents dinner -- a development that would surely give his nemesis, George W. Bush, a severe case of heartburn. [More]

Moore, Gibson win People's Choice Awards *
Filmmakers Michael Moore and Mel Gibson were all smiles after they won top honours at the 31st Annual People's Choice Awards on Sunday night. [More]

Most noise at the box office made by Silent Hill *
A real scary movie bumped off the spoof variety at the box office: Sony's fright flick Silent Hill, set in an eerie ghost town, debuted with $20.2 million. [More]

Movie attendance sets record *
Even the prospect of From Justin to Kelly couldn't keep Canadians away from the movies last year, with attendance reaching record levels even as the number of screens fell. [More]

Movie hype in 2008 outpaces results: A retrospective of 2008 box office results *
Thanks to movie hype, in 2008 we looked at ticket sales through a great, big magnifying glass. How about a quick peek through a microscope, instead? [More]

Movie slump dominates Hollywood summer *
A bumpy ride at the summer box office and signs that booming DVD sales may be slowing have Hollywood studios looking for new ways to win fans as the movie industry faces increased competition. [More]

Movie snack business suffering from declining box-office numbers *
When people steer clear of the multiplex -- as audiences have done for three consecutive years -- manufacturers of theatre snacks are left with a bad taste in their mouths. [More]

Mr. & Mrs. Smith assassinate the competition *
Stars score best opening in their careers, but overall box office falls again. [More]

Murphy nudges The Cat out of top box-office spot *
Eddie Murphy's The Haunted Mansion crept out in front to take over the No. 1 spot at the North American box office, according to estimates yesterday. [More]

Museum romp leads box office during holiday weekend *
Ben Stiller's Night at the Museum was the main exhibit at movie theatres, debuting with $42.2-million to lead a rush of new films over the holiday weekend. [More]

Mutants rule at box office *
...last weekend. We'll see how they do on a (Canadian) holiday weekend against the Matrix sequel! [More]

My Architect: A Son's Journey: Lies my father told me *
Nathaniel Kahn has used the documentary form to discover the nature of his father, the celebrated architect Louis I. Kahn, and the result is a remarkable, Oscar-nominated film, SIMON HOUPT writes [More]

Myers is the cat's meow *
The Cat in the Hat, a comedy loosely based on the children's book by Dr. Seuss, scampered to the No. 1 slot at the North American box office with ticket sales of $40.1-million (U.S.) in its first weekend, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Narnia enjoys Royal premiere *
Disney's first Narnia film opened in London on Thursday, attracting the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. [More]

Narnia turns fantasy into hard cash at box office *
Another fantasy world has joined Hollywood's instant-blockbuster club. [More]

National Treasure begins 2008 atop box office *
According to studio estimates issued on today, Walt Disney's hit sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets sold $55.4 million worth of tickets during the five-day period beginning December 28. [More]

National treasure may be Cage's comeback *
Oscar winner Nicolas Cage, who has not had a hit movie in years, ended the two-week reign of The Incredibles at the North American box office yesterday with his new family adventure National Treasure. [More]

Neil Young, cinéaste *
The musician's most recent foray into the movies may annoy some old fans, but as JAMES ADAMS writes, the songwriter has the heart of a filmmaker [More]

New Altman film to premiere in Toronto *
Robert Altman's new film, , will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. [More]

New Ben Stiller movie tops 'Terminator' at Box Office *
Ben Stiller beat Christian Bale in the North American weekend box office duel between their respective Night at the Museum and Terminator sequels, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. [More]

Nicholson, Freeman top box office *
The Bucket List, the tale of two cancer patients who decide to travel the world before they die, topped the weekend box office, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Nicole Kidman: 'It's a burnout business' *
Nicole Kidman is already planning the end of her acting career, writes LIAM LACEY [More]

Night (after night) once again shines at US box office *
Ben Stiller's Night at the Museum took in $24-million (U.S.) to stay on top at the box office for a third-straight weekend, fending off a soft crop of newcomers during the post-holiday lull. [More]

Night Again Shines At US Box Office *
The film's three-week cumulative take is now up to $164 million. [More]

Night in museum tops holiday weekend offerings *
Ben Stiller's Night at the Museum was the main exhibit at movie theatres, debuting with $30.8-million to lead a rush of new films over the holiday weekend. [More]

No kitty, no: Berry talks of Catwoman sequel *
Catwoman star Halle Berry said she'd gladly slip into the skin-tight catsuit again, undaunted by a weak start for the movie in the United States. . . [More]

No map to box-office treasure *
Given the intensity with which the media scrutinize movie-ticket sales, last weekend's record $136-million (U.S.) opening of Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was reported as if it were manna in a box-office desert. [More]

Noah comedy Evan Almighty floods box office *
. . . but with the production budget rumoured at the biggest ever -- at $175 million for a comedy -- the Steve Carrell film fell short of industry expectations. [More]

Nocturnal visit to museum tops box office *
PG-rated pic takes $30.8 million over its first three days. [More]

Not just another episode of Murder She Wrote *
Telefilm Canada turns down funding for Nick Orchard's screen adaptation of award-winning murder mystery [More]

Number 23 is Number 2... at the Box Office *
Studio estimates show that Sony's film with Cage as a motorcycle stunt driver moonlighting as a collector of evil souls for the devil took in 19.7 million in its second week. [More]

Ocean's rides box-office wave *
Ocean's Twelve, the star-driven sequel to the theft caper Ocean's Eleven, made its debut with $40.9-million (U.S.), stealing the top box-office slot from the heist hit National Treasure, which slipped to third place with $10-million, studio estimates showed yesterday. [More]

Ocean's Thirteen steals No. 1 spot at box office *
Still, number 13 proves somewhat UNlucky for the caper flick franchise. [More]

OFF-SCREEN: TORONTO NO BAROMETER OF OSCAR SUCCESS *
Neve Campbell's dancing gets soft treatment in Robert Altman's The Company, while Jane Campion proves that when it comes to sex scenes, she's hands-on [More]

Ogre beats end of the world *
The end of the world ran a close second to a cartoon ogre at the Memorial Day weekend box office. [More]

Old hatred, new Passion *
Mel Gibson fosters anti-Semitism by filming a version of Christ's death in which Roman occupiers were dupes of those they oppressed, say RABBI ABRAHAM COOPER and historian HAROLD BRACKMAN [More]

Open Season leads the hunt at U.S. box office *
The new animal cartoon Open Season tracked down the No. 1 spot at the North American box office, distributor Sony Pictures said on Sunday. [More]

Openers Turkeys at Thanksgiving Box Office *
The animated penguin romp Happy Feet remained the No. 1 movie with $37.9-million (U.S.) in ticket sales from Friday to Sunday, while the James Bond adventure Casino Royale stayed in second place with $31-million, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Opus Dei begs audiences to seek 'the truth' *
Religious group launches last-minute PR-flak campaign as Da Vinci Code released [More]

Oscar candidate The Promise breaks Chinese box office records *
The Promise -- the Oscar candidate by Chinese renowned director Chen Kaige -- handily beat the previous opening weekend box office record in China by squeezing 74.52 million yuan (about US$9 million) out of the Chinese public from December 15th to the 18th, defeating Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle, which had made 63 million yuan. [More]

Oscar ratings follow box-office slide *
Sunday's Academy Awards telecast averaged 38.8 million viewers, down nearly 8 per cent from last year, bearing out predictions that a relative lack of star power and the serious, art-house subject matter of Oscar-nominated films such as Crash, Brokeback Mountain, Munich and Capote would dampen interest in this year's show. [More]

Oscars saved as Hollywood writers' and Producers Reach 'Tentative Deal' *
Striking writers --who have manned picket lines since October -- could be back to work next week, breathing new hope and life into the 2008 Academy Awards show. [More]

Owning Malowny: Crime, Canadian style ****
A new movie about a gambling-obsessed banker who embezzled millions portrays Canada with unusual realism: Even the cops say please, RAY CONLOGUE writes [More]

Paltrow, Fiennes to perform 'Romeo and Juliet' scene *
Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes are to perform the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet before Prince Charles at a royal performance Monday. [More]

Panda karate chops Zohan at box office *
Jack Black's Po the panda outgunned Adam Sandler's Zo the hairdresser. [More]

Panda surprise triumph over Sandler at weekend box office *
As it turns out, you don't mess with the Panda; a comedy showdown between the animated Kung Fu Panda and You Don't Mess with the Zohan didn't turn out as close as expected as Panda took in $60 million, according to studio estimates. [More]

Parents fret over Passion's violence *
Now that The Passion of the Christ is finally opening in theatres across Canada, Christian parents are faced with a dilemma: Should the kids stay? Or should they go? [More]

Passion 'kosher' for Mary *
There's nothing anti-Semitic about Gibson's film for Maia Morgenstern, the Jewish actress playing Christ's mother, MICHAEL POSNER writes. [More]

Passion remains top of box office *
Mel Gibson's epic The Passion of the Christ took in $51.4-million (U.S.) in its second weekend to remain the top movie, racing past the $200-million mark in just 12 days. [More]

Passion stays atop box office *
Mel's Gibson's The Passion of the Christ was the top film for a third straight weekend, taking in $31.7-million (U.S.) and pushing its total beyond a quarter of a billion dollars. [More]

Payne trumps pain at weekend box office *
Movie-goers preferred Payne to the "pain" of Oliver Stone's new movie about George W., this weekend. [More]

Penguin stock up, Bond Market down *
The Warner Bros. animated penguin romp Happy Feet debuted with $42.3-million (U.S.), grabbing an edge for the weekend's No. 1 slot over Sony's Bond adventure Casino Royale. [More]

Perry's 'Madea' has box office locked up with $41M *
Director Tyler Perry is having no problem posting bail for the protagonist of his movie "Madea Goes to Jail," which leads the box office with a $41.1 million opening weekend. [More]

Peter Jackson: The lord of the film *
New Zealand's sleepy capital lived up to its Wellywood nickname yesterday as thousands of fans lined downtown streets to fete stars of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy ahead of the world premiere of the blockbuster final instalment. [More]

Peter Sollett: A cinematic midwife *
'I try to put the film into the hands of the people up on the screen as much as possible,' Peter Sollett tells LIAM LACEY [More]

Piecing it all together *
Wiebke von Carolsfeld immigrated from Germany intent on becoming a book editor. But with limited English, she found film better suited to her story-crafting talents. Now she's emerged from the editor's suite to direct her first feature... [More]

Pink Panther tops the weekend grosses *
Sony Corp.'s The Pink Panther, a prequel to the classic 1963 Peter Sellers comedy, opened in first place over the weekend with $21.7-million (U.S.) in American and Canadian ticket sales. [More]

Pirate plunder tops one billion *
Second Pirates of the Caribbean is only the third film in history to reach this level. [More]

Pirates fastest movie to earn $300-million *
And Lady in the Water -- an adult fairy tale from Warner Bros. that took in $18.2-million -- was the weakest debut for writer-director M. Night Shyamalan in a string of wide releases since 1999 that included the blockbusters The Sixth Sense and Signs. [More]

Pirates nab booty again at box office *
The third "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie clung to the top of the North American box office, plundering 43.2 million dollars on its second weekend of release. And the delightful Knocked Up -- starring Vancouverite Seth Rogen -- proved to be a strong second. [More]

Pirates of the Caribbean plunder box office *
Johnny Depp's boozy, woozy buccaneer Jack Sparrow has plundered the US and Canadian box office, with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest taking in a fistful of doubloons to set an opening-run record. [More]

Pirates returns to No. 1 at foreign box office *
Thanks to a record-setting opening in Italy, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest returned to the No. 1 spot at the international box office on Sunday, a week after Cars ended its nine-week reign. [More]

Pirates sails to $112.5 million debut *
. . . but the new flick misses setting a box-office record. OUR vote says with Keith Richards on deck, it should win bigtime, anyway! [More]

Pirates sequel a box-office treasure *
Johnny Depp's boozy buccaneer Jack Sparrow has again plundered the box office, with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest taking in a record $132 million US in its first three days, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Pirates still sailing along nicely, but box office take sinks lower than Davy Jones' locker *
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End hit an ebb tide in its second weekend but still had enough buoyancy to hold the No. 1 spot at the box office. [More]

Pirates tops box office for 3rd weekend *
Pirates passed the 300-million-dollar gross mark this weekend on its 16th day in theatres to become the first film in box office history to pass the milestone so quickly. [More]

Pitt, Jolie find their mark at the box office *
Off-screen couple or not, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had enough on-screen chemistry to lift their assassin tale Mr. and Mrs. Smith to a robust $51 million opening weekend.with $9.7-million [More]

Pixar scores with incredible animated hit *
The Incredibles lived up to their name at the box office as the animated superhero adventure made its debut with $70.7-million (U.S.) in its opening weekend, continuing an unbroken string of hits for Pixar Animation. [More]

Pixar shares take Incredibles hit from DVD sales *
CFO says massive box office successes may have shorter shelf life than other films. [More]

Pixar's 'Up' opens to $68.2 million to lead weekend box office *
Animated family film Up shot to the top of the North American box office this weekend, according to industry estimates, pulling in 68.2 million dollars in receipts. [More]

Pixar, DreamWorks declare 'war' on summer box office *
Computer-animation pioneers Pixar and Dreamworks have set the stage for a potentially bruising box-office battle after both studios changed their schedules this week to target summer releases, analysts say. [More]

Polar Express goes nowhere fast *
In the battle of computer-animated cartoons, The Incredibles held on to the top slot at the weekend box office in North America, while the costly Tom Hanks holiday movie The Polar Express pulled in at a distant No. 2, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Polar Express not yet a box-office train wreck *
While it would be an overstatement to call it a proverbial Christmas miracle, Warner Bros. Pictures' The Polar Express is confounding expectations. [More]

Polish Brothers: A polished work *
With a reputation for originality, the Polish brothers have attracted Nick Nolte and James Woods to their latest film -- despite a minuscule budget [More]

Poseidon sinks at North American box office *
And Mission: Impossible III clung to No. 1 with a $24.5-million (U.S.) take during an anemic North America box office weekend that saw the Tom Cruise action film drop 49 per cent from its opening weekend. [More]

Poseidon sinks while M:I:III continues to underwhelm *
The $160 million (USD) disaster film Poseidon capsized on its maiden voyage in North America, allowing Tom Cruise's struggling sequel Mission: Impossible III to retain the weekend box office crown. [More]

Potter loses potency but still tops box office *
Harry Potter topped the class at the North American box office for a second weekend, although the young wizard lost much of his potency, while a few newcomers, including the troubled remake of The Stepford Wives, did better than expected. [More]

Potter rat finds stardom as flick breaks UK record *
Germany has a new movie star to talk about -- Scabbers, the wayward rat in the latest Harry Potter blockbuster. [More]

Pouting pinups push women off the screen *
Ay yi yi, have you seen this current film, The Girl Next Door? Its characters are high-school seniors on the cusp of graduation. [More]

Prime Minister Gross, I presume? *
Perhaps Canada's most famous Mountie, the actor is now shooting a political drama with Ottawa as his backdrop and Leslie Hope as his love interest. [More]

Prom Night carves out $22.7M debut to lead box office doldrums *
Slasher flick Prom Night opened at Number 1 at the box office this week, pulling in more than $22 million. [More]

Ps-s-s-s-t: Snakes on a Plane tops mother-f~cking box office *
Web support: High-flying thriller preceded by months of unprecedented web build-up. [More]

Put Up Your Dukes *
The first weekend of August is generally considered the last opportunity to open a major summer release and still get ample box office juice. That spot was filled by the big screen translation of bygone television favourite The Dukes of Hazzard. [More]

Ratatouille (Garber review) *****
In the new animated-adventure, Ratatouille, a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes and the rather obvious problem of, well, being a RAT -- in a kitchen. [More]

Ready for their close-up *
Can Canadians fall in love with Canadian films, so they capture 5 per cent of our box office? Hopes are high, but the hurdles are too. [More]

Records unexpectedly shattered as 'Fast & Furious' races to $72.5 million weekend *
Fast & Furious was the No. 1 movie at the box office this weekend. [More]

Remake of 'Friday the 13th' KILLS at Box Office *
The remake of the 1980 slasher flick has opened with $42.2 million, putting blood and guts ahead of hearts over Valentine's Day weekend. [More]

Remake S.W.A.T.s box office competition *
Calling in the SWAT team proved good business for Hollywood. [More]

Return of the King stays at No. 1 *
Hollywood made way for a third straight week of box-office dominance by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as no new movies opened in wide release for the New Year weekend. [More]

Revolutions spins to the top of the box office *
The Matrix Revolutions spun a bit slower at the North American box office -- but still managed to take top spot... [More]

Rich 'Treasure' for Disney at Christmas box office *
Nicolas Cage followed his secret treasure map to another fortune at movie theatres. . . [More]

Richard Cassel *
Richard Cassel is an evalu8.org guest reviewer. [More]

Ricky Bobby retains number one spot *
Will Ferrell held on to first place in the box-office race while World Trade Center, Oliver Stone's recounting of the Sept. 11 attacks, landed at No. 3, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. [More]

Robot film becomes Pixar's 3rd-best opener *
Animation giant Pixar hit the box office jackpot once again yesterday as its robot love story WALL-E snagged the No. 1 spot during its first weekend of release across North America. [More]

Robot forces Spider-Man to climb down *
Will Smith ended the two-week reign of Spider-Man 2 at the North American box office as his sci-fi thriller I, Robot opened with better-than-expected weekend ticket sales of about $53.3-million (U.S.), the film's distributor said yesterday. [More]

Robots pacify the competition *
The animated sci-fi film Robots won the "metal" of honour at the North American box office this weekend, with double the ticket sales of last week's box-office darling, The Pacifier. [More]

Roger Ebert to undergo cancer treatment *
Film critic Roger Ebert has a cancerous tumour in his salivary gland and will receive radiation treatment, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Wednesday. [More]

Royal Gold stock out performs Base Metal at box office *
Prince Caspian pushes Iron Man off throne. [More]

Rules of the pitch *
Selling your film idea to the money men need not be a Cecil B. DeMille production, GUY DIXON writes. Sometimes just delivering the straight goods will do [More]

Rumour Has It. . . (Production notes) *
Extensive notes to the production, dutifully collected by Madelyn Miller. [More]

Rush Hour 3 beats Bourne to box office summit *
Hapless martial arts hero Jackie Chan knocked amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne out of the top spot at the box office this weekend. [More]

Salter Street Films to close *
As Salter Streets Films Ltd. co-founder Paul Donovan says, he's in "an incredibly good mood" as the small Halifax production company prepares to close it doors only a few months after winning an Academy Award. [More]

Sandler comedy clicks at box office *
Sandler's comic fantasy Click, about a man whose new universal remote takes control of his life and leaves it in chaos, debuted as the No. 1 movie in the United States and Canada with US$40-million, according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Sandler still defying logic, taste *
Faux gay comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James, took in 34.8 million U.S. dollars in North America for its first weekend in theatres, nudging boy wizard movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix from the top of the box office. [More]

Santa's 'Treasure' a holiday box office gift *
Santa was good to Hollywood over the Christmas holiday, delivering hearty box-office returns more than 34 per cent higher than the same weekend last year. [More]

Saw horror sequel wins duel with Zorro *
Slashing was the theme, but Saw II out-sequelled Zorro in box office scores. [More]

Saw II tops at box office *
Horror swung a sharper blade than Zorro at the box office. [More]

Saw III carves up US box office *
Horror film "Saw III" was the most popular movie in North American theatres during the weekend before Halloween. [More]

Saw III tops box office in North America over Halloween weekend *
Halloween came early at movie theatres as Saw III sliced up the competition with a $34.3-million (U.S.) debut, the best opening yet for the gory horror franchise. [More]

Saw IV dices box office rivals *
Movie-goers kicked off the Halloween holiday early in theatres by boosting the horror sequel Saw IV to the top of box office . . . [More]

Saw IV studio asks horror fans to give blood *
The movie opened big this weekend, and topped box office results. [More]

Scary Movie 3 tops box office *
The Scary Movie franchise has risen from the grave, with part three of the horror-spoof series opening as the top weekend draw with $49.7-million (U.S.), the best October debut ever. [More]

Scary Movie 4 hops into theatres with best Easter debut ever *
Scary Movie 4 enjoyed the best Easter weekend debut ever, beating the $30.1-million opening of Panic Room in 2002, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Scary Movie still in top spot *
Audiences were in a laughing mood for Halloween as the horror spoof Scary Movie 3 took in $21.1-million (U.S.) to remain the top film for a second straight weekend. [More]

Scholars back charges against Gibson *
A confidential study by Catholic and Jewish academics of a script for Mel Gibson's Jesus film finds anti-Semitic overtones, MICHAEL VALPY reports [More]

School of Rock goes to head of box office ****
Jack Black stars in the Paramount Pictures movie The School of Rock [More]

Schwarzenegger thinks of running for governor *
Arnold Schwarzenegger won't terminate rumours of a run for governor while promoting his latest movie, joking that: "You haven't seen special effects like this since the California state budget." [More]

Schwarzenegger: Refusing to act his age *
He may be getting on, but Arnold Schwarzenegger -- after some serious training -- still fits into his T2 leathers [More]

Sci-fi 'Jumper' teleports to box office top on debut *
The globe-trotting thriller Jumper soared to a box office win with $27.2-million (U.S.) on a weekend when Hollywood offered something for everyone, with new films for action fans, teens, family audiences and the date-movie crowd. [More]

Sci-fi thriller 'Knowing' tops weekend box office *
The science-fiction adventure "Knowing," starring Nicolas Cage, grossed an estimated $24.8 million in its first three days. [More]

Scooby-Doo Sequel Bow-wow's 'em at Box Office *
Proving that every dog has its day at the box office, the new "Scooby-Doo" sequel led the weekend pack at movie theaters across North America, although it chewed off less than its hit predecessor. [More]

Scorsese's Departed arrives at top of box office *
The Departed sent Leatherface and Jessica Simpson packing as Martin Scorsese's all-star crime drama hauled in $27 million to dominate the weekend box office. [More]

Seabiscuit could again be a boon for racing *
Dozens of tracks are hoping the new film will be as big a draw as the horse itself [More]

Seabiscuit fudges facts on Alberta jockey *
It didn't get all the facts right or even mention Edmonton, but Seabiscuit still moved Marne Edwards to tears. [More]

Serious year for Toronto film fest *
Denzel Washington, Gong Li, Nicolas Cage to walk down red carpet [More]

Sex drama draws viewers close, but Treasure wins *
Nicolas Cage's National Treasure, about a race to find a fortune hidden by the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was the top movie for a third straight weekend with $17.1-million (U.S.) in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. [More]

Sex still sells: Women give Carrie & Co. $55.7M debut *
Says evalu8.org's movie maven, Anne Garber: "My personal prediction was that it would tank. But I forgot the golden rule of schlock-selling: Never underestimate the mass appeal of crapola." [More]

Shark Tale eats up competitors again *
Shark Tale remained the big fish at the box office, with the animated comedy taking in $31.7-million (U.S.) to hold the No. 1 spot for a second straight weekend. [More]

Shark Tale torpedoes Team America's hopes *
In a surprise at the North American weekend box office, the fishy gangsters of reigning champion Shark Tale easily dispatched the frisky marionettes of the much-hyped satire Team America: World Police. [More]

Shia Disturbs the Box Office Once Again *
The teen thriller Disturbia led the North American box office for a second weekend, while new releases such as the crime drama Fracture and the hotel horror Vacancy failed to score. [More]

Shock to the system *
Cinematheque Ontario's tribute to Peter Watkins spotlights the films that convey his bleak world-view, JOHN BENTLEY MAYS writes. [More]

Shock, horror as remakes crawl out of the crypt *
Die-hard fans may grumble when Hollywood digs up and 're-envisions' classics such as Dawn of the Dead, but studios bank on them watching anyway. [More]

Shoot-'em-up movie is second hit for Depp *
Johnny Depp is establishing himself as a major box-office draw with two films this weekend in the top five, according to industry estimates yesterday. Once Upon a Time in Mexico, starring Antonio Banderas as a mariachi-playing gunslinger and Depp as a sleazy CIA agent, made its debut in first place with $24-million (U.S.). [More]

Shrek 2 scores record opening for animated film *
It's a humongous "happily ever after" for Shrek 2. [More]

Shrek 2 speeds past $200 million at box office *
"Shrek 2" overpowered the new disaster picture "The Day After Tomorrow" to retain the crown at the North American box office during the first three days of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend. [More]

Shrek 3 a box office ogre with $122 million on holiday weekend *
Still, although Shrek 3's $122 million weekend box office total seems impressive, it's still $30 million shy of Spider-Man 3's opening weekend tally. [More]

Shrek 3 tops weekend box office with $122 million *
After ruling the box office for two weekends, Sony's Spider-Man 3 slipped to second place with $28.5 million, raising its domestic total to $281.9 million. [More]

Signature Shorts Live: Readings of winners' works at CBC Vancouver *
August 8, 2003, Vancouver, BC -- the winning screenplays of CBC Television and BC Film's Signature Short Screenwriting competition are brought to life -- admission by donation. Loads of prizes, too. [More]

Sin City (graphic novel) ****
Watch for evalu8.org's review of the Sin City movie in the next few days. [More]

Singer's son spars with CBC over documentary *
Simon Collins threatens to sue over the way he is portrayed in a film about children of stars [More]

Sky Captain flies to top of box office *
The high-flying science-fiction film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow soared to first place at the North American box office on the weekend, early figures showed yesterday. [More]

Small Potatoes: MI:III grosses $17 mill for Scientology shill *
Mission Impossible: watching Tom Cruise? Newest film debuts well below industry expectations. [More]

Smaller leap than the tallest building for Superman Returns *
Superman may not be the world's greatest superhero at the box office, but the Man of Steel still flies high. [More]

Smith romances box office *
Will Smith usually brings audiences in at gunpoint. This time, he did it with hugs and kisses. [More]

Smith's 'date doctor' romances box office *
Will Smith wooed the Valentine's Day weekend crowd with his first romantic comedy, Hitch, which debuted as the top movie with $43.1 million. [More]

Snakes slither to top of mother-f~cking box office *
Not a "kiss-and-tell" movie, this "hiss-and-yell" film is so bad. . .it's good! [More]

Some talking, but mostly smoking *
Benicio Del Toro has played some of the most engaging characters in the movies, but GUY DIXON finds the actor doesn't have the words to explain them [More]

Spellbound: Sleeper spells success for offbeat doc ****
Financed on credit cards, Spellbound has taken a surreal journey to box-office hit [More]

Spider-Man 2 scales new box office heights *
Spider-Man 2 took in $40.5-million (U.S.) in its first day, and is poised to beat more box-office highs through the U.S. Fourth of July weekend. [More]

Spider-Man 2 sets Box-Office Record *
Spider-Man 2 earned a record $40.5 million on Wednesday, the biggest box-office take for a movie on its opening day, Sony Pictures Entertainment said on Thursday. [More]

Spider-Man 2 stays atop box office *
Spider-Man fended off an anchorman and a king at the weekend box office to hold on to its supremacy. [More]

Spider-Man 2 surpasses its previous debut record *
Spider-Man 2 took in $40.5-million (U.S.) in its first day, a record debut that positions the film to challenge more box-office highs through the Fourth of July weekend. [More]

Spider-Man 3 box office debut climbs higher *
Spider-Man 3 made the biggest opening day debut ever in the history of film on Friday, grossing about 382 million dollars worldwide. [More]

Spider-Man 3 misses setting another Box Office record by one day *
The weekend isn't over yet, but the superstar team of Tobey Maguire, James Franco and Kirsten Dunst failed to help Spider-Man 3 tie the box office record the previous instalment achieved. [More]

Spider-Man 3 spins ultimate web at box office *
Sony's Spider-Man 3 took in US$60 million in its second weekend, a hefty 60 per cent drop from its record debut a week earlier but good enough to easily outdistance the competition and remain the No. 1 movie. [More]

Spider-Man likely to break Shrek 2 records *
It looks as though Spider-Man has caught another box-office record in his web. . . [More]

SpiderMan 3 spins box-office Records *
And "Lucky You" -- the poker movie starring Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore -- tanked ridiculously at the box office this weekend, barely making more than $2 million. [More]

Spidey shatters box-office records *
Spider-Man caught just about everyone in his web. The superhero's latest adventure, Spider-Man 3, smashed box-office records with a domestic take of $148 million in its first three days. [More]

Spielberg Film Gets Widows' Endorsement *
Steven Spielberg's controversial new movie, Munich, about the 1972 Olympic massacre and its aftermath, got an unlikely endorsement Wednesday -- the widows of two of the 11 slain Israeli athletes said the film neither dishonoured their husbands' memories nor tarnished their country's image. [More]

Spielberg to transform Montreal into Paris *
The City of Montreal's film bureau has confirmed that Oscar-winning American director Steven Spielberg will be shooting a segment of his latest project, titled Terminal, at one of the city's airports, Mirabel. [More]

Spielberg, Cruise wage 'War' with July 4 weekend *
War of the Worlds conquered the box office as easily as the movie's aliens overpowered Earth, but it did not have enough firepower to overcome Hollywood's prolonged box office slump. [More]

Spirits Duke it out: Just Like Heaven tops box office *
The ghostly love story Just Like Heaven expelled The Exorcism of Emily Rose from first place at the weekend box office. [More]

Spreading his Angel wings: Patrick Wilson *
With a Golden Globe nod for his performance in the acclaimed HBO movie Angels in America and currently filming Phantom of the Opera, Patrick Wilson seems set to soar. [More]

Spy Kids capture the box office *
Horse race at the Box Office -- Spy Kids 3D wins. [More]

Spy versus Guru: Would you believe 'Get Smart' is Number One? *
Maxwell Smart clobbered Mike Myers with his shoe phone at the weekend box office in North America. . . [More]

Star Wars Breaks Box-Office Records *
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith became the year's first movie blockbuster while setting some historic benchmarks, as it rode a record-breaking debut on Thursday to the biggest number ever for a four-day opening, $158.5 million. [More]

Star Wars doubles Rings at box office *
Moviegoers flocked to the dark side in droves, giving the final installment of George Lucas' Star Wars tale a record-breaking midnight run. [More]

Star Wars retains box-office force *
Payback for the Sith has meant a real payday at the box office. [More]

Star-Filled Releases Draw Well at Box Office *
An unusual alignment of top stars brightened Hollywood's holiday box office as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler, as well as Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson and a dog, pushed new movies to strong openings. [More]

Starship franchise zooms to top of box office *
Spock and the others in their early days. The new "Star Trek" has taken in more than $79 million (including early sales from Thursday night) at the box office on its opening weekend. [More]

Steve Martin to play Inspector Clouseau *
Steve Martin, whose film roles have ranged from The Jerk to Father of the Bride, is now stepping up to play bumbling Inspector Clouseau in an MGM remake of The Pink Panther. [More]

Stomp the Yard tops at Box Office as Golden Globes boosts smaller films' takes *
The dance flick Stomp the Yard retained its top spot at the box office for a second week, but a handful of small films were boosted by their success at the Golden Globes. [More]

Stomp the Yard tops box office for second week *
The dance drama Stomp the Yard retained its top spot at the box office for a second week, but a handful of small films were boosted by their success at the Golden Globes. [More]

Stomp the Yard tops North American box office *
The dance drama Stomp the Yard stepped atop the North American box office this weekend, with 22 million dollars -- ending the three-week reign of Night at the Museum,. [More]

Stomp unseats Night at box office *
The dance flick Stomp the Yard was a step ahead of the competition at the box office, debuting as the No. 1 weekend movie with $22-million. [More]

Stranger makes good call on teen audience *
The new horror remake When a Stranger Calls connected with young thrill-seekers at the weekend box office in North America, selling a better-than-expected $22-million (USD) worth of tickets. [More]

Strikes, security and SARS cast a shadow over Cannes *
In what looks like a low-wattage year, the biggest buzz is over a Lars von Trier film starring Nicole Kidman, LIAM LACEY writes [More]

Studios call: Lights, comics, action! *
With comic-book inspired movies doing boffo box office, producers are mining even B-characters for more and more films. But is it too much of a good thing? [More]

Stunts of Jackass rocket to win at box office *
Knoxville and his pals pulled another prank on Hollywood as their sequel of crazy stunts, Jackass: Number Two, beat a rush of serious movies to take the top spot at the weekend box office. [More]

Summer Movies Round-up: Superheroes, super freaks *
The next four months offer a bewildering deluge of blockbuster flicks, with nary a surfboard in sight. [More]

Sunny Kate looks for her dark side *
Comic actress Kate Hudson takes a serious look at her latest movie, marriage and the impending birth of her first child [More]

Superbad delivers super debut *
Sony Pictures' coming-of-age comedy Superbad -- brainchild of Vancouver's own Seth Rogen -- did a super job at box office in North America this weekend, earning an estimated 31.2 million dollars in ticket sales. [More]

Superbad guffaws its way to top of weekend box office *
Sony Pictures' coming-of-age comedy Superbad did a super JOB at box office at U.S. and Canadian theatres this weekend, earning an estimated 31.2 million dollars in ticket sales and more than earning back its 20-million-dollar production cost. [More]

Superbad tops box office figures for second week *
Once again, the film with a no-name cast is number-one at the box office. Moviegoers spent $18 million to laugh at the high-school kids trying to buy booze for a party with fake IDs. [More]

Superheroes to rescue; box office slump ends *
The latest superhero movie may have been just fantastic enough to snap Hollywood's longest modern losing streak at the box office. [More]

Superman tops now, but will Pirates sail away with box office treasure? *
Warner Bros'. Superman Returns, after pulling in approximately $32 million from its two day early release June 28th (and pre-opening shows on evening of the 27th), coasted to an easy weekend haul of $52.1 million in over 4,000 theatres bringing its total take to $84.3 million. [More]

Support for Moore ramps up *
The liberal American grassroots political organization MoveOn is urging its more than two million members to strike a blow for the First Amendment by turning up for the opening day next Friday of Michael Moore's incendiary documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, in part to battle attempts by a powerful California Republican to intimidate theatre owners into not showing the film. [More]

Take this job and film it *
What better time than a holiday dedicated to the working masses for RICK GROEN to review what movies have done on the subject of labour [More]

Taking over the family business *
She carries one of the most famous names in filmmaking, but it's Sofia Coppola's own talent that illuminates her second feature film (and brought Bill Murray onboard). [More]

Talking Pictures: John Keyes's Oscar picks 2006 *
John Keyes, evalu8.org's intrepid Film (video, DVD) Editor succinctly describes his top ten choices that he hopes will be considered for the 2006 edition of the Academy awards. [More]

Talking Pictures: John Keyes's Top 10 movies of 2006 (Keyes round-up) *
John Keyes, evalu8.org's intrepid Film (video, DVD) Editor succinctly describes his top ten choices that he hopes will be considered for the 2007 edition of the Academy awards (subject to revision closer to the Oscars). [More]

Talladega Nights holds pole position at box office *
Will Ferrell held on to first place in the box-office race while World Trade Center, Oliver Stone's recounting of the Sept. 11 attacks, held the three-spot. [More]

Talladega Nights on Course to Finish First *
Will Ferrell took the checkered flag at the weekend box office in North America with his new comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. [More]

Talladega zooms to box-office victory *
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest still pulling in big numbers. [More]

Teen boys rule box office *
The purchasing power of teen boys, has become the power behind U.S. box office success. [More]

Telefilm head defends L.A. deal *
Creative Artists pact may help Canadian films at box office. [More]

Telefilm move irks union *
A move by Telefilm Canada to hire Hollywood's famous Creative Artists Agency to find material for Canadian movies is encountering vociferous opposition from organizations representing Canadian talent. [More]

Television: Pitch-and-spin business is getting out of hand *
It's May, which means it's summer. Not according to the Gregorian calendar we in the West use, but according to Hollywood money men on the West Coast, who recently adjusted their accounting practices to now include the whole of May in their summer box-office tallying. [More]

Tell No One -- the book behind the French movie (and backgrounder on Harlan Coben) *
Coben's books are set in and around New York and New Jersey, and some of the supporting characters in two series of novels have appeared in both. He is clearly a sports fan -- and more importantly, a knowledgeable HOCKEY fan. Copious reference to real-life sports figures dot his books. FINALLY, his books are coming to filmdom. [More]

Terminator 3 sets a record for Schwarzenegger *
Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to the No. 1 slot at the North American box office this weekend as his long-awaited sci-fi thriller Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines led the field, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre buzzes box office *
Bloodshed continues to rule at theatres. [More]

That's snow business *
Charles Martin Smith tells ALEXANDRA GILL about shooting his new movie in the Arctic. 'Oh, it was madness,' he says [More]

The Adventures of Peter Pan *
Want to brush up on the Peter Pan story? Here's the complete, original book, online (and free). [More]

The Alamo touches raw nerve in Mexico *
Some Mexicans believe story is told from an American point of view. [More]

The Back Lot with Lynne McNamara *
Column for January 17, 2007 [More]

The dolorous Passion of Mad Max *
So here's me thinking I had not a scrap of religious sensibility left to be outraged. Then Mel Gibson comes along, delicately excavates the last few crumbs of Catholicism embedded beneath my couch, and proceeds to soak them in a fine spittle of hubristic Hollywood derision. Well, I may not be officially of the faith any more, but I still have that in my life that I consider sacred, and this is one thing I know for sure: I'd rather Mad Max didn't make a movie about it. [More]

The evolution of Sundance *
The independent-film festival Robert Redford built has morphed from goldfish bowl into shark tank in the past 10 years thanks to the bloody-minded aggression of Miramax, SIMON HOUPT writes. He talks to the author of a gossipy new book on the phenomenon. [More]

The Eyes Have It -- Either Eagle Eye or Tear-Jerker was the choice this weekend *
And the winner is: Shia LaBeouf's conspiracy thriller Eagle Eye debuted at the top of the weekend box office with $29.2 million . . . [More]

The Fog of War: A private eye for the truth *
Words tell us how a person sees the world, Errol Morris tells RICK GROEN. In The Fog of War, he lets Robert McNamara do the talking. [More]

The Fuller effect and the perils of tabloid-ization *
Ooh, the celebrities are not keen on Bonnie Fuller, not keen at all. "She is the devil," Gwyneth Paltrow told me in London on July 16, while wearing frayed jeans, a white eyelet shirt unbuttoned here and there, and modish sport shoes. [More]

The funny guy spreads his wings *
After his larval stage in light TV comedy, Ashton Kutcher delves into dark suspense in The Butterfly Effect, SIMON HOUPT writes. [More]

The gospel according to Woody *
'My god is nature,' says actor, vegan and committed eco-activist Woody Harrelson, whose message of organic living is on full display in the documentary Go Further [More]

The Gospel of John: Screening to the converted *
A three-hour Canadian film depicting the Gospel of John was first aimed at cinemas in the Bible Belt, writes JAMES ADAMS. But after favourable festival buzz, Garth Drabinsky and his team have opted for a wider release. [More]

The Gospel's second coming *
In the last six months, Canada's foray into the filmic Jesus sweepstakes The Gospel of John has earned nowhere near the filthy lucre that its more controversial U.S. "counterpart," The Passion of the Christ , has garnered in only six weeks. [More]

The Grudge defends top spot *
The haunted-house thriller The Grudge, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, held on to the No. 1 slot at the North American box office, scaring up $22.4-million (U.S.) in ticket sales during the Halloween weekend, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

The Grudge scares off Robin Williams comedy *
Grudge 2 thrills box office; Williams's Man-o-Year doesn't. [More]

The Grudge stays on top *
Halloween spirit possessed moviegoers as Sarah Michelle Gellar's fright flick Grudge remained the top draw for the second straight weekend with $22.4-million (U.S.). [More]

The Hulk is all the rage *
With his new movie, Ang Lee flexes his filmmaking muscle, unleashing the glowering green comic-book giant within [More]

The Interpreter brings in $22.8-million (U.S.) *
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn's thriller topped the box office for the weekend [More]

The lord of the score *
Composer Howard Shore tells GUY DIXON about his 3½-year musical immersion in Middle-Earth, before heading to Montreal for tonight's North American premiere of his Lord of the Rings symphony. [More]

The Matrix: Holy Trinity *
"I have absolutely no problem being thought of as an action chick," Carrie-Anne Moss confesses, "because, quite frankly, very few women have ever done that." [More]

The Me GenerAsian *
Justin Lin's controversial film Better Luck Tomorrow shatters the cliché of high-achieving, model-minority Asian youth... [More]

The Modernity of Fellini's Cinema (event) *
A lecture to kick off a Fellini film series by Prof. Sam Rohdie, Vancouver, BC, August 31, 2005 (Read full story) [More]

The new blockbuster docs *
Once relegated to public television, documentaries are muscling in on feature films at the box office. [More]

The Pacifier hotter than Be Cool *
Vin Diesel's family-friendly comedy The Pacifier pulled in $30.2-million (U.S.) to rank as this weekend's top-grossing movie, turning his action-star image -- and box-office expectations -- upside down. [More]

The Passion reclaims top spot *
Easter holiday moviegoers returned Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ to the top spot at the North American box office after a three-week absence, while Walt Disney's costly new historical drama The Alamo was routed. [More]

The Passion's porn *
The most striking thing about Mel Gibson's controversial new movie, The Passion of the Christ, is not its religious theme, its devotion to the Gospels or the fact its characters speak in ancient tongues. It is the unrelenting brutality and gore, as the beatings, torture and execution of Jesus are portrayed in graphic, excruciating detail. It is but the latest example of how the pornography of violence has come to rule so much of popular culture. [More]

The Passion: Who's directing whom? *
The profit-makers in Hollywood and missionaries looking for converts have an equal interest in Mel Gibson's film The Passion, says Christian journalist LORNA DUECK. [More]

The Polar Express (Garber backgrounder) *****
The Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump," "Cast Away") reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved illustrated children's book by Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji). [More]

The Polleys: In their family way *
Sarah Polley and her dad talk to GAYLE MacDONALD about working together on TV's The Harp. [More]

The Prestige scoops top box office spot *
The Prestige, a magical thriller about the rivalry between two London magicians for the highest fame of the trade, brought in estimated $14.8 million this weekend. [More]

The Promise poised to boost holiday box office *
The action-fantasy film The Promise (also known as Wu Ji), will premiere on December 15th, debuting at the Shanghai Concert Hall, according to Shanghai United Cinema Lines, the city's leading cinema chain. [More]

The reel alternatives *
LIAM LACEY ventures to the flip side of Hollywood, where films from Canada and abroad beckon. [More]

The Return of the King reigns at the box office *
Call it return of the cash. [More]

The Ring Two wells up to No. 1 in weekend box office *
The Ring Two took the No. 1 spot at the North American box office this weekend, knocking the family oriented animated sci-fi flick Robots, into second place. [More]

The Rock breaks down the box-office door *
The Rock smacked down the competition with his action comedy The Rundown, which made its debut as the weekend's top movie in North America by earning $18.5-million (U.S.). [More]

The Rock rocks weekend box office *
The Game Plan, the comedy starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, proved a surprise No. 1 in theatres this weekend. [More]

The shark pond of kids' animation *
SIMON HOUPT talks to DreamWorks' co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg about Sinbad, the rivalry with Disney and the importance of friends in Hollywood [More]

The shot seen around the world *
Behind the creation of some remarkable film. [More]

The silver from the screen *
This is the time of year when critics and various film-affiliated associations (the American Film Institute, the National Board of Review, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association) like to announce their top-10 movie lists. These lists provide something to talk about, occasionally draw attention to a low-budget gem, and help promote the forthcoming Oscar telecast. But as an indication of what really went on in movies in the year behind us, they can be a poor indicator. [More]

The Simpsons Movie goes NUKE-U-lar *
What would Homer say? "Woo-hoo!" [More]

The sky is falling (again) at the box office *
Chicken Little props up a sagging box office. . .again. [More]

The sky is still falling in Hollywood *
Chicken Little and the Marines do what they can to prop up a sagging box office. [More]

The Suspect vanishes *
The screenplay was finished. The cast — including veteran actors Donald Sutherland, Wendy Crewson and William Hurt — had been signed. Even the movie poster was completed. [More]

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: It's Alive! *
The wildly popular remake of 1974's Texas Chainsaw Massacre is only the latest example of the return of the classic horror flick, in which lowbrow pulp meets high anxiety, and irony is deep-sixed in favour of good old-fashioned fear, LIAM LACEY writes. [More]

The tracks of his tears *
Since piling Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and other 'drug-crazed hippies' onto a CN train in 1970, impresario Ken Walker has survived business failures, jail and a bullet to the head. With the rockumentary Festival Express set to open, he unloads to JAMES ADAMS. [More]

The Triplets of Belleville: Delivering the Triplets (Conlogue backgrounder) *
Evgeni Tomov applied his painterly skills to help create the curious, original world of the animated French film The Triplets of Belleville, RAY CONLOGUE writes. [More]

The vampire mystique: Is it all tapped out? *
With its many contemporary reinventions, Hollywood has managed to suck the lifeblood out of the archetype. No recent Dracula can match the bite of the original, GUY DIXON writes. [More]

The Village reaps box-office bonanza *
Its surprise ending may have underwhelmed some critics, but M. Night Shyamalan's latest scary movie, The Village, got off to a strong start at the weekend box office in North America. [More]

The Wages of Sin City *
Boy was I thrilled to be able to use this headline; I still can't believe no one else thought of it! But anyway. . .Sin City proved an irresistible temptation for audiences as the highly stylized comic-book adaptation led the weekend box office with a $28.1-million (U.S.) debut. [More]

There are no gods in Troy *
It seems there was no room for them in the Hollywood adaptation of the Greek classic, writes LIAM LACEY. Even Brad Pitt, who plays Achilles, admits he was a tad overwhelmed by Homer's Iliad. [More]

Thirteen: Filmmaker throws teen a lifeline *
Catherine Hardwicke wasn't looking to do a movie about teenage girls. She did it to help a troubled friend rushing headlong into adolescence -- and it worked [More]

Thousands greet Kidman in Sydney *
Thousands of cheering fans lined a Sydney street Wednesday night to greet Nicole Kidman at the Australian premiere of her latest movie, Cold Mountain, which could land her another Oscar. [More]

Thrill-seekers play 'Hide and Seek' *
Audiences apparently liked the new, creepier Dakota Fanning in Hide and Seek; the flick brought in $22M in its first weekend. [More]

Thriller 'Taken' snatches box office crown *
Liam Neeson's CIA thriller "Taken" bumped off "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" at the weekend box office, raking in $24.6 million and helping fuel the first $1 billion January in Hollywood history. [More]

Thunder retains No. 1 spot at box office *
Tropic Thunder defended its position at the top of the box office with $14.6 million in ticket sales over the long Labour Day weekend. [More]

Thurman becomes Tarantino's bloody muse *
Uma Thurman is one bride who wears red — from other people's blood. [More]

TIFF: A solid year, with few stinkers *
As they stagger to The End, our screen team selects some favourite movies and moments, and captures the mood of the film-fest marathon [More]

Tolkien's gentlemanly art of war *
It's lucky Hollywood didn't get a hold of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, RAY CONLOGUE says, and that a director who loved the books did. [More]

Tom Hanks Drives The Polar Express *
Tom Hanks talks about his animated holiday film, The Polar Express. . . [More]

Tom Hanks' 'Angels' gets glorious reception at box office *
Angels & Demons wins box office from Star Trek. [More]

Top-grossing movies of 2007 (USA) *
Wondering which movies made the most American loot last year? [More]

Trailer Trash Goes Hollywood *
Ivan Reitman -- the man behind such blockbuster films as Ghostbusters -- is giving the Trailer Park Boys a chance to take their dope-smoking, foul-mouthed antics to the big screen. [More]

Transformers can't halt box office plunge *
On the other hand, Transformers movie morphs into money machine. [More]

Transporter 2 carries box offices *
Jason Statham delivered a bigger box-office package this time, with his action sequel Transporter 2 taking in $20.25-million (U.S.) to debut as the top weekend movie. [More]

Troy finds Van Helsing's Achilles heel *
Troy, an ancient epic starring Brad Pitt, earned $45.6-million (U.S.) at the North American box office in its first weekend, replacing the monster thriller Van Helsing as the top-grossing movie, according to studio estimates issued yesterday. [More]

Troy tops box office *
Muscle-bound Brad Pitt fought his way through scrawnier competition to help the Greek epic Troy claim the top spot at the box office with $45.6-million. [More]

Turning up the sound of a clash of cultures *
Sir Ben Kingsley was enthralled by Vadim Perelman's script for House of Sand and Fog, which was essentially written for the classic actor. [More]

Turtles Top Box Office With $25 Million *
TMNT -- a computer-animated comedy resurrecting the reptilian superstars of the 1980s -- sold an estimated $25.4 million worth of tickets during its first three days, according to figures released on Sunday. [More]

United 93 lands behind RV at box office *
United 93, the first Hollywood movie to deal with the events of September 11, was No. 2 at the weekend box office in North America with respectable ticket sales of $11.6 million ($15.2 million), according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. [More]

V for Vendetta backgrounder / webpage *
The buzz intensifies for this upcoming movie. [More]

V for victory at box office *
Audiences were in a rebellious mood, lifting the action tale V for Vendetta to the top spot at the weekend box office with a $26.1-million (U.S.) debut. Enter our V for Vendetta contest. [More]

V stands for victory at box office *
The futuristic terrorist thriller V For Vendetta blew up its rivals at the weekend box office in North America, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. [More]

Valentine's Fare: The base instincts of a slick and icky old fox *
Looking for a romantic movie this Valentine's weekend? How about the comedy 50 First Dates, in which Adam Sandler has to begin each day by breaking the news to his beloved, Drew Barrymore, that she's seriously brain-damaged? No? [More]

Vampire flick sinks teeth into box office *
The Sony fright flick, with Josh Hartnett leading Alaskans against ravenous vampires that turn up for the prolonged winter darkness, debuted as the weekend's No. 1 movie with $16-million (U.S.), according to studio estimates Sunday. [More]

Vampires draw first blood at box office *
Golden Globe-winning films saw significant boosts at the weekend box office, but the action-packed vampire flick Underworld: Evolution was the top earner, debuting with $27.6-million (U.S.) in ticket sales. [More]

Van Helsing slays box-office rivals *
Dracula, the Wolf Man and Frankenstein stomped the Olsen twins in the first major box-office contest of the summer blockbuster season. [More]

Vancouver company inks lucrative deal *
A local production company has inked a deal that will see five feature films shot in British Columbia with high-profile stars like Samuel L. Jackson. [More]

Vice sinks Pirates *
The Miami Vice speedboat overtook the Pirates of the Caribbean juggernaut to capture the top spot at the weekend box office. [More]

Victory for 'Vantage' at Oscar weekend box office *
Critics have been generally unkind to Vantage Point -- the Pete Travis-directed film -- with many, describing it as an Akira Kurosawa Rashomon rip-off, but that hasn't kept moviegoers away. [More]

Viewers sweet on Sandler for a second week *
Moviegoers have not forgotten 50 First Dates. [More]

Vive la différence! *
Quebec films are beating out Hollywood blockbusters at the province's box office. KONRAD YAKABUSKI reports the recent renaissance in local movies may be more about quality than nationalism [More]

Wahlberg's Invincible underdog tale renews box office vows *
Mark Wahlberg remained invincible at the box office over the long Labour Day weekend. [More]

Wallace & Gromit trove lost in blaze *
Fire destroyed a priceless archive of Aardman Animations props, sets and models early yesterday, just hours after the company learned that its animated clay movie stars Wallace and Gromit had topped the North American box office. [More]

War of the Worlds (Keyes review) ** 1/2
Cruise stars as Ray Ferrier, a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife (Miranda Otto) and her new husband drop off his teenage son Robbie (Justin Chatwin) and young daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning) for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down. John Keyes advises: Wait for the DVD. [More]

War of the Worlds earns $21-million on opening day *
Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise's sci-fi thriller War of the Worlds raked in about $21.3-million (U.S.) at the domestic box office on its opening day, according to studio estimates released Thursday. [More]

WAR: P.S.: It's not over *
Documentarian Shelley Saywell likes to start the camera rolling when the news organizations pack up -- and the real stories begin... [More]

Washington thriller a hot ticket *
Though it bears virtually no relationship to the book on which it was "based," Man on Fire flamed the competition in last week's movie opening numbers. [More]

Watermark owners relieved Oscars to proceed *
Watermark restaurant staff are relieved that the 80th Academy Awards Gala is going ahead at the Kits Beach eatery. [More]

Watts starting to turn up the amps *
Jet-lagged Naomi Watts can barely hold her head up. But GUY DIXON finds she's holding up under the pressure of her new A-list movie star status [More]

We're so good at being bad *
Canadian actors are the new face of evil in Hollywood, snatching those roles from Americans and Brits, writes KAMAL AL-SOLAYLEE. [More]

Wedding Crashers Takes Box-Office Cake *
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn caught the box-office bouquet as their comedy Wedding Crashers pulled a switch with a $20.5 million weekend, becoming the No. 1 movie after two weekends in second place. [More]

Wedding Crashers takes the cake *
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn caught the box-office bouquet as their comedy Wedding Crashers pulled a switch with a $20.5-million (U.S.) weekend, becoming the No. 1 movie after two weekends in second place. [More]

Weekend box office hits a 5-year low *
Bangkok Dangerous needed just $7.8 million to take the top spot at the box office this weekend. [More]

Weinsteins scare up success at the box office *
Bob and Harvey Weinstein returned to the box-office lead as Scary Movie 4 debuted with $41-million, the first No. 1 opening for the new company founded by the former Miramax bosses. [More]

Were-Rabbit bounds away with Box Office *
Clay paid off at the box office for Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. ("Cheese, Gromit, cheese.") [More]

Western 'Yuma' outguns slasher flick at box office *
Western 3:10 to Yuma was the big shot at the weekend box office in North America with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, according to studio estimates issued today. [More]

What a tangled film he weaves *
Sam Raimi likes things 'quiet, organized and attentive on the set.' That was a tall order with Spider-Man 2, a film with a regiment of screenwriters, a star with back pain, and a producer banking on a whole franchise... [More]

Whatever happened to Steve Martin? *
Money, that's what, the kind of bucks that come from making slight, formulaic box-office hits. A better question, RICK GROEN writes, is what didn't happen... [More]

When A Stranger Calls Picks Up $22 Million And #1 spot *
A trip to the cineplex may have left a lot of teenagers rethinking their babysitting jobs as When a Stranger Calls took the #1 spot at the box office. [More]

Why Did I Get Married? takes No. 1 at the box office *
The film -- starring Janet Jackson -- was followed by family comedy The Game Plan (11.5 million dollars) int the second spot. [More]

Wild boomer boys on bikes take over box office *
The biker buddy comedy Wild Hogs and its ensemble cast of John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy and Tim Allen was the weekend box office champ with a $38-million (U.S.) take. [More]

Wild Hogs rides to top of North American box office *
The biker buddy comedy and its ensemble cast of John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy and Tim Allen was the weekend box office champ with a $38-million take. [More]

Will Rings be Oscar King? *
The track record suggests not, but the epic film's key actors aren't worried. [More]

Will Smith & Jim Carrey in box office showdown *
It was Will Smith vs. Jim Carrey in a box office smack-down this weekend, while a misfit mouse tries to avoid getting squished in the clash of A-listers. Just Say "Yes, man." [More]

Will Smith -- and 'I Am Legend' -- sets Box Office record *
Never underestimate the box office power of Will Smith: The likeable actor proved once more that he is the most bankable movie star in the world, with an incredible $76.5 million opening for the sci-fi flick making it the highest-grossing December opener ever. [More]

Will Smith enjoys another legendary opening *
For the last man on Earth, Will Smith sure has a lot of friends. The Warner Bros. tale I Am Legend, starring Smith as a plague survivor who may be the last living human, debuted with $76.5-million, the biggest December opening ever and a personal best for one of Hollywood's box-office champs. [More]

Will Smith's Happyness tops North American box office *
Will Smith's new film The Pursuit of Happyness, the story of a struggling salesman and father, opened as the top film in the United States and Canada last weekend. [More]

Will Smith's Fourth of July luck holds true *
Will Smith's box-office superpowers remain intact. [More]

Will Smith's performance as a single father struggling to prosper tops box office *
Will Smith leads box office at helm of down-and-out single-dad movie. [More]

Willie Wonka, Wedding Crashers boost Box Office *
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp as candyman Wonka, had a sweet debut of $55.4-million (U.S.), helping Hollywood make a dent in a box-office downturn that has lingered most of the year. [More]

Wonderland: A scumbag of the highest order (Adams interview) *
Actor Eric Bogosian reaches new lows in his interpretation of brutal drug lord Eddie Nash, who roars around in bikini briefs, but who cares 'what you . . . look like,' he tells JAMES ADAMS [More]

Wonka's chocolate doesn't get stale *
For the second weekend, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remained the top-grossing film in U.S. and Canadian theatres with ticket sales of $28.3-million (U.S.), beating out four new releases. [More]

Wonka, Wedding Crashers Top Box Office *
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Wedding Crashers held off a rush of new releases to retain the top two spots at the weekend box office. [More]

Worldwide box office revenue down 9 pct in '05 *
Worldwide box office revenues fell by 9 per cent in 2005 but the industry expects better results this year, Motion Picture Association of America Chief Executive Dan Glickman said on Monday. [More]

Worldwide box office trampled by 10,000 BC *
10,000 BC -- a widely ridiculed prehistoric action movie boasting a menagerie of exotic beasts -- trampled the competition at the box office this weekend. [More]

X-Men annihilates Da Vinci at box office *
The final film in the X-Men superhero trilogy blew past last weekend's box office champ, The Da Vinci Code, to post the fourth-highest all-time opening in North America, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. [More]

X-Men sequel nudges box office record *
X-Men: The Last Stand achieved a heroic $45.5 million in ticket sales during its first day in theatres Friday, the second-highest opening-day gross in history, according to estimates Saturday. [More]

X-Men storm box offices for record weekend *
X-Men: The Last Stand stormed to an estimated $107-million (U.S.) three-day opening, the largest ever for Memorial Day weekend and the fourth-biggest in box office history. [More]

X2: The Iceman speaketh *
He's the nice-guy mutant in love in X2, but Shawn Ashmore really wants to try his hand at playing the evil rebel [More]

Yesterday, Superman Returns appeared poised to have a solid weekend in the mid-$60 millions range. *
Today, we know better. . . Still, Superman makes leap to front of box office. [More]

You haven't seen the last of Spider-Man *
Spider-Man 3 made the biggest opening day debut ever in the history of film on Friday, grossing about 382 million dollars worldwide. [More]

Young and shunned in Canada *
With 50,000 young people on the street in Canada, film director Daniel Cross thought it time to show what life is like for squeegee kids, REBECCA CALDWELL writes [More]

Young men propel rise of Underworld at box office *
English actress Kate Beckinsale's new horror film Underworld: Evolution easily led the North American box office during its first weekend, while Golden Globes glory propelled Brokeback Mountain up the charts, according to studio estimates issued today. [More]

Yuma is weekend box office big shot *
Audiences this weekend rode shotgun with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale on the first train to Oscar season as their 3:10 to Yuma gunned down all competitors to come out number one with $14.1 million. [More]

Zombie thriller 'Resident Evil' leads box office *
Resident Evil: Extinction stars Milla Jovovich in the third film in the videogame-inspired sci-fi franchise. [More]

Zombies awaken weekend Box Office *
Resident Evil: Extinction, with Milla Jovovich again fighting flesh-hungry zombies -- in the third instalment based on the video game -- opened as No. 1, with $24 million, this weekend. [More]

Zombies knock Jesus off top *
Audiences feasted on zombies as the fright flick Dawn of the Dead ruled the box office, made its debut with $27.3-million (U.S.) and bumping The Passion of the Christ from the top spot. [More]

Secondary Sites:
* Saw IV proves to be box-office killer *
The killer of "Saw" franchise may be dead, but his sadistic spirit lives on. . . [More]

. . .and a southern escape from isolation *
A Brazilian park, encircled by farmland, was more like a jail than a haven for the mighty jaguar. SHAWN BLORE details the innovative solution -- travel corridors to link it with other reserves [More]

1,500 guests attend Pirates of Caribbean launch *
Johnny Depp joined about 1,500 guests at Disneyland for the premiere of his new action adventure film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. [More]

10,000 BC clubs weekend competition *
Moviegoers went hunting for their inner caveman on the weekend, spending $35.7-million (U.S.) to give the prehistoric adventure 10,000 B.C. top spot at the box office. [More]

2 Fast 2 Furious races into lead at box office *
The street-racing sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious won the pole position at the North American box office, taking in an estimated $52.1-million (USD) in its opening weekend. [More]

2004 was a Banner Year At Box Office *
Box office receipts soared to a new record in 2004, although the actual number of moviegoers declined for a second year in a row. [More]

2004-2005 Film Awards *
5th Annual Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards (awarded in 2005) [More]

2008 not a record year for studio releases, but no one's complaining *
With the downturn in the economy and continuing ascent of the internet, movie-makers are quite satisfied with status quo as the year draws to a close. [More]

2008 Oscar winners -- a few surprises . . . *
No Country for Old Men lived up to its front-runner status at Sunday's Academy Awards, winning the first two of its eight categories, adapted screenplay for the Coen brothers and supporting actor for Javier Bardem. [More]

24: The end of a very long day *
It's been another heady season on TV's 24. With the final hour about to unfold, The Globe's JOHN DOYLE, SCOTT COLBOURNE, ANDREW GORHAM and ANDREW RYAN predict what happens next [More]

300 leads second box office charge *
The Warner Bros. movie -- the story of vastly outnumbered Spartans defending against Persian invaders -- shot past the $100-million mark after just a week in theatres, bringing its total to $127.5-million. [More]

300 remains atop North American box office *
An ancient epic about the famous Battle of Thermopylae in Greek history, wins anew at the North American box office. [More]

300 sets new record at North American box office *
An ancient epic about the famous Battle of Thermopylae in Greek history, set a new record at the North American box office. [More]

40-Year-Old Virgin scores at box office *
Steve Carell scored in his maiden voyage as a leading man. . . [More]

9-11 Movie Passes Box-Office Test *
Audiences hit the road (and displayed their lack of priorities) with Robin Williams as his family-vacation romp RV opened at No. 1 with $16.4-million (U.S.), while the acclaimed Sept. 11 drama United 93 debuted with $11.6-million. [More]

A door-crasher's guide to the Toronto film festival *
Avoiding bouncers with clipboards at the ritzy parties is all about exuding self-confidence and panache, says Alex Mamlet [More]

A giant leap for martial-arts films *
These films don't get no respect, RAY CONLOGUE writes. But a new retrospective could help change that [More]

Actor Buddy Ebsen dies at 95 *
Buddy Ebsen, the loose-limbed dancer turned Hollywood actor who achieved stardom and riches in the television series The Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones, has died, a hospital official said Monday. He was 95. [More]

Adam Sandler: Wedding Singer ties the knot *
Adam Sandler married model-actress Jackie Titone in an outdoor ceremony that was attended by celebrity friends and his pet bulldog dressed in a custom tuxedo. [More]

Alliance Atlantis earnings up 23 per cent *
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. -- maker of TV's hit CSI and CSI: Miami series -- said Monday first-quarter earnings rose about 23 per cent. [More]

Anne's top 13 movie picks of 2007 *
These are a few of my faves over the past year. I hope they all win Oscars. [More]

Audiences give Hitchhiker's Guide a lift *
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy thumbed its way to the top of the box office, making its debut at $21.7-million (U.S.) to beat out the explosive XXX brand. [More]

BCMPA Ratings *
BCMPA rates the movies . . . [More]

Ben has time to see this now *
Wondering why J.Lo postponed yesterday's nuptials? Maybe she caught a performance of Matt & Ben at P.S. 122 in the East Village and realized her honey is a fraud. For those who already know Ben Affleck is a lunky airhead who needs help with spelling, the news won't come as a shock. But Jen has been busy getting to the bottom of things, like lap dances and such. [More]

Bollywood's extra appeal *
With the Toronto film fest wrapping up, another production hot spot, Bombay, is luring travellers to work on screen [More]

Boogie nights: Rock and Porn *
A special alchemy exists between the worlds of rock and pornography, as the infamous gain legitimacy and the famous get street credibility. [More]

Buddy Hackett, 78 *
Buddy Hackett, the squat, round, rubbery-faced funnyman who appeared for more than 50 years as a top act in nightclubs, Broadway shows, on television and in such movies as The Music Man, The Love Bug and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, has died, his son confirmed Monday night. [More]

Canadian / Pacific Northwest actor charged with rape *
Scott Hamilton Bairstow, a TV and movie actor who grew up in Steinbach, Man., has been charged with having sex with a 12-year-old in 1998. [More]

Cannes: Slow and decidedly sombre *
When this year's lineup of films isn't lulling the crowds to sleep, it's got them pondering some of the darker corners of the human condition, writes LIAM LACEY [More]

Channelling Doris *
Audrey Hepburn. Jackie O. Catherine Deneuve. All famous women whose iconic styles have been strip-mined to satiate fashion's retro-obsessed attention deficit disorder. Now, the voracious hunt for a new muse has pushed beyond the obvious and into the unlikely. Doris Day, please stand up. [More]

Charlie's angel hot over shots *
Cameron Diaz is seeking an injunction barring the release of photographs allegedly taken at a private modeling session over a decade ago, before she was a star. [More]

Citytv Vancouver announces 2nd annual CineCity short film competition *
Citytv Vancouver today announced the 2nd annual call for submissions in its highly-successful CineCity: Vancouver's Stories initiative. [More]

Convicted MD released on time for TV movie *
A Saskatchewan doctor convicted of sex offences against two women is getting out of jail in time to watch a TV movie based on his case. [More]

Crazy8s film competition 2005 announced *
Starting next Thursday -- with the equivalent of $50,000 of support services from the Film Industry -- would-be filmmakers have eight days to create a professional short film that can cement, or sink, their creative aspirations. [More]

Don't make me schmooze before my Pretox *
Leah McLaren unearths the pre-festival preening rituals of the rich and fabulous. [More]

Double take on murder: Eileen Wuornos *
The directors of two new films talk about serial killer Eileen Wuornos. [More]

Female French actor dies of injuries *
French actor Marie Trintignant died Friday of swelling of the brain, a doctor said. She had been comatose since the weekend, when she was allegedly beaten by her rock star boyfriend. She was 41. [More]

First-time novelist in his literary prime **** 1/2
SANDRA MARTIN talks to Mark Haddon, whose compelling debut novel narrated by an autistic teen looks set to be filmed by the Harry Potter team [More]

George Axelrod dies at 81 *
Playwright George Axelrod, who anticipated the sexual revolution with The Seven Year Itch and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter and later wrote screenplays for such films as Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Manchurian Candidate, died Saturday. He was 81. [More]

Hollywood legend Gregory Peck dies at 87 *
Invariably playing the hero, he graced both stage and screen for six decades... [More]

Hollywood North(east): So far, rumour spreads faster than SARS *
Gossip and rumour are in high circulation these days in "Hollywood North," but there seems precious little fact about the impact of SARS on Toronto's $3-billion film and TV industry. [More]

Hollywood preaches anti-piracy to schools *
As part of its campaign to thwart on-line music and movie piracy, Hollywood is now reaching into school classrooms with a program that denounces file-sharing and offers prizes for students and teachers who spread the word about Internet theft. [More]

House of Sand and Fog and Oscar? *
Director Vadim Perelman's moving and star-studded first feature, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Andre Dubus III, has the look -- and buzz -- of a winner. [More]

Hume Cronyn, 91 *
Canadian-born Hume Cronyn, a veteran stage and screen actor who charmed audiences with his portrayals of irascible old men and frequently paired with his wife, Jessica Tandy, has died of cancer. He was 91. [More]

I'll pass on the Girl Power *
Something strange happened to me last week. I went to see, in a row, The Hulk, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde, and 28 Days Later. [More]

Jackie Chan revives tourism in Hong Kong *
Hong Kong is turning to action star Jackie Chan to help draw visitors back to the territory after the SARS outbreak. [More]

John Schlesinger, 77 *
Midnight Cowboy director dies [More]

Jon Stewart's pre-Oscar host biography *
Jon Stewart's career profile before he hosted the 2006 Oscars. [More]

Katharine Hepburn dead at 96 *
Exit Katharine Hepburn, aristocrat of the screen, who died yesterday at 96. [More]

Katharine Hepburn dies at 96, nominated for 12 Oscars *
Katharine Hepburn, an icon of feminist strength and spirit who brought a chiselled beauty and patrician bearing to such films as The Philadelphia Story and The African Queen, died Sunday, her executor and town authorities said. She was 96. [More]

Leni Riefenstahl: Hitler's filmmaker *
She revolutionized the medium, but Hitler's filmmaker was never able to separate politics and art [More]

Long live Buffy *
The network can kill off the ultimate high-school story of friendship and grrl-power, but CARL WILSON predicts the show's enduring feeling will live on forever in the minds of its fans [More]

Lynne McNamara *
Lynne is Vancouver's reigning expert on film celebrities and the behind-the-scenes business of the movies. [More]

Maestro, film music please *
Canadian Howard Shore's score for the Lord of the Rings movies has become a favourite with orchestras around the world, part of a trend in which the once-scorned music of the silver screen is riding to the rescue of symphony orchestras. [More]

Mambo 101 for filmmakers *
Just going for the ethnic laughs won't replicate the success of a Canadian hit like Mambo Italiano, LIAM LACEY writes. You need an authentically personal story, and a lead actor who can keep it real [More]

Matrix IMAX: Does bigger make it better? (Houpt commentary) *** 1/2
SIMON HOUPT finds a supersized version of the latest Matrix instalment give viewers more than they bargained for... [More]

Meat Loaf casserole *
Talk about your one-dish meal. He's an actor, he's no slouch as a celebrity pitcher, and he rocks on with a new album, BRAD WHEELER writes [More]

Michael Moore loves Alberta's nurses *
Canadian Distributor echoes his sentiments by offering free admission to all nurses across Canada, starting Monday, July 16, 2007. [More]

Motion Picture Association of America Movie Ratings *
Movie ratings from the MPAA [More]

Movie noise: Turn that fish down *
It's not the death of Bambi's mother that scares kids these days -- it's the noise level of movie soundtracks, which can spike louder than a jackhammer or a live rock show, LUMA MUHTADIE writes [More]

Movies: From June to September: It's the perfect story arc *
Looking at the long, hot summer-movie lineup, I see tentpoles and actioners, remakes and laffers, but what I don't see is an example of the most poignant kind of summer picture -- one about the transformative effects of summer itself. No other time of year is as mythic, and therefore as filmic. [More]

MTV Virtual Performance Movie Award goes to monster Gollum *
You don't have to exist to get an MTV Movie Award. [More]

Myers leads pro-Toronto charge *
Comedian's visit to The Tonight Show precedes upcoming late-night appearances by Avril Lavigne, Dan Aykroyd and Jim Carrey [More]

New York apartment-envy's a real killer *
Would you let your spouse sleep with someone for $1-million? Oh, sorry: That's the premise of the movie Indecent Proposal, which is set in Las Vegas. [More]

Nicole Kidman wins libel suit *
Oscar-winning actor Nicole Kidman accepted a public apology and undisclosed damages on Thursday to settle a libel suit against a newspaper that suggested she had an adulterous affair with actor Jude Law. [More]

No joking, Hope simply loved the game *
Golfers want to break 100 and live to the same age, still active in the game. Bob Hope, who died on Sunday at his home in Toluca Lake, Calif., did both. [More]

Penn suit to go forward *
A judge refused to dismiss key portions of a $10-million (US) lawsuit that Sean Penn filed, accusing a producer of reneging on a contract for the defunct movie Why Men Shouldn’t Marry. [More]

Peter Krause: Under the skin of a role to die for *
Six Feet Under star and Emmy-nominee Peter Krause reflects on living in the shadow of his TV character, GAYLE MacDONALD writes [More]

Peter Pan Contest *
Sorry...contest finished [More]

Phone Booth (Schneller backgrounder) ***
How many directors can you fit in a Phone Booth? [More]

Phone Booth spoiler alert *
Do not click on this paragraph, if you do not wish to know crucial plot developments of this movie! [More]

Polly knocks the King off his box-office perch *
Along Came Polly came along and swept The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King from its four-week perch atop the North American box office, according to studio estimates yesterday. [More]

Robert Wagner sues Sony Pictures *
Robert Wagner is suing Sony Pictures Entertainment for half the profits from the Charlie's Angels movies, saying he played a role in the development deal for the 1970s TV show that inspired them. [More]

Rock antisongs and antirock songs *
In the 1963 Jean-Luc Godard film Les Carabiniers, a pair of buffoons named Ulysses and Michelangelo get a letter from the King enticing them to go to war, promising they can steal treasures, massacre the innocent and eat free in restaurants. Off they go, promising to bring home bikinis for their women, Venus and Cleopatra. After the slaughter, they bring back only postcards. [More]

Rome to pay homage to Federico Fellini *
Rome will pay homage to Federico Fellini this fall — the 10th anniversary of his death — with exhibits, photo shows, concerts and screenings of clips from his movies. [More]

SARS Escape: Truth to tell *
It's hardly an escape from reality, but the Hot Docs film festival does offer Toronto a 10-day respite from its own problems [More]

Scary Movie 3 (Anderson review) ** 1/2
A farmer and his brother respond to the frightened screams of the farmer's daughter. They rush through the stalks to find her out in the cornfield, where the rows have been flattened to form a mysterious pattern. It appears to be a message from supernatural, perhaps extraterrestrial, forces. “What are they trying to tell us?” wonders the farmer. [More]

Smoking in movies influences teens: U.S. study *
Youngsters who watch movies in which actors smoke a lot are three times more likely to take up the habit than those exposed to less smoking on-screen, a new study of American adolescents suggests. [More]

Spoilers: Guess what happens next? *
Spoilers just can't wait for the movie or TV show. They want to know how the plot unfolds now, even if it wrecks it for others. [More]

Starry Night Gala -- Vancouver's Ultimate Oscar Party *
February 27, 2005, Vancouver, BC [More]

Stepford Wives Bake Sale event *
Paramount Pictures Canada, Cupcakes and The Fountainhead Pub will team up to present a fundraiser to benefit the Vancouver Pride Society and to celebrate the upcoming release of "The Stepford Wives," opening in theatres June 11th. [More]

Sunshine bright light at Sundance *
The art house scene was busy over the weekend, with Woody Allen's crime farce Scoop and the Sundance Film Festival favourite Little Miss Sunshine opening in limited release. [More]

Surviving the summer movie *
You don't want to sink into the icy cool of a movie theatre in July, just to be bombarded with things that blow up and 100-decibel sound? Read on... [More]

Television programs saved by funding flip-flop *
Twenty-six Canadian television shows and movies have been brought back from the edge of extinction thanks to a $12.5-million federal refund to the Canadian Television Fund. [More]

The furor over Hitler *
Critics circled from the start. A producer was fired for making controversial comments. And the lead actor fretted about getting into character. But now a miniseries about history's epic villain is finally ready to air, GAYLE MacDONALD writes [More]

The Modernity of Fellini's Cinema *
A lecture to kick off a Fellini film series by Prof. Sam Rohdie, Vancouver, BC, August 31, 2005 (Read event details) [More]

The Time Traveler's Wife: A first novel anointed by Brad and Jennifer ****
Talk about winning the literary lottery. The film rights to visual artist Audrey Niffenegger's first novel were snapped up by Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston -- before publication, REBECCA CALDWELL writes. [More]

Tired of talkers at the movies? Revenge is sweet *
The date approaches for my annual rant about people who talk during movies. But even if the great weight of journalistic tradition did not impose this obligation, the idiots who, with increasing regularity, sit behind me, make it necessary that I speak out. It's my lot in life. Some are born to complain, some achieve it, and some have complaint thrust upon them every time they go to a movie. [More]

Toronto film fest unveils lineup *
Barring a rain of frogs or a plague of locusts, the 28th annual Toronto International Film Festival is "good to go," Michelle Maheu, managing director of the Festival Group, declared on Tuesday. [More]

Toronto's rough cuts *
SARS, a stronger dollar and uncertainty over government funding are causing havoc in the $3-billion film-and-TV industry of Canada's largest city, GAYLE MacDONALD writes (though some Canadian cities are faring better). [More]

Tough times ahead for producers, survey says *
A new survey on film and television activity in Canada forecast yesterday that independent producers, already a struggling lot, will have an even tougher go in the years ahead. [More]

Vardalos hit with 2nd suit *
A disgruntled boutique production company in Los Angeles has slapped Winnipegger Nia Vardalos with a lawsuit that seeks a sweeter slice of her Big Fat Greek Wedding wealth. [More]

Virgin doesn't lose box-office momentum *
Steve Carell's second time at the top of the box office was almost as good as the first. [More]

Virgin scores *
Steve Carell scored in his maiden voyage as a leading man, with his comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin taking in $20.6-million to debut at the top of the box office. [More]

Virgin tops box office charts in North America *
The 40-Year-Old Virgin debuted in first place at the box office in North America, with an expected take of 20.6 million dollars, preliminary weekend, according to figures released today. [More]

Virgin tops North America box office for second weekend *
The 40-Year-Old Virgin was number one at the box office in North America for the second straight weekend, raking in about 16.4 million US dollars, showed estimates out Sunday. [More]

X-Men Scores Record Holiday Opening *
The superhero epic X-Men: The Last Stand proved magnetic over the Memorial Day weekend, taking in $120.1 million, the biggest opening ever for the holiday weekend. [More]