Armchair Daily: News From the World of Movies & TV
BOX OFFICE RESULTS: Paranormal Activity, the low-low budget scarefest similar to the Blair Witch Project that was made for $15,000, trounced Saw VI
with a $22 million box-office draw over the weekend. (Could this
finally be the signal that torture-porn is no longer attractive?) The
newest Jigsaw horror film, meanwhile, drew $14.8 million for No. 2, the
worst in the series' history. In other new releases, Astro Boy was No. 6 with $7 million, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant was No. 8 with $6.3 million, and Hilary Swank's Oscar hopeful Amelia crashed with both critics and moviegoers with a $4 million take to end up at No. 11. The rest of the top 5: Where the Wild Things Are ($14.4 million), Law Abiding Citizen ($12.7 million), Couples Retreat ($11.1 million).
FINALLY: Ricky Gervais has been tapped to host the Golden Globes, which has traditionally not used a host since 1995 or had any special montages, skits, or musical performances. Gervais' off-the-cuff appearances have been the highlight of previous Globes and Emmy telecast. The Globes will air Jan. 17.
GOOD NEWS FOR TV SHOWS: NBC has ordered full seasons of new series Community, Mercy, and the second season of Parks and Recreation. HBO has renewed In Treatment for another season (EW.com)
BUT NOT GOOD FOR: Dollhouse, which will be benched during November sweeps.
ORTEGA OUT: Kenny Ortega, who helmed the High School Musical franchise and Michael Jackson's This Is It, has exited the Footloose remake he was directing over differences with Paramount on tone and budget. It's the second major shuffle for the film, after Zac Efron left as star. Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl) is now starring with Dancing With the Stars pro/country singer Julianne Hough. (Variety)
SPECIAL GUEST STARS: Benjamin Bratt will reprise his role as Det. Curtis on Law & Order for one episode; James Van Der Beek will portray a sleazy moneyman on The Forgotten; Kim Raver (24, Lipstick Jungle) will play a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy for several episodes as a cardiac surgeon who comes between Dr. Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Dr. Yang (Sandra Oh) (EW.com)
--Ellen
joesen on November 04, 2010 at 11:02 PM
BOX OFFICE RESULTS: Paranormal Activity, the low-low budget scarefest similar to the Blair Witch Project that was made for $15,000, trounced Saw VI with a $22 million box-office draw over the weekend.