I need a free day to just sit through three or four movies. But who has the time?
Was glad to get "Lions for Lambs" in this week but still want to see "American Gangster," "We Own the Night," My to-see list includes Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in "American Gangster,""Gone Baby Gone," and "Man From Plains." But if I do manage to make it to the multiplex this weekend, I have a feeling it will be with my niece and nephew to see "The Bee Movie" which they have been buzzing about for weeks.
I look at the prospects of that movie and other new wide releases in my weekly column BOX OFFICE BUZZ which appears on Fridays in the LA Daily News, the Long Beach Press Telegram and the Torrance Daily Breeze.
Check it out!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, here's the thing, I haven't had a chance to see any of the new releases with all the Emmy parties etc. But, I still try and handicap this weekend's box office sweepstakes in my weekly LA Daily News column BOX OFFICE BUZZ. The movie I'm most excited about seeing is Brad Pitt's "The Assassination of Jesse James by that Coward John Ford." Try saying the name of that movie five times fast! The flick is playing in just 15 theaters but goes wider next weekend.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I haven't seen Jodie Foster with big hair in ages. I think she looks absolutely smashing here at the premiere in Germany of her new film "The Brave One." The title is lame but in my Box Office Buzz column in today's LA Daily News, I predict it will kick butt this weekend. I'm gonna try and see it Saturday between all the Emmy hoopla. Not many Jodie Foster movies I haven't enjoyed in recent years especially "Flightplan" and "Panic Room."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I just love me a good western.
Today, "3:10 to Yuma" starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe opens then later this month Brad Pitt will be playing Jesse James in a flick with an impossibly long title. Now that summer is over, I preview these and the other fall flicks that I think will do well. Read all about it in my Daily News column BOX OFFICE BUZZ!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ANOTHER picture of Ryan Reynolds? Yes. And I have a very legit reason: this is a scene from Ryan's new movie "The Nines" which is out today. This weekend officially marks the end of the summer box office season where grosses surpassed $4 million for the first time. Read all about it in my Daily News column BOX OFFICE BUZZ.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are a whole lotta new movies coming out today but the only one I'm even remotely interested in except for "The Nanny Diaries" which I'm gonna catch in Palm Springs (gotta get out of the sun at some point!). Chris Evans happens to have a supporting role... Anywho, click HERE to read my latest Box Office Buzz column in today's L.A. Daily News.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Look, I know that "Invasion" starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig doesn't have a chance in heck of competing with the raunchy teen comedy "Superbad" (which I saw last week, and loved!). But I'd much rather post a picture of the classy Kidman and the delicious Craig than the leads in the other flick. They are funny dudes...and funny lookin too! Nothing wrong withy funny looking, but I prefer eye candy this early in the morning.
Anyway, here is a link to my latest BOX OFFICE BUZZ column which runs Fridays in the L.A. Daily News.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm not even going to pretend that "Rush Hour 3" is great filmmaking but if I told you I didn't laugh a lot during it, that would be a lie. It cracked me up even though it was preposterous! And I think it will make gobs of money on opening weekend which I discuss in today's Box Office Buzz column in the Daily News.
Give it a read!
Also out today, in limited release, is the gay-themed "Cut Sleeve Boys" about a pair of gay Chinese guys in London and all that happens to them as they navigate life. I found the movie OK, some of the scenes are quite sexy, and it's probably more worth your time than "Rush Hour 3" which has zippo gay content.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Caught a screening of "The Bourne Ultimatum" earlier this week and loved, loved, loved it! So much action! The chase scenes are terrific, the fight scenes even better and best of all are the cat-and-mouse games Bourne (Matt Damon) plays with the CIA villian (David Straitharn) he is evading. Joan Allen is stellar, as always (remind me, please, why she doesn't have an Oscar but Marisa Tomei does? Oh, nevermind). I discuss the box office prospects of "Bourne" as well as the weekend's other new releases and holdovers in my Daily News column Box Office Buzz.Enjoy!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's a gay ol' time at the movies this weekend with the musical "Hairspray" hitting the megaplex [go see it....it's terrific fun!). It will be vying for ticket buyers against the new Adam Sandler comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" which has Adam Sandler and Kevin James pretending to be gay and married in order to obtain domestic partner benefits. I haven't seen it yet due to Outfest commitments but plan to next week and will post a review...most other reviews have not been kind.
To read more about what is coming out and the latest in movie business news, check out my LA Daily News Box Office Buzz column published today.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I wanted to post this picture of the "Harry Potter" kids at Grauman's earlier this week because before heading over to Outfest opening night downtown, I hung out for a few hours in Hollywood with my sister's family who are on a little vacation. The kids were so excited to see the fresh footprints of Daniel Radclff and company but didn't know who the heck people like Shirley Temple and Bette Davis were. My sister and I kept doing "I Love Lucy" lines from the episode when she and Ethel stole John Wayne's footprints. Anyway, this little anecdote is a long-winded way of me giving you a link to my Daily News Box Office Buzz column where I talk numbers and about some of the records "Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix" has already set.
Enjoy!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry for the delay in getting some posts up today. Got stuck in LA trattic for an hour and made the mistake of having NPR on. They covered so many horrifying stories and almost all had to do with the president. By the time I reached the newsroom, I was ready to tear someone's head off. It's no wonder people are seeking escape by going to the movies. Warner's "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" earned an estimated $44.755 million on Wednesday making it the biggest Wednesday single-day gross in box-office history (this figure appropriately includes $12 million from midnight showings that started within Wednesday).

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi all...sorry for the delay in getting started with posting this morning but there is lots to come so keep checking in! To start things off, I offer you a link to my LA Daily News Box Office Buzz column which spotlights the incredible box office performance of "Transformers" in its first four days and looks back on the summer's hits and misses, so far.
Check it out!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's a busy time at the multiplex and I write about what I think will hit and miss in my Box Office Buzz column in today's Daily News. Saw "Transformers" last night and it's going to be a mega-hit even if it left me with a headache. But that big, loud action pic from Michael Bay doesn't open until Monday night. This weekend though, the top movie will be "Ratatouille" which is a terrific movie from Pixar and released by Disney. I love the ultimate moral of the story (about a rat who wants to be a chef in Paris) because it celebrates individuality and a need to be your authentic self even if it means that others do not understand.
The rat ain't gay (that I know of) but his desire to become a chef in the human world has his family and rat buddies thinking he's seriously bonkers.
I highly recommend it!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are a trio of very diverse movies out this weekend led by the comedy "Evan Almighty" starring Steve Carell. It's a hoot! While the movie is based around Carell's U.S. Congressman character who God instructs to build an ark, you will really enjoy Wanda Sykes as his assistant. She steals every scene she is in and, thankfully, her scenes are peppered throughout the movie. I haven't seen "A Mighty Heart" yet but plan to today. The previews look terrific and the buzz is that Angelina Jolie will be an Oscar contender for her performance. To read my complete Daily News Box Office Buzz column, click HERE and have fun at the movies!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey, I'm really enjoying writing the BOX OFFICE BUZZ column for the Daily News each Friday. It's fun to try and predict how much the new movies are going to make opening weekend. Check out the column and you will see how wrong I was last week. Hopefully I will do better this week with my guesstimates for "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" starring the beautiful Jessica Alba and the beautiful Chris Evans who plays Torch.

Chris sure is HOT! HOT! HOT!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gee, I don't think we've seen enough of Brad Pitt and George Clooney over the last few weeks do you? Really, can you EVER see too much of Brad and George - ever. Here they are on the cover of the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly in an article publicizing their new movie "Ocean's 13" which opens today. I analyze the film's box office potential as well as those of two other new wide releases "Surfs Up" and "Hostel 2." Read al about it in my weekly Box Office Buzz column!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wondering what the heck to see this weekend? I preview what's new out there in my Box Office Buzz column in today's edition of the LA Daily News. The comedy "Knocked Up" should have a robust debut but I predict that "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" will reign once again.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you ever finish reading Out In Hollywood and think, "I haven't read enough Greg Hernandez today?" OK, humor me. Friday's are the day my new Box Office Buzz column is published in the Daily News. If you can't go out and get a copy because you live in Idaho or the UK or wherever else, then check it out at DailyNews.com!

This week I predict that "Spider-Man 3" will remain the top film in the marketplace but there are four new films vying for second place including "Georgia Rules" which stars the great Jane Fonda, the great Felicity Huffman and the could be great if she'd quit partying Lindsay Lohan.

Check it out!

BTW, I'm seeing "Shrek the Third" tomorrow morning...will give ya a little mini-review afterward.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good God! I've been reporting on the box office numbers for "Spider-Man 3" all weekend and cannot believe its estimated weekend tally: $148 million! That is in three days! It seems to me like Spidey is kinda like "American Idol," something that Americans far and wide can get into and enjoy. With the left and the right so polarizing, it seems like these pop culture phenomenons are a place for us to meet in the middle.
I know that overall, the critics were not too kind to the movie but I enjoyed the hell out of it. To read my full box office report in today's Daily News, go to DailyNews.com.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It took much longer than anyone thought it would but "Dreamgirls," my favorite musical since "Grease," surpassed the $100 million in domestic grosses on Monday. The film, up for eight Oscars on Sunday, had $1.96 million in ticket sales over the four-day President's Day weekend and that was just enough to nudge it over this industry benchmark.
With Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson heavily favored to win in the supporting categories, my guess is the movie could enjoy a post-Oscar boost at the box office.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obviously, missing out on a best picture Oscar nomination has slowed its box office momentum some but "Dreamgirls" is still the most successful Hollywood musical since "Chicago." The film, which received 8 Oscar nods (three in the best song category) was the number seven movie at the box office over the weekend earning $4 million. That gives it a domestic total of $92.8 million and the film is a sure-bet to at least crack $100 million.
Meanwhile, I'm heading out for a few hours to cover to Oscar nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. I will have highlights for you later in the afternoon.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My favorite musical ever, "Dreamgirls," made its presence known over the New Years holiday weekend taking in an estimated $18.7 million. That may pale in comparison to the big numbers racked up by Ben Stiller's "Night at the Museum" and Will Smith's "Pursuit of Happyness" but "Dreamgirls" is playing in at least 2,000 fewer theaters than either of those films. After playing in just three threaters in NY, LA and SF for a few weeks, the movie opened in 852 locations on Christmas Day. It has so far grossed an impressive $41.6 million and should see its numbers get real interesting when it finally goes into wider release (1,800 theaters) on January 12. I think this movie is s shoo-in to make at least $150 million domestically, especially once Oscar nominations are announced in a few weeks. Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy are assured nods and if director Bill Condon isn't nominated, then things could get ugly that day here on Out in Hollywood.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After months of build-up and sneak previews, "Dreamgirls" finally made its debut in theaters across the country on Christmas Day. What a gift to mankind! Paramount Pictures, which released this splendid musical starring Beyonce Knowles. Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and the astonishing Jennifer Hudson. "Dreamgirls" had a splendid first-day take of $8.7 million playing in just 852 locations - the third-highest Christmas Day debut in history. That is an even more impressive number when you compare it to Paramount's other new release, "Charlotte's Web" which grossed a total of $8 million Friday through Sunday and is playing in 3,728 theaters.
"That is a really good number," box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers,. told me this morning. "I think this movie will be an absolute crowd pleaser and it has Oscar written all over it."
Obviously, I think Paul is absolutely right. I predict this movie - which I consider to be the best Hollywood musical in ages - will make giobs of money over the next few months fueled by Golden Globe wins and Oscar nominations. I've seen it twice and figure I'll go at least a few more times. Love, love LOVE it!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Paramount Pictures knows it has a great movie on its hands with "Dreamgirls" so why not build up the word-of-mouth to a fever pitch? The studio will not release the movie nationwide until Dec. 25 but this weekend, offered limited showings in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
All 21 shows were sold out with each location grossing $120,000. Moviegoers who got into the showings paid $25 a ticket and received a commemorative program as well. I got a program at an industry preview last week and it is a keeper: filled with amazing photos from the movie and giving credit to all of those in front of and behind the camera who helped to bring this musical sensation to life.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, whaddaya know, MORE Daniel Craig news and another legitimate excuse to post another picture of my favorite James Bond along with his lovely leading lady, Eva Green. "Casino Royale," which has this blond-haired, blue-eyed sensation making his debut as Bond, finished in second place for the third weekend in a row adding $15.1 million to its three-week haul for a total domestic gross of just under $116 million. But the real story is overseas where "Royale" took in a dominating $44.7 million and is nearing the $200 marK in foreign grosses. That gives it a worldwide gross of $312.4 million. With openings next weekend in Australia and Mexico, "Royale" is well on its way to passing the $431 million worldwide total of "Die Another Day" four years ago. This 007 has left me shaken AND stirred.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My friends were teasing me over dinner last night over how many photos I have posted of a shirtless Daniel Craig, the new James Bond, in recent weeks. They were not complaining, of course, just teasing. And so, for them, and all of you, I post another on this Friday afternoon. But, I have a legitimate reason for doing so: "Casino Royale," Craig's debut as Agent 007, crossed the $100 mark in domestic grosses on Wednesday, its 12th day of release. The film begins its third weekend in a strong position and has been either number one or number two (switching places with 'Happy Feet') every day of its release. With a trio of newcomers that I don't think will slow the momentum of "Bond," I'd say the film is in good position to surpass the $160 million earned by 2002's "Die Another Die" starring Pierce Brosnan which is the highest-grosser of any of the 21 movies in the Bond franchise.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

An unexpected visit from an old friend required me to juggle my weekend schedule so I have YET to see "Casino Royale" starring the dreamy Daniel Craig. But I did report on the box office performance of the movie which just barely missed out on opening up at number one with the animated "Happy Feet" making just a bit more. HERE is my story on the weekend box office derby in today's Los Angeles Daily News (my favorite newspaper).

Monday box office UPDATE: Final figures released by studios this afternoon show that while "Happy Feet" came out ahead of "Casino," it was by less than $1 million - closer than estimated on Sunday. Bond grossed $40,833,156 over the weekend compared to the $41,533,430 taken in by "Happy Feet."

Aside from his buff bod, Craig's gay appeal has to have been helped by his role in the recent Truman Capote biopic "Infamous" in which he planted a kiss on the lips of Brit actor Toby Jones. And then there is this quote from Bond co-star Dame Juidi Dench after she caught a glimpe of a nude Craig and was taken aback by the size of his appendage: "It's an absolute monster! Maybe I shouldn't have said that. How uncouth of me!"

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As if posting beefcake shots of Colby Donaldson and Matthew McConaughey this week for very loosely-related reasons weren't enough, I have found a loosely-related reason to post a picture of delicious Daniel Craig, the new James Bond in "Casino Royale" which hits theaters Nov. 15. I wrote a holiday season box office preview for today's L.A. Daily News (click HERE to read it) and the Bond flick is the one title being touted as a sure-fire blockbuster. I don't know about you, but I think we could have the sexiest 007 since Connery! Making Craig even more appealing, to me and my friends at least, is his role as a gay man in the current Truman Capote biopic "Infamous" which includes a fill-fledged lip-lock with the actor portraying Capote.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Good thing I caught "The Devil Wears Prada" in my hotel room Sunday night in Miami because on the plane ride home yesterday, the movie showing was NACHO LIBRE! Delta doesn't give you any choice! So, I read and listened to music instead. "Prada," starring a delicious Meryl Streep and co-starring Stanley Tucci as a gay magazine executive who works for her, is still in the box office top 25 where is has resided for most of the summer. The movie added $474,500 over the weekend as it continues to wind down its theatrical run. It is the highest-grossing film of Streep's career with a domestic total of $122.7 million.

Other movies with gay characters were represented throughout the top 125 movies but all seem to be on the downswing so new fall releases will be much welcomed. I will preview the fall schedule later this week. For now, here are last weekend's figures:

"Little Miss Sunshine" which features Steve Carell as a gay man on a road trip with his dysfunctional family, saw a significant decline in its audience during a weekend where overall moviegoing was down. Seventh-place "Sunshine" took in $4.3 million, a 43.9 percent drop from last weekend. Still, the movie has grossed $41.5 million so far - terrific for a movie that had a production budget of $8 million.

"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" starring Will Ferrell as a NASCAR champ challenged by a gay French race car champ played by Ali G, took ninth place with $3 million in ticket sales. The comedy is finally losing speed but is still one of the summer season's biggest hits with a gross-to-date of $142.2 million.

Movies in more limited release were:
"Quinceanera," a drama set in Echo Park which won a top prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film features several gay characters, including a teenager sent to live with his uncle after his family kicks him out for being gay. The film earned $115, 532 and has grossed $1.3 million to date.

The raucous comedy "Another Gay Movie" took 51st place with a weekend gross of $42,861. It has taken in $535,572 tro date. It was announced Tuesday that the movie will also be distributed internationally.

The romantic comedy "Queens," a Spanish movie about a large group of gay men getting married in a mass ceremony, was in 70th place with a weekend gross of $15,469. It has grossed $74,273 so far.

Just hanging in the top 100 is the comedy "The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green" which, playing in a single theater, took in $2,120 for a total gross of $150,958.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If there weren't that many gay people at the movies Labor Day weekend, I think I know why: they were ALL in West Hollywood, every single one of them. The town was jam-packed with visitors and locals alike. But some people did go to the movies and here is a recap of how films with gay characters did over the four days:

"Little Miss Sunshine," which features Steve Carell as a gay man on a road trip with his dysfunctional family, continues to impress as it slowly expands into more theaters each week on the strength of strong word of mouth. "Sunshine" finished in fourth place with estimated tickets sales of $9.7 million. This wonderful film has earned $35.8 million so far and appears to have plenty of momentum remaining.

The Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," features Ali G as a gay French racing champion who is Ferrell's nemesis. "Talladega" dropped out of the top two for the first time finishing in sixth place with estimated ticket sales of $7.7 million. It is still one of the biggest hits of the summer with a gross-to-date of $138.4 million.

The delicious "The Devil Wears Prada" is still in about 500 theaters and took in just under $1 million over the weekend. The comedy starring Meryl Streep in a brilliant performance as the fashion magazine editor from hell, also features Stanley Tucci as her openly gay colleague. The movie is the biggest box office hit of Streep's career with a cumulative gross of $121.9 million. I can't wait for its DVD release so I can watch her scenes again and again: "That's all."

Sundance Film Festival winner "Qunceanera," which has several male gay characters, remains in limited release and took in $258,000 over the four days. It has grossed $1.2 million to date.

"Another Gay Movie" added five theaters (19 locations in all) and finished in 47th place with a weekend gross of $65,390, a 44.5 percent increase over the previous weekend. The "American Pie" type comedy is closing in on the $500,000 mark.

The Spanish-language film "Queens," about a group of gay men getting married in a mass wedding and their meddling mothers, is playinng in eight theaters and took in $21,053 for a cumulative gross of $45,621.

Adding less than $3,000 each as they reach the end of their runs were "The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green" (total gross: $148,597) and the Ed Burns-directed "The Groomsmen" (total gross: $125,373).

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 5:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry for the tardy weekend numbers. Between the Emmys, Billie Jean King being fetted at the US Open and writing Tom Cruise stories, it's been a busy week...and it's only Tuesday!

But here is how some of the films with gay characters did over the weekend, according to final box office figures released Monday:
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby: The Will Ferrell comedy featuring Ali G as a gay French racing champion remained in second place adding $8.1 million in ticket sales. It has grossed a superb $127.8 million in four weeks and seems to have plenty of gas left in its tank.

Little Miss Sunshine: My favorite movie all summer is NUMBER THREE WITH A BULLET! This gem expanded to more than 1,400 theaters and took in $7.4 million, a 31 percent increase over the weekend prior. The film, which features a wonderful portrayal by Steve Carell of a depressed gay man on a road trip with his dysfunctional family, has grossed $28.9 million to date and I think will be around a few more months. See it!

The Devil Wears Prada: My second favorite movie of the year is winding down its stellar run as it dropped to 20th place taking in $880,462. The film featuring Meryl Streep in a tremendous performance as an icy fashion editor and Stanley Tucci as one of her gay designers, has grossed $120.6 million in all.

Quincieanera: The Sundance Film Festival winner is now in just under 100 theaters and is doing steady business for an art film in limited release. It features several gay characters as part of the drama going on in an Echo Park neighborhood. The film took 33rd place with a weekend gross of $216,973 for a total of $1.7 million to date.

The Night Listener: This film that has Robin Williams as a gay talk radio host and Bobby Cannavale as his ex-lover is now in just under 500 theaters and continues to fade fast. It fell to 44th place (from 26th last weekend) with $76,640 in ticket sales. It has grossed $7.8 million to date.

Another Gay Movie stayed in 54th place playing in just 14 locations. The raunchy gay comedy in the vein of "American Pie" earned $45258 for a one-month total of $363,986.

New release "Queens" about a bunch of gay couples being married in a mass ceremony in Spain with their mothers complicating EVERYTHING, opened in five locations and took in $16,494.

"The Groomsman," which features John Leguiizamo as a man who comes out to his high school buddies at a wedding, added eight theaters to its run resulting in 650 percent increase in ticket sales from last week! The sweet Ed Burns-directed flick took in $11,062 and has grossed $118,582 to date.

"The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green" fell out of the top 100 as it played in only one theater over the weekend where it earned $2,533. The film grossed $145,354 overall.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My favorite movie of the summer, "Little Miss Sunshine," broke into the top 10 over the weekend! The film's terrific ensemble cast includes Steve Carell as a gay academic who goes on a road trip with his dysfunctional family as he recovers from a suicide attempt. His boyfriend left him for his arch-rival who is now topping the best sellers list.

'Sunshiine" took seventh place after adding 538 theaters (691 total) and grossed $5.6 million. The Fox
Searchlight release has taken in $12.7 million to date and expands into more than 1,400 theaters on Friday. "The regional openings were very strong throughout the weekend," said Searchlight Chief Operating Officer Steve Gilula. "The momentum continues."

Another film with a prominent gay character, "Talldega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby" finished in second place after two weekends on top. The Will Ferrell NASCAR comedy, which features Ali G as an openly gay French racing champion, took in $13.75 million, crossing the $100 million mark on Thursday. The film, released by Sony Pictures entertainment, has grossed $114.3 million in three weeks. "It’s a picture that appeals to the whole country," said Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of domestic distribution. "It’s attracted everybody."

"The Devil Wears Prada," which features Stanley Tucci as a magazine executive working for Meryl Streep, dropped to 15th place after two months in theaters but continues to earn money. "Prada" added $1.3 million to its total which has now reached an impressive $118.9 million.

Business went from bad to worse for "The Night Listener," the suspense thriller that star Robin Williams as a gay radio host and Bobby Cannavale as his ex-boyfriend. Business for "Listener" plummeted by more than 75 percent as it steadily loses theaters. It took in $384,000 over the weekend and $7.5 million overall.

The critically-acclaimed "Qunicearnera," winner of the top prize at this year's Sundance Film Festival, saw its grosses keep growing as it continues to roll out into more theaters each week. The film with several gay characters took in $170,000 over the weekend and has grossed $516,000 overall.

"Another Gay Movie" played in 14 locations (three less than last week) but dropped in business by only 23 percent. The comedy earned $54,452 over the three days for a total of $292,911 to date.

The political family drama "Poster Boy" expanded to four theaters and took in $8,484 for a two week totl of $20,772.

And finally, "The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green" is now playing in only one theater and added $4,184 to its total which now stands at $25,469.

For a full box office report, see my story in today's Daily News.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was another very gay weekend at the movies with the number one movie, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," featuring a gay race car driver played by Ali G. The movie took in an estimated $22 million in week two and should cross the $100 million mark by the end of the week.

Another big success is "Little Miss Sunshine" featuring Steve Carell as a gay man who recovers from a broken heart (and suicide attempt) by going on a road trip with his dysfunctional family. Still in limited release, the comedy had the highest per-screen average of any film in the top 12 at a whopping $16,993.

"Sunshine" played in 153 theaters, 95 up from last weekend, and earned $2.9 million for a cumulative total of $5.6 million. The Fox Searchlight release expands to 600 theaters on Friday then 1,500 locations the following weekend. This platforming strategy is designed to give the film momentum through good word of mouth and is so far working like a charm.

"The Devil Wears Prada," which co-stars Stanley Tucci as a gay magazine executive and Meryl Streep as a bitch for the ages, added $1.95 million to its total as it begins to wind down a sensational summer run. It has a total gross of $116.6 million to date.

Meanwhile, "The Night Listener" which stars Robin Williams as a gay radio host and Bobby Cannavale as his ex-lover, took a free-fall at the box office in its second weekend with a drop in business of 59.5 percent. The film took in $1.4 million for a two-week take of $6.3 million.

Here is a link to my full box office report in today's Daily News.

Here are some results for some indiie films still in limited release:

- "Another Gay Movie": This tasteless comedy in the tradition of the "American Pie" movies took in $68,302 in 17 theaters, that's a 36.4 percent jump in business from last weekend. It's overall gross to date is $195,990.

- "The Groomsman" written and directed by Ed Burns is about a group of life-long friends who reunited for a wedding. One of the friends comes out to the group after staying away for 10 years. The film took in just $8,233, a 45.7 percent drop in business from last weekend. It's grossed just $100,096 so far.

- "The Mostly Unfabulous Life of Ethan Green" took in $7,366 over the weekend, up 46.9 percent from last weekend. The film has earned $134,586 since its debut.

- "Poster Boy," which has been waiting two years for release, played in two theaters and earned $3,806 in its LA debut.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Updated from Sunday:

In my previous post "The Gayest Weekend Ever At The Movies," I left out a movie that just happened to go on to to earn $47 million in its opening weekend and achieve the third biggest August opening in history! That movie, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," stars, of course, Will Ferrell as the title character but is also a mainstream film that features a gay villain who isn't tragic. He is an arrogant gay French race car driver and powerful champion named Jean Girard portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen (better known as Ali G). The racing nemesis of Ferrell's characfer does not fall into any limp-wristed stereotypes, is not de-sexualized, nor is he assaulted or ridiculed in any way.

Jean is brought in to dethrone the "All-American" and unbeatable Ricky Bobby. In his first scene, the sophisticated and wealthy racer boldly displays his sexuality in a beer bar by introducing his "husband" (Andy Richter) to the other racers and crew members. He then gives hubby a big smooch for all to see followed by a little squeeze of his man's rear end.

I missed the screening of "Talladega" but will catch up with it soon. Did manage to take in "The Night Listener" in Palm Springs this weekend and thought Robin Williams and Bobby Cannavale played a very believable and complicated gay couple in the film. I thought the performances were solid (including the amazing Toni Collette) but left the theater feeling a bit dissatisfied, like "So what?" I didn't really care of the kid existed or not.

At any rate, "Night Listener" did manage to debut in the top 10 despite playing in only 1,367 theaters. It grossed an estimated $3.55 million. Meanwhile, the Sony Pictures Classic title "Quinceanera," opened in just eight locations and earned $96,900. That movie, the winner of the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival this year, features Jesse Garcia as a tough young cholo kicked out of his parents' home because he is gay. He is taken in by his great-uncle and becomes involved with his gay landlords.

Drawing an astounding per-screen average ($25,169 - higher than any film in release) was the sensational "Little Miss Sunshine." This gem from Fox Searchlight expanded from seven to 58 theaters in its second weekend and grosses and will go into wide release Aug. 18. "Sunshine," featuring Steve Carell as a gay academic recovering from a suicide attempt, has grossed $2.2 million to date.

Here are the box office results of other gay themed movies in the marketplace last weekend that were reported Monday: the outrageous comedy "Another Gay Movie" did quite well in limited release with a weekend gross of $50,069. Playing in five theaters, "Gay Movie" had a hefty per-screen average of $10,013 and has grossed $101,016 to date.
"Shock to the System," starring Chad Allen, did not make much of an impact in the two theaters it played in with a total gross of just $2,750. The film simulteously debuted on the Here! TV pay channel so should get plenty of sampling that way.

And finally, "The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life Of Ethan Green," a very fuinny movie that I thought was a cut above a lot of the gay comedies out there, is fading fast. Down to just four theaters, "Ethan" took in just $5,016 for a total gross to date of $124,826.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)