'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' Starts 2015 Off With a First Place Finish

1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies- $21.9M/$220M
I've yet to fully understand the decision to split the one book of 'The Hobbit' into three movies..how am I kidding, of course I do....money. Personally I think it was a mistake and it shows. It's easy for us to sit in our suburban homes criticizing the sell-outs of Hollywood but let's be honest. If you have a property that you can stretch in to three 9 figure paydays as opposed to one are you really going to take the artistic route? Didn't think so.

2. Into the Woods- $19M/$91M
The silver screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical was all the rage amongst it's audience. Wondering if your in that audience? Do you have Once Upon a Time DVR'd? You're in that audience. Personally I found the film to be a bit more than a let down but it would appear that enough of you disagreed to keep it in the #2 spot.

3. Unbroken- $18.3M/$87.8M
The film's mantra of "If you make it, you can take it" must have wiggled into the real world as Angelina Jolie's story of an Olympic champion turned Japanese POW wills itself into the number three spot in it's second week of release.

4. The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death- $15.1M
The follow up to Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter outing failed to make a huge splash but at $15 million it's definitely a respectable take for a lower budget horror movie in the black hole that is early January.

5. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb- $14.4M/$89.7M
When you consider this is the fourth entry in the series and Ben Stiller is about 6 years past time as a "Hot" hollywood actor the $89.7M total take over three weeks is definitely respectable but given the ensamble (most of which are also past their Hollywood expiration date) and the lack of family friendly competition, it's not all that surprising. I'm just thankful that Robin Williams has another film coming out...I'd hate to see him go the way of Raul Julia who's final film was Street Fighter.

6. Annie $11.4M/$72.6M
Really? Annie hasn't broken the $100M mark after three weeks? I have to be honest this is one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. A time honored film updated with the adorable and talented Quvenzhané Wallis and it doesn't blow the Christmas competition away? I mean, come on!

7. The Imitation Game $8.1M/$30.8

8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1- $7.7M/$323.8M
Seven weeks later and Katniss Everdeen still holds a place in the top 10. I think it's safe to say that fandom for The Hunger Games isn't waning.

9. The Gambler- $6.3M/$27.5M
No records are being broken but Mark Whalbergs gamble on this oscar bait movie have paid off as it passes it's budget of $25 million this week. Whalburgers all around!

10. Big Hero 6- $4.8M/$211
Disney does it again as Baymax and company break back into the top ten showing the greatest staying power of the list with 9 total weeks in theaters, and a well deserved stay it is!

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Box Office: 'The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies' Rules with $212M Worldwide

1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies- $56.2M/$90.6M
It may be #onelasttime in Middle Earth for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, but they are going out on top with a strong 5-day total of $90.6M after opening on Wednesday; $56M over the Friday weekend. Since Jackson likes to open these and his Lord of the Rings films on Wednesdays, this debut is pretty much in line with the other movies. Basically, if you saw the others you turned out for this one. And this isn't even factoring in the whopping $122M overseas haul, giving the film a total of $212M worldwide. Even Smaug would like a piece of treasure like that.
2. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb- $17.3M
It seemed the only people clamoring for a third Night at the Museum were Ben Stiller, Shawn Levy, and the bean counters over at 20th Century Fox. The first two films in the franchise grossed just under $1B combined, but this third and "final" (I smell a spinoff with Rebel Wilson coming) chapter is off to a bumpy start. 'Secret of the Tomb' opened with $17M, a step down from the $30M earned by the first movie in 2006, and the $54M by 'Battle of the Smithsonian'.  Five years is a long time to wait for what is generally considered a family-friendly comedy, and that may have had an impact on the low numbers. Rebel Wilson and Ben Kingsley were brought aboard to punch up the cast surrounding Stiller and Owen Wilson, but neither is exactly a box office draw. In Kingsley's case he's basically playing the polar opposite to his character in last week's Exodus: Gods and Kings. At $127M it's going to take a little bit of help from overseas numbers and the track record on that has been solid, so we'll see if these exhibits still have some life left.
3. Annie- $16.3M
While Sony continues to be humiliated, even shamed by the President, for their handling of The Interview, they had a pretty big movie opening this weekend. The much-hyped remake of Annie, the one boasting Jay-Z and Will Smith's hip-hop cred, opened to a solid $16M. That's not bad for a $65M feature version of a musical you can find just about anywhere. This one stars Quvenzhane Wallis, who we fell in love with in Beasts of the Southern Wild, alongside Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and Rose Byrne. All big box office draws who could help carry the film far over the holidays, which is generally a strong time for musicals. We'll see if Into the Woods saps away any of its audience.
4. Exodus: Gods and Kings- $8M/$38.9M
Ridley Scott's critically-panned Exodus: Gods and Kings crashed like a tidal wave, falling 66% after a mediocre start last week. Domestically the film is a dud, but it could be saved on the foreign front where it has gained an additional $54.7M. 
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1- $7.7M/$289.2M
6. Wild- $4.1M/$7.2M
Expanding to over 1000 theaters and earning $4.1M was Wild, Reese Witherspoon's likely Oscar contender.
7. Top Five- $3.5M/$12.4M
A 300 theater expansion didn't do much for Top Five. The Chris Rock comedy only added another $3.5M at over 1300 sites.
8. Big Hero 6- $3.56M/$190.4M
9. Penguins of Madagascar- $3.52/$64.1M
10. PK- $3.5M
Sliding into the 10 spot is the Bollywood sci-fi comedy (how many of those you seen lately?), PK, starring Aamir Khan. You may recall Khan had another unexpected stateside hit last year with Dhoom 3, which made about $8M domestic ($88M worldwide) based solely on word of mouth. The same is happening now, and it goes a long way in showing why Hollywood has been expanding further into the Indian markets.

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Review: 'Annie' starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz

Only the hard-knock-hearted can walk out of Annie without a smile on their face and a song in their head. Let's be honest; the original Annie musical about the perky and feisty red-headed orphan has long since worn out its welcome; reduced to clichés popping up in more contemporary musicals. So why not a proper remake; one given a blast of hip-hop energy by Jay-Z and Will Smith, with adorable Beasts of the Southern Wild breakout Quvenzhane Wallis reinventing the title role?

Annie has never been especially subtle; the original musical is schmaltzy beyond normal human tolerance. So why in the world would anyone think this one would be different? Of course it isn't. The differences are in the atmosphere, the contemporary setting, and the clever dance choreography. Wallis isn't a natural singer, that much is true, but she's as plucky and likable as ever so that we can't help but love her. The story should be a familiar one, although it begins by brushing past expectations off its shoulders.

This Annie demands to be called a "foster kid" rather than an "orphan", she ducks and weaves through the busy Harlem streets in hopes of locating the parents who abandoned her as a baby. The group home she lives in with other girls is run by the nasty and perpetually angry Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz), a former singer whose head is stuck in the 1990s. Hope you like C&C Music Factory because you'll hear it a lot when she's around. After a rousing rendition of " A Hard Knock Life", a chance encounter with stiff mayoral candidate and cell phone mogul Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) finds Annie under his care. It begins as a campaign tool but naturally grows into something more. Meanwhile, Hannigan is looking for a way to use the situation to get some of Stacks' money and be rid of Annie permanently.

Director Will Gluck (who gave us Emma Stone in Easy A) along with writers Aline Brosh McKenna and Emma Thompson, build their urban reimagining with a plethora of subplots that don't all payoff. Rose Byrne probably isn't the first we'd look to for song and dance numbers but she's a lot of fun as Stacks' lonely assistant and potential love interest. It should come as no surprise the best songs are performed by Foxx (remember his R&B career? Does it still exist?), while Wallis gets by purely on emotion. Her rendition of "Opportunity", one of a few new songs penned for the film, is touching enough to bring the entire crowd to tears.  The script is sharper than it has any need to be; paying homage without falling too deep into the nostalgia well. Plus there are a handful of hilarious cameos including a mock Twilight-esque parody with a couple of huge stars. While the Depression-era angst of the original is gone it's replaced by attitude and heart.

Clocking in at around two hours the film eventually loses steam as the expected lessons are learned and feelings laid bare in broad strokes. But you'll leave Annie happier than when you arrived and filled with the promise tomorrow can bring. Tomorrow, it's only a day away.

 Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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The Sun Comes Out in the Final 'Annie' Trailers starring Quvenzhane Wallis and Jamie Foxx

What's the point in remaking a movie like Annie? Because it will probably make a ton of money this holiday season, that's why, especially with the might of Will Smith and Jay-Z backing it, along with the lovable Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) as the titular spirited orphan. With so much attention focused on the Oscar-contending dramas, a film like Annie will be a welcome diversion for families looking for a night out, even if it looks rather uninspiring to the rest of us.

Directed by Will Gluck (Easy A) and co-starring Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannvale, this contemporary remake of the Broadway musical follows its spunky heroine as she deals with a mean foster mom and warms the heart of hard-nosed mayoral candidate Will Stacks. The sun-will-come-out soundtrack and flashy dance numbers may be the hottest thing about this film which is clearly aiming at the kiddies.

Annie opens on December 19th.

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Jamie Foxx's Heart is Warmed in New Trailer for 'Annie' Starring Quvenzhane Wallis

We've seen Jamie Foxx as the vengeful Django, the cold-hearted Electro, and the world-saving POTUS, but now he's met his toughest match in the form of Quvenzhane Wallis. Foxx is joining the Beasts of the Southern Wild breakout for Will Smith and Jay-Z's  remake of Annie, a hip-hop infused version of the Broadway musical. With Will Gluck (Easy A) directing and a cast that includes Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannavale the film has all the star power it can handle and a new trailer to show them off.

Going with big nappy hair over Annie's trademark fiery locks, Wallis plays the rambunctious foster kid living a hard knock life in modern day New York City. Foxx is mayoral candidate Will Stacks who has his world changed and heart properly warmed by Annie's presence, while Diaz hams it up as her conniving foster mom, Miss Hannigan. This doesn't look like much but with a script by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) and Emma Thompson perhaps there is more to it? Mmmmm maybe not.

Annie hits theaters December 19th.


Annie Official Trailer #2 (2014) - Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis Movie HD by mtrailers

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The Hard Knock First Trailer for 'Annie' Starring Quvenzhane Wallis and Jamie Foxx

Originally conceived as a starring vehicle for Will Smith's daughter, Willow, the former Fresh Prince has been bringing every ounce of his celebrity strength to his remake of Annie. Teaming up with Jay-Z and bringing in the adorable Quvenzhane Wallis of Beasts of the Southern Wild to play the spunky little orphan, the first trailer has arrived for the hipper update on the classic Broadway musical.

Directed by Will Gluck, the film stars Jamie Foxx as Benjamin Stacks and Cameron Diaz as the cruel Miss Hannigan, but this is clearly Wallis' show. This will be her first major role since 'Beasts' after a minor appearance in 12 Years a Slave, and it looks like all of the talent and charm that earned her a Best Actress nomination is being put on display yet again. This looks like a sure-fire crowd favorite, and with Jay-Z working on the soundtrack it's bound to have some catchy jams, too.

Co-starring Rose Byrne, Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbage, and Bobby Cannavale, Annie hits theaters Christmas Day.


Annie with Cameron Diaz - Official Trailer by FanReviews

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First Teaser Poster for 'Annie'; Trailer Debuts Tonight

The first poster and synopsis have been released for the long-developing Annie remake, starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz. But the real power behind this update of the 1977 Broadway musical is Will Smith and Jay-Z, with the latter also working on the soundtrack.

Directed by Will Gluck (Easy A), the film stars Wallis as the plucky little orphan who enters the life of rich politician Benjamin Stacks and turns his world upside down. Diaz plays Miss Hannigan, the cruel orphanage owner making Annie's life miserable, while Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Tracie Thoms, and Adewale Akkinuoye-Agbage co-star.

Keep an eye out for the full trailer which debuts later this evening. Annie opens on Christmas Day, and you can check out the official plot synopsis below.

PLOT: A Broadway classic that has delighted audiences for generations comes to the big screen with a new, contemporary vision in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, Annie. Director/Producer/Screenwriter Will Gluck teams with producers James Lassiter, Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith, and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, Laurence “Jay” Brown, and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith with a modern telling that captures the magic of the classic characters and original show that won seven Tony Awards. Celia Costas serves as Executive Producer. The screenplay is by Will Gluck and Aline Brosh McKenna, based on the musical stage play “Annie,” book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and on “Little Orphan Annie,” © and ® Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) – advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) – makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he’s her guardian angel, but Annie’s self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it’s the other way around.

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Common to 'Run All Night'; Jason Segel Joins Syrup Heist Film; 'Annie' Adds Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

 * Rapper-turned-actor Common (Just Wright) will join Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman, and Ed Harris in Run All Night, the action-thriller from director Jaume Collet-Serra. Neeson will put his particular set of skills to the test as a mob hitman who must protect his son while defeating his former boss in a single night. Common will play the trusted killer who must take Neeson down. [THR]

* Jason Segel will team with Horrible Bosses director Seth Gordon for an untitled heist comedy based on the true case of a major syrup theft in Quebec. The script by Family Guy writer Chris Sheridan is taken from the August 2012 story about the theft of 10,000 barrels of syrup from the Quebec International Strategic Reserve, with the crooks smuggling the pancake topper across the U.S. border. Seriously. You can read about it here.

*  Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) is the latest to join Will Gluck's Annie remake, which has just seen its release date bumped up a week to December 18th. He joins Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, Cameron Diaz, and Bobby Cannavale in the big screen version of the hit Broadway musical, playing Nash, the tough but lovable bodyguard and driver for Benjamin Stacks and Annie's close friend. [Deadline]

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Rose Byrne May Join 'Annie' and 'The Man from UNCLE' ; Jeff Wadlow to 'Go Fast'

* Rose Byrne is in talks to join the big screen Annie remake, which has Will Smith and Jay-Z on board as producers. Quvenzhane Wallis is set to play the famous orphan, with Jamie Foxx as Benjamin Stacks, a version of Daddy Warbucks. Byrne would play his assistant, and Cameron Diaz is also co-starring in the Will Gluck-directed musical.

Byrne is also being sought for a role in Guy Ritchie's The Man from UNCLE, based on the spy TV series. The film has had trouble securing big name stars, but seems to have settled on Henry Cavill as American agent Napoleon Solo, Armie Hammer as Illya Kuryakin, and Alicia Vikander in a supporting role. But the changes have led to a budget slash, and producers may have trouble signing Byrne. [THR]



* Jeff Wadlow is on something of a roll right now, and it doesn't seem to be easing up. In fact, it's about to go a lot faster. Wadlow has Kick-Ass 2 coming up this summer, and he's penning Fox's X-Force. Now he's set to direct Go Fast, which is described as Fast & Furious with speed boats. Seriously. If it works for cars, why not boats? Quite the on-the-nose title though, right? Clearly going for a Speed vibe. [Deadline]

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Cameron Diaz Joins' Annie' As Miss Hannigan

After fading for a bit, Cameron Diaz is in the midst of a major comeback. She helped turn a seemingly random comedy in Bad Teacher into a legit franchise with a sequel and TV series on the way. She has what looks like a showy supporting role in Ridley Scott's The Counselor, and now for her next high-profile gig she'll join Will Smith and Jay-Z's upcoming Annie musical.

Sony had been trying to get Sandra Bullock for the role of Miss Hannigan, the cruel orphanage matron Miss Hannigan, but gave up after negotiations failed to go anywhere. Diaz will now pick up the role, joining Quvenzhane Wallis in the title role, and Jamie Foxx as Benjamin Stacks, a modernized version of Daddy Warbucks. Will Gluck (Easy A) is directing, with Jay-Z and Smith lending some serious producing muscle.

Annie is due to hit theaters on Christmas Day 2014. [Deadline]

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Sandra Bullock Won't Terrorize 'Annie' After All

It may be a hard knock life for Annie, but it won't be because of Sandra Bullock.  A week ago Bullock entered talks to play cruel orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in Will Smith and Jay-Z's adaptation of the Broadway musical, which stars Quvenzhane Wallis as the titular spunky orphan. But now The Wrap reports that negotiations for a deal have fallen through.

This is interesting only because Sony has made two attempts to nab Bullock for the role. She had passed on it before, only to be approached a second time, which is when the talks were made public. Other top actresses are said to be in producers' sights for the role, so it likely won't be long before a replacement is named. Jamie Foxx is still on board to play Benjamin Stacks, a version of Daddy Warbucks, with Will Gluck (Easy A) directing.

Annie is due to open on Christmas Day 2014.

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Sandra Bullock Will Make Life Miserable for 'Annie'

With Will Smith and Jay-Z producing, their remake of the musical classic Annie was always going to be a celebrity affair, at least in front of the camera. Beasts of the Southern Wild break out Quvenzhané Wallis is set for the titular orphan, with Jamie Foxx as her wealthy benefactor and NYC mayoral candidate, Benjamin Stacks, and now another big name may be coming aboard.

After initially declining the role, Sandra Bullock has entered early negotiations to join the new film adaptation, directed by Easy A helmer, Will Gluck. She'd be playing Miss Hannigan, the cruel woman who runs the orphanage where Annie lives. Carol Burnett played the role in the 1982 film, and producers wanted to find someone with equal comedic ability and broad appeal.

After her Oscar win for The Blind Side, Bullock has been mixing things up while staying away from the romantic-comedy rut she was stuck in for awhile. This summer she'll star in the R-rated cop comedy The Heat, and this fall she'll try to survive deep space in Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity.[TheWrap]

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Jamie Foxx in talks to join Quvenzhane Wallis in 'Annie'

Jamie Foxx's recent career trajectory has been a fascinating thing to watch, as he seems to be taking on an increasingly diverse array of roles. Coming off his biggest starring turn in Django Unchained, Foxx will play the President of the United States in Roland Emmerich's summer action flick, White House Down. Right now he's looking quite blue as Electro on the set of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and now he's set to deliver his own twist on the iconic character Daddy Warbucks in a remake of Annie.

Foxx is in talks to join Jay-Z and Will Smith's big screen remake of the popular musical, which just a couple of months ago added Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) as the titular red-headed orphan. Foxx will be playing Benjamin Stacks, a variation on the Warbucks character, and his name literally means a "stack of $100 bills" in slang terms. Stacks is the wealthy businessman who reluctantly brings the girl into his home, where she begins to change his life for the better.

Will Gluck (Easy A) is directing, having rewritten the script by Emma Thompson and Aline Brosh McKenna. This is gearing up to be another high-profile holiday season film for Foxx, as Annie is already set for release on Christmas Day 2014. [THR]

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New release dates for 'The Bling Ring', 'Ninja Turtles', 'The Spectacular Now' and more

Got out your Iphone? Punch up the calendar app and plug in some of these release dates...

Sundance hit The Spectacular Now, starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller, is hitting theaters on August 2nd. Directed by James Ponsoldt (Smashed) and written by the guys behind (500) Days of Summer, I called it "one of the year's first truly great films"in my review, but that release date tells me the studio doesn't have quite the same level of confidence. The story sounds familiar but unfolds with more honesty than your typical teen romance. It follows Sutter, a charismatic high school senior, also a functioning alcoholic, who sees his life changed by a chance encounter with the bookish and introverted Aimee.

From the good kids to the spoiled rotten, Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring has been slated for June 14th. Emma Watson leads the charge in the film based on the real-life group of rich brats known as the Beverly Hills Burglar Bunch, who robbed the homes of famous celebs (including Paris Hilton, who makes a cameo!) until they were caught and tossed in prison.

She may have lost out on Best Actress for Beasts of the Southern Wild, but Quvenzhane Wallis has already moved on to her biggest role yet, signing on to Will Smith and Jay-Z's Annie remake. Directed by Will Gluck (Easy A) and given a modern twist, the film is slated to tap dance into theaters on Christmas Day 2014.

And the Michael Bay-produced Ninja Turtles film, now starring Megan Fox as April O'Neil, has been bumped back three weeks to June 6th 2014. We still don't know much about the film other than that it will be directed by Jonathan Liebesman, and it may or may not feature turtles who are actually aliens.

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Quvenzhané Wallis in talks for Will Smith's 'Annie' remake

Quvenzhané Wallishas had a fantastic month already, and it could be about to get better. Not only did she take home two acting awards at the Black Reel Awards this week for Beasts of the Southern Wild, but later this month she has a shot at being the youngest to ever win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Now EW reports she may also be in line to star in Sony's developing remake of the Broadway musical, Annie.

This is all still early on, and the ultimate decision still lies in the hands of newly-hired director Will Gluck (Easy A), and producers Will Smith and Jay-Z. The role of playing the famous redhead orphan was initially set up for Will's daughter, Willow, but she dropped out after a rough concert tour. Yeah, whipping your hair that much can make a kid chronically dizzy, I guess.

Wallis followed up 'Beasts' by taking on a small part in Steve McQueeen's Twelve Years a Slave, so this would obviously be much more of a crowd-appealing film. Probably a good move to best capitalize on her early fame.

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Will Gluck to direct the 'Annie' remake; Willow Smith no longer attached

Remember that Annie remake nobody asked for that was supposed to combine the talents of Will Smith and Jay-Z? Well, it's still happening, but there have been some significant changes. Aline Brosh McKenna(The Devil Wears Prada) and Emma Thompson wrote the initial drafts, and now somebody has been found to direct the darn thing.

Easy A director Will Gluck has come aboard to helm the picture, a modern reimagining of the hit Broadway musical and the famous comic strip, Little Orphan Annie. Chances are you know the story already, centering on the crimson-haired orphan who comes to live with Daddy Warbucks and gets into all sorts of mischief.  Originally designed as a starring vehicle for Willow Smith, she's now too old for the role and is no longer involved. Aw shucks. It remains to be seen if Jay-Z will be doing the soundtrack as originally thought, but you have to think 'Hard Knock Life' will be in there somewhere. Right? It kind of has to be.

Gluck will take a crack at the script, and if all goes to plan production will begin this fall for release next year.

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