Hollywood Highlights

Monday, March 1, 2010

“Shutter Island” & two newcomers top the Box Office

Despite competition from two heavily promoted “R” rated films, the adult thriller, “Shutter Island,” sold the most tickets at theaters over the weekend to hold onto the number one spot at the domestic Box Office.  “Shutter Island” scored $22.6 million bringing its two-week total to $75.5 million, according to Box Office Mojo.   Not far behind, “Cop Out” the new Bruce Willis & Tracy […]
Monday, March 1, 2010

An Oscar contender picks up top honors at the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards

Photo: Mario Anzuoni — Gabourey Sidibe accepts the outstanding actress award at the 41st Annual Image Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, February 26, 2010. More photos on Reuters website.   The heart-wrenching drama about an abused teenage mother struggling to find her self-worth captured the major trophies at the 41st Annual NAACP Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, last Friday, February […]
Monday, February 22, 2010

Major spec script sale for new agency Verve

 The newly-minted Verve Talent and Literary Agency closed a huge script deal with Lionsgate over the weekend that included big paydays for the screenwriter, Shawn Christensen, and hot teen star, Taylor Lautner. The Internet has been buzzing with chatter about the studio bidding for this project for nearly two weeks now. Nikki Finke’s deadline.com/ Hollywood launched a play-by-play of the auction, who’s in and […]
Sunday, February 21, 2010

“Shutter Island” thrills moviegoers at the Box Office

A super opening for the latest teaming of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. The suspense thriller, “Shutter Island” debuted with an estimated $40.2 million this weekend at the domestic Box Office, to become the number one film in the country. “Shutter Island,” set in the 1950s, is about the investigation of a murder and some bizarre medical practices at a hospital for […]
Sunday, February 21, 2010

“The Hurt Locker” wins big at the WGA Awards

The 2010 Writers Guild of America Awards were handed out at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York last night for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen, television, radio, news, promotion, and videogames. “The Hurt Locker” grabbed the major prize — best original screenplay. The awards are piling up and the momentum building for “The Hurt Locker, ” which is nominated for nine Academy […]
Thursday, February 18, 2010

Showbiz Bytes: Hollywood movie deal, Tori Spelling, Kathryn Bigelow, & “Valentine’s Day” a record breaker

Director Steven Soderbergh’s action thriller sells to Warner Bros. The sluggish Hollywood film script market is picking up. After some bidding, Director Steven Soderbergh’s movie project, “Contagion,” sold to Double Feature Films at Warner Bros. The budget $60 million. The script, written by Scott Z. Burns, revolves around a viral outbreak. Several top notch stars are attached to the project including, Gwyneth […]
Monday, February 15, 2010

Movie Deals: Madonna to direct true royal romance

Music Superstar Madonna is set to direct her second motion picture, a romantic drama based on the real-life love affair between King Edward VIII and American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Edward’s love for the twice-divorced Simpson prompted him to abdicate the throne and marry her in June of 1937. As you can probably imagine, the love affair created an international scandal. The pop diva is writing the screenplay […]
Sunday, February 14, 2010

“Valentine’s Day” rules at the Box Office

          Female ticket buyers showed their power at the domestic Box Office once again this weekend as not one but two chick flicks landed in the top five. Leading the way and ranking number one, the new star-packed romantic comedy, “Valentine’s Day” with a huge debut of $52.4 million.    V-Day is about couples and singles dealing with romance and the pressure of […]