“Zero Dark Thirty” Tops the Box Office

On a weekend when its star Jessica Chastain won her first and much deserved Golden Globe Award and in its first weekend in national release, the controversial but brilliant thriller Zero Dark Thirty hit the top of the box office chart with $24 million. That brings the film’s total to $29 million with much more to come for this Oscar contender that I gave a “A” grade to…. Zero easily beat the two newcomers as the new horror spoof A Haunted House took in $ 18 million while the star-studded action drama Gangster Squad with Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin opened to an ok $16 million… The Oscar noms gave nice boosts to Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook while Globe winner Les Miserables topped $119 million and became the fifth biggest musical film in history surpassing Hairspray… For more on all the numbers, head to Box Office Mojo here and check out the new top ten below.

TW LW Title (click to view) Studio Weekend Gross % Change Theater Count / Change Average Total Gross Budget* Week #
1 16 Zero Dark Thirty Sony $24,000,000 +790.2% 2,937 +2,877 $8,172 $29,481,000 $40 4
2 N A Haunted House ORF $18,817,000 – 2,160 – $8,712 $18,817,000 $2.5 1
3 N Gangster Squad WB $16,710,000 – 3,103 – $5,385 $16,710,000 – 1
4 2 Django Unchained Wein. $11,065,000 -44.7% 3,012 +2 $3,674 $125,399,000 $100 3
5 4 Les Miserables (2012) Uni. $10,127,000 -36.8% 2,927 +23 $3,460 $119,206,000 $61 3
6 3 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey WB $9,080,000 -48.2% 3,012 -743 $3,015 $278,124,000 – 5
7 8 Lincoln BV $6,314,000 +16.6% 2,027 +126 $3,115 $152,579,000 $65 10
8 5 Parental Guidance Fox $6,100,000 -37.1% 2,957 -411 $2,063 $60,650,000 $25 3
9 1 Texas Chainsaw 3D LGF $5,150,000 -76.3% 2,659 +5 $1,937 $30,752,000 – 2
10 12 Silver Linings Playbook Wein. $5,000,000 +38.2% 810 +65 $6,173 $41,306,000 $21 9

Celebrate 30 Years of Outfest Tonight!

Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, turns 30 years old today with the start of its annual festival. As usual they will be presenting a huge number of films, documentaries and shorts over the next week and a half. I have been a member for a few years now and am always thrilled to support independent filmmaking and gay and lesbian cinema. I’ve appeared in films here in the past like Hollywood je T’aime and The Closet and will be submitting a few projects next year including our latest hysterical short Dirty Talk. In the meantime, I will just be enjoying the films that run from today July 12 thru July 22nd’s closing night feature, Struck by Lightning, written by and starring Glee‘s Golden Globe winner Chris Colfer.
Opening the festival tonight is the documentary Vito about gay rights activist Vito Russo while other big premieres include the comedy I Do (by my friend David Ross), Cloudburst starring Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis, and Bearcity 2: The Proposal. There will also be a Hairspray sing-along and a special panel on the hilarious sitcom Happy Endings... For more on all the films and Outfest, head here.

Below is a list of films I will be seeing (and I’m sure I’ll be adding more in the days ahead)…

Any Day Now (starring Alan Cumming and Garrett Dillahaunt)
Elliott Loves
I Do
My Best Day
Gayby (a hilarious comedy I saw at the LA FIlm Fest)
Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean
Beauty (a fascinating and tense foreign drama)
Struck by Lightning

And enjoy this preview reel of some of the great films that will be playing this year at the 30th Anniversary of Outfest.

“Pitch Perfect” could be the Perfect Movie!

I’ve been waiting for the next hilarious girl comedy following last year’s brilliant Oscar nominated Bridesmaids. Lots of pundits and bloggers and studio execs have been looking for the next one too. However, all they had to do was check out the trailer for this fall’s musical comedy Pitch Perfect and the search would’ve been over. Check out the trailer for the film below. It looks like a riot and it stars Bridesmaids own scene stealer Rebel Wilson plus Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick (who also sang up a storm in the wonderful indie Camp), Hairspray‘s Brittany Snow, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Anna Camp (The Good Wife), and the amazing duo of Elizabeth Banks (who’s also a producer on the film) and John Michael Higgins (who I had the pleasure of working with on Kath & Kim). The comedy revolves around the rivalry between a capella singing groups in college and follows a wave a music films hitting theaters this year including this weekend’s Rock of Ages, August’s Sparkle with Jordin Sparks and the late great Whitney Houston and the sure-fire Oscar contender Les Miserables with Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman out at Christmas… So, get out your pitch-pipe and get ready to giggle when Pitch Perfect hits theaters on October 5th.

Pitch Perfect trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2UFx3UIEgA&feature=related

Rock of Ages Preview~ “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”!

The all-star movie musical Rock of Ages hits theaters this weekend and I’m a little too excited about it. I’m not sure if it’s gonna be a hot mess or a really well crafted movie musical (ala Hairspray which was also directed by Ages helmer Adam Shankman), but I will be there day 1 to find out. Regardless, it looks like a really good time and the curiosity factor of seeing Tom Cruise as the ultimate rock god is pretty much reason enough to see it. I’m also thrilled to see Oscar winner Catharine Zeta-Jones back singing and dancing on the big screen like she did in the brilliant Chicago. In the film, she plays an anti-rock crusader and sings the big Pat Benatar classic “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”. Now, I have your first look at that scene below. Check it out!

Rock of Ages~ “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Catharine Zeta-Jones

And check out the full film trailer below. The movie which chronicles the rise of two young Hollywood wannabes played by newcomer Diego Luna and Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough on the rocking Sunset Strip in the 80′s also stars Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Malin Ackerman, Bryan Cranston and the aforementioned Cruise and Zeta-Jones. Ages features some of the best rock and metal anthems of the 80′s from the likes of Poison, Bon Jovi, Journey, Foreigner, Guns N’ Roses, Warrant, Quiet Riot, Night Ranger, Extreme, Def Leppard and more! It hits theaters this Friday June 15.

Rock of Ages trailer

Lady Gaga, “Pariah” and “Dancing With the Stars” win the first round of GLAAD Awards

Last night, the first round of awards for the annual Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Awards were announced at a ceremony in San Francisco. Hosted by Glee stars Cory Montieth and Naya Rivera, the show honored the film Pariah for Outstanding Film in Limited Release and Lady Gaga for Musical Artist. Dancing With the Stars won the Reality Show award for the first time following a season featuring gay contestant Carson Kressley and its first transgender contestant Chaz Bono. Other awards to the brilliant TV Movie Cinema Verite, Diane Sawyer, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Smash/Chicago/Hairspray producers Neil Meron & Craig Zadan . Take a look at the winners below and for more on GLAAD, head here. Also watch for the next round of winners in April which will include the TV Drama and Comedy Series winners.

VITO RUSSO AWARD
Craig Zadan & Neil Meron, executive producers of Smash

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Katy Butler, openly gay 17-year-old anti-bullying advocate

OUTSTANDING FILM – LIMITED RELEASE
Pariah (Focus Features)

OUTSTANDING TV MOVIE OR MINI-SERIES
Cinema Verite (HBO)

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM – NEWSMAGAZINE
The ‘Sissy Boy’ Experiments, Anderson Cooper 360

OUTSTANDING TV JOURNALISM SEGMENT
Battle Against Bullying, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

OUTSTANDING LOS ANGELES THEATRE
No Word in Guyanese for Me by Wendy Graf

OUTSTANDING NEW YORK THEATRE
The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures by Tony Kushner

OUTSTANDING NEW YORK THEATER/ Off-Off Broadway
Southern Comfort, book and lyrics by Dan Collins, music by Julianne Wick Davis

OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM
Dancing with the Stars (ABC)

OUTSTANDING TALK SHOW EPISODE
“Coming Out on the Oprah Show: 25 Years of Unforgettable Guests” The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)

OUTSTANDING MUSIC ARTIST
Lady Gaga, Born This Way

And here’s Musical Artist winner Lady Gaga with her equality anthem “Born This Way”

First Look~ “Rock of Ages” the movie!

Adam Shankman scored a big hit with his movie version of the Tony winning musical Hairspray. The film was awesome and even garnered some awards love (grabbing Golden Globe and SAG nods). Now, the director/producer/choreographer (and sometime So You Think You Can Dance judge)is at it again with a new cinematic version of the Tony nominated musical Rock of Ages. The show chronicles the rise of two young wannabe rockers and the metal scene of Hollywood in 1987 set to the music of some of the best rock, metal and pop acts of the decade like Foreigner, Def Leppard, Twisted Sister and Pat Benatar. It features an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Tom Cruise, Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Alec Baldwin, Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Paul Giamatti, Julianna Hough, Malin Ackerman, Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, Russell Brand and newcomer Diego Bonita. The first trailer for the film which hits theatres this summer just popped up on the web and the question is… does it rock? … Well, um, no. But it does look fun and I live for a musical. So, I’ll be there regardless. I have to say Zeta-Jones looks to be a standout (no surprise) and I’m surprisingly impressed with the brief images of Cruise. But what do you think? take a look at the trailer below and tell me if you think this film will be one for the ages or should be stuffed under a rock.

Rock of Ages trailer

Glee Preview~ “Somewhere” from West Side Story

Glee has gone all musical theatre in season 3 and I’m loving it. Last week it was Anything Goes, Hairspray and The Wizard of Oz. This week, they take on one of the biggies, West Side Story, and I have your first peak at Emmy nominee Lea Michelle (Rachel) dueting with on-screen mom Shelby (played by Tony winner Idina Menzel) on the iconic song “Somewhere”. Check out the brilliance below and watch Glee Tuesday night at 8pm on Fox.

Glee “Somewhere”

Glee Highlights from the Season Premiere

Glee began season three on a positive note last night. The show looks more grounded this year as it focuses on the core relationships of the Glee clubbers and seamlessly integrated Blaine (Darren Criss) into New Directions. I’m excited about the Blaine/Kurt relationship, the Blaine/Finn rivalry, Mercedes new romance, Santana’s “Sophies’s Choice” issues with Glee v. Cheerios, and the Kurt/Rachel theatre dreams storylines…. I’m not sold on the cohabitation of Will & Emma or Sue’s run for congress just yet. But I’m pleased overall and looking forward to where the new season will take us. That said, here are my faves from last night.

Glee cast “You Can’t Stop the Beat” (from the Tony winning Broadway musical Hairspray)

Blaine- ”I’ts Not Unusual” (the Tom Jones classic)

And big props go out to Lindsay Pierce, the girl who should’ve won this year’s Glee Project contest, who kinda stole the whole show with her fantastic performance of “Anything Goes” songs from the Broadway musical. As a big musical theatre geek, Harmony, Lindsay was funny and fierce and I hope they bring her back for more than just her 2 promised episodes (as a runner-up). Check her out below.

Harmony (Lindsay Pierce)- “Anything Goes” medley

More Matthew Morrison

Yesterday, I had the lucky pleasure of attending a special SAG event featuring a Q & A with Glee star Matthew Morrison and a screening of one of his favorite episodes, “The Mashup.” The episode which centered on his relationship with high school counselor Emma and her impending marriage to football coach Ken had him showcasing all his singing, dancing and acting talents. He swings so easily from romantic comedy to breakdancing to rapping and heartbreaking drama in this episode I’m sure it will land him an Emmy nomination next month. That honor would go nicely with his Golden Globe nomination and his SAG award win for this freshman show phenomenon. All of Morrison’s success with Glee isn’t too surprising. After all, he has had years of honing his skills on Broadway from his first role as the “white breakdancer” in Footloose to his star-making turn in Hairspray as the original Link Larkin (later immortalized on the silver screen by Zac Efron). He subsequently starred in South Pacific and grabbed a Tony nomination for his turn in A Light in the Piazza. Luckily for the rest of us outside of New York, Hollywood came calling and he scored several film and TV roles including Hack, As the World Turns and Law and Order. And of course, now, he’s on one of the biggest show’s in the pop culture zeitgeist. He’s also parlaying that success into other areas producing a musical about James Dean that he hopes to star in and recording his debut album due out this November. He categorized his type of music as “BuBlake”, a combination of Michael Buble and Justin Timberlake. I, for one, can’t wait. I’m sure he’ll have just as much success in that arena as he has on stage and screen. In fact, he’s even more attractive and charming in person, so I’d say that’s a safe bet. He was also genuinely humbled by the success of his show and working with these young stars who he loves getting to watch “grow”. His biggest difficulty working on the show? It’s trying not to crack up with laughter in all of his scenes with Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) who he calls a “comedic genius”. And how’s this for delightfully ingratiating. He said the person he’d like to work with most is Harrison Ford! Hey, who can beat Indiana Jones, right? … After the Q & A session, I got to say a quick hello to him and he was incredibly nice and open. Not a bad way to spend my Saturday, eh? … For all of your Matthew Morrison needs, click here.

And enjoy Matthew in this great performance of “Younger than Springtime” from South Pacific… and he’s shirtless!

And performing “Leaving on A Jet Plane” from Glee

Zac Efron gets all Serious and Stuff!

Teen heart-throb Zac Efron is making a serious effort to become a respected actor and leave his High School Musical days behind. After his well received appearance in last year’s indie Me and Orson Welles, Efron takes his first lead dramatic role in this summer’s Charlie St. Cloud. In the film, he plays a young man (Charlie) who is so traumatized by the death of his younger brother that he takes a job at the cemetery where his sibling is buried to stay close to him. There, they forge a bond that goes beyond the grave but also threatens Charlie’s chance at a future with his new love. Check out the trailer to the movie below which also stars Kim Basinger and Ray Liotta. Looks like Efron might have a hit here with the same audience that propelled Dear John to big box office this past February. What do you think? Are you a fan of the serious Zefron or do you miss his booty shaking Hairspray days?

Charlie St. Cloud trailer