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Sky Captain: An Interview with 'Robots' Producer Jerry Davis
Some of America's most popular and beloved animated features, including Toy Story, The Iron Giant and Ice Age have been brought, at least partly, to the screen by Jerry Davis, co-producer of Robots , from 20th Century Fox's Blue Sky Studios. Robin WilliamsBrad BirdTim McCanlies
'Robots' Rivets, 'Passion' Fails to Rise Again
The iron age proved less appealing than the Ice Age, but nonetheless delivered robust returns for distributor 20th Century Fox and New York-based computer animation company Blue Sky Studios. Ewan McGregorRobin WilliamsBruce WillisMel Gibson
Taut Willis Thriller Cops Out with Moral Equivalency
Most of Hostage—as gruesome as other action pictures—is like an exciting epilogue to Bruce Willis's original Die Hard character: a regular policeman fighting forces more powerful than himself and coming out on top. By the time Hostage reaches its climax, however, it goes sour.
Kevin Costner Shines Brightly Beside Joan Allen in Light Family Fable
For a small, comedic movie, writer and director Mike Binder's The Upside of Anger spins a big, cathartic yarn about divorce, family and the simple drama of life. It's droll and dramatic and Binder, who stars in his own picture as a lecherous everyman, proves you can laugh without being snide. His steady, dry take on an emotion's role in human action is the sort of gem Hollywood used to produce with ease.
Robots Lack Realism
Seeing Twentieth Century Fox's Robots on an IMAX screen was an inviting proposition. From Pixar's clever adventure, Toy Story, to Fox's charming Ice Age, animated features in general, and computer-generated animation in particular, are often the only reason to get excited about movies.
Around the World Round Up: Will Smith Woos Germany with 'Hitch'
Hitch made a huge impression in Germany last weekend, leading to an international No. 1 finish with $21,087,622 from 25 countries and a $29,612,463 total so far. In Germany, the Will Smith comedy racked up $8,830,879 from 905 screens, the biggest opening ever for a romantic comedy there beating What Women Want by 21 percent and Runaway Bride by 38 percent. No star is a bigger draw in Germany than Smith, it seems. His recent pictures, Bad Boys 2 ($6,006,803) and I, Robot ($5,852,322), had strong starts as well, and his past hits were even larger—Men in Black ($12.7 million), Independence Day ($11 million) and Men in Black II ($10.8 million). Hitch also scored a superb bow in neighboring Austria with a $1,120,007 opening from 99 screens. Keanu ReevesRobert De NiroJohnny Depp
Irish Wheelchair Drama Breaks Free
The Irish Rory O'Shea Was Here, directed by Damien O'Donnell, takes a tough subject and turns it into a bittersweet tale of youth.
Navarre's BCI Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement for 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' TV Series
Minneapolis, MN.—March 7, 2005—Navarre Corporation (NASDAQ: NAVR) a leading publisher and distributor of a broad range of home entertainment and multimedia software products, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, BCI Eclipse Company, LLC ("BCI"), has acquired certain exclusive distribution rights to Entertainment Rights' classic animation series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and The New Adventures of He-Man.
Analysis: The Academy Awards Are Meaningless
After winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor at the 77th annual Academy Awards and adding 225 theaters, Million Dollar Baby climbed a modest 11 percent to $8.1 million at 2,350 venues in its first post-Oscar bout. The 82-day purse for the $30 million boxing tragedy stands at $76.6 million—profitable and popular to be sure, but still more a phenomenon within the industry and amongst movie critics than with moviegoers. Hilary SwankClint EastwoodMartin Scorsese
'Pacifier' Packs Them In
The Pacifier allayed subdued industry expectations with a strong No. 1 opening, and Be Cool chilled in second place as comedy ruled the box office roost for the fourth weekend in a row. Vin DieselMichael KeatonAdam SandlerIce CubeJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanVince VaughnDwayne JohnsonKeira Knightley
Diesel Gets Physical in Dim Kid Comedy
Director Adam Shankman's comic vehicle for action star Vin Diesel, The Pacifier, is a middle of the road picture like his previous effort, Bringing Down the House. A clichéd plot featuring a dim Diesel, who shows up for the role, is offset by ex-dancer Shankman's knack for depicting physical action. The Pacifier offers poop jokes with action.
Around the World Round Up: Still Flocking to 'Fockers,' 'Constantine'
Riding on outstanding holdover markets, Meet the Fockers topped the overseas box office again with $19,008,645 over the weekend (excluding Latin America) from 26 countries, pushing its total to $181,945,529. Germany was its most impressive market with a miniscule 13 percent drop to a second weekend gross of $5,047,704 from 631 screens, raising its total there to $12,290,629. In Switzerland, it fell 17 percent to $1,016,161 for a $2,675,072 total. Other strong holds included France's 34 percent drop ($8,705,715 total) and the Netherlands' 24 percent fall ($2,516,195 total). Keanu ReevesRobert De NiroJohnny DeppAdam SandlerSamuel L. JacksonBill Murray
'Batman Begins' to be Released as IMAX Film in June 2005
Warner Bros. Pictures' Highly Anticipated Summer Event Film to be Released Day-and-Date in IMAX® Theatres Christopher NolanChristian BaleKatie HolmesGary OldmanMorgan Freeman
Oscar Without Glamour
Show business glamour is gone, long gone. That was clear from the moment crude Chris Rock stepped on stage to host the 77th annual Academy Awards and received a standing ovation—for just being there. By contrast, one of the show's classiest hosts, the late Johnny Carson, received a polite round of applause after a taped tribute. Thirty years of a top-rated show and several Oscar telecasts, no ovation—one minute of one show hosted by a foul-mouthed cable comedian, instant ovation. Is it any wonder more people don't watch? Martin ScorseseClint EastwoodJamie FoxxHalle BerryAntonio BanderasHilary Swank
'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' Comes Out Swinging at Number One
As the Academy Awards named the dour Million Dollar Baby as Best Picture, moviegoers opted for warm, joyful comedy, flocking to Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Hitch. Diary surprised the industry as it grooved to No. 1, appealing to an under-served adult female audience with a relatable story adapted from a popular touring stage production. Wes CravenKevin WilliamsonSandra Bullock
'Sideways' Sweeps at IFP Awards
LOS ANGELES, CA (February 26, 2005)—The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards, was held Saturday, February 26, at a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo. This annual event, which began as a small grassroots program, has grown into one of the most anticipated events of the film year. Samuel L. JacksonQuentin TarantinoZach BraffDan HalstedTom ArnoldGael García BernalCate BlanchettBenjamin BrattDon CheadleJodie FosterJake GyllenhaalVal KilmerLaura LinneyBridget MoynahanDennis QuaidMarisa TomeiRobin WilliamsElijah WoodJeff BridgesJulie DelpyJamie FoxxGiovanni Ribisi
'Bambi' Banks on a New Generation
With generations of fans and millions of dollars in profits, a 900-word script and a running time of 69 minutes, Walt Disney's classic Bambi is an example of quality and economy. Its staggering success is not unlike the story of its title character: unstable in the beginning, unmatched in the end. When the animated feature premieres on DVD format for the first time on March 1, the accompanying historical features assure that Walt Disney's favorite picture also offers 21st century Hollywood several lessons in making money with movies.
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