FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Friends with Benefits

After the Sex-Comedy debacle that is known as No Strings Attached, releasing a Film about similar subject matter might seem like a bit of a risk, especially seeing how that one was panned critically. Studio Executives over at Sony Screen Gems who invested in Friends with Benefits need not fear though as they have on their hands what appears to be a Box Office smash.

What makes Friends with Benefits so enjoyable is not only its charming Cast - yes, that includes you too Justin Timberlake  - but also that its Script and directing by Will Gluck (Easy A) equally are fantastic.  Gluck has a knack at bringing to life smart and vulnerable Heroines and Mila Kunis as tough-shelled Job Recruiter Jamie from New York City, is pitch-perfect here.  This is not to say that her counterpart Timberlake as wholesome newly-hired GQ Magazine Art Director Dylan, isn't also wonderful too as we have some fun watching him and Jamie struggle to keeping emotions separate from their purely sexual friendship.  What ensues here is the natural and completely believable progression of Friends into Lovers and  soon we find ourselves rooting for Jamie and Dylan and become involved in their own "damaged" lives.  Their chemistry together is sexy and fun even though perhaps they are too aware of their becoming a cliché.

Gluck once again brings out his Power-Muse Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's Mother Lorna, delivering some of the Film's brighter moments and Woody Harrelson as a sex-obsessed Gay Sports Editor at GQ absolutely steals the Show with overt gusto.  Jenna Elfman makes a welcome return as Dylan's Sister Annie, while the amazing Richard Jenkins as Dylan's aging and senile Father, gives the Story some true heart and soul.  

"THE ROOMMATE" HOLDS STALKERS AT BAY ATOP THE BOX OFFICE

Still from The Roommate

I don't believe my eyes! A James Cameron Movie not to top the Box Office? Sony Screen Gems, which seems to be specializing in films of the Camp genre ruled the Box Office on a tepid weekend with Thriller, The Roommate. Drawing parallels to that of 1992 Thriller Single White Female, the Film starring Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly brought in $15.6 million in its debut. Review to follow later today.

Another Thriller, Sanctum, placed second with $9.2 million for Universal Pictures. Produced by Avatar Director James Cameron, the Film was made for a $30 million budget. Critics however didn't budge this time, with the Film earning a negative 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

No Strings Attached still continues to perform well in its third week with $8.4 million for Paramount. To date it has pulled in $51.8 million domestically - not bad considering it was made for $25 million.

The King's Speech lands in fourth with $8.3 million, bringing its domestic tally to $84.1 million as its Oscar buzz reaches a feverish pitch for the Historical Drama from The Weinstein Co.

HOPKINS TOPS BOX OFFICE FOR FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS WITH "THE RITE"

Still from The Rite

In a tepid weekend at the Box Office, Exorcism-themed Thriller The Rite finds itself on top with $15 million from 2,985 screens. Starring The Tudors' Colin O'Donoguhe and veteran Anthony Hopkins, this marks the first time a Hopkins Film has topped the Box Office since 2002's Red Dragon.  Read my review of The Rite here.

Last week's champion No Strings Attached slips one spot to second with $13.6 million this weekend, the second week in a row Natalie Portman has two films in the Top Ten. Portman's Fox Searchlight Oscar vehicle, Black Swan, accounts for the eighth spot with $5.1 million as it closes in on the $100 million mark domestically. Well done.

Action Hunk Jason Statham's The Mechanic accounts for third spot with $11.5 million for recently-launched CBS Films. The Film has received mixed reviews overall, with 48% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

"NO STRINGS ATTACHED" TIES UP THE TOP SPOT AT BOX OFFICE

Still from No Strings Attached

No one can deny that Natalie Portman is the Belle of the Ball right now and she tops of the Box Office this weekend with Paramount Pictures' No Strings Attached, for which she is listed as not only its Star, but also a Producer. Despite mixed reviews overall (51% on Rotten Tomatoes), Moviegoers were not deterred with a projected total $20 million in a strong debut.

The Green Hornet 3-D continues to perform well, giving Sony Pictures a sigh of relief after multiple delays resulted from Re-shoots for the Comic adaptation. It is expected to bring in $17 million in its second week, bringing its two-week tally to $67.5 million.  It is performing fairly well overseas also, where it pulled in $15 million last weekend in select countries.

Ron Howard's The Dilemma which slips only one spot to third this weekend with $10 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of Producer's Guild Award-winner The King's Speech which lands in fourth with $8.5 million for The Weinstein Co.

The team at Fox Searchlight surely are patting themselves on the back for the massive success that is Black Swan making for a second Portman Film in this weekend's Top Ten. Based on this weekend's $5.7 million, its total domestic run has brought home $83 million. Again, it was made for only $13 million and this tally does not even include overseas numbers.  I've seen it six times!

The Fighter also in its sixth week is still in the Top Ten impressively, hanging on in eighth spot with $4 million. Its total run so far has brought in $72.5 million in these parts for Paramount and Alliance Films, north and south of the Border respectively.

THE 37TH ANNUAL PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher

Only at the People's Choice Awards would these results ever fly! The Twilight Saga: Eclipse won top honours tonight at the 37th annual People's Choice Awards winning awards for Favourite Movie and Favourite Drama Movie. Among other Winners this evening were Katy Perry for Favourite Internet Sensation and Female Artist, Taylor Swift for Favourite Country Artist, Rihanna for Favourite Pop Artist and Glee for Favourite TV Comedy.

Click here to read a full list of Winners.

Other than Host Queen Latifah always being wonderful, the highlight of the show came late with a visibly pregnant Natalie Portman and her No Strings Attached co-star Ashton Kutcher, stepping-out to present the award for Favourite Movie to the principal cast members of Eclipse, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson. Portman looked radiant, although a bit like a fish out of water from the overwhelming fanfare.

And seriously, what was Kutcher thinking wearing an ensemble more suited for doing Groceries: a Pea Coat, Jeans and T-Shirt?  If this is any indication of their on-screen chemistry in upcoming Sex Comedy No Strings Attached, I think I'll just have to skip it.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

BENJAMIN MILLEPIED & NATALIE PORTMAN ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT AND BABY

Benjamin Millepied at TIFF 2010

Surprise!  Natalie Portman and Fiancé Choreographer Benjamin Millepied are expecting a Child as announced today by People Magazine.  The Couple met in 2009 while preparing for Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan.  Millepied actually appears in the Film too, in addition to having choreographed the fine Dance sequences seen in the Thriller.

The two, via Portman's Publicist, have also announced their engagement along with this news of a Baby.  There has been no confirmation on how many months she is pregnant or when they will wed as of yet. 2011 though will be a busy year indeed for her also as she has multiple projects on-the-go with her Production Company Handsomecharlie Films, plus starring roles in big titles like No Strings Attached which opens January with Ashton Kutcher, Your Highness and Thor.

Wonderful news!  Some Girls have it all!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)