X-MEN: FIRST CLASS LIVES UP TO ITS NAME IN DEBUT

Still from X-Men - First Class

X-Men: First Class had a first-in-class opening weekend at the Box Office, taking in $53 million from  3,641 theatres for 20th Century Fox.  Although a solid opening, this is considered weak for a Marvel Comics adaptation.   Reviews however, have been strong for the Film starring an Oscar-caliber Cast of Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and Rose Byrne.  Rotten Tomatoes pegs it at 87% on its Tomatometer.

The Hangover Part II is still going strong in its second week, slipping to second with $35 million after a record-setting opening.  It is v. close to surpassing the $200 million mark domestically.

Meanwhile, Kung Fu Panda 2 continues to perform strong in third with $22 million this weekend in its second week, putting it just ahead of former Box Office-topper Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in fourth with $16.5 million in its third week of release.

Bridesmaids just surpassed the $100 million-mark in earnings this weekend in fifth spot with $12 million (a second Movie in the Top Ten for Byrne) and more notably, Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris in Limited Release (147 theatres) is performing well in eighth spot with $2.4 million.

BRIDESMAIDS - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Bridesmaids

Easily one of the best Films of 2011, Bridesmaids is equal parts heartfelt as it is hilarious. The Paul Feig (Superbad) Film centers around Annie (Kristen Wiig), a single lovelorn Woman who is coping with the failure of her Bakery which recently went Bankrupt. Her BFF since childhood Lilian (Maya Rudolph) then suddenly names her Maid of Honour at her upcoming wedding, but Annie really hasn't a clue what to do. Above this, she must deal with the menacing presence of the socially graceful Helen (Rose Byrne), who over the past eight months has become quite close to Lilian, threatening her role as BFF/Maid of Honour.

Annie is involved with Tim (Jon Hamm), a Playboy who takes advantage of her and has no plans to commit to her. Getting pulled-over while driving one day, she encounters Nathan (Chris O'Dowd) who just might the right Guy for her. Being challenged by her own personal Demons and insecurities, Annie finds herself caught in a cycle of self-sabotage and with Lilian's wedding looming, we are concerned whether ultimately she'll  be able to pull herself out this slump.

Although Judd Apatow fills the role of Producer here, his influence is palpable even with Feig helming the Film.  As normally is the case with Apatow's films, they often clock-in past the two-hour mark, yet on that note the characters in his stories are thoughtfully crafted with genuine struggles.  Bridesmaids is no exception.

"BRIDESMAIDS" IN THEATRES SOON

 

This looks absolutely amazing!  Bridesmaids from Veteran Actor/Director Paul Feig, centers around Annie (Kristen Wiig), who is asked by Lillian (Maya Rudolph) to be her Maid of Honour.  Annie, broke and single, is forced to put on a brave face and tough her way through the pre-wedding rituals and what ensues is a series of antics almost sure to draw laughter.  She doesn't have a clue what to do!

And if all else fails, there's a superb Supporting Cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Jon Hamm, Rose Byrne... and a Cameo by Wilson Phillips!  Yes!!!  Judd Apatow (The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) produces.

Universal Pictures releases Bridesmaids on Friday, May 13, 2011.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

"SAW" CREATORS JAMES WAN & LEIGH WHANNELL IN TORONTO FOR "INSIDIOUS" | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

James Wan & Leigh Whannell at Toronto Premiere of Insidious - March 2011

Creators of  the wildly successful Saw Franchise, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, flew in from Vancouver today to do the last leg of their Promotional Tour in Toronto. The Duo are here to promote their new Horror, Insidious, which won raves last September at TIFF.  It subsequently was picked-up by Sony Pictures in the U.S. and Alliance Films in Canada.  Wan directs, while Whannell acts in and writes the Film.

Although made for a pittance of $1 million, Insidious is by no means short on the screams, showcasing a less gory brand of Horror than what we have seen from the two in the past.  Its story follows a Couple  Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai (Rose Byrne) who move into a new home with their three Children, only to be terrorized by supernatural forces soon after.  Their Son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) then falls into a Coma and they realize for their own safety that they must leave. They soon realize the problem doesn't so much lie in their House, so much as their Son, Dalton.

Wan tells the audience at tonight's Toronto Premiere of Insidious that this project could be considered more of a "passion job".  It is a film which both he and Whannell have been wanting to make for quite some time, allowing them to go back to their original Film School roots -where the two had met first in their native Australia.  Since getting picked up for distribution last Fall, some additional fine tuning was done to Insidious, focusing primarily on establishing moods via longer frames of dimly-lit hallways, for example.  He explains that elements in the Original Cut of Insidious have been removed, reducing among other things, the number of Jump Scares (abrupt moments of shock) in this Theatrical Version.

Whannell admits that when it comes to Horror Films, he is most annoyed by False Scares (moments which elude to danger but not fulfilled). He notes, "Often we'll see a a shot in a car where a lot of room is left in the frame. Just when you expect a Killer to show up, it winds up being someone's Sister. I hate that!".  He then jokingly suggests, "They might as well smash the window and slash their heads off instead!".