"THE EXPENDABLES 2" OPENS STRONG ON ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND AT BOX OFFICE

Still from The Expendables 2

It was no match for The Expendables 2 at the Box Office this weekend as the Sequel with an all-star Cast debuts at number one for Lionsgate/Alliance Films with $28.7 million, from 3,316 theatres across North America. Audiences and Critics also are responding well with the Film receiving many positive reviews, tallying a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. This result falls just-shy of the previous Film in the Series, earning $35 million back in 2010 in its opening.

Slipping to second this weekend is Universal Pictures' The Bourne Legacy with $16.8 million, for a two-week total of $69.4 million.

Sony Pictures' Musical Sparkle opens at number three this weekend, with the distinction of being Whitney Houston's last Film ever. It opens with $14 million, already recouping its production costs back. Reviews also have been fairly decent despite perceptions, rating a 55% on Rotten Tomatoes. There is much praise for Mike Epps' performance in the Film.

ParaNorman, from the same Creators as Coraline, debuts in fourth spot with $14 million from 3,429 theatres, with the misfortune of opening on a crowded weekend of new releases. Like Coraline, it has also has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, rating 87% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green which opened mid-week for Disney also had a decent opening in seventh, earning $10.9 million from 2,598 theatres. Its five-day total is $14.9 million.

Hope Springs is proof that there indeed is a market for mature audiences, slipping to eighth spot in its second week with a respectable $8.7 million, a two-week tally of $34.6 million. I did actually see the Rom-Com starring Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep and can vouch that it is entertaining, with strong performances all around.

Total Recall rounds out the Top Ten with $3.5 million in its third week, which surprisingly almost is being out-performed by Hope Springs - also from Sony Pictures - costing about an eighth ($30 million) of what it cost to make Total Recall ($250 million).

On a side note, Toronto-filmed Cosmopolis also has a strong bow in a U.S. limited release. The David Cronenberg Film starring Robert Pattinson earns $97k from three theatres, an average of $24.1k per theatre.

"THE BOURNE LEGACY" CONTINUES TRADITION AT TOP OF BOX OFFICE



Still from The Bourne Legacy

If there was every any doubt that the Bourne Series would survive without its most recognizable face, Matt Damon, then away with that as The Bourne Legacy tops the Box Office this weekend in its debut with $40.3 million in North America for Universal Pictures. Opening in 3.745 theatres, the Film starring brilliant Jeremy Renner, is the third-strongest opening for the Franchise behind the second and third installments released in 2004 and 2007 respectively.

The Campaign starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis seems to have benefited from its ambitious and rowdy Whistle Stop Tour, including a stop in Toronto recently, earning $29 million for Warner Bros. The Political-Comedy opened in 3,205 theatres to a positive 66% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Three-week Champion The Dark Knight Rises finally falls to number three in this its fourth week of release, earning $19.5 million this weekend also for Warner Bros., just ahead of Sony Pictures' Hope Springs starring Thespian Queen Meryl Streep and Steven Carrell. It made $15.5 million this weekend after opening solidly on Wednesday; strong reviews for this one also with 74% on the Tomatometer.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, the third in the Franchise finds itself in fifth spot this weekend with $9 million, ahead of a disappointing Total Recall which in its second week only earned $8.1 million despite some high expectations with its $250 million budget. Still waiting on Overseas numbers where it continues to expand and should fare well...

Universal Pictures' Ted still is going strong in ninth spot in its seventh week with $3.5 million, now breaking the $200 million mark.  Meanwhile The Amazing Spider-Man rounds out the Top Ten with $2.4 million.

"THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" THREE FOR THREE AT BOX OFFICE: "TOTAL RECALL" DEBUTS AT #2

Still from The Dark Knight Rises

Although it was expected to face stiff competition from Total Recall, alas The Dark Knight Rises reigns supreme a third straight week at the Box Office with a stunning $36.2 million earned this weekend. To-date in North America, it has grossed $353 million for Warner Bros.

With high expectations, the Remake of Total Recall from Len Wiseman debuts in second with a decent $26.5 million from 3,601 theatres. This still is a far cry from the $250 million in production costs footed by Sony Pictures for the Toronto-filmed Blockbuster starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel. Critics also have been harsh on the Film, with Rotten Tomatoes having it at 31% on their Tomatometer.

20th Century Fox's Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 opens in third with $14.5 million, which is well below the $23 million the second installment of the Franchise opened with in March 2011.

Ted which in its sixth week of release is still in the Top Ten at number six with $5.5 million for Universal Pictures, just ahead of Step Up: Revolution in its second week slipping to seventh a with $5.3 million, earning a total $23 million domestically.

Former Box Office Champion Brave still is going strong in this its seventh week with $2.8 million, while Magic Mike rounds out the Top Ten with $1.7 million, making it a Warner Bros. top and bottom this weekend.

"TOTAL RECALL" IN THEATRES TOMORROW!

The Faces of Total Recall & Mr. Will-W. - Clockwise: Kate Beckinsale, John Cho, Bill Nighy, Bryan Cranston, Len Wiseman, Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel

The Moment has come for the most expensive Film ever made in Toronto. A Box Office success not only solidifies Toronto as a viable locale to film, but also proves that we have the Facilities and Talent to support an ambitious Venture as such.

Will you be seeing Len Wiseman's Total Recall this weekend?  I know I will. 

Watch the Trailer:

KATE BECKINSALE ADMITS DAUGHTER HAS CRUSH ON MARK WAHLBERG

Still from Contraband

The gorgeous Kate Beckinsale appeared on Live! with Kelly earlier today to promote Universal Pictures' Contraband. The Film which has her co-starring with Mark Wahlberg, is about a former Drug Smuggler named Chris who heads to Panama to protect his Brother-in-Law from a Drug Lord. Upon arriving at his destination, he scores millions of dollars in counterfeit money.

Beckinsale revealed to Kelly Ripa earlier today that her Daughter with Actor Michael Sheen, Lily, has a major crush on Wahlberg.   The Actress jokes "It was a horrible Love Triangle really", as she was playing Wahlberg's Wife while her Daughter was longing for her Co-star at the same time. Beckinsale did reveal that Lily concocted a secret plan to touch his abs, which fortunately didn't happen.  Phew!

The brunette Actress dyed her hair blonde for her role and admits to having lost a bit of hair in the shower, during filming.

One thing Beckinsale and Daughter might not have realized was that Wahlberg actually was staying at the same Toronto Hotel as they last May when he was in-town sealing the deal on a new Yorkville Condo.  Beckinsale then was filming Husband Len Wiseman's Total Recall, in theatres August 3, 2012.

Contraband hits theatres Friday, January 13, 2012.

Watch the Trailer in full:

JESSICA BIEL & JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE ENGAGED

Jessica Biel in Toronto - Jume 2011

They're on again. Forever. Several sources are reporting that Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are now engaged after having dated for almost four years. Timberlake reportedly proposed to Biel late December while the Couple were Snowboarding in the mountains of Jackson, Wyoming. They had stayed at the five-star Amangani Resort, New York Post reports. The Resort is listed on Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious Gold List. Biel and Timberlake later celebrated their Engagement with Friends in Big Sky, Montana.

Amangani Resort

We got our first sign that things were back-on again between the Couple this Summer in Toronto when Timberlake flew-in to visit Biel while she was filming Len Wiseman's Total Recall.  They were spotted at some of the City's finest eateries like The Black Hoof, Din Tai Fung and Enoteca Sociale. As CTV's eTalk revealed on August 29, 2011, they were even spotted biking together.  And as we can see now, the Couple that bikes together, stay together.

Congratulations Justin & Jessica!  It's time we amalgamate their names together.  How about Justica or Jesstin?  Voice your vote on the Poll on my left Sidebar!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W./Aman Resorts)

JESSICA BIEL & JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SPOTTED IN TORONTO

My trusty sources tell me that Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake were spotted earlier today riding bikes along Queen St. West.  You'd better believe it!

Remember to follow me on Twitter for to-the-minute updates!

UPDATE: eTalk on CTV tonight (8/29/11) at 7:00 PM EST will be showing Photos of Biel and Timberlake riding their Bikes together yesterday.  Congrats to @seansmovies for the Score!

xW

FIRST LOOK: "TOTAL RECALL" STARRING COLIN FARRELL

Still from Total Recall

Check out this first Still released from Len Wiseman's Total Recall, currently in production here in Toronto.  Colin Farrell is at the mercy of two Captors in a scene which appears to have been filmed at the University of Toronto's Knox College.

The Film will be presented at next week's Comic-Con in San Diego and hits theatres via Sony Pictures on August 3, 2012.  Thanks Kevin!

(Photo credit: Sony Pictures)

MICHAEL SHEEN AT "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2" PREMIERE IN TORONTO

Michael Sheen in Toronto - July 2011

The talented Michael Sheen definitely needs to introduction to Toronto, having spent last Summer  here filming Julia Roberts production Jesus Henry Christ. Although we're still waiting to hear whether or not the Film will premiere at TIFF this September, Sheen has been in the City for the past few weeks visiting Girlfriend Rachel McAdams.

It was Family first tonight as those attending the Toronto Premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 were surprised to see him arrive together with Ex-Partner of nine years Kate Beckinsale and their daughter Lily, who was dressed festively for the occasion.  Beckinsale as we all know, is here filming Husband Len Wiseman's Total Recall Reboot and the stars aligned perfectly in their schedules tonight. Despite no longer being together, the former Couple are said to remain close Friends.  McAdams it is confirmed, was not present this evening.

LEN WISEMAN & COLIN IN FARRELL IN ST. THOMAS FOR "TOTAL RECALL"

Len Wiseman in St. Thomas - July 2011

Fans in St. Thomas, Ontario got a huge treat yesterday as Director Len Wiseman brought production of his latest effort Total Recall two and a half hours southwest of the City to a Magna International Inc. plant. Filming factory scenes yesterday, most of the principal Cast were absent from the shoot, although its biggest star Colin Farrell was present. And get this - 200 Workers there won the opportunity to meet the Irish Hunk via a Lottery!

Wiseman even took time to run out to the gate to greet some Fans and sign Autographs before getting ushered back to the Set, although Farrell - who it has been noted rarely does the Fan thing while at work - did throw over a wave.

Watch the Clip below:

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SPOTTED IN TORONTO

Justin Timberlake at TIFF 2005

Despite his new Comedy Friends with Benefits being out in a couple weeks, Justin Timberlake's reason for stay in Toronto doesn't appear so much to be business-related.  The Singer/Songwriter/Actor/Multimedia Mogul arrived in the City over the weekend without the flash of a Camera, and was spotted in and around Yorkville earlier today doing a bit of shopping at Whole Foods.  Little did he know though that he had crossed paths with Hugh Jackman (spotted yesterday) who reportedly was working out at The Yorkville Club, also situated in Hazelton Lanes.

Perhaps his being spotted on Sunday with on again/off again/on again(?) partner Jessica Biel via her Kensington Market Food Shop The Good Egg, is an indication just why he might be here?  And while we're on the topic of eggs, perhaps they're re-Kinder Surprising their romance?  

Apparently they refused to divulge information to US Weekly,  but they had no qualms sharing juicy details for free with their Twitter Followers.  "Privacy is important", says GoodEggChick: