ANTHONY HOPKINS AS ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock

Moviegoers love a real transformation and believe it or not that, this is Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock. Fox Searchlight just released this first look from the upcoming Film about the famed Filmmaker's relationship with his Wife Alma (Helen Mirren). 

 Hitchcock is directed by Sacha Gervasi and also stars a superb Cast including Scarlett Johansson, Toni Collette, Ralph Macchio and Jessica Biel. It is set for a 2013 release and they absolutely cannot afford any mistakes in honouring such a Legend.  Looks good.

Fox Searchlight knows exactly how to campaign a Film for an Oscar.  Will we be seeing this one at TIFF 2013?

(Photo credit: Fox Searchlight)

"THOR" POISED TO DEBUT BIG AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Thor

With surprisingly positive reviews, Thor opens this weekend with high hopes from Paramount Pictures which spent $150 million on production. The latest Marvel Comics adaptation is poised to make upwards of $60 million Friday to Sunday according the Studio estimates.  It will be looking to best Fast Five's stellar opening of $86 million last weekend at the Box Office.

Despite including a Cast with the likes of Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings and Anthony Hopkins, Thor looks to be star vehicle for Australian Hunk Chris Hemsworth and it is winning the praises of key Critics:

"Hemsworth, an Aussie actor with a vocal command to match his heaving brawn, doesn't just play the role, he owns it." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"RIO" MAKES IT TWO-FOR-TWO

Still from RIO 3-D

20th Century Fox's RIO 3-D makes it two-for-two at the Box Office this Easter weekend, with $26.8 million from 3,842 theatres. Showing no signs of stopping, perhaps we can expect it on-top for a third?

It always amazes me how loyal Tyler Perry's following is and their support along got him to second spot this weekend with the tenth installment of his Madea Franchise, Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family bringing in $25.7 million from 2,288 theatres. The Film ranks as the Director/Screenwriter's fourth-highest grossing opening ever.

Water for Elephants makes it two Films in the Top Three for 20th Century Fox with the Romantic Drama earning $17.5 million. The Film starring Reese Witherspoon and Twilight Hunk Robert Pattinson, was made for $38 million, looking to be a profitable venture for the Studio.

Former Champion Hop from Universal Pictures fares well still in its fourth week of release, landing in fourth with $12.4 million, doubtedly aided by the fact that it is Easter weekend and it is an Easter-themed Film. To-date it has made $147.7 million worldwide.

The Weinstein Co.'s Scream 4 places fourth this weekend with $7.1 million. Thus far in its two-week run, its tally is $31.2 million in North America and it was made for $40 million.

Disney's African Cats fares well in its debut, showing in only 1,220 theatres, but still landing in sixth spot. The Documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson has fared well with Critics, earning a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Summit Entertainment's well-reviewed Source Code rounds out the Top Ten this week with $5 million this weekend in its fourth week of release.

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.

FILM REVIEW: THE RITE

Still from The Rite

"What were you expecting, spinning heads and Pea Soup?" Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) asks. Well actually.... yeah. 

Mikael Håfström's The Rite is suggested (note, not based upon) by the Book The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio. Its story centers around one American Priest Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) who journeyed to Rome, studying at a school for Exorcism after deciding initially that he wanted to retire his apsirations to remain in the Priesthood. Realizing quickly that his College Scholarship would require a $100k repayment, he decides to take up the opportunity in Rome after some blackmail masked thinly as persuasion from Mentor, Father Matthew (Toby Jones).

Failing to connect in a classroom setting under the tutelage of Father Xavier (Ciaran Hinds), Michael is referred over to study as an Apprentice to a trusted name in the field, Father Lucas (Hopkins). Despite witnessing a series of Exorcisms alongside Father Lucas, Michael is left unconvinced still, believing that these Possessions are nothing more than Neuroses.