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.  

EMMA STONE TO STAR IN "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES"

Craig Gillespie & Mr. Will-W. - TIFF 2007

Although Natalie Portman will be busy being a Mom this next while, this won’t stop her from being involved as a Producer of her upcoming Project, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Portman initially was believed to star in the adaptation of the 2009 Parody Novel of the same title by Seth Grahame-Smith for Lionsgate Films.  As reported by Variety Magazine, the part now will be going to Easy A Star Emma Stone who quickly has found herself catapulted to the A-list over the past two years.

Craig Gillespie who directed TIFF 2007 hit Lars and the Real Girl and upcoming Disney Comedy-Horror Fright Night with Colin Farrell, is attached to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I did meet the friendly Gillespie here in Toronto while he was here for Lars (only his second Feature Film) and despite being from Australia, he actually sounded more American after having moved to New York when he was 19. A Film to keep a tab on - although it won't be out until 2013.

"EASY A" ON DVD DECEMBER 22, 2010

Easy A on DVD

Right in time for the Christmas rush, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be releasing Easy A on December 22, 2010 in North America!  Easily one of the year's most successful Comedies both critically and commercially,  you absolutely must see Emma Stone's star-making role here as the headstrong and lovable Olive.

The standard DVD edition of Easy A includes Stone's Audition Reel, a Gag Reel and also a Commentary by both her and Director Will Gluck.  A Blu-Ray edition includes Trivia, a Featurette - The Making of Easy A and much more!

• Read my review of the film here.
• And what does Taylor Swift have to say about her BFF Stone?  Click here to find out!

For more details on the Easy A DVD or to pre-order it, click here.

NEVER UNDER-ESTIMATE THE POWER OF FACEBOOK

The Social Network Still

Never under-estimate the power of Social Networking. For example, David Fincher's The Social Network destroyed its competition at the Box Office this weekend. The true story of Mark Zuckerberg's rise to fame as the creator of Facebook impressed both critics and audiences, taking in $23 million its opening.

Surprisingly resilient though is animated feature Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole 3-D, which brought in $10.9 million in its second week - enough to land it in second. The film has earned $30 million to-date domestically and undoubtedly was helped by the fact it is still showing in 3,575 theatres.

Last week's champion Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps slips to third spot this weekend with $10.1 million, placing it just ahead of Ben Affleck's The Town which is in fourth with $10 million earned - still going strong.

Easy A is a certified hit, landing in fifth this weekend with $7 million. Made for just $8 million, it has brought Sony Screen Gems $42.4 million in three weeks.

Real-life lovers Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper's Case 39 debuted in seventh spot with $5.4 million, being made for $26 million. After several delays in release and an underwhelming performance, many are beginning to doubt Zellweger's ability to pull in an audience after a string of blemishes recently like New in Town, My One and Only and Miss Potter.

MICHAEL DOUGLAS IS KING OF THE BOX OFFICE STILL

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

He's still got it.  Michael Douglas is King of the Box Office with Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, 23 years after being debuting in third in December 1987 with its predecessor.  Despite some negative reviews, the follow-up to the Oscar-winning Oliver Stone film brought in a total $19 million this weekend from 3,565 theatres.  Although some of this could be coming from sympathy support for the actor after his recent Cancer announcement, here's to hoping for a quick recovery to the legendary Douglas from one Cancer survivor to another.

Warner Bros.' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole 3-D boasts an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Abbie Cornish, Joel Edgerton and Ryan Kwanten, but doesn't boast the big numbers of its $100 million budget.  Still though, it's enough to land it in second spot this weekend with $16.3 million.  I'd expect this will perform much better overseas.

Although The Town slips to third spot this weekend, its drop is only minor as it still was able to pull in $16 million this weekend.  In only two weeks, it has pulled in $49.1 million.  The same applies to Emma Stone's star-making Easy A which debuted in second last week but slips to fourth this weekend with $10.8 million.  Both The Town and Easy A's commercial success have also matched their critical success.

Disappointing though is Disney's You Again which I loved, but only managing to debut in fifth spot with $8.3 million.  Despite poor reviews, I can't agree that the negative remarks actually mean that this  is not worth a visit to the theatre.  

Miraculously, Inception is still hanging onto the Top Ten at the bottom end with $1.2 million from 907 theatres.  Shall we see if it hangs on for a twelfth week?

BEN AFFLECK IS THE TALK OF THE TOWN

The Town

Although I'm not quite sure who was doubting it would happen, one can never under-estimate the power of Guns, Car Chases and good-looking men at the Box Office. Ben Affleck's The Town is expected to take in $23.6 million this weekend as reported by Deadline. The film, which was a Gala presentation last weekend at TIFF and is receiving extremely positive reviews overall with a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes - deeming it a commercial and critical success. Surely, Affleck must be pleased after his last directorial effort Gone Baby Gone failed to pull in big numbers.

Sony Screen Gems' Easy A also is a critical and commercial success, garnering v. strong reviews (85% at Rotten Tomatoes) and a projected $18.3 million this competitive weekend. Emma Stone steps up to the challenge as a Leading Lady and succeeds with flying colours. Expect bigger things for the brilliant young actress.

Director M. Night Shymalan definitely has seen better days and his new film Thriller opens in third this weekend with only $12.7 million and reviews also have been lackluster with a 41% rating at Rotten Tomaotes. This still is good enough to put it ahead of last week's champion Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D, which earned $10 million.

Believe it or not, Inception is still in the Top Ten this week, even though it is showing at 1305 theatres. The film is in ninth spot and to date it has earned in excess of $285 million domestically. Incredible.