CHANNING TATUM TAKES TOP AND BOTTOM OF BOX OFFICE WITH "21 JUMP STREET" AND "THE VOW"

Still from 21 Jump Street

No surprises here! With strong reviews, Sony Pictures' 21 Jump Street steals the top of the Box Office with $35 million from 3,121 theatres. The Action-Comedy starring the Duo of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill based on the TV Series starring Johnny Depp and Peter Deluise, scored 87% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. Made for $42 million, this one is well on its way to being a largely bankable endeavour and the start of what possibly might become a Franchise for the Studio. 

Two-week Champion, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax slips to second spot this weekend, by no means a disgrace, seeing that it made $22.8 million in its third week of release.  To date, it was made over $162.5 million domestically for Universal Pictures.

John Carter finds itself in third spot with $13.5 million in its second week for Disney, tallying at $52.6 total, ahead of Project X which trails distantly in fourth with $4 million.

Debuting in eighth spot for Lionsgate is Casa De Mi Padre, directed by and starring Funnyman Will Ferrell.  Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal also star in the Comedy, which earned $2.2 million from only 382 theatres - not bad at all.

Tatum rounds-out the top and bottom of the Top Ten at ninth spot The Vow, also from Sony Pictures, with $2.1 million in this its sixth week in theatres.

"ACT OF VALOR" SHOWS COURAGE AT BOX OFFICE

Still from Act of Valor

Proving that you don't always need big stars to score a Box Office hit, Relativity Media's Act of Valor comes out of nowhere and takes the number one spot this weekend with Moviegoers. Tallying $24.5 million, the Action-Drama starring real-life Navy SEALS, was made for $18 million approximately. A majority of the money paid by Relativity Media however was above its production costs, including $13 million for rights and then an additional $30 in advertising costs according to Deadline. Celebrity endorsements from the likes of Charlie Sheen and Joe Jonas definitely helped with word-of-mouth over the weekend, although Critics generally panned the Film, garnering 29% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Lionsgate Films scored a debut in second with Tyler Perry's Good Deeds, earning $16 million in its debut.  It did however open in only 2,132 theatres compared to Act of Valor, which opened in 3,039 theatres.  The Inspirational/Romantic-Drama was made for about $15 million and would appear to be slightly less of a success than Perry's earlier work which sees him portraying his most famous character, Madea. Alliance Films releases the Top Two in Canada.

Warner Bros.' Journey 2: The Mysterious Island still is going strong in third spot this weekend in its third week with $13.1 million, now earning a total $77.2 million domestically, ahead of last week's number one Movie Safe House in fourth with $11 million. To-date, the Action-Thriller starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington has made $97.7 million for Universal Pictures.

The Vow breaks the $100-million mark this weekend in fifth spot taking-in $10 million for Sony Pictures, while Comedy Wanderlust starring Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston didn't fare so well in its debut in eighth earning $5.8 million.  The same can be said about Amanda Seyfried-headlined Thriller, Gone, opening in ninth spot with $5 million.

"SAFE HOUSE" RISES TO THE TOP IN SECOND WEEK: NARROWLY BEATS "THE VOW"

Still from Safe House

Although final numbers for the U.S. President's Day weekend won't be out till end of day Monday, Universal Pictures rises the top of the Box Office narrowly with Action-Thriller Safe House in its second week with $24 million. Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, it edges-out two releases from Sony Pictures with Romantic-Drama The Vow which was number one last week,  earning $23.6 million this weekend.  In two weeks, it has pulled-in $90 million - extremely solid.

The other Film from Sony is a sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3-D starring Nicolas Cage and Idris Elba (currently in Toronto), which opens to the tune of $22 million.  The Action Flick was made for $75 million, although it has yet to open overseas, where its predecessor fared strongly back in 2007, going on to make $112 million there alone.

Warner Bros.' Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3-D seems to have cornered the Family market this Holiday weekend, slipping in fourth with $20.8 million in its second week of release, a two-week total of $59 million for the Brad Peyton-directed Adventure.

Debuting in fifth surprisingly is 20th Century Fox's This Means War with $17.5 million, which despite an all-star Cast including Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Chelsea Handler - opening in 3,189 theatres - still is garnering lower numbers than expected.  The entertaining Action/Rom-Com offered Sneak Previews on Valentine's Day, although that doesn't seem to boost its numbers by much.

The Secret World of Arriety from Walt Disney Motion Pictures despite extremely positive reviews (93% at Rotten Tomatoes), only manages a ninth-place debut this weekend with $6.4 million. It only is showing in 1,522 theatres, knowing its place against its competition.  This however, isn't really that much of a disgrace considering that it already has earned a whopping $126 million overseas.

Former champ The Grey rounds out the Top Ten this weekend with $3 million in this fourth week of release for Open Road in the U.S. and eOne Films in Canada.

"THE VOW" DEBUTS #1 AT BOX OFFICE: RECORD-BREAKING WEEKEND HEADLINED BY CANADIANS

Still from The Vow

Lovers and Movie Lovers alike united at the Box Office this weekend, with not one - but four - films opening to huge numbers. This marks the first time four opening releases have opened with numbers exceeding the $20 million mark. Overall, receipts for the Top Ten are expected to tally in-excess of $169 million, which is a 25% increase over last year's numbers according to Deadline. What makes it even more special is that the Top Three Films all have strong Canadian connections.

Debuting at the top of the pack though is Sony Pictures' Romantic-Drama The Vow starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, with an impressive $41 million from 2,958 theatres. Of McAdams' last five Films, three have now debuted at the top including her work in the Sherlock Holmes Franchise. She filmed this latest chart-topper in Toronto, where she still currently resides.

Following closely in second is Safe House, starring Denzel Washington and Canada's Ryan Reynolds with great $39 million opening for Universal Pictures, opening in 3,119 theatres, just ahead of yet another Film with Canadian connections, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3-D from Warner Bros.  The Adventure/Fantasy was directed by Brad Peyton of Gander, Newfoundland and earns a stellar $27 million domestically. Overseas, it already has made $41.5 million.

Star Wars Fans showed their support for the 3-D re-release of Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, taking-in $23 million for 20th Century Fox - enough to land it in fourth spot. While another release from the Company, Chronicle slips to fifth after opening in the number one spot last weekend with $12 million.

The Woman in Black in its second week, slips to sixth spot with $10.4 million, although it has yet to open overseas where it should perform well.   Meanwhile, The Descendants is still going strong in ninth spot with $3.4 million for Fox Searchlight - now in its 13th week of release.  Former champ, Underworld: Awakening 3-D rounds out the Top Ten with $2.5 million.

"THE VOW": IN THEATRES THIS WEEKEND!

Mr. Will-W.  with Rachel McAdams, Scott Speedman & Channing Tatum

With Box Office forecasts expecting it to open upwards of $30 million this Valentine's Weekend in North America for Sony Pictures, Toronto-filmed The Vow likely will be taking top spot at the Box Office in its debut.  The Romantic-Drama starring Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum and Scott Speedman is expected to attract a Female-heavy audience and with that, it is expected there may be a reluctant Boyfriend/Husband or two tagging along, either voluntarily or involuntarily. More the latter.

Will you be going to see it?  I definitely will be dragging a few Friends out! Rather excited about it, actually.  Any Film which can use Meatloaf's I Would Do Anything for Love and make a car accident out of it, has already won a major victory in my books.

Let's watch the Trailer for The Vow again and cry together:

And in case you need a reminder why Moviegoers won't be able to resist Rachel McAdams this weekend, watch her superb Audition with Ryan Gosling for The Notebook below:

"THIS MEANS WAR" RELEASE DELAYED TO FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Still from This Means War

20th Century Fox is now pushing-back its releasefor This Means War from Valentines's Day to February 17, 2012. Filmed in Vancouver last year, the Romantic Action/Comedy starring Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon (just cast in Atom Egoyan's latest Devil's Knot) and Chelsea Handler pits two Best Friends and CIA Operatives against one another when it comes to one Woman they both can't resist.  Laughs, Guns, Hotties.  Oh, yeah.

This Means War however, won't be the only Canadian-filmed Movie to hit theatres around Valentine's Day.  Just a few days ahead of its release, Toronto-made Tearjerker The Vow starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams will be hitting theatres on February 10th and it is said that this crowding has played a strong part in the decision to alter the release date this late in the game. 

Watch the Trailer in full below:

Remember to "like" 20th Century Fox Films Canada on Facebook!

It's still not too late to score a Double Pass to see This Means War next week in Toronto. Do it here.

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

"CHRONICLE" GRABS SPOTLIGHT FROM "THE WOMAN IN BLACK"

Still from Chronicle

In an unexpectedly tight battle, 20th Century Fox lands on-top of the Box Office with their sleeper hit Chronicle. The Sci-Fi from 26-year-old Director Josh Trank is about three Friends who discover superpowers, only the find themselves growing more distant as a result of this.  It opens with $22.2 million from 2,907 theatres.

A v. close second is Daniel Radcliffe's first self-headlining Film outside the Harry Potter franchise, The Woman in Black. The Horror opened in 52 less theatres than Chronicle, getting edged-out ever so slightly for CBS Films, with $21.5 million. Both Top Two Films have opened to positive reviews overall, the former standing a 82% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, while the latter earned a 62%.

Last week's champion The Grey slips to third spot with $9.8 million, now earning an impressive $35 million total, ahead of debuting Action/Adventure flick Big Miracle starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski with $8.5 million in fourth.

Underworld: Awakening drops to fifth spot with $5.8 million, earning a total $54.6 million in three weeks for Sony Pictures, which is expected to take it all next weekend with The Vow starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams.

Meanwhile, in its twelfth week of release, Fox Searchlight's The Descendants is still in the Top Ten with $4.5 million this weekend. To-date, it has pulled in an impressive $65.3 million.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close also is showing some incredible staying power, rounding out the Top Ten with $3.8 million, for Warner Bros.

FIRST LOOK: "MAGIC MIKE" STARRING ALEX PETTYFER, MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY & CHANNING TATUM

Still from Magic Mike

Finally, we get a first look at Steven Soderbergh's Male-Stripper Drama Magic Mike. The Film centers around The Kid (a now-buff Alex Pettyfer) who goes under the wings of a professional, more experienced Dancers named Mike (Channing Tatum) and Dallas (Matthew McConaughey). It is said that Tatum played a great part behind-the-scenes crafting the Story and that much of this is based upon his own experiences formerly as an Exotic Dancer.

Here we have the incredibly fit and good looking Cast ready to answer the call of the Drill Sargent (McConaughey), doing his nation proud with a flag tied around his neck.  Nothing like some good old-fashion Patriotism.

Speaking of Patriotism, Warner Bros. will be releasing Magic Mike right before 4th of July weekend on June 29, 2012 and I'm sure many of you are ready to salute!  

2012 will be a busy year for Tatum as he has Haywire out on January 20, 2012, Toronto-filmed The Vow out on February 10, 2012 in-time for Valentine's Day, 21 Jump Street on March 12, 2012 and G.I. Joe: Retaliation out on June 29, 2012.  His Ten Year, which premiered at TIFF last September also is still waiting on a release date also.  I'm out of breath just typing that....

(Photo credit: Warner Bros.)

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY JOINS CAST OF "MAGIC MIKE"

Matthew McConaughey in Toronto - March 2011

It's official.  Magic Mike just may be the sexiest Film to hit theatres in 2012.  As announced previously Steven Soderbergh is helming a Film about Male Strippers titled Magic Mike.  Its Story follows Mike (Channing Tatum), a veteran Exotic Dancer, who mentors a newcomer played by Alex Pettyfer.  McConaughey, according to Entertainment Weekly will be playing the role of the Club Owner.  

Magic Mike begins filming September 14, 2011, just after Tatum's likely return to Toronto for TIFF, where he is expected to show up for the Premiere of Ten Year, also starring his Wife Jenna Dewan. We'll know that for sure though when the official Guest List for TIFF is announced next Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  

Tatum was in Toronto just last Fall, filming The Vow alongside Rachel McAdams, which will be released Valentine's Day 2012. 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

FIRST TRAILER FOR "THE VOW" STARRING RACHEL MCADAMS & CHANNING TATUM

Still from The Vow

If this doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what will. Shot in Toronto last Summer, The Vow by Director Michael Sucsy now has a release date set for February 14, 2012 via Sony Pictures and it actually looks great!

Watch the just-released Trailer below:

CHANNING TATUM & STEVEN SODERBERGH TO COLLABORATE ON MALE STRIPPER STORY "MAGIC MIKE"

Channing Tatum in Toronto - August 2010

Yes, please. Deadline reports that Channing Tatum is set to star in a new Steven Soderbergh Film titled Magic Mike, inspired by Tatum's days as a Stripper. This quashes rumours that the Director of Traffic, Erin Brokovich and Ocean's Eleven is in fact ready to retire.  Magic Mike is said to be about the bond of Friendship among a circle of Exotic Male Dancers. 

Tatum, who was just in Toronto last Summer filming Sony Pictures' The Vow said in a Statement, "This was a wild and pivotal time in my life and I couldn't be more thrilled to go down the rabbit hole with Steven.". Substitute "stripper pole" for "rabbit pole" in that sentence for maximum effect.

Soderbergh is entering Production with Liberace, a Biopic which has Michael Douglas making his big comeback as the world-renowned Pianist.

In case you had any doubts about Tatum's talents, why don't we enjoy this Clip together?

CHANNING TATUM IN MARCH ISSUE OF "GQ"

Channing Tatum in March 2011 issue of GQ

All around nice guy Channing Tatum graces the cover of March's GQ Magazine with Photos by Nathaniel Goldberg - some Photos fully clothed, some Photos not so fully clothed.  Does a Channing Tatum post really need many words?

Although the Actor's latest The Eagle under-performed at the Box Office this past weekend, he has plenty of chances to redeem himself this year with a total five Films to hit theatres in 2011 and three more to be released in 2012.  Son of No One, Ten Year and Haywire are slated for releases later this year.

Click here to see more Photos from the shoot.  You're welcome.

 

(Photo credit: Nathaniel Goldberg/GQ)

RACHEL MCADAMS AND CHANNING TATUM ON THE SET OF THE VOW IN TORONTO

Rachel McAdams & Mr. Will-W.

Canada's sweetheart Rachel McAdams, as many of you are aware, is back in her hometown of Toronto shooting Michael Sucsy's The Vow. Although we've seen plenty of her handsome co-star Channing Tatum around town, McAdams has been pretty low-key. There have been only been a few Twitter reports of McAdams these past couple weeks riding her Bike through Yorkville, or going out for a stroll in Kensington Market.

I went by this evening to visit the set of The Vow in the city's Financial District, where they were taking advantage of the reduced traffic with it being Labour Day. McAdams looked absolutely gorgeous sporting a red-haired wig and a navy blue dress, heading back and forth between her Trailer and the Set. And thanks to a wonderful sweetheart on the Crew, I was lucky enough to chat with the talented actress and snap a photo together before she headed out for the day. 

Upon being escorted under an Umbrella, she was all smiles coming over to greet a few young ladies also who were waiting earlier in the day and myself.  I gave McAdams a big hug and told her how proud I was of her and how much she's accomplished; graciously she accepted the compliment appearing genuinely touched and appreciative.   I did express my excitement to see her next projects: Morning Glory (opposite Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford) and Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris. The latter just wrapped-up a couple weeks ago and it seems she didn't get much of a breather between films. And of course, we both giggled about how much we love Allen, but she did whisper to me that unfortunately he'll only be here for a few hours this Sunday for his TIFF Gala for You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. Could this possibly be a hint that we'll see McAdams there too?  

MORE CHANNING TATUM IN TORONTO

Okay, Channing Tatum fans.  You guys have shown me so much love these past few days that I thought I'd reward you with a new photo of your favourite friendly Hunk.  Tatum greeted a group of fans out in Yorkville tonight, many who were actually looking for The New York Yankees!

A good number of you Meanies were complaining about his hair the other day on Facebook, but can't we all just agree that we're feeling the hair slicked-back much more?  As we all know now, Tatum is now in prep-mode for his new film The Vow alongside Rachel McAdams.  Why can't they all be this nice?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

CHANNING TATUM ARRIVES IN TORONTO TO TAKE "THE VOW"

Temperatures sure have been dipping in Toronto of late, but things just suddenly got a little lot hotter.  Alabama-born Channing Tatum arrived in Toronto last night to prepare for his role in Michael Sucsy's next film The Vow, in which he stars alongside Canada's sweetheart Rachel McAdams.  The film, which centers around a couple who get into a serious car accident, with one of them then losing their memory, was originally slated to begin filming at the beginning of August.  McAdams however, has been busy in France filming Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, pushing production back to the end of the month.

Tatum was all smiles, coming over to say "hi" and pose for a few photos, before heading off to a work-related meeting. He was engaged in a conversation on his Bluetooth Headpiece, but had the courtesy of ending the conversation before coming over, telling his friend that he'd catch up later.  He even asked a small group of fans to make sure their photos turned out before heading off.  Aww.

The former Model and self-admitted Exotic Dancer, was seen out having drinks last night in Yorkville at Hemingway's where Seth Rogen was also seen at a couple weeks ago.  No sign though of Tatum's lovely wife, actress Jenna Dewan.  The Vow is scheduled to film in and around the city until October 22, 2010.   Clearly, timed in celebration of my birthday!

Check out some photos I got of the strapping Tatum below:

RACHEL MCADAMS FILMING IN PARIS

Canada's Sweetheart Rachel McAdams is currently in Paris filming Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and she is seen here reuniting with missing-in-action Owen Wilson after last being seen together in the 2005 hit The Wedding Crashers.  The film with an all-star cast including Michael Sheen (!), Kathy Bates, Marion Cotillard (!) and many more, is about a young American couple who travel to Paris and realize that the grass might actually be greener on the other side of the Atlantic.

Allen, Cotillard and McAdams are all scheduled to be in the city this September during TIFF. Perhaps we might see them out and about partying with one another?

Well, one thing's for sure - McAdams better hurry back as she's scheduled to start filming in Toronto next week alongside Hunk-of-the-Masses Channing Tatum, for upcoming project The Vow!  The Sony Screen Gems drama is about a young couple who get into a tragic car accident, with one of them experiencing severe memory loss.  Expect a "sighting" here soon.

(Photo credit: Fame Pictures/Pacific Coast News Online)