Film box offices were poised on Wednesday to eclipse 2007's record $9.68 billion in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales with Hollywood eyeing more than $10 billion this year as audiences flocked to theaters during the recession.
Movie studios began the year with January crossing the $1 billion mark for the first time ever, and box offices this month are counting on help from highly anticipated films such as "Avatar," "Sherlock Holmes" and "It's Complicated."
So far, moviegoers had snapped up $9.67 billion worth of tickets at domestic -- U.S. and Canadian -- box offices through Tuesday, said tracking firm Hollywood.com Box Office.
The firm said 2007's record was expected to be surpassed on Wednesday, as Hollywood reaps returns during a recession that, as in past downturns, has seen consumers showing up in theaters for relatively cheap entertainment.
Last year's domestic box office came in at $9.63 billion.
"The global economy is taking a major hit, and when these conglomerates that own movie studios are having a tough time, it's at least one bright spot in the equation," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Hollywood.com Box Office. "People are still, in 2009, going to the movies in big numbers."
For the entire year, Hollywood.com Box Office expects movie ticket spending in the United States and Canada to hit $10.6 billion.
The year has been helped by major releases such as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," the year's biggest hit with $402 million in domestic ticket sales, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo.
At No. 2, so far, was "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," which made $301 million. Also, vampire romance "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" had the third biggest movie opening of all time for the United States and Canada.
Surprise hits have included Paramount Pictures' "Paranormal Activity" raking in $107 million. Warner Bros. put out two unexpected smashes, "The Hangover" ($277 million) and "The Blind Side" ($131 million and still counting.)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Bollywood's Big B 'deeply humbled' in Dubai
Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan said on Wednesday he was "deeply humbled" as the Dubai International Film Festival honoured him with a lifetime achievement award.
“It is a wonderful recognition ... and I am deeply humbled by it," said Bachchan, whose 40-year career in the world's largest film industry has won him several accolades.
Bachchan, 67, in Dubai for the spectacle, said he had no plans for the Arabic film industry as yet but was open to fresh ideas and talent.
Despite an alarming debt crisis, Dubai's sixth international film festival rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday with a mix of Bollywood, Hollywood and Arab celebrities. The fest will feature 168 films from 55 countries, with some being shown for the first time.
Bollywood film ‘Black’, in which Bachchan plays a teacher taking care of a challenged student, will also be screened at the festival.
The star, who has acted in more than 180 films, told reporters that the secret of his "undying energy" was chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic herbal preparation - a sticky, brown, edidle paste - used across India to boost health.
Bachchan, who does not like the term Bollywood to describe India's film industry, said the moniker "was phrased by some eager journalist to please his boss ... but now has gone into the Oxford dictionary" and become a part of history.
"We are happy doing what we do in India," he added.
“It is a wonderful recognition ... and I am deeply humbled by it," said Bachchan, whose 40-year career in the world's largest film industry has won him several accolades.
Bachchan, 67, in Dubai for the spectacle, said he had no plans for the Arabic film industry as yet but was open to fresh ideas and talent.
Despite an alarming debt crisis, Dubai's sixth international film festival rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday with a mix of Bollywood, Hollywood and Arab celebrities. The fest will feature 168 films from 55 countries, with some being shown for the first time.
Bollywood film ‘Black’, in which Bachchan plays a teacher taking care of a challenged student, will also be screened at the festival.
The star, who has acted in more than 180 films, told reporters that the secret of his "undying energy" was chyawanprash, an ancient Ayurvedic herbal preparation - a sticky, brown, edidle paste - used across India to boost health.
Bachchan, who does not like the term Bollywood to describe India's film industry, said the moniker "was phrased by some eager journalist to please his boss ... but now has gone into the Oxford dictionary" and become a part of history.
"We are happy doing what we do in India," he added.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Kamal launched Gouthami's tele - serial!
Actor Kamal Hassan has launched a new TV serial Abhirami in which Gouthami makes her re entry! Produced by Abhirami Ramanathan under his banner Abhirami Mega Mall, Kutti Padmini plays the role of creative head in this serial. The grand inauguration of the serial was done Monday morning at a function held at the Abhirami Mega Mall. Kamal Hassan switched on the camera while Rama Narayan, president of the powerful producers council gave the first clap.
Present on the occasion were dignitaries Amirtham of Kalaingar TV, Khushboo, Kasturi Raja, Kutty Padmini, Kalpana, VC Guhanathan, TV actor Srinivasan, KRG, Kalaipuli Thanu and Kalaipuli Sekar amongst others. Abirami Ramanathan announced his future projects in small screen and explained why he had made the inaugural function in cinema puja style. "Earlier we had made serials like Devathai, Maayavi Mareechan and a few others but now we have decided to go into serials in a big way since the reach is enormous.”
Gauthami was happy about this re entry and says, "Many people have been asking me when I am not returning to acting and this is my step in that direction. More details of my role will be announced later." Kamal says that small screen is the best medium to promote cinema. The actor urged to implement the copy right plan in small screen too.
Present on the occasion were dignitaries Amirtham of Kalaingar TV, Khushboo, Kasturi Raja, Kutty Padmini, Kalpana, VC Guhanathan, TV actor Srinivasan, KRG, Kalaipuli Thanu and Kalaipuli Sekar amongst others. Abirami Ramanathan announced his future projects in small screen and explained why he had made the inaugural function in cinema puja style. "Earlier we had made serials like Devathai, Maayavi Mareechan and a few others but now we have decided to go into serials in a big way since the reach is enormous.”
Gauthami was happy about this re entry and says, "Many people have been asking me when I am not returning to acting and this is my step in that direction. More details of my role will be announced later." Kamal says that small screen is the best medium to promote cinema. The actor urged to implement the copy right plan in small screen too.
Prakash Raj to produce Radha Mohan's next project
Finally Prakash Raj has come to the rescue of his friend and director Radha Mohan. Yes.. he will produce his next directorial venture titled Payanangal. According to the sources, the film is a Tamil and Telugu bilingual thriller, loosely based on the book Buy Flight into Fear written by Devi Saran, who was the captain of the ill fated Indian Airlines flight IC 814 involved in the 1999 Kandhar hijack.
Nagarjuna will play the role of the pilot while Prakash Raj is going to do the role of Union Home Secreatary. The script has been changed to suit local nativity with the flight taking off from Chennai instead of Kathmandu, and some local flavour added.
Nagarjuna will play the role of the pilot while Prakash Raj is going to do the role of Union Home Secreatary. The script has been changed to suit local nativity with the flight taking off from Chennai instead of Kathmandu, and some local flavour added.
Aparna Nair to make her debut in Tamil
Aparna Nair, famous as a stage performer, is making her debut in Tamil. Sources say that she has almost finished shooting her film titled Ethuvum Nadakkum. One of the main location for the film was in Cochin, Kerala.
Aparna has performed in many stage shows of actors like Mammootty and Mohanlal. The movie
is a love-story and will be seen in screens soon.
Aparna has performed in many stage shows of actors like Mammootty and Mohanlal. The movie
is a love-story and will be seen in screens soon.
106 Chandi Homams for Rajini
The 60th birthday of Superstar Rajinikanth falls on December 12 and his fans are busy gearing up to celebrate their Thalaivar’s Big Day with huge fanfare and various charity activities, including blood donation, organ donations camps.
But before that there’s another one — Rajini’s star birthday falls on November 23 and Veteran film maker Ramanathan has come up with an out-of-the-box plan to mark the occasion. The director of Bollywood and Kannada movies, who also produced Rajinikanth’s blockbuster Dharmadurai few years ago, has planned to perform a 106 Chandi Homams at the famous Kamakshi Amman Temple at Kanchipuram on November 23.
Sources also say, it is believed that the homam will bring prosperity and good health to Rajini and his family. Vedic scholars from various parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to take part in the ceremony, which one hears will be performed on a grand scale. Fans also plan to perform special poojas and homams and pray to god to bring Rajini in politics!
But before that there’s another one — Rajini’s star birthday falls on November 23 and Veteran film maker Ramanathan has come up with an out-of-the-box plan to mark the occasion. The director of Bollywood and Kannada movies, who also produced Rajinikanth’s blockbuster Dharmadurai few years ago, has planned to perform a 106 Chandi Homams at the famous Kamakshi Amman Temple at Kanchipuram on November 23.
Sources also say, it is believed that the homam will bring prosperity and good health to Rajini and his family. Vedic scholars from various parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to take part in the ceremony, which one hears will be performed on a grand scale. Fans also plan to perform special poojas and homams and pray to god to bring Rajini in politics!
Sneha to appear in her bikini
Once again Sneha becomes sensational in ... This time not for any controversial act, but for her hottest ever appearance in the forthcoming Soundarya Rajinikanth produced film Goa. The actress is appearing in a wet bikini suit for the first time in this film and of course
she has been paid hefty for this glam coup.
She wore the suit on the condition of not releasing the stills to the media. But now it seems that she has changed her mind and allowed the producer and director to release the glam pics. The secret behind her change is hiking her pay for her future projects
. Yes...she has given the green signal to all that she is getting ready for skin show in others films too, but if paid high!
she has been paid hefty for this glam coup.
She wore the suit on the condition of not releasing the stills to the media. But now it seems that she has changed her mind and allowed the producer and director to release the glam pics. The secret behind her change is hiking her pay for her future projects
. Yes...she has given the green signal to all that she is getting ready for skin show in others films too, but if paid high!
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