ALLIGATORS IN A HELICOPTER

Things Are Getting Interesting

2011-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Someday, when I'm a working writer, I'll post on this blog more frequently. I promise.

Meanwhile, this just happened....

Which is very cool. Hopefully.

2012 is going to be an intriguing year.

Holy Crap, I Won Again

2011-09-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

I am very humbled and sort of blown away to announce that one of my other scripts, "In the Silences", just won Best Script in the Amazon Studios' August contest.

Now I really need to write...

So Now This Is Happening -

2011-09-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

http://amazonstudios.tumblr.com/post/10171964399

Which is pretty cool.

Basically a test film is like a series of sketches telling the whole story, with a dialogue track and music laid over it. Animated films do it a lot, to make sure something is working before they go full-animation on it.

Amazon Pictures believes in it for development as well as demonstrating the potential of an idea, and my screenplay is one of the first test movies that they are creating themselves to show the kind of thing they want to do with it.

Hopefully it'll lead to an actual movie being made of it.

Either way, it should be cool, and though I have nothing to do with the making of it, can't wait to see how it turns out.

Whoa... I won.

2011-07-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased and still a little stunned to announce that my script "Touching Blue" just won Best Sci Fi/Action Script in the Amazon Studios contest.

Which comes with a nice $20,000 check.

Which will buy a lot of time to write....

$60 Script Notes

2011-07-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

For some reason, the blogger page advertising my services crashed.

The offer is still good. 4-6 pages of pure notes on how to make your screenplay better, for $60.

If you are interested, you can e-mail me at scottmullen9@sbcglobal.net

Still Plugging Along

2011-01-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who sent condolesnces. And yes, my $60 script notes is still very much in business (while I'm getting pretty good at it, if I say so myself).

I'm going to try and post more regularly, or at least as the whim hits me.

Yesterday the Oscar nominations were announced, and I have no quibbles yet. I haven't seen a bunch of nominated films yet (like The Fighter, Black Swan, The Kids Are All Right and The King's Speech) though I plan to.

I liked every single nominee for best picture that I've seen, so that's something. Finally caught Winter's Bone the other day on TV, and I thought it was very solid (not that it actually has a chance in hell of winning Best Picture).

I feel like I'm coming out of my funk. Haven't been doing enough writing, though I want to. I need to. Meanwhile, I'm trying to improve my health (I have type 2 diabetes and high triglycerides) by eating much better and exercising very regularly; I've dropped 3 pounds in the last couple of weeks, and my enthusiasm is still high.

So here's hoping this is going to be a good year for everyone.

Grief

2010-10-20T13:40:00.001-07:00

Just spent a week in Alaska, after the death of my little brother Andy, who died of cancer at age 45.

Andy was an Anchorage fireman, who is believed to have contracted renal cancer from burning wires on the job 13 years ago. Because of this, he is ruled to have died in the line of duty, thanks to a state provision he himself worked on before he ever got sick.

So last Friday, hundreds of firemen marched in a procession through the streets of Anchorage in his honor, and the flags in the state were flown at half-mast.

Andy had lived in Alaska for the past 27 years. He was a world traveler, a great father and a great friend to a lot of people, many of whom I had the honor to meet when I was up there.

I wish I'd gotten a chance to see him more often in the past few decades.

He will be missed.

Not Dead, Just Resting

2010-09-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

Or maybe I'm just increasingly uninspired by the lack of interesting movies coming out of Hollywood.

I did see Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, which I liked. Original and goofy-fun enough to make the 14-year-old boy in me happy.

Otherwise there's just not much out there to get my ass off the couch.

Fortunately fall is coming, and all the indies and Oscar bait. So there's hope.

Belated Weekend Box Office #197

2010-08-09T11:20:00.001-07:00

I'm sure I would have predicted everything perfectly, if I'd bothered to make predictions.

I actually saw a couple of movies this weekend. I saw THE WRONG GUYS, which is sort of dumb and forgettable, in a funny-while-I-was-there sort of way. Entertaining enough for what it is, and it opened at number 1, making around $35 million for the weekend.

On the other end of the spectrum, I also saw FLIPPED, Rob Reiner's newest movie, which they only released in three areas (though in L.A. they seemed to be advertising the hell out of it). It's a very small, appealing movie, much more of a period romantic teen drama than it is really a comedy. Wall-to-wall alternating voiceovers, but somehow it worked. Unfortunately, it's hard to know what the audience for this is, and I don't think it's going to find; I have a feeling it's not going to get much of a nationwide release. Still, it's worth checking out on cable.

Inception, Other Stuff, Weekend Box Office #196

2010-07-30T13:13:00.001-07:00

So I saw Inception, and I liked it a lot. It's mentally engaging and visually cool, and it hangs together for what it is.

It's interesting to hear the criticism of the movie from people who don't like it (including some critics). Basically, either they are too confused with what is happened (which probably means they aren't used to being actually challenged to figure things out in a theater) or they wish it was a different version of the idea that it isn't.

There are probably hundreds of ways to take this basic idea and do it differently, and a lot of them might have worked. Christopher Nolan chose this tale, and on that level it's hard to quibble with a lot here.

Worth seeing on the big screen.

*******

As an odd little writing experiment, I created a Facebook page for the main character in my Nicholl semi script, which I'm trying to turn into a pilot. It's a different way of storytelling, using text and pictures to tell the tale, and I'm having fun with it, while it's a good way to make me think about aspects of this world every day.

Her name is Blue Malone; if you're around Facebook, check out the page and friend her if you like. She won't bite.

********

Opening this weekend in wide release --

CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE (3705 theaters). I'm not sure why the not-very-good first movie demanded a sequel, but my niece and nephew (age 9 and 11) want to see it, and that's a lot of theaters. Figure $21.9 million for the weekend.

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (2911 theaters). I was hoping this would be good, but most reviews have been unenthusiatic (it's running at 53% on Rotten Tomatoes right now -- though that's better than a lot of movies currently out). Figure $16.9 million for the weekend.

CHARLIE ST. CLOUD (2720 theaters). Looks a bit earnest and sappy, though I suppose there's a market for that. Figure $10.2 million.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is expanding to 847 theaters; it'll be interesting to see how it does. Figure about $4.8 million.

*****

Last weekend, SALT made $36.0 million, finishing about $6 million behind INCEPTION's second week. RAMONA AND BEEZUS made $7.8 million.

Weekend Box Office #194/#195

2010-07-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

No, a piano didn't fall on me. Just got underwhelmed by summer movies, and forgot to care about what they might make for a few weeks.

Though apparently INCEPTION ($62.8 million last weekend) is really good; I'm going to see it this weekend, and maybe I'll do a post trying to figure out why some critics hate it.

Last weekend, THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE only opened to $17.6 million, despite costing about $140 million (only about $10 million less than INCEPTION). They are selling it like a family film, but it looks busy, and neither Nic Cage or Jay Baruchel really seem like breezy action/fantasy people.

Word is SALT is solid (and should do about $40 million this weekend), while RAMONA AND BEEZUS might do $10 million -- not bad for a girl's movie that cost only $15 million.

Weekend Box Office #193

2010-07-09T11:01:00.001-07:00

A couple of non-thrilling wide openers this weekend:

DESPICABLE ME (3474 theaters). The reviews I've seen say it's a little too sappy to really work well. Figure $21.7 million.

PREDATORS (2669 theaters). Also mixed reviews, and another odd choice from Adrien Brody. Maybe $13.6 million for the weekend.

*******

Last weekend, ECLIPSE made $83.7 million for the 4-day weekend (and $176 million for its first 6 days), while THE LAST AIRBENDER made a surprisingly-strong $51.8 million. Though expect both to drop rapidly.

Weekend Box Office #192

2010-07-02T13:00:00.001-07:00

Nothing opening wide this week for adults, unless you've been hooked by the whole Twilight thing. I've managed to resist it.

Some movies in limited release are supposed to be good, particularly Winter's Bone and Cyrus.

This weekend's new wide releases:

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE (4416 theaters). It has already made almost $100 million in it's first 2 days. Figure another $90 million for the 4-day holiday weekend (Monday July 5 is somehow a holiday, though I'm not sure how that works).

THE LAST AIRBENDER (3169 theaters). This is supposed to be really awful, unless you're a 9-year-old boy. Apparently it has some of the worst 3D and special effects ever. It made $16 million yesterday, but word will probably get around quick. Figure $29.5 million for the 4-day weekend.

********

Last weekend, GROWN UPS did $40.6 million, while KNIGHT & DAY only did $20.1. TOY STORY 3 finished in first.

Contest Plug

2010-06-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a deadline to write something fast, you might want to consider The Script-a-thon.

It's only $25 to enter, you have all of July to bang out a script, and you even get a 25% discount in selected L.A.-area coffeehouses.

I donated a set of my notes as a prize in one of the categories (though otherwise I'm not affiliated with it). If anyone gives it a shot, let me know how it comes out.

Weekend Box Office #191

2010-06-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

Life rolls along.

GROWN UPS (3534 theaters). The cast is impressive (for this kind of thing), though reviews haven't been all that excited. Still, it looks like dumb fun. Figure $29.4 million for the weekend.

KNIGHT & DAY (3098 theaters). It opened two days ago, and the numbers haven't been all that solid, while reviews have been mixed. Figure $25.4 million for the weekend.

******

Last weekend, TOY STORY 3 did a solid $110.3 million. JONAH HEX tanked with only $5.4 million.

Weekend Box Office #190

2010-06-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

TOY STORY 3 (4028 theaters). This is going to be huge. Let's call it $128.9 million for the weekend.

JONAH HEX (2825 theaters). This is not going to be huge. Let's call it $7.8 million.

In limited release, I hear WINTER'S BONE and CYRUS are both good.

Weekend Box Office #189

2010-06-11T14:27:00.000-07:00

So... I'm still a bit underwhelmed.

THE KARATE KID (3663 theaters). This is a remake that feels completely unnecessary, while Jaden Smith lacks the wimp-who-needs-help aura that Ralph Macchio had. Still, reviews are solid and it'll hit that family crowd. Call it $29.7 million for the weekend.

THE A TEAM (3535 theaters). The reviews aren't as solid, but things blow up. $38.9 million for the weekend.

******

Last weekend, GET HIM TO THE GREEK did $17.6 million, KILLERS did $15.8 million, MARMADUKE stumbled in with $11.6 million, and SPLICE only did $7.4 million.

Weekend Box Office #188

2010-06-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Another weekend of underwhelming wide releases. I don't feel old, but I feel too old for this stuff:

MARMADUKE (3213 theaters). Reviews have been bleak, and apparently this is for very young children only. Figure it'll do about $17.5 million for the weekend.... maybe.

KILLERS (2859 theaters). They didn't show this to critics in advance, and the reviews trickling in today are underwhelmed. Ashton Kutcher isn't really a movie star. $13.4 million for the weekend.

GET HIM TO THE GREEK (2697 theaters). Russell Brand's stateside appearances haven't been all that great, and apparently this is a bit too juvenile and R-rated for mainstream audiences. Figure it'll do about $15.5 million.

SPLICE (2450 theaters). This is supposed to be pretty solid, though the trailers make me feel like I've seen most of it. The presence of Adrian Brody and Sarah Polley will help with anyone who knows her they are, though not with the core horror crowd. Call it $12.1 million.

******

Last weekend, PRINCE OF PERSIA did $37.8 million for the four days, just beating SEX AND THE CITY 2, which did $36.8 (though it's Thursday opening did an additional ($14.2 million).

Weekend Box Office #187

2010-05-28T15:57:00.001-07:00

The movie selections continue to be rather uninspiring. This weekend in wide release:

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME (3646 theaters). The reviews have been okay, but there's just not much real hook here that is going to have people rushing out to see it. Still, it will benefit from the holiday weekend, and the lack of much else. Figure $41.5 for the 4-day weekend.

SEX AND THE CITY 2 (3445 theaters). Oy. I like a lot of women's movies, but you couldn't drag me to see this. Still, it'll do about $45.5 million over the 4 days.

*******

Last weekend, SHREK 4 did $70.8 million, while MAGRUBER completely tanked, doing only $4 million.

Weekend Box Office #186

2010-05-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

The entries continue to uninspire. I'll probably go see Iron Man 2 tonight with the wife, if only because we haven't seen a movie in about a month.

Opening wide this weekend:

SHREK FOREVER AFTER (4359 theaters). Widest release ever for an animated movie, and in 3D. But still, this has been a series of diminishing returns, and even the good reviews for this one one aren't raves. Still, it'll make a bundle. Let's call it $77 million.

MACGRUBER (2551 theaters). There initially seemed to be some hope for this, while the R-rating is encouraging, but the reviews are coming in and they aren't good. And if this movie isn't that funny, then what's the point? I think it will tank. Call it $5.8 million for the weekend.

*********

Last weekend, ROBIN HOOD only did $36.1 million. LETTERS TO JULIET did $13.5, while JUST WRIGHT did $8.3.

Robin Hood

2010-05-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Bill Martell does a great rant about how they screwed up a really great idea here.

Weekend Box Office #185

2010-05-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Kind of underwhelming this week.

ROBIN HOOD (3503 theaters). Apparently it's not much fun and not all that good. Figure a conservative $42.3 million.

LETTERS TO JULIET (2968 theaters). They should have released this for Mother's Day. It might do okay for lack of competition, but I'm not sure what the hook is. $11.2 million.

JUST WRIGHT (1831 theaters). Getting the best reviews of anything opening wide today, though I've seen the trailer and feel like I've seen the movie. $8.6 million.

******

Last weekend, IRON MAN 2 did a solidish $128.1 million.

Weekend Box Office #184

2010-05-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

IRON MAN 2. 4,380 theaters. It's going to make a ton of money, despite lukewarm reviews. Let's predict... $146.7 million for the weekend.

Weekend Box Office #183

2010-04-30T12:18:00.001-07:00

Not much opening this weekend, in advance of next week's IRON MAN 2 juggernaut.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (3332 theaters). I'm not sure why we need a remake of this movie, and apparently it's nothing special, though it'll probably do well enough. Figure $17.8 million for the weekend.

FURRY VENGEANCE (2997 theaters). This looks truly painful, though I suppose some undemanding 6-year-olds might be entertained. $13.3 million.

*******

Last weekend, THE BACK-UP PLAN made $12.2 million, exactly what I predicted. Though really, not the movie I'd want to be perfect on.

I underestimated the other releases. THE LOSERS somehow made $9.4 million, and OCEANS made $6.1 million.

Weekend Box Office #182

2010-04-23T12:08:00.001-07:00

I've been writing like a madman the last few days, trying to get my TV pilot ready for a full read of it at my script group on Monday night. I'm writing for a very talented group of actors, which helps a lot. But still a lot of work to do.

The good things is that all the new movies are underwhelming, so I won't be distracted.

THE BACK-UP PLAN (3280 theaters). Reviews are unenthused, and there's just not much to tempt me here otherwise. $12.2 million for the weekend.

THE LOSERS (2936 theaters). Hard to see what the allure here is. $6.1 million.

OCEANS (1206 theaters). In an age in which there are so many great nature documentaries on TV, like the current "Life", it's hard to imagine this will find much of an audience. $3.2 million.

********

Last weekend, KICK-ASS did $19.6 million. I guess the R-rating hurt it. I saw it, and it was okay, though definitely don't take the kids. Be interesting to see if the word-of-mouth helps at all this weekend.

DEATH AT A FUNERAL did an okay $16.2 million, though with the cast it should have done better.

Weekend Box Office #181

2010-04-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

Time keeps passing. Slow it down.

Opening wide this week:

KICK-ASS (3065 theaters). There's going to be a lot of underage teens trying to sneak into this this weekend. Reviews have been pretty good, and it's on my short-list, though the R-rating is going to hamper it a little. Call it $36.6 million for the weekend.

DEATH AT A FUNERAL (2459 theaters). Solid cast, tepid reviews. $25.5 million.

******

Last week, DATE NIGHT did $25.2 million.

LETTERS TO GOD limped in with just $1.1 million.

Weekend Box Office #180

2010-04-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

The days and weeks are flying by, and I feel older every day. Crap.

Meanwhile, movies keep coming out, though not much that is new and wide this week:

DATE NIGHT (3374 theaters). I like Steve Carell and Tina Fey, but word is that this is only okay. Still, there's not much out there. Figure about $22.3 million for the weekend.

LETTERS TO GOD (897 theaters). A religious family film that will probably do well in the places that this type of thing does well. $5.2 million for the weekend.

*******

CLASH OF THE TITANS made $61.2 million last weekend. Pretty soon every movie may be in 3D.

WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO did a very solid $29.3. THE LAST SONG did a pretty-good $16.0 million. The movie biz is doing pretty well.

Weekend Box Office #179

2010-04-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

So life shuffles on.

Saw "Hot Tub Time Machine", which is good dumb fun. It underperformed last weekend a bit, though I think it'll hold pretty well.

Going wide this weekend:

CLASH OF THE TITANS (3777 theaters). Reviews are a bit underwhelmed, while adding 3-D in post-production doesn't seem to have made for the crispest picture. Still, it has a big movie feel, and will probably do well. Call it $46.7 million for the weekend.

THE LAST SONG (2673 theaters). This is getting okay reviews, though aside from Miley Cyrus fans it's hard to believe anyone will care. Call it $11.2 million for the weekend.

TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED, TOO (2155 theaters). $20.0 million. Because his movies always seem to hit that number on their opening weekend, plus or minus a couple of million.

*****
Last weekend, HOW TRAIN YOUR DRAGON did a solid $43.7 million, while HOT TUB TIME MACHINE did $14.0 million.

Weekend Box Office #178

2010-03-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

I had a meeting yesterday at a (very small) production company, to pitch a take on a horror movie they want to shoot this summer. Not sure how it went, while it would probably be a rushed write for not much money.

But it would be a movie. So we'll see. They are also looking at a low-budget thriller of mine.

Meanwhile, there are new movies in wide release this weekend:

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (4055 theaters). Yet another 3D movie; there still aren't enough screens for all these 3D movies, and it's just going to get worse because everyone is making 3D movies now. Pretty soon people are going to get tired of paying the surcharge. This one doesn't look like it has huge adult crossover potential, but reviews have been good, so call it $46.2 million for the weekend.

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE (2754 theaters). Finally something I want to see: it has gotten good reviews, and apparently happily-embraces its R-ratedness. Call it $20.2 million for the weekend.

******

Last weekend, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID did a solid $22.1 million. THE BOUNTY HUNTER did a pretty-good $20.7 million. REPO MEN stumbled to only $6.1 million.

Weekend Box Office #177

2010-03-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

The new wide releases continue to be fairly uninspiring --

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (3077 theaters). This is based on a best-selling series of books, and it'll probably do fairly well with the younger set. Figure $17.4 million for the weekend.

THE BOUNTY HUNTER (3074 theaters). This looks a bit painful, while reviews have been bad. Figure $14.5 million for the weekend.

REPO MEN (2522 theaters). I was hoping this would be good, but apparently not so much. $11.2 million.

THE RUNAWAYS is also opening in a couple hundred theaters; I heard it's okay. GHOST WRITER expands to 819, and is supposed to be pretty good.

******

Last weekend, GREEN ZONE did only $14.3 million. SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE did $9.8 million. REMEMBER ME stumbled in with only $8.1 million, while OUR FAMILY WEDDING did $7.6 million.

Weekend Box Office #176

2010-03-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

I actually won the Oscar pool I was in, even though I changed my Best Original Screenplay guess to Tarantino at the last minute and got both screenplay guesses wrong. Irony.

Can't believe Alice in Wonderland did $116 million last weekend, despite largely unimpressed reviews. Look for it to drop this weekend, but still come in first easily.

Opening wide this weekend:

GREEN ZONE (3003 theaters). Good director, good cast, but they haven't done a very good job convincing me to rush out and see it. Figure $17.7 million for the weekend.

SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE (2956 theaters). They are advertising this a lot, and it's nice to see there's still a place for R-rated comedies, but the lack of names in the cast is going to hurt it. Figure $6.4 million.

REMEMBER ME (2212 theaters). The presence of Robert Pattinson will help a lot, but it's not really clear what the hook is. $9.6 million.

OUR FAMILY WEDDING (1605 theaters). Too low-profile to make much impact. $3.9 million.

Oscars

2010-03-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

A few thoughts on the major awards:

The best supporting awards are locks -- Mo'Nique and Christopher Waltz. Both deserving.

Best Actor will go to Jeff Bridges in a walk.

Best Actress is really up in the air. They could give it to Meryl -- she's been nominated a zillion times, but hasn't won in 28 years, and was great as Julia Child. They could give it to Sandra Bullock, though it feels like just being nominated is the prize for her. They could easily give it to Carey Mulligan or Gabourey Sidibe, but both are young, and it's unclear if they were just acting or being themselves. My pick is Meryl, though it might be Sandy.

Best Director will be Kathryn Bigelow, because it's time, and it's a great movie.

Best Picture could go either way, to Avatar or Hurt Locker, with Inglourious Basterds having a tiny shot at sneaking in. The last time a movie won for Best Picture without being nominated for Best Screenplay was Titanic... But I'm going to say Hurt Locker.

Best Song will be the Crazy Heart song, and hopefully the interpretive dance number won't be horrible.

Best Adapted Screenplay goes to Up In The Air, easily.

Best Original Screenplay is between Hurt Locker and Inglourious Basterds. Could go either way, though I read Hurt Locker (after seeing the movie ) and was impressed about how much was on the page. Let's pick Hurt Locker in a Harvey backlash.

Everything else, you're on your own, Oscar pool wise. Though I hear Wallace and Gromit may win another.

Weekend Box Office #175

2010-03-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

Oscar weekend. Good time to catch up on the nominees, because honestly the new stuff is a little underwhelming.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (3728 theaters). Early word on this is not great, while it was shot in 2D and then turned into 3D, which isn't the best way to do 3D. Tim Burton just isn't that interesting to me as a director any more. Still, it'll make money this weekend -- but not as much as if it was actually really good, and look for the big drop-off next weekend. Let's call it $87.7 million for the weekend.

BROOKLYN'S FINEST (1936 theaters). This hasn't been very well-reviewed either, the title is generic, and it seems like we've seen it before. $7.8 million for the weekend.

******

Last weekend, COP OUT did $18.2, while THE CRAZIES did $16.0.

I'll try to get some Oscar picks up sometime this weekend...

Weekend Box Office #174

2010-02-26T11:24:00.000-08:00

Another week slipped through my fingers somehow. Did a little writing, not enough, though now I'm going to curl up with a cup of coffee and try to be creative.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of things opening this weekend:

COP OUT (3150 theaters). The original title, "A Couple of Dicks", was definitely more distinctive, but apparently they changed it because they weren't going to be able to advertise it on network TV before 9PM, double meaning or not. Given that it's a very scatological R-rated movie, I think they should have kept the original title rather than this generic one, though reviews for this haven't been very strong at all. It's the first movie Kevin Smith directed that he didn't write. Call it $17.4 million for the weekend.

THE CRAZIES (2476 theaters). Reviews have been pretty solid, and I'm sure it'll find something of an audience. Call it $17.4 million for the weekend; it'll be interesting to see if "Shutter Island" holds in first place.

*******

Last weekend, Shutter Island made $41.1 million, so I was close.

Avatar should careen over the $700 million domestic mark this weekend, $2.5 billion worldwide. Yikes.

The Wolfman, and Weekend Box Office #172/#173

2010-02-19T11:19:00.000-08:00

So I was gone last weekend for me 10th anniversary, and completely missed posting. More than ever, I feel like a slacker.

So some catch-up:

I saw "The Wolfman", which isn't great, isn't terrible. Benicio del Toro is a strange choice for the lead, but his odd line readings add something. The big problem is that they tried to do it as sort of a throwback old-fashioned gothic horror tale, yet at the same time they somehow spent $150 million on it, and aside for a couple of action sequences the money isn't on the screen.

Meanwhile "Valentine's Day", which cost about a third as much despite having numerous more stars, made $63.1 million over the four-day President's Day weekend, compared to only $35.6 for "The Wolfman" (while "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief", which cost about $95 million, brought in $38.7 million).

And Avatar made another $28.8 million, and was the #2 movie again on Tuesday.

At least the theaters are busy, even as DVD sales are falling. Apparently people do like seeing movies in theaters, even when the times are causing them to make choices about how to spend their disposable income.

This weekend, there's only one movie opening wide, SHUTTER ISLAND, in 2991 theaters. I think it'll benefit a lot from being the only new movie, and by a lack of people urgently wanting to see any of the holdovers instead. Figure $39.8 million for the weekend....

Weekend Box Office #171

2010-02-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

So I'm trying to catch up on last year's big movies. I saw both Precious and The Hurt Locker this week; both are well-deserving of their nominations. Precious manages to be harrowing yet hopeful at the same time, while The Hurt Locker does an outstanding job keeping you on the edge of your seat with the characters. See them.

Meanwhile, other stuff keeps coming out. Going wide this weekend:

DEAR JOHN (2969 theaters). The idea seems to be that movies like this will do well on Super Bowl weekend, because it gives the football widows something to do. This one looks kind of dumb and young, though, and reviews haven't been all that great. Call it $17.8 million for the weekend.

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE (2722 theaters). This one looks like fun, though the Super Bowl will probably eat into its audience. Call it $16.7 million for the weekend.

Otherwise, a lot of the Oscar movies, like An Education, Crazy Heart and Precious, are going wider. See them...

****

Last weekend, Avatar won again. Edge of Darkness managed $17.2 million, while When In Rome did $12.4 million.

Oscar Nominations

2010-02-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen the list, it's here.

Generally it's all pretty expected. A few random thoughts:

BEST PICTURE: Expanding it to ten nominations was meant to get more films nominated, to draw more of a TV audience (with the hopeful side effect of bringing attention -- and box office -- to some underseen films).

If there were five nominees, it probably would have matched up with the directing nominees: Avatar, Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, Up In The Air. Which means the extra nominations went to some popular films (Up, Blind Side, District 9) and a couple of artsy ones in An Education and A Serious Man. I guess the big surprise is that Star Trek, which a lot of people thought might sneak in, didn't.

ACTING. No real surprises in the top acting categories, other than Carey Mulligan (An Education) and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) getting nominated for their first major roles. In supporting, it's nice to see Woody Harrelson back, while interestingly The Messenger was by far the least seen of his three movie roles last year (Zombieland, 2012).

SCREENWRITING. Six of the 10 nominated films had multiple writers, though there were probably a few instances (like Up in the Air) where the writers didn't actually work together.

And of the 19 nominated writers, 18 were men, the lone exception being Terri Tatchell, who co-wrote District 9 (and who I'm assuming is a women just because of the spelling of her name). It's an issue.

Also a mild shocker is that Avatar was not nominated for Best Screenplay - not that it deserved to be, at all. It is pretty impressive that it got 9 nominations despite having none for acting or writing.

ORIGINAL SONG. This has become such an obscure grab bag of songs in recent years. This year we get two Randy Newman songs from The Princess and the Frog, a song from Nine, a song from something called "Paris 36" (which must be a great song if it comes out of obscurity like that) and the song from "Crazy Heart". In the Oscar pool, pick that one.

MAKEUP. The only nominees are Il Divo, Star Trek and Young Victoria. Apparently there wasn't much going on in makeup this year.

DIRECTING. It's nice that the DGA gave Kathryn Bigelow Best Director over her ex-husband. It'll be interesting to see if the Oscars follow suit...

Weekend Box Office #170

2010-01-29T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm swamped with work, though I'm not complaining. It's better than the alternative.

This weekend, opening in wide release:

EDGE OF DARKNESS (3066 theaters). It's hard to believe that it has been 8 years (since "Signs") that Mel Gibson starred in a movie. This one is getting decent reviews, and looks like the kind of thing that people will turn out for. Prediction: $23.4 million for the weekend.

WHEN IN ROME (2456 theaters). This looks like a rather generic romcom. $7.8 million for the weekend.

********

Last weekend, LEGION did a solid $17.5 million. THE TOOTH FAIRY did $14.0. EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES limped in with 6.0.

AVATAR continued to roll with another $35 million weekend.

Weekend Box Office #169

2010-01-22T18:03:00.000-08:00

Been writing a lot the past week, trying to get my pilot into shape (and reading and watching a lot of pilots as well) and also brainstorming a low-budget horror thing with a friend for him to direct.

New in movieland this weekend:

THE TOOTH FAIRY (3344 theaters). Once upon a time I wrote a tooth fairy script, and this will probably kill it for all time. Not given to critics to review, which is a bad sign. The family audience is out there, but it makes me yearn for the Rock to blow stuff up. Call it $18.5 million for the weekend.

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (2549 theaters). They are doing what they can to shill this, but it feels like a TV movie, and Harrison Ford looks like hell. $7.5 million.

LEGION (2476 theaters). Will find some audience. $14.4 million.

*********

Last weekend, AVATAR continued to roll, while BOOK OF ELI made a very solid $38.1 million for the weekend, and LOVELY BONES managed a nice $19.9 million. SPY NEXT DOOR did $12.8.

Weekend Box Office #168

2010-01-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

Another January weekend, this one a long one, with plenty of Oscar holdovers and some new films trying to carve out an audience. Figure AVATAR may still swipe the top spot.

THE BOOK OF ELI (3111 theaters) -- though this movie might take a shot at it. The print ads are nicely teasing, though the problem with this movie might be that it just doesn't look that original, sort of like MAD MAX meets THE ROAD with a dash of THE POSTMAN. Still, it's Denzel, and the reviews are decent. Figure $27.4 million for the four-day weekend.

THE SPY NEXT DOOR (2924 theaters). This looks a little stupid to bring in a ton of adults and kids, though there aren't a huge number of family movies out there. Call it $11.6 million.

THE LOVELY BONES (2563 theaters). This is finally going wide, without the Oscar buzz it was hoping for. It's supposed to be tonally very uneven, but the ads make it look interesting. $13.9 million.

*********

Last weekend, DAYBREAKERS made a very solid $15.1 million. LEAP YEAR did $9.2 million, while YOUTH IN REVOLT did $6.9 million.

So It's A New Year

2010-01-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

It's time to rededicate myself to my writing, something I do this time every year. This time I mean it. Hopefully.

It always seems like it is going to easy to bang out 3-4 projects during the course of the year. In practice, not even close.

Currently I'm trying to back my Nicholl semi script into a TV pilot, via my screenwriting group, which is an interesting process, and coming along pretty well.

I've also started early brainstorming on a low-budget horror script I'd write with a friend of mine, for him to direct. Previous attempts to write with someone didn't work out so well, though neither was really the optimal spend-time-in-a-room-together writing process that likely works the best. So we'll see.

Meanwhile I have a few scripts that are in good enough shape to be circulating around in minor fashion, though no nibbles yet. Still no agent or manager; it's tough out there.

I also have a double-handful of scripts in various stages of completion. My script group is bad with that: if I have pages due, often I'll just bang them out without actually have had the time to plot things out. So there's some amusing takes on things, looking for a lot more direction.

There's also this blog, which has been on life support for way too long. I'll try to post here a little more.

I'm also in the process of cleaning up the links -- I'm sure there are websites on there that stopped being active years ago -- and adding new ones. I know I promised to do that months ago and didn't, but now I am, so if you want to be linked give me a shout-out.

And may this be a good writing year for all of us --

Scott

***Update -- I just visited every link, to see which blogs were still active, and it was a humbling experience to realize I probably hadn't visited most of them in well over a year. Apologies to those who are still going strong (I'll try to check you out more often), and R.I.P. to the blogs who died along the way.

The sidebar is now up-to-date.

Weekend Box Office #167

2010-01-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

Saw I saw Avatar, in Real-3D, and yeah the story is just a rehash of the whole Pocahontas/Dances With Wolves thing.

But visually, it's so amazing that it would be worth the money if it was just a tour of this planet. So the fact that there is any kind of plot just adds to it. Plus the blue girl is cute.

See it.

This weekend is a bland mixed bag of items, while there's still plenty of holdover stuff to see. Look for Avatar to hold in the top slot, by a wide margin:

DAYBREAKERS (2523 theaters). I haven't seen enough on this to make me want to see it, while Ethan Hawke's getting top billing doesn't have much cache. Prediction: an underperforming $7.2 million for the weekend.

LEAP YEAR (2511 theaters). Pluses: Amy Adams is likable, and probably has romcom appeal. Minuses: reviews are fairly dire, and it isn't a leap year. Call it $6.5 million for the weekend.

YOUTH IN REVOLT (1873 theaters). This has been sitting on the shelf for a few years, while Michael Cera doesn't seem to be stretching. Reviews are okay, but it's hard to see this doing all that much. $4.2 million.

Weekend Box Office #166

2009-12-23T09:42:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever greeting makes you happiest.

I'm heading to New York today to see my parents and freeze my butt off.

Opening wide this weekend:

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMONKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL (3656 theaters - opening today). Reviews have been solid, and the kids have to see something. $43.4 million for the 3-day weekend.

SHERLOCK HOLMES (3600+ theaters). They are doing a good job positioning this as something that people want to see, and it should do pretty well. $36.5 million for the weekend.

IT'S COMPLICATED (2800+ theaters). This should hit the underserved adult female audience pretty well, while it looks like something that men won't mind being dragged to. $19.5 million, but it should hold well.

UP IN THE AIR (expanding to 1895 theaters). Should do well. $17.8 million.

NINE (1500 theaters). Reviews have sort of been tepid. Call it $8.2 million for the weekend.

**********

Last weekend, AVATAR made $77 million, and look for it to continue to mint money.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? only made $6.6 million; it's nice to see that it and OLD DOGS are suffering because of their lack of quality.

Weekend Box Office #165

2009-12-18T13:16:00.000-08:00

So this week is all about AVATAR, which actually doesn't interest me all that much on a story level. But this is the kind of movie whose visual scale might just transcend that; apparently it's just pretty amazing to watch in 3-D, while the reviews have been solid enough to build a lot of interest.

Opening wide this weekend:

AVATAR (3452 theaters). I have no idea how much it might make. It does have to compete with a lot of last-minute Christmas shopping, while if people are smart they'll avoid the 2-D versions of the film, but the 3-D-capable theaters might be packed. Let's call it $52.7 million for the weekend, though I really have no idea.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? (2718 theaters). This is supposed to be terrible. call it $8.2 million for the weekend.

********

Last weekend, the PRINCESS AND THE FROG expanded and did a solid $24.2 million. INVICTUS did only $8.6 million.

Up In The Air

2009-12-15T09:26:00.001-08:00

So first things first, in non-spoilerific fashion:

This is a very very good movie. Go see it. Great characters, great acting, all in the hands of a director who knows what he is doing every step of the way. They nailed it.

Now my story.

In March 2001, I read the novel "Up In The Air" for George Clooney's production company.

Now understand that I have read way too much stuff over the last 20 years to remember most of it. I have been in the middle of watching a movie, when I realized that I read the screenplay somewhere along the line, which was usually at least 2-3 years earlier.

But I remembered reading this book. When I heard about the movie being made from the book, the synapse clicked in my brain that said, yes, you read it, it was memorable. Didn't really remember much about the plot, other than it was about a guy who lived most of his life flying around from city to city.

So I went to see the movie, liked the movie, and on some level felt proud that maybe, just maybe, I played a teeny part in putting the movie on George Clooney's radar.

So when I came home, I found the disk with my old coverage, and pulled it.

And found out that I gave the book a thumb's down.

Oops.

Except maybe not oops. because when I read the coverage, I realized that the movie "Up In The Air" and the novel "Up In The Air" are really pretty different.

Essentially, the creators took what was interesting in the book -- the guy living his life in the air, the fact that he fires people (though that was only one of a number of jobs he had in the book) and pretty much jettisoned the rest. Including a weird plotline about how he is forgetting a lot of things, thinks the airline is messing with him, and turns out to be having seizures. Which was a good cut, because it really didn't work at all.

What was added was pretty much everything. The movie's love interest is barely in the book. The main character's family plays only a tiny role in the book. The character that Anna Kendrick was just Golden Globe nominated for playing is not in the book at all; neither is that whole dynamic between her character and his which works so well in the movie.

The whole thing is actually a fascinating case study of how a movie can come together through development. The basic, primal idea in the novel that was interesting about the character was pulled out, and then a solid storyline was constructed about it.

At the time, George Clooney's production company wasn't doing a lot of that kind of development; as I remember, they were looking for stuff that was a lot closer to being ready. And this wasn't very close to being ready. So my "Pass" was valid.

But Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner sure got it there.

Weekend Box Office #164

2009-12-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

So this year's Black List came out today. I've read a few scripts on the list, both of which were solid. None of mine were on there; apparently I didn't perform nearly enough sexual favors.

Opening this weekend:

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (3434 theaters, up from 2). Solid reviews, but at the same time it's hard to really see this clicking with non-family audiences. Still it should open well; call it $21.5 million.

INVICTUS (2125 theaters). This seems a little too serious, but reviews are good. $13.5 million, though it should hold well.

*****

Last weekend wasn't a good one for new releases. BROTHERS only did $9.5 million. ARMORED only did $6.5. EVERYBODY'S FINE tanked with only $3.8.

And TRANSYLMANIA only did $264,000 from over 1000 theaters; contrast that with UP IN THE AIR, which totalled $1.2 million from only 15 theaters.

Weekend Box Office #163

2009-12-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

The second surgery is done, the eyepatch has been cast away, and I am seeing the world in three dimensions again. Too bad too many of the scripts I read are only one-dimensional.

Opening this weekend in theaters:

EVERYBODY'S FINE (2133 theaters). This is getting pretty good reviews, and the cast is solid, though at the same time it looks a bit small -- and like the kind of movie people will wait for word of mouth about. Figure $12.4 million this weekend, though it might hold steady through the holidays.

BROTHERS (2088 theaters). Solid cast in Maguire, Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman (my wife's future sister-wife), but the reviews have been underwhelming, and it has a sheen of genericness about it. $14.3 million, and it probably won't hold well through the holidays.

ARMORED (1915 theaters). Though it looks like a big b-movie heist tale, the script actually was a Nicholl winner a few years back, so hope is high. Still, the profile is a bit low. $8.1 million.

TRANSYLMANIA (1007 theaters). This is listed in opening, though I have no idea what it is.

Also opening in 15 theaters is UP IN THE AIR, which was just named by the National Board of Review as the best film of the year, and which is on my shortlist.

*******

The 5-day Thanksgiving weekend was better for the holdovers than the new films, particularly THE BLINDSIDE, which crossed the $100 million mark in only 10 days. That sound you hear is people dusting off old uplifting sports scripts.

OLD DOGS made only $24.2 million in its first 5 days. Word got around fast.

NINJA ASSASSIN did $21.2 million. FANTASTIC MR. FOX did only 9.4 million.

Weekend Box Office #162

2009-11-25T14:31:00.001-08:00

Back in the day when I was a theater manager, Thanksgiving weekend was one of the all-hands-on-deck weekends of the year.

It was a pain in the ass to get people to work, but I had to, because everyone goes to the movies on Thanksgiving. Probably to escape their relatives.

I remember one year my Thanksgiving dinner was a turkey sandwich from 7-11.

This weekend is looking like it'll be busy, with holdovers New Moon, 2012, The Blind Side and Precious being joined by these newcomers:

OLD DOGS (3425 theaters). Terrible reviews, but sadly people probably won't care, because this is the kind of mindless comedy that's an easy family fallback. $49.5 million for the 5-day weekend.

NINJA ASSASSIN (2503 theaters). Something for the action fans. $32.7 million for the weekend.

THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2033 theaters, expanding from 4). It'll be interesting to see if this clicks with a wide audience, because it's a strange-looking film that doesn't slot easily into any box. Figure it'll do a little something, maybe $22.2 million for the 5 days.

THE ROAD opened in 111 theaters, but is supposed to be depressing as hell. THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG opened in a few theaters to good reviews.

Okay, Ouch --

2009-11-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

TWILIGHT: NEW MOON made $140 million over the weekend, the third best opening weekend ever, after setting a single day record on Friday.

Apparently there are a lot of teenage girls with a lot of disposable income, even in this economy.

Time for everyone to write teen vampire movies....

Weekend Box Office #161

2009-11-20T12:52:00.000-08:00

Theaters should be crowded this weekend --

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON (4024 theaters). Apparently this has to do with vampires, or werewolves, or something. I don't have any interest, but teenage girls everywhere do, and this will undoubtedly do a ton this weekend. Call it $51.2 million.

THE BLIND SIDE (3110 theaters). It's getting good reviews, which will help a lot. Prediction: $17.8 million.

PLANET 51 (3035 theaters). Reviews for this aren't as good, while the aliens look like Shrek ripoffs. Still, the kids have to see something. $12.4 million.

Computer Problems Suck, Especially For One-Eyed Men

2009-11-18T08:08:00.001-08:00

So I missed a Friday posting last week for the first time in a long time, because my desktop died. Apparently it's the motherboard. I'm getting a new tower; should be delivered next week sometime.

Meanwhile I'm toiling on my laptop linked to the Internet, which doesn't have nearly the laptop my memory has. Which is a good thing; it means I'm spending less time on the Internet, which means I'm working more. And writing more.

I'm currently turning my Nicholl Fellowship into a one-hour pilot. It's keeping me off the streets.

Also keeping me off the streets is the fact that I had cataract surgery on my right eye two weeks ago, and I'm having the left one done in two weeks.

For anyone as unfamiliar as with cataracts as I was, it's a clouding on the lens of the eye, that usually hits much older people. I was getting it really bad on my right eye, and noticably on my left. It may be because of genetics, or the fact that I'm a type 2 diabetic, or maybe just from looking into a computer screen a lot, or a combination of them.

The surgery was quick and painless, and the right eye is doing great, while after taking a couple of says off it really hasn't curtailed my reading any.

But in this 4-week one-eye-done, the-other-not period, my eyes don't work together. because the lens they put in the right eye makes everything look about 10% bigger. Which is cool, but it makes my brain hurt to use both eyes, and there's no sense forcing my brain to learn how to deal with it if it's just temporary.

So I've been wearing an eye patch, which I switch back and forth from eye to eye during the day. Arrrrrr. Pain in the butt.

And I can't drive. So I sit, and toil.

Though when my other eye gets done, things should be great.

*******

2012 made $65.2 million over the weekend, and like $250 million around the world. I have to admit that I'm not that thrilled about seeing a movie in which the world ends and I die.

PRECIOUS made almost $5.9 million in only 174 theaters, to finish third. Nice to see movies doing well because they are supposed to be good, though it'll also be interesting to see if it means agents and producers will be dusting off more sad tales of unhappy youth and trying to get them made.

Weekend Box Office #159

2009-11-06T13:59:00.001-08:00

It's November, so the movies should be getting better. Theoretically.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (3683 theaters). Do we really need yet another version of the same old story, this one with not-particularly-thrilling looking computer animation? It's an awful lot of screens, but I don't think it's going to be huge, especially since Christmas isn't for 8 weeks yet. Figure $18.6 million.

THE BOX (2635 theaters). I read this screenplay once upon a time for someone, and I don't remember much about it, other than it was okay. $12.4 million.

THE FOURTH KIND (2529 theaters). Reviews have not been good. $6.5 million.

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS (2443 theaters). Interesting title, good cast, decent reviews, could do a little something. $15.6 million.

********

Last weekend, MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT made $23.2 million.

Weekend Box Office #158

2009-10-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

The only movie opening this weekend actually opened Wednesday: MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT, on 3481 theaters.

Despite decent reviews, numbers so far are lower than the lofty numbers predicted, and Halloween being on a Saturday won't help. Figure $19.4 million for the weekend.

And I think the title is an empty promise: we're going to be getting lots more Michael Jackson stuff, as long as they can figure out how to make lots of money from it.

******

Last weekend, SAW VI stumbled and only made $14.1, finishing second, well behind PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. Everyone is looking for cheap horror movies now.

ASTRO BOY fell short with only $6.7 million for the weekend, THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT did only $6.4 million, and AMELIA really tanked with only $3.9 million.

Weekend Box Office #157

2009-10-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

The days are just flying by. Crazy.

I haven't been to a movie in months, though tonight the wife and I are going to see something. Not sure what, yet.

Opening wide this weekend:

SAW VI (3036 theaters). Number 6? Really? Isn't the string played out yet? Haven't they already killed off everyone? Does its audience even know what "VI" means (and how sad is it that if they do, it's the one thing all that Roman numeral education was good for). Figure $18.7 million for the weekend.

ASTRO BOY (3014 theaters). I don't see a huge amount of adult crossover here, though I suppose kids will see it. Prediction: $17.5 million.

CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT (2754 theaters). I've seen commercials for this, and nothing about it grabs me, while John C. Reilly's presence gives it an odd tone. Given all the other vampire projects around, and all the scarier movies, who is going to see this? Prediction: $4.6 million.

AMELIA (818 theaters). Something for adults, though this isn't very many theaters. $9.8 million.

*********

Last weekend, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE made a solid $32.7 million.

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN did a nice $21.0 million, while THE STEPFATHER managed $11.6 million.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY did $19.6 million, so I was close on something.

Weekend Box Office #156

2009-10-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

The big question this weekend is how much WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE will do. It has been a roller-coaster ride for this movie: early production work said it was a mess, too dark for kids. But they've done a great job advertising it in the last few months, and I think a lot of kids will want to see it, though I'm not sure how many adults-without-kids will seek it out.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (3735 theaters). I'm going to guess $42.4 million for the weekend, though it could do a lot more -- or less.

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN (2889 theaters). It looks okay. Maybe $14.5 million for the weekend.

THE STEPFATHER (2734 theaters). Is this a remake anyone was crying out for? Hard to see it garnering much real interest. $4.1 million.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (expanding to 760 theaters). This made an astounding $7.9 million last weekend, in only 160 theaters. Prediction: $19.5 million this weekend.

*********

Last weekend, COUPLES RETREAT made $34.3 million. I'm dumbfounded. If there's any sign that the economy is rebounding, the fact that people have disposable cash for a poorly-reviewed comedy like this is it.

Weekend Box Office #155

2009-10-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

Quiet weekend this weekend, with only one movie opening wide.

COUPLES RETREAT (3000 theaters). As much as I like Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau together, I have yet to hear an actual funny joke in any commercial for this film, and it's hard to imagine what's going to hook audiences. Prediction: $8.1 million for the weekend.

*******

Last weekend, ZOMBIELAND did a very solid $24.7 million.

TOY STORY/TOY STORY 2 did $12.5 million. THE INVENTION OF LYING did only $7.0 million, and WHIP IT stumbled in with only $4.6 million.

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY did only $4.4 million.

Weekend Box Office #154

2009-10-02T10:42:00.001-07:00

So I didn't make the Nicholl Finals. Still not a bad run though.

Opening wide this weekend:

ZOMBIELAND (3036 theaters). This looks a little too offbeat to really be huge, but it should make some good money. Prediction: $17.8 million for the weekend.

TOY STORY/TOY STORY 2 (3D) (1745 theaters). The running time (and the fact that everyone owns them) will cut down on the box office a little, but the 3D will help. $14.6 million.

WHIP IT (1720 theaters). I read the script and generally liked it, though I don't think they are selling it very well. $8.1 million.

THE INVENTION OF LYING (1707 theaters). I also read this and liked it, though I don't think they've figured out how to sell it either. $6.5 million.

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY (expanding to 962 theaters). I'm not sure people are really in the mood to watch this. $5.1 million.

********

Last weekend, SURROGATES opened with $14.9 million. FAME did $10 million. PANDORUM tanked with only $4.4 million.

Weekend Box Office #153

2009-09-25T13:09:00.001-07:00

Late September: the dumping ground for all sort of movies.

Opening wide this weekend:

FAME (3096 theaters). The problem with remaking this movie is the original was good, plus between GLEE and all the dancing shows on TV, there isn't exactly a huge need for a film like this. It seems aimed firmly at teens, but it's hard to believe they'll care much, while the reviews I've seen haven't been glowing. Figure $8.7 million for the weekend.

SURROGATES (2951 theaters). The hook for this is vague, while reviews haven't been great either, and Bruce Willis isn't all that critic-proof any more. Figure $12.5 million.

PANDORUM (2506 theaters). I'm really not all that aware of this film, so it's hard to think it'll be that huge. $9.3 million.

********

Last weekend, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS did a surprisingly-solid $30.3 million.

THE INFORMANT did $10.5 million, LOVE HAPPENS did $8.1 million, and JENNIFER'S BODY stalled with only $6.9 million.

Weekend Box Office #152

2009-09-18T09:54:00.001-07:00

Another week has flown by. It's nuts how fast time is slipping through my fingers.

This weekend's wide releases.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (3119 theaters). I don't know. On the one hand, it's family friendly, but on the other hand it just doesn't seem to have that intangible something that is going to make people flock out to see it. I could be wrong, but I'm going to lowball guess $16.7 million for the weekend.

JENNIFER'S BODY (2701 theaters). Reviews have been underwhelmed, but it's Megan Fox, and that might be enough to do okay. $15.1 million.

THE INFORMANT! (2505 theaters). This was high on my list, until I skimmed the terrible review in the LA Times today. Still, they are advertising the hell out of it. $10.2 million.

LOVE HAPPENS (1989 theaters). This looks a little too generic. $7.7 million.

***********

Last weekend, TYLER PERRY's latest did $23.4 million. 9 did $10.7 million.

SORORITY ROW only did $5.0 million, and WHITEOUT limped in with $4.9 million.

Weekend Box Office #151

2009-09-11T10:01:00.001-07:00

So life ambles on. Weeks have been flying by; I have no idea where the time went. I've been battling a cough and insomnia (beither helping the other at all), and this weekend's crop of wide releases don't offer much respite:

WHITEOUT (2745 theaters). This is apparently not very good at all; the LA Times review today was rather scornful. Apparently it's one of those mysteries where there is endless dialogue in which characters over-explain what they are looking at (note to writers: don't do this). It's hard to believe anyone will care about this film. Estimate: $4.7 million for the weekend.

SORORITY ROW (2665 theaters). With The Final Destination and Halloween II still hanging around, theaters are a bit overclotted with horror movies. $7.1 million.

TYLER PERRY'S I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF (2255 theaters). I learned long ago not to underestimate the drawing power of Tyler Perry. $17.4 million.

9 (1661 theaters). This actually opened on Wednesday, and did okay, not great. Figure $9.8 million.

*********

Last weekend, for the 4-day Labor Day weekend, ALL ABOUT STEVE did $14.1 million, GAMER did $11.2 million, and EXTRACT did $5.5 million.

Weekend Box Office #150

2009-09-04T16:09:00.001-07:00

Not much this weekend. EXTRACT sort of looks amusing, though reviews have been slightly mixed.

Opening wide:

GAMER (2502 theaters). I've seen commercials, and there's nothing here that feels like a real grabber. Prediction: $6.7 million for the weekend.

ALL ABOUT STEVE (2251 theaters). This movie also has an odd hook -- she's a stalker, but it's a romantic comedy -- though Sandra Bullock's name is worth a little something. $11.2 million.

EXTRACT (1611 theaters). There's some buzz, but Mike Judge movies don't have much of a track record in theaters. $5.5 million.

******

Last weekend, THE FINAL DESTINATION did a solid $27.4 million, while HALLOWEEN II did a decent $16.3 million.

TAKING WOODSTOCK only did $3.5 million.

Nicholl Update

2009-08-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

My script made the semi-finals of the Nicholl Fellowship. Which is what it did 3 years ago (the only other time I entered it), though it's nice to see that it wasn't a fluke. It put a smile on my face.

Good luck to the others who are hearing news today...

Weekend Box Office #149

2009-08-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

And another week rockets by.

The only movie I saw in theaters this past week was BANDSLAM, which is a solid, solid teen movie that deserved to be sold better and seen by more people. This weekend, (weekend #3 for the film) it is in only 207 theaters, down from 2121 last week. Hopefully it'll find its audience on DVD or cable; it deserves it.

Opening wide this weekend:

THE FINAL DESTINATION (3121 theaters). It's a weird trend to give sequels similar names to the original movie in the series. This one is in 3D, and the basic premise is still a draw, so it should do fairly well, say $16.1 million.

HALLOWEEN 2 (3000 theaters). I don't think it's too wise to have two similar movies coming out the same weekend, and I think this one is going to be the one that suffers. $11.2 million.

TAKING WOODSTOCK (1393 theaters). They are advertising this a lot, but it's not a huge amount of theaters yet. Figure $9.4 million for the weekend.

***********

Last weekend, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS made $38.1 million, for Tarantino's best opening weekend ever, and probably saving The Weinstein Company for the near future.

SHORTS did only $6.4 million; I guess it looked too goofy even to draw a lot of kids. POST GRAD did only $2.7 million; X-GAMES 3D THE MOVIE stumbled in with only $837,216.

Weekend Box Office #148

2009-08-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

The summer is just drifting by. I saw JULIE & JULIA -- and liked it -- but otherwise I haven't seen much of anything.

This weekend's new wide offerings:

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (3165 theaters). Apparently it's too long and slow, but has its moments, sort of like the script. It'll probably do okay, though the 2 1/2 hour running time will hurt the box office a bit. Prediction: $19.5 million for the weekend.

SHORTS (3105 theaters). They are trying to sell this as a film for kids and adults, but apparently it skews pretty young, despite the presence of Jon Cryer and James Spader. Call it $22.4 million, just for the kid factor.

POST GRAD (1958 theaters). I haven't seen any commercials for this, though the LA Times review was pretty dour. $2.6 million.

X-GAMES THE MOVIE (1399 theaters). A limited one-week run, but are there really a huge amount of X-Games fans ready to pony to see this in a theater? $5.2 million.

******

Last weekend, DISTRICT 9 made a very solid $37.4 million, and should hold well. THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE did an okay $18.6 million.

THE GOODS did only $5.6 million, while PONYO did $3.6 million, and BANDSLAM stumbled in with $2.2 million; wow did they sell this movie badly.

Weekend Box Office #147

2009-08-14T11:25:00.001-07:00

Well I've sunk back into too much working and not enough posting. Such is life.

This weekend:

DISTRICT 9 (3049 theaters). I'd call it a big sleeper, except that it is opening on the most screens of any movie this weekend. But the buzz is great, and though it's lack of star might have it open a little small, it should build well if it's as good as they say. $21.3 million for the weekend.

THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE (2988 theaters). I've seen a lot of ads for this, though the reviews aren't great. $21.2 million.

BANDSLAM (2121 theaters). I'd be ready to dismiss it except that it's directed by Todd Graff, whose movie CAMP I liked a lot, and reviews for this have been solid. Still, I don't see it being huge. $8.8 million for the weekend.

THE GOODS (1838 theaters). Decent reviews and it looks fun, though the title is kind dumb. $7.8 million.

*******

Last weekend, GI JOE made a solid $54.7 million.

JULIE AND JULIA did a pretty good $20.1 million. PERFECT GETAWAY stumbled in with just $5.9 million.

Weekend Box Office #146

2009-08-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

Sometime this weekend I'll write a post on John Hughes, a man whose movies I generally loved; when he was at his best, in his teen comedy/dramas, he was gold.

Opening this weekend:

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA (4007 theaters). I'm sure it'll make a lot of money, but I have no interest in seeing it. I don't think I ever owned a G.I. Joe, but if I did I don't think this was the kind of adventures I was imagining. Though again, blowing stuff up real good generally makes a lot of money. Call it $40.0 million for the weekend, but I could be way low or even way high; I'm just not sure this is really going to hit women that well.

JULIE & JULIA (2975 theaters). Look for this one to do really well, just because I think it's going to draw women, as well as an over-40 audience that might not go to the movies much. Prediction: $28.7 opening weekend, and then it'll hold well.

A PERFECT GETAWAY (2159 theaters). This might work as a compromise date movie: the girl doesn't want to see G.I. Joe, the guy doesn't want to see Julie and Julia, so they settle on this. $15.5 million.

Opening in only 38 theaters is PAPER HEART, which is on my short list.

*******

Last weekend, FUNNY PEOPLE did $22.7 million, a bit low, and I have a feeling it's going to drop a good 40% this weekend.

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC only did $8.0 million. THE COLLECTOR did $3.8 million. I overestimated everything...

Weekend Box Office #145

2009-07-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

I need to get to the movies sometime this weekend, I'm falling behind.

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC (3106 theaters). I haven't seem much advertising for this, though that's probably because I'm not watching the TV shows that their demographic watches. Should do something, though it's hard to imagine it'll really click. Prediction: $15.6 million for the weekend.

FUNNY PEOPLE (3008 theaters). I'm a Judd Apatow fan, but this is getting some mixed reviews, while at 2 hours 25 minutes it's also rather long. Still, it's on my short list, and it should have a solid weekend. $33.5 million.

THE COLLECTOR (1325 theaters). I saw a commercial for this last night, and I'm still not sure what it's about. $4.1 million.

Also, THE HURT LOCKER and (500) DAYS OF SUMMER are both continuing to expand. Both are also on my short list.

*******

Last weekend, G-FORCE made $31.7 million, better than I thought, though I think it'll drop fast.

THE UGLY TRUTH made a fairly-shocking $27.6 million. Apparently Katherine Heigl is a movie star, and there is still life in romantic comedies.

ORPHAN made $12.8 million, and will likely sink like a stone.

Just Got Some Nicholl Fellowship Love...

2009-07-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

Just learned my script made the quarterfinal round. Top 321 of 6398.

Except for a nip here and a tuck there, it's the same script that semi'd three years ago (which was the only other time I entered the Nicholl). But given the stories of scripts getting very different results in very different years, I wasn't taking anything for granted.

Best wishes to those of you who made the cut as well, and to those who didn't, I'm sure you should have :-)

Weekend Box Office #144

2009-07-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

An underwhelming weekend, at least for wide-release movies:

G-FORCE (3697 theaters). This looks like it is skewing very young, and I'm not sure how much adult appeal there is to it at all. Call it $24.5 million for the weekend, though it could do a lot more or less.

THE UGLY TRUTH (2882 theaters). Reviews don't seem to be very solid, while the film doesn't seem to have much of a hook, and the leads aren't really draws in a vacuum. Call it $9.5 million.

ORPHAN (2750 theaters). I heard what the twist is, and it made me roll my eyes (no spoilers for those who might actually drag their butts out to see it). It'll probably do well enough. $15.5 million.

*****

Last weekend, HARRY POTTER 6 did $77.8 million, for $158 million in its first 5 days. Not bad, but not huge huge huge.

Weekend Box Office #143

2009-07-17T08:46:00.001-07:00

And then there was Potter.

I've seen the first 4 movies, missed #5, though I borrowed it from my sister-in-law (like a year ago, but who's counting).

I'm still trying to figure out if I should watch all 5 again, before going to see 6, or just the last couple, or save it all for some future marathon when the series is done and I have the time and inclination.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (4325 theaters). This made $58 million on Wednesday (counting midnight sneaks from the night before) and it should continue to roll this weekend. Figure a good $125 million or so for the three days.

*******

Last weekend, BRUNO made $30.6 million after all. Be interesting to see how it holds up.

I LOVE BETH COOPER did only $4.9 million.

Visual Commerciality

2009-07-16T10:08:00.001-07:00

This could even dovetail with the Michael Bay conversation, I'm not sure.

I just read an interesting quote about the new Harry Potter movie. Apparently director David Yates and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel's first cut of the film used a funky, bold unusual color scheme that Daniel Radcliffe calls "surreal".

But Warner Brothers didn't like it, and Yates and Delbonnel recolored the film to make it much more straightforward.

Yates states "We'd done a few wacky things originally, and in fairness to the studio, they are very sophisticated in their artistic sensibilities, but they do have to be very aware of what works in the marketplace".

Apparently Joe Sixpack doesn't like his Harry Potter movies surreal.

Good thing, bad thing? At what point should commercial concerns override the director's vision?

And who wishes they could see the original cut?

Boring Main Characters

2009-07-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

So I just read a vampire script in which the vampire was really a very dull, passive character, who we really weren't made to care about at all; he wasn't sympathetic, he wasn't really evil. He just was, and he didn't do all that much along the way.

I guess maybe the writers were going for a banality-of-evil kind of thing, but it just didn't work.

It got me thinking, though -- are there any good examples of movies like this that work even though the main character is sort of a bland hole in the center of the script? Or does this so violate how to tell an involving story that it's the kiss of death?

Discuss --

Michael Bay Is A Golden God, And I Can't Wait To See What He Directs Next

2009-07-13T14:13:00.001-07:00

Not really.

Just wanted to throw up a new post, before the comments section below collapses under its own weight.

But maybe it's time to respin it, into a new talking point: there's no denying that Transformers 2 has made a buttload of money. How much of it is due to its direction, or is it all marketing?

Is there an under-respected section of the populace that actually likes this movie a lot, justifying its creation and making Michael Bay a respectable director? Or is it the kind of mediocre-enough dumb fun that too many people are willing to settle for?

Does it take a special skill set to have made a $400 million (inevitably) Transformers sequel, or could even someone as dubious as McG have done the same thing?

And as writers, are there lessons to be learned here, or should it just make us shake our heads in dumbfoundedness?

Weekend Box Office #142

2009-07-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend in the cinemaplex:

BRUNO (2755 theaters). I've read predictions that this is going to make a ton of money (like $30-$40 million-plus opening weekend), and somehow I don't think it's going to do that well. The problem with the way they are selling this -- as another Borat -- is that I think people sort of got tired of Borat, while this doesn't seem like anywhere near as interesting a character. The reviews are solid, and it benefits from nothing else really opening this weekend, but I'm going to say that it may have trouble breaking $20 million for the weekend. Call it $18.2 million.

I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER (1858 theaters). I haven't really sensed the big hook that is going to yank in teen audiences. $6.4 million.

*************

Last weekend, ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS made $41.7 million. PUBLIC ENEMIES did $25.2 million. Both should hold pretty well this weekend; I wouldn't be surprised if ICE AGE, which narrowly finished second to TRANSFORMERS last weekend, won the weekend.

In Quest of Intelligent Conversation

2009-07-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Being that the last comment section has de-evolved into sniping, I figured I'd start another post, and try to spark some intelligent conversation.

Topic:

I find myself at the point of my writing where I want to sell something. But if I feel my current project isn't amazing and commercial, should I abandon it in favor of something else? Is it about writing something that you want to write, or looking for something that might have more commercial potential?

Discuss.

Weekend Box Office #141

2009-07-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Oops. This Friday prediction post is late, for the first week in a long while.

Blame it on the holiday weekend. My wife was off from work yesterday, and that made it seem like a Saturday.

Blame it on a weird week too. I've been wrestling with a medical issue for about a month, since a "mass" was discovered in my liver. Mass is a really scary word; so is "biopsy", which I had last Tuesday. They stuck a long needle into my chest, and scraped out some cells.

The news is great -- it's non-cancerous. A load off my back, after 4 uncertain weeks in which I threw myself into my work to distract myself, and didn't write a word of my own stuff.

Now it's time to return to the business of screenwriting.

This weekend (and even though it's Saturday morning, I haven't peeked yet, though I am aware of how things opened on Wednesday).

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (4099 theaters). Opening on a Wednesday will lower the weekend grosses a bit, as will the fact that this skews a lot younger than something like UP. Figure about $48.1 million for the three-day weekend.

PUBLIC ENEMIES (3334 theaters). They haven't done a very good job selling this to me, while reviews have only been okay. Figure about $26.7 million for the weekend.

*******

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN made $109 million over the three days last weekend.

MY SISTER'S KEEPER did $12.4 million.

Weekend Box Office #140

2009-06-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

So TRANSFORMERS 2 is already jaw-droppingly huge; it did some $60 million on Wednesday (best Wednesday ever; second best day ever for a movie) and another $28 million yesterday.

Imagine if it had gotten good reviews?

Ironically, Michael Jackson died yesterday, and something similar happened -- suddenly he was viewed as this tragic icon, the king of pop cut down in his prime. But imagine the reaction if he hadn't been a weird little pervert.

Even pop culture successes are never quite as big as they could have/should've been.

Opening wide today:

TRANSFORMERS 2 (4234 theaters). I didn't see the first one, but apparently it has something to do with robot cars and a sexy Megan Fox. The sequel will probably add another $95 million this weekend. Yay, the economy is coming back.

MY SISTER'S KEEPER (2606 theaters). Oy. I guess there's room for a weepy movie geared toward women, and they have been advertising the heck out of this. But it's not exactly escapsim. $11.2 million for the weekend.

******

THE PROPOSAL did a very strong $33.6 million for the weekend, Sandra Bullock's best opening ever, and a jolt of life for star-driven romcoms.

YEAR ONE did a pretty good $19.6 million, but word of mouth doesn't seem very solid, and it'll probably drop fast.

Weekend Box Office #139

2009-06-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

I'm swamped this week, which is great -- I'm not complaining. Not sure if I'll have time to go to the movies this weekend, though, and I'm starting to fall behind.

Not that this week's offerings are all that thrilling:

THE PROPOSAL (3056 theaters). Though it's nice to see Sandra Bullock out in a movie that's getting some decent reviews, at the same time I've seen the trailer and I feel like I've seen the whole movie, and don't want to see it again. Call it $13.4 million for the weekend.

YEAR ONE (3022 theaters). It looks like dumb fun, and it could click with audiences, though then again audiences could just yawn and stay in to watch NASCAR. Prediction: $14.4 million.

WHATEVER WORKS (limited release). Remember when the release of a new Woody Allen movie was an event? Neither do I. None of the reviews that I've seen have been very enthusiastic.

*************

Last weekend, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 made $23.3, which isn't terrible but is less than I thought.

IMAGINE THAT made $5.5 million, so I was dead on in my underwhelmedness.

Weekend Box Office #138

2009-06-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

One interesting, one not:

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (3074 theaters). I haven't seen the original in a while; it's one of those classic 70s movies that never seems to be on TV much. But you can't beat the cast here, they are making it seem exciting, and the reviews I've seen have been solid. Let's call it $34.5 million for the weekend.

IMAGINE THAT (3008 theaters). Oy. It's hard to believe that anyone would want to see this, except maybe little girls, but even then not really. But they are advertising the heck out of it. I smell a big flop. $5.5 million for the weekend.

**********

Last weekend, THE HANGOVER roared out and gobbled up almost $45 million to edge UP for the top slot. Pretty amazing for an R-rated comedy with no stars, and it's holding up very well over the past 4 days as well.

LAND OF THE LOST tanked, with only $18.8 million for the weekend and the promise of a steep tumble this weekend. I bet Will Ferrell is wishing he'd stuck with Hangover director Todd Phillips, who directed Ferrell in OLD SCHOOL.

Weekend Box Office #137

2009-06-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yuck, it's raining. It's not supposed to rain in Los Angeles in June.

Opening this weekend:

LAND OF THE LOST (3521 theaters). It's a good time for a movie that looks like dumb fun, and it it should grab the family audience. I'm going to take a wild guess and say $46.5 million for the weekend, though I could be way off.

THE HANGOVER (3269 theaters). I gave the makers of this some notes along the way, and though I'd like to take credit for making it the funny movie it apparently is, it's likely I really had little to do with that. Still, see it, so they can keep paying me to read other things. Prediction: $18.7 million for the weekend, but it should hold well.

MY LIFE IN RUINS (1164 theaters). I haven't seen any commercials for this film, which stars Nia Vardelos from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". I'm not sure she has enough of a real following to make this a big hit through. $3.6 million for the weekend.

*****

Last weekend, UP made $68.1 million, and DRAG ME TO HELL made $15.8 million.

STAR TREK became the first movie this year to crash over the $200 million mark, though it likely won't make it to $300 million.

Weekend Box Office #136

2009-05-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Two fairly big movies opening today, and I have no real idea how well they might do. Which of course won't prevent me from taking a guess.

Plus it's my birthday today. For some reason, I'm getting older every year. There's gotta be some way to address that.

UP (3766 theaters). On the one hand it's Pixar, which is a big plus. On the other hand, it features a kid, a dog and a crusty old man, and seems to skew a little young to really grab the adult audience. Still, it should do fine. My guess: $56 million for the weekend, and it'll hold well.

DRAG ME TO HELL (2508 theaters). On the plus side it's a good title, it's Sam Raimi, and it's getting very good reviews. But a PG-13 horror movie? Let's call it a solid $22.6 million.

******

Last weekend, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2 did $70 million. TERMINATOR: SALVATION did only $51 million. I saw it, and it's not great or terrible; it just is, and it'll probably drop pretty quickly.

Shaking The Tree

2009-05-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

So work has been slow, times are tough, and they just got tougher: my wife's car (the good car - or it was) died for good today.

So I need to start busting my can and making some money.

Anyone who has enjoyed my notes service in the past, and has offered to spread the word, now is the time. Give me a plug on a website or a blog; send people to http://www.sixtybucknotes.blogspot.com/

For the near future, that's the price again: $60.

Still the best deal on the web. 4-6 pages of notes. I will make your script better.

Thanks --

Scott

Weekend Box Office #135

2009-05-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

It's Memorial Day weekend, and theaters should be packed. Though I predict STAR TREK will hold pretty well, because the new stuff is a bit underwhelming.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE AT THE SMITHSONIAN (4096 theaters). The reviews have been unexciting, while it seems like a clone of the first movie, which wasn't that good. Still, there isn't much out there for family audiences. Call it $54 million for the 4-day weekend.

TERMINATOR SALVATION (3530 theaters). This is also a sequel to a movie that wasn't that great, not to mention a TV series that never found much of an audience. Reviews have been pretty sour, and though people will see this (because things blow up) I think it'll underperform expectations. Call it $42 million for the 4-day weekend.

DANCE FLICK (2450 theaters). It's supposed to be a little better than most of the parody movies of the past few years (though the bar is really low), and the Wayans' brothers name will help. $18.6 million for the 4 days.

********

Last weekend, ANGELS AND DEMONS did $46.2 million, narrowly beating out STAR TREK in its second week.

The Title Page

2009-05-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

So there was a question in the comment section of the post below, that I figured I'd repost up here so that I could get some input on it.

The question is about what to put on one's title page, copywright info or WGAw or nothing. Whether it's seen as amateurish to do so -- or whether a producer won't read your script if it doesn't have it on it.

I can't speak to the latter, but I can speak to the former -- it always seemed a little amateurish to me, a sign that the newbie writer is trying to validate the script by putting these signs-that-this-is-an-actual-screenplay on the cover. Or that he/she thinks that a producer definitely won't steal their idea because look, there's the WGAw number, but if it's not on there they definitely might swipe it all and your girlfriend too.

Not a break-the-bank, sway-my-opinion-going-in thing. But a sign of an amateur, definitely, because pros don't do this -- and I think a lot of the more experienced amateurs just don't bother.

But I have no idea if a producer would require the scripts be registered before reading the script. I think registering one's script is probably a good idea in general, but I can't speak to anyone in the business requiring you to have that protection and plastering it on your title page.

Title, name, maybe an address, phone number. That's all mine ever have. Though that's just me. I can't say that has helped me or hurt me in any significant way whatsoever.

But if anyone can speak to any aspect of this, feel free to weigh in.

Weekend Box Office #134

2009-05-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

So yeah, big overestimatage on STAR TREK last weekend. Forgot that it's still sort of a cult property -- though $75 million is nothing to sneeze at.

This weekend's big movie is ANGELS & DEMONS, which opens in 3,527. Let's see, factor in Tom Hanks, multiply it by action, divide it by somewhat mediocre reviews (and a somewhat mediocre first film) but boost it a couple of levels because the over-40 crowd might turn out for it and there isn't much else out there for them.

Let's call it $63 million for the weekend. Feel free to toss in your best guess; that one was out of my ass.

Weekend Box Office #133

2009-05-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

So I lobbed a script into the Nicholl Fellowship competition at the last minute, the same one I semi'd with back in 2006, albeit with a few minor tweaks.

Gotta be in it to win it.

*******

This weekend, it's all going to be STAR TREK (3849 theaters). Reviews are solid, and I'll just randomly guess it'll do $100 million for the weekend, $115 million when Thursday night is counted in.

NEXT DAY AIR (1138 theaters). Haven't gotten much real sense of this one yet. Call it $5.2 million.

********

Last weekend, WOLVERINE pounded out a solid $85 million. GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST did an okay $15.4.

BATTLE FOR TERRA sadly tanked with only $1.1 million.

Weekend Box Office #132

2009-05-01T09:14:00.001-07:00

So anyone rushing to get something in for the Nicholl Fellowship, the deadline has been pushed back at least one day, to late May 2.

I have nothing new, though I may lob an old script or two in, just for the heck of it.

*******

Opening this weekend:

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (4099 theaters). It's hard to believe that the online leak is going to hurt this all that much; it's still the kind of movie that a lot of people will want to experience in a theater. Call it $51.1 million for the weekend, though who knows -- it could do a lot less, or a lot more.

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST (3175 theaters). If you think there have been a lot of movies riffing on "A Christmas Carol", you should see how many scripts I've read that do the same thing, that never got made. This one will probably do well enough. $18.7 million.

BATTLE FOR TERRA (1159 theaters). I've met one of the producers, so I hope this does well, but it's very low-profile, and I just don't sense enough wanna-see factor here. $4.0 million.

*****

Last weekend, OBSESSED made $28.6 million. One more reason why Hollywood doesn't think it needs to be all that original any more.

FIGHTING made $11.0 million, and THE SOLOIST only did $9.7 million. So much for serious star vehicles.

EARTH made $8.8 million.

Weekend Box Office #131

2009-04-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Another Friday already. Where does the time go?

OBSESSED (2514 theaters). Yet another iteration of FATAL ATTRACTION, in which we're supposed to believe that anyone would even think of cheating on Beyonce. Still, the specter of Beyonce kicking some white girl's ass will bring in some viewers. Maybe $12.3 million for the weekend.

FIGHTING (2310 theaters). I guess young men have to go see something, and Terrance Howard helps give this some pedigree. Still, it all seems so familiar. $9.1 million.

THE SOLOIST (2024 theaters). The LA Times trashed this movie, but only because the critic knows the character Robert Downey Jr. plays, and couldn't divorce the truth from the movie. Stupid critics. I read the script, and it's okay. Figure $11.7 million.

EARTH (1804 theaters). This opened on Wednesday, and did $4 million, so obviously people are into it. I still think this would have been a cool horror movie title. Figure $10.6 million for the weekend.

*************

Last weekend, 17 AGAIN did a solid $23.7 million. STATE OF PLAY (which I saw, thumbs up) did $14 million. CRANK stumbled in with only $6.9 million.

Contest Season

2009-04-20T07:05:00.001-07:00

For some reason, most of the major contests have their deadlines in the next couple of weeks.

I'm not a huge contest guy, at all. I've submitted to the Nicholl a couple of times, and made the semis in 2006, though that experience was ultimately not all that satisfying: a double-handful of read requests, mostly from managers, that didn't go anywhere.

I submitted to Bluecat, and as chronicled here that was a disaster; when I finally got their vaunted feedback with the script (weeks after it didn't make the next round), it was a rave without a single critical note. Oy.

When I bashed them about it here, they sent me an unhappy e-mail, though they did offer me free entry to their next competition. I didn't take them up on it. Just because I have another eye, doesn't mean I'm going to let them jam their fork in that one too.

But it's contest season again.

The Nicholl semi thing didn't ultimately lead anywhere, but at the same time it does look nice in an e-mail when I'm trying to get someone to read my stuff. It establishes that I'm not a complete noob.

But unless I dust that script off and send it in again, I don't really have anything that's Nicholl-friendly. In the last few years I've written a couple of dark thrillers and a TV pilot, but nothing that is liable to do well in that kind of competition.

It's the TV pilot that I'd like to get out there into the world; it's whining to me about sitting on the shelf all the time.

There aren't all that many contests that cater to TV pilots though. Austin takes specs of existing TV shows, but snubs pilots completely. Nicholl doesn't do TV at all.

There are Scriptapalooza and PAGE, both of which have deadlines coming up soon, and which are both possibles. Anyone have any experience with them?

Share stories here, as well as tales of any other contest experiences, good or bad.

Because it's contest season, and though it's always a longshot, it is one way to be a little proactive with the writing career thing.

Weekend Box Office #130

2009-04-17T11:47:00.001-07:00

So it's fair to say that this blog has slipped into a state of low priority. I just seem to be too busy every day, and not getting nearly enough done.

For those who want more insight into the reading/writing business, dig back into the columns from 2 or 3 years ago, when my mind was springy and I hadn't emptied it.

I'm a bit underwhelmed by this weekend's offerings:

17 AGAIN (3255 theaters). In what universe does Zac Efron grow up to look like Matthew Perry? Do you think that gives Zac nightmares? This movies for young women only, though there may be enough of them to let this do about $16.5 million for the weekend.

STATE OF PLAY (2803 theaters). The interesting thing about Russell Crowe is that his best movies always take place in the past. This one doesn't, and there just isn't anything to really distinguish it. Prediction: $8.3 million for the weekend.

CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE (2223 theaters). The premise is funny, but the quick-cutting, washed out look trailer gave me a headache. Still, it should do about $12.9 million.

*****

Last weekend, HANNAH MONTANA did a solid $32.3 million (ensuring that Miley isn't going away any time soon, for better or worse).

OBSERVE AND REPORT did $11 million. DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION did $4.6 million.

Weekend Box Office #129

2009-04-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

Finally went to the movies last weekend, and saw I LOVE YOU MAN (good) and KNOWING (ultimately didn't quite work).

This weekend's offerings aren't all that tempting:

HANNAH MONTANA (3118 theaters). Her concert movie made a lot of money, but it's going to take a lot of little girls to make this one hit big. Look for it to do about $17.1 million for the weekend.

OBSERVE AND REPORT (2727 theaters). Word on this one is that it's a lot darker than they are selling it as; it could be this generations THE CABLE GUY (which isn't a good thing). Though Seth Rogen has his fans, the hard-R rating (for profanity and non-Seth penis) might knock down the crowds. Call it $15.9 million, and look for it to drop like a stone on its second weekend.

DRAGONBALL Z (2181 theaters). Apparently fans are miffed at all the changes from the manga, including the absense of the main characters' big spiky hair. Oy. $7.4 million.

*******

Last weekend, FAST & FURIOUS made a brain-frying $71 million. ADVENTURELAND only did $5.7 million.

Weekend Box Office #128

2009-04-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

So finally the dust from the move is clearing, and I can focus on paying more attention to this blog.

And, you know, writing. Though I made a choice about a new character in the script I'm working on that I think is going to help me crack the story, finally.

Meanwhile, movies keep coming out:

FAST AND FURIOUS (3462 theaters). It seems really weird to have a titel so incredibly similar to the title of the first film, while no one in the cast has had a hit for a while. Still, apparently it pays off on an action level, and the marketing is working. Prediction $27.4 million for the weekend.

ADVENTURELAND (1862 theaters). This is getting great reviews, so word of mouth might be good, though it's hard to imagine it's going to do huge numbers opening weekend, particularly as a teen movie with much of a cast or story hook (except for TWILIGHT's Kristen Stewart). Figure it'll do about $8.3 million for the weekend, but hold well.

*****

Last weekend, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS did a strong $59.3 million. THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT did a solid $23.0 million. 12 ROUNDS limped in with only $5.3 million.

Weekend Box Office #127

2009-03-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

In the midst of a long tiring move. Moved my mother-in-law into the house, and now we're doing the big furniture move tomorrow.

Meanwhile I have too much stuff. Too many DVDs, too many books, too many scripts, too much writing, too many CDs, too many tapes, too many records.

I still haven't seen anything that opened in 2009 yet. But here is this weekend's action:

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (4104 theaters). Early word is that it's okay, but no Pixar film. The 3-D will help, the high screen count will help. Prediction: $48.9 million for the weekend.

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT (2732 theaters). Creepy commercials will bring people in. $17.3 million for the weekend.

12 ROUNDS (2331 theaters). The commercials are vague, while the LA Times didn't have an ad (or a review) today. $6.8 million.

******

Last weekend, KNOWING did a solid $24.6 million. I LOVE YOU, MAN did $17.8 million. DUPLICITY stiffed a bit with only $14.0 million.

Weekend Box Office #126

2009-03-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Some interesting movies this weekend:

KNOWING (3332 theaters). Has anyone made more bad movies in the past 10 years than Nic Cage? This one at least has an interesting hook, and apparently he doesn't overact. My estimate? $18.2 million for the weekend.

I LOVE YOU, MAN (2711 theaters). They've done a pretty good job of advertising this too. $15.8 million.

DUPLICITY (2574 theaters). Despite being the most grown-up of these three movies, it could sneak into the number one slot. $18.8 million.

******

Last weekend, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN did a solid 24.4 million. LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT did a pretty good $14.1. MISS MARCH only did $2.4 million.

It's a Small World

2009-03-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today, for the second time in a week, I got a script to read from a production company that I gave someone notes on in 2007.

Different production companies, different scripts.

It's nice to see that tales I've helped (to whatever small extent) are circulating. It gives one hope.

And I told both writers -- so if I didn't tell you, no, it wasn't your script.

And yes, my coverage on both scripts will be honest...

Weekend Box Office #125, and also 11,000

2009-03-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

So I wrote my 11,000th piece of paid coverage or notes yesterday. Scary, scary, scary. Not bad for 18 years of doing this.

I wonder what the record is....

*******

I'm going to be moving at the end of the month, renting a house so that my wife's mom can live with us. I think it'll work out. Fingers crossed. Though I hate moving.

*******

I'm trying to bang out 15-20 pages of a new comedy so that I can bring it in to my group of Monday night. I have the basic outlines of a story, but at this point I'm just letting the pages flow, and seeing what comes out.

*******

New in theaters this weekend:

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (3187 theaters). This seems to be getting solid-enough views, while the ads are positioning it well as a family movie that might draw in some young adults as well (the Rock plus aliens plus car chases can only help). Let's guess $26.7 million for the weekend.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2401 theaters). It's a little weird that they are remaking old horror movies that their young target audience has probably never heard of, but what the hell, it's a cool title. $10.9 million.

MISS MARCH (1742 theaters). This just looks rather stupid, without the cast to compensate. $4.1 million.

*******

Last weekend, WATCHMEN did $55.2 million. A little short of my estimate, but not bad.

Weekend Box Office #124 -- Watchmen

2009-03-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

So I apologize for getting lazy on my blog again, and since I'm getting read to move at the end of the month, it may get worse.

Dig deep into the archives if you are bored.

This weekend the only movie opening wide is WATCHMEN (3611 theaters). I was on board with the graphic novel when it first came out (though I'm not really a graphic novel guy), but somewhere along the years since someone borrowed it and never gave it back -- I have no idea who.

It's a great graphic novel, however, and I've heard that's sort of the problem. Fans of it may be disappointed by the movie, while people who haven't read it apparently may be confused by parts of the film. Plus it's about 2 hours 40 minutes long.

Still, my prediction for the weekend: $63.1 million. Because it's escapism, it's a big screen movie, and there isn't much else fresh out there.

****************

Last weekend, MADEA GOES TO JAIL finished number 1, with $16.1 million, even though it dropped over 60%.

THE JONAS BROTHERS only did $12.5 million, just narrowly nosing out SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, which should zoom past $130 million this week. Not bad for a movie that at one point they were considering sending straight to DVD.

STREET FIGHTER limped in with $4.7 million.

Weekend Box Office #123

2009-02-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry this is being posted so late today, but I spent the day at jury service, despite still battling bronchitis.

JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (1271 theaters). Yeah, they pulled Coraline out of most of its 3D theaters to make room for this. There are probably enough screaming girls out there to make this around $15 million for the weekend.

STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI (1136 theaters). It's hard to believe that fans of the game wouldn't simply just play the game. $4.9 million.

******

Last weekend, MADEA GOES TO JAIL made a stunning $41.0 million. Look for it to be #1 again, unless the expanding SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE can pull off a miracle, though probably not.

FIRED UP did only $5.4 million for the weekend.

My Oscar Picks

2009-02-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

Clip this, enter the pool at whatever party you are at. Feel free to tip me if you win.

BEST PICTURE: Slumdog Millionaire
BEST DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle, Slumdog
BEST ACTOR: Sean Penn
BEST ACTRESS: Kate Winslet
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Penelope Cruz
BEST ANIMATED FILM: Wall-E
ANIMATED SHORT: Presto
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Class
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Man On Wire
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Slumdog Millionaire
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Milk

BEST ART DIRECTION: Benjamin Button
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Benjamin Button
COSTUME DESIGN: Revolutionary Road
EDITING: The Dark Knight
SOUND EDITING: Wall-E
SOUND MIXING: The Dark Knight
MAKEUP: Benjamin Button
MUSIC (SCORE): Slumdog Millionaire
MUSIC (SONG): "Jai Ho", Slumdog Millionaire
VISUAL EFFECTS: Benjamin Button

Weekend Box Office #122

2009-02-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

Still sick, still dragging.

This weekend:

TYLER PERRY'S MEDEA GOES TO JAIL (2032 theaters). Typically, this didn't screen for scritics, though these movies always seem to do well despite their quality. $17.2 million for the weekend.

FIRED UP! (1810 theaters). They are advertising the hell out of this, but it doesn't look that great. $8.1 million.