Daily News
News for 02 November 2009
Jacko's "This Is It" proves a real Thriller!

With only one new release scaring up business over the Halloween weekend, the going was not as tough as expected for "Michael Jackson‘s This Is It". On a limited run, although after this morning‘s figures that‘s sure to change, "This Is It" managed to scoop up $32.5 million over a five–day stretch. That was comfortably enough to claim the top spot but will go down as something as a disappointment for the much–hyped concert show.

The main attraction in this week‘s House of Horrors is still, surely, the low budget frightener that is "Paranormal Activity". Last week‘s No. 1 falls one place to 2 and is nearing the $100 million mark! Actually climbing one spot to 3 is the fairly well–received thriller, "Law Abiding Citizen". The Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx–starring vehicle has crawled past the $50 million mark after three weeks on general release. Also reclaiming ground in the Box Office fight is "Couples Retreat". Vince Vaughn‘s guffawing getaway finds itself at number 4 this week. Despite the season for such fare, "Saw VI" has seemingly scared away its audience as Jigsaw falls three places to 5!

Down at 6 this week is the stunningly realised "Where The Wild Things Are" from director Spike Jonze. Falling three places, this adaptation of Maurice Sendak‘s beloved story still managed to get the better of Sony‘s Single White Male, "The Stepfather". The Dylan Walsh–starring effort is down to 7 this week. "Astro Boy", the all–CGI affair based on the popular kids TV show, is finding life almost unbearable in the Chart as it falls once more to 8 having made just $10 million from two weeks.

Having expanded into more theatres, "Amelia", starring Hilary Swank, has climbed three places to 9 following some early Oscar–buzz for its leading lady. And already taking itself out of the equation after just two weeks on release is "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire‘s Assistant", which falls all the way down to 10.
"Roger Rabbit 2" - Zemeckis confirms writers!

Robert Zemeckis must be quite happy with his general lot right now. Soon to be unveiling his 3D, CGI extravaganza, "A Christmas Carol" at the World Premiere in London tomorrow the motion–capture pioneer has been dropping a few hints about his most famous of floppy–eared friends. Alongside "Carol" star Bob Hoskins the duo have commented that a pair of screenwriters are now in the mix for "Roger Rabbit 2"!

So, who are these scribes? Enter Messrs Peter Seaman and Jeffrey Price, the guys behind the original "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and who have now been tasked with the tough proposition of following–on from the cherished ‘toon.

Zemeckis, a leading proponent of performance capture, has been keeping his cards close to the chest in terms of how he‘ll be taking this one on. Will he be mixing traditional 2D animation with the more high–tech performance capture process to deliver something entirely new? We‘ll have to wait and see!