Box Office Report: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana's 'The Words' Leading Soft Weekend

The CBS Films drama is poised to gross between $6 and $7.5 million in its debut; Henry Cavill action pic "In the Light of the Cold Day" lands even softer with possible $2 million opening.

TORONTO -- Bradley Cooper-Zoe Saldana drama The Words is holding an edge over the competition at the Friday box office, but it remains to be seen whether it can edge past holdover The Possession for the weekend.

Early numbers suggest The Words could open in the $6 million to $7.5 million range, compared to $6 million to $6.5 million forPossession, which over-performed for Lionsgate last weekend with a $21.1 million debut.

CBS Films acquired domestic rights to The Words for $2 million at the Sundance Film Festival in January and expects it to play heavily to older females, possibly portending solid legs.

In the movie, Cooper plays a writer who pays the price for stealing someone else's work. Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal make their feature directorial debut with The Words, which also starsOlivia Wilde, Jeremy Irons, Ben Barnes and Dennis Quaid.

The weekend's other wide opener is Henry Cavill action pic Inthe Cold Light of Day, which could only reach $2 million in its debut. Summit and co-financing partner Intrepid Pictures had limited financial exposure on the film, between Spanish production rebates and foreign presales.

Directed by Mabrouk El Mechri, Cold Light of Day follows a man whose family is kidnapped by intelligence agents during a weeklong sailing vacation in Spain. The agents are hellbent on recovering a mysterious briefcase, and the husband and father soon finds himself on the run.

Cold Light of Day, also starring Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Echegui and Bruce Willis, cost in the $20 million to $30 million range. Intrepid's Trevor Macy and Marc D. Evans produced.

Cooper and Willis also have high-profile films playing at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival, which got underway Thursday night with the world premiere of Rian Johnson's Looper, starring Willis opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Cooper stars in two films playing at the festival during the next week: Silver Linings Playbook and The Place Beyond the Pines, which premiered Friday night.

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The Words - Review

In The Words, Bradley Cooper is a writer who has spent years trying to find his voice. He has submitted several manuscripts to publishers and although they are encouraged by his talent, Cooper has failed to sell one book.

Then, on a trip to Paris with his wife (Zoe Saldana), she buys him a tattered leather satchel to use for his work. She hopes it will inspire him to carry his prose to awaiting publishing houses. 

What’s inside the bag will set off a moral dilemma as old as time itself. 

Once home, the happy couple go on with their lives with reality showing its face. Cooper needs to get a job and finds one working the mail room at a publisher. His disdain is clear, but he knows it may be possible to still make it as an author working around the people who make such dreams happen. 

At nights he works on his book. Yet, success continues to elude him. Then, The Words hits its astute question: If no one knew -- or could know -- that you did something wrong… would you still do it? 

Late one frustrating night, Cooper finally pulls out the satchel and inspects it. Inside he finds a manuscript. Not just any manuscript, but filmmakers would have us believe this is something as earth shattering as anything Hemingway or Fitzgerald composed. In an effort to feel what it’s like to write something so powerful, he writes it on his computer, word for word. 

The film never suggests that Cooper had planned to do anything else with the story other use it as an exercise of “writing” a great book. When Saldana finds the work on his computer, he is greeted one evening by a woman filled with tears launched by the brilliance that she believes her husband has crafted. So taken with her reaction, it happens: Cooper passes it off as his own. 

He shows it to an agent at work, they immediately sign him and he becomes an overnight literary sensation. 

As so eloquently laid out in The Words trailer, the film raises many questions. This is a forty-plus year old manuscript. Surely no one will miss it? Or will they? Jeremy Irons shows up after Cooper accepts an esteemed literary award. The Words are in fact… his.

Director Brian Klugman has crafted a film that if it stuck to the story outlined above, it would be utterly brilliant. Unfortunately, interwoven with that story is a narrative with Dennis Quaid who we’re told early on is himself an author. He is narrating a story of his own while Cooper’s tale plays out. It is a confusing plot device and regrettably is a complete distraction. 

It is truly sad because within The Words there is a fantastic film. It’s just not the one presented to audiences. Although Saldana is underused, Cooper is outstanding weaving nuances of emotional resonance throughout his performance. The Hangover star shows his acting mettle. He especially illustrates his talent in scenes where he goes head to head with Irons, who is as always astounding. 

Sticking to the storyline of Cooper and Irons, our The Words review would say that the film is a winner. We adore Quaid, but his element to this morality tale is completely unnecessary. If it can be overlooked, the other aspects of the film are so strikingly strong, audiences could still enjoy the ride.

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Movie Review: Bachelorette

With Bridesmaids scene-stealer Rebel Wilson as the bride whose wedding gets her lifelong friends together for a bachelorette party and next day nuptials, one would think it was her chance to shine. She plays a big enough part, but as the Bachelorette trailer shows off, the film is firmly Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan’s.

The trio gets together for the first time since high school and each has differing views of what this Bachelorette night should hold. Wilson wants something mellow, but Fisher, Dunst and Caplan are having none of that. Equipped with drugs, a hired stripper and an almost insatiable desire to consume alcohol, the three wind up ending Wilson’s last night as a single woman prematurely. 

That doesn’t mean our comic threesome is finished. 

It could be difficult to appreciate the three lead actresses for their work in the film. That is largely due to the utter lack of affinity the audience can have with their characters. They are not the nicest people in the world by a long shot. But, in the hands of these talented women, we cannot look away as the night gets quickly out of hand. 

Bachelorette is like Bridesmaids and The Hangover had a child. The film not only shows that women can have crass fun, but still maintain their affinity for each other that is at the heart of what drives most films with large female casts. 

This is a movie to celebrate the talents of the three leads. But, it is Dunst who rises above them all. Her characterization is one for the ages. She manages to be an all-out evil person, but tosses around her bitchery solely for the good of her bride and her fellow bridesmaids. After her stirring turn in Melancholia last year (that should have resulted in an Oscar nomination for her), Movie Fanatic is excited to see where this next chapter of a talented actress’ career heads. 

Meanwhile, Fisher delivers on so many fronts. She has crafted a character that is simultaneously endearing, electric and very much driven by an ego of what she thinks she should be. And let’s not forget our bride, Wilson. Although her role is minor, it’s easy to see why she has been garnering so much buzz and we cannot wait to see more of her in the upcoming Pitch Perfect. 

Writer-director Leslye Headland has produced this film based on her stage play. Our Bachelorette review can easily see the film’s origins in theater as the characters are so flushed out. That is exactly why such unlikeable people can be individuals that an audience will go along for a ride with hoping that they will, to paraphrase the famous song… “Make it to the church on time.”

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Do You Want Khloe Kardashian To Host The X Factor?

Faced with new competition from The Voice and in need of a ratings splash, The X Factor is reportedly close to giving control of its stage over to a Kardashian.
Indeed, not only is Khloe a candidate, TMZ confirms from a previous rumor, she's the competition's front-runner for female hosting duties!

The X Factor is expected to name one female and one male host, and sources say Khloe's recent screen test impressed Simon Cowell and other producers.
Along with new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, show insiders believe Kardashian would help lure in fresh, young viewers. One person in the know tells TMZ "there's at least an 85% chance" Khloe is named co-host.
A decision is needed in the near future, as The X Factor will need hosts in place when it goes live next month. (Season 2 premieres over two nights, September 12 and 13, next week.)


Do you want to see Khloe Kardashian as X Factor host?

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Jim Carrey joined movie Kick-Ass 2!

Jim Carrey was a name that was recently rumored to join the cast and production of the upcoming Kick-Ass 2, but you know what? I dismissed it. Casting rumors, especially Jim Carrey casting rumors, are fickle and can’t be trusted without binding contracts. I’m still taking this name with a grain of salt until someone’s grandmother appears with his social security card and photo ID to testify to this agreement, (old Dave Chappelle joke), but this one seems like it might just really happen. The news comes to us courtesy of twitter, where else, and seems to imply that it’s a done deal.

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You’re next Joker, Michael Emerson : Introducing

Michael Emerson, yes Linus, has just been added as one of the voices for the upcoming Frank Miller adaptation for “The Dark Knight Returns” which will be a 2 part DC Animated movie release with Emerson’s character being the focus in the 2nd half. Emerson joins a revered list of names that have portrayed the character on screen and seems pretty excited about the casting.

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First photo shoot of actor Chris Pine as Jack Ryan

I’m not sure how I feel about this next film in ‘The Jack Ryan’ film franchise. It’s an interesting character who is often times exciting but I just don’t have that affinity for him as I do, say, James Bond. I’m intrigued by this new film based on the character but I’m relying mostly on my affinity for good casting with potentially great stories, with proper credit due to this film seeing Kenneth Branaugh pulling in double duty as the films’ villain as well as director making this his first film since last year’s “Thor”. So without further wait I present to you the first images from the film starring Chris Pine as Jack Ryan:

His bike is KINDA cool looking. It’s not as cool as James Bond’s bike. We’ll see Jack Ryan, we’ll see…

Jack Ryan comes out Christmas 2013.

Via: Empire Online

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Latest poster of “Killing Them Softly” is pretty patriotic

I have a weird fascination with this “Killing Them Softly” movie. Sure I at least give a look to anything that has Brad Pitt’s name attached to it but then add James Gandolfini and new DVD-mob-guy-all-star Ray Liotta to the film and you have something that deserves more than a simple glimpse. Oh, and I hear this Andrew Dominik guy who’s directing is pretty neat too. A new poster for his latest movie is online and features the unexpected sense of patriotism not expected from this film. It’s an election year, so yeah.

“In America You’re On Your Own”? How is this different from any other country? I’m not sure what to think of the tagline but I completely like the imagery in the poster itself. It’s a little typical but it just happens to be perfect for what it is. September 21st is soon approaching so we won’t have to wait much longer to see if the hype for this movie is justified…

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Movie Trailer: “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters”

Way back in the month of September in the year 2010 we once discovered an untold tale about the brother sister duo of children story fame featuring a matured pair in the further adventures in the fight of eradicating wicked witches across the world. Seriously. A modernized take on a children’s story isn’t anything new and has been exercised this year to varying degrees of success and the idea of have Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner cast as Gretel and Hansel respectively seems like an interesting enough prospect, right? The film was created and after a good market analysis the decision was made to delay the release of the film to allow Renner some more face-time and fame by first participating in Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, The Avengers, and The Bourne Legacy. Something tells me this mighta been a smart business move. Well the movie is gearing up to finally release in theaters this January and to drum up hype for the film the first international trailer has been released and is available:

I’m not overly impressed with the trailer. Sure it has some decent looking monsters and the requisite “bad ass” motif but something about it just seems “off” to me. Like Van Helsing off. I know I can be completely wrong about this but watching this trailer gave me the impression that there’s more reasons to the delay just then gaining further Renner notoriety. The other positive things to mention are the casting of the great Peter Stormare and Famke Janssen as the sheriff and an evil witch. What do you think, am I reading too much into this? Does this trailer impress you? I’m open to debate in the comments.

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Academy Award nominee Michael Clarke Duncan dies at the age 54

With the death of Tony Scott not far behind us, another tragedy has hit Hollywood. After being hospitalized since July after suffering a heart attack, Michael Clarke Duncan was pronounced dead on Monday September 3 at the age of 54. He had never fully recovered from his heart attack in July and had been continually battling but eventually it just became too much for him to handle.

Duncan was a towering figure at 6-foot-4 with a well known, powerfully deep voice, but despite these attributes, he was not the person everyone would expect. Unlike many of us who play it safe and fall into a role that society says we fit into, Duncan chose the opposite. While unsurprisingly working as a bodyguard, Duncan saw himself as more than just muscle and in his 30s decided to start his acting career. After a variety of small typecast roles, he landed the role of John Coffey alongside Tom Hanks in “The Green Mile.” With a build fit for an action star, he did what most action stars could not when he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the film. Following this film he did not receive roles that gave him opportunities to pursue the award again but his presence in each film was difficult not to notice. I personally loved his comedic side in “The Whole Nine Yards” alongside Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis, followed by a role in “Sin City” and then lending his well known deep voice to a variety of roles to follow.

Besides his roles, Michael Clarke Duncan just seemed like a genuinely happy guy. While scouring the internet and reading the various reports on his death, the pictures of him without a smile on his face were scarce. In fact, in every picture I saw he had more than just a happy grin on his face, it was an excitingly joyful smile that seemed to be almost to the point of laughter. In addition, he was also a believer in animal rights and despite being such a muscle bound man, he threw out $5000 worth of meat in his home to become a vegetarian…and still managed to stay in that shape. Many spoke out about his passing with very kind words about who he was as a person, take a look below at what others had to say.

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