As predicted Christopher Nolans superherocrime-drama epic The Dark Knight has set a new record for the highest opening-weekend box-office earnings in history According to Variety 1583 million was raked in by the Caped Crusader this weekend besting Spider-Man 3s previous record-setting mark by more than 7 million The final tally was 3 million more than early estimates reported by Warner Bros on Sunday The films IMAX draw also outdid Spidey earning an estimated 62 million to claim the best debut ever in the large-screen format Having seen the film in both formats Ill tell you the IMAX experience is a remarkable upgradeThe earnings no doubt benefitted from the nearly unanimous glowing reviews the film received most of which centered on the much-anticipated final performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker Ledgers disturbing sociopathic spin on the character has already created deserved in my mind buzz of a posthumous Oscar nomination a thought echoe
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Rolling out the red black carpet on Monday night, New York City truly became Gotham as the stars of this summer's most talked-about movie, The Dark Knight, stepped out at the film's world premiere. Nearly all in attendance were dressed in the same somber tones of the carpet (presumably as a tribute to the late Heath Ledger, whose portrayal of the Joker is the film's biggest buzz-drawer), but there was still plenty of excitement in the air. While Ledger was on the minds and tongues of many, the stars also chose to use the evening to celebrate the film, which has had those lucky enough to screen it early (myself included) gushing for the past couple of weeks.Michael Caine, who reprises his role as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler Alfred, said the film has an "extraordinary intelligence at work," referring to cowriter/director Christopher Nolan and his epic vision for the sequel to the franchise rebooting Batman Begins. "It's not like the usual cartoon or big blockbuster," Caine said. "All o...
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Send your movie questions to FlickChickThe Illusionist and The Prestige Two Hollywood movies about turn-ofthe-century magicians in one year howd that happen Not that its unusual for competing projects about the same or similar subject matters to go into development but rarely do both stay the course A star drops out financing dries up someone blinks and then theres only one film left This weeks DVD Tuesday pick is The Prestige which isnt to say The Illusionist is a bad movie in fact they make a great double bill But The Prestige has a bracing mean streak that warmed the cockles of my dark dark heart Impoverished cockney Alfred Borden Christian Bale and well-born American Robert Angier Hugh Jackman he uses a pseudonym so as not to embarrass his family once worked together under the tutelage of Harry Cutter Michael Caine a renowned ingeneur or a guy who devises and builds mechanical illusions Both are talented but in completely
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When the visual-effects team for King Kong took to the stage to accept their Oscar earlier this month, they made a point to thank Andy Serkis. It's not very often that actors are cited by visual-effects winners, but then again Serkis is no ordinary actor. For the Lord of the Rings trilogy, he created the voice and movements of the Gollum-Smeagol character. For King Kong, he took on the role of no less than the great ape. TVGuide.com caught up with the Brit for the occasion of Kong's March 28 DVD release to get an idea of exactly what's involved when bringing mythic creatures to life.
TVGuide.com: How did it come about that you are director Pe
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When the visual-effects team for King Kong took to the stage to accept their Oscar earlier this month, they made a point to thank Andy Serkis. It's not very often that actors are cited by visual-effects winners, but then again Serkis is no ordinary actor. For the Lord of the Rings trilogy, he created the voice and movements of the Gollum-Smeagol character. For King Kong, he took on the role of no less than the great ape. TVGuide.com caught up with the Brit for the occasion of Kong's March 28 DVD release to get an idea of exactly what's involved when bringing mythic creatures to life.
TVGuide.com: How did it come about that you are director Pe
read more
