Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
District 9 touches down
| Entertainment
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
Entertainment
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Film
Music
People
Television
Arts
Industry
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
"District 9" touches down
Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:01pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
By Carl DiOrio
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Five wide releases hitting theaters in mid-August smack of inventory-clearing, yet one of the pictures could become a late-summer sleeper hit and another could reap solid counter-programing business.
A well-received promo event at Comic-Con stoked prerelease buzz on the sci-fi actioner "District 9," and early reviews for the Peter Jackson-produced film have been fervid.
Directed by Neill Blomkamp -- a South African commercials veteran getting his first feature credit -- Sony's R-rated pic is tracking best with male youngsters, and a debut north of $25 million looks likely.
"It's a picture that will open well and then can continue to broaden," Sony distribution president Rory Bruer said. "It's got a lot of facets to it. On the surface it's a science fiction picture, but it's more. The movie has a lot of heart."
Based on Blomkamp's film short "Alive in Joburg," "District 9" was shot in Johannesburg and tells the story of extraterrestrials who become refugees in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. bows the literary adaptation "The Time Traveler's Wife," starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, with the intent of capturing women out to avoid "District 9."
Tracking shows strong interest in the romantic fantasy among younger and older women alike, thanks to Audrey Niffenegger's best-selling novel of the same name.
"That's what sets it apart," Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said.
Elsewhere among the wide openers, Summit Entertainment has modest aims for the high school comedy "Bandslam," starring Disney alumna Vanessa Hudgens. The picture should gross into the lower double-digit millions based on decent interest among teens and tweens.
Paramount opens the R-rated comedy "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard," starring Jeremy Piven and Ving Rhames, amid soft prerelease interest, suggesting a bow in the mid- to high single-digit millions.
And Disney sends out its English-dubbed version of "Ponyo" from Japanese animation king Hayao Miyazaki with 800-plus playdates. The English voice cast for "Ponyo" includes Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Tina Fey and 9-year-old Noah Cyrus, as a goldfish aspiring to become human, in her first feature role.
Despite its barely wide theater count, a sum in the mid- to high single-digit millions seems doable for the family fantasy. "Ponyo" was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Mermaid."
Limited releases this weekend include Sony Pictures Classics' musical documentary "It Might Get Loud," starring guitar heroes Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White. The Davis Guggenheim-directed film is set for seven playdates.
(Editing by DGoodman at Reuters)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Guitar heroes in tune for "Loud" music documentary
Also On Reuters
Newsmaker: Obama's "Pay Czar" works for free
Commentary: Bloomberg and America’s guns
Blog: Who is funding the Afghan Taliban?
More Entertainment News
Legendary guitarist, inventor Les Paul dies, age 94
Toronto fest adds Portman, Bening films to lineup
Guitar heroes in tune for "Loud" music documentary
"Rings" director Peter Jackson moves on to "District 9"
Polish nationalists blast planned Madonna concert
More Entertainment News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
Blackstone's Schwarzman tops U.S. CEO payroll: study
Air controller with link to crash in NY suspended
Fox News' "Glenn Beck" loses advertisers
U.S. tests system to break foreign Web censorship
U.S. economy still shaky; France, Germany show life | Video
Mystery deepens over disappearing merchant ship
Nude drunk loses way in hotel
Chinese learn credit card perils the hard way
Auto inventories tight, U.S. "clunker" interest slips
As U.S. health row rages, many seek care in Mexico
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Health care hurting Obama
Browsing rather than shopping
Gates: Afghan security mixed
Under fire in Iraq
Paris pool bans muslim Burkini
Blaze rages in northern California
Outrage over reported bomber release
French woman held in Iran spy trial
Taiwan air rescue
Town halls gone wild
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Labs |
Journalism Handbook |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Friday, 14 August 2009 Suicide bombers kill 18 in northern Iraq
Teenager kills parents, brothers in Corsica
Zune HD in stores in September
Karzai rival tells huge crowd Afghan race not over
| International
|
Double suicide bombing kills more than 20 in Iraq
US retail sales' surprise dip clouds recovery
Fidel Castro turns 83 with economy on his mind
| International
|
Some Iran detainees were tortured to death
Violence threatens Afghan polling stations: officials
18 killed in Iraq suicide bombing
Chocolate 'cuts death rate' in heart attack survivors
UN expert receives claims of prison abuse in Iran
U.N. experts deplore alleged torture of inmates in Iran
Suicide bombers kill 18 in northern Iraq
| International
|
Israel dragnet on report Palestinians grab soldier
| International
|
Microsoft prices Zune HD below iPod
| Technology
|
Obama to attend APEC conference in Singapore
Hotel puts partial blame on victim in 2006 rape
Asian Web connections set to resume by end of Thursday
| Technology
|
1 killed, 2 injured in Detroit police chase
Utah paper rejects same-sex wedding announcement
FAA, air traffic controllers agree on new contract
'Death to Obama' sign holder in Md. detained
American service member killed in Afghanistan
Karzai orders Afghan forces election cease-fire
Priest's anti-gang program in budget crisis
Poll: Pakistanis oppose Taliban, still revile US
Happy birthday, Abe _ here's a shiny new penny
China chemical plant explosion kills at least 3
7 plead not guilty to slaying Fla. couple at home
Marine mission to protect Afghans slows progress
Pakistan pounds Taliban commander's bases, 12 die
LA man convicted of mom's murder freed from prison
Taiwan deploys extra troops, anger over rescue grows
Taiwanese hauled to safety across raging river
Pakistan helicopter gunships kill 11 Taliban
India, Southeast Asian bloc sign free trade deal
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $11.85 bln
Legendary guitarist, inventor Les Paul dies, age 94
| Entertainment
|
Rings director Peter Jackson moves on to District 9
| Entertainment
|
Mike Tyson says in denial over daughter's death
| Entertainment
|
Jackson estate expected to balloon by $200 million
| Entertainment
|
Character actor John Quade dies at 71
Indonesia police find new bomb cache
Dan Tyminski Band leads bluegrass nominees
Pop star Teddy Afro freed from jail in Ethiopia
| Entertainment
|
`Mortgage Meltdown' tackles housing market slump
Jackson's glittery moonwalk glove to be auctioned
Organizers drop plan to change Emmys format
| Entertainment
|
Maoists' fall brings Miss Nepal back to life
Israelis, Palestinians play Beethoven's 'Fidelio' in Salzburg
Decline in Asian travel seen slowing: Abacus
German fashion label Escada declares bankruptcy
Spain approves pay digital TV
A cup of tea really does help in a crisis: study
Israeli military says all troops accounted for
11 killed in attack in Russia's Dagestan region: reports
Karzai rival tells huge crowd Afghan race not over
| International
|
IE 8 is Microsoft's champion in browser wars
Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada
Troop rise in Afghanistan still option for US: Gates
US study uncovers powerful anti-cancer compound
Taiwan leader says more than 500 dead in typhoon
| International
|
Volkswagen, Porsche seal merger deal: companies
U.S. video game sales down 29 percent in July: report
Climate change fueling forest fires in Europe: Greenpeace
IMF provides $250 bln cushion against global crisis
Microsoft courts Macintosh business crowd
Iran candidate says prisoners tortured to death
Exploding iPhone incident follows iPod reports
N.Korea says door always open to U.S. for talks
| International
|
112 jobs cut at San Diego newspaper
EU strengthens Myanmar sanctions over Suu Kyi trial
| International
|
Seven women shot dead in Russian sauna
| International
|
18 killed in Iraq suicide bombing
Les Paul, guitar revolutionary, dies at 94: company
Asian Web connections set to resume by end of Thursday
Australia PM says no intention to call snap poll
| International
|
Germany, France lead march out of recession
U.S. to resume training Georgian army
| International
|
U.S. video game sales down 29 percent in July: report
| Technology
|
Deadline for U.S. broadband grants, loans extended
| Technology
|
Asian Web connections set to resume by end of Thursday
| Technology
|
Senior China official calls for social stability
Microsoft, Nokia form alliance to rival RIM
| Technology
|
Bill Clinton: GOP promotes fear over health care
Taiwan leader says more than 500 dead in typhoon
Runaway Christian convert claims life is in danger
Hyundai boss extends NKorea visit after worker freed
Several wildfires scorch Calif. as thousands flee
UN fails to agree tough response to Suu Kyi verdict
San Francisco area rail union sets Monday strike
Australia PM says no intention to call snap poll
U.S. to resume training Georgian army
Indian teen shines, Austrian pair leave in fear
U.S. sees growing backing for N.Korea sanctions
Defense gives judge murderer's written confession
Controversial Internet filter optional, says top Chinese official
Obama's aunt: The president was born in Hawaii
Lee and Kiradech share Queen's Cup lead
17 indicted in San Diego murder-kidnap ring
US defends plan to use Colombian military bases
New lead limits big concern for small businesses
SKorea court convicts ex-Samsung boss over bond deals
District 9 touches down
| Entertainment
|
Korean Air swings to net profit in Q2
Toronto fest adds Portman, Bening films to lineup
| Entertainment
|
Guitar heroes in tune for Loud music documentary
| Entertainment
|
Offshore holdings of NZ govt debt fell in July
Online news venture says over 500 publications sign up
Taiwan dollar up for 2nd straight day on stock gains
Polish nationalists blast planned Madonna concert
| Entertainment
|
President: Indonesia must unite against terrorism
Korean Air swings to Q2 net profit, misses f'cast
Indonesia president
Seoul shares rise as techs, banks advance
Writer McQuarrie tapped for Wolverine sequel
| Entertainment
|
Meat Loaf, Ace Frehley to lead rock fantasy camp
| Entertainment
|
S.Korean bonds rebound on weak U.S. data
Mariah Carey returns to studio, delays album again
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares rise after U.S. gains, N.Korea news
WRAPUP 1-NZ retail sales post first rise in 2 years in Q2
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Toronto fest adds Portman, Bening films to lineup
Timor gears up for gruelling cycle race challenge
Jeremy Piven can't sell "The Goods"
Meat Loaf, Ace Frehley to lead rock fantasy camp
Scientists link gene to time spent sleeping
Aerosmith cancels summer tour after Tyler's fall
Burger beefs up business at Montana restaurant
NBC's `Meet the Press' retakes Sunday lead
Polish nationalists blast planned Madonna concert
Reformers call for probe of Iran supreme leader
Merkel, Medvedev meet on struggling German firms
Libyan drops second appeal over Lockerbie bombing
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Vote school for illiterate Afghans
Eurozone prices mark record fall in July: EU
Asian-backed consortium eyes British Land deal: report
Medvedev rules out better ties with Ukraine's leader
| International
|
Medvedev, Merkel talk economy, human rights
| International
|
Recession-hit Spain sees drop in migrants
| International
|
Palestinian Fatah elects new party assembly
| International
|
CORRECTED: Medvedev, Merkel condemn Chechnya killings
| International
|
Somalia tells all visitors to seek government approval
| International
|
Remote Russian region builds on billionaire's legacy
| International
|
Hardline Iran cleric urges tough stance on detainees
| International
|
Gingrich & Sharpton work with Duncan on education
Lockerbie bomber drops appeal against conviction: lawyers
Clinton: US sent 'tough love' message to Africa
U.S. senator in Myanmar, may meet junta leader
SC Gov. Sanford goes to Fla. for reserve duty
2 rockets fired at Kabul airport; no casualties
Residents on edge as 9 women vanish from NC city
China 'sacks nuclear chief' over graft probe
U.S. business welcomes Obama export control review
| Technology
|
HK finds 2nd Tamiflu-resistant swine flu case
Archie-Veronica wedding story line irks collector
Indonesian leader defiant in face of 'assassination' plot
The Nation's Weather
In India swine flu panic spreads faster than virus
China executes ex-lawmaker for rape, gang crimes
Family to bury remains of lost pilot in Fla.
Hong Kong emerges from recession
States shelving US Capitol statues for new models
S. Korean firm to open major dog cloning centre
Police say avalanche in New Zealand kills 1 skier
S.Korean court convicts ex-Samsung boss
Hong Kong recession ends as economy grows 3.3 pct
Korean Air notches net profit in second quarter
Typhoon disrupts Asia Internet, telephone service
Man Group sells MF Global stake to Japan's Nomura
Chinese carrier in talks with Apple on iPhone
Court says ex-Samsung boss guilty over bond deal
SKorean festival to honor HK director Johnnie To
Archie-Veronica wedding story line irks collector
Hong Kong economy grew in 2Q, ending recession
China sacks nuclear chief over graft probe: report
In divided Lebanon, farmers' market a model of unity
Late-night wars heat up in countdown to Leno
| Entertainment
|
Late-night wars heat up in countdown to "Leno"
Writer McQuarrie tapped for "Wolverine" sequel
Ahead of the curve: US kid embarks on good news dream
Latest 'Big Brother' houseguest dropped
Paris penthouses for busy bees
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights