Manny The Movie Guy

"Man of Steel" Triumphs with $125 Million Opening!

Manny — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:34:26 GMT

It's quite super!

"Man of Steel" vanquished competition with $113 million to come out as the No. 1 movie in America and the world! Add $12 million from Thursday screenings and Zack Snyder's reboot of our favorite superhero had a domestic total of $125 million.

The film, starring Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russell Crowe as Jor-El, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Ma and Pa Kent, and Michael Shannon as the big bad General Zod, also flew on top of the international market with $71.6 million showing in 24 territories including the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. "Man of Steel" is set to get more international markets next week when it opens in 27 more territories including Russia and China.

"Man of Steel" beat the last Superman movie, "Superman Returns" with Brandon Routh. That flick debuted with $52.6 million in 2006. From a collaboration between Snyder and writer/producer Christopher Nolan, "Man of Steel" also became June's biggest opening, stealing Disney/Pixar's previous record, "Toy Story 3's" $110.3 million debut in 2010.

Another big movie that opened last weekend was Seth Rogen's Hollywood apocalyptic comedy "This is the End." Starring Rogen, James Franco, and Jonah Hill as versions of themselves, "This is the End" debuted with $20.5 million with a domestic total of $32.8 million since opening last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Summit's "Now You See Me" continued to dazzle at the box-office. The magician crime thriller placed at No.3 with $10.3 million for a box-office total of $80 million. Universal's "Fast & Furious 6" was at No. 4 with $9.4 million and "The Purge" landed in the fifth spot with $8.2 million.

So "Man of Steel" dominated the box-office, so here's the big question -- will we finally see more DC movies? Perhaps a "Justice League" flick? Maybe "Wonder Woman?" According to Snyder when I interviewed him for "Man of Steel," he said, if the film do good business, we may see some trickle down effect. And we just might!

Here's the Top 10 box-office films for the weekend of June 14th:

1. "Man of Steel," $113 million ($71.6 million international).

2. "This Is the End," $20.5 million.

3. "Now You See Me," $10.3 million ($15.6 million international).

4. "Fast & Furious 6," $9.4 million ($20 million international).

5. "The Purge," $8.2 million ($2.4 million international).

6. "The Internship," $7 million ($5.1 million international).

7. "Epic," $6 million ($8.1 million international).

8. "Star Trek: Into Darkness," $5.6 million ($17 million international).

9. "After Earth," $3.7 million ($24 million international).

10. "Iron Man 3," $2.9 million ($1 million international).

Your Weekend at the Movies -- "Man of Steel" and "This is The End"

Manny — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:48:53 GMT

Two big films are flying into theaters this weekend. And they're both quite super! First, we have "This is the End" from co-writer/co-director Seth Rogen. It's a truly original movie with the actors playing themselves -- it examines Hollywood in the midst of a catastrophe. But it's freaking funny! Go watch it.

And then we have, "Man of Steel" from director Zack Snyder (�300,� �Watchmen�) and co-writer/executive producer Christopher Nolan (�The Dark Knight� trilogy) aims to reinvigorate the Superman franchise. Henry Cavill puts on the red cape as Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent. Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Michael Shannon (General Zod), Laurence Fishburne (Perry White), Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Diane Lane (Ma Kent), and Kevin Costner (Pa Kent) co-star. Is �Man of Steel� a heroic adventure? Take a look:

Henry Cavill Talks About �Man of Steel,� the Influence of Russell Crowe, and Being Superman

Manny — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:51:44 GMT

Ladies listen up! Henry Cavill is as hot in person as our favorite man of steel! He also embodies Superman like you�ve never seen him before! So watch �Man of Steel� when it comes out on June 14th. It�s from director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan. Co-starring are Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Michael Shannon (General Zod), Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent), and Diane Lane (Martha Kent). In this interview, we talked about:

*** Why he�s perfect as Superman
*** The genesis of how he became Superman
*** How did he prepare to be the man of steel � training and character-wise
*** Superman, the character
*** His relationships with both his parents in the film � Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner
*** How Russell Crowe inspired him to strive to become an actor!
*** Is he ready to take flight as one of the biggest stars this summer?

Amy Adams (Lois Lane) Interview for �Man of Steel!� I Love Her!

Manny — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:50:13 GMT

Amy Adams is a sweetheart! I love love love her! Not only is she a fantastic actress, she�s also down-to-earth and humble with an edge much like her character Lois Lane in the new movie �Man of Steel.� Henry Cavill is, of course, our man of steel aka Superman and co-starring are Michael Shannon (General Zod), Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent), and Diane Lane (Martha Kent). Make sure you watch �Man of Steel� on Friday, June 14th.

In this interview, we talked about:

*** What was her inspiration for playing Lois Lane?
*** This is her third time trying to play the role of Lois Lane � what�s the attraction?
*** The film�s humanity and Henry Cavill as Superman
*** Once upon a time, I interviewed Amy Adams in �Enchanted,� since then she has catapulted into one of the best actresses of this generation
*** What power would she want?

Director Zack Snyder Interview for �Man of Steel� and Talks About Justice League and Christopher Nolan

Manny — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:48:42 GMT

I love interviewing director Zack Snyder! He�s always animated and full of action, just like most of his movies! I�ve talked to him before for �Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga�Hoole� and �Sucker Punch� and boy oh boy, the director hasn�t changed, even though he�s been submerged inside Superman�s world for months and months!

�Man of Steel� is produced by Christopher Nolan and stars Henry Cavill in the lead role. Co-starring are Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Michael Shannon (General Zod), Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Jonathan Kent), and Diane Lane (Martha Kent).

In this interview, we talked about:

*** How does he feel that �Man of Steel� is about to descend into theaters near you
*** Why �Man of Steel� is the most realistic movie he�s made
*** The influence of Christopher Nolan in making �Man of Steel�
*** What�s the most challenging aspect in making �Man of Steel?�
*** The cast of �Man of Steel�
*** Will �Justice League� movie ever happen?

Antje Traue Talks About �Man of Steel� and Her Fierce Faora-UI

Manny — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:46:38 GMT

Antje Traue is fierce and kick-ass as Faora-UI, the female sidekick of the big bad General Zod (Michael Shannon) in the new film we�ve all been waiting for, �Man of Steel� from director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan. Henry Cavill is our man of steel aka Superman and Amy Adams in our Lois Lane. Russell Crowe (Jor-El), Kevin Costner (Papa Jonathan Kent), and Diane Lane (Mama Martha Kent) co-star.

In �Man of Steel,� there�s a great action piece I dearly call the Battle in Smallville that Traue is a big part of. How did she prepare for that? How did she get the part? What superpower does she want? Take a look at my fun interview with Antje Traue for �Man of Steel.�

My Fun Interviews with Dave Franco and Isla Fisher Part 2 -- Franco Says He Loves Me HA!

Manny — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 00:00:45 GMT

I love talking to Dave Franco and Isla Fisher. I met them 3 weeks ago in New Orleans for the press junket of �Now You See Me� but when Summit asked me if I want to interview them again, this time via satellite, I immediately said yes! Of course! I had a great time talking to them before and now I want to ask them about the positive reception that �Now You See Me� has been receiving. Heck, it even beat the King of Summer himself, Will Smith�s �After Earth.� (video below)

If you haven�t seen �Now You See Me� yet, Franco and Fisher are members of the Four Horsemen � a group of magicians who steal from the rich to give to the poor. Franco plays a card expert while Fisher is an escape artist. Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine co-star.

In this interview, we talked about:

*** What do they think of the film�s positive reception from fans?
*** Their characters
*** What magical power would they want to have?

Oh yeah, Franco says he loves me too! HA!

�The Purge� & �The Internship� Movie Reviews -- Which One is My Pick of the Week?

Manny — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:19:35 GMT

Two big films are opening this weekend, we have the thriller �The Purge� and the comedy �The Internship.� From the producer of �Sinister� and �Paranormal Activity,� �The Purge� stars Ethan Hawke as a family man who makes a killing selling home security systems. But his family�s security is threatened when they are held hostage during the purge � a 12-hour time period that happens once a year when the government allows crimes to happen. This is America 2022.

And then we have �The Internship.� Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are reunited again for this new comedy from director Shawn Levy (�Real Steel,� �Night at the Museum� films). They play salesmen who lost their jobs and are forced to be interns at Google. Is �The Internship� funnier than �Wedding Crashers?� Find out!

So Long Esther Williams -- Million Dollar Mermaid Dead at 91

Manny — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:52:49 GMT

Esther Williams, the bathing beauty who tantalized Hollywood in the aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 19402 and 19502 has died. She was 91. According to her longtime publicist, Harlan Boll, the swimming champion turned actress known as the Million Dollar Mermaid died early Thursday in her sleep. Awww.

So long Ms. Williams and thanks for the Technicolor dreams!

Here's more info on Williams' life from Wiki:

Esther Jane Williams (August 8, 1921 � June 6, 2013)[1][2] was an American competitive swimmer and MGM movie actress.

Williams set multiple national and regional swimming records in her late teens as part of the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team. Unable to compete in the 1940 Summer Olympics because of the outbreak of World War II, she joined Billy Rose's Aquacade, where she took on the role vacated by Eleanor Holm after the show's move from New York City to San Francisco.

While in the city, she spent five months swimming alongside Olympic gold medal winner and Tarzan star, Johnny Weissmuller.[3] It was at the Aquacade that Williams caught the attention of MGM scouts. After appearing in several small roles, alongside Mickey Rooney in an Andy Hardy film, and future five time co-star Van Johnson in A Guy Named Joe, Williams made a series of films in the 1940s and early 1950s known as "aquamusicals", which featured elaborate performances with synchronized swimming and diving.

From 1945 to 1949, Williams had at least one film listed among the 20 highest grossing films of the year.[4][5][6][7][8] In 1952, Williams appeared in her only biographical role, as Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman in Million Dollar Mermaid, which would go on to become her nickname while at MGM.[9] Williams left MGM in 1956 and appeared in a handful of unsuccessful feature films, followed by several extremely popular water-themed television specials, including one from Cypress Gardens, Florida.

Following her retirement from film in the 1960s, Williams became a businesswoman, and lent her name to a line of swimming pools and retro swimwear, instructional swimming videos for children, and serving as a commentator for synchronized swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Here's a trailer from one of Williams' signature movies, "The Million Dollar Mermaid"

Is Gwen Stacy Going to Die in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2?"

Manny — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:44:59 GMT

This is what's getting fanboys and fangirls talking! New photos from the New York set of "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" raised speculations about the fate of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) in the upcoming 2014 sequel.

In the Marvel Comics comic book series The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 (June-July 1973), there was a story arc called "The Night Gwen Stacy Died." During a fight between our Spidey (played in the film series by Andrew Garfield) and his nemesis, Green Goblin (aka Norman Osborn to be played by Chris Cooper in the sequel), the web-slinger's girlfriend perishes. And here's what got everyone go hhmmmm. The set picture of Stone below is an identical copy of what Gwen Stacy wore the night she died in the comic book. Right? Take a look:

An exact replica right? Right down to the ultra-chic leather boots?

We'll find out if we'll see the night Gwen Stacy dies on the big screen when Marc Webb's "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" arrives in theaters on May 1 of 2014.

If you want to know more about the plot of the comic book arc about the death of Gwen Stacy, here's some excerpts from Wiki:

Prior to this arc, Norman Osborn had been the Green Goblin, but due to amnesia suspended his identity as the supervillain and forgot that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are the same person. Also, Harry Osborn, Parker's best friend and Norman's son, became addicted to drugs and was sequestered in the Osborn home for detoxification. Norman Osborn's parental grief, combined with financial pressure, triggers a breakdown resulting in Norman Osborn remembering his Goblin identity and again targeting Spider-Man and his loved ones for misery.

The Green Goblin abducts Peter's girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and lures Spider-Man to a tower of either the Brooklyn Bridge (as depicted in the art) or the George Washington Bridge (as given in the text).[1][2] The Goblin and Spider-Man clash, and the Goblin hurls Stacy off the bridge. Spider-Man shoots a web strand at her legs and catches her. As he pulls her up, he thinks he has saved her. However, he quickly realizes she is dead. Unsure whether the whiplash from her sudden stop broke her neck or if the Goblin had broken it previously, he blames himself for her death. A note on the letters page of The Amazing Spider-Man #125 states: "It saddens us to say that the whiplash effect she underwent when Spidey's webbing stopped her so suddenly was, in fact, what killed her."[1]

The Green Goblin escapes, and Spider-Man cries over Stacy's corpse and swears revenge. The following issue, Spider-Man tracks the Green Goblin to a warehouse and beats him but cannot bring himself to kill him. The Goblin uses the opportunity to send his glider to impale Spider-Man from behind. Warned by his spider-sense, Spider-Man dodges, and the glider instead impales the Green Goblin, seemingly killing him. Later, a devastated Parker, back at home, encounters an equally shocked and saddened Mary Jane Watson, who has lost her close friend Stacy, and the two attempt to comfort each other in the wake of their loss.