Video: It’s Free Comic Book Day!
Happy Free Comic Book Day!
For the 12th year, participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores. Since its inception, Free Comic Book Day has given out more than 27 million free comics to nearly 8 million people. This year alone, more than 4.6 million comic books will be given away.
The goal of Free Comic Book Day is to promote the comic book medium to new customers young and old and celebrate independent comic book retailers and their stores. Comics are exciting and a great tool for introducing young children to the world of reading.
This year’s list of free comics includes mainstream titles such as The Walking Dead, SpongeBob, Sesame Street, Superman, GRIMM, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Smurfs, The Simpsons, Archie, and the launching of a major Marvel Comics’ Event called Infinity.
Since it’s May 4, which many celebrate as Star Wars Days (“May the fourth be with you!”), it’s appropriate that there’s a Star Wars title among this year’s Free Comic Book Day offerings.
My pal Matt Price of Nerdage reports that there are 52 total Free Comic Book Day comics from which to choose. Major characters including Superman, Batman, the Avengers, the Simpsons and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are featured in this year’s event.
More than one million people are expected to visit 2000 comic book specialty stores in 60 countries all over the world on Free Comic Book Day, according to Matt.
A dozen stores in the Oklahoma City area are participating. To see the handy-dandy list Matt has compiled, click here.
So, listen to Hugh Jackman and visit your local comic book retailer today. For more information, go to www.freecomicbookday.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Oct. 10, 2012: See “Batman Live” at Chesapeake Energy Arena
Today’s featured event:
See the arena spectacle “Batman Live!” at 7 tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno.
The show continues with seven more performances through Sunday at the venue.
Jack Walker, who plays Batman in the show, told The Oklahoman Features Editor Matt Price that suiting up as the Caped Crusader fulfills a childhood fantasy.
“I don’t think there’s any permutation of Batman that I missed,” Walker told Matt in a telephone interview.
“Definitely my favorite comics as a kid, the Batman comics,” he said. “I loved the dramatics and darkness of the artwork. I loved the TV show as well, which I can only see now with hindsight how tongue in cheek it was. All the different movies, different manifestations of Batman, it’s just great. I’ve followed it and been a fan, a genuine fan, from childhood.”
To read more of Matt’s interview with the Batman performer, click here.
For more information, go to www.ChesapeakeArena.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Video: Batmobile arrives at Science Museum Oklahoma today to herald “Batman Live!” tour’s OKC dates
Holy Batmobile, Oklahoma City!
In honor of this week’s OKC run of the “Batman Live!” show at Chesapeake Energy Arena, a replica of the same Batmobile used during the “Batman Live!” world arena tour will be on display at Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52 Street.
The Batmobile will be on view today-Saturday to celebrate the show’s arrival in OKC, according to a news release.
“We are excited to be able to bring a piece of this spectacular world-renowned show to Science Museum Oklahoma,” said Gary Desjardins, General Manager of Chesapeake Energy Arena, in a news release. “We know guests will enjoy not only ‘Batman Live!’ but also this exciting educational opportunity.”
The display will be available to the public during Science Museum Oklahoma’s regular hours. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
“Science Museum Oklahoma is thrilled to be able to showcase the Batmobile and take part in the ‘Batman Live!’ tour as it makes its way across the U.S.,” said Jacquelyn Musgrove, Communications Director of Science Museum Oklahoma, in the release. “This is truly a unique opportunity for Oklahomans to be able to see up close and in person the Batmobile and learn just how it works. We are honored that the Chesapeake Arena and the ‘Batman Live!’ tour selected us to host this amazing Batmobile exhibit.”
“Batman Live!” will run for eight shows Wednesday-Sunday at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Tickets are available at the Chesapeake Energy Arena box office, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at www.ChesapeakeArena.com.
To read The Oklahoma Features Editor Matt Price’s interview with “Batman Live!” writer Allan Heinberg, who grew up in Tulsa before becoming a writer and producer on TV shows including “The O.C.” and “Grey’s Anatomy, click here.
And check out this video of the “Batman Live!” Batmobile in action:
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Tulsa added to “Batman Live World Arena Tour”
TULSA – The action-packed live arena show “Batman Live,” a creative collaboration between Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and Water Lane Productions, has added a run of eight performances Dec. 19-23 at the BOK Center, the venue announced this week.
Tulsa tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday and will be available at online at www.bokcenter.com, Arby’s Box Office, all Tickets.com outlets, or by calling (866) 7-BOKCTR. Opening night tickets are priced at $19.50, $29.50, $49.50, $59.50 and $69.50. Tickets for the rest of the run are $25, $49.50, $59.50, $69.50 and $75.50.
The Chesapeake Energy Arena previously announced that a run of eight “Batman Live” shows are set for Oct. 10-14 at the Oklahoma City arena. For more information, go to www.chesapeakearena.com.
This North American tour follows the show’s popular and acclaimed arena tour throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America. Two and a half years in the making, “Batman Live” is a visually stunning, state-of-the-art production, which brings Batman, a host of iconic characters, and the settings from the famed world of DC Comics, live and on stage for the very first time in North America.
With a 42-member cast, “Batman Live” has a new original storyline and features Batman, his trusty counterpart Robin, tireless butler Alfred and a host of other favorite Batman characters. Additional favorites include villains such as The Joker, Catwoman, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and The Penguin.
“Fans of all ages from around the world have enjoyed Batman’s adventures for many years and we are excited to bring the stories to life for the first time ever on stage in ‘Batman Live,’” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in a news release.
“Following a critically successful tour through Europe and Latin America, we know our Batman fans throughout North America – both young and old – are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Batman, Robin and Gotham City in their hometowns.”
Adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, “Batman Live” focuses on Robin’s quest for justice, which leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero – the mysterious vigilante known as Batman – much to the dismay of his protective guardian, billionaire Bruce Wayne, whom the audience knows is secretly Batman. “Batman Live” is, at its heart, a poignant coming-of-age story. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson must learn to overcome their own fears and forge their own family – with the help of Police Commissioner James Gordon and Bruce’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth – if they’re going to survive the combined forces of Batman’s larger-than-life rogues’ gallery, some of the most famous and beloved villains of the 20th century.
“Batman Live,” produced by Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions, features impressive stunts, pyrotechnics, illusions and video screen sequences.
“’Batman Live’ is a totally unique experience – a completely new way to experience the world of Batman, with an arena sized production and audience — and has become a must-see for fans everywhere,” said Grace in the release. “This is not a musical but a live show with a thrilling Batman story, filled with action that we found has appeal for adults, teenagers, kids and families. We are proud to have this opportunity to bring to life the story of one of the most popular DC Super Heroes in the world today.”
The action of the show becomes a nonstop thrill ride across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters, Batman and Robin. The adventure transports the audience from the Big Top of Haly’s Circus to the depths of Arkham Asylum, and from the glittering peaks of the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave. Acrobats suspended in the air, The Joker’s henchmen in choreographed fight sequences, and stunning scenic elements are all part of the “Batman Live” experience.
“Batman is not only one of the most iconic super heroes ever created – he is one of the most iconic characters of all time, period,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment, in the release. “What’s cool about ‘Batman Live’ is that you really enter the world of Gotham in a way you can’t experience anywhere else. You are an active participant in the story and a real part of Batman’s world.”
As audiences enter the arena, they are greeted by a 3D Gotham City landscape complete with buildings, soundscape, and video animation, setting the scene for the story to come. The magnitude of the production becomes apparent from the first moment the full symphonic score is heard and the 105-foot bat-shaped LED video wall comes to life to enhance the action on a custom-built massive stage. Another exciting element is the eye-catching all-new Batmobile, designed especially for the show by legendary racing car designer Professor Gordon Murray, known for designing racing cars for some of the most successful teams in the world for Formula One racing as well as the famous McLaren F1 road car.
“Batman Live” is based on an original story created exclusively for the show. Creative Director is Anthony Van Laast and Co-Director James Powell. Production design by Es Devlin, music composed by James Seymour Brett, sound design by Simon Baker, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, video production by Sam Pattinson, costume design by Jack Galloway. Circus sequences created, produced and managed in association with Circus Space with Bryan Donaldson and Juliette Hardy-Donaldson as circus consultants.
For more information, go to www.batmanlive.com.
-BAM
Box office report for Aug. 13, 2012: “Bourne Legacy” opens at No. 1
Jeremy Renner’s spy spin-off “The Bourne Legacy” took over as the No. 1 movie with a $40.3 million debut over the weekend, according to the Associated Press.
Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis’ political comedy “The Campaign” opened at No. 2 with $27.4 million.
The new movies bumped “The Dark Knight Rises” to No. 3 with $19.5 million, raising the superhero blockbuster’s three-week domestic total to $390.1 million.
“The Dark Knight Rises” had been the No. 1 movie for three-straight weekends since debuting amid tragedy as a gunman killed 12 people and wounded 58 at a midnight screening of the film on opening day in Colorado.
“The Dark Knight Rises” is nearing $400 million domestically and will become only the second film in Warner Bros. history to reach that mark. The first was 2008′s “The Dark Knight,” the middle chapter in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, which topped out at $533.3 million.
Revenues for the finale are running 12 percent behind “The Dark Knight,” which had climbed to $441.6 million at the same point in its theatrical run, according to the AP.
While the Colorado shootings may have scared away some viewers, the Olympics have dampened Hollywood’s overall business as fans stay home to watch the games. “The Dark Knight” also had an advantage the new film lacks: a mesmerizing, Academy Award-winning performance by Heath Ledger as the Joker, with the actor’s death helping to fuel anticipation for the film.
“All things considered, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ is doing incredibly well,” Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com, told the AP.
“The Dark Knight Rises” has proven more popular than its predecessor overseas, where it has taken in $445.3 million to give it a worldwide total of $835 million. The finale is on track to top the $468 million international total of “The Dark Knight,” according to the AP.
Universal’s “The Bourne Legacy” casts Renner and Rachel Weisz in an offshoot of the three hits that starred Matt Damon as unstoppable operative Jason Bourne. Renner plays an agent pursued by Bourne’s old spy masters after they try to snuff out the espionage program in a cover-up conspiracy.
“The Bourne Legacy” came in well behind the $69.3 million debut of Damon’s last entry in the series, 2007′s “The Bourne Ultimatum.” But the new film had a strong start and establishes Renner as a sturdy frontman to keep the franchise running, according to the AP.
While Damon was absent, his presence is felt throughout “The Bourne Legacy,” with characters commenting on Jason Bourne sightings and his former handlers jittery over the fact that the rogue agent is still out there.
A two-time Oscar nominee, Renner is a bankable star to carry on solo, but Universal might really cash in if the studio managed to lure Damon back.
“The dream-team scenario of a ‘Bourne’ with both Damon and Renner would just be irresistible,” Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com, told the AP. “That would be cool. I’d be first in line for that.”
The weekend’s other new wide release, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones’ marital dramedy “Hope Springs,” opened at No. 4 with $15.6 million.
Here are the top 10 movies over the weekend, from the AP:
1. “The Bourne Legacy,” $40.3 million ($7.8 million international).
2. “The Campaign,” $27.4 million ($2.1 million international).
3. “The Dark Knight Rises,” $19.5 million ($34.2 million international).
4. “Hope Springs,” $15.6 million.
5. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,” $8.2 million ($1 million international).
6. “Total Recall,” $8.1 million ($18.7 million international).
7. “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” $6.8 million ($16.2 million international).
8. “Ted,” $3.3 million ($20.3 million international).
9. “Step Up: Revolution,” $2.9 million.
10. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” $2.2 million ($3 million international).
-BAM
Box office report for Aug. 6, 2012: “The Dark Knight Rises” No. 1 for third straight week
“The Dark Knight Rises” dominated the box office for the third week in a row, making another $36.4 million over last weekend.
The final chapter in Christopher Nolan’s epic Batman trilogy has now made nearly $355 million domestically alone, according to the Associated Press.
Warner Bros. head of distribution Dan Fellman told the AP he wasn’t surprised by the film’s strong showing in its third week. The three-quel only dropped 41 percent compared to the 43-percent drop in Week 3 that its record-setting predecessor “The Dark Knight” experienced in 2008. He also said the film is getting back on track to perform at its expected pace following the opening-night shooting in Aurora, Colo., that left 12 dead and 58 others injured.
“The support from audiences across North America has been outstanding,” Fellman told the AP. “The movie speaks for itself, and the unfortunate tragedy that took place hurt everyone. We’re obviously very moved by the events that took place.”
“The Dark Knight Rises” has now set an IMAX record, Fellman told the AP, with nearly $48 million of the film’s gross coming from the large-screen format. Nolan shot more than 40 percent of the film in IMAX with the intention of having it projected that way.
“Total Recall,” starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel, in a new take on the thriller that provided Arnold Schwarzenegger with one of his best-loved actions roles in 1990, opened in second place with $26 million, according to the AP.
Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of worldwide distribution, told the AP that “Total Recall” opened close to the studio’s high-$20 million estimate. But it was also No. 1 in many of the dozen international markets in which it opened, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand for a total of $6.2 million. It expands to Europe and Latin America in upcoming weeks.
The Fox family comedy three-quel “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” debuted at No. 3 with $14.7 million, the AP reports.
Also this week, the Universal Pictures comedy “Ted” made an additional $5.5 million to cross the $200 million mark domestically, according to the AP. In addition, the R-rated flick had a huge weekend internationally, taking in $32 million. “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane directs for the first time and provides the voice of a foul-mouthed, pot-smoking teddy bear who’s the lifelong best friend of Mark Wahlberg’s character.
Here are the top 10 movies over the weekend, from the AP:
1. “The Dark Knight Rises,” $36.4 million. ($67 million international.)
2. “Total Recall,” $26 million. ($6.2 million international.)
3. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days,” $14.7 million. ($2.8 million international.)
4. “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” $8.4 million. ($32.8 million.)
5. “The Watch,” $6.35 million.
6. “Ted,” $5.5 million. ($32 million international.)
7. “Step Up Revolution,” $5.7 million. ($7.9 million international.)
8. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” $4.3 million. ($6.1 million international.)
9. “Brave,” $2.9 million. ($16.5 million international.)
10. “Magic Mike,” $1.4 million. ($3.7 million international.)
-BAM
Box office report for July 30, 2012: “The Dark Knight Rises” remains No. 1
Despite the lingering horror of the deadly Aurora, Colo., shooting at a midnight screening and strong competition from the London Olympics, “The Dark Knight Rises” continued its box-office dominance over the weekend, even if it fell short of the lofty, record-breaking numbers of its predecessor.
The third and final film in writer/director Christopher Nolan’s Batman saga stayed atop the box office for the second straight weekend, making just more than $64 million. But it’s lagging behind the staggering numbers of the second film in the series, 2008′s “The Dark Knight,” according to the Associated Press.
The three-quel has grossed more than $289 million in its first 10 days in theaters. It was the third-highest 10-day total ever, BoxOfficeMojo.com said on Twitter (@boxofficemojo). Still, “The Dark Knight Rises” dropped 60 percent from its opening weekend of $160.9 million.
By comparison, “The Dark Knight” took a 53 percent drop in its second weekend with a gross of nearly $75.2 million and a 10-day cumulative gross of $313.8 million, according to the AP.
Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., declined to comment to the AP the Sunday estimates again out of respect for the victims of the Aurora, Colo., shooting that left 12 people dead and another 58 injured at a midnight showing of the film on opening night.
Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian told the AP that if anything hurt the box-office numbers this weekend, it was Friday night’s opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which drew a record-setting 40.7 million viewers in the United States.
“For a film that opened as big as this did, considering the situation and what happened last weekend and all that, I would say this is a very strong showing,” Dergarabedian said of “The Dark Knight Rises.” “It’s made almost $300 million in North America and its mid-week (attendance) is very strong. It made $19 million last Monday.”
In second place this weekend was the animated family film “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” which is still going strong in its third week. It made $13.3 million for a domestic total of nearly $114.9 million, according to the AP. The fourth movie in the 20th Century Fox franchise features the voices of Ray Romano, Denis Leary and Queen Latifah.
Both of the new movies in wide release opened weakly. The 20th Century Fox comedy “The Watch” came in third place with $13 million. Big-name comic actors Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill play a group of guys who come together to form a neighborhood watch; despite the star power, the film was panned critically, receiving only 14 percent positive reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes website.
In addition, Southwestern cinema chain Harkins Theatres, which has a Bricktown location, didn’t play “The Watch” at any of its locations this weekend. Harkins Theatres and Twentieth Century Fox were unable to reach an equitable agreement with regards to the film’s licensing fee, according to a Harkins news release.
“Step Up Revolution” — the fourth film in the dance franchise, which is set in Miami this time — opened at No. 4 with $11.8 million. Richie Fay, Lionsgate’s president of domestic distribution, told the AP that the number was a little disappointing because the studio expected it to end up in the mid-teens. But the core audience for the previous three “Step Up” films showed up: 63 percent was female and 71 percent was younger than 24.
In limited release, Fox Searchlight’s “Ruby Sparks” grossed $151,881 in 13 theaters for a strong per-screen average of $11,683. Since its opening Wednesday, it’s made $191,717. The romantic comedy from the directors of “Little Miss Sunshine” stars Paul Dano as a novelist with writer’s block who creates his dream girl, played by Dano’s real-life girlfriend Zoe Kazan, who also wrote the script. Look for my interview with Dano on Aug. 17, when the movie opens in Oklahoma City.
Here are the top 10 movies from the past weekend, courtesy the AP:
1. “The Dark Knight Rises,” $64 million. ($122.1 million international.)
2. “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” $13 million. ($49.4 million international.)
3. “The Watch,” $13 million.
4. “Step Up Revolution,” $11.8 million. ($5.2 million international.)
5. “Ted,” $7.4 million. ($2.7 million international.)
6. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” $6.8 million.
7. “Brave,” $4.2 million. ($9.6 million international.)
8. “Magic Mike,” $2.6 million. ($5.3 million international.)
9. “Savages,” $1.8 million. ($2 million international.)
10. “Moonrise Kingdom,” $1.4 million.
-BAM
Box office report for July 23, 2012: “The Dark Knight Rises” ascends to record-setting No. 1 spot with $160 million+ opening weekend
Christopher Nolan’s three-quel “The Dark Knight Rises” opened to an impressive $160.9 million, earning the third best debut of all time at the domestic box office and the top opening ever for a 2D movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
But the trilogy capper and its studio, Warner Bros., lost some business in the wake of the shooting rampage in Aurora, Colo., during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” that left at least a dozen people dead and dozens more injured.
Heading into the weekend, most box-office forecasters believed that Nolan’s final Batman movie would gross north of $180 million in North America. Even conservative estimates had the DC Comics-based title grossing north of $170 million, according to the trade publication.
The movie beat out the $158.4 million opening of its predecessor “The Dark Knight” and marks the top debut in history for a 2D movie. Earlier this summer, 3D Marvel Comics movie “The Avengers” opened to $207.4 million, while “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,” released last year in 3D, opened to $169.2 million.
Overseas, “The Dark Knight Rises” grossed a strong $88 million as it opened in 17 markets for a worldwide bow of nearly $249 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The movie did impressive business in IMAX, which turned in $19 million from 332 locations in North America and $4.8 million overseas. Nolan is a big fan of the giant-screen format, and shot roughly an hour of the three-quel with IMAX cameras.
According to the trade publication, “The Dark Knight Rises” may be able to make up any loss in revenue in the wake of the Colorado shooting in the weeks ahead. In addition to good reviews, the movie earned a glowing A CinemaScore and will likely benefit greatly from positive word of mouth.
Box-office pundits say the most noticeable dip in theater traffic over the weekend came in the family film arena, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 20th Century Fox’s sequel “Ice Age: Continental Drift” dropped a larger than normal 56 percent in its second weekend to $20.4 million for a 10-day cumulative total of $88.8 million.
Out of respect for the Colorado shooting victims, film studios refrained from reporting grosses over the weekend. Here are the top 10 movies (including their weekend and cumulative grosses plus the number of weeks in theaters) from over the past weekend, according to IMDB:
1 The Dark Knight Rises (2012) $161M $161M 1
2 Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) $20.4M $88.8M 2
3 The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) $10.9M $229M 3
4 Ted (2012) $10M $180M 4
5 Brave (2012) $6.02M $209M 5
6 Magic Mike (2012) $4.29M $102M 4
7 Savages (2012) $3.4M $40.1M 3
8 Madea’s Witness Protection (2012) $2.25M $60.3M 4
9 Moonrise Kingdom (2012) $1.83M $36.1M 9
10 To Rome with Love (2012) $1.42M $11.1M 5
-BAM
New releases for July 17, 2012: “Leverage: Season 4″ new on DVD
The fourth season of TNT’s caper series “Leverage” makes its debut today as a four-DVD set.
The show stars Norman-bred actor/singer Christian Kane, Oscar winner Timothy Hutton, Beth Riesgraf, Gina Bellman and Aldis Hodge.
The fifth season of “Leverage” premiered Sunday on TNT. If you missed the season premiere, click here to watch it online.
“Leverage” airs at 7 p.m. Sundays on TNT.
Here is a list of this week’s new CDs, DVDs and books, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Hans Zimmer, “The Dark Knight Rises Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.”
Frank Ocean,“channel ORANGE.”
Nas, “Life Is Good.”
Phillip Phillips, “American Idol Season 11 Highlights.”
Old Crow Medicine Show, “Carry Me Back.”
Hellyeah, “Band of Brothers.”
Smashing Pumpkins, “Pisces Iscariot” (Deluxe Edition Box Set).
Susanna Hoffs, “Someday.”
Baroness, “Yellow & Green.”
DVDs
4:44 Last Day on Earth
Alphas: Season One
Casa De Mi Padre
Eureka: Season 5, The Final Season
Friends with Kids
Get the Gringo
Intruders
Leverage: The 4th Season
Lockout
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Sanctuary: The Complete Fourth Season
The Three Stooges
Books
The Fallen Angel: A Novel by Daniel Silva
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
The Communist by Paul Kengor
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero, Don Tennant
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
Creole Belle: A Dave Robicheaux Novel by James Lee Burke
The Sandcastle Girls: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian
-BAM
Box office report for July 16, 2012: “Ice Age 4″ opens at No. 1
Sandwiched in between two massive superhero movies, “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” the fourth film in the decade-old animated franchise, topped the box office over the weekend.
“Ice Age: Continental Drift” earned $46 million in its opening weekend, according to the Associated Press. The North America performance of “Continental Drift” was on par with previous “Ice Age” movies but well below the opening weekend of the second installment, “The Meltdown,” which opened with $68 million in 2006.
The film, featuring the voice talents of Ray Romano, Denis Leary and Muskogee native Ester Dean, had already done solid overseas business ahead of opening in the U.S. This weekend it earned $95 million internationally, bringing its overseas total to $339 million, according to the AP.
The “Ice Age” franchise has now surpassed $2.2 billion worldwide, and 20th Century Fox expects “Continental Drift” to equal the global total of the last installment, 2009′s “Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” which took in $886.7 million.
In its second week of release, the reboot “The Amazing Spider-Man,” starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Leary, earned $35 million, pushing it past $200 million domestically. It earned nearly $67 million overseas over the weekend, bringing its worldwide gross to $521.4 million, according to the AP.
Seth MacFarlane’s (TV’s “Family Guy”) R-rated comedy hit, “Ted,” which stars Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and a talking teddy bear, hauled in another $22.1 million in its third week for a total of $159 million for Universal Pictures.
Three of the top 10 films at the box office, including the fourth “Ice Age” flick, were family films: In fourth place, Disney/Pixar’s “Brave” added $10.7 million to its $195.6 million domestic total, and the 10th place DreamWorks Animation’s three-quel “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” added $3.5 million to its $203.7 million domestic total.
The box-office forecast is expected to take a darkly super-heroic turn this weekend with the opening of the hotly anticipated Batman epic “The Dark Knight Rises,” the third and final film of director Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed blockbuster trilogy based on the DC Comics protagonist.
1. “Ice Age: Continental Drift,” $46 million ($95 million internationally)
2. “The Amazing Spider-Man,” $35 million ($66.6 million internationally).
3. “Ted,” $22.1 million, ($9.7 million internationally).
4. “Brave,” $10.7 million, ($6.5 million internationally).
5. “Magic Mike,” $9 million, ($3.3 million internationally).
6. “Savages,” $8.7 million, ($1 million internationally).
7. “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection,” $5.6 million.
8. “Katy Perry: Part of Me,” $3.7 million, ($1 million internationally).
9. “Moonrise Kingdom,” $3.7 million, ($270,000 internationally).
10. “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” $3.5 million ($4.6 million internationally).
-BAM
