The new Disney XD channel (which replaced the old Toon Disney several months ago) is planning to hold a Fourth of July Spider-Man marathon showcasing Spider-Man in animation throughout the ages. The channel which is owned by the Walt Disney Company has the sole television rights to a large majority of the Marvel cartoon library and with their new channel aimed at boys, they are getting a lot of use out of them. Here’s the line-up:

08:00 AM - The Spectacular Spider-Man - “Catalysts”
08:30 AM - The Spectacular Spider-Man - “The Uncertainty Principle”
09:00 AM - Spider-Man - “Secret Wars, Chapter 1: Arrival”
09:30 AM - Spider-Man - “Secret Wars, Chapter 2: The Gauntlet of the Red Skull”
10:00 AM - Spider-Man - “Secret Wars, Chapter 3: Doom”
10:30 AM - Spider-Man Unlimited - “Worlds Apart, Part 1″
11:00 AM - Spider-Man Unlimited - “Worlds Apart, Part 2″
11:30 AM - Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends - “Seven Little Superheroes.”

Ending at noon, more “Spider-Man” as well as other Marvel programs will be shown throughout the day:

02:00 PM - Spider-Man - “The Cat”
02:30 PM - Spider-Man - “The Black Cat”

07:00 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “Strategy X”
07:30 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “The X-Impluse”
08:00 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “Rogue Recruit”
08:30 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “Mutant Crush”
09:00 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “Speed and Spyke”
09:30 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “Middleverse”
10:00 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “Turn of the Rogue”
10:30 PM - X-Men: Evolution - “SpykeCam”
11:00 PM - Spider-Man - “Night of the Lizard”
11:30 PM - Spider-Man - “The Sting of the Scorpion”

01:00 AM - X-Men: Evolution - “Speed and Spyke”
01:30 AM - X-Men: Evolution - “Middleverse”
02:00 AM - Fantastic Four - “Worlds Within Worlds”
02:30 AM - The Incredible Hulk - “Fantastic Fortitude”
03:00 AM - Avengers: United They Stand - “Kang”
03:30 AM - X-Men - “The Fifth Horseman”
04:00 AM - Silver Surfer - “Learning Curve, Part 1″
04:30 AM - Fantastic Four - “The Mask of Doom, Part 1″

Then on Sunday, more superhero cartoons abound, mixing Marvel and DC:

11:00 PM - Spider-Man - “The Spider Slayer”
11:30 PM - Spider-Man - “Return of the Spider Slayers”
12:00 AM - Static Shock - “Pop’s Girlfriend”
12:30 AM - Static Shock - “Attack of the Living Brain Puppets”
01:00 AM - X-Men: Evolution - “Turn of the Rogue”
01:30 AM - X-Men: Evolution - “SpykeCam”
02:00 AM - Superman - “The Last Son of Krypton, Part 3″
02:30 AM - Batman - “Tyger, Tyger”
03:00 AM - Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends - “A Firestar is Born”
03:30 AM - X-Men - “Jubilee’s Fairy Tale Theater”
04:00 AM - Silver Surfer - “Learning Curve, Part 2″
04:30 AM - Fantastic Four - “The Mask of Doom, Part 2″

It’s nice to see Disney XD making good use of the Marvel and DC libraries this weekend. Try to take in some of these great shows. And have a Happy Fourth of July!

Image courtesy of the Marvel Animation Age.

Released last Wednesday, Michael Bay’s action spectacle “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” took in megabucks at the box office over the weekend. Since its release, the movie has already grossed $214 million in the United States with an additional $204 million overseas. On its first day out, “Transformers 2″ took in over $60 million. All of this forbids well for the sequel but it was not enough to eclipse last summer’s biggest movie, “The Dark Knight.”

The first “Transformers,” released in 2007 finished worldwide at $708 million, and it was a much better movie. At this rate, “Transformers 2″ will push past “Up” and “Star Trek” to become the highest grossing movie of 2009. Only time will tell if this new sequel can continue to hold its numbers at the box office. It may fizzle out by the time “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” hits theaters on July 15.

Out today are two new films: Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies” and the new CGI film “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.”

Best Picture: Twilight

Yeah, sure, “Twilight” was so much better than “The Dark Knight,” “Iron Man,” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” I was one of the few who weren’t all too enthralled by “Slumdog,” but I still liked it a little bit. But to say “Twilight” of all movies was the best picture of the year is insane. The movie is nothing but contrived romance between a toothless vampire and the most boring and uninteresting female protagonist I’ve ever seen. The only other contender I neglected to mention is “High School Musical 3,” which I have not seen nor do I wish to see.

Best Male Performance: Zac Efron for “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”

Zac Efron isn’t necessarily a bad actor, and he just might make a good career for himself, but he was not the best actor of the year. Once again, his stardom and popularity with teenage girls helped him to win this award. As for the other nominees, I almost laughed when I saw Vin Diesel’s name for “Fast & Furious.” If it were me, it would have gone to Robert Downey, Jr. for “Iron Man.” Christian Bale for “The Dark Knight” and Shia LaBeouf for “Eagle Eye” round out this category.

Best Female Performance: Kristen Stewart for “Twilight”

Again with the “Twilight” stuff. I know it’s popular but Kristen Stewart was awful in it. But she was a shoe-in for this award as Anne Hathaway (”Bride Wars”) was her only competition, and maybe a slight chance for Angelina Jolie (”Wanted”). Were teenage girls really going to vote for Traji P. Henson (”Benjamin Button”) or Kate Winslet (”The Reader”)? How many teenage girls actually saw those movies?

Breakthrough Performance - Male: Robert Pattinson for “Twilight”

If there was anyone even worse than Kristen Stewart in “Twilight,” it was Robert Pattinson whose job was to sit around and sulk for the entire movie and then pretend to do one fight scene. I’m sure it was his acting that earned him this award.  But it’s not like any of the other performances were better: Ben Barnes (”Prince Caspian”), Taylor Lautner (”Twilight”), Dev Patel (”Slumdog”), and Bobb’e J. Thompson (”Role Models”).

Breakthrough Performance - Female: Ashley Tisdale for “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”

Once again, I cannot comment as I have no idea about Ms. Tisdale’s acting ability, or lack thereof. The runners-up were Miley Cyrus for “Hannah Montana,” Kat Dennings for “Nick and Norah,” Vanessa Hudgens for “HSM3,” Freida Pinto for “Slumdog,” and Amanda Seyfried for “Mamma Mia!”

Best Comedic Performance: Jim Carrey for “Yes Man”

Finally, a category full of nominees who are all worthy of taking this trivial award home. And though I really don’t care, Carrey can take it. Steve Carell for “Get Smart,” Anna Faris for “House Bunny,” James Franco for “Pineapple Express,” and Amy Poehler for “Baby Mama” round out the category.

Best Villain: Heath Ledger for “The Dark Knight”

Well, at least they got something right. If Ledger had lost this one, then this institution would really lose all credibility, not to say it almost hasn’t by this point. But then again, look at the competition: Luke Goss (”Hellboy II”), Dwayne Johnson (”Get Smart”), Derek Mears (”Friday the 13th”), and the most laugh out loud nominee: Johnathon Schaech for “Prom Night.” They seriously nominated the villain from the “Prom Night” remake.

Best Fight: Robert Pattinson and Cam Gigandet for “Twilight”

Let me tell you about that awesome fight scene in “Twilight.” You know what I’m talking about. The one where they kind of snarl at each other and throw like one punch. That was truly awesome. Way better than Batman and the Joker fighting in “The Dark Knight” or the fight in “Hellboy II.” I can pass on the “Bride Wars” and “Pineapple Express” nominations, though.

Best Kiss: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson for “Twilight”

Honestly, I can’t even remember if they kissed. Who cares? Also nominated: Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens for “HSM3,” Paul Rudd and Thomas Lennon for “I Love You, Man,” Sean Penn and James Franco for “Milk,” Dev Patel and Freida Pinto for “Slumdog,” and James McAvory and Angelina Jolie for “Wanted.”

Best WTF Moment: Amy Poehler for “Baby Mama” (Peeing in the Sink)

Great name for a category, right? Sure, give Poehler the award. After all, “Twilight” wasn’t nominated. Also nominated were the naked break-up in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” jumping in the poop shed from “Slumdog,” tasting a decapitated head in “Tropic Thunder,” and the curved bullet kill in “Wanted.”

Best Song from a Movie: Miley Cyrus “The Climb” for “Hannah Montana: The Movie”

Typical, but surprising that “Twilight” song “Decode” did not win. Cyrus isn’t a bad singer, but is she really better than Bruce Springsteen and his song from “The Wrestler”? I don’t think so. Although it is a better song than “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog.”

Ben Stiller also won a Generation Award, whatever that means.

In conclusion, this was a gigantic waste of time and I almost regret writing about it. Why these awards exist, I have no idea. But whatever, life goes on.

Image courtesy of IMDb.

Meanwhile, get to the movies and see the new “Star Trek” movie. It is simply amazing.

With just two days left before the remake/relaunch/reimagineeing of the “Friday the 13th” series, word on the wire is that the people over at Platinum Dunes, responsible for the “Friday” remake have set their sights on remaking “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” I can somewhat understand an eagerness to reboot “Friday the 13th,” as things had gotten a little too convoluted in the final movies, and I can appreciate that it’s not an outright remake, but just like “Halloween,” there is no point in remaking “Elm Street.”

I’ll wait to pass judgment on the new “Friday the 13th” until after I’ve seen it, but can’t these guys be a little more creative than simply remaking any classic horror movie they can get their hands on. Just so you know, the pinheads behind this brilliant decision to remake “A Nightmare on Elm Street” are Brad Fuller and Andrew Form.

Enough with the remakes already!

We don’t need any more remakes folks, especially in the horror genre. My biggest gripe with these remake films is that they then proceed to hijack the future of the franchise as all subsequent films are then based on the remake. Take Rob Zombie’s awful attempt to remake “Halloween.” This year, we’re expected to see the release of “H2,” a direct sequel to Zombie’s movie. What once was one of my favorite franchises is now an utter disaster. Zombie’s film doesn’t capture the same essence as the original film series as it has that weird ’70s feel to it, but you’re never quite sure exactly when it’s taking place. It feels more ’70s than the original 1978 film did! I cannot accurately comment on the new “Friday the 13th” yet, but although it claims to be set in contemporary times, it also has that look to it. I do not want this feel to my established characters.

Why can’t Hollywood think of anything original anymore? And while I’ll admit that not all remakes are bad (”My Bloody Valentine 3D” was pretty good), it’s certainly a craze that’s way out of control. Almost all of the pioneer slasher films have been remade in the course of the last three years. “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” “My Bloody Valentine,” “Black Christmas,” “When a Stranger Calls,” “Prom Night,” all remade. But why? It’s because they bring in megabucks. And until these movies start tanking, it’s never going to stop. But it’s a catch-22, as well. If “Friday the 13th” were to bomb, then they would simply blame it on Jason not being marketable. It won’t be because its a remake and that it might not be a good movie (I have not seen it, I am only speaking hypothetically), but they’ll blame it on something else.

Come on, I’d rather see a well-written and directed sequel to these movies than a remake any day. I’m sure there’s a writer somewhere who can think of a decent plot to get Jason or Freddy back to their roots for a decent sequel. Heck, I’d even rather see a “Freddy vs. Jason 2.” Or throw in another slasher to spice things up. Pinhead, anyone? All I’m saying is that not every classic horror movie has to be remade. There are other options, and I’m sure there many people who agree with me on this one. But hey, just leave Freddy alone!

Having not seen “Mall Cop” as of yet, I truly cannot judge it. However, I did see “Rise of the Lycans” and I loved it. Let’s just say that it was everything one could of hoped for with an “Underworld” movie. Interestingly enough, the two movies I saw this weekend both featured actor Michael Sheen: “Rise of the Lycans” and “Frost/Nixon,” and while I loved both, “Frost/Nixon” was undeniably the better of the two. Ron Howard’s historical drama didn’t fare too well after achieving a wide release, grossing only an additional $3 million this weekend. I guess not too many people are interested.

As for the best picture nominees (more on that later), “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has the highest gross by far at $111 million with “Slumdog Millionaire” at a distant $55 million. The post-World War II period piece “The Reader” has been doing the worst with its total only at $9 million. In between “Slumdog” and “Frost/Nixon” is Sean Penn’s homage “Milk,” at $21 million. Truthfully, the only one of these films I could ever get excited about is “Frost/Nixon.” And perhaps I will never understand the hype concerning “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Brendan Fraser’s new family fantasy film, “Inkheart,” opened quite badly this weekend at $7.7 million. I think we’re nearing the end of the fantasy era right about now. Still holding up well are Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino,” and the horror movie “My Bloody Valentine 3D.”

Out of the top twelve this weekend are “The Unborn” (#13), “Marley & Me” (#9), and “Bedtime Stories” (#18).

Here are the weekend estimates:
1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop - $21,500,000 ($64,800,000)
2. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - $20,700,000 ($20,700,000)
3. Gran Torino - $16,000,000 ($97,576,000)
4. Hotel for Dogs - $12,360,000 ($36,955,000)
5. Slumdog Millionaire - $10,550,000 ($55,916,000)
6. My Bloody Valentine 3D - $10,050,000 ($37,725,000)
7. Inkheart - $7,725,000 ($7,725,000)
8. Bride Wars - $7,000,000 ($48,702,000)
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - $6,000,000 ($111,044,000)
10. Notorious - $5,700,000 ($31,795,000)
11. Defiance - $5,432,000 ($18,329,000)
12. Revolutionary Road - $5,268,000 ($11,867,000)

Opening up next week are the romantic comedy “New in Town,” the Liam Neeson thriller “Taken,” and another horror movie “The Uninvited.”

Source: Box Office Mojo

Welcome to the brand new Tansut.com Blog! The purpose of this environment is to provide additional commentary on the latest news and happenings in the movie industry. Let’s begin with a look at this weekend’s box office report.

For this Martin Luther King weekend, the Kevin James family comedy “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” took the number one spot with an estimated $33.8 million. James had previously co-starred in the 2007 Adam Sandler comedy “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” after coming off nine seasons of the television series “The King of Queens.” That’s quite an impressive opening for a PG rated comedy film, so here’s hoping the best to the next Kevin James comedy.

Dropping one spot from last weekend, Clint Eastwood’s powerful “Gran Torino” continues its turn at the box office taking in another $22.2 million, giving it a grand total of $73.3 million. Although I plan to have a formal review of “Gran Torino” out shortly, the movie is nothing short of spectacular. Eastwood is phenomenal as an actor and a director and was shamefully overlooked at the Golden Globes. “Gran Torino” definitely deserves some kind of recognition at the Oscars, but we will have to wait and see.

Debuting in third place is the latest horror movie “My Bloody Valentine 3D” which is a huge step up from last week’s wretched poser “The Unborn.” “My Bloody Valentine 3D,” a remake of a classic 80’s slasher movie, is a great example to show that modern horror movies can still be effective and rather simple. With its straight up slasher motif, “My Bloody Valentine 3D” knows no shame and takes 3D horror to the next level. The movie raked in $21.9 million.

Opening in a close fourth place at $21.5 million is the biopic “Notorious.” No, it’s not a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Notorious,” but rather a biographical story about a famous rapper. And rounding out the top five is the new Paramount/DreamWorks collaborative movie “Hotel for Dogs” with $17.7 million.

The romantic comedy “Bride Wars” continues to hang on at number six with an additional $11.7 million, while the aforementioned “The Unborn” took in another $9.8 million. Their totals stand at $37.5 million and $33 million, respectively. Daniel Craig’s World War II drama “Defiance” got a huge boost this weekend jumping from thirty-fifth place to eighth. Finishing out the top ten are the maudlin “Marley & Me” and the Golden Globe winner for best drama “Slumdog Millionaire.”

As for Oscar bait, the Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson romantic comedy “Last Chance Harvey” took in $4.8 million with only 1,054 theaters. Mickey Roarke’s “The Wrestler” is only playing in 144 theaters and took in $1.7 million, while “Revolutionary Road” grossed the same in its 171 theaters. Meanwhile, “The Reader” raked in $1.2 million in its 417 theaters. Ron Howard’s “Frost/Nixon,” which is supposed to be expanding next weekend has its current total at $8.6 million.

Opening next week are only two movies. I am eagerly awaiting the third installment of the “Underworld” franchise, subtitled “Rise of the Lycans,” while remaining skeptical of the new Brendan Fraser fantasy “Inkheart,” although both look fairly entertaining. See you next week!

Source: Box Office Mojo