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2015 Oscar Nominations

Two extravagant comedies, "Birdman" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel," tied for the most Oscar nominations Thursday morning with nine nods each, including best picture.

                             

They were joined in best-picture nominations by "Boyhood," ''Whiplash," ''The Theory of Everything," ''The Imitation Game," ''American Sniper" and "Selma." Nominations for the 87th annual Academy Awards were announced from Beverly Hills, where they were broadcast and streamed live.

 

World War II code-breaker thriller "The Imitation Game," about unsung hero Alan Turing, trailed close behind with eight nominations. Clint Eastwood's Navy SEAL drama "American Sniper" did especially well, landing six nods including best actor for Bradley Cooper.

 

Also with six nominations was Richard Linklater's coming-of-age epic "Boyhood," which remains the best-picture favorite. On Sunday, the 12-years-in-making drama won best drama at the Golden Globes.

 

But Wes Anderson's old Europe caper "The Grand Budapest Hotel," which also won best comedy or musical at the Globes, has emerged as the most unexpected awards heavyweight. With $59.1 million at the North American box office (opening all the way back in March), it's also the most money-making best-picture entry in an especially modestly sized batch of nominees. That, however, is likely to change soon after "American Sniper" expands nationwide this weekend.

 

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" managed nine nominations without a single acting nod. Instead, it was repeatedly cited for Anderson's meticulous craft in categories like directing, production design, makeup and screenplay.

 

The nominees for best actor are: Cooper, Steve Carell ("Foxcatcher"), Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Imitation Game"), Michael Keaton ("Birdman") and Eddie Redmayne. David Oweloyo, who stars as Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma," was left out.

 

Ava DuVernay's civil rights drama, at one point considered a major contender, faded even after its late debut. The film, which has been nagged by criticism over its portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson, managed just two nominations. (The second was for best song.)

 

Marion Cotillard for the French-language "Two Days, One Night" was the surprise nominee for best actress. She was joined by Felicity Jones ("The Theory of Everything"), Julianne Moore ("Still Alice"), Rosamund Pike ("Gone Girl") and Reese Witherspoon ("Wild"). That left Jennifer Aniston's pained and grieving performance in "Cake" on the outside.

 

The eight best-picture nominees left out two wild cards that might have added a dose of darkness to the category: the creepy Jake Gyllenhaal thriller "Nightcrawler" and the tragic wrestling drama "Foxcatcher." In the three previous years since the category was expanded (anywhere between five and 10 film may be nominated), there were nine movies contending for best picture.

 

"Foxcatcher" helmer Bennett Miller (previously nominated for "Capote") did squeak into best director. Joining him and Anderson are Linklater ("Boyhood"), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu ("Birdman") and Morten Tyldum ("The Imitation Game").

 

One of the most notable snubs came in the best animation category, usually a particularly staid category. Despite critical love and major box office, "The Lego Movie" failed to join nominees "Big Hero 6," ''The Boxtrolls," ''How to Train Your Dragon 2," ''Song of the Sea" and "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya."

 

This year's smaller sized but much-beloved favorites — "Boyhood," ''Birdman" — have been largely locked in as front runners throughout much of the ever-expanding industrial complex of Hollywood's lengthy awards season. As studios have focused more and more on easily marketed blockbusters, Oscar season increasingly exists apart from the regular business of the movies, in its own highfalutin, red-carpeted realm.

 

Ratings, though, are on the rise. Last year's Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, drew 43 million viewers, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast in a decade. "12 Years a Slave" took best picture. This year's ceremony on Feb. 22 will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

 

The nominees for best foreign language film are: "Ida" (Poland), "Leviathan" (Russia), "Tangerines" (Estonia), "Timbuktu" (Mauritania) and "Wild Tales" (Argentina).

 

Best documentary nods went to "CitizenFour," ''Finding Vivian Maier," ''Last Days in Vietnam," ''The Salt of the Earth" and "Virunga." The last gave Netflix its second Oscar nomination. (It last year released the nominated documentary "The Square.")

Golden Globes Winners

The 2015 Golden Globes have (finally) arrived, and we can't wait to see what happens.

With big names like Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Matthew McConaughey up for awards, and some big movies, like "Boyhood," "The Imitation Game," "Selma," "Foxcatcher," and "Birdman," vying for the top prize, this year's ceremony is as competitive as ever.

 

Best Motion Picture, Drama

"Boyhood" - WINNER

"Foxcatcher"

"The Imitation Game"

"Selma"

"The Theory of Everything"

 

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything" - WINNER

Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"

Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"

David Oyelowo, "Selma"

Jake Gyllenhaal, "Nightcrawler"

 

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama

Julianne Moore, "Still Alice" - WINNER

Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"

Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"

Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"

Jennifer Aniston, "Cake"

 

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

"The Grand Budapest Hotel" - WINNER

"Birdman"

"Into the Woods"

"St. Vincent"

"Pride"

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Michael Keaton, "Birdman" - WINNER

Bill Murray, "St. Vincent"

James Corden, "Into the Woods"

Joaquin Phoenix, "Inherent Vice"

Christoph Waltz, "Big Eyes"

 

Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama

Ruth Wilson, "The Affair" (Showtime) - WINNER

Julianna Marguiles, "The Good Wife" (CBS)

Robin Wright, "House of Cards" (Netflix)

Viola Davis, "How to Get Away With Murder" (ABC)

Claire Danes, Homeland (Showtime)

 

Best Director - Motion Picture

Richard Linklater, "Boyhood" - WINNER

Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman"

Ava DuVernay, "Selma"

Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

David Fincher, "Gone Girl"

 

Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama

Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards" (Netflix) - WINNER

Liev Schreiber, "Ray Donovan" (Showtime)

James Spader, "The Blacklist" (NBC)

Clive Owen, "The Knick" (Cinemax)

Dominic West, "The Affair" (Showtime)

 

Best TV Series, Drama

"The Affair" (Showtime) - WINNER

"Downton Abbey" (PBS)

"The Good Wife" (CBS)

"House of Cards" (Netflix)

"Game of Thrones" (HBO)

 

Best Actress in a Mini-series or TV Movie

Maggie Gyllenhaal, "The Honourable Woman" (SundanceTV) - WINNER

Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story: Freak Show" (FX)

Frances McDormand, "Olive Kitteridge" (HBO)

Allison Tolman, "Fargo" (FX)

Frances O'Connor, "The Missing" (Starz)

 

Best Foreign Language Film

"Leviathan" - WINNER

"Ida"

"Tangerine Mandarin"

"Force Majeure"

"Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem"

 

Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy

Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent" (Amazon) - WINNER

William H. Macy, "Shameless" (Showtime)

Don Cheadle, "House of Lies" (Showtime)

Ricky Gervais, "Derek" (Netflix)

Louis C.K., "Louie" (FX)

 

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, "Birdman" - WINNER

Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"

Graham Moore, "The Imitation Game"

Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Gillian Flynn, "Gone Girl"

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood" - WINNER

Meryl Streep, "Into The Woods"

Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"

Emma Stone, "Birdman"

Jessica Chastain, "A Most Violent Year"

Best Animated Feature Film

"How to Train Your Dragon 2" - WINNER

"The Boxtrolls"

"The LEGO Movie"

"Big Hero 6"

"The Book of Life"

 

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Amy Adams, "Big Eyes" - WINNER

Julianne Moore, "Maps To The Stars"

Emily Blunt, "Into The Woods"

Quvenzhane Wallis, "Annie"

Helen Mirren, "The Hundred Foot Journey"

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie

Matt Bomer, "The Normal Heart" (HBO) - WINNER

Bill Murray, "Olive Kitteridge" (HBO)

Alan Cumming, "The Good Wife" (CBS)

Jon Voight, "Ray Donovan" (Showtime)

Colin Hanks, "Fargo" (FX)

 

Best Original Song - Motion Picture

"Glory" (Selma) - WINNER

"Big Eyes" (Big Eyes)

"Mercy Is" (Noah)

"Opportunity" (Annie)

"Yellow Flicker Beat" (Hunger Games)

 

Best Original Score - Motion Picture

Johann Johannsson, "The Theory of Everything" - WINNER

Alexandre Desplat, "The Imitation Game"

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, "Gone Girl"

Antonio Sanchez, "Birdman"

Hans Zimmer, "Interstellar"

 

Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy

"Transparent" (Amazon) - WINNER

"Girls" (HBO)

"Orange is the New Black" (Netflix)

"Silicon Valley" (HBO)

"Jane the Virgin" (CW)

 

Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy

Gina Rodriguez, "Jane the Virgin" (CW) - WINNER

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep" (HBO)

Lena Dunham, "Girls" (HBO)

Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime)

Taylor Schilling, "Orange Is the New Black" (Netflix)

 

Best Actor in a Mini-series or TV Movie

Billy Bob Thornton, "Fargo" (FX) - WINNER

Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective" (HBO)

Woody Harrelson, "True Detective" (HBO)

Martin Freeman, "Fargo" (FX)

Mark Ruffalo, "The Normal Heart" (HBO)

 

Best TV Movie or Mini-series

"Fargo" (FX) - WINNER

"The Normal Heart" (HBO)

"True Detective" (HBO)

"Olive Kitteridge" (HBO)

"The Missing" (Starz)

 

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie

Joann Froggatt, "Downton Abbey" (PBS) - WINNER

Allison Janney, "Mom" (CBS)

Kathy Bates, "American Horror Story: Freak Show" (FX)

Uzo Aduba, "Orange is the New Black" (Netflix)

Michelle Monaghan, "True Detective" (HBO)

 

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash" - WINNER

Edward Norton, "Birdman"

Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"

Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"

Robert Duvall, "The Judge"

12th Annual 168 Film Festival Winners

Los Angeles, CA - 168 Film this evening announced the winners of its short filmmaking competition at the 12th Annual 168 Film Festival. The gala award ceremony - presented as an international celebration of faith in film - took place at the Aratani Japanese Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.

The 168 Film Festival showcases short films that have been shot in 168 hours (7 days); each based on a selected Bible verse tied into this year's theme, "The Gift." The event is presented by 168 Film, an organization founded by John David Ware in 2003 to train and equip filmmakers in the how-to's of making God-honoring films.

This year's winners were selected from among dozens of international submissions and were saluted by a host of celebrity presenters, including four-time Emmy Winner Michael Learned (The Waltons, Nurse); Nathan Kress (iCarly, Into the Storm), Kelsey Scott (12 Years a Slave) and twice Emmy nominated actor Max Gail (Barney Miller, 42).

2014 Winners List

Making of 168 Award	Making of Tula Tula, Diane Vermooten
Best Student Film	DG, Rachel Martin
Best Sound Design	Tula Tula, Chris van der Burgh
Best Original Score	What Showers Bring, Sean Massey
169 Award	Steve and David Puffenberger
Best Hair and Makeup	The Mantle of Granny Belle, Dayna Miller
Best Scriptural Integration	The Ranch, Richard Lee Warren, Writer
Evangelista Award	McKenzie's Gifts, Nancy Bethea, Writer
Best KidVid	Gift of Grace, Mark Baird, Writer
Best Screenplay Comedy	The Parcel, April Manor and Liz Hewes, Writers
Best  Production Design	Skywatch: The Duster of Doom, Shar-Lee Jessica Nel
Best Editor	Insulin, Shaun Wood
Best Actor	J. Patrick Wise as Tyus Cain in Ayaan
Best Actress	Kelli Goss as Rachel in What Showers Bring
Best Supporting Actor	Anele Matoti as Dr Zolani in Tula Tula
Best Supporting Actress	Pumeza Matoti as Allile in Tula Tula
Best Screenplay Drama	Tula Tula, Diane Vermooten, Writer
Best Documentary	Identity, Arthur Delgado, Producer
Best Write of Passage Spotlight Film	Stuck, Aaron Kamp, Producer
Best International Film	Tula Tula, Diane Vermooten, Producer
Best Comedy	Unplugged, James Runcorn, Producer
Best Cinematography	Cipta Gelar, Fredrik Wattimena, DP
Best Director	Tula Tula, Shane Vermooten
Best Film	What Showers Bring, Daniel Furukawa, Producer
Friday Audience Favorite	Remnant, Joe Osborn, Producer
Saturday Audience Favorite	Tula Tula, Diane Vermooten, Producer

Among this year's winners are the super talented husband and wife team, Anele Matoti and Pumeza Matoti, who pulled in Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards, respectively, for the South African entry Tula Tula. The film, which also features the debut of the couple's infant, picked up the Best International Film award.

Before news of his win, Anele Matoti said "My wife Pumeza Nolumanyano Rashe Matoti and I are at it again! Now we are both nominated for supporting roles in the socially relevant short film Tula Tula, produced by Media Village. Here is to continuing to do what we love!"

The 12th Annual 168 Film Festival featured an "all-star" Presenter line-up including four-time Emmy winner Michael Learned (The Waltons, Nurse); Nathan Kress (iCarly, Into the Storm); Kelsey Scott (12 Years a Slave); this year's Host, comedian Kerri Pomarolli (The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, Lifetime); Vincent Irizarry (All My Children, Heartbreak Ridge, Homeland); twice Emmy nominated actor Max Gail (Barney Miller, 42); Writer, Director Sean McNamara (Soul Surfer, Hoovey); Melissa Biggs (Baywatch, Dreamz: The Movie); Kim Estes (NCIS, Law & Order: L.A.; The Closer, The Matador, Rake); Denise Grayson (The Social Network, Shameless); Melissa Disney (As Told By Ginger; Superman: Unbound); and Bryan E. Miller (film composer America, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Next Top Model, Access Hollywood.)

This year's festival took on additional importance as the press declared 2014 as "The Year of Christian Film," following a host of box-office hits that grossed record numbers while dealing with faith-based themes (God's Not Dead; Heaven Is For Real, Son of God, Noah.) 

The American West

The American West from Harold Hay on Vimeo.

Gary Wheeler on Christian Movie Connect

Gary Wheeler of Level Path Productions is a multi-award winning director, producer, and writer from North Carolina who has produced numerous television projects and films globally. Many know him for his adaptations of several legal thrillers by Christian author, Robert Whitlow including the recently released “Jimmy”, “The Trial”, and “The List”. “Mountain Top”, starring Barry Corbin, Coby Ryan McLaughlin, Valerie Azlynn, and Sydney Penny, is the latest Whitlow film; the release date is still pending at this time.

In this interview Wheeler chats with CMC host, Cheryl Ariaz Wicker, about several of his past and present projects, including “Jimmy” and “Mountain Top” and the televised movies, “The Heart of Christmas” and “Somebody’s Child”. There is also mention of another film in the works that sounds very interesting.

To learn more about his past and current movies, and to learn more as new ones are added, visit his website at www.levelpathproductions.com

Kathleen and Phil Cooke on Christian Movie Connect

Kathleen & Phil Cooke, co-founders of Cooke Pictures and The Influence Lab, are a power couple who know the world of media and entertainment, and whose opinions are highly respected when it comes to the film industry. Phil is an internationally known speaker, author, and producer. His knowledge of how to use media effectively to get your message across is used worldwide. Kathleen is a sought after speaker who is on the advisory board for the Hollywood Prayer Network and Hollywood Connect.  She also heads a group called “Influence Women” whose purpose is to train, teach, and encourage women involved in the entertainment and media industry.

Phil & Kathleen Cooke talk to CMC host Cheryl Ariaz Wicker about movies.

In this interview, Kathleen and Phil Cooke talk to CMC Host, Cheryl Ariaz Wicker, about “Noah” and “Son of God”. They discuss how these films, along with others, can impact our culture and open doors of conversations to share your faith.

In addition to being contributing writers for several magazines and news sources, they both have their own blogs. To read their blogs and other projects, you can find Kathleen at kathleencooke.com and Phil at philcooke.com. 

Brad Stine On Christian Movie Connect

Brad Stine, co-star and associate producer of the political suspense thriller, “Persecuted”, talked to Cheryl Ariaz Wicker before a screening of his film at the National Religious Broadcasters convention this year. Calling “Persecuted” a movie that will bring a new wave of what faith based films will look like in the future, Stine also expressed his belief that the best way for Christians to make an impact on their culture is by supporting what they believe in rather than protesting what they oppose. He says that many people today pay more attention to entertainers than to politicians or pastors, and films are a useful tool for expressing beliefs and values.

Scheduled to be released in theaters July 18, 2014, this film is a fictional account of a nationally known evangelist, John Luther, who stands in opposition of religious reforms that are sweeping the nation. When he is framed for the murder of a young girl, Luther sets out to find the truth and is confronted with persecution that threatens the Christian community in the United States. Stine believes this is a film that can be enjoyed by all, but warns that it is not meant for children. It is rated PG13. “Persecuted”, written and directed by Daniel Lusko, stars James Remar, Bruce Davison, Dean Stockwell, James R. Higgins, Gretchen Carlson, Fred Thompson, Raoul Trujillo, Brad Stine, and Natalie Grant

Visit the “Persecuted website at www.persecutedmovie.com

Rebel Storytellers: Reckless Faith Live with Beth Guckenberger

KENRICK BROTHERS WRAP FILMING ON ANTICIPATED FIFTH MOVIE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 29, 2014 – Alex and Stephen Kendrick—creators of hit faith films FIREPROOF and COURAGEOUS—have just wrapped principal photography on their anticipated fifth movie—a family drama with humor and heart focused on the power of prayer and its primary role in the Christian life. 

“We made this film to inspire, challenge and motivate families to fight the right kind of battles and to fight them the best way possible,” said Director and Co-Writer Alex Kendrick. “We have plans for everything—careers, finances, health. But what about a strategy for prayer for our lives, our spouses and our children?”

The Kendricks’ fifth film is their first project independent of Sherwood Pictures, the movie ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church. Pre-production began in 2013 with the blessing and support of the Sherwood family, where they remain associate pastors. 

“Sherwood is still our church home, and we’re here talking to you now only because Michael Catt, our pastor, took a risk, supported us and let us make a movie,” Alex Kendrick said.

Provident Films and AFFIRM Films partnered with the brothers to distribute their fifth movie.

The film features New York Times best-selling author and Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer in her film debut. 

“I'm honored to be working with the Kendricks, and to be part of a story that encourages people to pray,” Shirer said. “Prayer is the most powerful weapon the church has to unlock the activity of heaven on earth.”

Filmed in and around Charlotte, N.C., this is the first Kendrick Brothers project shot outside their hometown of Albany, Ga. It drew more than 1,000 volunteers from 85 churches in the Charlotte area who stepped up and reached across denominational lines to support the production.

In addition to Shirer, the cast of the Kendricks’ latest movie includes T.C. Stallings (COURAGEOUS), Alex Kendrick (MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, COURAGEOUS), Robert Amaya (MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, COURAGEOUS) and veteran actress Karen Abercrombie (MY NAME IS PAUL, MOUNTAIN TOP). It introduces film newcomers comedian Michael Jr. as Michael and Alena Pitts as Danielle, and features a cameo by renown speaker Beth Moore in her first acting role.

“It's time for fierceness in prayer, and I cannot think of a more crucial message for a movie to convey,” Moore said. “God waits to see a generation that will take Him at His Word. Let's be that generation.”

“We’re going after something here that could radically improve our culture, and moviegoers will experience it within the context of an inspiring and emotional story,” Producer and Co-Writer Stephen Kendrick said. “Prayer is so much more than people realize. It can powerfully affect every problem and need in our lives if engaged from within a vibrant relationship with God.”

SYNOPSIS

A family-friendly drama, the film is about learning to fight the right kinds of battles. Filled with humor, wit and heart, it follows Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, a middle-class couple, and their daughter, Danielle, as they struggle through personal, marital and spiritual issues. Their lives are forever changed after Elizabeth meets an elderly widow who helps her develop a secret prayer room in her home.

PRAYER IS FREQUENT . . . AT HOME

Each Kendrick Brothers film explores a subject deeply important to Christians and the Christian life: personal integrity in FLYWHEEL, resilient faith in FACING THE GIANTS, loving marriages in FIREPROOF and heroic parenting in COURAGEOUS.

This film’s focus on prayer strategically highlights a subject of interest to a majority of Americans. According to a National Opinion Research Center survey on frequency of prayer, nearly 90 percent of Americans claim to pray regularly. Some 60 percent say they pray at least once a day—for Christians, that number grows to 84 percent, according to a U.S. News and Beliefnet online poll. Almost 80 percent of American Christians say they pray most often at home.

Polycarp: Destroyer of Gods - Teaser Trailer

God's Not Dead | Official Full Movie Trailer

Faith Leaders Love NOAH

Forecast: After Months of Controversy, 'Noah' Finally Storms Theaters

Thursday Update: Playing at around 3,000 locations, Noah earned an estimated $1.6 million on Thursday evening. In comparison, Gravity earned $1.4 million, while 300: Rise of An Empire grossed $3.6 million. This number doesn't give a clear indication of how Noah will perform for the weekend, though most signs continue to point toward a debut north of $30 million.

Forecast: Following months of controversy, audiences will finally get a chance to make their own assessment of Noah this weekend. Sabotage and Cesar Chavez also open, though both should be under $10 million.

Playing at around 3,500 theaters, director Darren Aronofsky's Noah brings to life the well-known Old Testament story of Noah's Ark. Months ago, word began to spread that the movie took serious creative license with the story, which is fairly brief (Chapters 6 to 9 in Genesis) and strange (for example, Noah didn't have his kids until he was five hundred years old). This created an air of controversy around the project, which typically improves box office potential (controversy creates conversation).

While Paramount would like Noah to connect with religious audiences, you don't exactly have to be a regular churchgoer to be familiar with and curious about the story of Noah's Ark. The marketing material for the movie has focused mostly on the disaster elements, and also fashioned Russell Crowe's Noah as a warrior akin to his roles in Gladiator and Robin Hood. While this has broadened the potential, it's also diluted the message. Is it a faith-based movie? An action movie? A disaster movie?

Reviews are solid, but not spectacular, and probably won't move the needle much. Paramount is expecting an opening in the $30 to $33 million range. Meanwhile, Fandango is reporting that its selling more tickets ahead of time than 300: Rise of an Empire, which opened to $45 million at the beginning of the month.

Even if Noah is a miss in the U.S., it does seem poised for strong returns overseas (where its playing in 3D in most markets). This past weekend, it got off to impressive starts in South Korea and Mexico, and more territories will follow in the next few weeks.

At 2,486 theaters, Sabotage marks the third major role for Arnold Schwarzenegger since he returned to the big screen. The first two didn't work out so well: The Last Stand bombed with $12.1 million, while Escape Plan wasn't much better ($25.1 million). From those abysmal results, it seems like audiences just aren't interested in seeing the Governator in butt-kicking mode anymore.

Marketing for Sabotage has highlighted the End of Watch connection—they're both written and directed by David Ayer—and put a heavy focus on action. Story-wise, it's jumped between "drug bust gone wrong" and "kidnapped wife and child," both of which have been done countless times before. With tough competition from Noah—and with Captain America on the horizon—it would be surprising if Sabotage opened above $10 million.

While Cesar Chavez is only opening at 664 locations, it could do surprisingly strong business. The movie stars Michael Pena as the civil rights activist who worked to improve labor conditions for Latino farmworkers in the mid-20th century. Chavez is a major hero within the Hispanic community, who make up nearly one-third of frequent moviegoers in the U.S.

Last year, Hispanics flocked to Instructions Not Included, which opened to $7.8 million at just 348 theaters. That was a comedy, though, and Chavez doesn't have the same immediate appeal. Still, Lionsgate is doing a great job courting Hispanic audiences: Spanish dubbed and subtitled prints will be available at all locations. An opening north of $5 million seems likely.

After earning over $15 million in limited release, Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel expands in to nearly 1,000 theaters this weekend. It should once again earn over $6 million (and could be much higher).

Jason Bateman's Bad Words expands to over 800 theaters this weekend. The movie hasn't done too well in limited release, and there doesn't seem to be much buzz surrounding this nationwide expansion. It would be surprising if this made over $4 million this weekend.

Finally, God's Not Dead expands to over 1,100 theaters after its very successful $9.2 million debut last weekend. On good word-of-mouth, the movie should hold well: a weekend north of $6 million is likely.

Forecast (March 28-30)
1. Noah - $36.2 million
2. Divergent - $22.9 million (-58%)
3. Muppets - $10 million (-41%)
4. Sabotage - $7.8 million
5. Peabody - $7.7 million (-35%)
6. Grand Budapest - $7 million
7. God's Not Dead - $6.7 million
8. Cesar Chavez - $6.5 million

Bar for Success

Noah star Russell Crowe's Robin Hood opened to $36 million back in 2010. Noah ought to be in the same range: anything over $35 million gets a pass. Meanwhile, anything above $10 million is a win for Sabotage. 

Noah – The Emperor’s New Movie

FROM Barbara Nicolosi

Let me just start by saying two words which you can accept as fair warning to avoid this stupidest movie in years: Rock People.

Need more?

Tragiclly, as Western Civilization continues to decay all around us, one thing remains unmuddled: everything is politics. And nowhere is that more true than in media. The same polarization that fired Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty and then got him rehired, and made Mel Gibson $600 million, and then lost him his Hollywood career, and made half the world want to canonize Roman Polanski with the other half wanting him castrated — these are the same social causes propelling the embarrassingly awful horribleness of Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, into an 76% fresh rating from the shameless, agenda-driven critics at RottenTomatoes.com, and setting so many Christian leaders and critics into shilling for the same.

Please, stop the madness. It is astounding to me how Christians can be lured into a defense of the indefensible because they are so afraid of the charge of “unreasonablenes.” Trying so hard to be nice, we end up being patsies for people who have no other agenda than to make money off of us.
Oh yeah. And ROCK PEOPLE.


Honestly, there is so little that is Biblical in the piece that it isn’t even worth critiquing it as an irreverent adaptation. If the Bible was an original writer of the material, the WGA wouldn’t even insist on it getting a shared story credit with Aronofsky. It isn’t an adaptation in any serious sense of that term. There is a boat, a flood, and a guy named Noah in both pieces, and that is all they have in common.

Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/churchofthemasses/2014/03/the-utter-embarrassing-mess-of-noah-and-why-everybody-is-lying-about-it/

CMC #89 - Kathleen and Phil Cooke

The Gospel of John

The Gospel Of John

Post by Rebel Pilgrim Productions.

New Study Reveals Shocking Statistics About Women in Hollywood

If I asked you to name your favorite actress, I am sure you would have no shortage of names: Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, or Cate Blanchett? 
What if I then told you that women are so marginalized in Hollywood that a recent study showed that theyonly had 30% of all speaking roles on-screen?

A little over a week ago, Cate Blanchett won an Oscar® (her second) for her role in the filmBlue Jasmine. In her acceptance speech she waved her little golden man and bravely stated:

"Those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences - they are not. Audiences want to see them and, in fact, they earn money. The world is round, people."

This statement was met with cheers from the audience and whoops of delight - clearly a sentiment that the actresses in the auditorium shared.

Of the top 100 domestic US grossing films, females were only 15% of the main protagonists (in other words, the heroine, the main character we root for), 29% of the major characters, and 30% of all speaking characters. So over two thirds of all speaking roles were spoken by men. This figure remains virtually the same as the 1940s.

READ MORE AT http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/study-reveals-shocking-statistics-women-hollywood-191500383.html