Did anyone see this coming? Honestly, I didn't think that Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) Four Christmases, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, would be the number-one movie over the five-day Thanksgiving time period. According to preliminary data at Boxofficemojo, the holiday flick took in more than $46 million at domestic theaters for the Wednesday-through-Sunday frame. I've seen the ad campaign for Christmases, and I have no intention of taking in a screening of it. I guess it was the right product at the right time.

Summit Entertainment's Twilight came in second with $39 million. Considering how hyped up this one was, and how much of an ardent following it seems to possess, frankly, I'm surprised. Where were all the teens to push this to the top of the heap? They were certainly available to pack the theaters. And those who saw it during its debut weekend had ample opportunity to engage a repeat viewing or two. Still, at a reported budget of about $37 million, the project should be profitable for Summit Entertainment (I wish I knew how much was being spent on marketing, though). It's total take so far is approaching $120 million.

Bolt from Disney (NYSE: DIS) was third with $36 million. So far, its total gross stands at almost $67 million. I'm disappointed that the cartoon isn't closer to $100 million by now. I mean, this is the Disney brand we're talking about. Plus, Bolt could be considered a test of both John Lasseter's hit-making skill and of the value of the Pixar purchase (as I alluded to in a previous piece). I expected more from this one, and I'm sure Disney execs were counting on a higher gross by this point as well (no matter what they will say in public).

Continue reading 'Twilight' not tops over Thanksgiving holiday -- surprised?

'Twilight' not tops over Thanksgiving holiday -- surprised? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Imagine my pleasant astonishment at finding that Nicole Kidman is to become the highest paid public speaker ever! For the sum of $435,000 (gulp!), Nicole will address the 5th Annual Forbes Global CEO Conference at the Sydney Opera House, Australia. But the Female First Newsletter states that Nicole isn't quite yet committed to appearing there in person. Honestly Nicole, for that kind of money you should at least let them get a first-hand look at that classic face of yours!

All kidding aside, it pleases me to see that this woman has taken the top spot for earnings in a category largely dominated by men. I don't want to hear about any ulterior motives or hidden agendas on how it happened, the principle is what I'm writing about. There is no logical reason to justify the continued disparity in incomes between men and women doing similar work. It's just that simple.

Kudos to Nicole, regardless of how it came about or what may happen. I see this as another call for us to raise the bar a bit higher. I'll sum it up with a bit of wisdom that was imparted to me long ago. It goes something like this:

With the possible exception of tasks that require brute strength, a woman can perform any job that a man can and do it just as well. Additionally, most women can and do perform tasks that men can't or won't, and in the cases of those jobs that do require brute strength, put two or three women on it and generally they'll kick your butt.

Oh, and shame on Donald Trump for not changing diapers . . . what a putz. (I've been waiting for a place to put that for awhile.)

Nicole Kidman speaks to CEOs for big bucks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.