News Corp.'s (NASDAQ: NWS) new computer cartoon, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, had a strong domestic debut this past Wednesday. It opened with $13.8 million on that day, which represents a record-breaking performance for an animated feature released in the middle of the week. Now, just recently, I mentioned how I hate it when Hollywood promotes the breaking of a record. It tends to be very qualified. This situation is no different. Still, I'll give credit where credit is due. Dinosaurs is doing well so far.

We'll have to see how the weekend ultimately treats the new feature. The competition is stiff. It's the July 4th holiday, and Viacom (NYSE: VIA) is out there with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Thankfully, News Corp. won't have too much to worry about from Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Pixar cartoon Up. As can be seen by a Boxofficemojo chart, the excitement surrounding Up has faded. News Corp. was naturally counting on this to happen by this point in time.

Continue reading 'Ice Age' sequel off to good start -- what does this say about Disney and Pixar?

'Ice Age' sequel off to good start -- what does this say about Disney and Pixar? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well, Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen took command of the domestic box-office weekend. No surprise after observing what the film did last Wednesday when it opened. According to Boxofficemojo, Fallen, as of early estimates, grossed $112 million during the three-day period starting Friday. The film has taken in over $200 million so far once the days leading up to the weekend are added in. Excellent business. Especially considering that the sequel is doing better than its predecessor at this point, according to a comparison chart (this chart includes a comparison with Iron Man as well, so just focus on the Transformers franchise).

Growth. You've got to love it. I'm sure Viacom does. Disney (NYSE: DIS) isn't doing badly, either. Although not a huge hit, The Proposal did respectable business. It came in second with $18 million. It should eventually reach $100 million.

Continue reading Viacom's 'Transformers' takes over the multiplex

Viacom's 'Transformers' takes over the multiplex originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Looks like Disney's (NYSE: DIS) The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock, was sober enough to beat Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) The Hangover.

According to early estimates at Boxofficemojo, the movie grossed $34 million at domestic theaters, making it the top film of the past three days. Proposal was expected to earn $26 million during its first weekend out in the marketplace.

Continue reading Sandra Bullock succeeds for Disney, Jack Black fails Sony

Sandra Bullock succeeds for Disney, Jack Black fails Sony originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Disney (NYSE: DIS) and Pixar have a great thing going with their new cartoon Up. Last weekend, the movie debuted in the top spot. This past weekend, Disney just might retain that number-one designation. And if it does, I can tell you that this is cool news.

It's very close. As of this writing, early estimates at Boxofficemojo credit Up with a take of $44 million for the past three days at domestic theaters. Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) The Hangover is said to have grossed $43 million. If those numbers by any chance hold, then Up will be in first place and Hangover will come in second.

Continue reading Disney's 'Up' continues to reach for box-office domination

Disney's 'Up' continues to reach for box-office domination originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Disney (NYSE: DIS) soared to the number-one spot this past weekend with its new Pixar project, Up. The computer cartoon grossed roughly $68 million at domestic theaters as of early estimates, according to Boxofficemojo.

Disney took a lot of thunder away from News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) and its Ben Stiller comedy/fantasy Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. That movie dropped to second place, taking in about $25 million.

Continue reading Disney and Pixar rule box office with 'Up'

Disney and Pixar rule box office with 'Up' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I'm sure you've heard about this by now. It's been all over the blogs and discussion boards. An article at The New York Times has spurned discussion over whether or not Disney's (NYSE: DIS) next Pixar film, Up, is shareholder-friendly. In other words, has it been designed so that it can make a lot of money? Or, is it instead just another self-satisfying exercise for its creators, shareholder value be damned?

Well, here's a quote that's gotten some play. Co-director of Up, Pete Docter, has stated that he doesn't really care about the money potential of a project. He said: "We make these films for ourselves. We're kind of selfish that way." Oh, gee, thanks a lot, you overpaid Pixar punk. Just out of curiosity, do you care at all about shareholders like myself who have held Disney for a really long time? Do you realize that the dividend received no raise this year?

Continue reading Does Pixar care about Disney shareholders?

Does Pixar care about Disney shareholders? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.