General Electric's (NYSE: GE) studio division didn't have a great summer at the box office. This past weekend, though, the company's new comedy made waves at the box office.

According to Box Office Mojo, Universal's Couples Retreat, starring Vince Vaughn, took in about $35 million at domestic theaters as of early estimates, more than enough to capture the top slot. Sony (NYSE: SNE) took the next two spots on the chart with Zombieland, and the resilient cartoon Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, respectively. Don't get too cocky, though, Sony, because Disney (NYSE: DIS) was right behind you with its Toy Story 3D special release.

Continue reading GE's 'Couples Retreat' or Viacom's 'Paranormal Activity' -- which is really No. 1?

GE's 'Couples Retreat' or Viacom's 'Paranormal Activity' -- which is really No. 1? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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.

As if  you hadn't heard enough about hybrids lately -- the Toyota Prius, for instance, or the tomato genetically modified with salmon DNA -- now  Warner Home Video decides to drop a hybrid DVD on us.

That right, a hybrid DVD. What that means is that on one side, it's a standard DVD while on the other side, it's a high-definition DVD (those in the know will refer to it as "HD DVD." That's just FYI).  On May 9, Warner Home Video will roll out the the company's very first hybrid DVD -- the Jennifer Aniston vehicle Rumor Has It -- at $39.99.

Clearly, this news raises some pretty important questions:

• will owning a hybrid DVD will allow you to be as smugly self-righteous as owning a hybrid car?
• will Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston's beau, get insecure because Dodgeball is only available in standard DVD format?
• will the release of the Rumor Has It hybrid overshadow forthcoming Angelina Jolie - Brad Pitt hybrid?

Warner launches DVD hybrid with Jennifer Aniston; Brangelina response unclear originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.