Joel Hopkins is a 38-year-old writer/director. The leading man in his latest film, Last Chance Harvey, is the 71-year-old living legend Dustin Hoffman. In Harvey, Hoffman plays a character that is probably not too far away from turning 70. So the question is, how does a man not quite over the hill chose to write about someone in the autumn of their life? "I'd like to say there's a romantic answer, but it always ends up being quite practical in a way," Hopkins told B OXOFFICE. "I mean, I do find that older people are more interesting as a dramatist. They've got more baggage in a way.
Read moreDid the overall box office haul of 2008 really top 2007's record-setting take of $9.62 billion? Well, apparently it depends on who you talk to. Variety is saying that 2008 was a triumph, but barely, and The Hollywood Reporter has tacked on a couple extra million dollars to said triumph. Media by Numbers and Exhibitor Relations are both estimating that 2008 lost to 2007 by a margin of less than 1%. So, is the cup half empty or is it half full? As always, it depends on your perspective.
Read moreThe first and obvious question to ask screenwriter Eric Roth about his latest project, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, is whether or not he read the F. Scott Fitzgerald story it’s based on prior to adapting it for the screen. His answer is short and to the point, gently giving a casual smile as he pauses for a moment. “I didn’t read it because I didn’t want it unconsciously in my mind as I was writing the screenplay. It’s not a new idea of aging backwards but it varies according to certain stories.” The eclec...
Read moreAdored by fans and hated by critics, iconic actor Bruce Campbell recently came to San Francisco on a promotional tour for his new film My Name Is Bruce. In addition to starring in the film, Campbell also served as a co-writer and director on the project which gave him control to go wild and offend as many people as possible. “No one’s safe in this movie," Campbell told B OXOFFICE. "Here I am coming to San Francisco and I got two gay ranchers in the movie and an old ancient Chinese man who’s played by someone who’s not Chinese, so this movie’s going to go huge in San Francisco.”
Read moreHollywood’s release calendar is usually captured in broad strokes: Summer, Holidays and Slogs. That’s true, but not useful. Here, B OXOFFICE breaks down the schedule into months to give savvy moviegoers an early grasp on what to expect from 52 opening-weekend competitions. Which films will be the biggest hits of 2009? B OXOFFICE sifts through the calendar, crunches the numbers, evaluates the franchises and is here with answers. JANUARY January is a casual month for releases.
Read moreIn an official release, The Weinstein Company and Universal have announced today that Quentin Tarantino's highly-anticipated new film Inglorious Basterds will hit theatres on August 21, 2009. While August is traditionally seen as a dumping ground for mediocre films, there has been a few standouts over the last couple of years. This past August saw the success of Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder. In 2007, Superbad and Bourne Ultimatum were also able to avoid the August stigma.
Read moreWith Eagle Eye, director D.J. Caruso has enjoyed his second consecutive box office hit with leading man Shia LaBeouf. The two collaborated on last year’s thriller Disturbia and plan to continue the successful partnership with an adaptation of Y: The Last Man sometime next year. Caruso got his start working under famed 80’s director John Badham ( Saturday Night Fever, Short Circuit ), a man he feels was truly inspirational to his current success.
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