'Despicable Me 2' routs 'Ranger' to earn top spot at box office
Domestic box office numbers so far on this long Fourth of July holiday weekend are suggesting the the animated minions of family favorite, with a price tag one third of what The Lone Ranger cost to make, is outperforming the masked man by more than three to one. (AP Photo/Universal Pictures, File)
The minions of "Despicable Me 2" ran away with the July 4th box office, leaving the Johnny Depp Western "The Lone Ranger" in the dust.
According to studio estimates Sunday, the Universal animated sequel took in $82.5 million over the weekend and $142.1 million across the five-day holiday window. Gore Verbinski's reimagining of the iconic lawman bombed for the Walt Disney Co., opening with just $29.4 million over the weekend, and a disappointing $48.9 million since Wednesday.
The trouncing for Disney was especially painful because of the high cost of "The Lone Ranger," which reportedly cost at least $225 million to make. Made by the same team that created the lucrative Disney franchise "Pirates of the Caribbean" (the four film series that grossed $3.7 billion worldwide) the Western drew bad reviews and failed to capture the attention of younger moviegoers.
"We thought it would appeal to a broader audience than it did," Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney, said.
Based on the long-running radio program begun in 1933 and the TV series that debuted in 1949, the "Lone Ranger" brand proved a musty one. The audience for the film skewed heavily toward older moviegoers, with 68 percent of its audience older than 25.
"You think that you have everything in place," said Hollis, listing the proven box-office commodities of Depp, Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. "Even when you have all the ingredients for what you think will be a four-quadrant, `everybody' picture, sometimes it doesn't work out that way."
The poor performance of "The Lone Ranger" called to mind a previous bomb for Disney: last year's similarly-budgeted sci-fi adventure "John Carter," which opened with $30.1 million.
But "The Lone Ranger," which stars Armie Hammer as the masked lawman, will likely fare better than that disappointment, since Depp's international star power should bring in better worldwide business. It started with $24.3 million abroad, opening in about 30 percent of its planned international market.
While critics skewered the film, it did earn a decent B+ CinemaScore grade from moviegoers. But "The Lone Ranger" is nevertheless likely to be a sizeable write-down for Disney and could impact the company's stock price when markets reopen Monday.
"Everybody beat up on `The Lone Ranger' pretty hard," said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. "Everything was just not going in its favor."
On the other hand, Universal made "Despicable Me 2" for the comparatively small amount of $76 million (a figure that doesn't count a huge marketing budget). The far-better than expected haul firmly establishes "Despicable Me," which stars Steve Carell as a diabolical villain turned stay-at-home dad, as a new franchise for Universal and Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment, the Universal-backed animation company.
Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, attributed the strong performance to Meledandri, the robust appetite for summer family films, and, above all, those teaming little yellow guys. The minions will get their own spin-off in 2014, and Rocco said another "Despicable Me" film is a certainty.
"The minions steal everybody's heart," Rocco said. "It's a great time of the year to release a family film with broad appeal."
Stand-up Kevin Hart's concert documentary "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain" proved savvy counter-programming for Summit Entertainment, opening with $17.5 million over five days and $10.1 million over the weekend.
Fox Searchlight's family comedy "The Way, Way Back" (which also stars Carell) opened in 19 theaters with a strong theater average of about $30,000. It slowly expands for a July 26 national release.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included
1. "Despicable Me 2," $82.5 million.
2. "The Lone Ranger," $29.4 million ($24.3 million international).
3. "The Heat," $25 million.
4. "Monsters University," $19.6 million.
5. "World War Z," $18.2 million.
6. "White House Down," $13.5 million.
7. "Man of Steel," $11.4 million.
8. "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain," $10.1 million.
9. "This Is the End," $5.8 million.
10. "Now You See Me," $2.8 million.Prada Casts First Black Model In Almost 2 Decades
Maiaika Firth new’s Prada campaign is causing a stir as she is the first black woman to be featured in the Italian company’s ad campaigns in 19 years. The 2013 campaign features Firth among other models including Christy Turlington, Freja Beha Erichsen and Fei Fei Sun. Naomi Campbell was the last black model to star in a Prada campaign in 1994.
While diversity in fashion is a constant conversation it seems that in nearly 20 years a model of color would have been featured. With the fame of models like Alek Wek, Chanel Iman and Jordan Dunn it seems a little startling that Prada hasn’t featured a black women since Campbell.
What are your thoughts on the “diversity come lately” approach in fashion and advertising?
SAN FRANCISCO AIRLINE HORROR!BILITY! Two dead, 181 hurt in San Francisco air crash
An Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul crashed on landing at San Francisco's airport Saturday, killing two passengers, injuring more than 180 and and forcing dozens of frightened passengers and crew to scamper from the heavily damaged aircraft before it was engulfed in smoke and flames.
There were 307 on board, including 16 crew. Officials said 123 escaped without injury and 181 were hospitalized or treated for injuries. Among the injured, 49 are in serious condition and five at San Francisco General Hospital, including a child, remain in critical condition. Among the 47 others at San Francisco General, several were treated for minor injuries, including fractures and abrasions, and were released Saturday night.
"It was all over in 10 seconds," says Vedpa Singh, who suffered a fractured collarbone. "We heard a big bang, and it was over."
The cause of the crash has not been determined, but the FBI has has ruled out terrorism. The Boeing 777 appeared to have touched down tail-first and short of the runway. A sheered off tail section rested several hundred feet from the main body of the aircraft, and debris from the plane littered the runway. Passenger Janghyung Lee told USA TODAY that the aircraft rattled wildly before landing.
The two people who died in the crash were found outside the heavily damaged jetliner. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said late Saturday that she did not know the ages or genders of the victims.
The flight, which originated in Shanghai China before stopping in Seoul en route to San Francisco, was carrying 61 U.S. citizens, 77 South Koreans and 141 Chinese. All passengers and crew were accounted for by Saturday night. It took several hours to account for everyone on the flight.
"We're lucky we have this many survivors,'' said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.
It was the first fatal crash of a commercial airline in the U.S. since February 2009.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman declined comment on whether pilot error caused the crash. "We have not determined what the focus of this investigation is yet,'' she said before leaving Washington, D.C, with a crash site-bound team of investigators . "We will be looking at everything. Everything is on the table at this point.''
Hersman said the investigative team would look at all possible crash causes. "Obviously we have a lot of work to do,'' Hersman said before departing Washington for the crash scene.
The investigators will work with the FAA, the aircraft's manufacturer Boeing and Korea's Air and Accident Investigation Board, Hersman said. Analysts in Washington, D.C., will examine air-traffic control records, weather and aircraft maintenance issues, she said. Investigators on site will examine the aircraft, the cockpit data recorders and the scene.
San Francisco International Airport was closed for several hours, with incoming flights diverted to other airports, before reopening two of four runways.
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said in an e-mail that she had been scheduled to take the flight, but switched to a United flight to cash in air miles for family members. "We are OK. My friend on that flight is OK, too,'' Sandberg told USA TODAY.
Samsung executive David Eun, who was aboard the aircraft, was among the first to tweet photos and word of passengers. "Fire and rescue people all over the place. They're evacuating the injured. Haven't felt this way since 9/11.''
Asiana Airlines said on its Twitter account, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, and flight crew on the flight. We hope to provide you with further info asap... We are currently investigating and will update with news as soon as possible.''
Boeing said in a tweet from its corporate account: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's incident at SFO. We stand ready to assist the NTSB.''
Saturday's crash landing was the first fatal accident involving a major commercial carrier in the U.S. since November 2001, when a American Airlines flight to the Dominican Republic crashed on takeoff in Queens, N.Y., killing all 260 people on board. The last fatal accident involving a commercial flight in the U.S. was Colgan Air Flight 3407, which crashed near Buffalo, killing 50 in 2009.
Tracy Morgan And Fiancee Meghan Wollover Welcome Daughter Maven
It’s a girl for 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan and his fiancée Megan Wollover. The couple welcomed a daughter named Maven Sonae Morgan at a New York hospital on July 2nd.
“Welcome to the world my little angel: Maven Sonae,” tweeted Wollover this afternoon.
Maven weighed in at 7 lbs and 3 oz and measured 19.59 inches long, a spokesperson tells ABC News. Mom and child are said to be doing well.
Tracy already has three sons from a previous marriage. This is Megan’s first child.
New Couple: Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross?
How random is this? Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross a couple? They were spotted on a date at Teddy’s night club. Of course you know who Evan’s mother is.. The great Ms. Diana Ross… It’s funny because Evan is best friends with Ashlee’s ex Ryan Cabrebra.
I mean that was so long ago, before her son Bronx and being married to Pete Wentz.. But anyway hopefully they will work..
Nothing wrong with a little young love.
Gossip Game’ Gets the Pink Slip, Reality Show Will Not Get Second Season
Unfortunately, it’s not looking too good for one of VH1′s newest reality shows, The Gossip Game. The show starring Angela Yee, K.Foxx, Ms. Drama, Sharon Carpenter, Vivian Billings, JasFly and Kim Osorio, followed entertainment journalists, bloggers and radio personalities as they showed viewers some of the behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. So why won’t we see a season two? According to one of the cast mates Vivian, no specific reason was shared, but she does speculate that the Mona Scott Young produced show wasn’t marketed properly.
She explained:
I am sad to inform my readers that there will NOT be a second season of Vh1′s “The Gossip Game”. I’m not sure what the reasoning was behind the cancellation, but I will say this. There was a lot going on behind the scenes that affected our show.
For starters, our original start time was 9pm and was pushed back to 9:30 because T.I.’s “A Family Hustle” was a family show and coming on at 10′oclock while most families are getting ready for bed was #NOBueno.
Then we were pushed back to 11pm (which I never understood why that happened) because “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” was coming back to our TV screens and they HAD to repeat that show twice along with T.I.’s show before they even aired our show. Hence, our show never even had a chance.
So it was no surprise to me that our show got canned. But not one to worry, I’ve got some other things in the works so I know I’ll be straight.
She also shred the official “It’s not you, it’s me” you’re fired email as well,
Although the show has gotten the boot, we are sure we’ll see much more of the cast in the future.
Fresh Face Redaric Williams Is HOT On "ROLLING OUT"
Model Redaric Willaims is making a splash on the small screen as "Tyler Michaelson", one of the newest additions to the "Y&R" cast.
And for ladies who love a bad boy, Redaric is certainly a keeper. “I am the kid who was in the museum and had to touch the painting. That was me. I am very much so a rule breaker. When I was growing up, I was always getting into trouble.”
When asked about being labeled "sexy", Redaric told RO,
“I don’t see myself as that so I don’t think I’d ever be comfortable in something that I don’t see myself as...but I am aware of it and I’m kind of fine with it in the sense that I know that that’s what’s required for what I’m trying to do career-wise.”
Although he's only been a cast member for a few months, Redaric is excited about joining an iconic franchise that's been around for 40 years.
"I feel almost guilty and that’s the truth because we are doing so much celebrating,” he confesses. “There are so many parties that are going on and so many events and things that we’re doing and everybody is ‘oh, congratulations on so many years’ and I’m brand new to the show. I just got here so I feel almost guilty. I’m very appreciative and very respectful for what ‘The Young and the Restless’ has done and how long they’ve been doing what they’re doing.”
Mandela’s Family Fight Over MONEY, While He Fights For His LIFE!
The Mandela family, fighting over the 94-year-old’s money, and fighting over the bones of his children.
The drama — with accusations of illegitimacy, appeals to the family’s ancestors, allegations of secret exhumations of family bones and a battle over a chieftaincy — has horrified much of the nation.
In his will, Mandela requested to be buried next to his children, three of whom have already passed. Mandela’s first daughter Makaziwe died as an infant in 1948, his second son Madiba Thembekile died in a car accident in 1969 and his eldest son Makgatho died of complications due to HIV/AIDS in 2005.
Mandela had three wives, 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Sixteen members of the family have filed court papers alleging that some years ago Mandela’s grandson and Makgatho’s son Mandla — whom Mandela anointed head of the family after Makgatho’s death — dug up his relatives’ three graves in Qunu, the village in South Africa’s Eastern Cape to which Mandela retired. Mandla moved the remains to Mvezo, a village a short drive away where Mandela was born and where Mandla is building a four-story luxury hotel.
According to the family members, Mandla, who is chief of the abaThembu clan, secretly dug up the bones in the dead of night without informing the rest of the family. When the family opened the graves last week, with Mandela gravely ill, there were no bones to be found.
Mandla’s lawyers have said he will contest the order. In a statement on Sunday, Mandla said he was “regrettably compelled” to go to court. “The way we are handling this matter is contrary to our customs and a deep disappointment to my grandfather and his ancestors,” he said. The case is set to resume in Mthatha on Tuesday.
The interim court order issued last week gave him until July 29 to respond, but the order was supposed to set a June 29 deadline. According to local media, Mandla’s legal team took this as a “gift from the ancestors” and a sign he had ancestral support.
Members of the opposing family faction reportedly believe that the ancestors are angry over of the removal of the bones from Qunu, leading to the senior Mandela’s repeated health setbacks.
What do you think?
Lupe Fiasco Calls Chicago Schools "Terrible" During Graduation Speech
Lupe Fiasco has never been one to bite his tongue on matters important to him. Over the weekend, the Chicago native addressed a collective of young men who recently graduated from high school and during his speech called the city's school system “terrible.”
The Chicago Sun-Times reported about Fiasco's visit to what organizers dubbed the “Mass Black Male Graduation and Transition to Manhood” event. The rapper served as the keynote speaker, and used the platform to rail against the city's beleaguered educational ranks.
From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Congratulations, you have graduated from one of the most terrible, substandard school systems in the entire world. You have just spent the last 12 years receiving one of the worst educations on earth. You are at least four, five steps behind people in other countries that are younger than you.
Transition to manhood is the most important thing that's going on right now. The caps and the gowns and your tassels and your honorary blah blah blahs don't mean nothing. That's just dress. That's just some clothes. Meaningless clothes, too, because they have no real purpose in life. They don't keep you warm. What do they do? They just represent to someone else that you've achieved something. But then when you look back at it, what have you achieved?
Joining Fiasco at the event were area professionals and politicians there to support the graduating collective. Fiasco, a product of the same school system he openly criticized, pledged $100 to each of the 150 graduates during the ceremony.
Appeal Rejected For Ex-Girlfriend of Rapper Max B in Fatal Fort Lee Hotel Holdup
An appeal by the ex-girlfriend of jailed rapper Max B that her confession should have been tossed and her sentence reduced for a botched armed robbery at a Fort Lee hotel that left one victim dead has been rejected by a New Jersey court.
Given the circumstances, Gina Conway’s confession to a Bergen County Prosecutor’s detective clearly wasn’t coerced, while her appeal of the sentence was “without sufficient merit to warrant discussion,” the state Appellate Division found.
Conway, 36, will continue serving out her 15-year sentence following the state Appellate Division ruling. She’s eligible for parole in 2019.
Conway was following orders from Charly “Max B” Wingate when she and his brother-in-law, Kelvin Leedram, forced their way into a room at the Holiday Inn on Route 4 in September 2006, then bound and gagged two of the victims.
Leedram later shot and killed a third man, who police said was buying drugs.
Wingate is serving a 75-year sentence and won’t be eligible for parole from Trenton State Prison until Nov. 9, 2042. Leerdam, meanwhile, got life.
Conway got her 15-year deal after agreeing to testify against both men.
Detective Mark Bendul of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office explained during their trial that he and other investigators arrested Conway in a New York City subway station at 12:35 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2006, a few days after the murder. READ MORE….
Kerry Washington Gets Wet For The August 2013 Cover Of "VANITY FAIR"
"Scandal" actress Kerry Washington dons a sexy one piece in Olivia Pope's fave spot to clear her mind--the pool--on the August 2013 cover of Vanity Fair Magazine. No swim caps here! Chick is looking all kinds of fab, wet slicked back hair and a white hot cut-out swimsuit to boot.
Inside the issue, Kerry stars in an editorial dubbed “Scandal’s First Lady”. The pictorial was by Norman Jean Roy and styled by Jessica Diehl.
Also, in the latest issue of The Guardian, Kerry talks about being a Black actress and admits that she doesn't want to live in a post-racial society.
"I don't believe in post-racial. It's like saying we should live in a post-gender world. But I love being a woman! I am interested in living in a post-sexist world and feel the same about race. I don't want to live in a post-race world because being black is really exciting. I mean" – she laughs – "it's who I am. I'm a woman, black, from New York, Aquarius – these are things that create who I am. I'm interested in living in a post-racist world, where being African American doesn't dictate limitations on what I can do – but I don't want to live post-race. Our differences are so fascinating and wonderful. We don't want to all be the same. Who wants that? Hitler did, but who else?"
Totally agree Kerry. Recognize the differences amongst others and RESPECT them. Don't ignore them.
SPOTTED: Nas Parlaying In The South Of France....With A Mystery Boo?
When you're a legend in the game, you spend your work days in the South of France. Check out what Nas was up to...with a mystery boo by his side...recently while putting in work for Revolt TV....
Mr. Jones was spotted on a pier awaiting his small boat to take him and his date-of-the-moment off into the seas after a day with friends like marketing honcho Steve Stoute at the Hotel Du Cap-Eden Roc restaurant.
Before going back to NYC a few days ago, Nas, Steve and Diddy were in France soliciting corporate sponsors for Revolt TV. And Nas is doing a major partnership with Mr. Diddy Jet Dance himself in that new venture of his.
He chilled out with the folks on Steve's team...and life must be extra good when you call THIS "work":
Next up for Nas....he's kicking off his European tour this weekend which takes him to the UK, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Romania, Netherlands & Hungary. And a few Rock The Bells appearances (he co-founded the festival). Nothing like a man who makes major business moves he rarely discusses.
Jay-Z Unveils Magna Carta Holy Grail Artwork [PHOTOS]
Jay-Z keeps the spectacle that is Magna Carta Holy Grail at the tip of our tongues with a grandiosely debuting the album's official artwork.
The Roc Nation CEO headed over the pond to the Salisbury Cathedral in the United Kingdom, which houses one of four surviving documents of the original 1215 Magna Carta, to display the cover of his 12th studio LP.
See multiple photos of the album art
Yes, you read right; S. Carter strikes again. The cover will be on display at the Salisbury Cathedral for the entire month of July.
Magna Carta Holy Grail releases July 4 at 12:01 AM exclusively to Samsung users via the #magnacarta app. Grab that here.
To our readers in the New York City tri-state area, Hov will shut down Times Square for a concert Monday, July 8, a day before the project releases globally.
Ticket Brokers Reduce Mrs. Carter Show Tickets
Good news BeyHive! Beyonce's Mrs. Carter Show world tour is selling so well that third party tickets brokers have begun reducing the price of the tickets..KEY WORD ‘BROKERS’
According to The Wall Street Journal
Beyonce tickets have been reduced in price at SuperbTicketsOnline.com for the singer's world tour events, and fans are excited about the addition of shows in the U.S. and Canada beginning November 30.
"The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour" has been so hugely successful that concert dates were extended into the fall of the year. North American shows were originally intended to wrap up in August, but December dates have now been added to the tour schedule, beginning with a November 30 live event in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The singer will also perform a second Canadian concert in Toronto, and her U.S. shows include stops in San Jose and Los Angeles in California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Houston and Dallas in Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; and Washington, D.C. SuperbTicketsOnline.com has reduced the prices of Beyonce tickets for all of these events as well as the U.S. and Canadian shows taking place from June 28 until August 5.
Chris Hanson's Mistress Pens Open Letter About Their Affair
'To Catch a Predator' star Chris Hanson's angry ex-mistress writes open letter detailing their affair.
THE ex-mistress of “To Catch A Predator” host CHRIS HANSEN is finally breaking her silence about their steamy affair – two years after they were exposed by The ENQUIRER!
In a bombshell “open letter” penned exclusively for The ENQUIRER, sexy TV reporter KRISTYN CADDELL blasts her former illicit lover as a cad who not only lied to his wife but to her as well. She also blames him for ruining her once promising career.
Caddell, 32, says she met the 53-year-old “Dateline NBC” correspondent in a Palm Beach, Fla., bar in March 2011, and he led her to believe his nearly 20-year marriage was on its last legs, so he was free to date.
“Chris told me a divorce was inevitable and the wedding ring on his finger was all but for show,” Caddell recalls in her scathing letter.
“Over the next several months, our friendship evolved into a whirlwind romance. As far as I was concerned, none of it was being done secretively or concealed from the public.”
Hansen flew her all over the country, and the couple stayed in “the finest hotels,” according to her letter.
They had dinner and mingled “with many of his colleagues,” and Caddell supplied The ENQUIRER photos of the two of them together in public places.
Caddell claims she didn’t learn Hansen was lying about his marriage until just before The ENQUIRER’s exclusive report of the cheating scandal was published in our July 11, 2011, issue.
And now, sources say, Caddell’s full admission to The ENQUIRER may spell the death knell to Hansen’s marriage to wife Mary as the predator catcher’s lies have been exposed.
Kim Kardashain Considering Selling Baby Pic for Charity
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are considering selling the first picture of their daughter North West to benefit charity.
KIM Kardashian is considering selling the first photos of her baby daughter for charity.
The reality beauty, 32, is mulling over an offer of £1.3million from a magazine according to gossip site TMZ.
The proceeds of the shoot with daughter North West, born in June, would go to a good cause.
If Kim says yes the baby would not be making its first appearance on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, as had been thought.
It is unclear if Kanye would join his girlfriend and daughter in the photoshoot but before her birth he was vocal about keeping her private.
He told a newspaper: “Like, this is my baby. This isn’t America’s baby.” And Kim has also made no mention yet of their new arrival on any social networks.
If the shoot goes ahead, Kim and Kanye would be following in the footsteps of stars including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
The pair sold photos of their twins Knox and Vivienne as well as of daughter Shiloh and donated the money to charity.
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘SPAGHETTI WESTERN’
Don’t worry about saving a horse because I’m not sure I can find a cowboy for you to ride.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
