The Dark Knight is such an amazing film that it didn’t just break one box office record. It lived up to it’s colossal reviews and smashed all these records:

1. The record for midnight shows: $18.5 million. It bested the previous midnight record set by Star Wars: Episode III- The Revenge of the Sith, in 2005, which grossed $16.9 million.

2. The record for the highest weekend opening: $155 million (or 155.3, 155.4, or 155.34 million- depending on the source). It shattered the previous record of $151.1 million the opening weekend of Spider-Man 3 in May 2007.

3. The top single-day receipts record: $67.9 million on a record 4,366 screens. This was of course, on opening day (Friday the 18th). Yet again, Spidey’s 2007 record of $59.8 million was smashed.

4. The domestic box office record for the three-day weekend: $250 million. The unprecedented ticket sales beat the previous record weekend tally of $218.4 million, set in early July 2007 when Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest debuted to $135.6 million. Besides The Dark Knight’s revenue, Mamma Mia! debuted with $27.6 million. Even though this record wasn’t entirely The Dark Knight’s doing, I think it is safe to say that it would not have happened without it!

5. The IMAX record: $6.2 million. Many viewers wanted to see the film on the big BIG screen, which led the previous record of $4.7 million set by Spider-Man 3 in 2007.

6. In Ledger’s native Australia, box office records were almost broken. The filmed raked in almost $12 million in its first weekend, which was the biggest opening for a movie this year. But it was about $2 million short of the biggest Australian opening, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers record set in 2002 still remains on top. Damn hobbits…

So there you have it. FIVE (almost six) BOX OFFICE RECORDS BROKEN!!

I’m happy to say that I helped break records 1-4 this weekend. I was going for the five-piece but all of the IMAX shows were sold out! So I have decided that I am going to see it on IMAX this week.

Of course, the movie lived up to all the hype and more. I thought it was astonishing, frightening, break-taking, memorable and definitely left me blown away. I think that this short list of adjectives does not even give it justice.

Not only were the performances by all the actors remarkable, but the actual film- the cinematography, the storyline, all the action and effects- were all simply beautiful. And I also love that I was apart of box office history.

If you haven’t seen The Dark Knight yet, what are you waiting for?!

Popularity: 1% [?]

July 18, 2008. A date that has—for Batman fans and casual moviegoers alike—been burned forever in our minds. Three years ago Batman Begins went back to basics—that is, the origin story of Bruce Wayne, soon-to-become the cape and cowl-donning Dark Knight—redeeming the Batman movie franchise with its success and shedding a new light on comic book movies everywhere by bringing them into the modern world of realism and believability.

Besides batarangs and a grappling gun, Batman Begins wielded a meticulously chosen—and not to mention highly talented—cast and the brilliant, capable directing mind of Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Prestige), who decided to end the film with a note that would change things … forever.

Actually, more like a card. The mark of the Joker, Batman’s arch-nemesis and criminal equal.

Now we’re just days away from the release of Nolan’s Bat-sequel, The Dark Knight. But before we get to the now, let’s take a moment to step back and look at the movie’s main villain then. Hold on to your masks, clowns.

Comics (1940):

It all began in 1940 with Batman #1, Bill Finger, and Bob Kane when they created the character—a super villain and criminal mastermind who just was. Finger and Kane found their inspiration in the unsettling appearance of Conrad Veidt in the 1928 silent film called The Man Who Laughs. A sociopath with chalk-white skin, sickly green hair, and bright ruby-colored lips who murders for his own amusement, the Joker—whose real identity is unknown—was born and would forever alter Batman’s life and Gotham City, arguably one-in-the-same.

Over the years the Joker has been written as both a dangerous, psychotic killer and a silly prankster (today he’s considered the former). Later on his origin was explored in numerous explanations with slight variations. But like the Joker says in the classic graphic novel The Killing Joke: if he’s going to have a past, he prefers it to be multiple choice.

In 2006, Wizard magazine crowned the Joker the greatest villain of all time—and rightly so. No one has had such a profound, anarchic, and devastating effect on the Batman mythos as the Joker has, and he’s credited for more than his fair share of tragedies surrounding the Batman.

However, as complex and intense as the relationship between the Joker and Batman is, another character maintains a close—but perhaps not as entwined, albeit strangely complicated—bond with the Joker: the fan-favorite villainess, Harleen Quinzel, affectionately known as Harley Quinn.

Cesar Romero (1960s):

Like one period in the Joker’s existence, Cesar Romero’s portrayal of the Joker in the 1960s campy, live-action television show and the 1966 film of the same name was more that of an annoying, silly nutcase than a dangerous, murdering madman. His crimes were comedic in nature, like turning Gotham’s water supply into jelly and challenging Batman to a surfing competition. (Yeah, you read that right.)

In the movie (yo ho!)—which was horrendously, embarrassingly awful, by the way, and even saying that doesn’t do it justice—the Joker isn’t intimidating, to say the least. You could probably beat this Joker with a fly swatter and he’d run screaming (and giggling) in the other direction. I mean, he was afraid of Catwoman’s “attack cat.” It’s that bad. But in a fictional world where nearly everyone is incredibly cheery and ridiculously cheesy, even the most convincing version of the Joker would look sane next to them. After so long of watching this movie (and the minutes barely drag on), it’s not surprising why it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between a “real” foghorn and a fake foghorn sound made by some guy dressed like a pirate. There are so many random deus ex machinas—the Dynamic Duo’s lives were saved by … rubber foam?—and so much insane logic—apparently “the only possible explanation” for a riddle involving a banana and a Russian is that someone Russian is going to slip on a banana peel and break his neck—that the Joker was really probably standing there dumbfounded amidst the corny acting and badly choreographed end fight scene, thinking, “Okay, the joke’s not funny anymore.”

“Holy … jumble!” Don’t even ask.

Or maybe the Joker just went even more insane. Amusingly, Romero refused to shave his mustache when taking on the role, and thus it was somewhat visible beneath his white makeup. But hey, when you’re surrounded by such preposterous characters and plot threads, why bother to shave? No one cares anyway.

Jack Nicholson (1989):

“Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

In the 1989 Batman film, the Joker had a habit of asking all his victims that before he killed them. Just because he liked how it sounded. With a permanent twisted and silly grin, Jack Nicholson plays one psychotic Joker whose identity was deemed Jack Napier for the movie. Nicholson’s Clown Prince of Crime had his laughing gas and parlor tricks (like acid-squirting flowers) and ridiculous Prince music to dance to on the streets of Gotham and in museums as he vandalized art into something more suited to his “homicidal artist” tastes.

He was made even creepier by the nontraditional decision to make Jack Napier the man who killed Bruce’s parents. As Bats (played by Michael Keaton) points out when he confronts the Joker about his parents’ murder: he may have made the Joker when he caused him to fall into a acidic vat of chemicals, but the Joker made him a long time ago—on the night Bruce swore to rid Gotham of the evil that killed his parents.

Mark Hamill (animation):

Mark Hamill’s (yes, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars) voice as the Joker in numerous cartoons is one of the best incarnations of the Joker ever. Of course, others have done the Joker’s voice in various animations—like Lenny Weinrib in The New Adventures of Batman (1970s) and Kevin Michael Richardson in The Batman (2004–2008)—but Mark Hamill’s Joker portrayal is as classic as Kevin Conroy’s when it comes to Batman (in fact, most fans consider Conroy’s voice to be the voice of Batman).

And I have fond memories of both voices from my childhood. Mark Hamill voiced the Joker in the highly successful Batman: The Animated Series (one of my favorites), which debuted in 1992. He also provided voice talent for the Joker in the fantastic movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, five episodes of The New Batman Adventures, The Batman/Superman Movie, four episodes of Justice League, three episodes of Superman: The Animated Series, and another personal favorite, the movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Heath Ledger (2008):

Through an extremely successful use of viral marketing, the hype for this film is unbelievable. Showings have already sold out, forcing theaters to add more show times to meet strong ticket demands. Once again there is a fantastic cast, including actors both old—Christian Bale reprises his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Morgan Freeman is Lucius Fox, Michael Caine portrays the loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman continues to play now-Lieutenant James Gordon in a role he was born for, and Cillian Murphy cameos as Jonathan Crane aka the Scarecrow—and new—Maggie Gyllenhaal picks up where Katie Holmes left off as love interest Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart joins the cast (among other newcomers) as District Attorney Harvey Dent and his alter ego Two-Face.

Of course, the player whose sad fate made the most powerful impact was the performance of the late Heath Ledger: the Clown Prince of Crime himself.

The people who have seen Heath act on set as the Joker say he was incredible—that every scene he did was over the top and unique, that he blew things out of the water and was even better than Jack Nicholson. We’re talking (posthumous) Oscar-worthy here, folks. Shock rumbled through those already dark waters (due to the tone of The Dark Knight) when Ledger died from an accidental overdose on January 22 of this year. Uncertainty and rumors spread like wildfire, adding to the chaos like the Joker himself breeds in the film. But after much consideration, the decision was made: Nolan and Warner Brothers would honor the last finished work of the young actor by showing the world his heart-and-soul efforts without exploiting his death. It was careful treading from there on, and the question continues to circulate (in some regard) as to whether Heath’s demise will make the movie too tenebrous for audiences still getting accustomed to his death.

Nevertheless, while Ledger’s passing is tragic and unexpected, those who have been lucky enough to see the film already say they weren’t really bothered by that revelation simply because his performance was so captivating. They were enthralled by him—but when the credits rolled and they exited the theater, the sad fact hit them with a heavier weight. Heath is gone, and his talents untimely went with him.

So when you see Heath in The Dark Knight come Friday, don’t be afraid to (love to) hate him as the Joker. In the darkness of the theater, surrounded by fans like yourselves, get lost in the raw emotion and power of his portrayal and the movie itself. The worst thing you could do is worry about reacting the way you would if he hadn’t died. Be honest about it—laugh at the Joker’s sick jokes that are, indeed, funny in a twisted way, and curse him when he does something appalling or heart-wrenching. Because the greatest act of disrespect is one of apathy.

About the Author: WITA is the lead comics writer for Hollywire’s sister site The Girls Entertainment Network. Please visit the site to view more of WITA’s comic coverage.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Wildcats, are you ready for the start of something new? Radio Disney will premiere the first song from High School Musical 3: Senior Year this Friday, July 11th at (What time is it!) 7:15PM EDT/4:15PM PDT. The song entitled Now Or Never, is exactly what fans have been looking for! Is it fabulous, or the bottom of the status quo? I think we can bet on it that the song will bop to the top of the Radio Disney charts, everyday!

Gotta go your own way and won’t be able to listen to the premiere of Now Or Never? No worries, because on Sunday July 13th at 7:55PM ET/PT, Disney Channel will be airing a first look trailer for the highly anticipated sequel.

High School Musical 3 is set for release on October 24, 2008, with the accompanying soundtrack for release on October 21, 2008.

Popularity: 2% [?]

It’s almost summer time, and you know what that means…movie time! Studios are going to be putting out a lot of great films this summer, but there definitely will be some stinkers in there. I care about all you Hollywire readers, and I don’t want you to waste your $10 on a film that everyone already knows should be in the crapper.

I offer you the top ten movies I (and the rest of Hollywood) am anticipating this summer. So take heed, Hollywire-ians, and choose wisely. If you need more help in deciding, go ahead and watch the trailer by clicking on the film title!

Summer blockbusters that are still being anticipated:

1. Iron Man (released in theaters May 2nd)

2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (released in theaters May 22nd)

These two movie monsters have already been doing damage at the box office. If you haven’t seen either of these movies, you need to stop reading and go right now to the nearest theater and watch them. One at a time…a double feature, I don’t know– add some adventure to your life.

But seriously people, these movies are an absolute must. I didn’t even read the Marvel comics before seeing Iron Man and I am still as equally obsessed as a person who did. And it will make you L-O-V-E Robert Downey, Jr. again. *sigh*

And Indiana Jones!? Need I say more? You should already have your shoes on walking out the door to so see “Innnnndyyyyy!” Say it in Willie Scott’s whiny voice with me now… just a little ditty for all you Indiana Jones fans out there.

Now, onto the movies yet to be released!

For the inner nerd in you:

3. The Incredible Hulk

Release Date: June 13th.

Thought that the trailer for the newest Hulk remake felt like deja vu? I hope I am not the only one who feels that way! This film is a remake of the 2003 Ang Lee version of this superhero. It stars Ed Norton as Bruce Banner and Liv Tyler as Betty Ross. Not only is Banner battling the monster inside of him, but now he has a new adversary who has also been inflected by the same Gama radiation– The Abomination, played by Tim Roth. And he is the only creature that can truly destroy the Hulk. Chaos surely will ensue. But you don’t have to be a die hard comic book reader, or nerd for that matter, to like this movie. I for one get super excited just watching the trailer. It makes me wanna go work out… is that normal?

For the classic comedian:

4. Step Brothers

Release Date: July 25th.

From the team that brought you one of my guilty pleasures: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, is a movie about two middle age guys that each live with their single parents. Did I mention it stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as the two middle aged men?! Genius. Ferrell lives with his mom while Reilly lives with his father. Then, you guessed it: Ferrell and Reilly’s parents marry and they become step brothers (not that hard to deduce from the title). Their antics as new brothers turn this new family upside down as they try to get along and keep their parents together. I don’t know about you but I’m a sucker for Will Ferrell movies. Add in John C. Reilly, and heck, I might even see this twice!

For ones wanting a major scare:

5. The Happening

Release Date: (Friday) June 13th.

Since the plot has been really hush hush over M. Night Shyamalan’s latest movie, I don’t really have a lot of deets to share about this flick. But it’s about a man, who just so happens to be played by a Mr. Mark Wahlberg, who is on the run with his family as a cataclysmic natural crisis turns the world upside down. Sounds intense. I think we all remember the M. Night Shyamalan who created Lady in the Water and are quick to forget the M. Night Shyamalan who scared the living daylights out of us in Unbreakable, The Sixth Sense and Signs. Yea, you remember how freaked out you were! Rumor is this is going to another one of his great movies. Pair that up with a release date of Friday the 13th and I’m already creeped out.

For the most touching experience:

6. The Dark Knight

Release Date: July 18th.

Fresh off one of the most shocking tragedies this year, I feel that this movie would have done swimmingly even if Heath Ledger did not pass away. However, that being the case, I think some people may just come out and see this movie because it was the last complete role of his career. But I love that Warner Brothers isn’t playing that card–it gives me hope for Hollywood. That said, this is the much much much (did I mention much?!) anticipated sequel to Batman Begins. And if you didn’t know that, shame on you. This film finds our hero waging a war on dismantling all organized crime in Gotham with the help of his usual cast of characters. Their success goes unchecked until a new criminal arrives on the scene– yup, everyone’s favorite tortured clown! The Joker uses this crack down as an opportunity to steal from organized crime and to blackmail them into forming a united army to take down the Dark Knight. All cast members are coming back to play their original roles…except one. Katie Holmes chose not to reprise her role as Rachel Dawes. The reason? Scheduling conflicts. So in lieu of Katie’s mistake decline, Maggie Gyllenhaal stepped in. All the pieces are set to make this one of the most memorable blockbusters this summer. Did I mention that I have been seeing trailers for over a year now?! Now that is anticipation.

For awesome action seekers:

7. Wanted

Release Date: June 27th.

I guess I should have added in the description “for people who love to watch Angelina Jolie DO ANYTHING.” This movie is based on the graphic novel series by Mark Millar, and the story is about a regular ho-hum guy named Wes, played by James McAvoy, who is solicited by a woman named Fox (how fitting!), played by Angelia Jolie, to join the Fraternity. But this one is not to be confused with a dirty house infested with sketchy college boys. The Fraternity is a secret organization that trains Wes as an enforcer of justice. So to sum up this movie in 4 words or less: guns, Angelina Jolie, awesomeness. Oh, and Morgan Freeman stars in it as well. I am already giving it two thumbs up in my book.

For the politically incorrect comedy supporter:

8. Tropic Thunder

Release Date: August 15th.

This movie is about a group of spoiled, high-profile actors shooting a big-budget war movie that are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying through a series of freak occurrences. Ben Stiller, who stars in and directs this movie, is long overdue to release something truly funny. He works alongside Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and Nick Nolte…just to name a few. This could be the moment when Stiller, Black, and Wilson cement their reputations as their generation’s most reliable funnymen or it could bomb horribly. But I’m putting my money on a box office blowout. And it could also prove that Robert Downey Jr. is back for good. The trailer is so over the top that it will always make me laugh, no matter how many times I see it. Plus, look out for Tom Cruise, Tobey Maguire, Mickey Rooney and Matthew McConaughey to make appearances. Yes, I did say Tom Cruise. No, I’m not lying. I bet now Tropic Thunder just got bumped up a few notches on the movies you most want to see.

For the obsessive sequel watcher:

9. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Release Date: August 1st.

It’s okay to admit you have a problem if you’re addicted to watching sequels. Just don’t tell anybody. But this time the third installment might be able to rival the first. Brendan Fraser reprises his role as Rick O’Connell and is back battling mummies and the undead in a new adventure. This time Rick, his son Alex, his wife Evelyn, played by Maria Bello (don’t look for Rachel Weis, she bowed out), and his brother-in-law Jonathan are in China. They must face the ancient Dragon Emperor, played by Jet Li, who is resurrected with only two goals: to raise his 10,000 warriors who are suspended in animation and to take over the world. So it seems that the O’Connells have their work cut out for them. Add in some great geography like the catacombs of the Forgotten Palace and the tops of the snowy Himalayas and it will be like a mini vacation of sorts. The Mummy franchise is sticking to it’s winning equation again: eerie undead + kickass bad guy = mega hit.

For the nalstagic television turned movie lover:

10. Get Smart

Release Date: June 25th.

Based off the 1960s hit TV series of the same name, this movie follows the continued adventures of America’s ultimate secret agent. Steve Carell leads an amazing cast, playing Maxwell Smart, who is accompanied by Anne Hathaway playing his better half, Agent 99. Alan Arkin checks in as The Chief this time around. Maxwell Smart and gang battle an evil syndicate know as KAOS to try and prevent them from world domination. I really think this movie will be an enormous success for two reasons. One, because of all the fans of the TV series and two, because Steve Carell is one of the funniest guys right now. Not only will fans of The Office see this movie, but people who want to reminisce about the days of Adams and Feldon. Box office gold abound, I say! Is it bad if I didn’t even know what the TV series was about until I looked it up because of the movie? Oops.

Well, there you have it. I can only hope that you will consider my advice when you flock to the theaters to escape the high temps and even higher gas prices. Pick one, two, five, all ten…no matter what the number I’m sure you will enjoy which ever one you choose!

And if you think one deserves to be on the list, let us all know…my list is by no means the only ten movies you should consider watching this summer.

I would never admit this at any other time, but I may be going to the movies a lot more in the upcoming months.

Hollywood…you get the best of me yet again!!

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’ve always been very proud to be a girl. I celebrate nights out with my girlfriends, took a number of women’s studies classes in college, and breathed a sigh of relief when Hillary entered the Presidential race (pre-sobfest). I’ll have to admit, however, I was a little embarrassed to call myself a woman when I approached my local theatre to attend the long-awaited Sex and the City movie.

Hysteria ensued once the doors opened and fashionably dressed girls ran into the theater, frantically throwing their coats over seats and falling over aisles to get the best row of seats for their girlfriends. But once the lights dimmed and the dozens of girls in the theatre cheered, my womanly pride came back in full force and I settled in; ready to enjoy being a girl all over again.

Although Sex and the City received mixed reviews, particularly a much-talked about New York Times review that reflected an unsavory opinion, I was pleasantly surprised at how the film surpassed my expectations. I live and breathe Sex and the City and was a little concerned with whether or not it would meet my skyrocketing expectations. It did meet my expectations – and more.

This movie may have not been filled with Carrie’s constant questioning narrative, highlighted Samantha’s racy sex life, or followed the ladies on their dates. Instead, it moved with the characters’ ages and highlighted the next phase of their lives, without losing that SATC charm.

Critical reviews were not lost on me. The movie was rather long, at 2 hours and 22 minutes to be exact, although I was not restless or bored. Fitting the lives of four women in one feature film is not easy, nor time-efficient, and this was reflected at times. You could feel that each character was not getting the screen time that her storyline may have deserved; after all, most films do not revolve around four different plots.

I also wasn’t used to the all glitz and glam in the film; while the TV show reflected the characters’ love for money and fine clothing (Manolos in particular), the film seems to be a marketing ploy at best, flashing labels such as Vitamin Water, Gucci, and Vogue around the screen.

Now, for the reasons I left the theater with a smile on my face, clutching my girlfriends and pumped for a possible sequel…

Girls don’t necessarily obsess over SATC because of the fashion or the hot men. (Wait, what am I saying?) We relate to the stories of these women as they touch on our relationships with family, friends, lovers, and our careers. When Carrie goes through turbulent times with Big, we think of the one who got away. When Miranda and Steve settle into a family life that is too comfortable, we think back on long relationships where the sex has become boring and the fire has died. As Samantha finds herself losing her own character in the man she loves, we think back to ways that we have altered our own lives to please our men – sometimes almost too much.

The film highlights these developing issues in the characters’ lives. Funny dating tales are replaced by major life changes – marriage, pregnancy, cheating, living with a man. And in the end, the friendships between these ladies remain just as strong, despite the paths in which their lives have taken them.

There has been talk of a sequel, and although I won’t spoil the ending for anyone, I’m not sure how they will tie one in. I don’t doubt that it’s possible – if it’s possible to transition from an HBO television series into a multi-million dollar movie that draws hoards of screaming women, a sequel seems to be fitting.

Popularity: 2% [?]

If seeing Adam Sandler’s movie poster everywhere around LA isn’t enough for you, now there’s more controversy surrounding the flick.

The author of a 2003 webzine, 2005 comic book and 2007 novel all titled The Hair-Raising Adventures of Jayms Blonde has launched a legal drop down drag out against Sandler, seeking to halt the June 6 release of You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, E! News reported today.

The author is named Robert W. Cabell, and sad to say, I don’t think this guy can stop the comedic powerhouse of Adam Sandler and Happy Madison, Inc.

Ellis J. Pailet, a Louisiana attorney who represents the author Robert W. Cabell, sent a cease and desist letter earlier this month to Sandler’s people, accusing them of ripping off his client’s ideas and threatening with a full-blown lawsuit.

Sandler’s publicist, Cindi Guagenti, declined to discuss the claims or potential litigation.

“We don’t comment on lawsuits, especially ones without merit,” she said.

Sandler 1, unknown author-guy 0.

For his part, Pailet notes in the May 8 letter several supposed similarities between Cabell’s gay crusader action hero, who fights bad guys with his “trademarked Uzi blow-dryer, bulletproof mousse and hair-curler hand-grenades,” and Sandler’s Israeli Mossad agent, who fakes his death to leave the spy business to cut hair in New York.

“Your transformation of our client’s gay character into your heterosexual character is not a fair use,” the letter reads.  “Like the Blonde logo, the Zohan logo used to promote your movie depicts your character pointing a blow-dryer as if it were a weapon.”

Really??  I think this guy just wants the spotlight on him, and he knows that picking a public feud right before a movie’s release is a good publicity stunt.  One may argue not as good as a ’surprise’ wedding in the Bahamas, but a close second.

Pailet is theorizing that Sandler and costar Rob Schneider may have swiped the character because they were among “Cabell’s first 100 MySpace friends in 2005 when the Blonde MySpace.com website was created.”

All this legal stuff is making it all sound very serious, but really I don’t think this is gonna go anywhere.

Does anyone actually believe this story?

Popularity: 1% [?]

One of Angelina Jolie’s films to come out this year is called Changeling.

It is directed by Clint Eastwood and is the true story of Christine Collins, a Los Angeles woman who endured horrors at the hands of corrupt police in her crusade to find out what happened to her son after he vanished in 1928.

The movie will make it’s debut late Tuesday at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Jolie, 32, delivers a heartbreaking performance as Christine Collins, a single mom who relentlessly works so she can take good care of her 9-year-old boy, Walter.

The child disappears, and five months later, the distraught Christine is overjoyed when police tell her Walter has been found, alive and well.

But when the boy claiming to be Walter Collins is returned to her, Christine insists that he isn’t her son.

She ends up in a horrible battle with bureaucrats trying to cover up their own mistakes.

At the same time thugs in the police department brand her an unfit mother who wants to shirk her responsibilities as a parent.

Christine eventually is tossed into a psychiatric ward by police seeking to silence her.

Changeling co-stars John Malkovich as a minister who comes to Christine’s aid; and Amy Ryan, an Oscar nominee for last year’s Gone Baby Gone, as a prostitute who befriends her in the psych ward.

The film touches on some themes familiar to Eastwood, who also dealt with child abduction and abuse in A Perfect World and Mystic River, two other amazing movies of his.

“Children in danger, of course, is about the highest form of drama you can have,” Eastwood said. “Crimes against children are to me the most heinous. … When one comes along quite as big as this one, you question humanity. It never ceases to surprise me how cruel humanity can be.”

Though Jolie said she could imagine the pain and frustration if she were in Christine’s situation, she had to look beyond her own children and position as a “very modern and very outspoken woman” to play the character.

Christine fought her battle at a time when women did not have the same power to speak their minds as today, Jolie said. So Jolie found inspiration in her own mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, who died in January 2007.

“To me, she’s very much like my mother,” Jolie said. “My mother was very passive in many ways and very, very sweet, but when it came to her children, she was a lion. But as a woman, very shy with her own voice. So in many ways, Christine reminded me of my mom, and it was a way to kind of revisit my mother after her passing and spend time with her.”

This movie is set in one of my favorite time periods (look at that hair- so beautiful!), so I am very excited to see it! Since it just debuted in Cannes, I’m sure there will be reviews published about it soon.

I really don’t think this movie will fair poorly because 1. Angelina is amazing and 2. Clint Eastwood directed it. Now all we have to do is wait until November for it to be released.

Anybody else as anxious as I am now to see it?!

Popularity: 2% [?]

If you haven’t gotten sick of all the spoof movies that have been in theaters these past years then you will be happy to hear this.

But if you are sick of them… at least this one has Kim Kardashian in it!
In fact, joining Kim will also be Carmen Electra and Vanessa Minnillo!

Now I know you wanna go see this movie.

Some bloggers are calling it Goodie Two Shoes, but imdb.com lists it as Disaster Movie. And it is bound to be just as funny as everything else writer/director’s Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer have done up to this point. You might know them from movies like Meet the Spartans or Epic Movie.

This time around the spoofs will be on movies like Superbad, Will Smith’s new movie, Hancock, the Sex and the City movie, and Mike Myers’s upcoming The Love Guru. Wow, they sure are planning ahead with these jokes– these movies aren’t even out yet!

And for all you SATC fans, they are looking for a man to play Carrie. I wonder how that will go…

Calling all look-a-likes! If spoofing movies isn’t enough for you, Disaster Movie is also going to be mocking celebrities. The writers are said to currently be on the lookout for a Jessica Simpson, a Justin Timberlake, a Prince, a Flava Flav, a Dr Phil, an Angelina Jolie, a Paris Hilton, and a Michael Jackson.

Are you intrigued yet? Well you have until August 29, 2009 to get pumped up about it!

And we all know these silly movies are our guilty pleasure, so you can deny it all you want but deep down you know you like it.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Ladies, we’ve waited four long years for the Sex and the City movie and it’s coming out in less then a month. As just as the four fabulous Manhattanites would, we need to make the premiere an occasion to remember. Bring on the couture and cosmos!!

1. Like all good parties, you need to get the word out to your girlfriends and get them pumped up about the movie. I suggest sending them the Sex and the City countdown widget to post on their facebook account.

2. Send elegant invitations for the your Sex and The City premiere event. Think Natasha’s Influential Ladies Luncheon. When you’re a Manhattan socialite evites just won’t do. Carrie didn’t even get e-mail until season 4. What she lacked in computer savvy, she made up in style, so I guess she’s forgiven. Taking the time to purchase, make, and send invitations lends a sense of elegance and exclusivity to your event.

These are some examples of some invitations ideas. Pick invitations that reflect your own personal style.
From top to bottom 1) $16.00 for 10 at Papyrus. 2 & 3) $1.25 each at paperbuzz.com. Make sure to let your guests know that cocktail attire is required and to get ready for a night on the town including dinner, drinks, and then… the movie! Pick a location where you can easily go from dinner to the movie without too much travel. The best option is to pick a shopping complex with restaurants, bars, and a megaplex movie theater so you have lots of options on where to eat and bar hop before the movie.

3. Have the girls over for “Sex and the City” night to catch up on episodes and the “story thus far.” If you only have a few hours or have a few SATC virgins, I suggest starting at Season 6 part 1. No, they won’t have the back story on Big and Aidan, but you can give them a quick run down. Once their hooked, you can offer to lend them the DVD set.

Set out some brie and crackers. Don’t forget the wine , champagne, and pretty pink cocktails.

4. GO SHOPPING! Every starlet needs a new dress for a premiere. Going to see the SATC movie is no different. Take fashion inspiration from Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. Everyone has their favorite style icon and this is a great excuse to take some chances with style!

Also, don’t forget about the shoes. According to Carrie, the higher the better! Now may be the time to invest in some Manolos…

5. Have a great girls night out Sex and the City Style! Gather all your RSVP’d pals and head out. Don’t forget to make reservations at the restaurant before hand so you don’t have a big group of hungry girls standing around in cute party dresses. Samantha won’t wait for a table at even the hottest new restaurant and neither should you! I would also suggest you buy tickets either online the day before or head to the movie theater to pick up tickets just to make sure you get your ideal movie time.

Most of all, have fun with your girlfriends. Sex and the City is all about four best friends that are there for each other through the ups and downs. Take this time to celebrate the close friendships in your life. Enjoy!

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With the opening of her new movie, What Happens in Vegas, I think it is deserving to go back and reminisce about Cameron Diaz’s funniest movie roles. And yes, she has been in a lot more movies than these, but these are six of her movies I think are the funniest. If you respectfully disagree, then I will understand, but why not read the list now since you’re here!?

In 1994, Cameron burst on the scene playing buxom blonde, Tina Carlyle, in The Mask. This has to be one of her best/over the top entrances in any of her movies.

Granted it was in the ‘90s but I still think she looks amazing. And with Jim Carrey playing the lead, she kept up with his humor and carried her part very well!

A few years later, Cameron played Kimberly Wallace in the 1997 hit, My Best Friend’s Wedding. She was the woman we all were rooting against, but at the same time we couldn’t stop liking her— especially when she sang horrible karaoke. And she played that prissy-but-innocent-yet-snobby character so well it cracked me up!

Then in 1998 she starred in a little movie called There’s Something About Mary. She played Ben Stiller’s high school love Mary Jensen. There are so many funny parts from this movie I can’t pick just one! But I’m pretty sure that everyone can remember their favorite parts from it (the hair gel scene!?!). I think it was in this film that everyone started to take notice of Cameron’s comedic chops.

Cameron then played Natalie Cook in the two Charlie’s Angels movies. Yet again, Cameron showed her funny side, but this time she also kicked some serious butt. Along with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, these movies were a refreshing twist on the 70s sitcom.

A change of pace was seen by Cameron in the next slue of movies she starred in. This time around, it was her voice that did the acting. She played Princess Fiona in the Shrek movies. There have been three movies out so far from this franchise with a fourth slotted to come out in 2010. Not only was Cameron hilarious in these movies, but with such great writing, all the characters turned out to be gut-busting. For me, it definitely gave a new spin to all of my favorite childhood fairytales.

The Sweetest Thing is the next funny movie Cameron starred in, alongside Christina Applegate. She played lovelorn Christina Walters, who after finding the man of her dreams, found out he was only visiting in town and had left. So the girls go on a road trip to find the ‘Mr. Right’ and their travels are filled with enough slapstick comedy and dirty jokes to make anyone blush. I have to admit I think this movie is one of her most underrated comedies, but ya can’t win ‘em all I guess!

Now we come to Cameron’s latest undertaking, What Happens in Vegas. She plays Joy McNally, who goes to Vegas after she got dumped. She is starring alongside goofball Aston Kutcher; and, I have already heard people saying this will be the comedic hit of the summer. I obviously don’t know any specific details about the movie, but it comes out in theaters tomorrow so now is your chance to check it out for yourself!

Get prepared to laugh when it hits big screens by watching the trailer below!

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