New at Theaters (Friday): “Imagine That”, “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″, “The Brothers Bloom” (limited release at Celebration! North and Celebration! Cinema Crossroads in Grand Rapids and Cinema Carousel in Muskegon)

Best Bet(s): “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ (read my review) is an intense action thriller, Deznel Washington and John Travolta are very good!!  “Imagine That” (read my review) is a charming family comedy, but you might want to wait to rent it.  ”The Brothers Bloom” finally comes to Grand Rapids market after months of release date changes before it opened in limited release May 22nd.

New on DVD (Tuesday): “Crossing Over”, “Fired Up”, “Gran Torino”, “The International”, “Spinning Into Butter”

Best Bet(s): If you’re like me and embarrased to say you haven’t yet scene the post-incentives filmed in Michigan movie with the most attention (”Gran Torino”)… now is your time to see Clint Eastwood and the Detroit area locales.  I actually haven’t seen any of the other movies eother, but “The International” looks like a good action thriller and while Harrison Ford’s U.S.-Mexican border drama “Crossing Over” looks good, it got some mixed reviews.

 CLICK HERE TO FIND A MOVIE SHOWTIME

Next Week at Theaters: “The Proposal”, “Year One”, “Away We Go” (limited release), “Moon” (limited release)

Next Week on DVD: “Friday the 13th” (2009), “Morning Light”, “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail”, “The Cell 2″

MY REVIEWS OF OTHER MOVIES CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THEATERS OR AVAILABLE TO RENT/BUY: 

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Director of Photography Erik Curtis (white hat), extras, and stand-in Craig Roberts (gray sportsjacket) setting up a different angle on the set of "The Steam Experiment" at Bull's Head Tavern in Grand Rapids, MI 9/10/08

One Year Later: Michigan Film Incentives

A year ago today marks one year since Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the film incentive package on April 7th, 2008  that provides up to 40% percent refundable or transferable tax credit for projects in Michigan, with an additional 2% available for projects in core communities.

According to a Michigan State University economic impact study, the incentives brought 32 projects (including “The Steam Experiment”), creating 2,763 jobs and creating $65.4 million in revenue to the state in 9 months of 2008 (since the incentives were signed in April).   Of that, $25.1 million was spent on direct wages and salary and $40.3 million was spent on Michigan goods and services.

The Movies
Those 32 projects shot in Michigan in 2008 include more than a dozen feature films:
“Whip It” (shot in Ann Arbor and Detroit area, Drew Barrymore directed, expecting a 2009 release)

“Youth In Revolt” (shot in Ann Arbor area, starring Michael Cera, Justin Long, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, set for October 2009 release)

“The Job” (shot in Detroit, starring Ron Pearlman and Joe Pantoliano, expecting a 2009 release)

“Gran Torino” (shot in Detroit area, directed by/starring Clint Eastwood, released in 2008)

“All‘s Faire in Love” (shot in Flint area, starring Christina Ricci, expecting a 2009 release)

“Red and Blue Marbles” (shot in Detroit, expecting a 2009 release)

“Tug” (shot in Holland, starring Haylie Duff and Sam Huntington, expecting a 2009 release)

“The Steam Experiment” (shot in Grand Rapids, starring Val Kilmer, Armand Assante, and Eric Roberts, expecting a 2009 release)

“Meet Monica Velour” (formerly “Miss January”) (shot in Detroit area, starring Kim Cattrall and Brian Dennehy, expecting a 2009 release)

“Offspring” (shot in Muskegon, Moderncine, expecting a 2010 release)

“Butterfly Effect: Revelation” (shot in Detroit,  expecting a 2009 release)

“Cherry” (shot in Kalamazoo, expecting a 2009 release)

“High School” (shot in Howell and Detroit, starring Colin Hanks, Adrien Brody, Michael Vartan, Michael Chiklis, expecting a 2010 release)

The Future
Researchers estimate total production expenditures will grow 187% over the next four years (2008 to 2012) based on the experiences of Louisiana and New Mexico, who passed similar, but lower incentives in 2002.   Both states continue to experience year over-year growth in total in-state production expenditures.

The study also says Michigan film will likely “generate tourism… and other indirect benefits from film production”.

Reaction from those in the industry has been overwhelmingly positive, look for interview video soundbites later today from Ed Harris, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Joe Pantoliano.

The Opposition
There are at least four Michigan State Senators speaking out against the current tax incentives: Sen. Nancy Cassis, Sen. Jud Gilbert, Sen. Tom George, and Sen.  Mickey Switalski…. and on March 25th, there was a new proposal to put a cap on the benefits.

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What a Valentine’s gift for movie theaters: a huge $168.12 million weekend… the biggest so far this year… $27 million more than last year’s Valentine’s weekend… and a 28% increase from last weekend.

And it wasn’t even close… with the remake “Friday the 13th” taking in more ($42 million) than the second and third place movies combined, the slasher movie also becomes the biggest opening of the year, passing “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”’s $31 million opening in January. 

Last week’s number one “He’s Just Not That Into You” slipped to second and new movies “Confessions of A Shopaholic” and “The International” opened in fourth and seventh place.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (estimated results):
1. “Friday the 13th” (2009) – $42.25 million (1st week)

2. “He’s Just Not That Into You” – $19.61 million
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 29% from last week)

3. “Taken” – $19.25 million
(3rd week, was #2 last week, lost 6% from last week)

4. “Confessions of A Shopaholic” – $15.41 million (1st week)

5. “Coraline” – $15.32 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 9% from last week)

6. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $11.70 million
(5th week, was #5 last week, gained 7% more than last week)

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In a wise marketing release, the ensemble romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You” grabs the number one spot one week before Valentine’s Day. 
The four new movies and holdovers “Taken” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” helped make it a strong $131.54 million weekend at the box office… the 3rd biggest of the year so far and it was up nearly 28% from last weekend.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (estimated results):
1. “He’s Just Not That Into You” – $27.47 million (1st week)

2. “Taken” – $24.63 million
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 18% from last week)

3. “Coraline” – $16.34 million (1st week)

4. “The Pink Panther 2″ - $12.00 million (1st week)

5. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $11.00 million
(4th week, was #2 last week, lost 21% from last week)

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Liam Neeson’s thriller “Taken” grabs the top spot at the weekend box office after “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” spent two weeks at number one.

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (estimated results):
1. “Taken” – $24.63 million (1st week)

2. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $14.00 million
(3rd week, was #2 last week, lost 35% from last week)

3. “The Uninvited” - $10.51 million (1st week)

4. “Hotel for Dogs” – $8.71 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 32% from last week)

5. “Gran Torino” – $8.60 million
(4th week of wide release, was #3 last week, lost 47% from last week) (more…)

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” beats the vampires of the latest “Underworld” movie to take the top spot at the weekend box office.

I’ve been telling people to see “Slumdog Millionaire” ever since it was released in West Michigan, now it seems that the Golden Globes wins, the Oscar nominations, and national advertising is working.  The movie saw an 83% increase in ticket sales from last weekend, which was already up 55%  than the weekend previous.

Also seeing a Golden Globes/Oscar bounce, the audience for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” grew 9% from last week.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):
1. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $21.62 million
(2nd week at #1, lost 32% from last week)

2. “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” – $20.82 million (1st week)

3. “Gran Torino” – $16.24 million
(3rd week of wide release, was #2 last week, lost 26% from last week)

4. “Hotel for Dogs” – $12.86 million
(2nd week, was #5 last week, lost 24% from last week)

5. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $10.70 million
(11th week, was #10 last week, gained 83% more audience from last week) (more…)

I’m finally starting to catch up on my tasks…. here’s a look at the weekend box office:

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” was number one… by more than $10 million dollars over second place “Gran Torino”.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):
1. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $31.83 million (1st week)

2. “Gran Torino” – $21.98 million
(2nd week of wide release, was #1 last week, lost 26% from last week)

3. “My Bloody Valentine” – $21.24 million (1st week)

4. “Notorious” – $20.50 million (1st week)

5. “Hotel for Dogs” – $17.01 million (1st week)

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“Gran Torino”, the movie shot in Detroit with actor/director Clint Eastwood and first time actress Ahney Her (Lansing native) grabbed the top spot at the box office this weekend.

“Bride Wars” and “The Unborn” also pushed “Marley & Me” out of its two weeks at number one.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):
1. “Gran Torino” – $29.48 million (1st week of wide release)

2. “Bride Wars” - $21.06 million (1st week)

3. “The Unborn” – $19.81 million (1st week)

4. “Marley & Me” – $11.39 million
(3rd week, was #1 last week, lost 53% of audience from last week)

5. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – $9.21 million
(3rd week, was #3 last week, lost 49% of audience from last week)

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I had to add a correction and a clarification…

For some reason (lack of sleep?) I left The Unborn off the new in theaters list… and “Revolutionary Road” is still in limited release and not coming to the Grand Rapids market until January 23rd…. sorry !!!
I also received word that “The Reader” is moving from Celebration! Woodland to Celebration! Rivertown this weekend.

New this week in Theaters (Friday): “Bridewars”, “Not Easily Broken”, “Gran Torino” (Grand Rapids), “The Unborn”

New this week on DVD (Tuesday) (more…)

Director Clint Eastwood and actress Ahney Her (right) attend the after party for the world premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Gran Torino" held at Warner Bros. Studios on December 9, 2008 in Burbank, California (photo courtesy Getty Images)

(Originally published January 7th)

Ahney Her, Clint Eastwood’s co-star in “Gran Torino” (the movie shot in the Detroit area and reportedly Eastwood’s last acting performance) will visit Grand Rapids and meet moviego-ers as the movie opens Friday in West Michigan theaters.

Her is a Lansing native and will be making her feature film debut in “Gran
Torino” as the self assured young woman who makes an effort to befriend her surly next-door neighbor, Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood.

Her was 16 years old when she won the role of Sue Lor.

Although she had not acted professionally, she loved performing and had trained for three years in a local drama school.   Her is an avid student and plans to attend college and study both photography and interior design.

Her will watch the Grand Rapids opening night of “Gran Torino” at 7:00pm at Celebration! Cinema North (East Beltline and Knapp Street in Grand Rapids) then meet and greet movie-goers after the movie at approximately 9:00pm.