1. "A Christmas Carol" ($31 million)
2. "Michael Jackson's This Is It" ($14 million)
3. "The Men Who Stare At Goats" ($13.3 million)
2. "The Fourth Kind" ($12.5 million)
5. "Paranormal Activity" ($8.6 million)
Did Ebenezer Scrooge learn his lesson at the box office this weekend? It's difficult to say, as the Jim Carrey-starring "A Christmas Carol" certainly took the top prize with a $31 million weekend, though the result is considered relatively disappointing given the film's potential draw to family crowds and its hefty budget of $200 million. The odds of the holiday movie recouping that number anytime soon are rather small, though we've certainly seen stranger box office occurrences lately. Read more...
Today, the latest effort from "Donnie Darko" director Richard Kelly -- recent MTV Movies Blog guest editor -- hits theaters: "The Box." It's a creepy flick, following a married couple who receive a mysterious package in the mail containing an ornate box with a big, red button set into it. They learn that pressing the button will earn them $1 million, but at the cost of the life of someone they don't know. Sort of a Sophie's Choice: poor and guilt-free vs. wealthy and burdened.
Now that the movie's out, it's time for Kelly to start thinking about what's next. The subject actually came up during a recent interview he gave to Ain't It Cool News. Since "Twilight" is all the rage these days, the conversation inevitably turned in that direction. There's one movie left without a director, and Kelly's keeping his options open. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 30, 2009
LORD LANGELLA
What do you do with an Oscar-nominated actor for his follow-up role? If you’re me – you convince him to remove half of his face. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 30, 2009
PRINCE MARSDEN
Most people know James Marsden as Cyclops from the "X-Men" movies. This is obviously his most high profile role, and it certainly brought him a lot of great opportunities. But the bummer about playing Cyclops is that the audience can’t see your eyes.
There is only so much you can do with a role in which the windows to the soul remain covered for the duration of the film. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 30, 2009
LADY DIAZ
I first met Cameron Diaz on the set of "Charlie’s Angels" in the spring of 2000. I was being escorted into Drew Barrymore’s trailer by her producing partner Nancy Juvonen – at the time, I was there to convince Drew to play the English teacher in my crazy little script called "Donnie Darko."
Cut to October of 2001, at the premiere for "Donnie Darko" at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles – guess who showed up? Cameron Diaz. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 29, 2009
SKYWALKING TO SAN FRANCISCO
On Tuesday, I headed north . . . the good people of Skywalker Sound and Industrial Light & Magic hosted a screening of "The Box" an invited me to stay at the legendary Lucas ranch for the night and tour the facilities. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 28, 2009
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE THERE'S ARCADE FIRE
On the night of September 20, 2007 - my producing partner Sean McKittrick and I went to see the now legendary Arcade Fire show at the Hollywood Bowl. My assistant Jeff Culotta (who has since been promoted to a production executive at Darko Entertainment) had arranged a meeting backstage with the band. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 27, 2009
BEST. HOLIDAY. EVER.
With all of the hectic press and preparation for "The Box" (opening November 6!) – I have completely neglected the most important decision of the year.
What the hell am I going to wear for Halloween? Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 27, 2009
TRYING TO ENJOY THE RIDE
ZEN AT 20,000 FEET. The view from seat 10A on my flight to Paris on October 10th. I kept looking for a gremlin crawling across that wing – but it never appeared
I have a philosophy that I’d like to share with you all . . . It is a relatively simple piece of advice that was passed on by a friend’s mother.
It comes down to three simple words. Read more...
Richard Kelly is the man. Not just because he'll be here all this week, posting as a guest editor for MTV Movies Blog. It helps, sure, but we're talking about the guy who made "Donnie Darko" here. And "Southland Tales." Isn't that enough? Not for Kelly it isn't. His latest brain-twisting tale, "The Box," hits theaters on November 6. And he has a dynamite week of content planned for y'all, so sit back and enjoy!
October 26, 2009
A STUDY IN SOCIAL NETWORKING AND CYBER-NARCISSISM
The folks at MTV.COM have generously invited me to be guest editor of their blog this week . . . with my upcoming film "The Box" (opening in theaters November 6th!), I took them up on their offer.
Given this is a way for me to communicate directly with all of you, it made sense to start with the topic - or should I say the business - of social networking. Read more...
