Lloyd Webber unlikely to sell RUG

RUPERT STEINER
http://business.scotsman.com/media.cfm?id=165122005



LORD Lloyd-Webber, the multimillionaire composer, has revealed he is unlikely to sell his Really Useful Group, the business that co-owns 12 theatres and the intellectual property rights to musicals including The Phantom of the Opera and Evita.

Lloyd Webber last month appointed Patrick McKenna, a former chief executive of RUG and chairman of boutique finance house Ingenious, to examine the options available after two approaches that valued the group at around £500m.

But Lloyd Webber, who attended the Brits music awards in London on Wednesday, now says a sale looks less likely.

Speaking for the first time about the possible sale, Lloyd Webber told Scotland on Sunday: "I think people read too much into what I asked Patrick to do. The approaches came last summer and we are not engaged in talks. It just seemed prudent to have Patrick take a look at the business.

"I would be mad to sell the intellectual property now - a great many people want to get their hands on the shows - but how on earth can you accurately put a value on what the rights are worth.

"I will be interested in what Patrick has to report back but don’t expect that to be until after the Oscars because I have commitments in Los Angeles."

Last month Clear Channel, the US media giant with vast radio and theatre interests, was rumoured to be one of the bidders, although it refused to confirm or deny reports. On Wednesday, Lloyd Webber did not rule out a sale of some of his theatres but insisted it would make no sense for him to sell his "playhouses".

Lloyd Webber created RUG in 1977 and it is now an international entertainment company with merchandising, magazine publishing and record-label interests.

It produces shows worldwide, owns one of the most substantial catalogues of show music and has made DVDs and films, including the current Phantom of the Opera movie. It also owns and manages 12 theatres. It made a short appearance on the Stock Exchange between 1986 and 1990. It delisted and music group Polygram acquired a 30% stake for £100m.

British opera composer to promote musical endeavor in China

http://english.people.com.cn/200502/21/ ... 74103.html

British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber said he hoped to promote his work in China. during a visit in Shanghai.

Webber was obviously excited about his first visit to the city at the end of January when his popular hits "Phantom of the Opera" and "Cats" set theatrical box office records and attracted fans from northeast China's Harbin and to Hong Kong over the past four years.

"Phantom of the Opera" is currently in the middle of a three-month run at the Shanghai Opera House.

Amazed by the grandeur of the Opera House and the popularity of his work among Chinese audiences, Webber said he wanted to promote his creative talent in the world's most populous nation within the year.

Webber said with its rich cultural history and huge market for quality musicals, China will definitely make breakthroughs in the field if proper efforts are made.

The composer said the biggest obstacle for creating musicals in China lies in the lack of top-quality theaters, a crucial element in a musical's success.

Webber's other plays include "Song & Dance," "Starlight Express," "Sunset Boulevard" and "The Beautiful Game." The composer has won a string of awards including seven Tonys, three Grammys, six Oliviers, a Golden Globe and an Oscar.

POINT BLANK: Celebrating the small for big night at Oscar's

Johan Jaaffar
Feb 19:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/ ... ndexb_html

A FRIEND recommended Closer, a little known film directed by Mike Nichols. How could it possibly be "little known" when you have Nichols at the helm and stars like Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen in it? Yes, Closer is not your typical Hollywood movie nor the kind of film you would expect to make tons of money for the producers.

So little was written about it in the movie magazines that it is hard to believe two of the world's most bankable stars would waste their time getting involved in it.

But Closer is cute and intelligent. It is audacious, uncompromising, yet brutally funny. When was the last time actors exchanged neurotic barbs and lewd jokes without sounding crude or vulgar? For once, sex is treated with taste and style. It must be one of the few movies about sex that did not have to be pornographic. Sadly, Closer will not even be considered for the Oscars, much less pass our censors.

---

I always keep a list of 25 best Hollywood movies every year in preparation for Oscar night. My list normally includes some blockbusters, obscure art-house productions and those largely ignored by critics and the paying public. For 2004, the top five in my list are Ray, Sideways, Million Dollar Baby, The Woodsman and Closer. Well, The Aviator is not on my list, nor Kill Bill, Vol 2, Finding Neverland or The Phantom of the Opera. I listed Hotel Rwanda, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Maria Full of Grace, Collateral, The Merchant of Venice, The Manchurian Candidate, The Sea Inside and The Motorcycle Diaries. Did I leave out anything? What about Open Water, the Blair Witch Project of 2004? It is a low-budget film about two divers left behind in shark-infested waters. It is incredibly original and compelling. It is Jaws revisited.

Muskegon rolls out red carpet for Oscar

Sunday, February 20, 2005
By Bill Iddings
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/much ... 193100.xml

The first clue is that tall, not really gold statue of a familiar bald guy missing some equipment and standing in the lobby of the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts: Muskegon, sort of like Hollywood, will roll out the red carpet for the 77th annual Academy Awards.

Folks at the Frauenthal are hoping 150 to 200 people will either "dress like a star or come as you are" for the facility's inaugural Academy Awards Party. Black tie is extremely optional.

"If they want to come in blue jeans, I'm fine with that," says Mary Oleniczak, executive director of the historic downtown venue. "The more the merrier. You can come in your blue jeans and have a brewski. You can come in haute couture and sip champagne."

---

Frauenthal personnel already have begun dressing up the venue to emulate the Kodak Theatre, the Hollywood haunt where comedian Chris Rock will host this year's Oscar bash. Standing in the lobbies are displays for the films "In Good Company," "Meet the Fockers" and "Van Helsing."

None of those had a prayer, of course, of garnering Oscar nominations, but the party will have the next best thing: posters, to be auctioned, of films that have various Academy Awards nominations: "Million Dollar Baby, "Collateral," "House of Flying Daggers," "Closer," "Ray," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."

"The whole place is going to have a different feel," says Oleniczak. "People are just going to be blown away."

BEYONCE LEAVES MINNIE DEVASTATED BY OSCAR REJECTION

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed ... 0rejection



The news R+B beauty BEYONCE KNOWLES has replaced MINNIE DRIVER to perform at the OSCAR ceremony next Sunday (27FEB05) left the British actress-turned-singer devastated.

Driver is said to be "inconsolable" after finding out she will no longer be singing ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER's LEARN TO BE LONELY at the ACADEMY AWARDS.

The 34-year-old was considered the obvious choice to perform the song, which is nominated for the Best Original Song award, as she sang it in movie THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

However, hugely popular DESTINY'S CHILD hitmaker Knowles recently stepped in to perform the track.

A close source says, "Minnie just doesn't have the pulling power or the voice of Beyonce. Minnie is devastated and inconsolable.

"She'd told everyone that this was to be her big break as a singer."

:???: :???: :???: :???:

AWARD SCHEDULE: The Road to Oscar

http://www.forums-oscarwatch.com/forums ... adid=19252

30th November - Independant Spirit Award Nominations
1st December - National Board of Review Winners Announced
11th December - Los Angelas Film Critics Award
11th December - New York Online Film Critics Award
12th December - BFCA Nominations Announced
13th December - Golden Globe Nominations Announced
13th December - New York Film Critics Winners Announced
5th January - Dallas Fort Worth Film Critics Winners Announced
5th January - Producers Guild of America Nominations Announced
6th January - Director's Guild of America Nominations Announced
6th January - Las Vegas Film Critics Winners Announced
7th January - Florida Film Critics Winners Announed
8th January - National Society Of Film Critics Nominee's Announced
10th January - BFCA Winners Announced
11th January - Screen Actor's Guild Nominations Announced
12th January - American Society of Cinematographers Nominations Announced
13th January - Writer's Guild of America Nominations Announed
13th January - Art Director's Guild Nominations Announced
14th January - American Cinema Editor's Nominations Announced
16th January - Golden Globe Winners Announced
19th January - BAFTA Nominations Announced
20th January - Cinema Audio Society Nominations Announced
22nd January - Producers Guild Of America Winners Announced
23rd January - Golden Satellite Awards Winners Announced - NOMINTED (11) - LOST
25th January - 77th Oscar Nominations
29th January - Director's Guild Of America Winners Announced
5th February - Screen Actor's Guild Winners Announced
5th February - Empire Film Magazine Winners Announced
11th February - London Film Critics Winners Announced - NOMINATED - LOST
12th February - BAFTA Winners Announced
12th February - Art Director's Guild Winners Announced - NOMINTED - LOST
15th February - American Society of Cinematographer's Winners Announced
16th February - Visual Effects Society Winners Announced - NOMINATED - LOST
19th February - Writer's Guild of America Winners Announced
19th February - Costume Designers Guild Winners Announced - NOMINATED - LOST

20th February - American Cinema Editor's Winners Announced
21st February - Chicago Film Critics Winners Announced
22nd February - Oscar Ballot's Close
26th February - ISA Winners Announced
27th February - 77th Annual Academy Awards

COSTUME DESIGNERS Guild

http://www.costumedesignersguild.com/guild.shtml



Number of Members = 594

History

The Costume Designers Guild was founded in 1953 by a group of 30 motion picture costume designers.

Today, its membership includes motion picture, television, commercial, and stage costume designers throughout the world and totals over 590 members.

The organization was created in response to changing needs of the movie industry.

From 1953 to 1976 the Guild functioned as a small independent organization, promoting costume designers and negotiating contracts with the major studios to protect them with a minimum wage and a health plan as they made the transition from employees to freelancer designers.

--

What is Costume Design?

Every garment worn in a theatrical production is a costume. Before an actor speaks, his wardrobe has already spoken for him. From the most obvious and flamboyant show clothing, to contemporary clothes using subtle design language, costume design plays an integral part in every television and film production. It is an ancient theatrical craft and the process today is identical to when Euripedes was writing long ago. Costume design is a vital tool for storytelling.

When a costume designer receives a script, the process of developing the visual shorthand for each character begins. Costume sketches, fashion research and actual garments are used to help costume designers, directors, and actors develop a common language for the development of each character. Sometimes a glamorous entrance may be inappropriate and destructive to a scene. The costume designer must first serve the story and the director.

CDG: Costume Design Guild Nominations



http://www.costumedesignersguild.com/

Nominees in the fantasy/period film category:

The Aviator
De-Lovely
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
The Phantom of the Opera
Ray

Contemporary:

Ocean's Twelve
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
Alfie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Kill Bill Vol. 2

----

Well, Oscarwatch has news on the winner, and unfortunately Phantom's brilliant costumes were overlooked tonight....

HOW could you overlook these costumes AMPAS and CDG!!!!!!!!!!!!!



FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: Best Costume Design

____The Phantom of the Opera____
___Award Wins & Nominations___

WINS:

National Board of Review - WIN - Best Breakthrough Female (Emmy Rossum)
SanDiego Film Critics - WIN (Tie) - Best Cinematography (John Mathieson)
Broadcast Film Critics Awards (2004) - WIN - Best Young Actress (Emmy Rossum)

NOMINATIONS:

Golden Satellite Awards (9th) - 11 NOMINATIONS - LOST
Golden Globes (62nd) - 3 NOMINATIONS - LOST
Broadcast Film Critics Awards (2004) - 2 NOMINATIONS (Picture, Young Actress) - LOST 1
London Film Critics - 1 NOMINATION (Supporting Actress) - LOST
Online Film Critics - 1 NOMINATION (Breakthrough Performance - Emmy Rossum) - LOST
Costume Designers Guild - 1 NOMINATION (Fantasy/Period) - LOST
Visual Effects Society (3rd) - 2 NOMINATIONS (Created Environment, Compositing) - LOST
Art Director's Guild - 1 NOMINATION (Period or Fantasy Film) - LOST
Moviefone Moviegoer Awards - 1 NOMINATION (Hottest Rising Star - Emmy Rossum - Phantom/TDAT)
Academy Awards (77th) - 3 NOMINATIONS (Art Direction, Cinematography, Song)
Online Film & Television Academy - 4 NOMINATIONS (Breakthrough Female, Adapted Song, Art Direction, Costume) - LOST
Saturn Awards (31st) - 3 NOMINATIONS (Action/Adventure, Young Actor, Costume)

CONSIDERED:

BAFTAs - 6 Categories - LOST

FAN/FORUM Awards:

NOM - International Online Critics Awards (INOCA) - 4 NOMINATIONS (Art Direction, Costume, Song, Breakthrough)
NOM - GoldeDerby Film Awards - 4 NOMINATIONS (Art Direction, Costume, Song, Breakthrough)
NOM - World of KJ (WOKJ) Forum Awards - 3 NOMINATIONS (Art Direction, Costume, Song)

---

That's it folks, all the Guilds have announced their winners (with the exception of the Editor's ACE - however, Phantom is not nominated). We now only have the Fan Forum awards to look forward to.....LOL

ACADEMY AWARDS - Misc. Information

77th Oscars will be held February 27, 2005 at the Kodak Theater, Hollywood

Produced by: Gil Cates
Directed by: Louis J. Horvitz
Honorary Oscar: Sidney Lumet
Hosted by: Chris Rock

Presenters:

Charlize Theron
Renee Zellweger
Orlando Bloom
Tim Robbins
Salma Hayek
Martin Scorsese
Halle Berry
Gyneth Paltrow
Penelope Cruz
Zhang Ziyi
Robin Williams
Kate Winslet
Kirsten Dunst
Al Pacino
Dustin Hoffman
Drew Barrymore
Natalie Portman
Cate Blanchett

'Constantine' burns up Asian B.O.; French flock to laffers

By DON GROVES
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111791 ... id=13&cs=1

Winding its tour, "The Bourne Supremacy" trapped a nifty $3.8 million in five days in Japan, elevating its cume to $104.2 million.

At the weekend it was beaten by the third stanza of "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera." The tunertuner has grossed $16.2 million in Japan and is poised to overtake the U.K.'s $17 million as its most lucrative market; its cume climbed to $77.7 million.

JAPAN - Weekend 3



February 12-13
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/japan/2005/07.htm

1 - The Bourne Supremacy UIP $3,121,373 - 384 - $8,129 $3,121,373 1
2 2 Ocean's Twelve WB $2,126,311 -11% 303 -31 $7,018 $26,133,369 4
3 5 Hauru no ugoku shiro (Howl's Moving Castle) Toho $1,812,796 - 450 - $4,028 $170,218,529 13
4 - The Grudge Herald $1,350,955 - 238 - $5,676 $1,350,955 1
5 4 Alexander Herald $1,308,350 -33% 266 5 $4,919 $5,717,574 2
6 3 Chakushin ari 2 Toho $1,229,006 -41% 247 1 $4,976 $5,277,517 2
7 1 The Phantom of the Opera Gaga $1,124,554 -55% 269 -2 $4,180 $16,183,598 3
8 6 Kita no zeronen Toei $1,094,154 -6% 281 3 $3,894 $17,523,413 5
9 7 The Notebook CJ $450,908 -52% 155 0 $2,909 $3,334,937 2
10 8 Tokyo Tower Toho $444,747 -35% 182 -10 $2,444 $12,605,532 5

---

* Something really strange here, remember earlier in the weekend - the Variety artcile reported that Phantom's 2-Day held out the opening of Bourn Supremacy, but not here...
* But i guess this is probably right, because then in validates why ScreenDaily reported $1.8m for the overseas weekend (when we original thought that Japan was $2.4m alone)
* This is an unfortunate turn of events, down a huge -55%, very uncharacterisitc of Japan
* This probably rules out any hope for $30m, but $20m is still achievable
* Looking wider, this might probably blow its chances of crossing $100m overseas, it's at $78m now and needs $22m from somwhere, Japan is not going to do anymore than $10m now.....so it needs to find $12m somewhere

---

Hauru No Ugoku Shiro (Howl’s Moving Castle) - $65,878,472 ($9,832,775, -16%)
Harry Potter 3: POA - $54,252,202 (¥5.9bn - $9,249,391/ ¥998.9m, -20%)
Lord Of The Rings: ROTK - $45,050,269 ($6,517,391, -13%) or $48,858,559 week
Spiderman 2 - $30,479,140 ($3,084,946, -40%) or $30,690,327 ($3,106,321) Actuals
The Day After Tomorrow - $28,384,889 ($3,821,533, -26%) or $28,382,210 Actuals
Crying Out For Love - $24,686,407 ($4,620,078, -9%)
The Haunted Mansion - $23,624,178 ($2,027,131, -52%)
The Terminal - $23,373,905 ($3,016,003, -10%)*NY
Troy - $22,817,485 ($2,922,122, -30%)
Ocean’s Twelve - $20,980,619 ($2,397,050, -38%)
The Incredibles - $20.1m ($3.2m, -32%)
I, Robot - $21,014,980 ($2,419,557, -23%)
Pocket Monsters 2004 - $19,156,872 ($2,602,167, -3%)
Van Helsing - $17,568,600 ($1,724,006, -34%)
Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse - $16,601,137 ($1,473,993, -43%)
The Phantom Of The Opera - $16,183,598 ($1,124,554, -55%)
Ima Ai Ni Yukimasu (Be With You) - $16,086,576 ($3,284,599, +20%)
Chicago - $14,210,911 ($1,248,908, -31%)
House Of Flying Daggers (Lovers) - $13,594,002 (Â¥1.5b - $1,258,125/Â¥138.3m, -44%)

DOMESTIC: Day 59

Friday:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/

***ESTIMATES***

1. Constantine - $11,100,000 - -- / $3,693 - $11,100,000 / 1
2. Hitch - $9,300,000 - 250.6% / $2,601 - $67,615,000 / 8
3. Because of Winn-Dixie - $2,800,000 - -- / $878 - $2,800,000 / 1
4. Son of the Mask - $1,930,000 - -- / $651 - $1,930,000 / 1
5. Boogeyman - $1,650,000 - 220.5% / $642 - $37,299,000 / 15
6. Million Dollar Baby - $1,620,000 - 185% / $770 - $49,124,000 / 66
7. Are We There Yet? - $1,490,000 - 316.9% / $592 - $64,497,000 / 29
8. The Wedding Date - $1,130,000 - 182.1% / $720 - $22,545,000 / 15
9. The Aviator - $1,030,000 - 187.7% / $602 - $84,982,000 / 64
10. Sideways - $900,000 - 182.6% / $692 - $55,122,000 / 120
11. Pooh's Heffalump Movie - $850,000 - 153.4% / $336 - $8,104,000 / 8
12. Hide And Seek - $740,000 - 124.8% / $416 - $46,028,000 / 22
13. Meet The Fockers - $530,000 - 144.8% / $411 - $271,672,000 / 59
14. Finding Neverland - $480,000 - -- / $558 - $43,871,000 / 99

DOMESTIC: Day 60

Saturday:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/

***ESTIMATES***

1. Hitch - $13,300,000 - 44.6% / $3,720 - $80,815,000 / 9
2. Constantine - $11,200,000 - 0.9% / $3,726 - $22,300,000 / 2
3. Because of Winn-Dixie - $4,350,000 - 50% / $1,364 - $7,250,000 / 2
4. Son of the Mask - $3,205,000 - 66.1% / $1,081 - $5,135,000 / 2
5. Million Dollar Baby - $3,010,000 - 85.8% / $1,430 - $52,134,000 / 67
6. Are We There Yet? - $3,010,000 - 85.8% / $1,430 - $52,134,000 / 67
7. Boogeyman - $2,250,000 - 40.6% / $875 - $39,499,000 / 16
8. The Aviator - $1,850,000 - 92.7% / $1,082 - $86,762,000 / 65
9. Pooh's Heffalump Movie - $1,850,000 - 117.6% / $732 - $9,954,000 / 9
10. Sideways - $1,750,000 - 94.4% / $1,346 - $56,872,000 / 121
11. The Wedding Date - $1,605,000 - 42% / $1,023 - $24,150,000 / 16
12. Hide And Seek - $1,150,000 - 53.3% / $646 - $47,188,000 / 23
13. Meet The Fockers - $940,000 - 77.4% / $729 - $272,612,000 / 60
14. Finding Neverland - $830,000 - 72.9% / $965 - $44,701,000 / 100
15. Hotel Rwanda - $767,000 - 83.1% / $1,217 - $16,157,000 / 60
16. Coach Carter - $540,000 - 61.2% / $560 - $64,545,000 / 37

---

* Nowhere to be seen here today as well....argh

DOMESTIC: Day 61

Sunday:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/

***ESTIMATES***

1. Hitch - $9,300,000 - -30.1% / $2,601 - $90,115,000 / 10
2. Constantine - $8,200,000 - -26.8% / $2,728 - $30,525,000 / 3
3. Because of Winn-Dixie - $3,600,000 - -17.2% / $1,129 - $10,850,000 / 3
4. Million Dollar Baby - $2,560,000 - -15% / $1,216 - $54,694,000 / 68
5. Son of the Mask - $2,540,000 - -20.7% / $856 - $7,675,000 / 3
6. Are We There Yet? - $2,250,000 - -18.2% / $893 - $69,507,000 / 31
7. Pooh's Heffalump Movie - $1,710,000 - -7.6% / $676 - $11,663,000 / 10
8. Boogeyman - $1,650,000 - -26.7% / $642 - $41,149,000 / 17
9. The Aviator - $1,365,000 - -26.2% / $798 - $88,126,000 / 66
10. Sideways - $1,250,000 - -28.6% / $962 - $58,122,000 / 122
11. The Wedding Date - $1,110,000 - -30.8% / $707 - $25,275,000 / 17
12. Hide And Seek - $850,000 - -26.1% / $478 - $48,037,000 / 24
13. Finding Neverland - $640,000 - -22.9% / $744 - $45,342,000 / 101
14. Meet The Fockers - $600,000 - -36.2% / $465 - $273,211,000 / 61
15. Hotel Rwanda - $564,000 - -26.5% / $895 - $16,721,000 / 61
16. Coach Carter - $350,000 - -35.2% / $363 - $64,895,000 / 38

___THE PHANTOM of the Opera___
______Domestic Tracking______

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?pa ... eopera.htm

Day 1 (Wed) - $1,317,931 - 622 / $2,119 - $1,317,931
Day 2 (Thu) - $1,003,746 (-23.8%) - 622 / $1,614 - $2,321,677
Day 3 (Fri) - $803,354 (-20%) - 622 / $1,292 - $3,125,031
Day 4 (Sat) - $1,541,226 (+91.8%) - 622 / $2,478 - $4,666,257
Day 5 (Sun) - $1,657,310 (+7.5%) - 622 / $2,664 - $6,323,567
Weekend 1 - $4,001,890 - 622 / $6,433 - $6,323,567
Day 6 (Mon) - $1,296,075 (-21.8%) - 622 / $2,084 - $7,619,642
Day 7 (Tue) - $1,256,052 (-0.3%) - 622 / $2,019 - $8,875,694
Day 8 (Wed) - $1,224,417 (-2.5% / -7.1%) - 622 / $1,969 - $10,100,111
Day 9 (Thu) - $1,316,087 (+7.5% / +31.1%) - 622 / $2,116 - $11,416,198

Day 10 (Fri) - $1,540,695 (+17.1% / +91.8%) - 622 / $2,477 - $12,956,893
Day 11 (Sat) - $1,855,224 (+20.4% / +20.4%) - 622 / $2,983 - $14,812,117
Day 12 (Sun) - $1,366,314 (-26.4% / -17.6%) - 622 / $2,197 - $16,178,431
Weekend 2 - $4,762,233 (+19%) - 622 / $7,656 - $16,178,431
Day 13 (Mon) - $608,222 (-55.5% / -53.1%) - 622 / $978 - $16,786,653
Day 14 (Tue) - $471,101 (-22.5% / -62.5%) - 622 / $757 - $17,257,754
Day 15 (Wed) - $415,390 (-11.8% / -66.1%) - 622 / $668 - $17,673,144
Day 16 (Thu) - $455,352 (+9.6% / -65.4%) - 622 / $732 - $18,128,496

Day 17 (Fri) - $986,339 (+116.6% / -36%) - 622 / $1,586 - $19,114,835
Day 18 (Sat) - 1,512,497 (+53.3% / -18.5%) - 622 / $2,432 - $20,627,332
Day 19 (Sun) - $921,471 (-39.1% / -32.6%) - 622 / $1,481 - $21,548,803
Weekend 3 - $3,420,307 (-28.2%) - 622 / $5,498 - $21,548,803
Day 20 (Mon) - $308,358 (-66.5% / -49.3%) - 622 / $496 - $21,857,161
Day 21 (Tue) - $327,335 (+6.2% / -30.5%) - 622 / $526 - $22,184,496
Day 22 (Wed) - $324,789 (-0.8% / -21.8%) - 622 / $522 - $22,509,285
Day 23 (Thu) - $377,253 (+16.2% / -17.2%) - 622 / $607 - $22,886,538

Day 24 (Fri) - $996,233 (+164.1% / 1%) - 907 / $1,098 - $23,882,771
Day 25 (Sat) - $1,497,364 (+50.3% / -1%) - 907 / $1,651 - $25,380,135
Day 26 (Sat) - $1,175,550 (-21.5% / 27.6%) - 907 / $1,296 - $26,555,685
Weekend 4 - $3,669,147 (+7.3%) - 907 / $4,045 - $26,555,685
Day 27 (Mon) - $956,348 (-18.6% / 210.1%) - 907 / $1,054 - $27,512,033
Day 28 (Tue) - $358,436 (-62.5% / 9.5%) - 907 / $395 - $27,870,469
Day 29 (Wed) - $326,179 (-9% / 0.4%) - 907 / $360 - $28,196,648
Day 30 (Thu) - $366,376 (+12.3% / -2.9%) - 907 / $404 - $28,563,024

Day 31 (Fri) - $1,546,033 (+322% / +55.2%) - 1,511 / $1,023 - $30,109,057
Day 32 (Sat) - $1,820,646 (+17.8% / +21.6%) - 1,511 / $1,205 - $31,929,703
Day 33 (Sun) - $1,188,755 (-34.7% / +1.1%) - 1,511 / $787 - $33,118,458
Weekend 5 - $4,555,434 (+24.2%) - 1511 / $3,014 - $33,118,458
Day 34 (Mon) - $426,001 (-64.2% / -55.5%) - 1,511 / $282 - $33,544,459
Day 35 (Tue) - $434,004 (+1.9% / +21.1%) - 1,511 / $287 - $33,978,463
Day 36 (Wed) - $421,128 (-3% / +29.1%) - 1,511 / $279 - $34,399,591
Day 37 (Thu) - $486,191 (+15.4% / +32.7%) - 1,511 / $322 - $34,885,782

Day 38 (Fri) - $1,171,217 (+140.9% / -24.2%) - 1,511 / $775 - $36,056,999
Day 39 (Sat) - $1,766,387 (+50.8% / -3%) - 1,511 / $1,169 - $37,823,386
Day 40 (Sun) - $1,095,877 (-38% / -7.8%) - 1,511 / $725 - $38,919,263
Weekend 6 - $4,033,481 (-11.5%) - 1511 / $2,669 - $38,919,263
Day 41 (Mon) - $311,082 (-71.6% / -27%) - 1,511 / $206 - $39,230,345
Day 42 (Tue) - $315,365 (+1.4% / -27.3%) - 1,511 / $209 - $39,545,710
Day 43 (Wed) - $318,459 (+1% / -24.4%) - 1,511 / $211 - $39,864,169
Day 44 (Thu) - $331,227 (+4% / -31.9%) - 1,511 / $219 - $40,195,396

Day 45 (Fri) - $797,499 (+140.8% / -31.9%) - 1,515 / $526 - $40,992,895
Day 46 (Sat) - $1,283,320 (+60.9% / -27.3%) - 1,515 / $847 - $42,276,215
Day 47 (Sun) - $528,221 (-58.8% / -51.8%) - 1,515 / $349 - $42,804,436
Weekend 7 - $2,609,040 (-35.3%) - 1515 / $1,722 - $42,804,436
Day 48 (Mon) - $212,200 (-59.8% / -31.8%) - 1,515 / $140 - $43,016,636
Day 49 (Tue) - $217,014 (+2.3% / -31.2%) - 1,515 / $143 - $43,233,650
Day 50 (Wed) - $200,566 (-7.6% / -37%) - 1,515 / $132 - $43,434,216
Day 51 (Thu) - $240,476 (+19.9% / -27.4%) - 1,515 / $159 - $43,674,692

Day 52 (Fri) - $511,745 (+112.8% / -35.8%) - 1,365 / $375 - $44,186,437
Day 53 (Sat) - $867,474 (69.5% / -32.4%) - 1,365 / $636 - $45,053,911
Day 54 (Sun) - $508,153 (-41.4% / -3.8%) - 1,365 / $372 - $45,562,064
Weekend 8 - $1,887,372 (-27.7%) - 1,365 / $1,382 - $45,562,064
Day 55 (Mon) - $334,323 (-34.2% / 57.6%) - 1,365 / $245 - $45,896,387
Day 56 (Tue) - $157,380 (-52.9% / -27.5%) - 1,365 / $115 - $46,053,767
Day 57 (Wed) - $156,261 (-0.7% / -22.1%) - 1,365 / $114 - $46,210,028
Day 58 (Thu) - $186,268 +(19.2% / -22.5%) - 1,365 / $136 - $46,396,296

DOMESTIC: Comparable Movies

Love Actually:

Weekend 1 - $6,886,080 - 576 / $11,955 - $6,886,080
Weekend 2 - $8,698,030 (+26.3%) - 1177 / $7,390 - $18,861,700
Weekend 3 - $8,644,555 (-0.6%) - 1,690 / $5,115 - $30,436,985
Weekend 4 - $8,218,630 (-4.9%) - 1,714 / $4,795 - $43,390,140
Weekend 5 - $3,561,360 (-56.7%) - 1,672 / $2,130 - $48,743,275
Weekend 6 - $2,114,095 (-40.6%) - 1,566 / $1,349 - $52,171,570
Weekend 7 - $1,145,395 (-45.8%) - 902 / $1,269 - $54,184,810
Weekend 8 - $828,365 (-27.7%) - 408 / $2,030 - $55,885,240
Weekend 9 - $732,755 (-11.5%) - 406 / $1,804 - $57,429,915

Bridget Jones 2: Edge of Reason:

Weekend 1 - $8,684,055 - 530 / $16,385 - $8,684,055
Weekend 2 - $10,044,890 - 2450 / $4,099 - $21,511,685
Weekend 3 - $6,231,960 (-38%) - 2473 / $2520 - $31,963,405
Weekend 4 - $2,761,455 (-55.7%) - 2,433 / $1,135 - $36,321,105
Weekend 5 - $1,114,155 (-59.7%) - 1,701 / $655 - $38,413,455
Weekend 6 - $331,500 (-70.2%) - 514 / $644 - $39,314,970
Weekend 7 - $67,220 (-79.7%) - 188 / $357 - $39,594,770
Weekend 8 - $131,755 (+96%) - 216 / $609 - $39,877,945
Weekend 9 - $123,760 (-6.1%) - 221 / $560 - $40,069,690
Weekend 10 - $63,220 (-48.9%) - 116 / $545 - $40,192,580

Shall We Dance?:

Weekend 1 - $11,783,467 - 1772 / $6,649 - $11,783,467
Weekend 2 - $8,589,988 (-27.1%) - 2419 / $3,551 - $24,418,113
Weekend 3 - $6,285,963 (-26.8%) - 2476 / $2,538 - $33,940,119
Weekend 4 - $5,663,514 (-9.9%) - 2542 / $2,227 - $42,144,287
Weekend 5 - $4,024,327 (-28.9%) - 2,065 / $1,948 - $48,670,607
Weekend 6 - $2,336,883 (-41.9%) - 1,535 / $1,522 - $52,294,268
Weekend 7 - $1,506,946 (-35.5%) - 1,054 / $1,429 - $54,719,257

Evita:

Weekend 1 - $195,085 - 2 / $97,543 - $334,440
Weekend 2 - $1,064,660 (+445.74%) - 22 / $48,394 - $2,225,737
Weekend 3 - $8,381,055 (+687.20%) - 704 / $11,905 - $11,234,712
Weekend 4 - $8,918,183 (+6.41%) - 923 / $9,662 - $23,072,988
Weekend 5 - $5,415,891 (-39.27%) - 1,016 / $5,331 - $30,465,756
Weekend 6 - $4,374,631 (-19.23%) - 1,038 / $4,214 - $36,750,253
Weekend 7 - $3,001,066 (-31.40%) - 1,045 / $2,872 - $40,993,867
Weekend 8 - $2,524,722 (-15.87%) - 956 / $2,641 - $44,436,127
Weekend 9 - $1,228,586 (-51.34%) - 870 / $1,412 - $46,266,762
Weekend 10 - $757,665 (-38.33%) - 733 / $1,034 - $47,470,268

Beauty & The Beast:

Weekend 2 - $9,624,149 - 977 / $9,851 - $9,917,522
Weekend 3 - $12,239,650 (+27.18%) - 1,118 / $10,948 - $26,476,215
Weekend 4 - $5,969,372 (-51.23%) - 1,118 / $5,339 - $34,112,416
Weekend 5 - $4,575,124 (-23.36%) - 1,123 / $4,074 - $39,967,101
Weekend 6 - $4,863,315 (+6.30%) - 1,925 / $2,526 - $46,047,138
Weekend 7 - $10,670,669 (+119.41%) - 1,940 / $5,500 - $63,690,996
Weekend 8 - $8,804,918 (-17.48%) - 1,940 / $4,539 - $82,470,981
Weekend 9 - $4,840,087 (-45.03%) - 1,960 / $2,469 - $88,917,830
Weekend 10 - $5,275,625 (+9.00%) - 1,805 / $2,923 - $95,240,876

Chicago:

Weekend 4 - $7,602,133 (+33.58%) - 557 / $13,648 - $29,403,704
Weekend 5 - $8,238,709 (+8.37%) - 616 / $13,375 - $40,386,310
Weekend 6 - $7,052,983 (-14.39%) - 623 / $11,321 - $50,631,500
Weekend 7 - $10,786,533 (+52.94%) - 1841 / $5,859 - $63,803,153
Weekend 8 - $12,708,956 (+17.82%) - 2,268 / $5,604 - $82,606,872
Weekend 9 - $8,241,306 (-35.15%) - 2,355 / $3,499 - $94,094,784
Weekend 10 - $7,853,903 (-4.70%) - 2,447 / $3,210 - $104,901,344
Weekend 11 - $6,844,634 (-12.85%) - 2,600 / $2,633 - $114,442,185
Weekend 12 - $7,105,479 (+3.81%) - 2,600 / $2,733 - $124,845,340

Moulin Rouge:

Weekend 3 - $13,718,306 (+7,004.32%) - 2,279 / $6,019 - $14,394,913
Weekend 4 - $7,649,148 (-44.24%) - 2,283 / $3,350 - $27,569,224
Weekend 5 - $5,030,265 (-34.24%) - 2,084 / $2,414 - $36,629,874
Weekend 6 - $3,851,923 (-23.43%) - 1,585 / $2,430 - $43,433,722
Weekend 7 - $2,447,646 (-36.46%) - 1,271 / $1,926 - $48,023,940
Weekend 8 - $1,352,672 (-44.74%) - 648 / $2,087 - $50,951,493
Weekend 9 - $753,303 (-44.31%) - 492 / $1,531 - $52,467,635
Weekend 10 - $410,387 (-45.52%) - 379 / $1,083 - $53,345,164
Weekend 11 - $363,755 (-11.36%) - 356 / $1,022 - $54,029,521

DOMESTIC: 2004 Yearly

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/cha ... 004&p=.htm

60 A Cinderella Story WB $51,438,175 2,625 $13,623,350 2,625 7/16 10/21
61 Resident Evil: Apocalypse SGem $51,201,453 3,284 $23,036,273 3,284 9/10 11/04
62 Home on the Range BV $50,030,461 3,058 $13,880,771 3,047 4/02 8/26
63 Secret Window Sony $48,022,900 3,018 $18,237,568 3,018 3/12 6/03
64 Fat Albert Fox $47,520,552 2,744 $10,021,510 2,674 12/25 -
65 Million Dollar Baby WB $47,503,522 2,105 $179,953 8 12/15 -
66 Walking Tall MGM $46,437,717 2,836 $15,501,114 2,836 4/02 7/29
67 The Phantom of the Opera WB $46,396,296 1,515 $4,001,890 622 12/22 -
68 Napoleon Dynamite FoxS $44,540,956 1,027 $116,666 6 6/11 2/06
69 In Good Company Uni. $43,904,667 1,963 $151,750 3 12/29 -
70 Finding Neverland Mira. $43,390,517 1,411 $220,524 8 11/12 -

MUSICAL Showdown



http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises ... owdown.htm

Week 8

Friday:
Moulin Rouge - $400,355 (+43.8% / -41.4%) - $49,999,176 / 50
The Phantom of the Opera - $511,745 (112.8% / -35.8%) - $44,186,437 / 52
Evita - $582,286 (+188.6% / -24.3%) - $42,493,691 / 50

Saturday:
Moulin Rouge - $550,917 (+37.6% / -45.8%) - $50,550,093 / 51
The Phantom of the Opera - $867,474 (+69.5% / -32.4%) - $45,053,911 / 53
Evita - $921,506 (+58.3% / -32.9%) - $43,415,197 / 51

Sunday:
Moulin Rouge - $401,400 (-27.1% / -46.4%) - $50,951,493 / 52
The Phantom of the Opera - $508,153 (-41.4% / -3.8%) - $45,562,064 / 54
Evita - $644,893 (-30% / -24.9%) - $44,060,090 / 52

Monday:
Moulin Rouge - $166,518 (-58.5% / -57.2%) - $51,118,011 / 53
The Phantom of the Opera - $334,323 (-34.2% / +57.6%) - $45,896,387 / 55
Evita - $376,037 (-41.7% / +65.1%) - $44,436,127 / 53

Tuesday:
Moulin Rouge - $223,113 (+34% / -55.6%) - $51,341,124 / 54
The Phantom of the Opera - $157,380 (-52.9% / -27.5%) - $46,053,767 / 56
Evita - $230,812 - -38.6% / -18.4% - $44,666,939 / 54

Wednesday:
Moulin Rouge - $192,840 (-13.6% / -52.5%) - $51,533,964 / 55
The Phantom of the Opera - $156,261 - (-0.7% / -22.1%) - $46,210,028 / 57
Evita - $190,493 (-17.5% / -7.2%) - $44,857,432 / 55

Thursday:
Moulin Rouge - $180,368 (-6.5% / -35.2%) - $51,714,332 / 56
The Phantom of the Opera - $186,268 (+19.2% / -22.5%) - $46,396,296 / 58
Evita - $180,744 (-5.1% / -10.4%) - $45,038,176 / 56

Week 9

Friday:
Moulin Rouge - $231,431 (+28.3% / -42.2%) - $51,945,763 / 57
Evita - $322,842 (+78.6% / -44.6%) - $45,361,018 / 57

Saturday:
Moulin Rouge - $311,793 (4.7% / -43.4%) - $52,257,556 / 58
Evita - $568,275 (+76% / -38.3%) - $45,929,293 / 58

Sunday:
Moulin Rouge - $210,079 (-32.6% / -47.7%) - $52,467,635 / 59
Evita - $337,469 (-40.6% / -47.7%) - $46,266,762 / 59

72 more days till the DVD and it's already ranked at #4 on amazon.com's sales rank! \:D/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... =dvd&n=130

LOL, it could easily notch up 2m in first day sales i think.... :razz:

And nice to see LOTR still doing well, #10- and #11 :razz:

This is the latest word on the Minnie Driver Oscar fiasco.....

Minnie's no Beyonce

February 21, 2005
http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/ ... 85,00.html



IT was to be Minnie Driver's crowning moment - singing at the Oscars in front of a glittering Hollywood audience and one billion TV viewers.

But yesterday the British actor-turned-singer was inconsolable after being told she'd been axed in favour of Beyonce Knowles.

Driver, 34, was filled with glee last month after being asked to perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's Oscar-nominated song from The Phantom Of The Opera, Learn To Be Lonely, at Sunday's awards.

But a source close to Driver said: "The show's producers have dumped her in favour of Beyonce.

"Minnie just doesn't have the pulling power or the voice of Beyonce. Minnie is devastated and inconsolable.

"She'd told everyone this was to be her big break as a singer."

:???:

-------------

So it wasn't a scheduling problem afterall, :???:

FINLAND - Weekend 7

February 4-10
(US$1 = .781 Euros)
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/finland/2005/06.htm

1 2 Paha maa BVI $198,318 33 $6,010 $1,023,291 4
2 1 The Aviator Nordisk $159,406 20 $7,970 $360,041 2
3 3 Der Untergang SMD $92,658 8 $11,582 $196,703 2
4 - Closer Sony $88,489 12 $7,374 $90,986 1
5 - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events BVI $87,681 19 $4,615 $87,681 1
6 - Blade: Trinity FS Film $76,736 12 $6,395 $82,876 1
7 - Onnen varjot Nordisk $70,777 23 $3,077 $70,777 p/v
8 5 The Grudge Nordisk $55,385 20 $2,769 $664,172 5
9 7 Keisarikunta FS Film $53,622 40 $1,341 $1,041,613 7
10 6 A Very Long Engagement SMD $49,860 8 $6,233 $199,475 3
11 4 National Treasure BVI $47,344 32 $1,480 $1,038,455 6
12 8 Shall We Dance BVI $39,770 7 $5,681 $92,199 2
13 9 Pelikaanimies BVI $34,992 38 $921 $691,321 8
14 10 Shark Tale BVI $33,157 35 $947 $737,527 9
15 11 Ocean's Twelve SMD $28,698 23 $1,248 $1,554,254 8
16 14 The Phantom of the Opera SMD $25,839 12 $2,153 $387,728 7

---

* Down 2 spots to #16, and playing on 12

---

1 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $101,597 (6-Day or $98,254 without p/v - 12)
2 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $196,297 ($94,700)
3 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $253,684 ($57,387)
4 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $300,833 ($47,149)
5 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $336,321 ($35,488)
6 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $361,889 ($25,568)

---

Harry Potter 3: POA - $3,024,070 ($72,017)
Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - $1,949,254 ($94,815)
Spiderman 2 - $1,906,668 ($36,800)
Brother Bear - $1,827,428 ($99,202)
The Day After Tomorrow - $1,790,683 ($80,736)
Ocean’s Twelve - $1,525,556 ($34,087)
Shrek 2 - $1,494,016 ($119,626)
Troy - $1,402,985 ($56,225)
The Incredibles - $1,266,895 ($84,197)
National Treasure - $1,073,365 ($34,910)
King Arthur - $898,070 ($27,047) - OUT
Garfield: The Movie - $866,971 ($50,404)
The Last Samurai - $848,726 ($29,070)
The Passion Of The Christ - $790,275 ($21,454)
Alexander - $760,005 ($30,804)
Collateral - $740,106 ($38,977)
The Village - $691,593 ($17,826)
Shark Tale - $664,072 ($45,991)
Fahrenheit 9/11 - $662,508 ($44,416)
Chicago - $630,365 ($27,089)
Van Helsing - $616,346($15,464)
The Bourne Supremacy - $548,897 ($13,955) - OUT
Something’s Gotta Give - $416,713 ($13,542)
Around The World In 80 Days - $403,261 ($4,993)
The Polar Express - $396,759 ($10,146) - OUT
The Phantom Of The Opera - $387,728 ($25,839)

FINLAND - Weekend 8

February 11-17
(US$1 = .7678 Euros)
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/finland/2005/07.htm

1 1 Paha maa BVI $180,850 33 $5,480 $1,204,141 5
2 7 Onnen varjot Nordisk $176,616 25 $7,065 $247,393 1
3 2 The Aviator Nordisk $106,961 20 $5,348 $467,002 3
4 3 Der Untergang SMD $95,702 12 $7,975 $292,405 3
5 5 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events BVI $86,778 19 $4,567 $174,459 2
6 4 Closer CTS $75,531 12 $6,294 $166,517 2
7 - House of Flying Daggers SMD $50,987 7 $7,284 $52,204 1
8 8 The Grudge Nordisk $45,504 20 $2,275 $709,676 6
9 9 Keisarikunta FS Film $44,717 40 $1,118 $1,086,330 8
10 13 Pelikaanimies BVI $37,175 39 $953 $728,496 9
11 10 A Very Long Engagement SMD $37,064 8 $4,633 $236,539 4
12 12 Shall We Dance BVI $36,782 7 $5,255 $128,981 3
13 11 National Treasure BVI $34,910 32 $1,091 $1,073,365 7
14 6 Blade: Trinity FS Film $34,590 12 $2,882 $117,466 2
15 - Pooh's Heffalump Movie BVI $34,316 17 $2,019 $34,316 p/v
16 14 Shark Tale BVI $30,864 33 $935 $768,391 10
17 16 The Phantom of the Opera SMD $21,145 12 $1,762 $408,873 8

---

* Down 1 spot, and still on 12
* Dropped only 19%

---

1 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $101,597 (6-Day or $98,254 without p/v - 12)
2 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $196,297 ($94,700)
3 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $253,684 ($57,387)
4 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $300,833 ($47,149)
5 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $336,321 ($35,488)
6 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $361,889 ($25,568)
7 - The Phantom Of The Opera - $387,728 ($25,839)

---

Harry Potter 3: POA - $3,066,273 ($42,203)
Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason - $2,003,536 ($54,282)
Spiderman 2 - $1,932,045 ($25,377) or $2,066,154 Actuals
Brother Bear - $1,884,088 ($56,654)
The Day After Tomorrow - $1,846,510 ($55,827)
Shrek 2 - $1,574,715 ($80,699)
Ocean’s Twelve - $1,554,254 ($28,698)
Troy - $1,455,069 ($52,084)
The Incredibles - $1,340,340 ($73,445)
Garfield: The Movie - $907,327 ($40,356)
The Passion Of The Christ - $812,931 ($22,057)
Alexander - $779,420 ($19,415) - OUT
Collateral - $768,925 ($28,819)
The Village - $705,394 ($13,801) - OUT
Shark Tale - $704,370 ($40,298)
Fahrenheit 9/11 - $696,507 ($33,999)
Chicago - $650,652 ($20,287)
Van Helsing - $626,189 ($9,843)
Something’s Gotta Give - $433,841 ($17,088)
The Phantom Of The Opera - $408,873 ($21,145)
Around The World In 80 Days - $406,276 ($3,015) - OUT