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February 23, 2011
The Wichitan n 5
‘Unknown’ wins box-office shootout “He just seems to be getting stronger and stronger at the box office, and this certainly shows that like he did with ‘Taken,’ in Bruce Willis might want to the right vehicle, he’s certainly a watch his back. major movie star and can open After Liam Neeson’s latest up a film,” Fellman said. film, “Unknown,” far exceeded Warner Bros. is hoping the pre-release expectations at the film follows in the footsteps box office over Presidents Day of “Taken,” which opened to a weekend, the 58-year-old Irish similar $24.7 million over a Suactor is emerging as Hollywood’s per Bowl weekend and ended up latest unlikely action hero. with an impressive $145 million “Unknown,” in which Neeson domestically. And considering plays a man trying to reclaim his that “Unknown” cost producer stolen identity, brought in $25.6 Joel Silver’s Dark Castle Entermillion in ticket sales over the tainment a little more than $30 four-day holiday weekend, ac- million to make, it’s already off cording to an estimate from dis- to a healthy start. The strong tributor Warner Bros. Moviego- opening is welcome relief for ers established with the success Dark Castle, which is coming off of Neeson’s 2008 hit film “Taken” several flops, including last year’s that they enjoy watching the ac- “The Losers” and 2009’s “Whitor beat up European bad guys. teout.” “Unknown” is now the “I Am Number Four,” an adap- company’s best opening since it tation of a popular young-adult started financing its own movies novel, had been poised to be No. in 2008. 1 upon its opening in theaters Heading into the weekend, “I but instead came in with a soft Am Number Four” had stirred $22.6 million in ticket sales. The up lots of buzz not only because weekend’s other new release, the of its fresh-faced young British Martin Lawrence comedy sequel star Alex Pettyfer, but also be“Big Mommas: Like Father, Like cause it was the first release from Son,” trailed behind and grossed DreamWorks since the Steven a modest $19 million. Spielberg- and Stacey SniderDan Fellman, president of do- led studio separated from Paramestic distribution for Warner mount Pictures, signed a disBros, said “Unknown’s” surpris- tribution agreement with Walt ingly strong performance was Disney Pictures and raised new proof of Neeson’s newfound financing. The film cost Dreambox-office clout. Works about $59 million to proAmy Kaufman MCT
duce, according to a person close to the production, although a person close to Disney said the budget was actually closer to $50 million. “It wasn’t as skewed young as I would have thought,” said Chuck Viane, president of distribution for Walt Disney Studios, who said that half of the film’s audience was more than 35 years old. “We always play to win. The number’s nice, but I still will have preferred to be number one.” “Big Mommas,” the third movie in the series featuring Lawrence impersonating a middle-age mother, fell well behind the openings of 2006’s “Big Momma’s House 2” and 2000’s “Big Momma’s House,” which debuted to $27.7 million and $25.7 million, respectively, on three-day weekends. Still, the critically lambasted film only cost New Regency Productions $32 million to make, slightly less than the budgets of the two previous films, which were both more than $35 million. Bert Livingston, Fox’s senior vice president of domestic distribution, said he had expected the film would gross more on Sunday, but was hurt by competition from the NBA All-Star game airing on television. One film that excelled on Presidents Day weekend, however, was “Gnomeo & Juliet.” In
the feed
Orlando Flores, Jr For the Wichitan
The Feed features a few artists making their return – whether it’s glorious, a step backward or just plan weird. Also, the introduction of a rapper so brash he makes Eminem look tame.
its second week of release, the 3-D animated film grossed $24.8 million. From Friday to Sunday, the film was only down 23.5 percent from last weekend, benefiting from the lack of new movies competing for families with young children. Sony Pictures’ “Just Go With It,” the romantic comedy that was No. 1 over Valentine’s Day weekend, also maintained a good hold over the holiday weekend. The film starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston dropped only 40 percent on a three-day basis and collected $21.7 million through Monday. Pint-sized pop star Justin Bieber again defied box-office projections, as his 3-D concert documentary “Never Say Never” dropped only 55 percent on its second weekend and took in $16.2 million over the four days. That’s a significantly smaller drop than similar music films have experienced. 2008’s “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds” dropped 67 percent in its second weekend. Still, it seems that not as many moviegoers overseas have been stricken with Bieber fever. The movie opened to a soft $1.3 million in Britain and Ireland — a solid number when compared with the paltry $5.4 million the Cyrus film ended up with
abroad. The four-day holiday tallies fell far short
of last year’s grosses, marking the 15th consecutive weekend that box office has been lower than in the previous year. Although both the Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day
Toro y Mol Underneath the
Former Fall Out Boy singer proves his vocals are still in good shape, but choose a strange arrangement of backing instrumentals for his EP.
Chazwick Bundick puts a new spin on the chillwave sound he helped create last summer for a sound that’s more Ariel Pink that Washed Out. The Verdict: 2.5/4 - Only for Die Hard Fans
Tyler, the Creator Yonkers
New York Indie-poppers finally release their debut of quirky yet catchy songs that will be hard to get out of your head.
The Verdict: 4/4 - A Must Have
b/w Sandwitches EP
Member of the OFWGKTA crew releases short but satisfying EP of shock rap even Eminem couldn’t top in his prime. The Verdict: 4/4 - A
The Verdict: 3/4 - Deserves a Listen
(Photos Courtesy)
(Photo Courtesy) Pine
Darwin Deez Darwin Deez
Although actually 22, Adele shows growth and maturity from her last outing, 19, and outlasts the sophomore jinx to craft a great pop album.
edy “Valentine’s Day” sold an excellent $63.1 million worth of tickets.
Patrick Stump Truant Wave EP
The Verdict: 2/4 - Questionable
Adele 21
holidays fell on the same weekend in 2010, box office was down 29.6 percent from last February, when the romantic com-
Must Have
Radiohead’s signature sound remains “absolutely nuts” Orlando Flores Jr. For The Wichitan
When you think there is nothing else strange, creative or absolutely nuts that Thom Yorke and Radiohead could do, they always find a way to surprise you. While everyone was making the last minute rush to the grocery store Feb. 14 to buy gifts, Radiohead had a big announcement to make – it was releasing its follow-up to In Rainbows the coming Saturday, Feb. 19. The King of Limbs was announced almost exactly like its predecessor was four years before, very briefly with very little warning and almost no evidence to prove that an album was being recorded. Unlike In Rainbows, though,
you could not set your own price; rather, Radiohead have once again shaken up the music industry by delivering the “world’s first news paper album,” as they’ve put it. The physical album, which contains over 625 pieces of companion artwork, a CD, two 10” vinyl albums and plenty of other ridiculous collectibles will not be available until late March, while a digital copy of the album was available Saturday as promised and had begun to stream on KCRW’s website Friday afternoon along with a strange video for the single “Lotus Flower” which featured Thom Yorke dancing alone in an empty room in black-andwhite. The album clocks in at a little
over 30 minutes (side note: rumors have already begun that this is simply part one of a twopart album), and although it feels more like an EP quickly thrown together at first, after a few listens it’s very apparent the spastic feel of the album is intended. Much like the transition from 1997’s OK Computer to 2000’s Kid A, Radiohead has switched gears from 2007’s In Rainbows traditional instrument compositions to an album with a dark and menacing electronic feel. This with the quickness and rapid delivery of each track gives The King of Limbs the same atmosphere of Kid A, one filled with ordered chaos and an anxious feeling of not knowing what’s going on. However, where
Kid A was a new direction for the band it also allowed them to branch out and try new things, getting better with each album. Now eleven years later, the band has taken this similar formula and their veteran skill to produce some of the most natural and flowing tracks of their career. A prime example is the single “Lotus Flower.” Driven by a monstrous synth and bass line, Yorke’s voice has never sounded better as he gracefully glides across the track while making his unearthly falsetto sound strangely human. Other standout tracks include the album opener “Bloom” and its chopped up piano line similar to Yorke’s “The Eraser” from his solo album of the same name.
“Morning Mr. Magpie” has been around the Internet for a few years now in the form of a live acoustic performance when the band was trying out new material, but appears here as a relentlessly fast-paced electronic song of revenge. Overall, The King of Limbs does not fail to disappoint. With another new way of marketing their music, Radiohead continues to push the boundaries of not just their music, but also how they get it out to the public and making it something worth having (deluxe packaging, special ordering, etc). While The King of Limbs is no OK Computer or Kid A, it is an important en-
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try into the Radiohead canon. For the first time, it seems there is a band truly doing their music their way and still able to be commercially successful.
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