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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011
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‘Cowboys & Aliens,’ ‘Smurfs’ tie for number 1 spot ittle blue Smurfs and not-so-little green men from space are in a photo finish for the No 1 spot at the weekend box office. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford’s science-fiction Western “Cowboys & Aliens” and the family adventure “The Smurfs” both opened with $36.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. That leaves Sony’s “Smurfs” and Universal’s “Cowboys & Aliens” tied for the top spot. Figuring out the No1 movie will have to wait until final numbers are counted yesterday. “In all my years, I’ve never really seen a race this close,” said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. “Generally, in the world of movie box office, $1 million is a close call, so to have two films in a dollar-to-dollar tie is somewhat unprecedented.” Studios often round off their Sunday numbers, which include Friday and Saturday totals plus an estimate of Sunday business based on how similar movies have done in the past. So Sunday figures typically are rounded off to the nearest $50,000 or $100,000, with more accurate, to-the-dollar numbers . But Universal released an estimate of $36,206,250, which would have put “Cowboys & Aliens” a fraction ahead of “The Smurfs” in Sunday’s rankings. So Sony, which had reported a rounded-off figure of $36.2 million, matched that $36,206,250 estimate for “The Smurfs.” “We’re going with that extra $6,250, because it’s just too close to call,” said Rory Bruer, head of distribution at Sony. Studios jockey for the top box-office spot to earn “No 1 film in America” bragging rights in advertising for the coming week. Going into the weekend, “Cowboys & Aliens” seemed to have the edge, with analysts figuring it might top $40 million, while “The Smurfs” might come in around $30 million. But the two movies met in the middle, “Cowboys & Aliens” doing worse than expected and “The Smurfs” doing better. “This is truly a photo finish,” said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal. “Nobody can call it. The truth of the matter is, it’s a tie, and with two totally different kinds of films.” “Cowboys & Aliens” stars Craig as an amnesiac wanderer who teams with cattle baron Ford to take on hulking aliens that invade a town in the Old West. “The Smurfs” brings the blue cartoon creatures to the big screen, with a voice and live-action cast that includes Katy Perry, Hank Azaria, George Lopez and Neil Patrick Harris. Because it opened in fewer theaters, “The Smurfs” did more business on average at cinemas. Playing in 3,395 locations, “The Smurfs” averaged $10,665 a theater, compared to a $9,655 average in 3,750 cinemas for “Cowboys & Aliens.” “The Smurfs” had a ticket-price advantage with 3-
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In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, a battle scene is shown in “Cowboys & Aliens”. —AP D screenings, which cost a few dollars more and accounted for 45 percent of business. But 25 percent of its business came from children under 12, who get in at discount prices, while “Cowboys & Aliens” drew adult crowds paying full admission. So it’s tough to determine which movie actually sold more tickets. The weekend’s other new wide release, the Warner Bros. romantic comedy “Crazy, Stupid, Love.,” opened modestly at No 5 with $19.3 million. The movie stars Steve Carell as a one-woman man who learns the art of seduction from a playboy (Ryan Gosling) after his marriage falls apart. The previous weekend’s top movie, “Captain America: The First Avenger,” slipped to No 3 with $24.9 million and raised its domestic total to $116.8 million. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” pulled in $21.9 million to become the franchise’s topgrossing chapter at $318.5 million domestically. That tops the previous high of $317.6 million for the 2001 original, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” But factoring in today’s higher ticket prices, “Deathly Hallows: Part 2” so far has sold fewer tickets than “Sorcerer’s Stone.” Also this weekend, the “Harry Potter” finale became the first of the franchise’s eight movies to top $1 billion at the box office worldwide. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday
at US and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures e released yesterday. 1. “Cowboys & Aliens,” $36.2 million. 2. “The Smurfs,” $36.2 million. 3. “Captain America: The First Avenger,” $24.9 million ($48.5 million international). 4. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” $21.9 million. 5. “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” $19.3 million. 6. “Friends with Benefits,” $9.3 million. 7. “Horrible Bosses,” $7.1 million. 8. “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” $6 million ($42 million international). 9. “Zookeeper,” $4.2 million. 10. “Cars 2,” $2.3 million ($30 million international). — AP
In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros Pictures, from left, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe are shown in a scene from ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.’—AP
10,000 fans attend Newport Folk Festival lue skies and strong ticket sales blessed this year’s Newport Folk Festival, two days of veteran acts and up-and-comers from a variety of musical genres. An estimated 10,000 people attended the long-running festival Sunday at Fort Adams State Park, and they were treated to performances from Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, Wanda Jackson and more than a dozen other acts on three stages set around Newport’s historic fort. Hundreds more fans listened from sailboats, kayaks and rafts just offshore. “We’ve been trying to get here for 40 years,” said Terry Reese, of California, who attended the festival with her husband, Donn, to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary. “We wanted to hear real music, music that’s not canned or packaged.” The festival, first held in 1959 and known as the place where Bob Dylan went electric in 1965, sold out in advance for the first time this year. Festival creator George Wein decided earlier in the year
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(From left) Kings of Leon members Jared Followill, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill. — AP
to make the folk festival - and its sister, the Newport Jazz Festival - non-profit in an effort to ensure their longterm survival. The event’s mix of musicians from country, rock, blues and independent genres pleased festival-goer Jason Rosenstein, of Rhode Island. He said that while the festival could rely on only older, established acts, it successfully injects a more youthful spirit by including many younger, up-and coming bands. “There’s a lot of connecting going on, younger bands, older bands, different genres,” he said. “It’s a very positive energy.” It was a sentiment echoed by musicians including Taylor Goldsmith, of the band Middle Brother. Goldsmith said the Newport festival is his favorite festival for performing. The waterfront venue, with views of Newport’s harbor, is one reason. The crowd and the lineup are others, he said. “It’s less about the festival, less about the acting crazy and more about the music,” Goldsmith said. Harris per-
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formed the final set of this year’s festival, which began Saturday. Harris said she remembered hearing about the festival when she was a high school student listening to albums by Dylan, who was cheered by fans as an acoustic folk singer at the 1963 and ‘64 events but was jeered when he performed with an electric guitar in ‘65. “I knew there was something going on out here, and there still is,” Harris told the audience. As an encore, folk pioneer Pete Seeger took the stage alongside Harris and several other musicians to lead the audience in singing two classics, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” The Newport Jazz Festival kicks off Friday at the same site.—AP
Emmylou Harris performs at the Newport Folk Festival.—AP photos
vow to redo ‘too hot’ Dallas show he Kings of Leon are promising a redo for their Dallas fans after canceling a show because their lead singer complained it was too hot to perform, leading other members to profusely apologize to the audience. In a statement, the family rock band, known for hits including the Grammy Award-winning anthem “Use Somebody,” announced plans to return to Dallas on Sept 21 to make up for Friday’s mid-show cancellation, which drummer Nathan Followill called a “fiasco” on Twitter. “The Kings of Leon apologize to their fans for the inconvenience this may have caused and look forward to seeing their fans again in September,” read a statement sent by their publicist on Sunday. On Friday, lead singer Caleb Followill repeatedly complained that it was too hot and that his voice was suffering because of it. “My voice is completely 100 percent gone,” he said. After a few more songs, he announced to the audience: “I’m gonna go back stage for a second, I’m gonna vomit, I’m gonna drink a beer and I’m gonna come back out and play three more songs.” He never did come back out, leaving the rest of the band to announce the abrupt end of the show to a booing audience. The other members, including guitarist Matthew Followill and bassist Jared Followill, were apologetic and later took to Twitter to let out their frustrations. “Not so good morning 4 me today,” Nathan Followill tweeted. “Ashamed & embarrassed by last night’s fiasco. Can’t apologize enough, utterly gutted. A million I’m sorrys.” Jared Followill tweeted: “Dallas, I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am. There are internal sicknesses & problems that have needed to be addressed. No words.” He added: “I love our fans so much. I know you guys aren’t stupid. There are problems in our band bigger than not drinking enough Gatorade.” However, the statement released by the band did not address other troubles, and it said Caleb “suffered from heat exhaustion and dehydration ... causing his vocal chords to seize.” The Nashvillebased band also canceled Saturday’s show in Houston. That show was rescheduled for Sept 22. — AP
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apper Snoop Dogg launched a Chicago version of his popular youth football league Saturday, saying he hoped the program will give kids in high-crime neighborhoods a positive release for their energy. Dancing and high-fiving his way through a large crowd at the Chicago Indoor Sports Facility, the playful entertainer seemed intent on meeting all the kids involved in the inaugural season of the city’s Snoop Youth Football League. Chicago’s is a division of the league he established in Los Angeles in 2004. Snoop Dogg spent most of his time interacting with the more than 100 football kids and fans, many of whom waited several hours for his arrival. “When I walked into the building, I felt the spirit,” the rapper said of the loud welcome that included non-stop photo flashes. Obviously moved, Snoop Dogg smiled and danced as his songs played in the background. He credited football, a sport he played growing up, with giving many kids in his California league the incentive to focus on their education and other aspects of their lives. He’s hoping Chicago youth use the program to figure out what they want to do with their lives, and he’s
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Snoop Dogg appears onstage during a taping of MTV’s ‘Total Request Live’ at the MTV Times Square Studios . — AP
anxious to see how they respond. “I want to give them something to fight for,” he said of his intentions with the new league. “At the end of the day, they’re our future.” The league in California has eight chapters with more than 3,000 participants. Chicago’s league will have six chapters with more than 1,500 participants. Snoop Dogg said the league prides itself on a strong support system, anchored by coaches and parents. “We’re teaching life skills now,” he said, referring to the program’s more-than-football approach. The rappers also proud that his league isn’t afraid to go into some of the most dangerous neighborhoods to reach the young people who live in them. “We’re going to the toughest areas,” he said. “We’re going to deal with them face to face.” Chicago’s league starts in August and is open to youth ages 7 to 14. — AP