Male Nudity? Cue the Nervous Laughter

Kristen Wiig comedy snags another record

(NEWSER) - It's official: Bridesmaids has become the most popular video-on-demand movie ever, with 4.8 million rentals in four months, says the Hollywood Reporter . It's just the latest record for the sometimes raunchy female comedy, which is also the top-grossing movie in its genre ever made—$288 million worldwide. And that's not counting $100 million in Blu-ray and DVD sales in the US and two potential Oscars—for original screenplay and supporting actress (Melissa McCarthy). More»

(NEWSER) - Funny People laughed its way to the top of the box office this weekend with $23.4 million, USA Today reports. But that’s less than analysts predicted, and not enough to beef up this summer’s mediocre ticket sales. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince came second with $17.7 million, while G-Force ($17 million), The Ugly Truth ($13 million), and family newcomer Aliens in the Attic ($7.8 million) rounded out the top five. More»

Box office performance for latest flick a mystery

(NEWSER) - Though it’s called Funny People, Adam Sandler’s latest film is a bit more serious than his fans are used to—and its opening-weekend performance is a mystery, Variety reports. Forecasts range from just over $20 million to more like $35 million, Audiences loved director Judd Apatow’s prior efforts—which were more upbeat than the R-rated, 2½-hour Funny People. More»

(NEWSER) - Sandra Bullock made a name for herself in romantic comedies but “can’t stand” them now, America's Sweetheart tells the Wall Street Journal. “I always read scripts and go, ‘I want to change the role of Sam to Samantha because it’s written better,’” Bullock says, citing the genre’s penchant for underselling female roles. And that’s what makes her new film The Proposal stand out. More»

Chick flick laffer helps spark 17% ticket surge

(NEWSER) - Comedy sparked a box office comeback this weekend as Baby Mama banked $18.3 million from mostly female film-goers, Variety reports. Also fueling the 17.2% hike over last year's frame were stoner sequel Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay with $14.6 million in second, and Jackie Chan's Forbidden Kingdom with $11.2 million in third. More»