Basterds' Opening Day Is Tarantino's Best

Ticket sales were down, and these movies help explain why

(NEWSER) - This was not a banner year for Hollywood, with domestic box office revenue down 4%, breaking a string of record highs. These films were part of the reason why. The Hollywood Reporter compiled a list of 2011's biggest flops, and there were some doozies—we've listed some of the standouts below. As you're looking at the numbers, remember that grosses are split with theaters, and that the budgets don't include marketing, so films that appear to have broken even are actually big losers. More»

Sally Menke worked with director beginning with Reservoir Dogs

(NEWSER) - Renowned movie editor Sally Menke, 56, was found dead after going for a hike in the Hollywood Hills during yesterday's record-breaking heat wave . Investigators believe she became disoriented in the extreme heat and suspect heat stroke was the cause of her death, the Los Angeles Times reports. Her severely dehydrated dog was found next to her body. More»

First futures market for films about to begin

(NEWSER) - 3D isn’t the only immersive movie experience out there—soon, filmgoers will be able to play Hollywood mogul and bet on box office in the nation’s first film industry futures exchange. Cantor Futures, expected to gain regulatory approval next month, will allow anyone to buy contracts starting at $50, with $1 equal to $1 million in domestic box office. More»

The Blind Side as White Lady Saves the Day and more

(NEWSER) - It’s just about time for the Oscars, but first, check College Humor ’s list of what some of the nominated films should be called, if we’re being honest with ourselves.

• Avatar: Predictable, with James-Cameron-ripping subtitle, “From the guy who knows how to spend $280,000,000.”
• The Blind Side: White Lady Saves the Day
• Inglourious Basterds: Inaccurate Trailer (“Brad Pitt’s hardly in it, and it’s mostly in French.”)

Nine nominations each for Cameron, Bigelow films

(AP) - The science-fiction sensation Avatar and the war-on-terror thriller The Hurt Locker lead the Academy Awards with nine nominations each, including best picture and director for James Cameron and ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. Also nominated for best-picture: District 9; the animated comedy Up; the World War II saga Inglourious Basterds; the football drama The Blind Side; the recession tale Up in the Air, the 1960s drama A Serious Man, and the teen tales An Education and Precious. More»