Studios Sweating August Releases

Blockbusters boost studios to record-breaking sales

(NEWSER) - Hollywood studios are reeling in their highest-grossing summer ever, the Los Angeles Times reports. Domestic ticket sales stand at $3.9 billion, up from last year's record-breaking summer. A steady stream of smash hits—and higher ticket prices—accounted for the record take, more than making up for costly flops like Speed Racer. More»

(NEWSER) - Harvey Weinstein can breathe a sigh of relief. Inglourious Basterds mowed down the competition at the box office yesterday with an estimated haul of $14.3 million, reports Variety. That makes it Tarantino’s best opening ever, and the second-highest R-rated opener August has ever seen—behind American Pie 2 ($16.5 million) and just ahead of last week’s District 9 ($14.2 million). The struggling Weinstein Co. will hope for a repeat next weekend with the opening of Rob Zombie's Halloween II. More»

Mike Myers' 'Love Guru' fails to impress

(NEWSER) - Mike Myers' Love Guru failed to work its mojo at the box office this weekend, caving to Get Smart, which raked in $39.1 million. It wasn't a close race: Myers' live-action comedy grossed $14 million, coming in at No. 4. The Incredible Hulk and Kung Fu Panda—in their second and third weeks respectively—virtually tied for second spot, grossing just more than $21 million. More»

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»