Movie projector

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The last time my friends came for a movie night before the pandemic, we decided to have some fun outside. Blankets and lawn chairs were hastily arranged to form a makeshift viewing area around a king-size sheet, which had been pulled tightly against a fence. Flames licked roasting marshmallows over our outdoor fire pit as we passed hot toddlers and black coffee until we were all delighted and settled in for the movie.

We had gathered to watch Once upon a time in hollywood, but that night, a star attraction threatened to steal Tarantino’s thunder: The sleek home theater projector we mounted on a stool had thrown a 100-foot screen against the fence, showing the Oscar-nominated film in full glory 4K.

Not all projectors are created equal. While there are a number of companies making decent portable projectors these days, some are better served for Powerpoint than for motion pictures. With the ability to stream images from your computer, tablet or media player to a screen or wall, the best 4K projectors eliminate the need to crowd around your device or connect to a TV, while still delivering a viewing experience. Wider and more versatile viewing.

But a projector is only as good as its capabilities, and while any basic model can be used for your conference, church service, or office presentation, to get the most out of your TV shows, movies, and games, you’ll want to upgrade to a 4K home theater projector.

What are the best 4K projectors?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best 4K projector for you; below are the most important, which we considered when researching this list.

As the name suggests, the best 4K projectors display 4K content with better clarity, contrast, and detail than HD projectors. Images are sharper and more vivid, with the projectors able to reproduce more shades and tones along the color gamut. The best 4K projectors also feature powerful processors that faithfully reproduce the source material as it was created, allowing you to see a show or movie the way the creator intended, with sharper, more lifelike images.

The newer 4K projectors come with performance-oriented upgrades like different viewing modes that enhance and adapt the images to what you are watching (e.g. fast sports versus a nature documentary). ), HDR capabilities and new technologies that help eliminate ringing, blocking and the dreaded “rainbow effect”.

Designed for indoor and outdoor use, these projectors also offer adjustable brightness settings and improved tone mapping in the dark, so you always get a clear image no matter what time of day or night. where you sit in the room. Whites are brilliant without being blurry, and blacks are crisp and sharp without blending into the background.

The best 4K projectors are also great for gaming, especially when gamers need to see and discern every detail. By projecting a larger screen, a projector provides a larger, more immersive viewing area for players to make their moves.

Keep in mind that a 4K projector will only display content in 4K if this is how the source material was created. Yet everything from the Super Bowl to The simpsons streams in 4K these days, so it’s a home entertainment component worth picking up.

We have found 4K projectors that can project a screen size of up to 300 inches. You’ll want to project a smaller screen (around 100 inches) first, as the image quality may change as you extend the projection.

They are also not short throw projectors, so they are better suited for large spaces rather than small studios. Most brands recommend sitting at least 10-12 feet from the image, to get the best view of all the 4K pixels working together to create your immersive home theater experience.

Projectors can deliver the ultimate home theater experience. It allows you to enjoy movies or shows from the comfort of your home. Not only can you watch movies, but you can also use your projector for other activities. The demand for cinema projectors is increasing day by day and is used by many households for its variety of uses. Because they have gotten smaller and can be easily transported, most people prefer them for home entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. You can keep it in any corner of your house and use it at your convenience.

Various advantages of using home theater projectors

There are a lot of advantages to using projectors in the home. With new online streaming services bringing original movies and shows every day, there is no option but to plug in the projector and enjoy it from the comfort of your home. Sitting on your favorite sofa and watching shows is the perfect way to enjoy your Sundays. Some advantages of using home projectors are as follows.

• Image size can be customized.
• Large format viewing.
• The cost is low.
• Save a lot of space.
• A good alternative to large TV screens.
• Easy installation process.
• Comfortable on the eyes.
• Can be moved anywhere.
• Can be seen with others.

Important points to consider before buying home projectors

Projectors come in different price ranges and this varies depending on its uses and functions. If you’re on a budget, take a look at this article on the best projectors under $ 200.

The quality of the image generally depends on the surface on which the projection is made. It is best to use a tripod and a pull-down screen.

Adjust the light output according to the lighting in your room.

Check the sound quality before purchasing a cinema projector.

Check if the projector can be used in both VGA and HDMI ports.

Adjust the contrast of the image according to your visibility.

Resolution is the most important thing for watching movies through your home projector.

Decide whether you want to choose DLP or LCD screens.

Choose a projector that can be moved inside your home.

Some creative ways to use the film projector

Due to improved technology and lower prices, more and more people are inclined to buy projectors for personal use. You can use portable home projectors not only for watching movies and TV series, but you can also use them creatively. They are:

Playing on a home projector can take it to another level. Gamers can choose any screen size that suits them. If you are playing with your friends or kids, you can easily split the projector screen, unlike TVs. The projected image or video is much larger than the television which provides more space for gamers. Most of today’s projectors have become compatible with consoles and gaming devices.

• Children’s stories

Bedtime is a magical experience to bond between you and your children. You can change your kids’ bedtime routine forever by showing one of their favorite animated movies or cartoon series using a micro projector your house. All modern projectors are portable so you can easily move them around your children’s room for projection. You can use it for your children’s education and learning process.

• Screening of art collections

Artists love to showcase their work to others and what better option than a projector. If you are an artist and like to show your work to your guests, you can just connect it to your computer or laptop and then show them all your paintings and artwork. It is one of the fun and unique ideas to show your aesthetic and artistic taste and impress your friends.

If you love to cook and want to try different recipes, the spotlight is good for you. When you are preparing a beautiful dinner recipe for your loved ones, it is important to follow all the steps which become difficult while using your phone. You can connect your phone to the projector from where you can follow the instructions.

Features of the best movie projector

Besides the benefits and uses, you need to know the features to look for in order to buy the best cinema projector for your home. Here are a few that will help you get a perfect projector within your budget based on your needs.

• Accurate color ratio
• Lens shift
• Lens zoom factor
• Reduced noise
• Display resolution
• Dynamic iris

Find the right projector for your home

There is something more you need to consider in order to install the right projector in your home. Whether it’s in your living room or bedroom, it’s important to find the right amount of space to set it up. Below are the main factors in finding the right projector size for your home.

Lighting conditions

Check the room lighting conditions before purchasing a projector. Unlike previous ones which required an entirely dark room for projection, modern ones offer much more brightness which can be used in both moderately and well-lit rooms.

Adequate space for projector and screen

Installing a projector requires sufficient space. So you need to find this space in your room before purchasing the viewing device. Not only these, but the space must also be there to keep the speakers and the AV receiver.

Good place for installation

Before purchasing a home projector, make sure you have cleared an area where you want to store the projector and its accessories.

Distance and angle

You should have sufficient distance between the projector and the screen to get the best viewing experience, and the angle should be comfortable for your eyes. Measure both the throw distance and the viewing distance before placing it.

Modern projectors are versatile and compatible with many devices. Besides watching movies, projectors can be used in a number of creative ways. Think about various aspects before buying one for your home.

“Skyfall” will live another day when the new James Bond film hits American shores after a smashing debut abroad.

The 23rd installment of the iconic spy franchise is about to open with at least $ 75 million, according to those who saw the pre-release audience polls. That would put Eon Productions’ image above the $ 67.5 million mark of 2008’s “Quantum of Solace,” the previous high rating for a Bond debut film, regardless of inflation.

A spokesperson for Sony Pictures, which publishes the action thriller, pinned the weekend’s estimates for “Skyfall” in the $ 65 million to $ 70 million range. The film’s budget, directed by Sam Mendes, is estimated at $ 200 million. The photo features elaborate stunts and was shot in remote locations including Turkey and Macau.

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Featuring Daniel craig as agent 007 and Javier bardem As a disgruntled former agent, the film has already grossed over $ 320 million overseas in 12 days of release. It has been particularly strong in Bond’s native UK, where the film’s $ 91 million already makes it the highest-grossing release of 2012.

A massive marketing campaign and good reviews – a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is the highest for a Bond film since 1964 – should bolster “Skyfall” ‘s take in the United States.

After being in limbo for several years during the bankruptcy of rights holder MGM, “Skyfall” went into production in 2011 after the legendary studio was replenished with new owners and Sony came on board to distribute and partially fund the image. (MGM owns 75% of the film and Sony 25%.)

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Bond has been a reliable box office artist over the decades, hitting the once elusive $ 50 million mark as early as 1985 with “A View to a Kill”. Remarkably, in the United States, each of the 22 Bond films grossed more than the previous film, which is a testament in part to inflation but in large part to the enduring popularity of Ian Fleming’s iconic character.

“Quantum” grossed $ 168 million in the US and $ 586 million overseas, slightly below the franchise record of $ 594 million for the “Casino Royale” of 2006. “Skyfall” should easily eclipse this numbers.

No other new wide version challenges “Skyfall” this weekend. But the three-day period will be a test for Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” which hits 11 theaters ahead of its domestic debut next weekend.

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Starring Daniel Day-Lewis as president caught in the midst of legislative and personal battles, Disney’s release has high hopes for awards for its actors and filmmakers. The period drama, which cost Spielberg-based production company DreamWorks around $ 65 million, aims to be something of a box office comeback for Spielberg, who is releasing a modest pair of performers in “War Horse.” and “The Adventures of Tintin” in 2011. “

Trying to stand up to Bond’s bullets is Disney’s animation “Wreck-it Ralph,” a video game nostalgia tale that ended at the top of the box office last weekend at $ 49 million.

The Denzel Washington-led “Flight” also appears to be hanging in the air: Its $ 24.9 million take last weekend was a solid start, but many of the adult moviegoers the film plays are expected to feature in “Skyfall.” this week-end.

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There will likely be a happy ending for “Snow White and the Huntsman” at the box office this weekend.

The adaptation of the classic fairy tale – the second iteration of “Snow White” to hit theaters this year – is set to kick off with a solid $ 40 million to $ 45 million, according to those who saw audiences ahead of release. surveys. The studio behind the film, Universal Pictures, is forecasting a smoother opening of between $ 30 million and $ 35 million.

Either way, the film is set to open with a lot more than March’s “Mirror Mirror”, Relativity Media’s more comedic version of Snow White starring Lily Collins and Julia Roberts, which launched with a low amount. of $ 18 million nationally and ultimately raised $ 62 million. However, “Mirror Mirror” had a budget of around $ 100 million, while “Snow White” cost Universal $ 170 million to produce.

Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth, “Snow White” has so far received poor reviews; On Thursday, the film had a fresh 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. After the disappointing performance of Universal’s $ 209 million production “Battleship”, there is plenty going on on “Snow White” for the studio.

“Snow White” is Universal’s second most expensive release in 2012 and is part of a new studio strategy of spending big on a handful of big event films aimed at global audiences.

The film marks an important moment in the career of Stewart, best known for her role as Bella Swan in the mega-popular “Twilight” franchise. With the vampire series ending in November, the 22-year-old actress has yet to prove that she can open a movie outside of “Twilight” footage.

Since the first movie “Twilight” hit theaters in 2008, Stewart has appeared in only three other films, the most successful of which was the 2009 comedy “Adventureland”, which ended up grossing $ 16 million. She has since played Joan Jett in “The Runaways” and a stripper in “Welcome to the Rileys”, but both films failed at the box office. The latter movie only grossed $ 158,898.

This weekend, “Snow White” also opens in 45 foreign countries, including Brazil, Mexico and Great Britain.

In a limited version, Arc Entertainment opens its 1920s Cristero War film “For Greater Glory” in over 700 theaters. The film, which stars Andy Garcia as a retired military general who joined the resistance during the Mexican Civil War, is expected to gross around $ 2 million in its opening weekend. That’s roughly how much Cinedigm’s dance musical “Battlefield America” is likely to collect when it opens in 200 locations.

Meanwhile, “Piranha 3DD”, from Weinstein Co.’s Dimension Films, will be screened in 75 theaters. The kitsch horror film is a sequel to 2010’s “Piranha 3D,” which grossed a surprisingly respectable $ 83 million worldwide. The new movie will also be released on a number of video-on-demand platforms on Friday, including Amazon, iTunes and Xbox Live.

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“21 Jump Street” is put in school on box office competition this weekend.

The comedy, starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two inane cops on a secret mission to dismantle a high school drug ring, is expected to debut with between $ 30 million and $ 35 million in ticket sales, according to those who have seen. the public before the release. surveys. Sony Pictures, the studio that distributes the film, is forecasting a smoother opening of around $ 25 million.

No other new film hits theaters in wide nationwide release this weekend, although Jason Segel-Ed Helms’ comedy-drama “Jeff, Who Lives At Home” and “Casa de Mi Padre” in Spanish by Will Ferrell will star in about 60 of the country’s films. main markets.

“21 Jump Street”, inspired by the ’80s television series that spawned Johnny Depp’s career, was co-funded by Sony and MGM for around $ 42 million. Sony hosted around 350 screenings to spread word of mouth about the film ahead of its opening, and it premiered at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas earlier this week.

So far, the photo has received overwhelmingly positive reviews: on Thursday morning it had a fresh 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film was a passionate project for Hill, who produced the film. Five years ago, at age 23, he teamed up with producer Neil Moritz to direct the film, but the actor was unable to shoot the film in the years that followed as his acting career resumed with roles in pictures such as “Superbad” and “Forget Sarah Marshall.”

Hill has since proven he has dramatic acting skills as well – scoring an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in last year’s “Moneyball” – but his co-star Tatum has yet to show the audience. that he has a funny bone. “21 Jump Street” marks Tatum’s first major comedic role, which was a box office draw earlier this year in the romantic hit “The Vow”.

“21 Jump Street” will also open overseas in the UK and Australia this weekend.

“Jeff, Who Lives At Home” is the latest film by brothers Mark and Jay Duplass, known as founding members of the independent film movement called “mumblecore”. After starting to make a very low-budget documentary-style film series with naturalistic dialogues, the Duplass brothers teamed up with Fox Searchlight on the 2010 indie film “Cyrus” starring Hill and John C. Reilly. The film only raised $ 7.5 million at the box office when it ended its airing.

Paramount’s specialty label Vantage co-funded “Jeff” with independent production finance company Indian Paintbrush, and the studio is releasing the film in 250 theaters this weekend. The film stars Segel as an idealistic 30-something who still lives in his mother’s basement, waiting for a sign on the direction his life should take.

“Casa de Mi Padre,” meanwhile, stars Ferrell as a member of a Mexican ranch family caught up in a war on drugs. The parody comedy was developed by actor Gary Sanchez Productions and was funded by Nala Films for $ 6 million. Aimed at Latin audiences, the film is distributed by Pantelion Films, Lionsgate’s joint venture with Mexican media company Televisa. Founded in 2010, Pantelion is yet to release a big box office hit: its biggest hit was last year’s “From Prada to Nada”, which grossed just $ 3 million.

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Photo: Jonah Hill, left, and Channing Tatum featured in “21 Jump Street”. Credit: Sony Pictures

“Dr. Seuss’ Lorax” is set to garner a lot of greenery at the box office this weekend.

The 3D animated film, based on a popular 1971 book by Dr Seuss, could start with as much as $ 50 million, according to those who saw audience polls before release. The weekend’s only other new release, the low-cost, R-rated party flick “Project X,” will likely start with a healthy sum of around $ 20 million.

“The Lorax,” about an eco-friendly creature who works to save trees, features the voices of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift. The film was directed by Chris Renaud, the filmmaker behind 2010’s “Despicable Me”. The film, also produced by Universal Pictures’ family unit, Illumination Entertainment, debuted with $ 56.4 million domestically and ended up grossing $ 543 million worldwide.

Universal spent around $ 70 million to fund the film, which will debut overseas next weekend. This is the second animated film based on a Dr Seuss property, following 20th Century Fox’s 2008 release “Horton Hears A Who!” This photo, which also opened in March, has raised nearly $ 300 million worldwide.

“The Lorax” received far more positive reviews than “Project X,” which follows three teenagers trying to throw the biggest party in high school history. The film is the latest to fall in the growing genre of found images, which this year includes the horror film “The Devil Inside” and the superhero film “Chronicle”.

While the steamy “Project X” doesn’t feature any recognizable actors and was directed by newcomer Nima Nourizadeh, it has generated a lot of buzz online. Warner Bros., which spent just $ 12 million to produce the film, marketed it widely to young men on Twitter and Facebook, including fan comments in its promotional campaign.

“Project X” is a departure from Warner Bros., which is known for big budget tents. Over the next few months, the Burbank studio owned by Time Warner Inc. will release films such as “Wrath of the Titans” and “Dark Knight Rises”. However, the cheap “Project X” was an exciting project for producer Todd Phillips, who is highly regarded at the studio for his work on the hit comedy franchise “Hangover”.

Meanwhile, The Weinstein Co. will expand Oscar winner “The Artist” from 966 locations to 1,756 theaters. The black-and-white silent film – which also won the Academy Awards for Best Director Michel Hazanavicius and Lead Actor Jean Dujardin last weekend – has grossed $ 32.9 million since its Thanksgiving release . During the same period last year, Weinstein Co.’s 2011 winner “The King’s Speech” sold tickets for $ 114 million and ultimately grossed $ 139 million in the United States and Canada. .

In a limited version, Focus Features is launching the drama “Being Flynn”, starring Robert De Niro and adapted from Nick Flynn’s 2004 memoir on homelessness, in four theaters.

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Photo: A scene from “Le Lorax”. Credit: Universal Pictures

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Nicolas Cage plays with fire in “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance”, but it is the box office competition that risks being burned this weekend.

The 3D sequel, featuring a demonic motorcycle superhero played by Cage, is set to be the # 1 President’s Day weekend movie. According to those who saw the pre-release audience surveys, the film will debut with around $ 30 million in sales Friday through Monday.

The heart-wrenching “The Vow” and action flick “Safe House,” which each opened to over $ 40 million last weekend, will likely battle for second place with around $ 20 million in sales.

Two new films, meanwhile, should follow. The romantic action comedy “This Means War”, starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy, is expected to gross around $ 15 million over the four-day vacation. And “Arrietty’s Secret World,” an animated film first released in Japan in 2010 and now dubbed with the voices of American actors, will likely start with around $ 5 million.

The original “Ghost Rider” opened the same weekend in 2007 and debuted with $ 45.4 million, ultimately grossing $ 115.8 domestically and about as much overseas. The film has been one of the biggest hits of recent years for Cage, who has appeared in 14 amazing films since the release of “Ghost Rider”. Of these, most were action movies, with the highest grossing being the sequel “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” which grossed around $ 350 million worldwide in 2007.

While outdoor commercials for the 48-year-old actor’s latest project highlight the recognizable Ghost Rider character, his face or name is not in the spotlight. The film has not been screened in advance for critics, indicating that Sony Pictures may be nervous about its public reception.

The photo was funded by Sony with production and financing company Hyde Park Entertainment for around $ 80 million, said a person familiar with the project who was not authorized to speak publicly. Hyde Park controls international distribution rights. The sequel was made for around $ 30 million less than the original and also features new directors, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, well known to fans for their work on the “Crank” series.

“This Means War” was originally slated to officially open nationwide on Valentine’s Day, but last week 20th Century Fox pushed the release date back three days. In an effort to spread positive word of mouth ahead of the film’s debut, Fox premiered the image in about 2,500 theaters on Tuesday night. The image grossed $ 1.6 million when shown only around 7 p.m.

Fox and co-financier Dune Entertainment spent around $ 65 million to produce the film, with around two CIA agents vying for the affection of the same woman. The film is directed by McG, best known for his work on action films such as “Terminator: Salvation”. It has been in development at Fox for over a decade and in recent years has garnered the interest of stars such as Bradley Cooper and Sam Worthington.

The film, which has received poor critical reviews so far, debuts in 17 overseas markets this weekend, including Australia and Russia.

“Arrietty’s Secret World” was co-written by Hayao Miyazaki, the filmmaker behind “Ponyo” and “Spirited Away”. Miyazaki has a strong relationship with Pixar Animation Studio’s creative guru, John Lasseter, who also oversees Disney Animation.

It was Lasseter who helped bring “Arrietty” to the United States after the animated film gained international success in 2010. In that year, it became the highest grossing film in Japan and raised a total of $ 126 million overseas. Now the characters in the film have been updated with the voices of English speaking actors, including Bridgit Mendler as the main character, Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett.

[Updated, 2:51 p.m., Feb. 16: An earlier version of this voice said actress Saoirse Ronan voiced the lead character in the U.S. version of “Arrietty.” In fact, she voices the lead character in the U.K. edition of the film.]

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– Amy Kaufman
twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: a scene from “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance”. Credit: Sony Pictures

The new romantic drama “The Vow” is about to steal the hearts of moviegoers this weekend.

The tearful with Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams could make between 35 and 40 million dollars in its debut, according to those who saw the audience polls before the release. Sony Pictures, whose Screen Gems label produced the film, is forecasting a more conservative nationwide opening of between $ 28 million and $ 30 million.

It should be a good weekend at the multiplex, as three other new films are also expected to generate good ticket sales. “Safe House,” an action thriller directed by Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, will likely debut around $ 25 million. A 3-D reissue of George Lucas’ “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” in 1999 could fetch around $ 20 million, while the 3-D sequel “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” will likely start with around 13. millions of dollars.

“The Vow” is based on the true story of a woman who lost her memory in a car accident and had to fall in love with her husband for the second time. The film has a huge buzz online, where young women have been posting for weeks on Twitter and Facebook about the photo and her favorite star Tatum.

The 31-year-old actor appeared in a similar love story released around Valentine’s Day in 2010, “Dear John”. This film, based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, debuted with $ 30.5 million and eventually raised $ 80 million in the United States and Canada. The biggest hit to release around the February 14 holiday is the aptly named “Valentine’s Day,” which featured a cavalcade of top stars and opened for $ 56.3 million in February 2010.

“The Vow” was co-funded by Spyglass Entertainment and Screen Gems for approximately $ 30 million.

Universal Pictures and Relativity Media spent significantly more on “Safe House,” which was produced for around $ 85 million. The film, which stars Washington as a renegade CIA agent on a mission in South Africa, so far is primarily aimed at older men and African-American moviegoers.

The film is on course to open up to much the same character as the 57-year-old actor’s last outing, the 2010 action thriller. “Unstoppable, ”launched with $ 22.7 million.

Walt Disney Studios has had some success releasing a few of its classic 3D animated titles. Its reissue of “The Lion King” last fall grossed around $ 94 million, while “Beauty and the Beast” has grossed about half since its reissue in January.

Still, it remains to be seen whether audiences will embrace 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm’s updated version of the “Star Wars” episode – especially since the film was poorly received by fans during its original debut. However, the film grossed $ 924.3 million at the global box office, of which $ 431 million was from domestic ticket sales.

“Mysterious Island” is the sequel to 2008’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, which debuted with $ 21 million. The film performed well domestically, grossing a total of around $ 100 million, but made an even more impressive $ 140.3 million overseas.

The sequel has already been released in a number of foreign countries and has so far grossed $ 41.5 million internationally, achieving the best performance in Korea. It has already grossed 15% more than the 2008 overseas release during the same period.

The first film “Journey” starred Brendan Fraser, but the actor reportedly dropped the sequel in 2010 because it was not directed by Eric Brevig, the filmmaker behind the original. Fraser has been replaced by Dwayne Johnson, who plays a stepfather who embarks on an affair with his son (played by “Josh Hutcherson, star of The Hunger Games) to discover a secret island.

The film was funded by Warner Bros. ‘ New Line division for approximately $ 79 million.

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– Amy Kaufman

Twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams star in “The Vow”. Credit: Sony Pictures

The runaway animated hero of “Le Chat Botté” will run away with the box office crown this weekend.

The 3D swashbuckling cat burglar film is expected to gross around $ 40 million this weekend, according to those who saw audience polls ahead of release. Distributor Paramount Pictures expects a softer start of around $ 35 million.

The other two films that will debut in mass circulation will likely have much more modest beginnings. “In Time,” a sci-fi action film starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, is expected to start with around $ 13 million in ticket sales. “The Rum Diary,” starring Johnny Depp and based on one of Hunter S. Thompson’s novels, is expected to raise between $ 9 million and $ 12 million.

The animated star of “Puss in Boots”, voiced by Antonio Banderas, first appeared as a sidekick of “Shrek” in DreamWorks Animation’s hit franchise about a Green Ogre. The film – funded by DreamWorks for around $ 130 million – was originally scheduled for release by Paramount on November 4. However, Paramount moved the film’s opening to a week-long last month in hopes of attracting a family audience before the onslaught of children. centered images debuting around Thanksgiving, including “The Muppets” and “Happy Feet 2”.

The film is likely to have a slightly worse start than “Megamind,” the studio’s release last fall, which opened at $ 46 million last November. Still, “Puss in Boots” should fare better in the long run than “Megamind,” which fell short of the success of other DreamWorks films.

“In Time” is released by 20th Century Fox but was funded by New Regency Pictures for around $ 40 million. The film – set in a world in which everyone’s body clock stops at age 25 – is the latest film from filmmaker Andrew Niccol, who often explores futuristic subjects in his work.

His first film, “Gattaca” from 1997, presented a world in which individuals were judged on their genetic makeup. The film – which he both wrote and directed – was well received by critics, but only grossed $ 12.5 million worldwide. His biggest commercial success was “The Truman Show”, with Jim Carrey. The 1998 film, written by Niccol, raised $ 264.1 million.

“The Rum Diary” is an exciting project for Depp, who was a longtime friend of gonzo journalist Thompson before the writer committed suicide in 2005. Depp has already channeled Thompson’s mind to the screen, most notably in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 1998”. “which flopped at the box office with $ 10.7 million.

Depp traveled to University Campuses from Berkeley to Austin to promote the film, which is based on a book written by Thompson in 1961 but was not released until 1998. The film was funded by Graham King’s GK Films for approximately $ 50 million and is distributed by the producer’s distribution company, FilmDistrict.

Abroad this weekend, Paramount and Sony are releasing “Tintin” in 20 countries including Germany, Spain and Belgium, where the comic strip was created 82 years ago. The film has already got off to a good start in France, where it is set to make a stronger debut than “Shrek” and all the “Lord of the Rings” films, with a screening of $ 18 million by Sunday. The 3D animated film, directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson, will not premiere in the United States for almost two months.

In limited release, Sony Pictures will open Shakespeare’s drama “Anonymous” in 250 theaters. The $ 30 million film was originally slated for release nationwide, but after pre-release surveys indicated that the Roland Emmerich-directed film would have a bad start, the studio curtailed the release last week. Meanwhile, Paramount will open the well-commented love story “Like Crazy” at two theaters in Los Angeles and New York.

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– Amy Kaufman
Twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: A scene from the animation “Le Chat Botté”. Credit: DreamWorks Animation

Chances are slim that “50/50” – or any of the other three films debuting this weekend – will make more money than a few popular films already in theaters.

According to those who saw the audience polls before release.

This should be well ahead of the new footage quartet, which also includes the expensive thriller “Dream House” starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, the Christian drama “Courageous” and the romantic comedy “What’s Your Number?”

The 3D “Dolphin Tale”, about a wounded but animated sea creature, and the sports film starring Brad Pitt were popular with audiences when they debuted last weekend, meaning neither should. suffer a significant decline in ticket sales. Meanwhile, “The Lion King” was only supposed to play in theaters for two weeks, but after taking first place at the box office twice in a row and grossing more than $ 65 million after 13 days, Disney keeps the film in 2,340 theaters this weekend.

Of the new movies coming out this weekend, “50/50” will probably have the best debut. The inexpensive “cancer comedy” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen could gross a respectable $ 12 million, barely ahead of “Dream House.” The ultra-low budget “Courageous” is expected to gross around $ 8 million, while “What’s Your Number?” with Anna Faris can only bow to around $ 7 million.

“50/50” catches the interest of most moviegoers, though distributor Summit Entertainment hopes Rogen’s young male fan base, who has a supporting role but figures prominently in the publicity and commercials. , will be released in large numbers. The film, in which Gordon-Levitt plays a 25-year-old with cancer, received a warm welcome at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month and has received mostly positive reviews so far.

The film was produced by Summit and Mandate Pictures for around $ 8 million, which means that if the film garners good word of mouth, its backers should end up in decent form.

“Dream House”, however, costs a lot more. The film, about a family unknowingly moving into a house where numerous murders have been committed, was funded by Morgan Creek Productions for around $ 50 million and is being distributed by Universal Pictures.

Older women seem to be most interested in the film, which was directed by six-time Oscar-nominated director Jim Sheridan. Despite its pedigree, “Dream House” was not screened for critics – usually a sign that a studio thinks it will be poorly received.

“Courageous”, centered on four policemen who question their faith after a tragedy, was directed by Christian brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick. Both ministers and filmmakers, the duo made in 2008 “Fireproof”, a drama starring “Growing Pains” star Kirk Cameron which grossed $ 33.5 million worldwide.

“Courageous” was produced by Affirm Films – the Sony division that acquires films with religious or inspirational themes – for around $ 2 million. The film is shown in about 1,000 fewer theaters than the other three weekend releases, but has sold more tickets in advance. via the Fandango website thanks in large part to religious groups, the primary audience to whom “Courageous” has been marketed.

Most of the young women are expected to show up to see “What’s Your Number?” The film, in which Faris plays a woman who stalks her ex-boyfriends in the hopes that they have improved with age, received only poor reviews. It was produced by New Regency Pictures for approximately $ 20 million and is distributed by 20th Century Fox.

In limited release, there are a number of films coming out this weekend. Fox Searchlight will launch the Indian film “Force” in 60 theaters as well as the film “Margaret” directed by Kenneth Lonergan and long delayed by critics in two others. Magnolia Pictures puts Eli Craig’s horror comedy “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” in 30 theaters, while Freestyle Releasing’s Sarah Palin documentary “You Betcha!” will play in six. Finally, Sony Pictures Classics will be releasing its critical favorite, “Take Shelter,” starring “It” -girl Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon, in three theaters.

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– Amy Kaufman
twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: Joseph Gordon Levitt, left, with Seth Rogen in “50/50”. Credit: Summit Entertainment