It was no surprise that J.J. Abrams Star Trek Into Darkness starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto opened top of the box office this weekend, but Paramount Pictures got a bit of a surprise as it opened a little lower than the $100 million predicted. Theories are getting bandied around from fanboys feeling like this Star Trek was a rip-off of 1982′s The Wrath Of Khan, to the marketing focused more on people who’d already seen the original reboot and didn’t go after newbies to the very crowded May marketplace that has Ironman 3, The Great Gatsby and Pain and Gain.

Paramount points out that overseas business is up in many markets, though, so that worldwide, the sequel is off to a better start.

‘Because of the nature of the franchise, because of how many movies have been made and the various forms of the TV shows, I’m not sure that `Star Trek’ goes by the rules of normal sequels.

I think each movie stands on its own, because it’s a unique franchise,’ said Don Harris, Paramount’s head of distribution.

‘My goal was always that we grow the franchise. We’re clearly seeing by today’s numbers that the movie is being embraced on a worldwide basis in a way we’ve never seen before.’

Harris said that domestically, ‘Into Darkness’ finished its first weekend 6 percent ahead of revenues for 2009′s ‘Star Trek,’ which got a head-start with $4 million in Thursday night previews to give it a $79.2 million haul through the first Sunday.

Just wait till next Memorial Day weekend when The Fast and Furious 6 comes roaring in with The Hangover Part 3. So expect some press going on about the great Star Trek shocking low box office, but it did alright and thought the film was a very good sequel. If you do go see it, you MUST absolutely see it at the 3D IMAX. Anything else is just a waste of money…this is that rare film that’s worth the little extra more.

We’ve entered the great Summer 2013 box office race and there’ll be plenty more surprises to come. Just wait and see what Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel Superman reboot turns out.

Here’s how the rest of the box office looked this weekend:

1. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Plot: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. Director: J.J. Abrams Box Office: Weekend: $70.56M, Gross: $84.09M

2. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Plot: When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution. Director: Shane Black Box Office: Weekend: $35.18M, Gross: $337.07M

3. The Great Gatsby (2013)

Plot: A Midwestern war veteran finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor. Director: Baz Luhrmann Box Office: Weekend: $23.42M, Gross: $90.16M

4. Pain & Gain (2013)

Plot: A trio of bodybuilders in Florida get caught up in an extortion ring and a kidnapping scheme that goes terribly wrong. Director: Michael Bay Box Office: Weekend: $3.10M, Gross: $46.57M

5. The Croods (2013)

Plot: After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy. Director: Kirk De Micco Box Office: Weekend: $2.75M, Gross: $176.75M

6. 42 (2013)

Plot: The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey. Director: Brian Helgeland Box Office: Weekend: $2.73M, Gross: $88.74M

7. Mud (2012)

Plot: Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love. Director: Jeff Nichols Box Office: Weekend: $2.25M, Gross: $11.65M

8. Oblivion (2013)

Plot: A veteran assigned to extract Earth’s remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself. Director: Joseph Kosinski Box Office: Weekend: $2.22M, Gross: $85.47M

9. Peeples (2013)

Plot: Sparks fly when Wade Walker crashes the Peeples annual reunion in the Hamptons to ask for their precious daughter Grace’s hand in marriage. Director: Tina Gordon Chism Box Office: Weekend: $2.15M, Gross: $7.86M

10. The Big Wedding (2013)

Plot: A long-divorced couple fakes being married as their family unites for a wedding. Director: Justin Zackham Box Office: Weekend: $1.10M, Gross: $20.20M

Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer

May 20, 2013 Box Office Weekend Chart

Click to continue reading ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ On Top But Falls Short Of ‘Star Trek’

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

Syfy’s Defiance is defeating the odds and proving that NBC’s risk of combining a game and original science fiction show could be paying off. We spent several days in their Containment Village at SXSW last month, and the smart marketing they’ve done has easily paid off. Now hopefully we’ll be able to get them to finally get us a new laptop since the container we stayed in leaked like you wouldn’t believe destroying our new one.

Jim Bittle from Sub Rosa was kind enough to inquire and see if we’d finally gotten our replacement laptop as the Container company Steel Space confirmed they would be taking care of it, but sadly, we’re still short our much needed laptop. I wouldn’t have minded so much if it was an older one, but it was one of our newer ones and the concierge people down at SXSW were so kind to assure us that we would have no worries getting it replaced, but you know how these things happen. It’s been frustrating since we had such a great trip and that has been the one thing that easily spoiled it as we didn’t raise a fuss about the other damage to our things from the container leak, but you do expect a little more response from the company who admitted the fault. Thanks again Jim for checking in, but as of now, Steel Space has still made no attempt to contact us in any way, shape or form.

Now onward to the good stuff!

Syfy’s new hit series Defiance maintained strong viewership levels during its second episode, drawing 2.4 million total viewers, 1.11 million Adults 25-54 and 1.06 million Adults18-49 in the Monday, April 22 telecast from 9-10PM (ET/PT). Defiance was the #1 cable drama in its time period among both key demos.

Viewers also flocked to the April 15 premiere episode. Including the first 3 days of DVR playback, the Adults 18-49 audience increased to 1.77 million (from 1.3 million live viewers).  The total viewership also grew to 3.5 million (from 2.7 million).

Next week Warehouse 13 joins Defiance with 10 all-new episodes at 10PM, comprising Syfy’s Powerful Mondays programming bloc.

Defiance’s luminous cast includes Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Graham Greene and Mia Kirshner. Set in the near future, Defiance introduces an exotically transformed planet Earth, its landscapes permanently altered following the sudden – and tumultuous – arrival of seven unique alien races.  In this somewhat unknown and unpredictable landscape, the richly diverse, newly-formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully.  Each week, viewers follow an immersive character drama set in the boom-town of Defiance, which sits atop the ruins of St. Louis, Missouri, while in The Game, players experience the new frontier of the San Francisco Bay area.

The series is executive produced by Kevin Murphy (Desperate Housewives, Caprica, Hellcats), who also serves as showrunner, Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica) and Rockne O’Bannon (Farscape).  Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest) directed the pilot; Michael Nankin serves as supervising producer/director on the series.  Defiance is produced by Universal Cable Productions.

This is one of those shows that takes a little warming up to as the pilot episode was fine but felt a little retreaded from movies and previous sci-fi shows. It really kicks in after the fourth episode as you connect much better with the characters and the story begins to take on a life of its own. You can catch it every Monday on Syfy at 9 PM (ET). We’ll also post our interview with Jesse Rath, who plays Alak Tarr and is also known as the brother of Megan Rath (Sally from one of our favorite Syfy shows Being Human).

Syfy Defiance Full Trailer – Best Movies Ever

Syfy’s ‘Defiance’ & Grant Bowler Continue Wowing Audiences – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading Syfy’s ‘Defiance’ & Grant Bowler Continue Wowing Audiences

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

Naturally, after the Thor: The Dark World teaser trailer hit this week, even more images have slipped out showing Chris Hemsworth working his mighty hammer on anyone who dares tangle with it. Above and below are a few more shots showing Hemsworth with papa Odin (Anthony Hopkins) along with sharing a laugh with Natalie Portman. 

There’ll be even more images coming plus we’ll have the latest clips from Hemsworth’s other film Rush with Ron Howard which looks pretty sweet. I’m still trying to get used to his bob-like hair in that one, but once he’s in the car and pounding that pedal to the floor, all those thoughts will quickly be forgotten.

Thor 2: The Dark World Movie Synopsis

Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s Thor and Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin

Directed By: Alan Taylor
Release Date: November 8, 2013

Thor: The Dark World Teaser Trailer – Best Movies Ever

Chris Hemsworth Shows More ‘Thor: Dark World’ Bulging Hammer – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading Chris Hemsworth Shows More ‘Thor: Dark World’ Bulging Hammer

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

Even though the description for Chris Hemsworth’s ‘Thor: The Dark World’ was leaked early, seeing the first teaser trailer still felt very fresh along with the big reveal of Tom Hiddleston’s Loki. Below is a slew of images from the trailer along with it in case you missed it or want to check it out all over again. You can definitely feel Game Of Thrones Alan Taylor’s hand in the fantasy realm of the teaser too which isn’t a bad thing. Fingers crossed this sequel can match up to Kenneth Branaugh’s brilliant helming of the first one.

We’ve got a great year ahead with Iron Man 3 kicking off the 2013 summer blockbuster (Yes, I know Tom Cruise’s Oblivion hit this past weekend!) followed shortly by Star Trek Into Darkness and culminating towards Thor’s domination for the holiday season. Check out all the images from the teaser trailer below. There’s plenty to check out too!

Thor 2: The Dark World Movie Synopsis

Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s Thor and Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin

Directed By: Alan Taylor
Release Date: November 8, 2013

Thor: The Dark World Teaser Trailer – Best Movies Ever

Latest Chris Hemsworth & Loki ‘Thor: The Dark World’ Trailer Images Hit – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading Latest Chris Hemsworth & Loki ‘Thor: The Dark World’ Trailer Images Hit

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

J.J. Abrams Star Trek Into Darkness unleashed another clip where Zachary Quinto’s Spock in quite a bind so now they’ve shot off several major characters posters for the cast including Benedict Cumberbatch and Chris Pine. This sequel definitely looks exciting and another great action entry for the Summer 2013 blockbuster season. We’ve got Iron Man 3 hitting next week and this one next month so there’s plenty to look forward to thankfully.

The character banner posters below are the UK ones so that’s why the date is different. Now that the US seems to be trailing in movie ticket sales, we’ve got to get used to most of the major films opening in other countries first.  Check out the UK banners below.

Star Trek Into Darkness Movie Synopsis

“When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.
With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.
As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.”

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Alice Eve, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood, and Benedict Cumberbatch

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Release Date: May 17, 2013

Star Trek Into Darkness Volcano Clip – Best Movies Ever

‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Unveils Latest Character Banners – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Unveils Latest Character Banners

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

Drew Bolduc’s ‘The Taint‘ was one of those films that reminded you of early classic John Waters in the best way. Now we hear that Bolduc’s working on another great bastard child of sci-fi horror called innocently enough, Science Team, and you can check out a promo clip they’ve posted on IndiGoGo. Below are a few images from the promo.

Right now Bolduc and his team are raising funds to begin shooting the film this June in Richmond, VA. They’re already moving along really well, and here’s a description of the film that he passed along to us.

Chip returns home to find that his mother has been brutally murdered. A sessile space alien with telepathic powers is now living in her house rent free. Science Team, an anti-alien organization, must now eliminate the extraterrestrial threat. Drama ensues. People die. Inner and extraterrestrial demons are engaged. Men in pink suits use cool-looking technology. Events culminate in a destructive orgy of violence of such an epic intensity that people’s minds are literally blown out of their heads.

His description on IndiGoGo goes a little further:

“Science Team is a national organization whose main purpose is to maintain interstellar peace and protect America from the many alien threats that seek to destroy us.

We need your help to recruit more members to fight alongside us. We must build a super scientific alliance and raise funds to combat a giant sessile alien menace with telepathic powers capable of doing this:”

Science Team must eliminate this evil extraterrestrial threat at all costs. We must proceed with extreme caution. People will die horrible and disgusting deaths. Inner and extraterrestrial demons will be engaged. Cool-looking technology will be used. People’s minds will be blown out of their heads.

Remember to bring your mind protectors.

So you know we’ll be getting that wonderful twisted humor in this one too! I’m sure they’ve learned the ropes of distribution so they’ll be able to avoid the usual pitfalls most firstime filmmakers go through. We’ve all been there, and I’m rooting for more investors to take a peek at the promo below and keep this kind of filmmaking alive! If you’ve not checked out The Taint yet, go check it out here.

Science Team Movie Promo – Best Movies Ever

The Taint Movie Trailer – Best Movies Ever

‘The Taint’ Guy Drew Bolduc Wants Your For His ‘Science Team’ – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading ‘The Taint’ Guy Drew Bolduc Wants You For His ‘Science Team’

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

Finally, the first trailer for Chris Hemsworth’s ‘Thor: The Dark World‘ will be hitting and probably sooner than expected as word leaked about what it was all about. We know that Thor will be showing some battle wear and tear and will be reaching out to badboy brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

Below are more images from the movie set along with a pretty good description of the upcoming trailer for those that just can’t wait to see it for themselves. Good news is that you’ll get to plenty of Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith in it too.

Thor 2: The Dark World Movie Synopsis

Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s Thor and Marvel’s The Avengers, Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin

Directed By: Alan Taylor

Release Date: November 8, 2013

Thor The Dark World First Look Trailer – Best Movies Ever

More Chris Hemsworth ‘Thor The Dark World’ Reaching Out For Brother Loki Trailer – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading More Chris Hemsworth ‘Thor The Dark World’ Reaching Out For Brother Loki Trailer

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn

As expected, news is beginning to hit about Chris Evans latest ‘Captain America: The Winter Solder‘ along with more Thor: The Dark World and Avengers 2. Evans shows his back for the first official Captain America images from the film along with some great concept art images to give you more ideas of how the film will look below.

Expect more images hitting as the latest Captain America film has just begun shooting in Los Angeles today, and there’s always some exterior shots that rally up fans to send in lots of pics and video clips to us. Filming will also be happening in Cleveland and Washington, D.C. so be ready for some action coming soon. Casting news has been busy as the film has pulled in some very good names along with revealing who’ll be playing the villain for Steve Rogers to go up against in the form of Batroc the Leaper. The role is being played by MMA UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre. Spoiler warning for below so don’t read any further if you don’t want to know some more specific things about the film.

The other cast members for The Winter Soldier includes Robert Redford (Agent Alexander Pierce),Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier),Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon), Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill), Frank Grillo (Brock Rumlow), Georges St-Pierre (Georges Batroc), Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), Toby Jones (Arnim Zola), Emily VanCamp (Agent 13) and Maximiliano Hernandez (Agent Jasper Sitwell). Yup so for those who are wondering just who The Winter Solder is, it’s good ole Steve Rogers buddy Bucky.

I wasn’t expecting much for some reason with the first Captain America film so it was a very great surprise that it was so good. Now, I’m looking forward to another big summer 2014 beginning with Iron Man 3 and ending in November with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor: The Dark World.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier News Update – Best Movies Ever

Chris Evans Shows His Backend For ‘Captain America The Winter Soldier’ – Best Movies Ever News

Click to continue reading Chris Evans Shows His Backend For ‘Captain America The Winter Soldier’

Author information

Curt Johnson

Editor-in-Chief at Best Movies Ever Entertainment News

Filmmaker and movie reviewer who loves giving the spotlight to some not so well known films ignored by the mainstream media. Also loves dark twisted comedy like House Of Yes while also enjoying Working Girl.

TwitterFacebookGoogle+LinkedIn