The year of the female protagonist continued at the box office this weekend, with Brave becoming the third film led by such a hero ( The Hunger Games , Snow White and the Huntsman ) to claim the top spot. This animated adventure earned $66.7 million, which marked the fifth-highest debut ever of a Pixar movie. Amidst poor reviews, meanwhile, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter only garnered a $16.5 million opening, with fans giving it a collective C+ according to CineScore. Here is a look at the top five and remember to visit our friends at Movie Fanatic for the latest movie news and more on a daily basis: Brave : $66.7 million Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted : $20.2 million Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter : $16.5 million Prometheus : $10.0 million Snow White and the Huntsman : $8.0 million
Pixar’s first female-driven adventure leaves many satisfied, but doesn’t quite meet the studio’s storied standards, according to the critics. By Josh Wigler Merida in “Brave” Photo: Between “The Hunger Games” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” 2012 is rapidly becoming the year of the archer — and another bow-wielder joins the fray this weekend in “Brave,” Pixar’s latest effort and first feature film led by a female protagonist. “Boardwalk Empire” actress Kelly Macdonald supplies the voice of Merida, a princess who does everything possible to resist her fate in a male-driven medieval society. She does not want to be married off to some noble she doesn’t care about; she wants to pursue her own path, living freely with her treasured bow and arrow at her side. But circumstances eventually change for Merida, leading her down a path that even she couldn’t have envisioned for herself. By many accounts, “Brave” continues Pixar’s trend of highly regarded flicks that please both adults and children alike — but not by all accounts. Some critics believe “Brave” doesn’t quite meet Pixar’s storied standards, resulting in a film that falls short of its potential. Keep reading for a selection of reviews for “Brave,” opening in theaters nationwide Friday (June 22). The Story “A strong-willed lass, Merida exasperates her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), with her pronounced lack of interest in daintiness, needlework, gentleman callers, and all other forms of stereotypical feminine activity. She charms her burly, good, but somewhat galumphy father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly, who else?), for the same reason. (She’s also a role model for her tiny triplet brothers, spunky mischief-makers with their own heads of matching ginger squiggles.) Merida’s passion is for the archery at which she excels — she loves loves loves the thrill of it. Still, as Mama continues to push her daughter toward betrothal to a suitable lord for the good of the kingdom, Merida pushes back, hard, until in her rebellion she finds a witch (Julie Walters) who can cast a spell to change her woeful female fate.” — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly Power of the Princess “In addition to being fast, funny, and unpretentious, ‘Brave’ is a happy antidote to all the recent films in which women triumph by besting men at their own macho games, as if the history of male dominance is one of patriarchs suppressing females’ essential warlike nature. Merida wants nothing more than to control her own fate, her rage provoked by the refusal of her mother— — for whom duty and subservience are paramount — to see the world through her eyes. Why surrender her will to silly, drunken, endlessly combative men when there’s so much to see and do? Her boo-boo at least has the effect of giving her and her mother a common cause, which is certainly a more direct route to mutual understanding than tens of thousands of dollars of therapy.” — David Edelstein, New York The “Brave” Look “Many aspects of ‘Brave’ remind us, at a glance, why Pixar rules the American animation game. Production designer Steve Pilcher’s landscapes are nearly photo-realistic, but with a welcome touch of poetry; likewise, the director of photography for lighting, Danielle Feinberg, pours on the golden sunlight (and when it hits that red hair of Merida’s — wow!) but pays close attention to the shadows and the rough-hewn menace of Merida’s quest.” — Michael Phillips, The Chicago Tribune An All-Too-Familiar Tale “The good news is that the kids will probably love it, and the bad news is that parents will be disappointed if they’re hoping for another Pixar groundbreaker. Unlike such brightly original films as ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘WALL-E’ and ‘Up,’ this one finds Pixar poaching on traditional territory of Disney, its corporate partner. We get a spunky princess; her mum, the queen; her dad, the gruff king; an old witch who lives in the woods, and so on.” — Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times The Final Word ” ‘Brave’ is gorgeous to look at — as usual, the 3D accentuates without being overbearing, and there are moments that offer some of the most photorealistic tableaux I’ve ever seen in an animated film — and features a strong script that avoids the third-act pitfalls that have plagued previous Pixar projects. Whether you’re a fan of great animation, or just jonesing for another arrow-slinging heroine until the next ‘Hunger Games’ sequel comes out, brave the crowds for this one.” — Alonso Duradle, The Wrap Will you be seeing “Brave” this weekend? Tell us your plans in the comments below! Check out everything we’ve got on “Brave.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
Hunter Parrish came oh-so-close to being cast as Peeta in The Hunger Games , so the actor knows to be careful this time around. He’s trying not to get his hopes up. However, the Weeds star is aware fans have started a campaign to attach him to Catching Fire in the role of Finnick Odair and he’s attempt to remain humble, but… “I think you just kind of step back, and if it happens, it happens,” Parrish tells MTV of the rumor. “I’m not going to really spend too much time thinking about it, but I’d love to… I’m a fan of the books. I think there’s fantastic actors that would probably be better. So there’s that for getting me a job!” It had previously been reported that three actors – Taylor Kitsch, Garrett Hedlund and Armie Hammer – were the finalists for the character, but the job appears to be wide open. Do you think Parrish would be right for Finnick?
‘So now because I am engaged I can’t have a friend of the opposite sex?’ singer/actress tweeted. By Jocelyn Vena Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus Photo: Miley Cyrus was recently photographed hanging out in a Miami pool with an unidentified man, leading some to wonder if all is well and good between the singer/actress and her fianc
‘So now because I am engaged I can’t have a friend of the opposite sex?’ singer/actress tweeted. By Jocelyn Vena Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus Photo: Miley Cyrus was recently photographed hanging out in a Miami pool with an unidentified man, leading some to wonder if all is well and good between the singer/actress and her fianc
Octomom Nadya Suleman is getting ready to throw it down in the Celebrity Pillow Fighting Championships … which is apparently an actual thing. Despite the fact that Octomom’s porn star career is in full swing, she’s still trying to make more cash money starting June 23 in Broomall, Pa. On the same card with the “Pillow Fighting Championships,” to be exact. Nadya will be fighting Shila, co-host of Philadelphia radio’s “Chio, Shila & Tingle in the Morning,” who says she is excited to fight Octomom. The public “fight” between the women involves three one-minute rounds. Nadya is the favorite, with a 5-0 record in celebrity boxing and 1-0 in pillow fights. Shila, on the other hand, will be stepping into the ring for the first time. “I’m not sure who the girl is I’m pillow-fighting with, but I heard she has never been in the ring before,” Nadya Suleman told the Huffington Post . “I’ve done this several times, and I will remain undefeated!” Except by life. She’s getting pummeled in that arena. [Photo: WENN.com]
Since her acquittal in the death of her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, Casey Anthony has kept a low profile, living in hiding and refusing all interviews. But Tuesday afternoon via telephone, Anthony surprisingly spoke to CNN’s Piers Morgan in a 10-minute discussion that was not played on-air. Casey, 26, asserted her innocence, but says she’s ashamed of who she was, and shed light on her current life as well as the public perception of her. Casey Anthony on Piers Morgan Tonight “Obviously I did not kill my daughter,” Morgan quoted Anthony as saying last night “There’s nothing in this world I’ve ever been so proud of.” “There’s no one I loved more than [Caylee]. She’s my greatest accomplishment.” Living in solitary seclusion, Anthony says she has reflected on some of her mistakes. “I didn’t trust law enforcement because of my relationship with my father, who is ex law enforcement himself,” she said. “I didn’t give them the benefit of the doubt, which is probably why they didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt … the public perception of me is bad. It’s absolutely horrible. I was a stupid kid, but I’ve never been a ‘party girl.'” “I’ve gone through hell. I’m ashamed in many ways of the person I was.” Casey is now out of hiding and on the run after being served with a subpoena in the defamation case being brought by Zenaida Gonzalez. Anthony’s lawyer, Cheney Mason, appeared on Piers’ program and revealed that she spends her days indoors, reading and watching television. Her current literary fare: The Hunger Games trilogy.
Canadian conservation officers euthanized a black bear that ate the remains of a convicted murderer, British Columbia Environment Minister Terry Lake said. Multiple news sources in Canada report that the bear’s description matched that of one seen guarding a cache that contained the remains of Rory Wagner, 54. Examinations of fur at the scene as well as teeth and claw marks confirmed the bear that was euthanized is the one that ate the remains of the missing man. The animal was put down because bears remember food sources. Bear Eats Man in Canada Officials suspect the bear pulled Wagner, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1994, from his car after he passed away on a remote logging road. Wagner and two others were charged with a killing a man they believed had sexually assaulted a family member. He served prison time and was released. Wagner, who was living in Kamloops, B.C., was reported missing May 23. Police said his death was not suspicious. Hunters found the site last week. Coroner Mark Coleman said it is not yet known how Wagner died. Coleman said an autopsy showed he was dead before the bear got him out of the car. Wagner was on parole, and when he failed to show up at his residence May 22, a warrant was issued for his arrest. His body was found shortly after.
Gwyneth Paltrow has Tweeted her way into a swirl of controversy. The actress, who is very open about her friendship with Jay-Z and Beyonce, was invited on stage in France this weekend to join the rapper and Kanye West during an encore performance of their popular single, “Niggas in Paris.” But when The Dream snapped the following photo of the actress, her reply set off a firestorm on the blogging site: “Niggas in paris for real,” Paltrow wrote. In response to the backlash over using that word, Paltrow Tweeted on Sunday: “Hold up. It’s the title of the song!” But that wasn’t good enough for some. “Lets be very clear she called a group of black men that have nothing to do with the song ‘Ni**as’. Are Kanye and Jay-z in the picture? No. She is specifically calling The Dream and Ty Ty real ‘Ni**as In Paris’ in that moment,” wrote one of Gwyneth’s follwers. “There was no need for that. She’s the one that connected the two, They have nothing to do with the song.” The Dream, meanwhile, rushed in to Paltrow’s defense – “FYI, sorry for the confusion. I typed ‘N—– in Paris for real’ from Gwen’s phone, my bad,” he Tweeted. “Please excuse it! We were lit.” – and now HE is facing backlash. One fan accused the producer of rushing in to “save that white princess.” What do you think? Did Paltrow do anything wrong here?
We are reportedly down to three for the role of Finnick Odair. With Robert Pattinson (thankfully) out of the running for this key Catching Fire character , E! News claims producers have narrowed their choices down to the following trio: Taylor Kitsch : Beloved Friday Night Lights star who anchored two of the biggest flops in Hollywood history, John Carter and Battleship . Armie Hammer : Oscar nominee and upcoming Lone Ranger opposite Johnny Depp as Tonto. Garrett Hedlund : Starring opposite Kristen Stewart in On the Road . E! also claims The Hunger Games sequel might go with a relative nobody for Finnick, who is a former winner of the story’s annual competition and possesses both a ridiculously amazing body and a cocky personality. Which of these actors would be best suited for the part?
