Yes, I was there to see The Wolfman on opening night, and it was certainly a scary movie, continue on to find out why…

I went into this film not really expecting too much, (which turned out to be a good thing) but surprisingly it was a little more gory and a little less story than I had hoped for.  The film boasts quite a decent cast; Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, and Hugo Weaving all point towards some serious acting potential, but it’s not entirely necessary.  The way remakes have become epic visually appealing fan-fests, should indicate that this movie would have a lot in common with the original, which I was only able to ever see some of in my past. This being the case, I cannot expertly compare the two.

Seeing the trailers for this movie, with such dramatic actors in the cast, led me to believe that the characters would be deep masterpieces of modern story-telling.  This was not the case at all.  The characters in this movie, as well as the overall storyline, are more shallow than that of ‘Dude Wheres My Car?’ or ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’.  It has a very dark atmosphere and story.  It turns out that this movie, although not as campy as the original tries to be a pure thriller/horror movie at heart and thus doesn’t feel a need for expert emotional portrayal, back story, or character development.  Don’t expect too much in that department…

Another thing that was crazy, Del Toro, although known to me as one of the homeliest men alive, was actually one of the better looking folks in the film.  This really makes me not want to jump into a time machine to England anytime soon.  There were certainly some very nicely done makeup and special effects in the film though.  One of my favorite parts of the film was when Inspector Abberline walks into an area where the Wolfman has gone nuts and absolutely destroyed a large group of men.  He wades through piles of organs and limbs that look like steaming cow patties in the cold night air.

One thing of note, the sets, costumes, and atmosphere were all very well put together.  I really felt like the movie brought me into the feeling of the time period.  Whether it was the spooky, foggy forests, the bland old England attire, or the hanging pigs in the slaughterhouse/morgue, it really delivered in that department.

All in all it was a very entertaining film.  There were only a few parts I felt that I could look around and move around in my seat, indicating that it kept my attention very well considering how little I cared about what was going on.  I would probably write more about it if it left more of an impression on me.  If I have to use stars, it would get a 2.5 to 3 out of 5 at the most.  My suggestion is that if you haven’t, you would spend your money better by going to see Avatar before it leaves theaters.  Heck, even if you have seen it, just go see Avatar again and wait for The Wolfman to make it’s way to FX or the Syfy channel…

Hey SparkBox Listeners! It’s time for the JungleTrek Check-IN, giving you the latest on whats coming out in theaters and the video game stores. Check out this week’s update right now:

Click Here:  JungleTrek Check-In

Well, its been hyped for months, and here it is! BIOSHOCK 2, the sequel to the original, Game of the Year, “Bioshock”. I, like hundreds of other Bioshock megafans have been waiting a long time for it and I spent my entire day yesterday playing completely through it. Ready for the whole inner scoop? Here is what I thought of my return to Rapture…

I bought Bioshock 2 the day it came out, and I did what any other mega Bioshock fan would do… I went to work and bounced up and down holding the Game Disc and drooled heavily on it wishing the day would end so I could go home and play already! Which fortunately happened after about 8 hours. And man, was it worth the wait.

I was very, very worried about Bioshock 2… the first Bioshock is my favorite game of all time and I was sure that a second one would ruin it. I am very pleased to announce to Bioshock fans everywhere that I was dead wrong! This sequel matches the story quality and magic of Rapture in all its glory; shedding new light on the city in a whole number of defining areas without messing with the formula. The city we had come to know in the first one was suddenly much larger and more open, with more beautifully designed areas and visual stories in each room.

Let me cover a few of the newer perks of this second game.

First off, the duel welding control system that was established in the first Bioshock was maintained and perfected. As in the first one, it feels bulky and bizarre for about five minutes and then begins to feel very, very natural. The menu and inventory system was streamlined just a little bit to make smoother transitions to get to inventory during battles. And finally, my favorite feature, the button that once made you instantly use a MedKit was relocated to the D-Pad so that you aren’t using unneeded Medkits during battle. (Trust me, my brother did that a lot in the first Bioshock.)

The weapons are super charged! Heavy duty weapons that only a Big Daddy could handle. Rivet guns, grenade launchers, and of course the almighty drill! My own person favorite was the Spear Gun that pierced through your enemies and nailed them to the wall with one powerful stab… an effect that could only be better if you could attach an explosive to it… which you can! (Quick tip, any Big Daddy can be taken down with 6 headshots using your Rocket Spears.)

The Plasmid system is again fun and easy to understand. Having just spend the past two months playing “Borderlands” and having to use a calculator to figure out what gun is better, its nice to have a system that tells you these things.

Plasmids have evolved in Bioshock 2, letting you do far more then in the first Bioshock and giving you powerful new add-ons to the original Plasmids we all know and love. One new plasmid called “Scout” lets you ghost out of yourself and scout the area ahead unseen, later you can use the ghost to hack machines and attack enemies without being anywhere near danger.

Another Plasmid, which was featured in the first game, “Security Command” now allows you to summon Security Bots to come fight for you at anytime. For once in Rapture, YOU are leading the attack and you get to watch the fear in the eyes of the Splicers as you, a massive Delta Big Daddy slams into a room with rockets and grenades blasting and Security Bots unleashing waves of machine gun ammo into your enemies. It is just awesome! There is one more Plasmid that you get right towards the end of the game… but I’ll save that as a very special surprise for you players

Ok, lets talk about the thing that really matters here: the story.

I, like other Bioshock fans, understand that Rapture far more then just a game world and reaches into your own emotions and feelings, playing with your mind in a way no other video game ever has. This second installment is no different! For those of you who spent as much time playing the first game as I have know that Rapture is not as scary as when you first stepped out of that Bathysphere. In Bioshock 2, they understood that the players of this game have also emotionally evolved. We are very much comfortable in Rapture and therefore this second game does not entail much horror as in the first one. It is seen through the eyes of someone who knows Rapture and has lived there a long time.

I was terrified that 2K Games was going to ruin the first game by revisiting old places and altering the story of Andrew Ryan and Fontaine. I am so happy that they did not touch it at all and completely took a new direction with the story! Bioshock 2 features a much more personal story and is much more isolated. Your choices alter greatly how this game is played, far more then the original.

((Quick Note: You get to hear Fontaine’s voice only twice in this game in Audio Diaries and it is so weird… because you find you actually miss him.))

The gathering Little Sister aspect continues; but this time, you’re part of it… many, many times. The developers really worked to create a connection with you and the Little Sisters this time around and it really pulls at your heart strings in several places. In the end, the choices you’ve made will affect them all and you… just keep that in mind while playing.

The story itself is completely entrapping and lives up to the tale-telling traditions of Bioshock, with twists and turns and sudden stops and gos that make you never want to put down the controller. I was afraid that this Bioshock 2 would be overly science fiction with monsters and other unbelievable things that were alien to Rapture’s world… again, I was wrong! There is nothing that I could find that crossed overly the line of “unbelievable stupidity”.

There is no major story twist as in the first one, but some jaw-dropping climaxes. But we DO finally get to see something we have all wanted to see: Rapture at its peek back in the day. And yes, it is stunningly beautiful and elegant.

After completing this game, I literally sat on my couch, held the controller, and needed a few minutes to digest what had happened. Finally, I opened my mouth and said: “Woooooooooooow.”

Ok! To be fair, I need to point out two things I did NOT like in this game!

First one, the new design and character animation was way too cartoony for the Rapture. The splicers ran like “Woody” from Disney’s “Toy Story” in places and their faces were almost comical in a spot or two. Fortunately, Splicers usually die before they can get too close to you.
((Note: Splicers have many, many more spoken lines this time… so those of you who got sick of hearing the splicers shout: “RYAN.. RYANNNNNN” in the first game will be happy to know that phrase is NOT in this game even once.))

Second thing I didn’t like: For the most part, the voice acting in this game is incredible, however a couple characters were simply too stereotypical. The “Irish Preacher” was just simply too Irish and was too much a “God-flangled, hallelujah-shouting, TV evangelist” which reflects a modern view of religion, and the only African American character felt the need to call me a “Tin Daddy”… which just didn’t work.

I really need to wrap up this review, but here is a very quick lowdown on the multiplayer!

The Multiplayer feature of Bioshock 2 again changes everything you know about Multiplayer games. It is fair and balanced and comes down to your skill and not just the weapons. And best of all, they actually worked the story into the action and they gave you something you always wanted in Rapture: Your own apartment overlooking the city that you can walk around in freely… I want to really live in that apartment so badly.

In conclusion, Bioshock 2 only cements the Bioshock series as the ultimate video game series of all time, always paving the way for a new generation of games and raising the bar. I am proud to award this game 5 Stars out of 5.

Your Buddy,
JungleTrek

As we celebrate Memorial Day here in the USA, let us not forget the brave souls who fought tirelessly and against all odds to defend our country and our world virtually. Join me now in paying respect to our Video Game Veterans and let us look back on some of their heroic deeds…

Lt. Jimmy Patterson
Medal of Honor: Frontline

Lt. Patterson bravely fought and kept at bay the evils of the German war machine during World War II. It was he who made Operation Market Garden a success and, in the end, lived to tell the tale. Great work, Jimmy!

————————————

Zack Hammond
Dead Space

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Zack Hammond. He was a great leader and great man. Only because of his noble sacrifice, was Isaac able to defeat the spreading space evil that surely would have wiped us out if it had reached Earth. We salute you, Zack!

————————————

Master Chief
Halo

What can be said about this heroic soldier? The Master Chief has protected our world time and time again. Overcoming the odds, he kept the invading forces of the Flood and Elites from over-running our soils. But, this hero’s journey is not over yet! We wish you luck, Master Chief, in your coming battles.

————————————

The EDF
Earth Defense Force

Again our world was threatened by the alien scourge and who answered? The EDF, of course! Ranked with the best fighting men of Earth, they were able to slam back the insect invaders. Many of them fell in the war and they have our deepest thanks.

————————————

The Gears
Gears of War

Well, we aren’t sure just which world they are protecting. But, they are doing a bang up job!

Your Buddy,

Jungletrek

]]> http://sparkboxshow.com/2009/05/memorial-day-game-veterans.html/feed 3 http://sparkboxshow.com/2009/05/1286.html http://sparkboxshow.com/2009/05/1286.html#comments Sat, 23 May 2009 17:30:55 +0000 JungleTrek http://sparkboxshow.com/?p=1286

So, last night I, JungleTrek, saw the new Terminator Salvation movie on its opening weekend. Are you ready for my rip-snortin’, no holdin’ back review of this latest installment of an American classic series?

(SPOILER ALERT) I will be sharing some minor spoilers in this review so don’t read it if you don’t want to know.
To sum up the movie in two words, Terminator Salvation was “rushed” and “cliche”. There was nothing in this movie that we haven’t already seen 500x over in a million other movies or video games. (Fallout 3 comes to mind.) Each scene was extremely predicable and you could almost count down to when something was about to happen.

Let me break it down to a few finer points.

First off, this was a man’s man movie. (Yawn) There was very little plot, very little depth, and the women kept feeling the need to remove clothing as the men kept putting on more armor. The movie was filled with moments of cliche situations that ended with cliche solutions that wouldn’t happen in a million years.

The acting was spotty. Christian Bale is getting quite overused in Hollywood, and to be honest, I’m getting quite sick of seeing him yelling towards the camera, with a giant explosion behind him, as his forehead bleeds. (I swear this shot happens in every movie he is in.) HOWEVER. the character of Marcus, a human-terminator crossbreed, played by Sam Worthington, was the best part of the whole movie. His character was interesting, well-presented, and actually had some emotional depth to it. Honorable mention goes to Anton Yelchin for his role as Kyle Reese. Anton, who also made a memorable appearance in the new Star Trek, is definitely bound for great things in Hollywood. And finally, Helena Bonham Carter proved once and for all that she is just as freaky looking without hair as she is WITH hair.

And speaking of hair, the worst thing in the whole movie was DEFINITELY the little girl named “Star”. Nothing ruins a movie more then a child with an outrageously stupid haircut! Apparently, the costumer designer/hair dresser for Terminator Salvation loved the movie “Waterworld”… (Gag)

Ok, let’s talk technical! The biggest problems with Terminator Salvation was in the technical departments. The main one being that is was poorly, poorly written. Everything in the story has a reason for being there and has a predictable outcome. For instance, the character Marcus has a human heart…. why?! Because its going to be needed in the end, that’s why! There is no other reason that the machines would give him one. Now, a brain I can understand… but a heart?! That’s just bad writing. Also, apparently the writers thought it would be clever to keep repeating the words “second chance” about 3000 times during the movie to make it seem deeper… but, to be honest, it was just annoying.

Another one of the technical problems was the editing. It seemed the editing was rushed and the timing was off on several shots. I noticed that some shots started about three seconds too early, as if the director had just said “action” and the actors hadn’t begun to act yet.

And finally, the special effects were a half and half split for quality. Some of the them were well made and well done. However, MANY others were noticeably terrible. Many of the explosions were badly composited and the edges were very visible and pixelated. The moments where Marcus has a half-human, half-terminator face are obviously green-screened, since when the actor moved, the machine part did not. (Tsk tsk.. sounds like the keyframe editor got lazy.)

In closing thoughts, I will not call this movie a complete waste. If you are a Terminator fan, this movie delivers on everything that the second Terminator promised and you get to see a lot of things that Terminator fans have been wanting to see for years. However, if you enjoy good movies, Star Trek is my pick so far for this year, because without Stan Winton’s brilliant Terminator design, Terminator Salvation or the entire Terminator series wouldn’t be worth jack.

One last thing, the grand Arnold Schwarzenegger special effect was the highlight of the entire movie and was not only done well, it was done believably! Arnold will definitely take his grandchildren to this movie and say: “See, kids? That’s what your flabby ol’ grandpa USED to look like…”

Over all, I give Terminator Salvation a thumbs down, and 1.5 out of 5 stars.

Your Buddy,

JungleTrek

Have you ever found yourself in a poorly-funded monster movie and you don’t know if you’re going to get through the movie alive? Well, don’t worry! JungleTrek is here to help! By following these few tips in my survival guide, you should be just fine…

-  First off, If you are going on a trip, you can avoid problems right from the beginning by actually researching the destination you are doing to. For instance, camping in woods directly next to an insane asylum might be a stupid idea. Also, avoid places that have legends and ghost stories attached to them. Go camping in Central Park. The worst that can happen in Central Park is you could mugged for your Spam.

- If there is a very annoying, bratty child (usually a girl) who knows more about the creature then anyone else, make sure you befriend this child as best you can because she will be alive and unharmed at the end of the movie. The reason for this being that Hollywood has deemed it inappropriate to have children hurt in monster movies, even if they deserve to be bashed in the face. (Which almost ALL of them do.) So if you hug the child close to your body, you will be safe. After the creature is dead or sent to hell, feel free to kill the child too, as the child won’t be able to resist delivering a final line that will ruin the whole movie, if it hasn’t ruined it already.

- If you’re standing in a group that consists of five or less Asian men who are glancing around the room like scared hamsters, you are all about to be killed.

- Never do anything that begins with you turning to the main characters and saying: “I’ll be right back, guys. I just have to leave the safety of the group, go into the dark woods, and do something totally pointless that will probably get me killed. Come find my body when I start screaming in a few minutes…”

- This is a tip for the military. Use the ultimate weapon on the monster at the beginning of the disaster instead of at the end. You might save lives and time!

- Never, EVER be the best friend of the main character. You might as well slit your throat now and get it over with. (This also applies to people with silly-sounding names that end in “y” or “ie”. Names like “Buddy”, “Johnny”, “Sally”, “Betty”. “Tommy”, “Willie”, “Ernie”, or “Bucky” just mean that you are the comedy relief who NEEDS to be killed before the movie ends.)

- If it comes to the point where your group is choosing to send one person for help, you have a 50/50 chance of surviving if you go. The two possible outcomes of this scenario are:

OUTCOME 1. You will make it to civilization, fetch the police, and arrive back at the very end of the movie, after the creature is dead and all the dirty work is done. You get to wave a flashlight around and hug the main characters who will have just moments ago blow up the creature and are half dead and say to them: “It’s ok. It’s all over now.” At which point, the credits will begin and Cate Blanchett will accept another Oscar.

OR

OUTCOME 2. The main female character, while breathing hard, trying to escape the monster, after she has somehow become separated from the main male character, will turn quickly and scream as she finds your dead body, horribly mutilated. At this point, no one watching the movie gives a crap about you as a person anyway.

- If you know how to kill the monster or creature. Do NOT mention anything about it until the last quarter of the movie. If your try to tell anyone before the last quarter, you will be killed before your can finish your senten…. AHHHHHHH!!!!!

- And finally, a word to the girls: Wear reinforced clothes that won’t rip off at the slightest pin-drop. Avoid short skirts as the director will be constantly trying to film up them as you are crawling through the mud trying to escape from the monster. And if the creature is looking to mate with you, simply put him through what you usually put guys through when they ask you for the same thing in bars. (The creature won’t have a chance.)

You Buddy,

JungleTrek

Alright, another week, another shipment of nerd mags. What’s good this week? Well if you’ve been sleeping and missed some Cable issues, they’ve repackaged them for you in a trade paperback. There’s also the next addition to the Deadpool: Suicide Kings, mini-series. Read that if you’re curious why so many fans raged about the Wolverine movie. Other than that, not much else I read, maybe Green Lantern corps? I dunno, go check it out, maybe something else will catch your interest.

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Hello lovers of the meaner things in life, it is I Cerberus, your fearless guide in the maddening psyche of the voiceless nerd.  It has been too long and I ask your pardon, but I assure you the time away has not quelled my rage, and today I have for you the first true entry to the approaching summer blockbusters — X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

(*note from Andy*: this article contains a few spoilers about the film, so please see the film first before continuing, unless you really don’t care…)

This particular Marvel comics movie adaptation is unique.  You see some Marvel movies suck ass, i.e. Daredevil, Electra, Fantastic Four, and Spider-man 3.  Then some are great Spider-man 1-2, Iron man, the second Hulk movie, and the first two X-men.

X-Men Origins Wolverine is unique, for it falls in between – in a whole different realm of description that can only be described as  ”eh, it was alright.”  Let me explain myself.  The action sequences were very good and fun to watch, but Wolverine’s origin story seemed pieced together from other story lines and not derived from the “Wolverine Origins” graphic novel.  Still I liked seeing Wolverines soldier past, but found myself disappointed with the whole lack of Weapon X torture methods back-story, which was the birth of Wolverine’s animalistic rage and fury (not just his claws).  The sorrow he endures in the movie just wasn’t enough to bring out the opus of ultra violence that exudes from Wolverine…

Oh and help me out; was it so hard to make the guy playing Sabertooth look like freaking Sabertooth?  I know they were shooting for a family resemblance but have pity for the fan boys who foolishly expect quality. Also what is the relationship between this Sabertooth and the Sabertooth in the first X-men movie?   One has a guy who looks like the character but doesn’t act like him, the other has one that acts like him but doesn’t look like him.  Which is better?  It depends on if you would like a pink costumed dead-on Spider-man.

Now be forwarned, yes, Deadpool is in the movie.  Yes, Ryan Renolds is playing him – and yes they did screw with his character: as “Weapon11″.  Including weird video game-esque boss-battle that bares to ask to mind two questions:

1. Was it necessary to ruin an already established and popular character?

2. How does he bend his elbows with his Frankenstein sword arms? WTF!

Now take that into account, then add a rushed ending involving adamantium memory seeking bullets (no I’m not kidding).

It’s a decent superhero movie, and good action movie, just not a good fan movie.  It wouldn’t be as bad except they pretty much marketed it as a fan flick – and that if nothing else made it a bit disappointing.

Well until next time may blood flow from every “Snick, Snick”.

The term nerdgasm does not begin to describe Star Trek. This film blows away any fears you might have about seeing it. In fact I ask you to go see it before reading any further.

Let’s start off with the visuals shall we? It is refreshing to see a movie use its budget wisely on both cast an special effects, unlike what wolverine did. This movie is pure to the core eye candy and by the end you are almost on sensory overload. The space scenes are intense and the ships are beautifully done. Yes we expected this because of the caliber of all the other star trek films, but it takes talent to go and make what is supposed to be a prequel into something even more mind blowingly visual then it’s predecessors. The CGI blends flawlessly with the real world and at times (like Iron Man) it is hard to discern what is real and what is CGI.

The cast was something I was a little iffy about when I first saw a trailer and mainly because of kirk. The way Kirk was portrayed didn’t really sit well with me because he was played as to much of a rebel. But when you see him in the movie, he works perfectly. And as the title states this is a reboot, so you can take a little more creative license with characters. Scotty worked great because he was always the comic relief character and who better to do that then Simon Peg? Mr. Spock was the best casting I have seen as of late. His mannerism’s, way he carries himself, and uncanny likeness to Lenard Nemoy made him the only person to be able to pull off the role. Bones and Uhura were alright as they were pretty much sub characters that were meant to move the plot along, and rightfully so as this is the story of Kirk and Spock. Many kudos to the director for not trying to give each and every character a giant story arc. Keeping it simply about Kirk and Spock was the best idea ever.

I cannot stress enough to the general public that this is a REBOOT not a REMAKE! I wanted to strangle people coming out of the theatre complaining because things turned out differently then the original Star Trek universe. I have to give this movie a 9/10 simply because this is how a prequel should be done. Lucas should watch this then hang his head in shame!

As always if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to email me or to post below. And if you are interesting in becoming a writer for the Sparkboxshow, send me an email letting me know! I will get back to you asap with any info and answer any questions you may have.

-James

Its a tough one this weekend. We have Wolverine going for its second weekend, and then we have Star Trek. Do the trekkies win this one?

Yup… Wolverine went down hard…

Star Trek debuted #1 at the box office this weekend, earning $72.5 million over the weekend to bump its four day total to $76.5 million. The film had the highest per theater average of any in the top ten with $18,836 per theater.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine dropped nearly 70% in its second weekend, earning $27 million to raise its total gross to $129.6 million.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past fell one spot to #3 in its second weekend, earning $10.4 million to raise its total gross to $30.2 million.

Obsessed fell one spot to #4 in its third weekend, earning $6.6 million to raise its total gross to $56.2 million.

17 Again fell one spot to #5 in its fourth weekend, earning $4.4 million to raise its total gross to $54.1 million.

Next Day Air debuted at #6 with $4 million.

The Soloist fell one spot to #7 in its third weekend, earning $3.6 million to raise its total gross to $23.5 million.

Monsters vs. Aliens fell three spots to #8 in its seventh weekend, earning $3.3 million to raise its total gross to $186.8 million. The film had a budget of $175 million.

Earth fell two spots to #9 in its third weekend, earning $2.48 million to raise its total gross to $26 million.

Hannah Montana The Movie fell two spots to #10 in its fifth weekend, earning $2.41 million to raise its total gross to $74 million.
BOX OFFICE TOP TEN
1. Star Trek – $72.5 million ($76.5 million)
2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine – $27 million ($129.6 million)
3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past – $10.4 million ($30.2 million)
4. Obsessed – $6.6 million ($56.2 million)
5. 17 Again – $4.4 million ($54.1 million)
6. Next Day Air – $4 million ($4 million)
7. The Soloist – $3.6 million ($23.5 million)
8. Monsters vs. Aliens – $3.3 million ($186.8 million)
9. Earth – $2.48 million ($26 million)
10. Hannah Montana The Movie – $2.41 million ($74 million)

Who could have topped the box office this week??? If you even have to think about that, I suggest you go back under the rock you came from.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine debuted #1 at the box office this weekend, earning $87 million. The film had a huge per theater average of $21,225. The film has a $150 million budget. The debut ranks as the 11th biggest May opening ever.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past debuted at #2 with $15.3 million.

Obsessed fell two spots to #3 in its second weekend, earning $12.2 million to raise its total gross to $47 million. The film had a low budget of $20 million.

17 Again fell two spots to #4 in its third weekend, earning $6.3 million to raise its total gross to $48.9 million.

Monsters vs. Aliens moved up one spot to #5 in its sixth weekend, earning $5.8 million to raise its total gross to $182.4 million. The film had a budget of $175 million.

The Soloist fell two spots to #6 in its second weekend, earning $5.6 million to raise its total gross to $18.1 million.

Earth fell two spots to #7 in its second weekend, earning $4.18 million to raise its total gross to $21.8 million.

Fighting fell five spots to #8 in its second weekend, earning $4.17 million to raise its total gross to $17.5 million.

Hannah Montana The Movie fell one spot to #9 in its fourth weekend, earning $4 million to raise its total gross to $70.8 million.

State of Play fell three spots to #10 in its third weekend, earning $3.6 million to raise its total gross to $30.8 million.
BOX OFFICE TOP TEN
1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine – $87 million ($87 million)
2. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past – $15.3 million ($15.3 million)
3. Obsessed – $12.2 million ($47 million)
4. 17 Again – $6.3 million ($48.9 million)
5. Monsters vs. Aliens – $5.8 million ($182.4 million)
6. The Soloist – $5.6 million ($18.1 million)
7. Earth – $4.18 million ($21.8 million)
8. Fighting – $4.17 million (17.5 million)
9. Hannah Montana The Movie – $4 million ($70.8 million)
10. State of Play – $3.6 million ($30.8 million)

Some good buys this week, we have a few stuff that I’ll personally be picking up. A new Dark Avengers, which is the backbone for the Dark Reign story arch that they’re doing.   A new Green Lantern which is always good stuff.  Also, a new Thunderbolts which ends the Magnum Opus mini-arch with the ever hilarious Deadpool.   Also a few more reprints just in case you missed the Messiah War stuff on the X-Men side.

Dark Horse

Conan The Cimmerian #10
$2.99 Comics
Little Lulu Vol 19 The Alamo And Other Stories TP
$14.95 Graphic Novels
Oh My Goddess Colors TP
$19.95 Graphic Novels
Path Of The Assassin Vol 15 Bad Blood Part 2 TP
$9.95 Graphic Novels
Star Wars Adventures Vol 1 Han Solo And The Hollow Moon Of Khorya TP
$7.95 Graphic Novels
Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic Vol 6 Vindication TP
$19.95 Graphic Novels
Star Wars Legacy #35
$2.99 Comics

DC

Absolute Superman For Tomorrow HC
$75.00 Graphic Novels
Batman Battle For The Cowl The Underground #1
$2.99 Comics
Batman Gotham After Midnight #12
$2.99 Comics
Final Crisis Legion Of Three Worlds #4 Cover A Character Cover
$3.99 Comics
Final Crisis Legion Of Three Worlds #4 Cover B Story Sliver Cover
$3.99 Comics
Flash Rebirth #1 2nd Ptg
$3.99 Comics
Green Lantern Chronicles Vol 1 TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Green Lantern Sinestro Corps War Vol 1 TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Green Lantern Vol 4 #40 Incentive Rodolfo Migliari Variant Cover (Blackest Night Prelude)
$20.00 Comics
Green Lantern Vol 4 #40 Regular Philip Tan Cover (Blackest Night Prelude)
$2.99 Comics
Justice Society Of America Vol 3 #26 Cover A
$2.99 Comics
Justice Society Of America Vol 3 #26 Cover B
$2.99 Comics
Justice Society Of America Vol 3 #26 Cover C
$2.99 Comics
Manhunter Vol 5 Forgotten TP
$17.99 Graphic Novels
Superman Batman #59
$2.99 Comics
Superman Vol 3 #687
$2.99 Comics
Teen Titans Vol 3 #70 (Deathtrap Part 3)
$2.99 Comics
Trinity #48
$2.99 Comics
Wonder Woman Vol 3 #31 Incentive Scott Kolins Variant Cover
$10.00 Comics
Wonder Woman Vol 3 #31 Regular Aaron Lopresti Cover
$2.99 Comics

DC Direct Merchandise

JLA Trophy Room Green Lantern Power Battery Prop Replica
$395.00 Statues

DC/Vertigo

Literals #1 (Great Fables Crossover Part 3)
$2.99 Comics
Madame Xanadu #10
$2.99 Comics
Unknown Soldier Vol 4 #7
$2.99 Comics

DC/Wildstorm

Fringe #4
$2.99 Comics
Gears Of War #6 Incentive Video Game Art Variant Cover
$10.00 Comics
Gears Of War #6 Regular Brandon Badeaux Cover
$3.99 Comics
Resistance (Video Game) #5
$3.99 Comics
Supernatural Rising Son TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels

IDW Publishing

GI Joe Origins #3 Incentive Andrea Di Vito Virgin Cover
$8.00 Comics
GI Joe Origins #3 Regular Cover A
$3.99 Comics
GI Joe Origins #3 Regular Cover B
$3.99 Comics

Image

Amber Atoms #3
$3.50 Comics
Apes And Babes Art Of Frank Cho HC
$29.99 Books
Astounding Wolf-Man #15
$2.99 Comics
Astounding Wolf-Man Vol 2 TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol 4 HC
$34.99 Graphic Novels
Madman Atomic Comics #15
$3.50 Comics
Mr Universe One Shot
$3.50 Comics
Phonogram 2 Singles Club #2
$3.50 Comics
Proof #19
$3.50 Comics

Image/Todd McFarlane Productions

Spawn #191
$2.95 Comics

Image/Top Cow

Rising Stars Compendium TP
$59.99 Graphic Novels
Witchblade #126 Cover A Stjepan Sejic
$2.99 Comics
Witchblade #126 Cover B Tim Seeley
$2.99 Comics

Marvel

Amazing Spider-Man Family #5
$4.99 Comics
Avengers Invaders #10 Regular Alex Ross Cover
$2.99 Comics
Captain America Theater Of War Brother In Arms
$3.99 Comics
Dark Avengers #4 Incentive Stefano Caselli Young Gun Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$12.00 Comics
Dark Avengers #4 Regular Mike Deodato Jr Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$3.99 Comics
Dark Reign The Cabal
$3.99 Comics
Dr Doom And The Masters Of Evil #4
$2.99 Comics
Enders Game Battle School #5
$3.99 Comics
Guardians Of The Galaxy Earth Shall Overcome HC Premiere Edition Book Market Cover
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Guardians Of The Galaxy Earth Shall Overcome HC Premiere Edition Direct Market Cover
$24.99 Graphic Novels
House Of M Civil War TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Laurell K Hamiltons Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Laughing Corpse Vol 1 Animator HC Book Market Edition
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Laurell K Hamiltons Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Laughing Corpse Vol 1 Animator HC Direct Market Edition
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Adventures Avengers #35
$2.99 Comics
Marvel Assistant-Sized Spectacular #2
$3.99 Comics
Marvel Masterworks Avengers Vol 1 TP Book Market Edition
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Masterworks Avengers Vol 1 TP Direct Market Edition
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Masterworks Human Torch Vol 2 HC Regular Dust Jacket
$54.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Spotlight 70th Anniversary Celebration TP Golden Age Heroes Cover
$9.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Spotlight 70th Anniversary Celebration TP Modern Age Heroes Cover
$9.99 Graphic Novels
Ms Marvel Vol 2 #38 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Paolo Rivera Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$12.00 Comics
Ms Marvel Vol 2 #38 Regular Phil Jimenez Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
New Exiles Vol 3 Enemy Within TP
$12.99 Graphic Novels
Nova Vol 4 #24 (War Of Kings Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Runaways Vol 3 #9 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By David La Fuente Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
Runaways Vol 3 #9 Regular Humberto Ramos Cover
$2.99 Comics
Skaar Son Of Hulk #10
$2.99 Comics
Spider-Man Spider-Women TP Digest
$9.99 Graphic Novels
Stephen Kings Dark Tower Treachery HC
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Supreme Power Vol 2 Powers & Principalities HC
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Thunderbolts #130 2nd Ptg Roberto De La Torre Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)(Magnum Opus Part 2)
$2.99 Comics
Thunderbolts #131 Incentive Clint Langley Variant Cover (Magnum Opus Part 4)(Dark Reign Tie-In)
$15.00 Comics
Thunderbolts #131 Regular Francesco Mattina Cover (Magnum Opus Part 4)(Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Ultimate Iron Man II TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Vol 2 TP
$29.99 Graphic Novels
Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk #5
$2.99 Comics
Uncanny X-Men #509
$2.99 Comics
War Machine Vol 2 #5 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Fiona Staples Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$12.00 Comics
War Machine Vol 2 #5 Regular Francesco Mattina Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Wolverine Weapon X #1 2nd Ptg Ron Garney Variant Cover
$3.99 Comics
X-Force Cable Messiah War Prologue 2nd Ptg Mike Choi Variant Cover (Messiah War Part 1)
$3.99 Comics
X-Men Origins Wolverine #1
$3.99 Comics
X-Men Proteus HC Premiere Edition Regular Cover
$19.99 Graphic Novels
X-Men Proteus HC Premiere Edition Variant Cover
$19.99 Graphic Novels

Marvel/Icon

Kabuki Reflections #13
$5.99 Comics

This week in comics is not bad, but not amazing.

Nothing on the DC line-up for me this week, but Marvel continues the Messiah Wars with the new X-Force. Also, a reprinting of Deadpool #8, which is part 1 of the mini-series they’re running with him. And if you never checked it out, they’re apparently reprinting Spider-Man 2099 which was a Spider-Man story done in the 90s which basically was like Spider-Man, but set in the future. It’s pretty great, I recommend it.

Dark Horse

BPRD Vol 10 The Warning TP
$17.95 Graphic Novels
Ghost Omnibus Vol 2 TP
$24.95 Graphic Novels
Lankhmar Novel Book 8 Swords Against The Shadowland TP
$12.95 Books
Mister X Condemned #4
$3.50 Comics
Star Wars Dark Times #13
$2.99 Comics
Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic #40
$2.99 Comics
Umbrella Academy Apocalypse Suite HC With Figure
$24.99 Graphic Novels

DC

Azrael Deaths Dark Knight #2 (Batman Battle For The Cowl Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Batman Battle For The Cowl Arkham Asylum #1
$2.99 Comics
Batman The Brave And The Bold #4
$2.50 Comics
Blue Beetle Vol 5 Boundaries TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
DC Comics Classics Library Batman The Annuals HC
$39.99 Graphic Novels
Detective Comics #853 Incentive Andy Kubert Sketch Variant Cover (Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader Part 2)
$50.00 Comics
Detective Comics #853 Regular Andy Kubert Cover (Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader Part 2)
$3.99 Comics
Justice League Of America Vol 2 #32
$2.99 Comics
Outsiders Vol 4 #17
$2.99 Comics
Question Vol 4 Welcome To Oz TP
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Sgt Rock The Lost Battalion #5
$2.99 Comics
Showcase Presents Legion Of Super-Heroes Vol 3 TP
$16.99 Graphic Novels
Supergirl Vol 5 #40
$2.99 Comics
Trinity #47
$2.99 Comics
War That Time Forgot #12
$2.99 Comics

DC Direct Merchandise

Heroes Of The DC Universe Green Lantern Bust
$65.00 Statues
Justice League The New Frontier Box Set
$49.99 Action Figures

DC/CMX

Crayon Shinchan Vol 8 TP CMX Edition
$7.99 Graphic Novels
Venus Capriccio Vol 1 TP
$9.99 Graphic Novels

DC/Vertigo

Hellblazer #254
$2.99 Comics
Jack Of Fables #33 (Great Fables Crossover Part 2)
$2.99 Comics
Scalped #28
$2.99 Comics
Scalped Vol 4 The Gravel In Your Guts TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels

DC/Wildstorm

Ex Machina #41
$2.99 Comics
Wildcats Vol 5 #10
$2.99 Comics

IDW Publishing

American McGees Grimm #1 Incentive Ben Templesmith Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
American McGees Grimm #1 Regular Cover A
$3.99 Comics
American McGees Grimm #1 Regular Cover B
$3.99 Comics
Angel After The Fall #20 Incentive Gabriel Rodriguez Blueline Sketch Variant Cover
$8.00 Comics
Angel After The Fall #20 Incentive Nick Runge Virgin Cover
$3.99 Comics
Angel After The Fall #20 Regular Cover A
$3.99 Comics
Angel After The Fall #20 Regular Cover B
$3.99 Comics
Angel Smile Time #3 David Messina Cover
$3.99 Comics
Angel Smile Time #3 Photo Cover
$3.99 Comics
Ashley Woods Art Of Metal Gear Solid TP
$19.99 Books
Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #5 Incentive Dave Gibbons Retro Art Variant Cover
$10.00 Comics
Doctor Who Classics Series 2 #5 Regular Dave Gibbons Cover
$3.99 Comics
GI Joe Best Of Larry Hama HC
$50.00 Graphic Novels
GI Joe Cobra #2 Incentive Howard Chaykin Virgin Cover
$8.00 Comics
GI Joe Cobra #2 Regular Cover A
$3.99 Comics
GI Joe Cobra #2 Regular Cover B
$3.99 Comics
GI Joe Vol 4 #1 New Dimension Comics Exclusive Sketch Cover
$44.99 Comics
My Mom HC
$15.99 Books
Resistance GN
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Star Trek Alien Spotlight Klingons
$3.99 Comics
Terminator Salvation Movie Adaptation #0 Incentive Don Figueroa Variant Cover
$8.00 Comics
Terminator Salvation Movie Adaptation #0 Regular Cover A
$3.99 Comics
Terminator Salvation Movie Adaptation #0 Regular Cover B
$3.99 Comics
Terminator Salvation Movie Prequel TP
$17.99 Graphic Novels
Transformers All Hail Megatron #10 Casey Coller Cover
$3.99 Comics
Transformers All Hail Megatron #10 Trevor Hutchison Cover
$3.99 Comics
Transformers Animated Vol 8 TP
$7.99 Graphic Novels
Transformers Armada Vol 3 TP IDW Edition
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Transformers Maximum Dinobots #5 Marcelo Matere Cover
$3.99 Comics
Transformers Maximum Dinobots #5 Nick Roche Cover
$3.99 Comics

Image

Dynamo 5 #21
$3.50 Comics
Elephantmen #18
$3.50 Comics
Frank Frazettas Neanderthal Cover A Frank Frazetta
$3.99 Comics
Frank Frazettas Neanderthal Cover B Jay Fotos
$3.99 Comics
Frank Frazettas Neanderthal Cover C Incentive Nat Jones Sketch
$25.00 Comics
Frank Frazettas Neanderthal Cover D Incentive Frank Frazetta Seal Edition
$35.00 Comics
Invincible #60 2nd Ptg
$3.99 Comics
Invincible #61
$2.99 Comics
Savage Dragon Vol 2 #147
$3.50 Comics
Savage TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Viking #1 1st Ptg
$2.99 Comics

Image/Top Cow

Witchblade Compendium Vol 2 TP
$59.99 Graphic Novels

Marvel

Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 #592 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Paolo Rivera Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 #592 Regular Joe Quesada Cover
$2.99 Comics
Astonishing X-Men Vol 3 #29
$2.99 Comics
Avengers The Initiative #23 (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Daredevil Vol 2 #118 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Russ Heath Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
Daredevil Vol 2 #118 Regular Marko Djurdjevic Cover
$2.99 Comics
Dark Avengers #1 3rd Ptg Mike Deodato Jr Sketch Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$3.99 Comics
Dark Avengers #3 2nd Ptg Mike Deodato Jr Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$3.99 Comics
Dark Reign Elektra #2 (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$3.99 Comics
Deadpool Vol 3 #8 2nd Ptg Paco Medina Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)(Magnum Opus Part 1)
$2.99 Comics
Fantastic Force Vol 2 #1
$3.99 Comics
Gambit Classic Vol 1 TP
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Ghost Rider Vol 5 #34 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Alina Urusov Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
Ghost Rider Vol 5 #34 Regular Arthur Suydam Cover
$2.99 Comics
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2 #13 (War Of Kings Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Hulk Vol 2 #11 Incentive Art Adams Variant Cover
$15.00 Comics
Hulk Vol 2 #11 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Ed McGuinness Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
Hulk Vol 2 #11 Regular Defenders Cover
$3.99 Comics
Hulk Vol 2 #11 Regular Offenders Cover
$3.99 Comics
Hulk Vol 2 Red & Green HC Book Market Arthur Adams Cover
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Hulk Vol 2 Red & Green HC Direct Market Frank Cho Cover
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Immortal Iron Fist #25
$2.99 Comics
Incredible Hercules #128 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By David Williams Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$12.00 Comics
Incredible Hercules #128 Regular Dietrich Smith Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #47
$2.99 Comics
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man Vol 12 Jumping To Conclusions TP Digest
$9.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Apes HC
$24.99 Graphic Novels
Marvel Zombies 4 #1 Incentive Arthur Suydam Variant Cover
$20.00 Comics
Marvels Eye Of The Camera #5 Black & White Version
$3.99 Comics
Marvels Eye Of The Camera #5 Regular Version
$3.99 Comics
Mighty Avengers #24 (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
New Avengers #52 Incentive Chris Bachalo Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$10.00 Comics
New Avengers #52 Regular Billy Tan Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$3.99 Comics
New Avengers Vol 9 Secret Invasion Book 2 TP Book Market New Avengers Vol 9 Spine
$14.99 Graphic Novels
New Avengers Vol 9 Secret Invasion Book 2 TP Direct Market Secret Invasion New Avengers Book 2 Spine
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Nova Vol 4 Nova Corps TP
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Secret Invasion Chronicles #2
$5.99 Comics
She-Hulk Vol 8 Secret Invasion TP Book Market She-Hulk Vol 8 Spine
$14.99 Graphic Novels
She-Hulk Vol 8 Secret Invasion TP Direct Market Secret Invasion She-Hulk Spine
$14.99 Graphic Novels
Skrull Kill Krew Vol 2 #1 Incentive Stjepan Sejic Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$18.00 Comics
Skrull Kill Krew Vol 2 #1 Regular Mario Alberti Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$3.99 Comics
Spider-Man 2099 Vol 1 TP
$29.99 Graphic Novels
Thor Vol 3 #601 Incentive Marko Djurdjevic Variant Cover
$8.00 Comics
Thor Vol 3 #601 Regular Marko Djurdjevic Cover
$3.99 Comics
Thunderbolts #128 3rd Ptg Roberto De La Torre Sketch Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk #1 3rd Ptg Variant Cover
$2.99 Comics
Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk #2 3rd Ptg Variant Cover
$2.99 Comics
Wolverine Anniversary
$3.99 Comics
Wolverine First Class #14 Incentive Wolverine Art Appreciation By Chris Eliopoulos Variant Cover
$12.00 Comics
Wolverine First Class #14 Regular David Williams Cover
$2.99 Comics
Wolverine Not Dead Yet HC Premiere Edition Regular Cover
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Wolverine Not Dead Yet HC Premiere Edition Variant Cover
$19.99 Graphic Novels
Wolverine Origins #35 (Dark Reign Tie-In)
$2.99 Comics
Wolverine Vol 3 #71 2nd Ptg Steve McNiven Variant Cover
$2.99 Comics
Wolverine Weapon X Files
$4.99 Comics
X-Force Vol 3 #14 Clayton Crain Cover (Messiah War Part 3)
$2.99 Comics
X-Force Vol 3 #14 Kaare Andrews Cover (Messiah War Part 3)
$2.99 Comics
X-Men Omnibus Vol 1 HC Book Market Alex Ross Cover
$99.99 Graphic Novels
X-Men Omnibus Vol 1 HC Direct Market Jack Kirby Cover
$99.99 Graphic Novels
X-Men Times And Life Of Lucas Bishop #3
$3.99 Comics

Marvel/Icon

Kick-Ass #6
$2.99 Comics

That’s right, one of the most revered books of all time has gotten a  makeover.

So I was browsing my local Borders yesterday and had to do a  double-take when I happened to see the cover of pride and prejudice,  but something was different. It took me a minute and then I realized  that half of Jane Austens face was missing! Intrigued, I had to pick  it up and read the back. Come to find out that some genious came to  the realization of why no man had ever read the book, it lacked  Zombies! Quickly, I ran to the cashier to purchase this book which was  sure to be a masterpiece. And after a few weird looks from the woman  who helped me, I was out the door and headed home.

Now one word of caution when reading this work of art, is it done in the language of the period it was originally written in. So it will  take a chapter or two for you to become accustomed to it. But man it’s worth it! Oh did I mention it has illustrations? Well it does, and  nothing beats looking at a picture of a woman in a ball gown thrusting  a knife through a zombies head. So if you are a zombie fan like I am,  be sure to pick up your own copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  Also be sure to look up the future novel by the same author entitled  “Abraham Lincoln, Vampire slayer”. You just can’t make this stuff up.

And the best part, head over to Amazon.com to get the book for only $7.77!

Another weekend, another slew of moderate movies. Lets see who won the battle of the box office.

17 Again opened #1 at the box office, earning $24 million.

State of Play opened #2 at the box office this week, earning $14 million. GRRRR, why does this man keep making movies?

Monsters vs. Aliens stayed at #3, earning $12.9 million and raising its four-week total to $162.7 million. The film had a budget of $175 million.

Hannah Montana The Movie fell three spots to #4 at the box office, earning $12.6 million and raising its two-week total to $56 million.

Fast and Furious fell three spots to #5 at the box office, earning $12.2 million and raising its three-week total to $136.7 million. The film had a budget of $85 million. It still suprises me how well this did.

Crank: High Voltage debuted #6 at the box office, earning $6.5 million. Did you really think it would make any more? All I can say is that another $6 of its total will be from me on friday…

Observe and Report dropped three spots to #7 at the box office, earning $4 million and raising its two-week total to $18.6 million. The film had a budget of $18 million.

Knowing dropped three spots to #8 at the box office, earning $3.4 million and raising its five-week total to $73.6 million.

I Love You, Man dropped three spots to #9 at the box office, earning $3.3 million and raising its five-week total to $64.6 million.

The Haunting in Connecticut dropped three spots to #10 at the box office, earning #3.1 million, and raising its four–week total to $51.9 million.

BOX OFFICE TOP TEN
1. 17 Again – $24 million ($24 million to date)
2. State of Play – $14 million ($14 million to date)
3. Monsters vs. Aliens – $12.9 million ($162.7 million to date)
4. Hannah Montana The Movie – $12.6 million ($56 million to date)
5. Fast and Furious – $12.2 million ($136.7 million to date)
6. Crank: High Voltage – $6.5 million ($6.5 million to date)
7. Observe and Report – $4 million ($18.6 million to date)
8. Knowing – $3.4 million ($73.6 million to date)
9. I Love You, Man – $3.3 million ($64.6 million to date)
10. The Haunting in Connecticut – $3.1 million ($51.9 million to date)

So there you have it, another lack-luster weekend at the box office. Hopefully next week won’t suck as much!

The Pirate Bay Co-Founders Found Guilty and will serve jail time for breaking Swedish copyright law, beware file sharing…

After a long court battle, the co-founders of the Swedish file-sharing site “The Pirate Bay” has concluded, and all four co-founders will serve one year in jail, and will have to pay $3.6 million in fines.

“The Pirate Bay” has been one of the most visible file-sharing sites since 2003, and they have been known as a huge source of BitTorrents for films, games and music. Back in February, Frederik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Carl Lundstrom and Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi, the co-founders of the site went on trial for violating Swedish copyright law.

Peter Sunde Kolmisoppi, one of the convicted co-founders had the following to say on the matter…

“It’s serious to actually be found guilty and get jail time. It’s really serious. And that’s a bit weird. It’s so bizarre that we were convicted at all and it’s even more bizarre that we were as a team. The court said we were organized. I can’t even get Gottfrid out of bed in the morning! If you’re going to convict us, convict us of disorganized crime.”

This doesnt seem to most like a huge matter to report on, but to all of the people who use BitTorrent clients to get music, movies, and games; this is huge news. We have always heard of single people who got caught seeding copyrighted materials like the guy who leaked the latest GnR album Chinese Democracy, and the ongoing hunt for the person or persons who leaked the unfinished copy of Wolverine. But this is the first time that a host site for the BitTorrent clients has be targeted and had actual ramifications for their actions. Only time will tell if this is just the first in a tidal wave of other possible suits to owners of other sites.