KPCC: Stories by Kari Moran

'Contagion' tops weekend box office

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:13:29 -0700

Actress Marion Cotillard attends the 'Contagion' premiere at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 7, 2011 in New York City. Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Enthusiasm for a new star-powered film about a pandemic infected moviegoers at this weekend's box office, and that sent “The Help” packing.

The end of summer box office over the post-Labor Day weekend is typically the lowest-grossing of the year, and that was the case this time, despite the feverish fans that sent Warner Bros.' “Contagion” into first place. The premier about a scary pandemic grossed $23.1 million, booting “The Help” into second place after a three-week stint in first.

The popular period drama about Mississippi maids who speak out about conditions at the dawn of the civil rights movement earned $8.7 million. We go from maids to martial arts for the weekend’s third place film – Lionsgate’s “Warrior,” the “Rocky”-style film about a pair of estranged brothers who must face each other for the crown of “ultimate fighter," earned $5.6 million.

In fourth place, “The Debt,” starring Helen Mirren as a retired Israeli spy and Nazi hunter, grossed $4.9 million for Marv Films. And rounding out the top five, “Columbiana,” an action film about a woman seeking to avenge the deaths of her parents, took in $4 million.

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' tops box office for 2nd week

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:54:15 -0700

Actress Freida Pinto arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California July 28, 2011. Credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Movie fans sympathetic to rebellious apes being mistreated in medical experiments kept “Rise of The Planet Of The Apes” at the top of the box office this weekend.

The Fox sci-fi prequel fell precipitously but still managed to remain number one, bringing in $27.5 million.

That bested Disney’s Buena Vista premier of the bestselling book-turned-movie “The Help.” The '60s civil rights-era story of two Mississippi maids and the women they work for grossed a strong $25.5 million.

In third, Warner Bros. premiered what may be the death of a horror series – “Final Destination 5” earned $18.4 million. "The Smurfs," those small blue creatures from a magical world who look like they’re all wearing snuggies, are still attracting kids – the animated Columbia film grossed $13.5 million in its third week to top the $100 million mark.

Finally, rounding out fifth place, the premiere of the action comedy “30 Minutes or Less” grossed $13 million for Sony/Columbia.

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' tops weekend box office

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:05:59 -0700

Fans went “Ape” at the box office this weekend. Here's the tally of the past week’s most popular movies.

Ten years ago, movie fans showed they were still fascinated by the antics of a society of intelligent warrior apes when Tim Burton’s remake of “Plant of The Apes” debuted and grossed $68.5 million in its opening weekend.

This weekend’s premier of the prequel “Rise of The Planet of The Apes” grabbed $54 million in ticket sales for Fox to take the top spot.

“The Smurfs,” those dwarf-like cartoon characters in blue, managed to retain second place in its second week, earning $21 million for Sony/Columbia.

Universal’s sci-fi Western “Cowboys & Aliens” fell precipitously from first to third place, grossing $15.8 million. “Change-Up”, Universal’s new body-switching comedy, debuted in fourth place with $13.5 million.

Rounding out the top five, superhero “Captain America: The First Avenger” captured $13 million for Paramount.

'Cowboys & Aliens' ties with 'The Smurfs' in weekend box office

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:52:19 -0700

Actor Daniel Craig attends the Premiere of Universal Pictures 'Cowboys & Aliens' during Comic-Con 2011 at San Diego Civic Theatre on July 23, 2011 in San Diego. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

There was a showdown between “Cowboys & Aliens” and those little blue creatures in white hats at the box office this weekend, but the Smurfs held their ground.

Surprisingly, moviegoers liked both films enough to bring the weekend tally of ticket sales to a tie – even though trackers expected Universal’s “Cowboys & Aliens” to shoot down all comers. It grossed $36.2 million in its premier weekend while Sony/Columbia’s “The Smurfs” opened and earned the same – $36.2 million.

"In all my years, I've never really seen a race this close," said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. "Generally, in the world of movie box office, $1 million is a close call, so to have two films in a dollar-to-dollar tie is somewhat unprecedented."

When the actual numbers are tallied today, they're likely to change.

Studios often round off their Sunday numbers, which include Friday and Saturday totals plus an estimate of Sunday business based on how similar movies have done in the past.

So Sunday figures typically are rounded off to the nearest $50,000 or $100,000, with more accurate, to-the-dollar numbers generally coming in Monday's final tally.

Meanwhile, plunging more than 60 percent into third place this weekend, “Captain America: The First Avenger” grossed $24.9 million for Paramount. The final sequel to the magical story of Harry Potter continues doing well for Warner Bros. – in its third week, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two” conjured up $21.9 million to take fourth place.

Winding up this weekend’s top movies, the debut of a film without any cartoon heroes or villains or creatures from outer space – romantic comedy “Crazy, Stupid, Love” premiered, grossing $19.3 million for Warner Bros.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

'Captain America: The First Avenger' tops weekend box office

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:56:11 -0700

Actor Chris Evans attends the 'Captain America: The First Avenger' Los Angeles Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre on July 19, 2011 in Hollywood. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Harry Potter stepped aside to make way for Captain America this weekend.

Last weekend, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” broke box office records galore as fans of the boy magician were treated to the final chapter of his multi-billion-dollar eight-movie franchise. This weekend, “Captain America: The First Avenger” premiered and took the top spot with $65.8 million in ticket sales for Paramount.

“Potter” grabbed the second slot, conjuring $48 million for Warner Bros. A new romantic comedy, “Friends With Benefits,” grossed $18.5 million for Sony/Screen Gems.

In fourth place, it was back to computer generated characters with Paramount’s “Transformers: Dark Side Of The Moon” – it grossed $12 million. The fifth ranked film took moviegoers to the corner office as “Horrible Bosses” entered its third week and earned $11.7 million for Warner Bros.

'Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows - Part 2' tops weekend box office

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:59:38 -0700

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson attend the New York premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

With a record-breaking weekend at the box office for the final segment of an epic series, “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2” signaled the end of an era for millions of Harry Potter fans.

Many adults who grew up enthralled with the magic of boy wizard Harry Potter had to put closure on that part of their literary and moviegoing experience, but “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2," which is the eighth and final installment in the multibillion dollar franchise, broke just about every movie record on the books. In the biggest opening weekend ever, it earned $168.6 million for Warner Brothers.

In second place, Paramount’s “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” grossed $21.3 million. In third, another Warner Bros. film – “Horrible Bosses,” starring Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, earned $17.6 million.

Sony’s comedy “Zookeeper” ranked fourth with $12.3 million while the animated Disney movie “Cars 2” rounded out this week’s winners with $8.3 million.

'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' tops weekend box office

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:32:28 -0700

Autobot 'Bumblebee' is shown during the 'Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen' world premiere in Tokyo, on June 8, 2009. Credit: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images

"Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon," the summer blockbuster so far, continues soaring to new heights at the box office. Audiences can’t seem get enough of computer-generated robots gone bad.

Those big, bad Transformers continue trashing any other competitors who even think of taking over the top spot at the box office. With its $47 million weekend, “Transformers: Dark of The Moon” has become the biggest movie of the year in the U.S., grossing more than a quarter of a billion dollars for Paramount Pictures in just two weeks out of the gate.

The Warner Bros./New Line premiere of “Horrible Bosses” was promoted to second place, earning $28.1 million. New comedy “Zookeeper,” featuring talking animals giving sage dating advice to their caretaker, Kevin James, placed third, grossing $21 million for Sony Pictures.

Disney’s animated sequel “Cars 2” placed fourth, delivering $15.2 million. Film number 5 this week was the somewhat raunchy comedy “Bad Teacher” with Cameron Diaz at the head of the class – it earned $9 million for Sony.

"Green Lantern" tops weekend box office

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 07:15:03 -0700

A general view of the atmosphere at a special screening of 'Green Lantern' at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on June 16, 2011 in San Diego, California. Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images

Hollywood debuted a new version of an intergalactic Super Hero over the weekend: Cocky fighter pilot Hal Jordan, played by Ryan Reynolds.

Jordan must prove himself a worthy warrior among the powerful intergalactic peace keeping Green Lantern Corps.

Over the weekend, the movie attracted $52.7 million to take the top spot at the box office for Warner Bros. But the studio is hoping “The Green Lantern” will really light up the box office, now that students are enjoying their first full week of summer vacation.

In second place, Paramount Pictures’ spooky sci-fi flick “Super 8” earned $21.3 million.

Actor Jim Carrey’s latest film claimed third place for 20th Century Fox. ”Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is based on a children’s book about an irresponsible Dad who inherits a band of pesky penquins. The film grossed $18.2 million.

In 4th place, the comic based superhero “X-Men: First Class” took in $11.5 million for Fox while “The Hangover Part II” hung in there, earning $9.6 million for Warner Bros.

'Super 8' tops weekend box office

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 09:46:15 -0700

Actor Joel Courtney arrives at the premiere of Paramount Pictures' 'Super 8' at Regency Village Theatre on June 8, 2011 in Westwood, California. Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Horrors! That’s what movie enthusiasts chose to spend their money on this weekend.

“Super 8” was super for movie fans this weekend – and for Paramount, premiering with a three-day $37 million take for the top spot. The movie, set in a small town 32 years ago, is about a group of friends who see a mysterious train crash and start noticing some pretty strange and creepy things happening.

In second place, “X-Men: First Class” brought in $25 million for Fox. The story covers the origins of the young superheroes, and, in just two weeks, the fifth film in the X-Men franchise is nearing the $100 million mark.

“The Hangover Part II” is hanging around, taking third in its third week in release – earning $18.5 million for Warner Bros. Po, the animated star of “Kung Fu Panda 2”, grossed $16.6 million for Paramount DreamWorks and Captain Jack Sparrow and crew continue to reap a ton of gold doubloons for Buena Vista – "Pirates Of The Carribean: On Stranger Tides” rounding out the top five with $10.8 million.

Temecula’s only homeless shelter set to close this week

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 06:48:45 -0700

Temecula’s only 24-hour shelter is set to close down Tuesday night. It opened six months ago during the heavy winter storms – but the city says it’s operating without the proper permits.

Project TOUCH operates out of a local church. It was intended to be a temporary shelter during extreme weather. But demand was so great that operators kept the doors open.

Last month, Temecula ordered the shelter to shut down – or pay a $1,000-a-day fine and close anyway. The city says Project TOUCH doesn’t have the permits to run a fulltime shelter. It operates out of a former church that needs renovations that could cost several hundred thousand dollars.

But Andrea Ireland says Temecula needs the shelter. Ireland joined dozens of supporters at a council meeting last month. "We could send a person there and know that there are people there who are capable of case managing who would love and encourage this person, volunteering their time and resources, the skills that God gave them. This is a benefit to our city.”

“I think everybody in this room wants to help the homeless," says Temecula councilman Mike Naggar. “But we have to do it according to the law and we have to do it according to our resources.”

Temecula instead approved a plan to create about 200 units of affordable housing over the next three years. In the meantime, about 50 shelter residents have to move.

Operators say most have found shelter elsewhere. But some could end up back on the streets when Project TOUCH closes later this week.

'X-Men: First Class' tops weekend box office

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 06:38:21 -0700

(L-R) Actors Zoe Kravitz, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender attend the 'X-Men: First Class' New York Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre on May 25, 2011 in New York City. Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Fantasy and comedy were the two top genres generating the biggest bucks at the box office. Here's a rundown of this past weekend’s favorite five.

First, there was Superman, then along came “Rocket Man” and then came the “X-Men.” This weekend, they were back for the fifth time with the backstory about their younger years as superheroes drawing a big but not the biggest audience. Still, “X-Men: First Class” powered a solid $56 million for Fox.

In its second weekend, “The Hangover Part II” was knocked into second place but is still drawing strong business for Warner Bros. with $32.4 million. “Kung Fu Panda 2,” the animated movie about Po, the martial arts master, kicked in $24.3 million for Paramount/DreamWorks.

Captain Jack Sparrow and his band of “Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” fell into fourth place, capturing $18 million in doubloons in its third week in release for Buena Vista. The female raunch-fest “Bridesmaids” finished fifth, grossing $12.1 million for Universal.

'Hangover Part II' tops weekend box office

Mon, 30 May 2011 08:27:14 -0700

A billboard advertising the film 'Hangover: Part II' is seen on the Sunset Strip on May 24, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Movie fans definitely had a huge hangover on this Memorial Day weekend.

No doubt about it, $118.1 million buys a lot of drinks – but, instead of tying one on, moviegoers wanted laughs instead and plunked down all that cash to see “Hangover Part II.” The Warner Bros. sequel was the top box office draw over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend that began Thursday night and is forecast to generate an additional $21.9 million before this Memorial Day is done.

The other movie premier over the holiday weekend was family fare – the animated sequel ”Kung Fu Panda 2,” fighting its way to second place, expected to kick in $53.8 million for Paramount DreamWorks.

Captain Jack Sparrow continues sailing for Buena Vista – ”Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” earning $39.3 million to capture third place. The all-girl comedy raunchfest “Bridesmaids” conquered “Thor”, taking fourth place with $16.4 million for Universal while the action-fantasy film about an alien warrior rounded out the top five films with $9.4 million for Paramount.

'Pirates of the Caribbean' tops weekend box office

Mon, 23 May 2011 07:20:36 -0700

Johnny Depp poses during the photocall of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Credit: Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images

Ahoy! The box office was raided by a band of Pirates this weekend.

It may have been “On Stranger Tides,” but Disney’s “Pirates of The Caribbean” franchise is still packing a rollicking good time for audiences enamored of swashbuckling Jonny Depp, also known as Captain Jack Sparrow. The captain and his crew, aided by Penelope Cruz, captured $90.1 million domestically to take first place.

The female raunchfest “Bridesmaids” continues to do well for Universal, taking second place with $21 million. The alien warrior “Thor” thundered into third place, earning $15.5 million for Paramount.

In fourth, another film franchise that continues to draw audiences, as “Fast Five” drove in $10.6 million in ticket sales for Universal.

Finally, in fifth place, “Rio,” the animated film about a band of birds that flies south to Brazil. Rio took in $4.7 million for Fox.

'Thor' tops weekend box office

Mon, 16 May 2011 11:20:50 -0700

Chris Hemsworth attends the THOR - Munich photocall at Hotel Bayerischer Hof on April 13, 2011 in Munich, Germany. Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Paramount

More “thunder” at the Box Office this weekend from a fantasy film about an alien warrior.

“Thor” roared to the top of the weekend’s box office earning $34.5 million for Paramount. It's the second week the story about a prideful warrior sent to Earth to learn a little humility drew the largest audience.

Premiering in second place, the much ballyhooed Universal Studios comedy “Bridesmaids” walked down the aisle to gross $24.4 million. In third place, in its third week in release, the action film “Fast Five” sped away with $19.5 million for Universal – so far, the latest film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise grossing more than $168 million.

In fourth place this weekend, a new apocalyptic sci-fi film about a renegade priest who must do battle with an army of vampires who’ve snatched his niece. “Priest” earned $14.5 million for Screen Gems.

Finally, in fifth, the animated story of some pretty funny birds who head south to “Rio” continues to attract kids – and their parents. ”Rio” took in $8 million for Fox.

'Thor' tops weekend box office

Mon, 09 May 2011 07:46:20 -0700

Chris Hemsworth attends the THOR - Munich photocall at Hotel Bayerischer Hof on April 13, 2011 in Munich, Germany. Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Paramount

Mucho macho ruled the box office again this weekend.

Last week, you may recall, the premier of Universal’s blockbuster “Fast Five” zoomed past all contenders by a wide margin. This weekend, a new blockbuster – “Thor,” about an other-wordly warrior who needs to learn humility – ruled the silver screen, and a lot of IMAXes.

That’s because Paramount offered “Thor” in 3-D, helping it rake in $66 million to take first place. “Fast Five,” even in second place, was impressive, grossing $32.5 million.

“Jumping the Broom,” the romantic comedy about two very different families attending a weekend wedding on Martha’s Vineyard, debuted this weekend and finished in third place, earning $13.7 million for Sony/Tristar. Not far behind in fourth place, was “Something Borrowed,” a film about secrets, the power of friendship and romantic conundrums – it earned $13.2 million for Warner Bros.

Finally, rounding out the top 5 was “Rio,” the animated story of lovebirds Blu and Jewel and their adventures in the romantic Brazilian capitol. It took in $8.2 million.

'Fast Five' tops weekend box office

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:03:25 -0700

The latest film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, “Fast Five,” put Universal Pictures on top this weekend.

“Fast Five” generated what could be called a “fast $83.6” million.

That’s the take from this weekend’s huge box office premiere for the continuing mis-adventures of Vin Diesel and his gang of elite racers trying to outrun the real bad guys, this time in Rio de Janeiro.

That city is the title of this weekend’s second biggest draw, the animated hit "Rio," grossing $14.4 million.

That's more than $103 million for 20th Century Fox Studios in two weeks.

In third place, the ensemble comedy of family dynamics “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big, Happy Family” took in $10.1 million for Lionsgate.

Rounding out this week’s top five are 20th Century Fox’s “Water for Elephants,” the drama about a wanna-be veterinarian who joins the circus and falls for the wrong woman with $9.1 million and “Prom,” Disney’s latest film about a group of singing, dancing high school seniors getting ready for the big dance. It earned $5 million.

UCLA student turns to Twitter to make sure Egyptian voices heard

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:44:43 -0800

John Scott-Railton started the Twitter feed @Jan25Voices, which relays phone calls from people in Egypt. Credit: Courtesty of @Jan25Voices

Despite the Internet blackout in Egypt, UCLA doctoral student John Scott-Railton has been making sure the protestors’ voices are heard. He is the founder of @Jan25Voices, a Twitter feed Scott-Railton describes as a “conduit” for telling the outside world what’s happening on the ground in Egypt.

This past Friday the 27-year-old Scott-Railton, who’s visited Egypt several times, began calling up friends there with landlines — cell phone service has since been restored.

“We are using phones and other means to speak with Egyptians behind the blocked internet, tweeting their words in real time,” he writes on @Jan25Voices.

The Twitter feed now not only includes real-time news updates, but audio recordings of those phone calls.

One of the first calls he made was to a woman who took the phone to the window so Scott-Railton could hear the “wall of sound” coming from the people on the street.

“It was an eclectic feeling and why I’m still doing this,” he told KPCC’s Kari Moran on Tuesday.

Scott-Railton’s been thrust into the role of de facto journalist — several big news organizations now follow his Twitter feed — but he calls what he’s doing a “moral statement and moral commitment,” which is why he’s not focusing on his PhD work at the moment, he adds.

And the work he’s doing, he notes, has attracted several Egyptian ex-patriots, who’ve reached out to help him.

California marks first 'Fred Korematsu Day'

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:19:23 -0800

President Bill Clinton (R) stands with Fred Korematsu (L) after awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, January 15, 1998. Credit: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images

California celebrated the first "Fred Korematsu Day" on Sunday. Korematsu was a Japanese-American who was locked up in a World War II incarceration camp, even though he was an American citizen. He proceeded to battle his incarceration in court.

Korematsu was born and raised in Oakland. When President Roosevelt issued an executive order mandating that all Japanese-Americans on the West Coast be incarcerated, Korematsu refused to go. He also changed his appearance to elude authorities.

Korematsu was eventually arrested in May of 1942, and later convicted of defying the military orders. He fought back and challenged that conviction all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. But he eventually lost the case. In 1944, the high court ruled that his incarceration was a matter of "military necessity."

For decades, Korematsu hoped his case would be reopened. That finally happened in 1983, thanks to a pair of researchers.

"Two researchers found original evidence from the 1940s, these were documents from multiple, government intelligence agencies, that showed clearly that the government at the time knew that Japanese–Americans posed absolutely no military threat to the government," said Ling Woo Liu, director of the Fred Korematsu Institute. "However, these documents were intentionally hidden from the Supreme Court."

Relying on the new evidence, a federal judge overturned Korematsu's conviction.

Last year, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill creating a day to honor the forgotten civil rights figure. Liu said the driving force behind "Fred Korematsu Day" is education. She says many people aren't aware of Korematsu's story because it isn't taught in schools, but she hopes that will now change.

There are also efforts underway to establish a national "Fred Korematsu Day."

Audio: KPCC's Kari Moran spoke with Ling Woo Liu, director of the Fred Korematsu Institute, about Korematsu's legacy.

'The Town' tops weekend box office

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:10:58 -0700

Ben Affleck was the talk of “The Town” at this weekend’s box office.

In its debut weekend, the Warner Bros. vehicle for “comeback kid” Ben Affleck topped ticket sales – "The Town," grossing an estimated $23.8 million in tickets. Affleck, who also directed the film, stars as a bank robber who has a yen for a bank manager despite the fact’s he’s stealing from the bank using a scary nun’s costume and ghoul’s mask as a disguise.

Two other movie premiers did well. Sony’s/Screen Gems' "Easy A" was a sure bet for second place with $18.2 million in estimated sales. Universal’s "Devil," while not a debut, claimed third place, earning $12.6 million.

In fourth, Sony/Screen Gems scored again with its horror flick “Resident Evil: Afterlife," earning $10.1 million. Lionsgate premiered a new animated 3-D film that was big with the younger crowd – "Alpha and Omega," the story of two wolves on a road trip, grossed $9.2 million this weekend.

FBI opens civil rights investigation into Burbank Police Department

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:52:48 -0700

The FBI is investigating whether Burbank police officers committed civil rights violations. The FBI reportedly is focusing on 12 current and former Burbank police officers and their use of force. KPCC's Kari Moran spoke with reporter Frank Stoltze about the story.