Showing posts with label claim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label claim. Show all posts

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Box office report: 'Turtles' claim top spot

"Turtles" and "Guardians" maintained top spots"Expendables 3" didn't do as well"Boyhood" expanded to more theaters

(EW.com) -- Holdover tent-poles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Guardians of the Galaxy maintained the top spots at the weekend box office, while the new openers trailed behind. But, while it was expected that Let's Be Cops and The Giver would open in the teens, the biggest surprise of the weekend was The Expendables 3, a franchise pic which should have easily opened in the $20 to $25 million range, but instead floundered with an estimated $16.2 million.

TMNT's success last weekend was no fluke and the pizza-loving heroes took the No. 1 spot for the second weekend in a row with an estimated $28.4 million from 3,980 locations. That's a 56.7 percent drop from its opening weekend. The movie also earned $25.6 million internationally, bringing its international total to $67.5 million. It still has yet to open in a handful of key territories including Korea (Aug. 28), Spain and the U.K. (Oct. 17), and Japan (Dec. 19).

Guardians of the Galaxy, meanwhile, rocketed past the $200 million mark and earned an estimated $24.7 million—a mere 41.3 percent drop from last weekend, which is similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier's third weekend fall.

Let's Be Cops (Cinema Score: B) edged ahead of The Expendables 3 to take third place across the weekend with an estimated $17.7 million. The Fox comedy opened earlier in the week and now boasts a domestic total of $26.1 million, which is not bad for a movie that cost a reported $17 million to produce. Audiences were 56 percent male and 54 percent under the age of 25. Demographic breakdowns report that 17 percent of audiences were Hispanic, 20 percent were African-American, and 50 percent were Caucasian. The movie also exceeded expectations in the West and Midwest.

The Expendables 3 (Cinema Score: A-) opened in fourth place with $16.2 million from 3,221 locations. Audiences were mostly male (61 percent) and over the age of 25 (66 percent) for Lionsgate's PG-13 rated action pic. It's a franchise low, and possibly too-easy to ridicule thanks to a cast that's bursting at the seams with aging action heroes, but Expendables 3 also buckled under the weight of a leak, which led to nearly 2.2 million downloads weeks before the movie had even hit theaters.

Rounding out the top five is The Weinstein Company's The Giver (Cinema Score: B+) which earned $12.76 million from 3,003 locations. The $25 million adaptation of Lois Lowry's beloved novel failed to gain much traction with critics, and the opening is a little lower than The Weinstein Company wanted (they were aiming for mid-teens). It will be interesting to see how it holds up across the next few weeks.

Here's the top five:

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — $28.4 million ($117.64 million domestic total)

2. Guardians of the Galaxy — $24.7 million ($222.28 million domestic total)

3. Let's Be Cops — $17.7 million ($26.1 million domestic total since Wednesday)

4. The Expendables 3 — $16.2 million (new)

5. The Giver — $12.76 million (new)

Also of note, Richard Linklater's Boyhood expanded to 771 locations this weekend and took in an estimated $2.15 million to take tenth place. The $4 million pic has earned $13.8 million to date. Woody Allen's Magic in the Moonlight also upped its theater count to 964 locations (up 794) for a $1.9 million weekend, and What If, starring Daniel Radcliffe, expanded to 787 locations (from 20) to earn $829K.

In limited release, IFC's comedy The Trip to Italy starring Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan earned $71.6K from three locations and A24's Life After Beth, starring Aubrey Plaza and Dane DeHaan grossed $18K from two locations.

See the original story at EW.com.

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Jackson defender files sex abuse claim

Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim - CNN.comvar cnnCurrTime=new Date(1368981338000),cnnCurrHour=12,cnnCurrMin=35,cnnCurrDay="Sun",cnnIsIntl=true,clickID=212106,cnn_cvpAdpre="edition.",cnnCVPAdSectionT1="edition.cnn.com_entertainment_t1",cnnCVPAdSectionInPage="edition.cnn.com_entertainment_inpage",cnnShareUrl="%2F2013%2F05%2F07%2Fshowbiz%2Fmichael-jackson-sex-claim%2Findex.html",cnnShareTitle="Michael%20Jackson%20defender%20files%20sex%20abuse%20claim",cnnShareDesc="",cnnFirstPub=new Date('Tuesday May 7 10:29:11 EDT 2013'),cnnSectionName="entertainment",sectionName="entertainment",cnnSubSectionName="ent : news",cnnPageType="Story",cnnBrandingValue="default";cnnPartnerValue="";cnnOmniBranding="",cnnAuthor="Alan Duke, CNN",disqus_category_id=207582,disqus_identifier="/2013/05/07/showbiz/michael-jackson-sex-claim/index.html",disqus_title="Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim",cnn_edtnswtchver="edition",cnnIsStoryPage=true,cnn_metadata = {},cnn_shareconfig = [];cnn_metadata = {section: ["entertainment","ent : news"],friendly_name: "Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim",template_type: "content",template_type_content: "gallery",business: {cnn: {page: {author: "Alan Duke, CNN",broadcast_franchise: "",video_embed_count: "2",publish_date: "2013/05/07",photo_gallery: "Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim"},video: {video_player: ""}}},user: {authenticated: "",segment: {age: "",zip: "",gender: ""}}};if (typeof(cnnOmniPartner) !== "undefined") {if (cnn_metadata.template_type_content === "") {cnn_metadata.template_type_content = "partner";}}var photo_gallery = "Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim";if(typeof CNN==='undefined'){var CNN=Class.create();}CNN.expandableMap=[''];function _loginOptions(){};var disqus_url=(typeof disqus_identifier!=='undefined') ? 'http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/showbiz/michael-jackson-sex-claim/index.html' : 'http://www.cnn.com'+location.pathname;cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['970x66_top','300x250_rgt','300x250_rgt2','336x280_rgt','336x850_rgt','300x150_rgt','728x90_top','728x90_bot','BG_Skin','120x90_bot1','120x90_bot2','120x90_bot3']);cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']);Skip to main content CNN EDITION:  INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV:   CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport SHARE THISPrintEmailMore sharingRedditStumbleUponDelicious/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar1","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/showbiz/michael-jackson-sex-claim/index.html","title" : "Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim"});Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claimBy Alan Duke, CNNMay 9, 2013 -- Updated 0200 GMT (1000 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(15);expGalleryPT00.setAdsRefreshCount(3);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Michael Jackson, King of Pop", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}The death in 2009 of superstar Michael Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest at the age of 50, sent shockwaves around the world. The death in 2009 of superstar Michael Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest at the age of 50, sent shockwaves around the world. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}The Jackson 5 perform on a TV show circa 1969. From left, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Michael Jackson quickly became the stand out star of the Jackson 5. Here he performs onstage circa 1970. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Michael Jackson poses during a portrait session in Los Angeles in 1971.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Michael Jackson performs with The Jacksons in New Orleans on October 3, 1979.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Jackson achieved superstardom with his solo career in the 1980s. Here Jackson is shown on stage in Kansas in 1983.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Michael Jackson performs on stage circa 1990.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Jackson broke a world record during the Bad tour in 1988 when 504,000 people attending seven sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium in London.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Jackson perfoms in concert circa 1991 in New York City. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Known for his dance moves, Jackson is seen here jumping in the air while performing during the Dangerous tour in 1992.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":10,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Michael Jackson performs in Rotterdam, Netherlands.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":11,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Jackson performs with his brothers.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":12,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Jackson performs during the Bad tour at Wembley Stadium in London.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":13,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Jackson performs during the taping of Jackson performs during the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th: A Celebration" in 2002.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":14,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}Michael Jackson earned the Legend Award during the MTV Video Music Awards in Tokyo in 2006.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":15,"title":"Michael Jackson, King of Pop"}HIDE CAPTIONMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of PopMichael Jackson, King of Pop<<<123456789101112131415>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Michael Jackson defender files sex abuse claim");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: AEG Live lawyer denies any connection between sex claim and death trialRobson, at Jackson's 2005 trial, denied he was sexually abusedHe was one of Jackson's "strongest witnesses," attorney Tom Mesereau saysAttorney: Wade Robson's claim against Michael Jackson is "outrageous and pathetic"

Los Angeles (CNN) -- A dancer-choreographer has filed a claim against Michael Jackson's estate related to alleged child sex abuse by the late pop icon.

Wade Robson, now 30, denied in testimony at Jackson's child molestation trial in 2005 that he had been molested by the singer.

Two months after Jackson's death in 2009, Robson said they had "a wonderful relationship" and he called Jackson "a kind human being."

The lawyer for Jackson's estate called the new accusations "outrageous and pathetic."

The details of the allegation are sealed by the Los Angeles probate court where Robson's lawyer filed the claim last week, according to a court document obtained Tuesday by CNN.

The deadline has long passed for creditors to file claims against Jackson's estate, but Robson is asking the probate court to allow him to file a late creditor's claim.

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Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005, partly based on the testimony of Robson, his sister and his mother.

"It's absurd," said Tom Mesereau, the lawyer who successfully defended Jackson in the trial. "He was one of the strongest witnesses for the defense at Michael Jackson's criminal trial in 2005. He was adamant under oath that he had never been molested at any time."

A housekeeper at Jackson's Neverland Ranch testified that she saw Jackson showering naked with Robson during a visit in the early 1990s, but he denied it at the trial.

"He withstood very aggressive cross-examination by the prosecutor," Mesereau told CNN Tuesday. "He stood his ground and never wavered in saying Michael Jackson had done absolutely nothing improper to him."

Robson met Jackson in his native Australia when he was just 5. Jackson invited him for frequent stays at Neverland after Robson and his family moved to Los Angeles two years later. Their visits continued until he was 13, according to court testimony.

Robson paid tribute to Jackson In an interview with "Entertainment Tonight" to promote his choreography work on the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2009.

"I just had a wonderful relationship," he said. "I learned so much from him, as an artist and as a kind human being, and it's my goal to just try and continue as much as I can in my own little world that legacy."

"We talk so much about him as the pop legend, which is important, but it's nice to remember that he was a man, that he was a father," Robson said. "And that's what it's really about is a father and his children, and he was a wonderful dad."

The 2005 trial in Santa Barbara County, California, centered on charges that Jackson had molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor who often visited his ranch. He was also charged with plying the boy with alcohol, and conspiring to abduct, extort and falsely imprison the child and his family. He was acquitted on all counts.

"I've known Michael for a long time. I've spent many hours talking to him about everything. I trust him. I trust him with my children," Joy Robson, the mother of Wade Robson, testified when called as a prosecution witness.

Robson said she let Wade, who was then 7, and daughter Chantal sleep in Jackson's bedroom from the first visit.

"Mr. Robson's claim is outrageous and pathetic," Jackson estate lawyer Howard Weitzman said in a prepared statement. "This is a young man who has testified at least twice under oath over the past 20 years and said in numerous interviews that Michael Jackson never did anything inappropriate to him or with him. Now, nearly four years after Michael has passed this sad and less than credible claim has been made. We are confident that the court will see this for what it is."

Mesereau said it was "suspicious timing" for the claim to be filed at the start of the trial of the Michael Jackson wrongful death case, in which Jackson's mother and children are suing concert promoter AEG Live.

AEG Live lawyers have said they would bring up the child molestation charges against Jackson as part of their defense.

Coincidentally, Robson is artistic director for singer Demi Lovato's tour, which is being promoted by AEG Live, according to his website.

When asked about it Wednesday, AEG Live attorney Marvin Putman denied there was any connection between the sex abuse accusation and the current trial.

Debts, drugs, messy bedroom highlighted in Jackson trial

Autopsy reveals Jackson's secrets

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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Analysis: Obama claim shutdown to hit housing may be off mark (Reuters)

By Corbett B. Daly Corbett B. Daly – Thu Apr 7, 3:56 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama's warning that a government shutdown might prevent many Americans from obtaining a mortgage may be more of a negotiating tactic than reality.

Obama and House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on Thursday raced against a midnight Friday deadline to craft a budget deal that would cut billions of dollars in spending and keep the government open.

A shutdown is not without risks. But unless it drags on for many weeks -- an unlikely worst-case scenario -- home buyers would probably see little more than a brief delay in processing mortgages.

If the government does shut down, the Federal Housing Administration would close its doors. That means thousands of Americans looking to buy a house with an FHA-backed loan would not be able get a case number for their loan, and the lender would not be able to process certain paperwork for the government-backed insurance.

"It may turn out that somebody who was trying to get a mortgage can't have their paperwork processed by the FHA and now the person who was going to sell the house, what they were counting on, they can't get it," Obama said on Wednesday.

What Obama did not tell his town-hall audience is that the banks making decisions about whether to grant the loan could continue to work with borrowers while the government is closed, dealing with the paperwork as soon as the government reopens, even retroactively.

The FHA's role supporting the mortgage market has ballooned as private credit tightened in the wake of the housing bust, making Obama's argument seem compelling.

The agency now insures about one-third of all new home purchase loans, compared with less than 4 percent before the housing market soured, according to the publication Inside Mortgage Finance.

That's more than 7,500 new FHA-backed mortgages issued every business day, according to Guy Cecala, the newsletter's publisher.

But the nation's biggest mortgage lenders, including Wells Fargo, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, have all been given authority to make FHA-backed loans without the FHA checking each loan.

The FHA guarantees loans that meet certain conditions but does not make loans directly.

"Unless the shutdown lasted more than a couple of weeks, it should not delay FHA activity," said Cecala, "Two weeks is not a huge ton of time in the mortgage business."

Still, the paperwork snafu could lower the April sales volume if some of those loans that would have closed in April end up closing in May.

While some number of deals could be scuppered, White House and HUD officials said the Obama administration did not have any estimates for how many.

Still, a temporary shutdown of FHA does come with risks.

Adam Levitin, a professor at Georgetown University who closely follows the housing sector, said the psychological effect of temporarily lower sales figures could further depress an already floundering market at the height of the selling season.

"This is a really bad time to have a hiccup in the market," said Levitin.

The two largest providers of residential mortgage funds, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, would not be affected by a shutdown as they are technically private firms.

(Additional reporting by Alister Bull; Editing by Andrew Hay)


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