Box Office Report: Hurricane Irene a $30 Mil Threat

Hurricane Irene could result in box office losses of as much as $30 million for the weekend as movie-going comes to a standstill up and down the East Coast.our editor recommendsDon't Be Afraid of the Dark: Film ReviewColombiana: Film ReviewThe Help: Film ReviewOur Idiot Brother: Film Review Domestic box office revenues for the frame were on track to reach $120 million, but the massive storm could reduce that number by as much as 25%. By Friday afternoon, the news was grim. "Its horrendous," one distribution executive noted. PHOTOS: How 'The Help' Was Cast Across the board, films were posting lower than expected results, including three new titles-the Luc Besson-produced action pic Colombiana, starring Zoe Saldana and distributed by TriStar, the Weinstein Co.'s R-rated ensemble comedy Our Idiot Brother headlining Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel and Emily Mortimer, and the Guillermo del Toro-produced horror movie Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, distributed by FilmDistrict and starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. DreamWorks and Participant Media's holdover The Help remained the No. 1 film early Friday evening, but is now looking at a weekend gross of $10 to $12 million, versus $15 million. Colombiana was in the No. 2 position on Friday, but may not crack $10 million for the weekend, lower than expected. The rest of the brood -- Don't Be Afraid of the Dark and Our Idiot Brother -- may only reach $6 million or $7 in their openings. PHOTOS: 'The Help's' Retro Southern Style By Friday afternoon, theater owners in the Northeast had started announcing plans to shut their doors. AMC Entertainment, one of the nation's largest theater circuits, has said that theaters in Norfolk, Va., Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C., will close on Saturday, and predicts that numerous New York theaters will be closed on Sunday. The circuit also is closing all New Jersey theaters at 6 p.m. Saturday. And Clearview Cinemas, which operates 57 theaters along the Philadelphia-New York corridor, is closing all of its locations Saturday and Sunday. Other circuits are likely to follow suit, especially as public transportation systems come to a standstill on Saturday in Philadelphia and New York City, making it difficult for employees to get to work. Usually, distribution executives know by Friday afternoon how their films are faring, but the storm is making predictions problematic. Related Topics Emily Deschanel Guillermo del Toro Paul Rudd Zoe Saldana Box Office Colombiana The Help Our Idiot Brother Hurricane Irene

First Footage From The Hunger Games Will Debut at MTV Video Music Awards

And you thought watching Lady Gaga perform “You and I” was going to be the only reason to tune in for the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night. NextMovie reports that the first footage from The Hunger Games will premiere during the telecast, with a special introduction from star Jennifer Lawrence. If you needed even more proof that the adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s YA series is the next Twilight, an association with MTV should do the trick. [NextMovie]

DirecTV pacts with PlayStation for NFL

NFL Sunday Ticket will be available for PlayStation 3 users for a $339.95 charge, even if they dont subscribe to DirecTV. DirecTV will offer "NFL Sunday Ticket" to PlayStation 3 users, even those who don't subscribe to the satellite service. Beginning this season, PlayStation users can pay the "Sunday Ticket" rate of $339.95 to access the weekly game package of out-of-market games. Those who subscribe to DirecTV will be able to watch "Sunday Ticket" on their PS3s by paying $50, thereby turning their consoles into additional DirecTV receivers. "Sunday Ticket" will continue to be available on such digital platforms as iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, Blackberry, Samsung Galaxy, Palm Pre/Pixi and Motorola Xoom and Android. "We are constantly looking at new ways to enhance the NFL viewing experience and create more value for the loyal fans," DirecTV senior veep of product management Tony Goncalves said. "With the growth in mobile and connected consumer electronics devices, we believe it makes sense to enable viewers to watch their favorite team on more of those devices, like gaming consoles, whose users include legions of NFL fans." DirecTV is also appealing to the widespread number of fantasy football league participants with a digital application that will allow them to view their personal teams and scores on their TV sets, via connected set-top boxes. A one-touch "Watch Now" feature will help fans jump to broadcasts of games in which members of their fantasy teams are playing. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Film Movement nabs 'Corpo celeste'

New You are able to-based Film Movement has nabbed United States privileges to "Corpo celeste," the directorial debut of Italy's Alice Rohrwacher that tested in Cannes' Directors' Week.The specialty label is focusing on a brand new You are able to theatrical release early the coming year, a restricted national roll-to follow, along with a day-and-date cable video-on-demand premiere."Corpo celeste" stories a 13-year-old girl's indoctrination through the Catholic Chapel after she and her mother move from Europe towards the bedraggled southern Italian province of Calabria.Offered worldwide by RAI Trade, and lensed by French d.p. Helene Louvart ("Pina"), pic may be the debut of producer Carlo Cresto Dina's Bologna-based Tempesta.Co-production partners include Gaul's JBA Prods. and Arte France Cinema.Acquired for France by Ad Vitam, "Celeste" has performed in the Karlovy Vary, Dubai, Munich and London festivals.Deal was discussed by RAI Trade's Catia Rossi, Film Movement prexy Adley Gartenstein and Vice president of purchases and distribution Rebeca Conget. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Clint Eastwood Says He'll Keep J. Edgar's Sexual Orientation 'Open to Interpretation'

Oh, great. Just when we thought Armie Hammer’s kiss with Leonardo DiCaprio in Clint Eastwood’s upcoming J. Edgar Hoover biopic was going to be explosive, Eastwood himself is confirming that he’s leaving the first FBI director’s sexual orientation “open to interpretation.” I know a certain TV personality who might have damning evidence to the contrary. Eastwood says that the rumored affair/relationship between Hoover and his Associate FBI director Clyde Tolson isn’t exactly a sure bet: “Some people might say [they] were just inseparable pals. Or maybe it’s a love story without being gay, I don’t know. But it’s very interesting, the way [Dustin] Lance [Black] laid out the script. It was nicely written. It didn’t go to the obvious.” First of all, Tim Gunn told us that during his childhood, he’s pretty sure he talked to J. Edgar Hoover while he was dressed up as Vivian Vance. That doesn’t make J. Edgar Hoover gay, but that does mean he, y’know, dresses up as Vivian Vance. Makes you think J. Edgar Hoover had firm answers about his own sexual orientation, and none of the ambiguity that Eastwood describes. Plus, J. Edgar Hoover was a real person, not a literary character. Can we stop pretending there’s anything to “interpret” about whether he preferred to sleep with men? Mind you, there’ve been plenty of biopics featuring main characters whose sexual preferences remain nebulous: For instance, in 1977’s Julia, Jane Fonda, as playwright Lillian Hellman, attacks a restaurant patron who questions her relationship with the titular activist. The difference between the ambiguity in that movie and in the ambiguity in J. Edgar is how that gray area relates to the public perception of the real-life subjects. Lillian Hellman is a fascinating figure for reasons other than her rumored romances, but I’d argue that J. Edgar Hoover’s (allegedly) closeted behavior is central to his intrigue. I can’t see how the movie will function without fully exploring his emotional side, but whatever: Maybe we’ll still get an “interpretable” Armie Hammer kiss out of it! Or a couple of knowing stares! Or some fancy, arguably gay lighting! Clint Eastwood Says Hoover’s Sexuality ‘Open to Interpretation; [HitFix]

Britney Warrior spears Gives Pauly D A Lap Dance

La, Calif. -- Pauly D got the welcome of his existence from the certain Ms. Britney Warrior spears. The Jersey Shoreline star (born Paul DelVecchio), who lately became a member of Britons Femme Fatale tour to DJ for many shows, was treated for an opening lap dance in the pop celebrity throughout her show in Montreal, Canada on Thursday. Throughout the Lace & Leather part of BritBrits show, she drawn the stiff-haired reality star up to the stage, wrapped a pink boa round his neck and strutted her stuff while Pauly grinned and bobbed his mind to conquer. Yup That Did Happen loll #FemmeFataleTour #DJPaulyDSwagg, Pauly Tweeted, together with an image from the I Wanna Go singer hanging from the poll together with her legs covered over Paulys shoulders. Click The Link to determine the recording! Britney reciprocated by Tweeting, @DJPaulyD We do hope you loved your dance! Was tough getting my legs around that large blowout :) Britney In related Britney news, MTV launched a promo for that approaching 2011 Video Music Honours on Thursday evening starring the pop princess herself, with numerous her hit tunes. Begin to see the promo HERE. The MTV VMAs will air on August 28.Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber Win Big at Teen Choice Awards

Selena Gomez & The Scene With five wins each, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift received more trophies than any other individuals at the Teen Choice Awards. Gomez was named Choice TV Actress (for Wizards of Waverly Place) and Choice Female Hottie. With her band, the Scene, Gomez also picked up the Choice Music: Group, Choice Music: Single (for "Who Says") and Choice Music: Love Song (for "Love You Like a Love Song") plaudits. Swift, meanwhile, was named Choice Music: Female Artist, Choice Music: Female Country Artist, Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Female, in addition to picking up awards for Choice Music: Country Single ("Mean") and Choice Break-Up Song ("Back to December"). Gomez's boyfriend Justin Bieber was (where else?) right on her heels with four honors: Choice Music: Male Artist, Choice Male Hottie, Choice Twit and Choice TV: Villain for his guest stint on CSI. Catch up on today's news Big honors also went to the Harry Potter film franchise, which nabbed seven awards and was saluted with a montage at the end of Sunday's awards ceremony. Other multiple winners included The Vampire Diaries (five awards), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (four), Bad Teacher (three), Glee (three), Gossip Girl (three) and Pretty Little Liars (three). The show, which aired live on Fox, was notable for featuring Sean Kingston's first public appearance after his watercraft accident. Demi Lovato, who entered treatment for "emotional and physical issues" in November, was also on hand to pick up the Choice Summer Song award for "Skyscraper." "You guys are what got me through this last year," she told the crowd. The full list of 2011 Teen Choice Awards winners, which were voted on by the public: Movies Choice Movie: Action - Fast Five Choice Movie Actor: Action - Johnny Depp, The Tourist Choice Movie Actress: Action - Angelina Jolie, The Tourist Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy - Taylor Lautner, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy - Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Choice Movie: Drama - Black Swan Choice Movie Actor: Drama - Robert Pattinson, Water for Elephants Choice Movie Actress: Drama - Natalie Portman, Black Swan Choice Movie: Romantic Comedy - Easy A Choice Movie Actor: Romantic Comedy - Ashton Kutcher, No Strings Attached Choice Movie Actress: Romantic Comedy - Emma Stone, Easy A Choice Movie: Comedy - Bad Teacher Choice Movie Actor: Comedy - Justin Timberlake, Bad Teacher Choice Movie Actress: Comedy - Cameron Diaz, Bad Teacher Choice Movie: Horror - Paranormal Activity 2 Choice Animated Movie: Voice - Johnny Depp, Rango Choice Movie: Chemistry - Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, Just Go With It Choice Movie: Liplock - Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Choice Movie: Hissy Fit - Ed Helms, The Hangover Part II Choice Movie: Villain - Tom Felton, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer - Kellan Lutz, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Choice Movie: Female Scene Stealer - Ashley Greene, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Choice Summer Movie - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Choice Summer Movie Star: Male - Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Choice Summer Movie Star: Female - Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Choice Movie Breakout: Female - Brooklyn Decker, Just Go With It Choice Movie Breakout: Male - Alex Pettyfer, I Am Number Four / Beastly Before they were Teen Choice Awards nominees, they were just teens Television Choice TV Show: Drama - Gossip Girl Choice TV Actor: Drama - Chace Crawford, Gossip Girl Choice TV Actress: Drama - Blake Lively, Gossip Girl Choice TV Show: Fantasy/Sci-Fi - The Vampire Diaries Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi - Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi - Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries Choice TV Show: Action - NCIS: Los Angeles Choice TV Actor: Action - Shane West, Nikita Choice TV Actress: Action - Linda Hunt, NCIS: Los Angeles Choice TV Show: Comedy - Glee Choice TV Actor: Comedy - Cory Monteith, Glee Choice TV Actress: Comedy - Selena Gomez, Wizards of Waverly Place Choice TV: Animated Show - The Simpsons Choice TV: Personality - Jennifer Lopez, American Idol Choice TV: Reality Competition Show - American Idol Choice TV: Reality Show - Jersey Shore Choice TV: Male Reality/Variety Star - Paul "Pauly D" Del Vecchio, Jersey Shore Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star - The Kardashians, Keeping Up with the Kardashians Choice TV: Villain - Justin Bieber, CSI Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer - Katerina Graham, The Vampire Diaries Choice TV: Male Scene Stealer - Michael Trevino, The Vampire Diaries Choice Summer TV Show - Pretty Little Liars Choice Summer TV Star: Female - Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars Choice Summer TV Star: Male - Ian Harding, Pretty Little Liars Choice TV: Breakout Show - The Voice Choice TV: Breakout Star - Darren Criss, Glee Kaley Cuoco hosted the Teen Choice Awards Music Choice Music: Male Artist - Justin Bieber Choice Music: Female Artist - Taylor Swift Choice Music: Group - Selena Gomez & the Scene Choice Music: R&B/Hip-Hop Artist - Eminem Choice Music: Rock Group - Paramore Choice Music: Rock Track - "Monster," Paramore Choice Music: R&B/Hip-Hop Track - "Run the World (Girls)," Beyoncé Choice Music: Single - "Who Says," Selena Gomez & the Scene Choice Music: Male Country Artist - Keith Urban Choice Music: Female Country Artist - Taylor Swift Choice Music: Country Single - "Mean," Taylor Swift Choice Music: Country Group - Lady Antebellum Choice Music: Love Song - "Love You Like a Love Song," Selena Gomez Choice Break-Up Song - "Back to December," Taylor Swift Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Female - Taylor Swift Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Male - Zac Efron Choice Male Hottie - Justin Bieber Choice Female Hottie - Selena Gomez Choice Summer Song - "Skyscraper," Demi Lovato Choice Summer Music Star: Female - Katy Perry Choice Summer Music Star: Male - Bruno Mars Choice Music: Breakout Artist - Bruno Mars Sports Choice Athlete: Male - Shaun White (Snowboarding/Skateboarding/Surfing) Choice Athlete: Female - Shawn Johnson (Gymnastics) Other Choice Vampire - Robert Pattinson Choice Comedian - Ellen DeGeneres Choice Twit - Justin Bieber Choice Web Star - Rebecca Black

Comcast Calls DirecTV 'A Serial False Advertiser' In Suit Over 'Free' NFL Offer

I don't know whether Comcast has a strong case in its suit yesterday charging that DirecTV is misleading consumers by advertising "free" access to its NFL Sunday Ticket service. But the filing at the U.S. District Court in Chicago shows that the No. 1 cable company sure feels passionately about the matter. "This is a false advertising case against a serial false advertiser," the complaint begins. DirecTV isn't offering the football programming for free, Comcast says:"Only in a maze of dense disclaimers and sub-disclaimers, DIRECTV discloses that the offer (i) applies only to new customers, (ii) requires a two-year commitment, (iii) requires enrollment in a premium level of service, (iv) applies only to 2011, and (v) entails automatic renewal in 2012 at 'special' renewal rates." Comcast wants the court to stop DirecTV's ad campaign: "Given its history of relentless false advertising, DIRECTV likely will attempt to stall until the NFL season is well underway, and consumers have been duly misled, before withdrawing its current campaign. Unless the Court takes immediate action, DIRECTV will be emboldened with the belief that it has the right to lie with impunity and avoid liability for its deceptions." Comcast says the DirecTV ads violate federal laws prohibiting false advertising, Illinois' Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act, the state's Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and common law barring unfair competition. The cable company wants DirecTV to retract the ads -- and pay Comcast "all profits wrongfully derived" as well as triple the cost of damages, and a punitive fine to go to a consumer protection agency or advocacy group.

Eliza Dushku on Her Steamy White Collar Guest Spot: "I Wanted a Mr. & Mrs. Smith Vibe"

Matt Bomer and Eliza Dushku Long before he made fedoras and police anklets stylish on White Collar, Matt Bomer romanced Eliza Dushku on the Fox sci-fi series Tru Calling. But when White Collar creator and executive producer Jeff Eastin came calling for her to guest-star on the USA series, Dushku knew she wanted to channel another, very famous, on-screen couple for their reunion. "I wanted a Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibe," Dushku tells TVGuide.com. "[I said] I'd love to come and be on it, but only if it's something that's really special and only if Raquel and Neal really have a Mr. & Mrs. Smith dance going on. It could be sexual at times, it could be violent and scary at times, but as long as it's intense, and he really responded to that." Eliza Dushku to stir things up on White Collar Judging from the previews for Tuesday's episode, airing at 9/8c on USA, the message was definitely received. Neal will find sparks with Dushku's character, an Egyptologist named Raquel who has connections to his sworn enemy, Matthew Keller (Ross McCall). Thanks to his charm and bad-boy appeal, love interests come and go fairly regularly for the con man turned criminal informant, but Dushku is confident her character's connection is "a little bit deeper" compared to Neal's many other admirers. "What was interesting to me was that she was almost the female version of him," Dushku says. "I just think it's sort of an irresistible sort of connection where they are so much alike and they are both just extremely charged and primed for each other, even if they weren't expecting it." Exclusive: White Collar snags Tom Skerritt, Bailey Chase for Season 3 Behind the scenes, Dushku says the offer to guest-star on White Collar was hard to resist. After receiving Christmas cards from Bomer for years ("I wish I could be that organized," she says with a laugh), Eastin took matters into his own hands in May when he urged White Collar fans to tweet at the actress that they wanted to see her on the show. Dushku's boyfriend bumped into Eastin soon after and she knew the timing was right. On top of being a fan of the show, Dushku said she was excited for her and Bomer to pick up where they left off. "As actors, because we have this past and this friendship, we were really able to turn on that extra layer and level of intimacy and of real connection," she says. "During one scene where we share a little moment in my loft when we're looking around at these various items, there were a couple takes where it got hot. They called cut and Matt would run up and go, 'Did you feel that?!'" Watch full episodes of White Collar Bomer also surprised Dushku off-camera. "I was really impressed by Matt. I knew him when, and now he has this huge hit and he's on every single billboard and taxicab and bus in New York City and the guy is just as humble, if not more so, than he ever has been," she says. "I was a little nervous because I've seen the way that fame can start to turn people into being less than classy. That was not the case with him." Aside from re-uniting with Bomer, Dushku says she enjoys guest-starring roles on series (such as her 2010 appearance on The Big Bang Theory) because they allow to her focus on her other job - producer. Dushku, who runs a production company with her brother, has moved behind the camera since Buffy creator Joss Whedon encouraged her and helped her become a producer on their most recent collaboration, the short-lived series Dollhouse. "These kind of guest-starring roles allow me to do both," she says. Does that mean Dushku may return to White Collar? "We just have to see what kind of arc they have in mind," she says. "It's definitely a pretty exciting stand-alone episode, but the door is open and we'll see what they have in mind."

TCA: NBC Renews Overall Cope With Greg Daniels, Signs Pacts With Gary Sanchez Prods, Sean Hayes & More From Professional Panel

NBC has signed a brand new major two-year overall cope with Work executive producer Greg Daniels, co-creator/professional producer of some other NBC comedy series, Parks and Entertainment. NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt introduced the pact, that will encompass scripted live-action and animated programming in addition to unscripted series, towards the top of NBC's TCA session today. "He is among the founding fathers in our Thursday comedy selection," Greenblatt stated. "We'd an opportunity to interact at Fox when he was starting King from the Hill. The brand new deal would be to develop a myriad of programming, but we should also stress animation, I believe he's going to do excellent achievements.Inch NBC also offers inked a development pact with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Prods., marking the business's first network pact. And former Will & Sophistication star Sean Hayes, who had segued to creating in the last couple of years, has signed a development deal to headline one half-hour series. "Sean is really a friend, and i believe it is time for him to star inside a comedy again," Greenblatt stated. About the development side, NBC is creating a firemen drama from feature authors Michael Brandt and and Derek Haas, created by Dick Wolf and the new development professional Danielle Gelbar. Greenblatt also confirmed the offer for any karaoke bar comedy created through the Voice star Adam Levine. NBC is going to do a vacation variety special with Michael Buble, executive created by former NBC chief Ben Silverman and Saturday Evening Live honcho Lorne Michaels. The network also offers purchased a real possibility pilot, Celebrity Game Evening. In other news from NBC's executive session, Greenblatt stated that Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay come in every episode from the series next season, and "let me make certain that continues beyond this year.Inch Greenblatt also introduced the publish-Super Bowl episode from the Voice on February. 5 assists because the show's second season premiere. The talent show will require over its regular Monday 8-10 PM slot the next evening, resulting in the series premiere of Smash at 10 PM. New comedy Up Through The Night starring Christina Applegate, Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph has been reworked with Rudolph and Applegate's place of work transformed from the PR firm to some talk show. Rudolph will play a "bigger-than-existence" talk show host, and Applegate her producer. When it comes to Work publish-Steve Carell, My anticipation will always be very measured, Greenblatt stated. He stated James Spader as Robert California, the brand new company Boss, includes a energy to convince and manipulate, just like a high-class weirdo Jedi warrior. He's different than Steve, together with his own iconoclastic type of acting style, and the character is extremely unique. Hes an ideal fit for the reason that mix. Greenblatt stated he was "positive" about the way forward for The Golden Globes on NBC, "a minimum of with this coming year." The honours show has become the topic of a bitter suit between your Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. and lengthy-time producer Dick Clark Prods. For his development, Greenblatt stated he he really wants to do "trendy original implies that I really hope attract the crowdInch and "bring a few of the creative vitality" he established at Showtime "to NBC for larger and much more commercial" fare. Comedy is really a priority. "Do much more of them and transplant them from Thursday," Greenblatt stated. "And find out as we may bring the respectability to the multi-camera genre." Greenblatt's overall goal for NBC? "My desire would be to take this venerable institution and lift it support.Inch