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With the July 4th holiday marking the midway point for Hollywood's summer
movie season, let's take stock of some key winners and losers in what has been
another banner two months for the industry.
Winner: Universal Pictures
The studio may have had a costly dud with George Clooney's "Leatherheads" in April, but it's poised to make up for it with
the surprising results of the very low-budget "The Strangers" (a cash cow with $51 million in receipts), the
very good reboot of "The Incredible Hulk" ($115 million to date), and the smashing
opening of "Wanted," which scored $51 million this past weekend. With "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," "Mamma Mia!" and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" coming out
soon, the studio may not have any standout blockbusters this summer but rather a
string of profitable hits.
Winner: Sarah Jessica Parker
Much to her dismay, Parker couldn't get Warner Bros. to take a "Sex and the City" movie seriously. Luckily, she found a
supporting environment at corporate sister studio New Line Cinema. When that
studio was folded into Warner Bros., the parent studio reaped the benefits of a
smart New Line publicity campaign that turned "Sex" into a movie event and a hit
of global proportions. With more than $300 million in box-office receipts
worldwide so far, New Line will be writing a big fat check to Parker and her
co-stars for a sequel.
Winner: Robert Downey Jr.
A few years ago, the former acting wunderkind was toiling away in bill-paying
roles in films such as "The Shaggy Dog." Now, after the blockbuster success of "Iron Man," Downey Jr. has arguably joined Johnny Depp as the most popular quirky superstar
around. With a much hyped performance in this summer's "Tropic Thunder" and a plum dramatic role opposite Jamie Foxx in Joe Wright's "The Soloist" this
November, things looking up for Downey Jr.
Loser: Mike Myers
If you haven't already heard, the very talented Myers has a reputation for
being difficult to work with in Hollywood. As his character in "Love Guru," Guru Pitka, might say: "All that collective energy
bit him on the [expletive]." His new flick, "Guru," was slammed by critics, was
a major financial disappointment and had many questioning whether a return as
Austin Powers would really be a slam dunk with moviegoers.
Winners: DreamWorks and Pixar Animation
DreamWorks Animation launched a new franchise with "Kung Fu Panda" (perhaps its best film since 2004's "Shrek 2"), and Pixar continued its critical and box-office
streak with the beloved "WALL-E." One thing is clear however: That Panda better come up
with some new moves if he wants to steal that animated Oscar statue away from
the little robot that could, because that category is the biggest lock of the
year (and it's only July).
Losers: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" may have
made $300 million at the U.S. box office, but can you remember the last time
your friends were so disappointed by a movie they went to go see even
after they were told it wasn't that good? It's unclear whether either
cinematic giant will take the blame for the movie's goofy script (cough, Lucas,
cough), but neither has apologized for "Attack of the Clones" or "The Terminal."
Losers: The Wachowski Brothers
The duo completely miscalculated its film "Speed Racer," which was too kinetic, too G-rated and too long.
The public was so uninterested that not only did the film bomb in the States,
but it also tanked overseas where Warner Bros. has a history of resuscitating
its domestic failures.
What do you think of this summer's flicks so far? Share your thoughts on our
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