'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Set To Dominate The Box Office

(RTTNews) - In a weekend with just one wide release, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" is in clear position to put up not only a chart-topping weekend but the top opening of the year so far. Following strong early numbers, "Thor" and "Fast Five" should both see substantial drops in revenue due to strong competition from "Pirates," while R-rated comedy "Bridesmaids" is set up for a very nice second weekend in theaters.

When "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" first hit theaters in 2003, Johnny Depp was a popular actor but nowhere near the top box office draw in the entire world. With the strong success of the first entry, however, Depp was catapulted to the very top of the A-list and an enormous franchise was born. Though "Black Pearl" was a big hit, sequels "Dead Man's Chest" and "At World's End" were considerably bigger; "Dead Man's Chest" and "At World's End" averaged more than $1 billion in worldwide revenue, making the "Pirates" series one of the premier franchises in Hollywood.
Even if director Gore Verbinski, who helmed the first three, dropped out of "On Stranger Tides" to focus on other projects, Disney found a nice replacement in veteran Rob Marshall to take over the series. Though Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom both dropped out of the series as well, it's unlikely that will slow down the series in any way, with Depp still remaining as the top draw.
Disney also made some interesting additions to the cast, including Penelope Cruz and British actor Ian McShane. McShane is mostly known from HBO's critically lauded historical series "Deadwood" and he seems to be a great fit as Blackbeard, one of the most infamous pirates of all time. Adding in a quest for the Fountain of Youth, "On Stranger Tides" looks to have plenty of fantastical action and top-tier special effects to satisfy mainstream audiences, which should lead to an enormous weekend.


The only downside for "On Stranger Tides" is that both "Thor" and "Fast Five" continue to do very well with action audiences, which will take away a small portion of its intended demographic. Even if it doesn't approach the $135 million that "Dead Man's Chest" earned in its opening weekend back in 2006, a weekend intake in the neighborhood of $100 million certainly seems like a possibility. With the international pull of Buena Vista/Disney and the worldwide reputation of Depp, not to mention Geoffrey Rush from "The King's Speech," "On Stranger Tides" should put up very big numbers across the globe over the next couple of weekends.
Though "On Stranger Tides" will definitely affect the revenues of "Thor" and "Fast Five," R-rated comedy "Bridesmaids" should continue to do very well with adult audiences looking to stay out of the "Pirates" hoopla. "Bridesmaids" posted a very nice $26 million opening a week ago and boasts very strong critical and user reviews, which should translate to continued success through the rest of the month. Expect a small revenue decline for "Bridesmaids" this weekend and for it to post a strong 10-day total for a $32 million production released at less than 3,000 venues.
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NEW KEVIN JAMES MOVIE "THE ZOO KEEPER"

(RTTNews) - "Zookeeper," July 8th:

Those looking for some over-the-top family comedy will definitely find it with "Zookeeper," a screwball comedy starring Kevin James and Rosario Dawson. The plot loosely involves a zookeeper who discovers that the animals can actually talk and scheme - a story that sounds strikingly similar to "Night at the Museum."
Though the new trailer looks incredibly silly, there is a lot of money to be made with easy-to-grasp family comedies heavy on the slapstick. Audiences have definitely gravitated toward James in recent years, making him a very good fit for material that doesn't shy away from being completely ridiculous.
Those lending voices for the animals include Adam Sandler, Sly Stallone, Cher, Jon Favreau and Judd Apatow.
Box office outlook:
Material that may seem too absurd and unrealistic to adults can still find a nice home with family audiences, which is what distributor Sony/Columbia is banking on. Even family films that get absolutely shredded by critics, like "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," can post very big box office numbers due to a big built-in audience.
Family audiences are very familiar with Kevin James at this point after "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" and "Zookeeper" carries a PG rating, which should combine for a pretty solid mid-summer box office run.
by RTT Staff Writer

Yawn-Inducing Fourth "Pirates" Entry Is More Of The Same

Yawn-Inducing Fourth "Pirates" Entry Is More Of The Same

5/20/2011 3:03 PM ET 

Even though the makers of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" fixed a few things from the last couple of entries, the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" is yet another loud, supercharged CGI extravaganza that mainly tries to hit all the same notes of the original. Johnny Depp is still occasionally funny as Captain Jack Sparrow, but it's also a character that doesn't have enough depth for 10 hours of film, which is the grand total for the "Pirates" franchise now. 

NIGHT RANGER!

VIDEO FOR FIRST SINGLE AND TRACK LISTING REVEALED; SUMMER TOUR SUPPORTING JOURNEY AND FOREIGNER WITH DATES IN EUROPE AND US


Night Ranger's brand new album SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA has just been confirmed for release on June 17 in Europe and June 21 in North America onFrontiers Records.
The offering is the culmination of the band's work to date and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Night Ranger. SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA finds Night Ranger returning to their classic sound with updated production. 
Frontman/bassist Jack Blades commented, "Night Ranger is back with a vengeance! We are so proud of our new album…classic NR in every sense...can't wait to see all the fans on tour this summer. Rock n' roll!"
The first single, "Growin' Up In California," will soon impact at radio. 
Night Ranger will hit the road this summer on a massive tour in Europe and USA as special guests supporting Journey and Foreigner. Please see below for confirmed tour dates.

Night Ranger's legendary hits "Sister Christian," "(You Can Still) Rock in America," and "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" are songs 
that have each significantly impacted popular culture and expanded their ever-growing fanbase since the band's inception thirty years ago. 
Night Ranger's contributions are featured in multiple entertainment realms, including the hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages and the wildly successful videogame series "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero". 
The band has also been recognized in such significant films and television shows as Boogie Nights and "American Dad" to name a few. 
To date, Night Ranger has sold 17 million units worldwide and boasts several platinum- and gold-certified albums. 
Night Ranger is Jack Blades (bass & lead vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums & lead vocals), Brad Gillis (guitar & backing vocals), Joel Hoekstra (guitar & backing vocals) and Eric Levy (keyboards).

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Night Ranger SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA track listing: Growin' Up In California, Lay It On Me, Bye Bye Baby (Not Tonight), Follow Your Heart, Time Of Our Lives, No Time To Lose Ya, Live For Today,
It's Not Over, End Of The Day, Rock N' Roll Tonite, Say It With Love. Bonus Tracks: Coming of Age (featuring Ted Nugent) – Bonus track for AmazonMP3 / Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – Bonus track for iTunes.

Within the above EPK you can hear samples of Bye Bye Baby, Lay It On Me and End Of The Day.
I'm pleased to expand that even a little further with two more exclusive MP3 previews for the killer tracks: Time Of Our Lives and Say It With Love. Download and enjoy!

I spent some time on the phoen with Jack Blades this week and he is out of the box excited to get this album out and get back on the road for the Amercian and European tours. 
He says the band is especially looking forward to getting to Japan. "It is our honor and indeed, our duty to play Japan." says Jack. 
"The Japanese fans have been so good to us over the years and they have been through such turmoil this year. We just want to get over there and put smiles on peoples faces and play for them."
The band gets together this week to start rehersals of the enw songs to add to the set list and Jack promises to check in from the road with regular updates, which will be posted right here.

Jack expressed his excitement to finally hit Europe again after all these years, but says there is one special show that fans can anticipate and that the band can't wait for - 
the headlining UK show at the Islington O2 Academy on Thursday, June 23.
Tickers are already on sale and include a number of different packages, including the chance to meet the band.
"This is going to be a special show for our UK fans." states Jack. "It is is going to be a show where we can stretch out and play all the Night Ranger songs you want to hear. This will be a full headline show with all the hits and new songs too."

In fact, Jack Blades invites fans going to the UK show to make suggestions for their set list. 
Comment online or e-mail me with. So get thinking right now and I'll make sure Jack sees all suggestions!

Night Ranger on tour supporting Journey and Foreigner:

JUNE
17 Hannover, GER Parkbuehne
18 Esslingen (Stuttgart), GER Richard-Hirschmann Eisstadion
19 Winterthur,SWI Eishalle Deutweg
21 Milan, ITL Fiera Arena
22 Augsburg (Nuremburg, GER) Schwabenhalle
23 London, UK o2 Academy Islington (headlining show)
25 St. Goarshausen, GER Loreley Freilchtbuhne 

JULY
21 Salt Lake City, UT Rio Tinto Stadium
23 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
24 Phoenix, AZ Desert Sky Pavilion
27 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
30 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
31 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre

AUGUST
2 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
3 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
5 Columbus, OH Crew Stadium/Ohio State Fair
6 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
10 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
13 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
16 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre
17 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
19 Virginia Beach, VA Virginia Beach Amphitheater
20 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion At Walnut Creek
21 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
24 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
27 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion
30 Syracuse, NY New York State Fair
31 Allentown, PA The Great Allentown Fair

SEPTEMBER
2 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
10 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
16 Atlanta, GA Aaron's Ampitheatre At Lakewood
17 Tampa, FL             1-800-Ask Gary       Amphitheatre
18 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
24 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
25 The Woodlands, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
28 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre

OCTOBER
1 Englewood, CO Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
7 Chula Vista, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
14 Wheatland, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
15 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
19 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena
21 Seattle, WA KeyArena

For more information please visit: ww.nightranger.com / www.frontiers.it.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Illegitimate Child

(RTTNews) - Arnold Schwarzenegger admittedly had a child out of wedlock. California's ex-Governor, who recently split with his wife, Maria Shriver, after 25 years of marriage, had sexual relations with a member of the couple's household staff.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Shriver moved out of their Brentwood mansion after Schwarzenegger confessed his fatherhood of the bastard.
The "Terminator" issued a statement to the aforementioned paper: "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago. I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."
He added that he had provided for the child financially.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com

Charlie Sheen Borrowed $10 Million From Warner Bros. Before Getting The Axe

Charlie Sheen Borrowed $10 Million From Warner Bros. Before Getting The Axe

5/17/2011 12:22 PM ET 

In his final season on "Two and a Half Men," Charlie Sheen borrowed $10 million from Warner Bros. TMZ obtained the details of his season 7 contract, which detailed the deal. The actor was advanced the cash in May of 2010; in return, he had to pay it back over the course of the next 13 episodes. In order to pay it back he had three-quarters of a million dollars subtracted from each $1.25 million paycheck. 

Steven Tyler debuts on The New York Times Best Seller list

New author Steven Tyler has reason to celebrate.

Tyler’s new autobiography, “Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?”debuts at #2 on the New York Times Best Seller list.

The Aerosmith singer’s book enters the "Hardcover Nonfiction" list just behind “Bossypants” by Tina Fey.

Tyler spent the last few years working on his book, which traces his youth in the Bronx, his early music career and influences, his legendary partnership withJoe Perry, the meteoric rise, fall, and rise of Aerosmith over the last three decades, their music, his epic romantic life, his relationship with his four children, including actress Liv Tyler and actress and author Mia Tyler, life on the road and in the spotlight, the economics of the rock star business - and all the sex, drugs, and rock and roll a reader could ask for. 

"This is not just my take,” says Tyler, “This is the unbridled truth, the in-your-face, up-close and prodigious tale of Steven Tyler straight from the horse's lips." 

HarperCollins reportedly paid more than $2 million for the rights to publish Steven's story. 

There was another Tyler debut recently, as the rocker premiered the video for his new solo single, “(It) Feels So Good,” Thursday night on American Idol’s Top 4 results show.

 Steven Tyler 

Steven Tyler – (It) Feels So Good (2011)

Foo Fighters Plan Fall Tour

Bryan Wawzenek

|

05.17.2011

To support their new #1 album, Wasting Light, Foo Fighters will be hitting the road in September for a run of U.S. dates. Dave Grohl and Co. have announced nine September concerts that will take them from St. Paul, Minnesota, to East Rutherford, New Jersey, according toFooFighters.com.
But it’s not like the Foos will be twiddling their thumbs until then. They begin another short American tour tonight in Tulsa, Oklahoma, head to Europe in June, play Lollapalooza in Chicago in August and then return to Europe after that.
According to Spin.com, fans should expect to hear a mix of Foo classics like “Everlong” and “Learn to Fly” alongside new songs from Wasting Light.
Foo Fighters fall tour dates:
Sept. 14 - St. Paul, MN (Xcel Center)
Sept. 16 - Kansas City, MO (Sprint Center)
Sept. 17 - St. Louis, MO (Scottrade Center)
Sept. 19 - Detroit, MI (Palace of Auburn Hills)
Sept. 20 - Cleveland, OH (Quicken Loans Arena)
Sept. 22 - Columbus OH (Nationwide Arena)
Sept. 23 - Pittsburgh, PA (Consol Energy Center)
Sept. 25 - Buffalo, NY (HSBC Center)
Sept. 26 - East Rutherford, NJ (Izod Center)