Weekend Wrap-Up

 

Welcome once again to the Two Minute Drill. I've gone to a sporadic update schedule here as of late. I apologize for that. Dial up issues and time issues. I'm trying to update everyday and if that doesnt work then at least 4 days a week. We'll see how it goes from here on out.

Over the weekend, the Walt Disney Company named Robert Iger the new CEO of the company. He will take over Disney September 30, the day Michael Eisner steps down. For many Disney fans concerned about the state of the company, this is a huge disappointment. Iger is seen as a Eisner clone. Someone who is worried more about the bottom line than the quality of what they are putting out. It was hoped that the Disney Board of Directors would bring in an outside person. Someone who could re-energize the company creatively and financially. The creativity at Disney has really gone downhill in the last few years, as making money became the most important issue. Even if it meant sacrificing quality for a cheaper product. One of the biggest proofs of that mentality sits next to Disneyland in Anahiem. I'm talking of course about Disney's California Adventure. This park was supposed to be the center piece of a multi-billion dollar resort project. Something that the Imagineers (Disney's creative team) were going to go all out for. Instead, after the budget was slashed and slashed and slashed some more, it turned into the joke park it is now. As someone so politely put it a "Half Park for Full Price." Already Disney's two most vocal critics Stanley Gold and Roy E. Disney (Nephew of Walt Disney) are blasting the board for making this choice. These two men are the reason why Eisner is stepping down in the first place. They successfully launched a shareholder revolt last year and kept the pressure on Disney to make changes at the top. It will be intersting to see what strategy they come up with to try to get the shareholders to have Iger removed before he takes power. If you want more info on that, I suggest you visit www.savedisney.com. I of course will be keeping an eye on things and updating here if any other news breaks.

The Pope returned home Sunday after spending several weeks in the hospital as he recovered from throat surgery. The Pope waved from his Vatican window and spoke breifly during his weekly Prayer Service. Although he sounded a bit hoarse, he was upbeat and seemed in better spirits. He is still not fully recovered, but he is well enough where doctors felt he could go home.

The child accusing Michael Jackson of child molestation will continue his testimony on Monday. Trial followers are split on how damaging his testimony could be. The defense has done a great job of discrediting the boys sister and younger brother. If Jackson's defense team can punch holes in the boys story as well, then it will go a long way towards saving Jackson from jail. If he does get off though, I HOPE that the people around him will finally put in end to all this. In other words, can someone PLEASE get it into his head that its NOT ok for him to hang out with all these little boys!! Even if it is innocent fun, its not ok. Especially not for someone who has had a history of child molestation charges brought against him. You know the saddest part? I believe he is so unstable, that he might just try to kill himself if he is found guilty. Because unless he is in some special jail, he wont last long there. Michael Jackson in prison just doesnt seem like a safe thing. Thats just me though...

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE REPORT:

Ewan McGregor as the voice of Rodney in "Robots"

 

1) Robots, $36.5 mil: This would mark FOX's second straight #1 opening for their animation department. A dept that was almost terminated until "Ice Age" saved it a few years ago. The same team that made that great film, were behind this one as well. FOX is quickly becoming a player in the CGI Animation genre. More competiton equals better films for us to enjoy.

2) The Pacifier, $18 mil: Last weeks champ drops to number 2. Vin Diesel may have found his first real hit since "The Fast and The Furious". As I said last week, this films box office total will help him re-establish himself as a box office draw.

3) Be Cool, $10.3 mil: Dropped a notch from last week as well. Havent really heard any reviews about this film. 10.3 million isnt bad for a second week, but I'm sure MGM was hoping it would be doing better.

4) Hostage, $9.8 mil: Bruce Willis' action flick didnt open very well. He's also got "Sin City" coming in a few weeks. The advance buzz on that film has been pretty positive. Not so positive have been the rumors about him and Lindsay Lohan supposedly hooking up at a party a few weeks ago. I'm not gonna get into that here though.

5) Hitch, $8.7 mil: Almost 150 million later and this movie is still going strong. Is was also the number 1 movie overseas this past week. I suspect though, that this will be the last week its in the top 5. I could be wrong though. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Well, that will do it for this edition. Hope you all have a great week and I'll see you next time. Til then....

DQ