Bust out the confetti and the party hats! After a pretty solid promotion run of cast interviews, behind-the-scenes photos and commercial slots, Steve Harvey’s ‘Think Like A Man’ came in at #1 at the weekend box office. The film did so well that it butted ‘The Hunger Games’ out of the top spot:
“Think Like a Man,” based on Steve Harvey’s dating-advice best-seller, debuted as the top weekend draw with $33 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. That’s almost double what studio executives had expected for the Sony Screen Gems ensemble movie, which features Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson and Gabrielle Union.
“Think Like a Man” was produced for about $13 million and took in nearly that much on opening day Friday alone, with business getting even better on Saturday. Sony executives had figured the movie might pull in about $17 million for the whole weekend. [SOURCE]
After four weekends at the #1 spot, ‘The Hunger Games’ came in at third place with $14.5 million with the romantic drama ‘The Lucky One’ taking slot #2…
OPRAH WINFREY TO STAR IN ‘THE BUTLER’
It’s no surprise that Oprah Winfrey is making her way back into the world of acting. The former talk show host has been confirmed to play a lead role in the upcoming Lee Daniels-directed film, ‘The Butler.’ In a recent interview with USA Today, the ‘Precious’ director shared more about Oprah’s return to the silver screen:
“It’s a true story of a man (Eugene Allen) who served several decades in the White House,” says Daniels. “Forest (Whitaker) plays the butler who serves many presidents and Oprah plays his wife.” Oprah, he adds, “was looking for something and we’re friendly and we were just trying to figure out the right thing.” It will be the first time Oprah takes on an acting role since 1998′s Beloved, which she produced and starred in. [SOURCE]
Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker in one movie sure sounds like a good combo. The cast will also include Jane Fonda (as Nancy Reagan), John Cusack (as Richard Nixon) and Liam Neeson, who will be playing Lyndon B. Johnson. The film is expected to begin filming this summer in New Orleans, Louisiana.
LARENZ TATE TO PLAY TWIN ON BET ORIGINAL MOVIE
Two Larenz Tates in one movie? We’ll take it! The longtime actor will be starring in an upcoming BET original film entitled ‘Gun Hill.’ In the movie, Tate plays twin brothers, Trane (the cop) and Bird (the con):
For the adults who go to the movies mostly on premiere weekends, this original film with beloved leading man Larenz Tate is sure to satisfy their fresh tastes. From the executive producers of New York Undercover, this high-powered cop drama is about identical twins on opposite sides of life: Trane, a cop, and Bird, a con. On one fateful night, Trane is killed. Bird assumes his identity and begins his own search for redemption. Set in the mean streets of New York, this smart, gritty two-hour movie event features an ensemble cast of characters operating on all sides of the law, where no one is quite what they seem. [SOURCE]
‘Gun Hill’ is under the direction of Reggie “Rock” Bythewood, who also directed the 2003 movie, Biker Boyz. The cast includes Michael Aronov, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (“How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Haitian Nights”), Tawny Cypress (“Heroes,” “Rescue Me”) and Aisha Hinds (“True Blood,” “Hawthorne”). No word on when the film will air on BET.
Good job to the Think like a Man cast. Finally a black film that is not a Tyler Perry film is getting some recognition. Did this film do better than the Tlyer flicks? just wondering
Don’t be used, who cares; there is room for many black producers/directors/authors who want it. I think we as a people enjoy good movies about US no matter who they come from. There is no competition; I doubt if Steven Spielberg’s fans blogs that about Michael Bay’s films.
WOW…SMH There is enough for everyone to shine.
Im just saying I’m tired of ppl assuming this was a Tyler Perry film because of the cast. And true there is room for everyone to shine but it just good to see another representation of a black film outside of Tlyer Perry that’s all. We need more diversity in black film and this was a move it the right direction.
You act like TP has been making movies for years… You also act like blacks just started making films. Not to come at you,but I keep reading we need more diversity;when there is something different there is a problem. And also,when this is called an African American film,ppl get upset.. It seems alot of people don’t know what they want,but they like to spin themselves into butter. Do some research on blacks in the film industry, it will be surprised… Don’t believe the hype. There IS something out there for everyone..
The people who “assume” this is a TP production,don’t know or care about the art of film making or black films period! This movie was well promoted,and not once did it give a TP vibe.
Well Tyler has been making movies for years. And has been a influential figure in black film in the last few years. And I am speaking on a mainstream level. Mainstream Black films are far and in between to be honest. And it would be nice if those films were more diverse. By diversity Im not only speaking of genre of film but I speaking of overall topic. I like the fact that this movie could have technically be played by an all white cast making the film more universal. People of all races can relate to the film. That’s the diversity we need. Most of TP films shows black ppl in some type of struggle and i just wanna see a regular movie that happen to have a black cast. Im just waiting for a action movie with a black cast.
I just wanted to say that this movie was FUNNY, all the way through. Also, I am a fan of Tyler Perry and I get emails from his website. He sent out personal emails to ALL of his “followers’ so to speak, a day or two before the movie premiered praising it. Saying that it was really funny and that we all needed to go out and see it and support Steve Harvey. So please, dont bash Tyler. He came a long way and I am happy for anyone that’s successful and supportive, and you should do the same and not pick and choose because one person is considered a ‘vet’.
Support the new Tyler Perry film too. He keeps a lot of people relevant and working and not forcing them to do reality TV. Im just saying. (The trailer played during the previews before TLAM Witness protection or something)
So glad the people came out and showed Sony that we support our own. I enjoyed the movie.
Wanted to see think like a man this weekend, but there was just waaaayyyy too many ppl checking for it. Even at the last show whick was at like 1am. So I saw the lucky one, which was also a great movie. Hoping to see think like a man next weekend.
They did an amazing job promoting this movie, it had so many show tie ins on every lots of networks. I saw sneak peaks all over the place, whoever was behind the Promo did amazing. I didn’t get a chance to get out and see it this weekend, but will be going this weekend coming up. Congrats to Steve and the Cast.
The movie was good, I’m sorry it took me back to the days of good Black comedy-drama films, like Boomerang for example, befor the Tyler Perry came and disgraced the genre with his bafoonery and cooning. The writing was smart and funny, and the marketing campaign was the best that I’ve seen for an ensemble Black film in years. Kevin Hart stole the show, I don’t think it would’ve been as good without him. The cameos were insane. I went to a sold-out showing over the weekend and the crowd was mixed racially, which I admired. I totally agree with jazthatboi.
Why does Tyler Perry name have to pop up?? I swear,some of you are lost and don’t know how to socialize,not one bit. The only reason Tyler Perry name keeps poppin up, is because he is the ONLY black American male that has done what he has done…? Please,do research and stop using TP as a topic of debate.. He isn’t the only black making films;however, he is the first black movie mogul. HA! Russ Parr is way far worse.
Well when people think that every black movie is a Tyler Perry film it becomes topic of discussion. No one is lost. Even tho Tyler is a movie mogul his movies are not well written…It a fact..accept it. I cant really hate because he making money but it is what it is. Im just glad we have a well written comedy under out belts. And what does socializing have to do with anything. So yea
There are SOOOO many other movies made by African Americans that no one goes to see. Red Tails did not do nearly what A TP movie does. Im from Birmingham Alabama and even I didnt want to see that. Nothing personal, it just didnt seem like a good time. We have the right to chose whats interesting to us if we are paying almost $10 to see it. Nothing personal, so if TP or Steve Harvey knows whats going to be appealing, then more power to them. There is a movie that Samuel L Jackson made that I am sure no one wants to see, because its not a comedy, or romantic. (google it) No one wants to sit in the movies theater and see depressing struggling poeple, if we gre up that way, we try to escape those kinds of things. We work hard we want to laugh hard. In retro-spec Spike Lee’s joints mught suck now, but School Daze is the reason In wanted to go to a HBC. It was good at the time. TP movies may not be classic, but thery are whats up right now. ALSO LOL to the first comment!!
SO happy for Think Like a Man. It was a great film!!! Each couple’s story had a complete arc and was dealt with start to finish.
To the poster asking if it did better than Tyler Perry’s films, according to Boxofficemojo’s numbers, It did better than all of his films, with the exception of Madea Goes to Jail opening weekend.
I’m so proud of this movie. Even though I found it very mouthy and formulaic, the cast indeed delievered. Loved all of their performances. Everyones chemistry was on point. I knew this movie was going to sell when I seen white folks in the movie theatre! Congratulations again!
I TRULY LOVED THIS MOVIE!! I went with three other couples, and was pleasantly surprised to how our husbands really like this movie as well. My husband and I will have to go back to see it again because everyone (including us) was laughing so LOUD, you missed somethings!! lol Kevin Hart was very good in this movie, but everyone was too! I am so proud of all of the cast memebers.
I pray we have a large turnout like this come ELECTION TIME!!! Rather your Dem or Rep….its so important for us all to vote!!! Yes, I talked about the elections in my post for everyone that may comment about me turning this into politics…I’m just saying people, not trying to start anything…
I TRULY LOVED THIS MOVIE!! I went with three other couples, and was pleasantly surprised to how our husbands really like this movie as well. My husband and I will have to go back to see it again because everyone (including us) was laughing so LOUD, you missed somethings that was said!! lol Kevin Hart was very good in this movie, but everyone was too! I am so proud of all of the cast members.
I pray we have a large turnout like this come ELECTION TIME!!! Rather your Dem or Rep….its so important for us all to vote!!! Yes, I talked about the elections in my post for everyone that may comment about me turning this into politics…I’m just saying people, not trying to start anything…
I seen it Friday with my girls, and Saturday with my man. Very good movie! Glad to hear it did so well. It was SOLD OUT everywhere here, if you didnt buy your tickets by 5pm you were out of luck!
I loved the movie it was goood
Think Like A Man was a really good movie! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Great cast!
As far as “The Butler” just the director and cast alone are reasons to see the movie. I’m ready to see Oprah on the big screen again. Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan is perfect too!