"Real Steel" Edges "Footloose" at Box Office

The robots won over the dancers this weekend, but just barely.  Hugh Jackman and his fighting robot in “Real Steel” took the box office by storm this weekend, grossing $16.3 million and edging out “Footloose,” which grossed $16.1 million.  Not a huge weekend at the box office, but still a good showing by Craig Brewer's remake of the 80's cult classic.  "The Thing" finished a distant third.

Here’s how the rest of the weekend’s top movies did:
1. “Real Steel,” $16.3 million
2. “Footloose,” $16.1 million
3. “The Thing,” $8.7 million
4. “The Ides of March,” $7.5 million
5. “Dolphin Tale,” $6.3 million

Julianne Hough Returns to Dancing With the Stars

One of the most popular pros in the history of Dancing With the Stars returns tonight, although it will be for just one show.

Julianne Hough returns to ballroom to promote her new movie, Footloose.  I've seen the movie already and it's good and she's good in it.

Here's a clip from Julianne when she was partners with Apolo Anton Ohno.

Dancing With the Stars: "Movie Theme Week" Hits the Ballroom

This promises to be a great week on Dancing With the Stars.  We are at the point in the competition where the contenders usually start separating themselves from the pack.

The couples will be dancing to movie themes this week, so there are a lot of songs to choose from and song selection is very important.  But ultimately it's about the dancing, so we'll see who keeps improving this week.

The show started this week with a routine choreographed and performed by the troupe and pros.  After a medley of songs, we get the competition rolling.

First up are Chynna and Tony.  They dance to the theme from Mission Impossible.  It's a tango and Tony entered from the ceiling.  A little different and an ok effort.  A few missteps and problems during the routine.  Chynna gets a 21, and might be in jeopardy tomorrow.

On to David Arquette and Kym Johnson.  David showed improvement last week and he hope it carries over to this week.  They get a paso doble to the theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark.  David tried hard to hold his nerves in place to finish the dance.  He did and turned in a good performance.  Len was a bit rough on David, but the other judges defended him.  David gets a 23.

Moving along to the always unpredictable duo of Carson and Anna.  They dance to a "Pirates" song.  A nice waltz complete with props and sword fighting.  I don't know if this routine was really good, or really bad.  Bruno said it's an idea for Pirates V: Revenge of the Gay Blade.   They get a 20, and the hook from Len.

Nancy Grace up next dancing to a song from Flash Gordon.  Tristan wants Nancy to work even harder and harder this week.  Nancy feels aggression will help her in the paso.  Lots of pyro and flash to this dance, but the technique and expression were lacking.  Nancy gets a 21.

Hope and Maks up next.  They dance to a song from Toy Story.  Max is a tough teacher and he was rough on Hope this week, will it pay off?  A nice, cute dance.  Jessie and Woody back together again.  The judges all have high expectations for Hope.  She gets a 24.  Top score of the night so far. 

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl up next with a Superman themed dance.  He's been working harder and Cheryl says it is paying off.  A good paso, and good comments from the judges.  Rob gets a 24.

A tango is up next with Ricki Lake and Derek Hough.  They are going psycho, as in the theme to Psycho.  This was a tough dance for Ricki and Derek.  Lots of moves and tough music to dance to.  They went all out and told the story of the dance and the crowd loved it.  The judges loved it as well and Ricki vaults to the top of the leaderboard with a 29.

Here we go again with Chaz and Lacey.  They will dance to Rocky.  Chaz keeps advancing even though his body is giving out.  It was a little strange, but i guess it had to be.  Cher loved it, the judges had some good things to say, and they got a 21.

J.R. Martinez and Karina finish off the night.  He gives performances that are emotional and passionate.  They dance to the theme to The Pink Panther.  They worked hard again this week in seach of dancing perfection.  Carrie Ann thought it was ok, Len liked it, and Bruno liked the humor in the dance. They get a 26.

Tomorrow night, Susan Boyle, Julianne Hough and Footloose.

Craig Brewer About to Have a Hit With 'Footloose'

I know what you are thinking, a Footloose remake can't be good. 

Well, think again, director Craig Brewer not only lived up to the high standards set by the 1984 original, he's surpassed it.

I was able to see a premiere tonight of the film which is due out in theatres Oct 14.  Even though there is a talented cast featuring Julianne Hough, Andie McDowell, Dennis Quaid and newcomer Kenny Wormald, the real stars of the movie are the story and of course, the dancing.

I'll post a review and a recap of the evening here in Atlanta that featured a Q&A period with Brewer, Hough and Wormald inside the theatre.

Interesting stuff and the stars and Brewer couldn't have been nicer or more accessible.

Craig Brewer, Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald field questions from the audience

'Footloose' Continues Filming in Acworth

The weather has cooperated as the filming of Paramount remake of Footloose continues in Acworth, GA.

Nighttime shooting began on Wednesday night around Downtown Acworth.  The crews do a pretty good job of keeping to themselves.  If you didn't drive by the staging areas, or the lot where the crew and extras are parking you might not even know a big budget Hollywood production is being shot in a small confined area in an old railroad town.

There are some small yellow sigs set up around the area with arrows directing the necessary vehicles where to go.

As pictured above, yellow arrow signs with a "FL" on it are used to direct people to the movie set.  Pretty clever, as most people wouldn't even think twice about seeing a sign like this.

An old car dealership is being used for overflow parking for extras and crew with their own cars.  This lot is only used for special event parking in Acworth, and anytime it is used locals know something is going on.  Also signs with red arrows saying "crew" and "extras" parking are the tip off.

I guess filming will continue through out this week and then they move on to another locale in Georgia.