We thought we would let you know the figures from the Eclipse US midnight screening’s launch.  The following info is courtesy of Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo:

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse ripped into the record books with its midnight launch, grossing over $30 million at more than 4,000 theaters. That surpassed The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s previous benchmark of $26.3 million. Included in Eclipse’s sum was a new IMAX midnight milestone of over $1 million at 192 venues, topping Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’s $959,000.

No real suprise as we knew the film’s opening US midnight numbers would be high, but $30 million is still pretty damn impressive.  I know some of us here are yet to see the film, so I won’t say too much until we have all seen for ourselves.  All I will say is,  Rob was absolutely brilliant as Edward once again (as we of course knew he would be).  Just completely stole the entire show with his scenes & outshone everyone by far, as he always does.  I am going again tomorrow for a second time, so cannot wait to see him again.  I have to admit, I can never take any of Rob’s movies in completely the first time, as I am always too memserised by him & his brilliant performance.   You all know what I mean.  Feel free to leave your thoughts in this post but just be mindful of those who haven’t yet seen. I know you all will be.  Oh & am very pleased to say - no real screamers at my screening wooo hoo!   If you wish to read the article in full, just click on the highlighted link above.

You all know that we are passionate about the fact that we believe Rob will one day be at least nominated (well I believe “win”) an Oscar and so I had to post this great article written by Jeremy Helligar of True/Slant on his opinion of who out of Twilight will be destined for an oscar.  Of course I’ve only posted the Rob section, but if you want to read the full article you can click on the highlighted link.  You can’t say I’m biased, but I pretty much agree with everything Jeremy has said (and I think most of you know that already).  Thanks to our elite affie Spunk Ransom for the tip:

“What about Robert Pattinson? My money’s on this one. And not just because he recently confirmed that I’m not the only one who’s counting down the years to the end of the blockbuster Twilight franchise.

It can get a little boring,” Robert Pattinson told the New York Times. “The good news is that the whole thing is done in seven months.”

Unfortunately for Pattinson, that’s only when filming on Breaking Dawn, the fourth and fifth installments of the vampire saga will be completed, but with the fifth and final film not due until the summer of 2012, Twilight will continue to be the bane of Pattinson’s existence for years to come.

On the bright side, by the time part two of Breaking Dawn comes around, Pattinson could be well known for something else entirely. For all three of his upcoming non-Twilight projects, he’s forsaking the Hollywood genre pics in which the studios are no doubt dying to cast him in favor of artier, more prestigious fare. His success will depend less on producing big box-office returns than turning in well-received performances.

I’ve written before about how there’s more to Pattinson than Edward Cullen. In fact, if anything, Twilight is a departure from what seems to make Pattinson tick as an actor. The two highest profile non-Twilight films in which he has had a leading role, this year’s Remember Me and 2008 Little Ashes, were not major successes, but these performances must have convinced casting directors to allow him to step out of the corner that Twilight easily could have boxed him into.

For now, he’s a sort of twentysomething male Nicole Kidman, balancing big mainstream films (the Twilights) with smart, artier fare. But judging from Pattinson’s three upcoming non Edward Cullen roles, once Twilight is over, he’s more likely to go the Kate Winslet post-Titanic route, taking risky acting assignments in mostly period pieces. Who needs to play Kurt Cobain when you’ve got projects like these lined up?

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Well we all know that Remember Me was released on DVD in the US yesterday (oh how excited was I when I got the Amazon notification that it had been dispatched “SQUEEEEEE*), but I figured I needed to give Emma from Fanbolt some kudos because she actually did watch and understand this film.  This review is exactly what should have been said when the move was released - okay it was said by a few, but most I’m pretty sure just never got it - especially when they compared it to that dribble of a movie starring Rob’s co-presenter at the Oscars last year.  Plus any excuse to post another pic of Rob - right.  Just click on the hyperlink to read the review.  And Rob - you have every reason to smile!

I just had to watch this again, and again, and again …   Thanks to MTV Australia for this vid - just click on the photo to watch.

Some of you will remember the post we did earlier in February this year about Bluewater Productions clever idea of tracing Rob’s career through a 32 page comic book.  Well MTV has yet another exclusive look at this comic book which, by the way, will be released on 26 May 2010:

“Back in February, we told you about that “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson would receive his own comic book biography, following on the heels of such notable pop-culture celebrities as Lady GaGa, “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, Michael Jackson, and even his “Twilight” co-star, Kristen Stewart.

Hitting shelves at the end of May, “Fame: Robert Pattinson” is the latest in Bluewater Productions’ popular line of bio-comics. The 32-page comic promises to “trace Pattinson’s career from his first performance in Tess of the D’Urbervilles at London’s Barnes Theatre to his star turn in the Twilight movies,” and features a script by Kim Sherman and interior art by Nathaniel Ooten.

Bluewater has provided Splash Page readers with an exclusive, six-page preview of the “Fame: Robert Pattinson” comic, as well as your first look at a brand new cover for the issue.”

I’m not sure if the Comic Book stores in Australia will have this, so you might want to call, but failing that - it’s available for preorder at Amazon by clicking here.

Previously proposed cover - I prefer the new one

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Sorry everyone I’ve been promising to do my box office round up for about a week now but haven’t had a chance to do my research.  However, The Improper has done one for me - although I want to double check the figures since sometimes they are a little out of date (I know I’m a little anal like that).  So until I do, this is what they are saying:

 ”“Remember Me,” about a troubled youth attempting to deal with tragedy, is slowly working its way around the world, opening in such far flung country as Argentina and Australia.  [WTF far flung??? Ugh I better do my research soon with comments like this]

So far, the film has grossed $45.7 million at the box office, which obviously isn’t anything close to 3-D blockbuster “Avatar’s” billion dollar plus take. But “Remember Me” only cost $16 million to bring to the big screen.

Experts predict the film could do as much as $60 million worldwide, when all is said and done. In relative terms, that makes it a box office success, especially for a film that received lackluster reviews, mainly for the plot.

In its worldwide trek, the film opened in Argentina, France and other European countries this past weekend, and was a hit in Paris. It came in at No. 6 in the City of Light, which is not bad for an American film.

The drama’s international weekend take was $4.7 million at 2,302 screens in 36 territories, bringing its international box office to $27 million.

The film made back its money before even going overseas. So far it has grossed $18.7 million in North America, bringing the total to $45.7 million.

The film’s top foreign markets before last weekend’s openings were surprisingly Russia ($3.15m), Italy, ($2.35m), Germanyn ($1.9m), Brazil, ($1.71) the UK/Ireland ($1.5m) and Australia ($1.21m).

Going foward, the film will open in several other countries, from Chile in South America to Turkey.

And it has yet to open in several top Asian markets, such as China, Japan, and South Korea.”

Ah Rob I love how you are the quiet achiever.  If you want to read full article, please click on link above.  Oh and The Improper - considering we are “far flung” we seem to have scraped into “top foreign markets”.  I know I get a little sensitive with things like that!

I saw on boxofficemojo today that Remember Me opened in Russia with USD1.8 million (290 screens).  As of Monday, after 2 weeks, we finally cracked AUD1,000,163 (USD916,941 at today’s conversion / 174 screens) according to Urban Cinefile.   I understand that Russia has a population of 144.8 million compared to our 22.1 million - well Moscow alone has a population of 10 million. but it’s still slightly embarassing right?  Yes, well sorry I didn’t mean this to turn out to be a geography lesson, but I think my point is  - are there really only that many of us out there that want to see Rob?  I’m a little perplexed.  I mean I know Twihards spent $16 million on opening weekend for New Moon in Australia (Urban Cinefile archive) - could they really not handle seeing Rob as someone other than Edward?  Well then to all the people who ask us time and time again “when is Rob coming” ”please get Rob to come for an Eclipse premiere”, “can you please do a petition for Rob to come to Australia” and the classic I love “make Rob come to Australia” (yep sure because I have so much control over him) - I think you now have your answers as to why maybe we haven’t seen him here - just saying.  Oh and Vertigo you are right - at least we won’t get trampled if and when he ever ventures downunder.  Seriously if you haven’t seen Remember Me and have reservations about seeing Rob in another role - do yourselves an enormous favour and go see him in his best performance to date because believe me - Edward is on the road to retirement and there is so much more to Rob than that role.

Note:  Okay I’m just going to add that is it a conspiracy by cinemas in Australia to not see this film succeed?  What the hell is the 10 am sessions only or the 3.00 pm sessions and no evening sessions in most cinemas?  Really who do you think this movie is catered too?  Ugh am so freakin disappointed it’s not funny.

I’m loving that Little Ashes is having more screenings across Australia.  Paul Brennan let me know of  a great review by Andrew L Urban of Urban Cinefile

“An intriguing film about an intriguing subject, Little Ashes is filled with marvellous cinematic images and a complex mood of socio-political revolution, artistic longing and considerable tenderness. It’s as complex as its subject matter, the artist Salvador Dali (Robert Pattinson) as a young man, an emerging artist forged - like his friends the writer Federico Lorca (Javier Beltran) and Luis Bunuel (Matthew McNulty) - in the fire of rebellion against the oppressive and rigid social, religious and political climate of Spain at the time.

Language aside, Little Ashes is a snapshot of an insight into the life of one of the most complex artists in history and it intensifies rather than satisfies our curiosity about him. It is, however, revelatory about Dali’s relationship with Lorca.”

If you haven’t seen this film, please go along to one of the screenings because I totally agree with Andrew about Rob’s performance as Dali “he does it well and with absolute commitment” - that is 100% evident.  I understand that it’s being shown in Brisbane from 1 April 2010 not 25 March as I previously said.  Oh and Michelle I’m just waiting for confirmation that it’s definitely also being shown at The State, Hobart from that date too.  For those interested in current screening times - there’s a widget on the side bar or you can go here.

I thought I’d let you know how Remember Me seems to be doing in the box office.  I saw it again yesterday and although there were only 15 people in the cinema - it was a 2.40 pm session - it appeared to me  the majority of them were not familiar with Rob (yes that’s my third screening and I’m still to encounter any screaming twifans *bliss*).  Overall it seemed to me that they were all impressed with this film.  What makes me say that?  Well I was the first one to leave the cinema as they all sat there - I think a little in awe while the credits rolled.  Anyway enough of me rambling.

Here’s the box office figures after it’s first week of release (this weekend’s figures aren’t included since the cinema week usually goes from Weds/Tues of each week).

Australia (to 17 Mar):  AUD720,150 according to Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia;

US (to 18 Mar):   USD10,666,428 according to Variety

Worldwide:  USD12,266,428 according to IMDbPro. 

Remember “Worldwide”only relates to Australia, US, Belgium, Greece, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Canada, Philippines, Romania and Sweden.

This week it was released in Czech Republic, Portugal, Singapore, Bulgaria, Poland, South Africa and Spain, so their boxoffice figures won’t be included.

It’s yet to be released in Germany. Switzerland, Austria  (25 March), Italy, Estonia and Mexico (26 March), Spain (31 March),  The Netherlands (1 April), Finland, Lithuania and the UK (2 April), France (7 April), Argentina (8 April), Norway (9 April), Slovenia (15 April), Chile (22 April)  and Turkey (30 April). 

Let’s see what happens when it actually is released “worldwide”.  I know people were expecting it to have a bigger impact, but I don’t think it’s doing too bad.  I mean it’s pretty close to covering it’s production costs (USD16 million) so I’d be surprised if it doesn’t cover that this week or come close to it. I really do think this film will benefit from word of mouth and what Rob really needs is for non-Rob fans to learn and appreciate how good he is and not just all of us watching it over and over again (not that I’m telling you not too!)

PS.  Thanks Denalbcn for the update re Spain release date!

Rob that’s exactly how I feel when I read crap reviews about Remember me - they just don’t get it.  That was until I read Monika Bartyzel from Cinematic article and review of Remember Me.  Monika totally gets it where so many others haven’t.  This is one of the best articles I’ve personally read to date.   WARNING:  If you haven’t seen the movie then DON’T read beyond here since ”spoilerish” is an understatement.  Monika I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with a reviewer more.  This film is brilliant and to those who don’t or refuse to see it for what it is - it’s definitely your loss.

“Welcome to the Post-Movie Coffee. Much like a discuss post, this occasional series will tackle thoughts our Cinematical writers are mulling over about recent releases. You know — those plot points and discussion topics you want to dig into with a coffee after a screening.

The idea for this series has been swimming around in my head for a while, but it never insisted on hitting the written page until now. Last week, Robert Pattinson’s Remember Me hit the screen. Before its release, public concern focused on how Pattinson would deal with a mainstream starring role that didn’t have him grimacing every time the tasty-smelling Bella Swan walked by. Once people saw the film and its controversial ending, however, the dialogue flipped. In what has to be one of the lowest scores for a decent movie, the film has suffered a 26% Fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, with critiques flinging words like ridiculous, manipulative, overwrought, shamelessly exploitative, insignificant, trivializing, vile, cheap, and unforgivable.

And for the first time in a very long time, I completely disagree with popular critical opinion.

(Seeing that this is a discussion of the film and its ending, here is your obvious SPOILER WARNING.)”

To read the rest of the article and post your comment if you so choose, please click here.