Nikki Finke is reporting that Michael Jackson flick THIS IS IT is failing to get the insurmountable numbers promised by studios before it was released. The hype in pre-theaters claimed that THIS IS IT would gather up to $250 mil in just 5 days--making it one of the biggest openings on record..

The truth: The film's money intake is much lower than earlier suggestions. As a matter of fact, the film may not even make it above $40 mil in domestic sales this weekend!

The movie is scoring impressive reviews, and people that are going to see to see it genuinely like it. The Horror Report and company went to see it Friday night in an Imax theater.. the movie was impressive, especially the new reprised Thriller setup.. The movie also put a new light on Michael Jackson: He was heavily involved with the pre-production, and sometimes his perfectionism appeared to annoy those who didn't care as much as him.. Although Joe Jackson recently claimed body doubles were used in the film, there didn't appear to be a mistaken identity when watching Jackson on the screen..

However, the release didn't generate the buzz that Sony may have hoped for.

First night's opening brought in a dismal $7.5 mil for THIS IS IT in over 3400 theaters.. The final projection being talked about by FINKE this weekend is for Jackson's THIS IS IT to win a 5 and a half day $31.5 million--making studio executives promising the world red-faced in horror.

The other continuing story, one well-reported by the Horror Report in recent weeks, is the surge of popularity of inventive film PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. The movie continues to gain new audiences with every passing week--this week PARANORMAL ACTIVITY expanded again and now is playing in 2,404 theaters nationwide, far exceeding those 12 lonely college towns that it originally saw the movie.

Deadline Hollywood reporting that PARANORMAL ACTIVITY may see a strong $16 mil weekend.

The best story of the week is the continuing collapse of needless gorefest SAW VI: it's only having a few million in sales this weekend and may end on Sunday with a pitiful $5 mil--goodbye to those old days of chart-topping SAW Halloweens..

Developing..

People are upset about Chris Farley appearing in commercials for DirecTV. I am, too..

David Spade's typical character is present in the ad--cocky and sarcastic. The makers of the spot make Spade look like Chris Farley's character from TOMMY BOY is still alive, dancing in front of the camera for DirecTV as though his tragic ending never occurred..

But alas, it did. And now, David Spade is simply talking to a green screen, computer manipulated for our viewing pleasure. Or in my case, displeasure.

Chris Farley was a comedic genius--some may argue he wasn't, but his roles and characters charmed viewers along with making them laugh. Often he was the butt of jokes for the sole purpose of making someone else's left happier.. And now, he's the butt of a joke to make a company get more profit. It's senseless to think that DirecTV would not have expected an outcry of anger from people that think the ad is just plain uncomfortable and tacky if not downright awful and shameful.

Chris Farley may not have chosen to be a post-grave spokesman for the satellite TV company. He had no choice, though, since somehow the rights for the movie and his hence his soul were sold off and permitted to be used.

But didn't David Spade think, "Maybe this isn't the best idea?" Didn't someone speak out and say, "Chris Farley is dead, let's not use him?" No, apparently not.

Instead, the company chose to move forward with the Farley ad as though the oversized comedian is endorsing the company from beyond the grave--that or DirecTV is mocking him in his post-mortem state. Either option has no virtue for the company.. either way, it's shameful to continue the advertisement.

Profit drives industry. But objective morality would prove useful to a company such as DirecTV. If they feel those morals are pointless, they will suffer the consequences of public outrage and anger. And for this Chris Farley ad, they deserve all the criticism that they get.

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Every now and then a horror film comes along to redefine an age. In a time when slasher flicks brutalize women and create senseless stories of violence with reason, true horror and real scares get lost in the abyss of movie history.. The BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, though the Horror Report would say one of the most mediocre films in years, earned rave reviews simply because it was different. The same summer a decade ago had another film rock the box with unexpected returns: The SIXTH SENSE. Again, Mr. Shyamalan is highly criticized for current releases, but the Bruce Willis surprise ender stirred enough to give the film sleeper status.

For weeks, the Horror Report, along with other websites, have reported on the low budget film PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. The Horror Report spoke to representatives early in the release of the film in a few college towns. The source said that the hope was for a wide release in October .. The buzz on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, may have worked.

Last night, Nikki Finke reported on Deadline Hollywood that a source told her that PARANORMAL ACTIVITY was viewed by Paramount as a 'freight train' ready to hit.. And now, Shock Til You Drop reported exclusively on Saturday that the horror movie was going to get a wide release in October..

For years, the SAW film franchise has hacked and thwacked its way into box offices like clockwork every October just in time for Halloween--and the SAW flicks have been able to achieve top spots for its release weekend every Halloween.

But now, it appears that SAW VI could have some unexpected competition..

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has also been able to get some attention from sources other than horror sites and blogs. This past week, the Associated Press reported on the ACTIVITY 'phenom'.. Even the New York TIMES gave the film a review, though it said the movie was better left dead and basically for viewers to avoid it at all costs..

In its latest issue, TIME magazine points out that some people born and raised on gross out horror flicks may be confused by the 'scared by what you don't see' mentality in PARANORMAL..

The most recent numbers from this weekend that are reportable at post time show a good weekend for COUPLES RETREAT, a decline but still decent weekend for ZOMBIELAND, but a highly successful weekend for PARANORMAL ACTIVITY in just 159 theaters..

The Horror Report officially concludes that if the Shock Til You Drop report on the expansion turns out to be a true story, it's only positive. SAW deserves to be crushed by competition, the film started with originality and personality but steadily declined into stories of gushing gore without purpose. Horror movies in theory are normally only good when they originate from Japan or Indie markets.. But PARANORMAL ACTIVITY could be the little charm that comes along to change all of that.

Perhaps more than anything else, the movie's increasing popularity shows a streak of genius in Paramount's marketing technique: Spend as little money as possible, release it in college markets first, and let the fans do the rest of the work. If PARANORMAL ACTIVITY succeeds in big box office runs, it may redefine the way studios can save money, use the internet, and market movies that people will go see.

A case in point on the success brewing: Google Trends shows a massive increase in internet interest for the film, and Rotten Tomatoes features a big number of positive reviews ..

Developing..

Another positive 'Paranormal' review..

The Financial TIMES is reporting that Hollywood is bracing for a round of deep budget cuts in the wake of a horrific summer of hot flops..

But, as the FT reports,

"Top talent will continue to command a premium price, according to Barry Katz, president of New Wave Entertainment, which represents stars such as Dane Cook.
"I can guarantee you that the big stars aren’t going to take a pay cut," he says. "Studios need them to bring in the audiences.""

The moon war hits Friday

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=nasas-mission-to-bomb-the-moon-2009-06

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The ultra-low budget flick PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has created a web sensation of Twitter and Facebook profiles advertising the film.. The lure of horror was increased when reports surfaced that moviemaker Stephen Spielberg was fearful that his copy of the film was "haunted" ..

Then came the college kids. Paramount sold the movie to the kids through online pages, the Horror Report was told by Paramount sources that the new marketing trick was devised and pulled off with amazing results..

The film began playing in a handful of college towns.. From happy valley in State College, PA to the Golden State of California, midnight showings of the film were sold out with lines stretched around the block to get into the theater..

And now, the LOS ANGELES times is reporting a major victory for the tweets and blogs: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY is going to get a limited wide release on October 9// the TIMES reporting that Paramount plans to move the film outside of midnight showings Friday and schedule show times throughout the day. It is also expanding the film to 10 more markets, bringing the total to more than 40//

The movie has been impressive, only showing at 33 films but averaging $16 thousand per screen!

As one Tweeting and Facebooking fan of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY told the Horror Report today: "We did this" ..

October 9 begins the new test for the film: Will it survive the change from midnight to real life and get a cross section of audiences beyond college kids looking for a scare?