Angelina Jolie in 'Maleficent'. (Walt Disney Pictures)
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK | “Maleficent,” Walt Disney’s special-effects laden take on “Sleeping Beauty’s” wicked fairy godmother, captivated moviegoers, collecting $70 million in ticket sales to win the North American weekend box office stakes.
The movie starring Angelina Jolie as the black-robed villain finished far ahead of last week’s winner, “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” which took $32.6 million at U.S. and Canadian theaters.
Seth MacFarlane’s western comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West” was third with $17.1 million for the three days from Friday to Sunday, according to box office tracking firm Rentrak.
Produced for $180 million, “Maleficent” received mixed reviews but opened strongly with $4.2 million on Thursday night and conjured up more than 80 percent of advance ticket sales for the weekend, according to movie ticketing site Fandango.
The film is the latest in a line of reimagined classics, following “Alice in Wonderland” in 2010 and “Oz the Great and Powerful” in 2013. Industry experts forecast the film would open with $55 million, according to the movie site Box Office Mojo. “We’re very excited with this start,” said Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Walt Disney Studios, noting it hoped for an opening of around $60 million. “Maleficent” took in another $100 at overseas box offices.
Hollis said momentum built through weekend on positive word of mouth. With schools beginning to let out and a “general absence of family product in this marketplace,” Disney was optimistic for the film continuing its strong performance.
“X-Men: Days of Future Past,” with Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart in the seventh installment based on the Marvel Comic series, has collected more than $162 million in sales in domestic theaters since its May 23 release and has generated $500 million worldwide in just two weeks, distributor Fox said.
“A Million Ways to Die in the West,” MacFarlane’s second time directing a live action film after his 2012 hit “Ted” about a foul-mouthed toy bear, disappointed in its opening weekend.
Studio and industry projections had anticipated a haul of about $20 million to $25 million for the modestly budgeted ($40 million) film which stars MacFarlane along with Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Sarah Silverman and Neil Patrick Harris. The film received tepid reviews with only 33 percent of 128 critics giving it a “fresh” rating on the Rotten Tomatoes site.
“Godzilla,” the latest installment of the 60-year-old series about a giant lizard, was fourth with $12.2 million. Made for $160 million, the special effects infused film has generated $175 million domestically since it was released on May 16.
“Blended,” a romantic comedy pairing Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in their third film, was fifth with $8.4 million. They play single parents stuck at a resort in Africa. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” was distributed by Fox, a unit of Twenty-First Century Fox. Universal, a unit of Comcast, released “A Million Ways to Die in the West.” “Godzilla” and “Blended” were distributed by Warner Brothers, a unit of Time Warner.
Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez at the press preview of 'It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez'. (Photo from Sarah's Instagram)
Richard Gutierrez had promised to end all rumors and speculations about him and girlfriend Sarah Lahbati.
“Nung umalis kami ni Sarah last year tapos naging tahimik kaming dalawa, maraming unanswered questions, maraming taong may kanya-kanyang speculations, may kanya-kanyang hula,” Richard recalled to InterAksyon and other media during the recent press preview of excerpts from the first episode of his family’s new reality show “It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez”.
“I think now is the perfect time to answer all the questions. One, because Sarah is finally back with GMA. And two, we’re doing this reality show for E! And everything is good, wala na kaming mga problema. Now is the perfect time to answer. And we will answer in the very first episode—all the questions.”
As Richard had promised, the first episode of “It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” that premiered Sunday did not disappoint. Although not promoted as a regular in the series, Sarah is shown to be treated like a real family member by Richard’s parents, Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, as well as siblings Raymond and Ruffa Gutierrez who spoke fondly of her during confessionals.
By the end of the show, viewers would fully understand why. Richard finally confirmed what many fans had thought all along: that he and Sarah are the parents of a baby boy that was born last year when Sarah was out of the country.
Photo of one adult hand and one baby hand identified by Sarah Lahbati as that of her baby boy, Zion. (Photo from Sarah's Instagram)
Minutes after Richard’s revelation, Sarah took to Instagram and posted a photo of two hands—one belonging to an adult and the other belonging to a baby with the caption, “Extremely happy to announce the new member of our family, baby Zion.”
Earlier in the day, she also posted a solo photo of Richard taken at the posh Le Jardin French restaurant with the caption, “Early dinner with my handsome date. Celebrating 2 years of love, fun and adventures.”
The introduction of Zion is just one of many things that viewers will find out about the controversial showbiz family in the six-part reality show produced by One Mega Group’s TV100.
“It’s a very revealing show of what happens behind the closed doors in the Gutierrez family. In this show, you’ll see everything-the good, the bad and the ugly. I think you’ll fall in love with the Gutierrez family after watching the show,” said director Michael Carandang, also an Emmy-award winning producer.
The Gutierrezes in a promotional photo for their new reality show, 'It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez'. (Photo courtesy of E!)
Surprisingly, Richard’s big sister Ruffa is the least controversial among the Gutierrez siblings so far as she admitted that she has no time for romance and spends much of her time and energy focusing on her work and promoting the show.
“Pag naayos ko ang work ko, pwede na siguro akong magsimulang magpa-date date ulit,” she declared.
Richard’s twin brother Raymond revealed that during a promotional tour in Singapore, he was overwhelmed by the warm anticipation for the show.
“Hindi ko akalain na ganun ang magiging reception sa amin sa Singapore kasi international market yun. Maraming Pinoy ang pumunta sa events namin pero marami rin naman ang hindi Pinoy. Nakaka-inspire and nakaka-proud that even people who don’t know our family are also supporting the show,” he enthused during the press preview.
Initially uncomfortable with their family being dubbed as the Asian Kardashians, family patriarch Eddie Gutierrez, himself a matinee idol early in his career, is now proud to be a part of the show.
“Walang script, walang guide, I’m sure matutuwa ang taumbayan,” said his wife, the ever controversial talent manager Annabelle Rama.
Asked if she has plans to throw her hat again in the political arena after losing her bid last year for a congressional seat in the North District of her hometown in Cebu City, Annabelle said she hasn’t made up her mind yet.
“I don’t know yet. Nag-e-enjoy pa ako ngayon bilang international star dito sa show namin,” she quipped.
“It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez” airs every Sunday on E! SkyCable Channel 57, Cignal Channel 25, and Cablelink Channel 33.
Here’s how Twitterverse reacted to the first episode’s big reveal:
Dineny pa dati na nabuntis si Sarah Lahbati kaya siya bigla nawala, tas biglang amin ngayon na may anak na nga sila ni Richard Gutierrez
— Erin (@strawberin_) June 1, 2014
Richard Gutierrez has just admitted that he and Starstruck alum Sarah Lahbati already have a baby – totally surprising nobody.
— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) June 1, 2014
Ohemgee richard gutierrez & sarah lahbati already have a baby and they kept it from showbiz
— 키시 ♡ (@jongininipple_) June 1, 2014
Congratulations Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati for your Baby Zion!
— Jeu Facute (@realJeuFacute) June 1, 2014
Sooo it's true then, Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati had a son! I knew it.
— Dianne Lee (@leedeeyan) June 1, 2014
aw. richard gutierrez and sarah lahbati already has a son. chard's my childhood celeb crush i shipped him and angel SO damn hard!
— Anica|PLEASE LUKE (@aanicastle) June 1, 2014
Sarah Lahbati posted this photo of her baby’s hand on Instagram
Richard Gutierrez has admitted Sunday on his family’s brand new reality show, “It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez,” that he is a proud father.
The announcement served as much-awaited answer to pregnancy rumors and questions that have been hounding him and his girlfriend Sarah Lahbati since last year.
Prior to the show’s premiere, Richard did an interview with PEP.ph, saying, “I think now is the perfect time to answer their questions. One, Sarah is finally back in GMA. And two, we’re doing a reality show for E! And now, everything… you know, everything is good, wala na kaming problema. Now is the perfect time to answer it. And we will answer it in the next episodes—all of the questions.”
Weeks leading to the maiden episode of the show, the family has been hinting that they will make an “explosive” revelation upfront.
Shortly after the show aired on E! Channel, Sarah Lahbati posted on her Twitter account (@sarahlahbati): “Extremely happy to announce the new member of our family, baby Zion.” It came with a photo she posted on her Instagram account of a baby’s hand over an adult’s hand.
Richard’s brother, Raymond Gutierrez, tweeted via @mondgutierrez: “Meet the newest member of the Gutierrez family next Sunday on #ItTakesGutzToBeAGutierrez #GutzOnE!”
Their sister Ruffa Gutierrez posted via her @iloveruffag Twitter account: “Richard is a proud father!! Congratulations Chard &@SarahLahbati it’s finally out in the open!!! Yay!!! Sarah is crying now!!!”
A photo posted by a family friend on Facebook of a teary-eyed but joyful Richard and Sarah (Photo from Frank Briones)
She followed this about an hour later with: “Chard & @SarahLahbati locked in a tight embrace!!! They are so relieved. So happy for them!! Can (sic) wait for you to see the baby!!”
She also posted: “Thank you soooo much for watching us tonight #ItTakesGutzToBeAGutierrez I’ll be announcing the replays – soon! My phones are going cray!!”
With the family’s phones ringing off the hook, a source gave Manila Bulletin this message:
“Richard Gutierrez wont be granting any interviews this week, not until the second episode is shown. The family, the staff and everyone involved in the show are bound by a confidentiality clause.”
Adding, “Richard might grant an interview about it after the second episode, when he speaks to media about an upcoming film.’”
Baby Zion is being presumed to make his first TV appearance on the show next Sunday.
Sarah left the country for Switzerland early 2013 amid a major disagreement with her home network, GMA-7. It even resulted to cases being filed against each other by both parties. She was rumored to have been pregnant at the time she was away, with buzz that she had given birth in April last year.
She had since returned to the country and patched things up with GMA-7 as reported by media but, along with Richard, remained tight-lipped about other matters.