Digital Tracking: 'Exodus' to Rise Above 'Top Five'

Does digital data offer indicators that can be used to monitor marketing effectiveness and predict box office success even before awareness turns into intent? Moviepilot which studies social data and box office trends analyzes this weekends new movies across Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Google (the methodology behind the numbers is laid out in the appendix below) over the seven days leading up to their release, when marketing campaigns should be at their peak.

Exodus: Gods and Kings, 20th Century FoxMoviepilot Prediction: $33 million(Full disclosure: Moviepilot worked with 20th Century Fox on this title)

Ridley Scotts retelling of the story of Moses floats down the L.A. river to settle in the box office bulrushes this weekend. In 2014, weve seen Darren Aronofoskys Noah, starring Russell Crowe, as well as a host of other Christian movies like Son of G*d perform well at the box office. Exodus is set to do the same by taking the top spot with $33 million this weekend.

Everything weve seen from Exodus has highlighted the epic cinematic scope of the movie, with the latest trailer hinting at the enormous size and scale of the parting of the Red Sea scene at its conclusion. Exodus has highlighted the calamities sent by G*d in a series of videos called 10 Plagues that imagine what the modern world would look like if they were to occur today. A slick tumblr has highlighted the visuals of the movie, as well as the star power of Christian Bale and the stunning craftsmanship in the costume design.

Measuring Moses up against Noah sees the leader of the Israelites around 10% behind on search highly indicative for a title like this, which will be expecting an older audience to turn out. Noah also has a slight lead with 31.3 million trailer views, while Exodus has 21.8 million YouTube views plus several million more from trailers that debuted on Apple trailers. This suggests that an opening over $40 million may be out of reach. Still, Exodus looks destined for well over $30 million and the weekend crown.

Top Five, ParamountMoviepilot Prediction: $9 million

Chris Rocks semi-autobiographical comedy was the toast of Toronto and has sped toward a swift release just before Christmas, with the writer and director at the forefront of the promotional campaign. Top Five will be boosted by an accompanying cast of well-respected comedians like Kevin Hart and Tracy Morgan, as well as good reviews and positive word-of-mouth which has bubbled along since its festival debut.

Rock has pounded the promotional pavement hard in advance of the opening, visiting many pre-screenings in person to encourage people to spread the word about the movie. As well as hosting a Reddit AMA today, he also brings a large social presence to the table, with millions of Facebook fans and Twitter followers. On Dec. 11 Rock answered questions on Twitter through the hashtag #askChris, which boosted the overall tweet count by almost 50,000 mentions.

Rocks feeling that his directorial debut is a little movie is reflected by a debut on just under 1,000 screens this weekend, fewer screens than most comedies this year. Comparing Top Five to this years most successful urban comedies suggests it should open to around $9 million this weekend. Ride Along sits at the top of that list with a massive $41.5 million opening weekend.

Tobias Bauckhage (@tbauckhage) is co-founder and CEO of moviepilot.com, a social-media-driven movie community reaching over 28 million Facebook fans and 30 million monthly unique users. Based on community data, Moviepilot helps studios to optimize their social media campaigns, identifying, analyzing and activating the right audiences. The company works with studios like Sony, 20th Century Fox and A24.

Appendix

Facebook fan (or like) numbers are a good indicator for fan awareness for a movie, even months before the release. For mainstream movies with younger target audiences, fan counts are particularly important. However, big fan numbers can be bought and movies with older target audiences typically have lower fan counts. Fan engagement measured by PTAT (People Talking About This) is a more precise but also a fickle indicator, heavily driven by content strategy and media spending. Both numbers are global and public facing numbers from the official Facebook fanpage.

YouTube trailer counts are important for measuring early awareness about a movie. We track all English language original video content about the movie on YouTube, down to videos with 100 views, whether they are officially published by a studio or published unofficially by fans. The Buzz ratio looks at the percentage of unique viewers on YouTube that have liked a video and given it a thumbs up. Movies with over 40 million views are usually mainstream and set to dominate the box office, while titles drawing around 10 million indicate a more specific audience. If a movie does not have a solid number of trailer views on YouTube four weeks before its release, it is not promising news. But again, it is important to understand whether trailer views have been bought or grew organically. These numbers are global and public facing.

Twitter is a good real-time indicator of excitement and word of mouth, coming closer to release or following bigger PR stunts. Mainstream, comedy and horror titles all perform particularly strongly on Twitter around release. We count all tweets over the period of the last seven days before release (Friday through Thursday), that include the movies title plus a number of search words, e.g. movie OR a list of movie-specific hashtags. The numbers are global, conducted using a Twitter API partner service.

Search is a solid indicator for intent moving towards release as people actively seek out titles that they are aware of and are thinking about seeing. Search is particularly significant for fan-driven franchises and family titles as parents look for information about films they may take their children to see. We look at the last seven days (Friday through Thursday) of global Wikipedia traffic as a conclusive proxy for Google Search volume. We have to consider that big simultaneous global releases tend to have higher search results compared to domestic releases.

Follow @Variety on Twitter for breaking news, reviews and more

Source: http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/digital-tracking-exodus-to-rise-above-top-five-1201378240/

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Sons of Anarchy actor Dimitri Diatchenko charged with killing and eating ex's ...

Sons of Anarchy actor Dimitri Diatchenko charged with killing ex-girlfriend's rabbit(Getty)

A former Sons of Anarchy actor has been charged with killing and cooking his ex-girlfriend's pet rabbit.

Dimitri Diatchenko, who played a Russian gangster on the popular crime series, allegedly skinned, cooked and ate his ex-girlfriend's bunny and then threatened to do the same to her.

The 46-year-old of North Hollywood was charged on Tuesday (9 December) with felony counts of cruelty to an animal with use of a knife and making criminal threats. He is out of a Los Angeles jail on bail.

His manager Barry Bookin declined to comment.

ButDiatchenko himself told local station KCAL9: "This is all a misunderstanding.

"We got into an argument, but I didn't kill the bunny. This was a hoax."

He faces up to four years and eight months in prison if convicted.

According to a statement from the district attorney's office: "Diatchenko skinned the pet, cooked it and ate half of it while sending her step-by-step pictures of what he did.

"When she returned the defendant allegedly told her he would do the same to her."

Diatchenko split up with his his ex-girlfriend but they had continued to live together.

Prosecutors said he turned against her after she told him she no wanted share the same room.

His film career spans nearly two decades, and he has appeared other TV hit programmes including How I Met Your Mother, Family Guy, The Wild Thornberrys and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

He also appeared in the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and has provided voice overs for video games, such as Call of Duty.

Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/sons-anarchy-actor-dimitri-diatchenko-charged-killing-eating-exs-pet-rabbit-1479289

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Virgen De Guadalupe: 4 Miracles Associated With The Iconic Mexican Saint

December 12th is the annual feast day for the famed Mexican saint theVirgen de Guadalupe. Thousands are expected to flock toher shrinein Des Plaines in order to celebrate the day many Christians believe the Virgen Mary appeared toJuan Diego.On Dec. 9, 1531 it is said that Diego, an enslaved Nahua Indian saw a vision of Christ's mother. The Virgin asked Diego to build a church on the Hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City.

In Mexico the image most associated with the Virgin is that of the Blessed Mother which is housed in Mexico City at the Basilica of Our Lady Guadalupe. All Saints have miracles associated to them. In fact it is a requirement that any candidate for Sainthood must have two miracles associated with them in order to be named a saint. In Mexico and throughout the world the Virgen de Guadalupe has many miracles attributed to her. The first miracle is of course her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531. Another miracle associated with her is thecloak of roses the virgin made for Diego. There were some, like the Spanish ArchbishopFray Juan deZumrragawho did not believeDiego's story. Zumrraga told Diego to pray to the Virgin and ask for a sign to show his vision was real. The Virgin once again appeared to the man and instructed him to pick flowers from the top of Tepeyac. Diego climbed the hill but did not expect to find any flower since it was late December. To his surprise Diego discoveredCastilian roseswhich the Virgin made into a cloak for him. Upon returning from the hill Diego opened the cloak and the roses fell to the floor showing an image of the Holy Mother.

The Virgin Mary or the Virgen de Guadalupe is associated with a number of miracles. In Texas a university art teacher and her students drew a mural of the Virgen De Guadalupe in a large lot that was once a gas station. Since the mural was drawn many people have said they have experienced miracles including the professor who said afterpainting the muralher car smelled like roses for days. A mother of one of the students helping on the mural prayed that her sick daughter would get better and when she did the woman left roses near the painting. In June of 2012 a fire destroyed a church in Mexico. The only thing that was left of theSt. Augustin Chapelwere stones and slabs from the building's foundation. Nothing within the church survived with one exception. Out of the blackened and charred rubble a firefighter found a slightly singedportrait of the Virgen De Guadalupe. Many took the portrait's survival as a miracle and a sign that the Virgin was always watching over them. Rev. Gaytn from the church said while the miracle may not be literal it was a symbol of the needs of parishioners during a time of grief.

Source: http://www.latintimes.com/virgen-de-guadalupe-4-miracles-associated-iconic-mexican-saint-280955

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Kylo Ren es el caballero sith de Star Wars: El Despertar de la Fuerza

No paran de surgir informaciones sobre el prximo proyecto deJ.J. Abrams, 'Star Wars: El Despertar de la Fuerza' (Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens). Durante elreciente teaser, hemos podido ver diferentes personajes y droides, de los que por el momento sabemos muy poco.

Recientemente la webEntertainment Weekly ha publicado informacin procedente del directoJ.J. Abrams yKathleen Kennedy, presidente deLucasfilm. En esta tanda de detalles, hemos podido verlas identidades de algunos de sus nuevos personajes para'Star Wars: El Despertar de la Fuerza', incluyendo el papel de John Boyega,Daisy Ridley yOscar Isaac.

Destaca el nombre del nuevo caballero sith para 'El Despertar de la Fuerza',Kylo Ren, ese que segn el triler ha supuesto el despertar dellado oscuro.

El nuevo SithesKylo Ren:

John Boyega es Finn:

Daisy Ridley es Rey:

Droide BB-8:

Oscar Isaac es el piloto Poe Dameron:

Fuente: Entertainment Weekly

Source: http://blogocio.net/kylo-ren-es-el-caballero-sith-de-star-wars-el-despertar-de-la-fuerza-no-81999/

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Southern Illinoisans remember Judy Baar Topinka

Southern Illinoisans remembered Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka as an outspoken and passionate leader, a role model and committed public servant.

Marion Mayor Bob Butler called the news of Topinkas death a great shock.

I have known and been acquainted with Judy since the first time she ran for office. I always appreciated her political sagacity and doing what is best for the people she represented, Butler said. She was strong-minded, level-headed and as honest as the day was long.

Butler and Topinka shared what became an inside joke.

Whenever we would meet at a dinner or whatever, she would invariably come by and kiss me on the forehead. It was something I looked forward to, he said.

Congressman-elect Mike Bost (R-IL) called Topinka a trail-blazer in a statement released Wednesday.

She was one of the most well-known and well-respected political figures in Illinois and a trailblazer in the state Republican Party. She was respected by both sides of the political aisle because Judy was always outspoken and passionate about issues that were important to her, Bost said. She was also an incredible role model for women seeking political office in our state.

State Representative-elect Terri Bryant, of Murphysboro, said Topinka was very supportive of the Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series and of Bryants campaign for state office.

The idea of having more women elected to office was close to her heart, Bryant said. She let House Republicans know that under no circumstances was I allowed to lose.

Topinka and Bryant did not always agree on social issues.

Even when you disagreed, Judy made an effort to find common ground, Bryant said. I never met anyone who worked as hard or was as committed to public service.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) remembered Topinka as a tireless advocate for the citizens of Illinois.

She was born to be a public servant. She did exactly what she wanted to do until the very end, and that was work for the citizens of Illinois, Luechtefeld said. Comptroller Topinka was a tireless advocate for common sense in government, which is not all that common, any more.

Shannon Woodworth, manager of the Du Quoin State Fair, remembered Topinka as fun, and said she was always having a good time and always making people smile.

Judy was, without question, one of the most fun persons I have ever met. She lit up the room with her smile and always had some funny quip to share. They just rolled out of her, Woodworth said.

Topinka spoke at the ribbon-cutting for the 2014 Du Quoin State Fair; Woodworth said the fair was one of Topinka's favorite spots.

We had a tremendous spot of brutal heat during the fair and Judys ribbon-cutting was during one of those days of brutal heat, Woodworth said. We went for the ribbon-cutting, and there she was. Judy did not get into any hurry and not one time did I hear a complaint about the heat. She was having a good time.

Topinka was known for her ability to pinch pennies in the state budget, but visits to Carbondale proved she used that skill in her personal life, too. She often stopped at Janes Consignment Shop in Carbondale and had been doing so for years.

Jane DeMarco, owner of the shop, said it was usually Topinkas last stop in the area, and her driver would come in to remind her it was time to go.

She always tried to come by and visit. She really was just like another one of the customers and always asked about my daughter, DeMarco said. She was friendly and liked everybody.

Butler added that Topinkas death is a great loss to the state and the people of Illinois.

I think she will be and should be honored in very splendid ways for the contributions she has made over the years, Butler said.

Source: http://thesouthern.com/news/local/southern-illinoisans-remember-judy-baar-topinka/article_18e1cc52-8545-52bb-bed4-00c93a2e3949.html

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Charlie Hunnam says starring in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' would have been a 'f ...

Charlie Hunnam looks fifty shades of sexy on the December cover of Men's Health.

But the 34-year-old actor insisted that had he decided to play Christian Grey, it would have been a "f-----g disaster."

"I was going to finish playing a psychopath who'd just lost his wife, and five days later I'd be on set playing Christian Grey," he told the mag on newsstands Thursday about splitting his time between the hit FX series "Sons of Anarchy" and taking on the lead role in "Fifty Shades of Grey."

"I was like, 'This is going to be a f-----g disaster,'" he added.

Hunnam was cast to play the highly sexual Grey in the movie adaption of the E.L. James' erotic best-selling novel and just before the production was getting underway, he made a sudden exit. Jamie Dornan would put in his place shortly after.

The actor -- who is set to play King Arthur next for a six-movie deal for the Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes -- previously told Moviefone that his decision was based on an overloaded schedule that caused him to have a "nervous breakdown."

Now that he's back on track and looking better than ever, Hunnam can focus solely on wrapping his seventh and final season as Jax on "Sons."

So how does he stay so Jax'd?

"I go into the gym and do 75 pullups, 75 dips, 150 squats, 150 pushups, and then 20 minutes of ab work," he said. "Done. It takes an hour; I'm in and out. I sweat the whole time."

And what a glorious hour it is with the outcome being even better.

While his workout regime keeps him buff, Hunnam said it's not all about the physical for him.

"I work out more for the mental rather than the physical aspect," he revealed. "I can get slightly dark when I'm not keeping a routine. It's all about feeling healthy and energetic."

On a mobile device? Click here to watch video.

Tags: entertainment news , interviews , movies , charlie hunnam , fifty shades of grey , jamie dornan

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/charlie-hunnam-reveals-dropped-fifty-shades-article-1.2009579

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Darts: Gary Anderson and Justin Pipe discover William Hill World Championship ...

Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright watch the William Hill World Championship draw being made. Picture by Lawrence Lustig/PDC

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SOMERSET darts stars Gary Anderson and Justin Pipe have discovered who they will face first in their bids for William Hill World Championship glory.

The stars of the PDC will go head-to-head for the sports biggest prize from December 18 at Londons Alexandra Palace, where dynamic Dutchman Michael van Gerwen will aim to defend his crown.

Fresh from his weekend Players Championship Finals success, Scot Anderson who is based in Highbridge will open up against the winner of the preliminary round tussle between New Zealands Mark McGrath or American debutant Scott Kirchner.

Pipe of North Curry near Langport, a first round casualty at the hands of Premier League ace Wes Newton in Minehead, faces DPA Australian Grand Prix champion Lawrence Ryder.

Phil Taylor, the 16-time World Champion and William Hill's 15/8 pre-tournament favourite, has drawn Germany's Jyhan Artut as he begins his bid to win back the Sid Waddell Trophy.

Van Gerwen will face Bradfords Joe Cullen, while number three seed Adrian Lewis - the 2011 and 2012 champion has drawn Shropshire-based David Pallett as the emerging -youngster makes his World Championship debut.

Last year's beaten finalist Peter Wright, the number five seed, will open his challenge to go one better against Welsh debutant Gerwyn Price, the former rugby union player who has enjoyed a successful first year on the PDC circuit.

Last month's Masters champion James Wade drew Wales' Jamie Lewis, with 2010 finalist Simon Whitlock up against Darren Webster and number eight seed Dave Chisnall taking on Dutch debutant Ryan De Vreede.

Two other debutants from Holland, Christian Kist and Ron Meulenkamp, drew Jelle Klaasen and Mark Webster respectively, while emerging star Benito van de Pas takes on Paul Nicholson in his Alexandra Palace debut.

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld has drawn Austrian debutant Rowby-John Rodriguez, while three-time World Champion John Part takes on the current World Youth Champion Keegan Brown.

Former finalist Andy Hamilton will take on Canadian newcomer Dave Richardson, with 2004 runner-up Kevin Painter up against the winner of the preliminary round tie between Boris Koltsov and Haruki Muramatsu.

Reigning Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting makes his PDC World Championship debut against either Holland's Jermaine Wattimena or Croatia's Robert Marijanovic.

Terry Jenkins - the runner-up in the UK Open and European Championship this year who landed a nine-dart leg at Ally Pally 12 months ago - plays Oceanic Masters winner John Weber, while Dean Winstanley takes on former semi-finalist Wayne Jones and Robert Thornton meets debutant Andrew Gilding.

Belgian brothers Kim and Ronny Huybrechts take on Mickey Mansell and Andy Smith respectively, while Holland's Vincent van der Voort drew Scotland's John Henderson.

Another Scot, the PDPA Qualifier winner Jason Hogg, drew Jamie Caven for his World Championship debut, with Monday's PDPA Qualifier runner-up Scott Mackenzie meeting Daryl Gurney in the preliminary round with a first round tie against Ronnie Baxter awaiting their winner.

In-form Mervyn King will play German teenager Max Hopp and Steve Beaton faces Kyle Anderson in a repeat of their meeting at the same stage two years ago, with the Australian also having hit a nine-darter in last year's event.

Former World Youth Champion Michael Smith, who knocked out Taylor 12 months ago, plays Austria's Mensur Suljovic, with Wes Newton up against either Christian Perez or Cristo Reyes.

Ian White awaits the winner of the preliminary round tie between Jani Haavisto and John Michael, while Brendan Dolan plays either Nolan Arendse or Alex Hon and Stuart Kellett, the number 32 seed, takes on either Kim Viljanen or Sascha Stein.

Source: http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/Darts-Gary-Anderson-Justin-Pipe-discover-William/story-25080073-detail/story.html

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