Entertainment News Archives

To mark the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Cinemark theater chain is re-releasing all of the Harry Potter films at locations across the country from Aug. 31-Sept. 6. The lineup for the company’s “Wizarding World XD Week” includes all eight original films based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved saga, plus 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Tickets on sale now at Cinemark.com and run $5 per movie, or fans can purchase a $25 “festival pass” for all nine films, which includes a “collectible keychain, a specially designed cup that is refillable for $3.50 through the end of the year and a commemorative festival badge,” according to a press release. The series’ return to theaters comes just over two months before another film will debut — Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald opens in theaters on Nov. 16.

“The Meg” hit theaters this weekend and is set to nab the No. 1 spot at the box office with an estimated $40 million from 4,118 North American locations. The estimate is significantly higher than earlier predictions. The Warner Bros. film took in $16.5 million on Friday and stars Jason Statham as a scientist who, along with his team, tries to stop a prehistoric 75-foot Megalodon shark from terrorizing a beach. “The Meg” has received mixed reviews from critics and carries a 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie is based on the 1997 book “Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror” by Steve Alten and was in development for over two decades. “The Meg” carries a $150 million price tag, so it will need substantial overseas business from China, Russia, Spain, and the U.K.  This weekend it earned $26.7 million on Friday from 42 overseas markets and opened to $16.2 million in China on Friday.

Actor Casey Affleck is speaking out publicly for the first time since sexual harassment allegations resurfaced against him last year.  “I behaved in a way and allowed others to behave in a way that was really unprofessional. And I’m sorry,” Affleck told The Associated Press in an interview published Thursday.  The actor was accused of verbal and physical harassment in 2010 by two women who worked with him on the set of “I’m Still Here,” a hoax documentary-style film directed by Affleck and starring Joaquin Phoenix. Affleck denied all the allegations at the time and later settled two lawsuits filed by the accusers for undisclosed amounts. Both women reportedly signed nondisclosure agreements.  The allegations against Affleck resurfaced last fall when the actor was receiving critical acclaim for his starring role in “Manchester by the Sea.” Affleck was deemed controversial in light of the past allegations, however still received the Oscar for Best Actor.  Affleck chose to skip the Oscars earlier this year and backed out of presenting the award for Best Actress. 

Demi Lovato won’t be embarking on the rest of her tour as she continues her recovery process. The 25-year-old singer was scheduled to perform in Mexico in September in addition to visiting six cities in South America in November, but she has canceled the remaining shows of her Tell Me You Love Me tour, according to a statement released by her promoters. In a statement, Live Nation and Lotus Productions wrote that they “Wish Demi Lovato the best now and in the future and we hope to see her soon in South America,” the outlet reported, adding that refunds will be issued for all ticket holders. The news comes five days after multiple sources confirmed that Lovato was released from Cedars-Sinai to seek in-patient treatment following an overdose on July 24.  On Sunday, the singer made her first statement following her overdose and hospitalization, as she shared that she would “need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery.”

Catfish host Nev Schulman is losing his longtime TV partner and co-host, Max Joseph, to life behind the camera. Joseph announced he is leaving the MTV show which he helped create and co-host for 7 years to pursue his budding career in filmmaking. Said Joseph: “For a while now I have been straddling two careers as TV host and filmmaker and, while this level of busy-ness is a dream come true, my life can no longer sustain it. With ‘Catfish’ still going strong after 7 seasons, 115 episodes, 31 specials and showing no sign of slowing down, I feel it is finally the time for me to make my exit.” MTV has not said if it is going to cast a replacement host for Max. ‘Catfish’ is in the middle of airing its seventh season right now. Max’s final episode will air August 22