Box office up sharply in 2012

'The Vow'Thanks in part to seven more wide releases in the first two months of the year, domestic box office is up a healthy 21% over 2011. The $1.57 billion total is good news at a time when bizzers are concerned about changing audience behavior. But the upturn still wasn't enough to outdo record-breaking results in early 2009 and 2010. Moreover, only one film this year has grossed more than $100 million. So far, it's the volume of releases responsible for the uptick rather than the average gross per film. Sony's "The Vow" is the only title with a domestic cume of more than $100 million, though Universal's "Safe House" should reach that milestone this week. By this time in 2010, Stateside totals reached $1.59 billion, fueled mainly by "Avatar's" $354 million in the first two months. In 2009, the B.O. raked in $1.6 billion through the last weekend in February with help from three $100 million-plus grossers. B.O. totals are calculated starting the first Monday in January. But some lower-budgeted films have provided tidy payoffs, including Fox's "Chronicle," with a Stateside cume of $58 million, and Paramount's "The Devil Inside," with just north of $53 million domestically. To date, 26 films have bowed nationwide, compared to 19 in 2011. Studios are no longer wholly responsible for filling the commercial pipeline: Relativity Media, CBS Films and the market's newest player, Open Road Films, are starting to alleviate some of that pressure. In fact, the weekend of Jan. 27 -- topped by Open Road's first domestic win for "The Grey" -- lacked a single studio wide release. Last weekend, Universal's "Wanderlust" was the lone studio entry of four nationwide openers. Then there's 3D. The format saw a surprising resurgence earlier this year when "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" scored 74% of its opening from 3D. That's a significant improvement on last year's "Cars 2," which earned 40% from 3D, and "Puss in Boots," at 51%. Sony's recent 3D pic pair, "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" and "Underworld Awakening," also did better in the format than most 2011 fanboy offerings, with 65% and 74%, respectively. Lately, the biggest hurdle for movie marketers has been attracting young male auds. But Fox's "Chronicle" shows that it's still possible: The supernatural teen thriller overperformed with male teens. But while the success of "Chronicle" hints at a promising comeback for the flagging demo, it's still too soon to tell whether bizzers can bank on young men to turn out at previous levels come tentpole season. Either way, plenty of highly anticipated blockbusters should give 2012 B.O. a fighting chance against last year's benchmark summer. On paper at least, those titles appear to be strong enough to make a run at 2009's record year. In less than a month, Lionsgate launches young adult-targeted "The Hunger Games," which should give first-quarter box office a final shot of adrenalin. But first, Disney has its fingers crossed for "John Carter," which bows next weekend. Entries in five billion-dollar global franchises fill the summer sked, one more than last summer: "The Avengers," "The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Dark Knight Rises" and a pair of toons, "Madagascar 3" and "Ice Age: Continental Drift." That's added to Sony's "Men in Black 3" and Universal's "The Bourne Legacy." Those franchises have each grossed more than $800 million worldwide. U is kickstarting the summer sesh overseas with "Battleship," which bows the weekend of April 13, more than a month before the U.S. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

'Valor' victorious at weekend B.O.

'Act of Valor'While each one of the weekend's opening foursome symbolized limited financial risk, there is certainly an assorted bag well over and underachievers in the domestic box office. Relativity Media's "Act of Valor" required command from the former camping, debuting for an believed $24.7 million through Sunday."Valor" arrived line with many bizzers' anticipation -- though still a grade-A bow for any film that, all in, cost Relativity between $25 million and $$ 30 million.Lionsgate's latest Tyler Perry offering, "Good Deeds," adopted one of the new records by having an believed $16 million. That's around the low-side on most Perry openings however the helmer maintained a workable cost of under $15 million.The weekend's remaining wide openers, Universal's "Wanderlust" and Summit's "Gone," battled to construct a fanbase, calculating $6.six million and $5 million, correspondingly.Neither studio ought to be too surprised, however. Pre-weekend monitoring had recommended that both photos would range within the mid-to-high single numbers.Nevertheless, overall box office still displayed considerable elasticity. Weekend totals arrived roughly 23% in front of the same frame this year, throughout that the top two photos made just north of $13 million. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

VIDEO: Star Manley Returns for the View, Faces Queries About Questionable Exit, Fat Loss

Daniel Gillies When The Vampire Diaries' Elijah has been available since Season 2, he wasn't made to stay extended. A minimum of annually after his arrival the level of smoothness remains most likely typically the most popular inside the show's history. "In the beginning I used to be a very old vampire who'd live like two episodes," Daniel Gillies describes to TVGuide.com. "They didn't know I'd be described as a brother, I [just] will be a henchman." But Elijah has transformed from being terrifyingly good at the understanding and capabilities, with a still effective vampire, just one getting a definite moral compass and empathy for Elena who Gillies calls enthusiast. VIDEO: Vampire Diaries' Candice Accola states Caroline and Bonnie are merging Fans can't have an sufficient quantity of the first, no matter the immense threat he poses for the Salvatore Brothers and sisters, among others. Gillies has their very own ideas regarding his character's recognition. "When Elijah shows his face you understand things will probably happen," according to him. "Because he seems he's exposition and movement as well as the story takes flight - or even fans similar to his multiple haircuts." While Elijah prides themselves on not driven by impulsive rage like his brother Klaus, Gillies states that his actions towards Elena in last week's episode were so terrifying it is the primary reason he fled town within the finish. "Elena came quite close to peril and closer to peril than he ever considered she'd and there's a disgrace because,Inch Gillies states. "They can be vicious and might be proper, but he's never reckless that was one of the handful of occasions around the program we view him be absolutely reckless to have the ability to get what he needed. Sure, it absolutely was his existence as well as the information on his brothers and sisters and sister, but placing Elena inside the position to become a hostage was probably something he'd change if he might return or otherwise ensure she wasn't in true danger." Vampire Journals Video: Kat Graham states Bonnie is the opposite of Elena and uphold it Despite Elijah's approaching absence (which hopefully and assume will probably be temporary), Gillies has numerous ideas regarding who he'd prefer to utilize afterwards. "I really enjoy my moments with Ian Somerhalder. There's something very funny about people two in the scene together - they're type of an unusual couple," Gillies states. "Elijah might be the sadistic, quiet, calm zinger- type comedy, whereas Damon is snarky, sometimes bitchy and tempestuous vampire. Clearly, essentially could synergy with anybody, I merely appear like if [Klaus and Elijah] could ever solve their versions the earth might be their very own.Inch Watch this week's Vampire Journals Bite for further on Elijah's inadequate an british accent as well as the Originals' uncanny capability to get present day technology: The Vampire Journals returns with new episodes on Thursday, March 15 at 8/7c.

Charles Shaughnessy Coming back to Times of Our Way Of Life

When Bachelor host Chris Harrison told us home town dates would alter the pecking order from the remaining women, he wasn't kidding. Not just did season-lengthy front-runner Kacie fall from close to the top, but she seemed to be cut in the competition completely. We checked along with Harrison, who described why Kacie's parents were not the only real element in her demise and why Ben is headed for trouble on next week's fantasy dates. Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com The BachelorChris HarrisonCourtneyKacie B.Lindzi C.

Watercooler: Glee's Valentine... Heart It or Hate It?

Damian McGinty, Vanessa Lengies, Kevin McHale Things we hearted about Glee's Valentine's Day episode...-Brittany and Santana earning their serenade, despite Principal Figgins' gaycism.-Mercedes' "I Will Always Love You."-Sam's single tear during Mercedes' "I Will Always Love You."-Karofsky being a viable contender as Kurt's secret admirer.-Very little Schue.-The long-awaited arrival of The Glee Project's co-winner Samuel Larsen as the hippie holy roller.-The longer-awaited departure of The Glee Project's underused co-winner Damian McGinty.-The fact that Breadstix gets bigger and bigger every time the gang performs there.-The Whitney Houston dedication card in the closing credits. Things we hated about Glee's Valentine's Day episode...-The return of smug Blaine.-The faith-bashing "God Squad."-The idea that Mercedes would balk at singing for "teen lesbians" Brittana. Her best friend is Kurt!-The wasting of Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jeff Goldblum as Rachel's stereotypical, old-school queen fathers. Like anyone makes Liza references anymore.-A spiritual, robed choir showing up at a public school.-The McKinley students eating lunch outside. It's February. In Ohio!-Sugar. She's like fetch... just not gonna happen. So what about you? Did you fall for Glee's Cupid-palooza? Or was it a bad date? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine today!

The Great Wife Start Looking: Meet Will's Siblings!

Josh Charles Will Gardner (Josh Charles) continues to be getting a tough handful of several weeks around the Good Wife. First, he got left through the passion for his existence, Alicia. Then, he was indicted with a grand jury for judicial bribery. And shortly, he'll face possibly losing his law license. Fortunately, assistance is around the means by the type of moral - by the looks of things, musical - support from his siblings, performed by Nurse Jackie's Merritt Wever and Nadia Dajani (The Large C). Watch full instances of The Great Wife Within the March fourth episode, entitled "Following the Fall," Wever steps in to the role of Will's more youthful, irresponsible and fun-loving sister, Audra and Dajani will have his bossy, Type-A older sister Sara. Who understood that Chicago's 16th most qualified bachelor could play guitar? Maybe he's practicing an appreciation song to sing to Alicia? (We kid, we kid. This is actually the Good Wife, not Glee, in the end). The only real alarming factor about these pictures? The re-emergence of casual Will. Is his insufficient business attire designed to signify the disbarment proceedings don't go very well? Or perhaps is he just finally finding out how to have a break? The title "Following the Fall" does not provide us with much comfort. The Great Wife airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS. Are you currently excited to satisfy Will's siblings?