*

For some reason the Hollywood experts didn’t see it coming.

They thought either “The Hunger Games” would keep steamrolling the competition or “The Lucky Ones” would be the “lucky one” and end up as the new number one.

Well, neither scenario happened because out the box “Think Like A Man” became the new leader of the pack and everyone else was eating its dust all weekend long.

According to the Hollywood Reporter: the ensemble comedy “scored one of the best openings in recent memory for an African-American themed film” in debuting at $33 million.

“Think Like a Man” — adapted from Steve Harvey’s best-selling advice book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” — gets bragging rights to being the film to topple Liongate’s blockbuster The Hunger Games, which has now grossed $357 million domestically.

The film, whose cast includes Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Regina Hall and Kevin Hart, is about four men whose love lives are disrupted when their partners begin using advice from Harvey’s book and received an A CinemaScore.

Think Like a Man, made for a modest $12 million to $13 million, follows the success of Screen Gems’ The Vow and Underworld Awakening earlier this year.

In terms of African-American themed films, Think Like a Man exceeded many of Tyler Perry’s recent films. Perry’s Good Deeds debuted to $15.6 million earlier this year, while last year’s Madea’s Big Happy Family opened to $25.1 million last year.

9:02 AM PDT 4/22/2012 by Pamela McClintock?KC00L

Screen Gems

New movies overperform across the board as "Lucky One" turns in $22.8 million, while "Chimpanzee" grosses $10.2 million, the highest opening for a Disneynature film; "Hunger Games" has now grossed $357 million domestically.

Ensemble comedy Think Like a Man scored one of the best openings in recent memory for an African-American themed film in debuting to $33 million, and continues Screen Gems' winning streak at the box office.

Think Like a Man -- adapted from Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man -- gets bragging rights to being the film to topple Liongate's blockbuster The Hunger Games, which has now grossed $357 million domestically.

The film, whose cast includes Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall and Kevin Hart, is about four men whose love lives are disrupted when their partners begin using advice from Harvey's book and received an A CinemaScore. Males turned out in force, making up 63 percent of the audience. Think Like a Man skewed older, with 62 percent ove the age of 30.

Think Like a Man, made for a modest $12 million to $13 million, follows the success of Screen Gems' The Vow and Underworld Awakening earlier this year, and marks another victory for Screen Gems' Clint Culpepper.

"It worked because it is so damn funny. It doesn't matter whether you are a man or a woman, you are going to have a great time," Sony president of worldwide distribution Rory Bruer said.

In terms of African-American themed films, Think Like a Man exceeded many of Tyler Perry's recent films. Perry's Good Deeds debuted to $15.6 million earlier this year, while last year's Madea's Big Happy Family opened to $25.1 million last year.

Warner Bros.' film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One came in No. 2, turning in a better-than-expected $22.8 million in a boost for Zac Efron.

The seventh film based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, The Lucky One received a B CinemaScore. It wasn't able to match the $30.5 million debut of Dear John in February 2010 or the $25.3 million debut of The Last Song over five days in March 2010, but is nevertheless considered a strong start.

"What a nice weekend at the box office. Zac Efron is clearly the guy, and Nicholas Sparks is the best," Warner Brox. executive vice president distribution Jeff Goldstein said.

After ruling the domestic box office for four consecutive weekends -- the most since Avatar -- Lionsgate's Hunger Games fell to No. 3, grossing $14.5 million for a domestic total of $357 million.

PHOTOS: Zac Efron, Taylor...d Premiere

The third new film of the weekend is Chimpanzee, Disney's latest nature documentary, which placed No. 4 Friday with a pleasing $10.2 million, a record for a Disneynature film(Earth was the previous best at $8.8 million). Some proceeds from opening-weekend earnings will go to the Jane Goodall Institute.

For full weekend results, see below.

Domestic Box Office, April 20-April 22

Title/Weeks in release/Theater count, Studio/Three-day weekend total/Cume

1. Think Like a Man, 1/2,015, Sony, $33 million

2. The Lucky One, 1/3,155, Warner Bros., $22.8 million

3. The Hunger Games, 5/3,752, Lionsgate, $14.5 million, $357 million.

4. Chimpanzee, 1/1,563, Disney, $10.2 million.

5. The Three Stooges, 2/3,482, $9.2 million, $29.4 million.

6. Cabin in the Woods, 2/2,811, Lionsgate/MGM, $7.8 million, $27 million.

7. American Reunion, 3/3,003, Universal, $5.2 million, $48.3 million.

8. Titanic 3D, 3/2,505, Paramount/Fox, $5 million, $42.8 million.

9. 21 Jump Street, 6/2,427, Sony/MGM, $4.6 million, $127.1 million.

10. Mirror Mirror, 4/2,930, Relativity, $4.1 million, $55.2 million.

I knew this movie would do well. Now the gate is back open again for other urban movies to be greenlighted, with predominately african american cast...It was said not long ago that it would never work again, with the exception of Tyler Perry movies.

Congratulations to Stevie Harvey he can add movie mogul to his long list of achievements now

Your favourite (Tyler) could never.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Your favourite (Tyler) could never.

Though I'm not a fan of Big Teeth Harvey, I'll send a congratulations.

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Your favourite (Tyler) could never.

Though I'm not a fan of Big Teeth Harvey, I'll send a congratulations.

I was just reading an article on the movie this morning and noticing how big his teeth are

Why do so many black films always look like gay films, in the sense that they involve light-hearted comedies with silly plots?

On the opposite end of the spectrum is your AIDs drama or fat-black-girl-gets-beat-by-Moniq film.

There are so many talented black actors and actresses, I just wish Hollywood would grow some balls and break the mold. Say, release a Greys anatomy or Black Swan with a predominantly black cast.

OMG, I just looked at that top 10 list.... Think Like a Man looks like the best choice.

fucking hollywood

imago said:

Why do so many black films always look like gay films, in the sense that they involve light-hearted comedies with silly plots?

On the opposite end of the spectrum is your AIDs drama or fat-black-girl-gets-beat-by-Moniq film.

There are so many talented black actors and actresses, I just wish Hollywood would grow some balls and break the mold. Say, release a Greys anatomy or Black Swan with a predominantly black cast.

imago said:

Why do so many black films always look like gay films, in the sense that they involve light-hearted comedies with silly plots?

On the opposite end of the spectrum is your AIDs drama or fat-black-girl-gets-beat-by-Moniq film.

There are so many talented black actors and actresses, I just wish Hollywood would grow some balls and break the mold. Say, release a Greys anatomy or Black Swan with a predominantly black cast.

That's because most blacks like to laugh when they go to the movies & see their own kind in. African Americans don't flock to see those type of movies U mentioned...Its sad but true. A good blockbuster director needs to step in like Steven Spielberg (Color Purple) or George Lucus(RedTails) which I am very proud of he financed with his own money & it became a success.

imago said:

Why do so many black films always look like gay films,

Just look at Steve Harvey's suit!

NDRU said:

imago said:

Why do so many black films always look like gay films,

Just look at Steve Harvey's suit!

In defense of Steve Harvey-he does dress like a pimp. Think a more mature Morris Day. And besides he has his own clothing line, why not wear it? (I mean I wouldn't. To old manish.)

imago said:

Why do so many black films always look like gay films, in the sense that they involve light-hearted comedies with silly plots?

On the opposite end of the spectrum is your AIDs drama or fat-black-girl-gets-beat-by-Moniq film.

There are so many talented black actors and actresses, I just wish Hollywood would grow some balls and break the mold. Say, release a Greys anatomy or Black Swan with a predominantly black cast.

Beats me. I asked the same question about a year or two ago.

kewlschool said:

NDRU said:

Just look at Steve Harvey's suit!

In defense of Steve Harvey-he does dress like a pimp. Think a more mature Morris Day. And besides he has his own clothing line, why not wear it? (I mean I wouldn't. To old manish.)

He looks like he is auditioning for Star Search

what still bothered me then still bothers me now about films targeted 2 the urban market, the budgets for films is still crappy where stupid ass movies like vampires suck get the greater budget.

burn hollywood burn!

love him or hate him it's a shame that spike still has 2 find financing 4 his films today

I am not a big fan of Harvey, but glad to see the movie's doing great. Has a great cast ad promos are funny.

‘Think Like A Man’ Star Terrence J Speaks on the ’90-Day Rule’

Terrence J and his lady, Selita Ebanks

*The upcoming film “Think Like A Man” addresses several issues from Steve Harvey’s bestselling romance advice book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.”

One such issue is that of the so-called “90-day rule.” In the book, Harvey explains that women should institute this rule of holding onto the ‘cookie’ for a 90-day probationary period, just as companies hold out on a benefit package for new employees for a 90-day period.

One of the film’s stars, BET’s Terrence J, says while he’s biased because he’s currently in a long-term relationship (with supermodel Selita Ebanks), he does believe that women should institute the 90-day rule – here’s why according to Terrence:

“I have like friends that work with me at the job and people that I know of and they’re young, maybe 21, 22 years old and they get into these failed relationships because they’re having sex too early. And so I want to tell my baby sisters ‘no you need to wait, you need to make him wait’ … and so now it’s good in that regard that we can say ‘hey read the book, watch the movie,’ and you see the difference in Megan Good’s character on making a man wait, as opposed to giving it up on the first date.”

[Edited 4/22/12 20:57pm]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

‘Think Like A Man’ Star Terrence J Speaks on the ’90-Day Rule’

Terrence J and his lady, Selita Ebanks

*The upcoming film “Think Like A Man” addresses several issues from Steve Harvey’s bestselling romance advice book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.”

One such issue is that of the so-called “90-day rule.” In the book, Harvey explains that women should institute this rule of holding onto the ‘cookie’ for a 90-day probationary period, just as companies hold out on a benefit package for new employees for a 90-day period.

One of the film’s stars, BET’s Terrence J, says while he’s biased because he’s currently in a long-term relationship (with supermodel Selita Ebanks), he does believe that women should institute the 90-day rule – here’s why according to Terrence:

“I have like friends that work with me at the job and people that I know of and they’re young, maybe 21, 22 years old and they get into these failed relationships because they’re having sex too early. And so I want to tell my baby sisters ‘no you need to wait, you need to make him wait’ … and so now it’s good in that regard that we can say ‘hey read the book, watch the movie,’ and you see the difference in Megan Good’s character on making a man wait, as opposed to giving it up on the first date.”

[Edited 4/22/12 20:57pm]

Wait a minute, Terrernce J is dating Selita Ebanks?!?

[img:$uid]http://files.sharenator.com/1_I_Dont_Want_to_Live_on_This_Planet_Anymore-s500x282-295658-580.jpg[/img:$uid]

imago said:

OMG, I just looked at that top 10 list.... Think Like a Man looks like the best choice.

fucking hollywood

I know. "Three Stooges"? "21 Jump Street"? "Hunger Games" or "Titanic" again? "Think Like a Man" is the best choice, whatever race or color you are.

Gabrielle Union on New Movie and Getting More Roles In Hollywood

For the past 20 years Gabrielle Union has starred in some of the most memorable movies of this era including Love and Basketball, The Brothers, Daddy’s Little Girls and Cadillac Records. And now she’s starring in another unforgettable film, the 39-year old portrays Kristen "The girl who wants the ring" in the highly anticipated new ensemble comedy Think Like a Man.

BET.com spoke with Union about avoiding typecasting, her onscreen interracial storyline and getting out of a work slump.

Why did you want to be apart of Think Like a Man?

Aside from working with all my friends, which is always a good time, I love [director] Tim Story; I’ve known Tim forever. I love [producer] Will [Packer], I’ve been in the Screen Gems [movie studio] family for a long long time. It was the perfect mix of people, story and characters. And then I had a chance to work with Jerry [Ferrara] who I have been a fan of for a very long time. Also, I got a chance to play a different type of character. Normally I’m the good girl from the right side of the tracks who meets the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. This was very different so I jumped at the chance.

But originally didn't they want you to play a type of character you've portrayed before?

Yes. I think there was an idea floating around at one point that I would play the Taraji [P. Henson] role because of my history as [playing] more of a bitch [on screen], more of the woman who doesn’t need a man. But because I’ve done that to death, I said, “You know, it would be more interesting if I play Kristen.” And everybody was like, “Yeah!”

You’re paired with Jerry Ferrara but race never comes up in your onscreen relationship. What did you think about that aspect of the script?

I think it was one of the few times in my career where it was truly color-blind casting. There’s an inherent idea that if a Black executive producer and a Black director are going to do a movie based on a Black writer’s book that everybody is going to be Black. But when I read the script there really was no distinction as to who was supposed to be Black and who wasn’t. It was a non-issue. When they said Jerry was going to play Jeremy, I was like “Oh, great.” It was a non-issue for me and I was glad it was a non-issue for the character.

For audiences it seems you're always starring in projects but you say you hit a work dry patch. Can you tell us when you felt things started to change?

It’s not that I didn’t get scripts before, it was just that I wasn’t getting picked for a stretch of time. If there was a stand selling roles when I’d walk up they’d close shop. But everyone has his or her season. [It picked up when] Kevin Hart and I filmed Little In Common, a pilot for Fox. While we were on set for that Will [Packer] had come. He was like “Here’s a script tell me what you think.” I started shooting Good Deeds, Tyler [Perry] gave me a break. Screen Gems and Will and Tim [Story] gave me a break. In between those two movies I was asked, “Would you like to come do this indie [film In Our Nature] up in the Catskills with John Slattery?" and I was like, "Where the hell have you been?" It was a nice change. I was suddenly getting yeses [for roles] after trying for a long time.

As a star of the film version, what did you think of Steve Harvey’s book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man?

When it came out, a group of girlfriends and I bought the book, bought a lot of wine and we had a reading of it. I was one of the people who was laughing because I thought it was common sense. But then we noticed that some of our girlfriends were freakishly quiet. And then I realized, “Oh, for some this is a revelation.” So I get that it speaks to a lot of people, but, for me, it’s just common sense stuff.

Gabby is such a natural beauty that doesn't need make up, like a certain singer they always talk about to look pretty...

[Edited 4/23/12 8:01am]

Paris9748430 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

U seem like a very miserable unhappy person.

[Edited 4/23/12 7:56am]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Gabrielle Union on New Movie and Getting More Roles In Hollywood

For the past 20 years Gabrielle Union h

Gabby is such a natural beauty that doesn't need make up, like a certain singer they always talk about to look pretty...

[Edited 4/23/12 7:53am]

Spoken like someone that has not been within 5 feet of her.

I actually have met & been around her....I only speak the truth...

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I actually have met & been around her....I only speak the truth...

Then u would know she is a makeup Queen.

She doesn't usually wear a lot of make up like on that pic. She doesn't have to..

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

She doesn't usually wear a lot of make up like on that pic. She doesn't have to..

KCOOLMUZIQ said: