Quick Takes: ‘Transformers’ takes a hit

Quick Takes: ‘Transformers’ takes a hit

The Transformers have changed shape into a slightly less powerful box-office contender in its first showings. “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” the third movie in Paramount Pictures’ blockbuster robot action series, collected $13.5 million from early screenings Tuesday night.

Of that total, $5.5 million was from 9 p.m. shows at about 2,700 locations with 3-D screens, and an additional $8 million came from 3-D and 2-D screenings at 3,000 theaters at or soon after midnight.

That’s less than the $16.6 million 2009’s “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” grossed from midnight shows alone on a Tuesday night. The decline in attendance is even higher, however, for “Dark Side of the Moon” when considering the premium 3-D ticket prices.

Still, $13.5 million is a strong start for late-night screenings, particularly on a Tuesday. “The Hangover Part II,” the year’s most successful movie at the domestic box office, generated $10.4 million from opening midnight screenings. “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the year’s No. 2 movie, took in $4.7 million.

Pre-release surveys had indicated that consumer interest in “Dark of the Moon,” which cost about $200 million to produce, was lower than for “Revenge of the Fallen.” Through Monday, the new movie will likely have a tough time matching the $215 million that its predecessor grossed in its first six full days.

—Ben Fritz

‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ at 50

One of Audrey Hepburn’s most beloved films, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. And the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is celebrating the film’s birthday on July 29 with a screening of a new digital restoration at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Based on the Truman Capote novel, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” earned Hepburn a lead actress Oscar nomination for her indelible turn as Holly Golightly, a free-spirit who is not above eating breakfast dressed in a Givenchy black dress outside of Tiffany’s in New York City.

Blake Edwards directed the romantic comedy adapted from Capote’s novel by George Axelrod. The film earned Oscars for Henry Mancini’s haunting score, as well as for Mancini and Johnny Mercer’s memorable love song, “Moon River.”

—Susan King

South Carolina governor is writing a book

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has a book deal.

Sentinel, a conservative imprint of Penguin Group (USA), announced Wednesday that Haley’s “Can’t Is Not an Option” will come out in January.

Haley, a Republican and “tea party” favorite, was elected last year. At 39, she is the country’s youngest governor and only the second Indian American governor.

In an interview in March with the Associated Press, Haley said writing had been “therapeutic” and that she would cover everything from growing up in rural South Carolina to her contentious 2010 campaign, when she faced — and denied — allegations of infidelity.

She said she was not planning a run for national office, although her literary representative, Washington attorney Robert Barnett, has negotiated deals for Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

—Associated Press

Elizabeth Taylor items to tour

Elizabeth Taylor’s prized collection of jewelry, art, designer clothing and other memorabilia will go on an international three-month tour before it is sold in New York in December, Christie’s auction house announced Wednesday.

The tour will begin in September and include stops in Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. It will end in New York, where Christie’s plans a “museum-quality exhibition” of the late actress’ collection that will fill its entire gallery space Dec. 3 to 10. The auction will be held Dec. 13 to 16.

Taylor, who was married eight times to seven husbands and remembered for her roles in “Cleopatra” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” was also known for her passion for opulent diamonds. She died in March at age 79.

She published a book in 2003: “Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry.”

—Associated Press

Sheen’s old show returns Sept. 19

Viewers waiting to see how the absence of Charlie Sheen’s Charlie Harper will be explained on “Two and a Half Men,” mark your calendars: The big reveal will come Sept. 19. CBS released its fall premiere dates Wednesday, and its beleaguered comedy will make its comeback with new cast member Ashton Kutcher.

The network is ushering in the fall season with new shows and double doses of some of its big comedies — “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Big Bang Theory” will air successive episodes.

Making its premiere Sept. 19 with “Two and a Half Men” as a springboard is female buddy comedy “2 Broke Girls” before it settles into its regular time slot on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. New drama “Person of Interest” will likely benefit from its “The Big Bang Theory” lead-in on Sept. 22

“Unforgettable” will premiere Sept. 20, after “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “A Gifted Man” begins the night of Friday dramas — “CSI: NY” and “Blue Bloods” — on Sept. 23.

—Yvonne Villarreal