This week sees the release of a few Academy Award nominees and winners, some new tv shows and some movies coming to Blu-ray for the first time. Among the ones we’re most interested in this week are Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire, The Boondock Saints II, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, The Commish and Up in the Air (with George Clooney and Anna Kendrick, pictured above.)

Check them out:

Movies

Capitalism: A Love Story (Blu-ray and DVD)

Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit And The Pendulum ~ Lorielle New, Stephen Hansen, Bart Voitila (Blu-ray and DVD)

Falling for Grace ~ Gale Harold, Fay Ann Lee, Billy Asher (Blu-ray and DVD)

Hachi: A Dog’s Tale ~ Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Blu-ray and DVD)

Nine Dead ~ Melissa Joan Hart, John Terry, Lawrence Turner (Blu-ray and DVD)

Old Dogs ~ John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Robin Williams, Seth Green (Blu-ray and DVD)

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Overall, it was not a particularly impressive weekend at the box office, with the top films boasting relatively modest numbers. Sony Pictures should be smiling, though, because their studio nabbed the top two spots. According to Box Office Mojo, Zombieland lurched over the competition, raking in an estimated $25 million in its opening weekend.  The horror comedy has already recouped its budget, and will likely be a big success story this year, buoyed by positive reviews and good word of mouth.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs continues to impress and took in another $16.7 million for a cumulative gross of $82 million. The unusual move to release Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D drummed up some impressive interest, netting $12.5 million.  Disney is no doubt salivating over this, because Toy Story 3 is set to be released next summer.

The Invention of Lying from  comedian Ricky Gervais had a unimpressive opening of $7.3 million. Its budget was only $18 million, so it should be profitable anyway. In contrast, last week’s Surrogates also made $7.3 million this weekend. Its cumulative total is only $26.3, nowhere close to its reported $80 million budget.

Capitalism: A Love Story, and Whip It both earned $4.8 million, but Whip It played in almost twice as many theaters. Whip It is probably the biggest surprise of the weekend. It had good reviews, a likable and recognizable cast, and was highly promoted. It had to be a big disappointment to Drew Barrymore, who directed the movie, her first.

Recent holdovers Fame ($4.7), The Informant ($3.8) and Love Happens ($2.7) rounded out the top ten.

Granted, most of us here at The Flickcast probably don’t watch Conan O’ Brien and The Tonight Show as often as we should. He’s a funny, talented guy that deserves all the success he has. Unfortunately, time is a precious commodity these days so when I, for example, have time to watch something, its usually more along the lines of a show like Fringe, Dollhouse, Mad Men or Sons of Anarchy. Still, that doesn’t mean we aren’t fans of Conan or his show, especially when he has great guests like the super talented and funny Seth MacFarlane and the politically irreverent Michael Moore .

Recently, Conan had both of these guys on his show and both of them proved to be quite entertaining. As usual, Michael Moore provided several interesting points and managed to crack up the audience a bit with his take on life in post-Bush America. Plus, if his latest film, Capitalism: A Love Story, is any indication of how things are, we really need to rethink some things around here.

Next, Conan had on a guest who many, including myself, consider to be one of the true geniuses working in show business today. I’m talking, of course, about Seth MacFarlane. His shows, especially the terrific Family Guy, prove his humor and talent week in and week out. He’s a truly gifted performer. Plus, he’s just so damn funny in person as well.

Check out video clips of both of these guys after the jump. The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brian airs weekdays at 11:30P/12:30C on NBC.

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Here it is, the final poster for director/author/controversial figure Michael Moore’s latest film Capitalism: A Love Story. Whatever you may think of the man personally or professionally, his movies always seem to strike some sort of nerve among audiences and critics alike.

His politics may be controversial and his methods sometimes suspect (at least to some) but he never ceases to entertain, inform and even make us think about things we may not often want to think about. Every country needs someone like Michael Moore to at least say unpopular things and draw attention to perceived ills and problems in society.

Sure, you might not agree with that he says or how he says it but fortunately, he’s still able to say it. And that’s just one of the many things that makes me glad to live in this country.

Check out a bigger version of the poster after the jump. For fun, we’ve also included the trailer as well. Capitalism: A Love Story opens October 2nd.

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