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Locally filmed 'Scream 4' available on DVD Tuesday

Neve Campbell stars in "Scream 4," which was partly filmed in Ann Arbor.

Then you’re in luck: Wes Craven’s “Scream 4” is being released on DVD on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Though the first three films in the juggernaut horror/comedy series each scored more than $100 million at the box office, “Scream 4” earned just $38.2 million domestically (more than $80 million worldwide), and critical reception seemed to be of the “love it or hate it” variety. (The film scored 58 percent on RottenTomatoes.com.)

Original series stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette all resumed their roles in “Scream 4,” while a phalanx of young actors - Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin, Hayden Panettiere, Alison Brie, Nico Tortorella, and Marielle Jaffe, among others - introduced a new crop of characters to the franchise.

'Scream 4' has slow weekend at the box office

In its third weekend in release, locally filmed "Scream 4" added just $2.1 million to its take at the box office, a drop of 69 percent from the previous weekend.

The Box Office Mojo website lists "Scream 4" in 13th place for the weekend, a drop from fifth place last week. It came in second in its debut weekend, behind the animated "Rio."

with poll: 'Scream 4' remains in top 5 at the box office in second weekend of release

Courteney Cox in "Scream 4"

Dimension Films

In its second weekend of release, the locally filmed feature "Scream 4" saw a steep drop in its box-office business, but it still finished in the No. 5 spot over the weekend, according to movie-business tracker Box Office Mojo.

"Scream 4" took in $7 million over the weekend, raising its total take to $31 million. It opened last weekend, bringing in $19 million and landing in second place.

with polls

Locally shot 'Scream 4' disappoints at box office

Courteney Cox in "Scream 4"

Dimension Films

More than 10 years have passed between "Scream 3" and "Scream 4," the locally shot, newly released chapter in the popular horror franchise. With key talent returning both in front of the cameras (Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette) as well as behind (director Wes Craven and writer Kevin Williamson), expectations were high for the movie's box-office hopes.

Its box-office performance over the opening weekend is being called disappointing. The animated kids movie "Rio" was in first place with the biggest opening weekend so far this year, selling $40 million in tickets. "Scream 4" was in second place with $19 million.

polls: What did you think of 'Scream 4'?

Weinstein Co.

"Scream 4" — the latest installment in the successful horror-movie franchise, which was filmed in the Ann Arbor area last year — opened Friday to high box-office expectations.

What did you think of the movie, and how does it rank among other locally shot features? Take our polls below, and/or leave a comment:

movie review

'Scream 4' is fun, but suffers from some of the same horror shortcuts that it mocks

Courteney Cox in "Scream 4"

Dimension Films

The clever, witty opening scene of Wes Craven’s locally filmed “Scream 4” reminds you, in short order, why the original “Scream” trilogy enjoyed such blockbuster success in the 1990s: The in-joke laughs and scares are plentiful and sometimes even simultaneous; and again and again, Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson skillfully lure the audience toward conclusions that are shockingly, enjoyably proven wrong.

But even this fun sequence bows toward more bland and familiar conventions in the end, thus summing up the “Scream 4” viewing experience in a nutshell: it generally provides a pretty entertaining ride, despite some lazy narrative shortcuts.

'Scream 4' star Neve Campbell reflects on her time in Ann Arbor and revisiting a favorite character

Neve Campbell in "Scream 4"

When filming “Scream 4” in Michigan last year, star Neve Campbell enjoyed her time in Ann Arbor.

“I really liked it. I thought Ann Arbor was really beautiful. The vibe was great and the people were really nice,” recalled Campbell, 37, during a phone interview from London. “It reminded a lot of home because I’m from Toronto. It had the same kind of atmosphere and I actually ended up driving up to Canada to see my family quite a bit while I was there too.”

with poll: 'Scream 4' midnight screening draws young, satisfied crowd to Rave

From left: Ann Arbor residents Alex Tutor and Tyler Pritchett and Ypsilanti resident Star Williams walk into the theater on opening night of Scream 4 at Rave Motion Pictures

Photo by Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

April 15 — normally the deadline for taxes — is a day often associated with dread and apprehension; but this year, it also marks the release date of Wes Craven’s much-anticipated, locally shot horror film, “Scream 4.” And given the series’ wry sense of humor, and acute cultural awareness, the uncanny timing is probably no accident.

On Thursday night, as the first minutes of April 15 approached, well over 100 patrons flocked to Rave Motion Pictures (formerly Showcase Cinemas) on Carpenter Road to be among the very first to see the latest “Scream.”

There was a celebratory, laid-back party atmosphere in the generally young crowd. Before the theater went dark, one man stood up and announced to the audience that his friend, Earl Barr, who was seated next to him, had been part of the filming — which drew supportive cheers and applause.

“Wes Craven picked me out of 3,300 people,” said Barr, who played a janitor at Woodsboro High School in the film.

An Ann Arbor resident who previously worked in the auto industry, Barr noted that he’s been involved in the filming of 8 movies in the past three years, including “Real Steel” and “The Ides of March.” (Barr is also booked for work in “The Five Year Engagement,” which will shoot in the area again beginning in late May or early June.)

“Hopefully, they didn’t cut me out (of 'Scream 4'),” Barr said shortly before the film began.

mega-guide: 'Scream 4' show times, reviews, interviews, tweets, poll and more

Neve Campbell in "Scream 4."

"Scream 4," the latest entry in the popular tongue-in-cheek horror franchise, opens with midnight screenings tonight.

Production of the movie was based in Ann Arbor, and it was shot here and in several nearby communities. The movie reunites Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette (as well as director Wes Craven), all veterans of the earlier installments of the series. It also adds younger cast members like Hayden Panettiere and Emma Roberts.

Here are some links and other goodies to whet your appetite:

with poll: Locally filmed 'Scream 4' aims to draw new blood and a big box office take

Last summer, Brighton’s Justin Brandt — a 19-year-old Howell High School graduate — earned a principal role in “Scream 4,” which was shot in Ann Arbor, Livonia, Northville, and Dearborn. (A “principal role" is one that ranks above extra, but below a lead role, and thus qualifies for union pay.)

Brandt spent four days on set, spread over two weeks, and got the chance to chat and eat meals with the film’s main actors; since then, he’s spotted himself in a “Scream 4” trailer now being screened in theaters.

Yet until the much-anticipated film — the first that the blockbuster horror franchise has released in 11 years — is released on Friday, Brandt can’t share much more about his “Scream” experience than that.

“You’d be surprised at how much stuff I’m actually not allowed to talk about,” said Brandt.

Locally shot 'Scream 4' premieres in Hollywood

Weinstein Co.

"Scream 4" — the latest entry in the popular tongue-in cheek horror franchise, shot last summer in Ann Arbor and environs — had its red-carpet premiere last night in Hollywood.

opinion

with video, poll: 'Scream' movies endure because they're so much more than horror

Neve Campbell stars in "Scream 4," opening April 15.

If the Ghostface killer of Wes Craven’s “Scream” series asked me his trademark question, “Do you like scary movies?” my answer would be a big, fat, presumably disappointing “No.” For I’ve never enjoyed horror films.

But even I, with my long-established “movie coward” credentials, make an exception regarding the “Scream” movies and anxiously await the April 15 release of the newest installment, “Scream 4,” shot last summer in Ann Arbor and neighboring areas.

Why do “Scream” movies make the — ahem — cut for me? They’re certainly horror movies in their own right, chock full of genre conventions I otherwise can’t/won’t stomach: ruthless, anonymous serial killers (as one character says in the first film, “It’s the millennium. Motives are incidental.”); gruesome, watch-through-your-fingers violence; and bucket-loads of blood and gore.

Updates on 3 films partly shot in Ann Arbor: 'Scream 4,' 'Meet Monica Velour,' and 'Appleville'

Some behind-the-scenes video of the "Scream 4" shoot in Ann Arbor last summer recently surfaced online, including this short clip that shows star Neve Campbell running around the roof of a Burns Park house's front porch.

A few more clips, which feature scenes shot inside the same Burns Park house, can be viewed at www.shocktillyoudrop.com — but be warned. The clips contain potential spoilers, as well as some mature language.

entertainment tonight: Courteney Cox, other stars talk about working on locally filmed 'Scream 4'

ETOnline, the web arm of the TV celebrity show "Entertainment Tonight," has released a video clip of on-set interviews with Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Hayden Panettiere and other stars of "Scream 4."

The movie, shot in Ann Arbor and other nearby locales last year, is set for release April 15.

Watch the video here, take our poll on the movie below, and check out all our previous coverage.

New 'Scream 4' trailer released online

Do you like scary movies?

If so, you're probably one of the many, many fans awaiting the slated April release of "Scream 4," which director Wes Craven shot in Michigan (Ann Arbor, as well as Northville, Livonia, Dearborn, etc.) last year.

A new, 2 1/2 minute trailer recently surfaced online. (An initial teaser trailer — different from this version — was released in October.) Check out the new one below.

Full teaser trailer for locally-filmed 'Scream 4' released online

The full teaser trailer for "Scream 4" — filmed in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Livonia and Northville this past summer — was recently released online. The release came shortly after an unofficial version was leaked.

Check out the full version below:

daily entertainment links: 'ET' on 'Scream 4' set; local Aimee Mann video; Eddie Fisher dies

"Entertainment Tonight" got access to the set of "Scream 4," which recently wrapped up shooting in Ann Arbor and elsewhere in the area. There is a story and a bunch of brief interview clips from Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Emma Roberts and Wes Craven on the show's website.

Other entertainment items of note online today:

Wes Craven announces on Twitter that 'Scream 4' has wrapped

In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, film director Wes Craven posted to his Twitter account, "It's the end of the beginning, and the beginning of the end... That's a wrap on @Scream4!"

The much-anticipated horror movie sequel was shot in Dearborn, Northville, Livonia and Ann Arbor (where its production office was also housed); and shooting on the film got under way at the end of June. The Internet Movie Data Base lists an opening date of April 15, 2011.

food & drink: Hayden Panettiere's 3-foot tall dolphin birthday cake created by Ann Arbor bakery

The dolphin cake that Bryant Stuckey made for Hayden Panettiere's 21st birthday party in Ann Arbor.

Photo courtesy of Bryant Stuckey

Until last weekend.

Stuckey and his company Decadent Delight Cakes and Pastries were commissioned to make the birthday cake for "Scream 4" star Hayden Panettiere's 21st birthday celebration at the Cavern Club in Ann Arbor on Saturday night.

daily entertainment links: Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin in 'Scream 4'; regional theater awards podcast; & more

Kristen Bell, left, and Anna Paquin

AP photos

News has leaked out that Kristen Bell and Anna Paquin will have cameo appearances in "Scream 4," currently being filmed in the Ann Arbor area and starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Hayden Panettiere and others. Director Wes Craven has confirmed the news on Twitter.

Other entertainment items of note online today: