In Bulgarian Cinemas from 6 July 2012

Ледена епоха: Континентален дрейф / Ice Age: Continental Drift - No matter what I write about the fourth unnecessary instalment of Ice Age, the crowds in Bulgaria will flood the cinemas this weekend to see the next adventures of Sid and co. And probably would like them. This, however, doesn't mean that the animated film is not a lazy cash-in, produced without any attention to plot and character development. Yes, the best thing once again remains Scrat, but I just wish this creature to finally catch the hazelnut and all to be over. And, the fact that all of its shenanigans had already been exposed in the trailers do not help the movie either. As for the plot, the trio of main characters head on a journey to return home, which, bar a scene with sinister sirens, is deprived of any heart pumping moments. Worst though is the fact that the villains of the film are extremely boring and underwritten. Truth to be told, there are occasional funny moments with Sid's grandma (who for reasons unknown looks like an ostrich) but they quickly become tiresome. In addition, the creators have infested the pic with rip-offs either from Brave Heart, Star Wars or Pirates of The Caribbean just to lure more people to go and spend their dollars/levs. Last, but definitely not least, the story with Manny's little girl and her interactions with the cool mammoths (Jersey Shore fans rejoice) is on the bordeline disgusting. Yes, I may be too harsh but when other studios such as Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks try to deliver something creative, the guys at Fox attempt to sell the same reheated dish again. Hopefully, this franchise would be extinct soon. (Alexandra) **
Trailer 

Magic Mike: Професия стриптизьор / Magic Mike - It's the most obvious fact that no one except women will feel the need to go and watch a movie about male stripping. And they would probably make a mistake as the latest Steven Soderbergh-directed picture is delivered with a steady hand and shows not only the abs of Tatum but dares to unveil this somewhat hidden world - a world full of women, sex, parties, drugs and alcohol. And that reveals many interesting moments, which are worth a look. The movie still has its pitfalls though - many of the side characters remain, hm, on the side, while some plot lines, including drug use, feel too rushed. However, unlike last year's Haywire, which was far too sketchy and felt more experimental, Magic Mike is more traditional Soderbergh and falls in the group of Ocean's Eleven and Contagion. Add a star to the rating if you're a woman, a gay man or just a True Blood fan. (Tandem) ***

Trailer

***** Perfect

**** Unmissable

*** Just Fine

** So-so (for genre aficionados only)

* Stay away

Bulgarian Box Office Update - Weekend 29 June - 1 July

Even the weird costumes couldn't draw the cash

Expectedly due to the lack of any competition Madagascar 3 continues to lead the box office chart in Bulgaria. With BGN 529,893 so far, the Dreamworks movie remains for a fourth week on top. The film, however, will not manage to reach the BGN 1 billion mark despite heading the chart for so long. The awful four instalment of Ice Age is certain to put an end to Madagascar's reign next weekend.

The highest and only new entry is 2 Days in New York, which enters at #8 with BGN 6,892. It has no star power and is basically an art-house flick so the weak result is not so surprising.

You can check the rest of the chart here: Boxofficemojo

This week the top ten is left by Salmon Fishing in The Yemen, which has earned BGN 37,082 - an expected performance for the low-key film.

Compared to my projections, 2 Days in New York opened very close to my BGN 6,000 forecast.

Next weekend's projections:

Ice Age 4 - 280,000, including previews
Magic Mike - 32,000, including previews

(1 BGN =  0.64 USD / EUR 0.51)

Austrian Economic News - Week 25 Jun - 1 Jul - Deutsche Version

Montag 

Die Stahlgruppe voestalpine hat ein Anleiheprogramm mit dem Volumen von bis zu EUR 1bn zu starten entschieden. Allerdings hat die Firma keine konkrete Pläne das Programm im Sommer zu beginnen.
*
Die Zucker-, Stärke- und Obstgruppe Agrana teilte mit, dass ihr Erstquartalsumsatz auf EUR 775m von EUR 613m stieg. Der operative Gewinn erhöhte sich auf EUR 70.9m von EUR 61.6m. 

Dienstag

Der österreichische Versicherer Uniqa verkündigte am Dienstag, dass sie den Start der anvisierten Kapitalerhöhung von EUR 500m plant. Der Bezugspreis legt bei EUR 10.5 je Aktie und das Bezugsverhältnis steht auf 29:10. Die Erhöhung ist Teil der Pläne Uniqas ihren Streubesitz im 2013 zu steigern.
*
Der Baukonzern Porr, der zweitgrößte Bauer in Österreich, plant 74 seiner 270 Arbeitern in der Wien Zentrale zu entlassen, schrieb Tageszeitung Standard. Die Entlassung ist Teil der Umbaupläne der Firma und peilt eine Kürzung bei Kosten.

Mittwoch

Der österreichische Beleuchtungsspezialist Zumtobel sagte am Mittwoch, dass sein Nettogewinn um 69% auf EUR 16m im Geschäftsjahr 2011/12 zurückgegangen ist. Der Umsatz stieg um 4.2% auf EUR 1.280bn. Die Dividende wird von EUR 0.50 auf EUR 0.20 gekürzt sein. Die Firma hat seine Prognose von einem 10% jährlichen Umsatzwachstum zurückgezogen.

*

Die Technologiegruppe Andritz hat EUR 350m mit ihrer Anleihe einzuwerben geschafft. Die sieben-jährliche Anleihe wird einen Kupon von 3.875% tragen.

Donnerstag

Die Wirtschaftsinstituten Wifo und IHS sagten am Donnerstag, dass sie das Wachstum des österreichischen Bruttoinlandsprodukt bei 0.6% bzw. 0.8% im Jahr 2012 sehen. Für 2013 erwartet Wifo eine Zunahme von 1.3% und IHS rechnet mit 1.7%. Allerdings ist die Unsicherheit für das nächste Jahr zu hoch, sagte Wifo.
*
Die Bundeswettbewerbsbehörde hat den geplanten Verkauf von Yesss, die Billigtochter der Orange, zu Telekom Austria für tiefgründige Prüfung beim Kartellgericht beantragen. Die Behörde fürchtet sich vor negativen Effekten auf den Wettbewerb. Die Entscheidung kann auch zu Verzögerung der geplanten Übernahme der Orange Austria von der "3" (Hutchison 3G).

Freitag

Petrom, die rumänische Tochter der Öl- und Gasgruppe OMV, hat ihr Gasabfüllungsgeschäft Petrom LPG an der Crimbo Gas International verkauft. Der Preis war nicht gegeben.
*
Der Motorradproduzent KTM hat seine neueste Kapitalerhöhung mit der Ausgabe von 336,000 neuen Aktien abgeschlossen.
*
Die Hypo NÖ Gruppe Bank AG hat mit dem Stromversorger EVN über den Kauf seiner Tochter first facility vereinbart.
*
Der österreichische Versicherer Uniqa sagte, dass er die Veräußerung von 91.7% an der deutschen Mannheimer AG Holding an den Continentale Versicherungsverbund abgeschlossen hat. Die Firma gab keine Preisdetails. 

Austrian Economic News - Week 25 Jun - 1 Jul

Monday

Steel group Voestalpine has decided to launch a new bond programme worth up to EUR 1bn. However, the firm does not have concrete issue plans for the summer season.

*
Sugar, stark and fruit company Agrana announced that its first-quarter revenues rose to EUR 775m from EUR 613m a year earlier. Operating profit grew to EUR 70.9m from EUR 61.6m. 

Tuesday

Insurance group Uniqa announced the start of its planned capital increase with the volume of EUR 500m. The issue price stands at EUR 10.50 per share, with a subscription ratio of 29:10. The increase is part of Uniqa's plans to boost its free float next year.
*
Austria's second biggest construction group Porr announced the lay-off of 74 of its 270 employees at its Vienna headquarters, daily Standard reported. The move is part of the company's restructuring efforts and its intentions to cut massively the costs.

Wednesday

Austrian lighting producer Zumtobel said its net profit collapsed 69% to EUR 16m in fiscal 2011/12. Sales increased 4.2% to EUR 1.280bn. Dividend payment will be cut to EUR 0.20 from EUR 0.50. The company has withdrawn its forecast for an average sales growth of 10% per year.

*

Technology group Andritz has raised EUR 350m with the issue of a new bond. The seven-year bond will bear a coupon of 3.875%.

Thursday

Economic research institutes Wifo and IHS said on Thursday they see Austria's gross domestic product rising respectively by 0.6% and 0.8% in 2012. For 2013 Wifo projects 1.3% growth, while IHS expects 1.7%. Wifo, however, pointed out that the uncertainty for 2013 is extremely high.

*
The Austrian Federal Competition Authority has filed the planned takeover of Yesss, the low-cost subsidiary of Orange, by Telekom Austria for an in-depth examination by the Cartel Court. The authorities fear that the deal would have a negative impact on competition. This will also delay the planned takeover of Orange Austria by "3" (Hutchison 3G).

Friday

Petrom, the Romanian subsidiary of OMV, has divested its gas bottling unit Petrom LPG to Crimbo Gas International. No financial details were provided.

*

Motorcycle producer KTM has completed its latest capital increase that involved the issue of 336,000 new shares.

*

Hypo NÖ Gruppe Bank AG has agreed to buy first facility, a subsidiary of utility EVN.

*
Austrian insurer Uniqa said it had completed the divestment of its 91.7% stake in German Mannheimer AG Holding to Continentale Versicherungsverbund. The deal price was not disclosed.

Hot New Playlist - Issue Date 2.07

Hot New Playlist

Wordz Deejay - Perfect Feeling (Official Video)

PATRICK MILLER - Dancing In London

Michael Mind Project feat. Dante Thomas - Feeling So Blue

Sean Kingston - Back 2 Life (Live It Up)

Timati & La La Land feat. Timbaland & Grooya - Not All About The Money

Dony feat Elena - Hot Girls 

Cascada - The Rhythm Of The Night 

Silbermond - FDSMH (Für dich schlägt mein Herz)

2 Chainz - No Lie (Explicit) ft. Drake

Maroon 5 - One More Night

The Wanted - Chasing The Sun (Ice Age : Continental Drift Version)

Conor Maynard - Vegas Girl

Scissor Sisters - Baby Come Home

Elton John vs Pnau - Sad

Train - 50 Ways To Say Goodbye

Lady Antebellum - Wanted You More

Clement Marfo & the Frontline - Champion                 

Muse - Survival (BBC Official Video - Longer Version)

Wiley - Heatwave feat. Ms.D 

Lana Del Rey - National Anthem

Easton Corbin - Lovin' You Is Fun

The extended playlist: Playlist          

Austrian Chart Update - Issue Date 29.06

Die Österreichische Hitparade

1. Tacabro - Tacata (up from #8)

Video

2. Flo Rida - Whistle (up from #4)

Video 

3. Loreen - Euphoria (down from #1)

Live

The new entries & other important positions :

10. Culcha Candela - Von allein (up from #15)

Video 

20. Michael Mind Project ft. Dante Thomas - Feeling So Blue (neu)

Video 

21. Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (up from #50) *

Audio

28. Patrick Miller - Dancing In London (neu)

Video 

44. MC Yankoo vs. Mladja ft. Acero - Loca (neu) **

Video 

53. The Makemakes - The Lovercall (neu) ** 

Video 

60. Philip Poisel - Ich will nur (neu)

Audio 

63. WTF! - Da Bop (neu) *

Video 

65. Michael Vatter - It Is Alright (neu) **

Live 

71. Katy Perry - Wide Awake (neu) *

Video 

72. Marquess - ¡Bienvenido! (neu)

Video

74. Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (neu)

Video 

* - Still to enter the German charts

** - pure Austrian stuff

 

In Bulgarian Cinemas from 29 June 2012

Два дни в Ню Йорк / 2 Days In New York - It's so rare to see a non-Hollywood film on our big screens, that every time this miracle happens, a party should be thrown. And when the pic is as funny and fresh as the latest Julie Delpy project, all admirers of good comedies with an European flavour should rejoice. With its low-key synopsis, lack of any familiar casts bar Chris Rock and absence of any dramatic plot turns, 2 Days In New York will definitely not meet the affections of the crowds that visit Bulgaria's cinemas (off topic - yesterday I was once again convinced that majority of the regular cinema goers here are pigs) but forms a terrific double-bill with its predecessor 2 Days In Paris. Delpy shows an experienced eye for digging the funny staff when two cultures collide and to plant in this "conflict" the seeds of more thought provoking ideas. Oh, what am I writing here, just watch it to see how French speak English. They DOESN'T. (Alexandra) ****

Trailer

***** Perfect

**** Unmissable

*** Just Fine

** So-so (for genre aficionados only)

* Stay away