New Year's Eve is upon us, and that can mean only one thing: It's time to dance like there's no tomorrow, because tomorrow exists in a wholly new year! As you prepare to strap on your sparkliest, least practical dancing shoes, we here at MTV News have compiled some inspiration for your midnight revels. Behold! A list of famous people dancing at other famous people's shows!

We know, we know — you're not kicking out to a champagne room (whatever that is) or a stretch Hummer this NYE, but we promise that you can have a night just as glamorous as those depicted below. Just be sure to load up on the glitter and let your regrets slumber until tomorrow. And remember: Your moves will not end up on the Web like those of Miley, Jessica and Taylor. Probably not, at least...

If you’ve tried products to enhance your eyebrows and eyelashes, you know that getting the perfect look for your eyes isn’t easy.

Even with tons of options to choose from, and dozens of techniques to try, we still face the ever-present risk of the dreaded “drawn-on eyebrow” look.  It’s easy to get overwhelmed and either give up, or stick with a less-than-perfect look.

It can be a frustrating situation, because people with lush, long lashes and full eyebrows have a great foundation; they can play up their eyes and get that perfect, sexy look without much time or hassle. It’s enough to drive someone who didn’t win the genetic lottery completely mad with envy.

But don’t despair. There is a great new product combo for those of us who are lash and brow challenged. Called SmartLash and SmartBrow, these two items are the ultimate combo for eye enhancement, and here’s why…

The process starts with SmartLash, one of the most powerful non-prescription lash enhancers available anywhere.  It’s dermatologist recommended and safe for those with sensitive eyes. And, because Smartlash is formulated without prostaglandin, a hormone found in many other formulas that can cause side effects such as darkened irises and blurred vision, you get longer, fuller, darker-looking lashes but without the negative side effects.

According to SmartLash’s published clinical study results, 100 percent of study participants saw an increase in the appearance of eyelash length, fullness and thickness. Users also said they felt like they needed less mascara, and indicated a superior performance of this product when compared to previously used eyelash enhancement products.

But here's where things get really exciting. Smartlash has also been tested and shown to nurture the appearance of lusher, healthier-looking eyebrows. In fact, participants in an independent study reported a 197% increase in the length, thickness and fullness of their brows after applying SmartLash to their eyebrows, twice-daily for 56 days.

That's where SmartBrow comes in. As your eyebrows are developing, use this pigmented gel to fill them in and give your brows a natural, beautiful fullness. Smartbrow's unique combination of polymers and microscopic hair-like fibers bind to your existing brows while filling in gaps to give you instant results that look fantastic – and last all day!

SmartBrow is waterproof, smudge proof and transfer proof — so it will stay on for up to 24 hours after just one application.

With results that are natural-looking and believable, and clinically tested to increase the appearance of your eyebrow and eyelash thickness, fullness and length, these products can give you the sexiest, most attractive eyes of your life. 

Both items are normally sold individually, but right now the online retailer DermStore is offering this one-two punch combo for a savings of more than 78 percent off the regular retail price. For a limited time you can get both SmartLash and SmartBrow, which have a 5-star customer review rating on DermStore’s site, for only $39.95 plus free 1-3 day shipping plus a free gift.

Acne strikes people from adolescence through middle age, and while there isn't a cure for pimples, zits and blackheads, they can be controlled.

The problem? Most people don't properly wash their face. They either over-exfoliate with harsh scrubbing, or dry it out using extreme cleansing soaps— both of which cause the face to overcompensate and produce even more oil, which in turn can clog pores. This creates an unending cycle that can cause long-term skin damage and premature aging lines.

Fortunately there is a much gentler way to properly clean the skin in five simple steps.

1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap so that you don't transfer acne-causing bacteria to your face.

2. Splash lukewarm water on your face to prep the skin for cleansing. Hot water can damage the skin and cause your face to begin oil production.

3. Use a cleanser that's specifically designed for faces and unclogging pores. Clogged pores are what keep your skin's oil from reaching the surface, which not only causes blackheads and pimples but also dries out your face.

One of the top skin cleansers also comes from one of the most trusted names in acne treatment:Proactiv® Blackhead Dissolving Gel.

Proactiv® Blackhead Dissolving Gel uses Salicylic Acid to help keep pores clear, reducing blockage and helping prevent new breakouts from forming. It also contains Lactic Acid, which is gentle and helps exfoliate dead skin cells and absorb excess oil. This not only helps keep pores clear, but also helps them appear smaller so that skin looks smoother. Finally, Shea Butter, which is rich with Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids, as well as Aloe Vera and Bisabolol help soothe the skin and protect it from dehydrating.

These combined ingredients can help break the over-cleansing, acne-causing cycle that plagues so many people.

4. Gently rub the cleanser into your skin, moving fingers in a circular motion for  at least 30 seconds. Fingers usually work better than loofahs or wash cloths that can irritate the skin.

5. Cup cool water in your hands, lift it to your face, and rinse. Do this several times, then pat your face dry — don't rub it—with a soft towel.

While these steps seem simple, they work, and the kind of cleanser you use is definitely key to your success.

Proactiv® produces the number one acne treatment system in America, and the company has won numerous beauty and skincare awards. They also invest every year to formulate products that effectively fight acne while still protecting your skin.

The Proactiv® Blackhead Dissolving Gel not only helps deep clean and decongest pores, it helps clear blackheads and pimples while absorbing excess oil and removing dead skin cells. It’s designed to leave your face glowing and oil-free, soothe skin irritation, and give skin a smoother, more hydrated look and feel. When it comes to the battle against acne, proper steps and the right cleanser could make all the difference in the world.

It’s the dirty little secret many shampoo companies don’t want you to know.  When you wash your hair with certain traditional shampoos, you may actually be stripping your hair and scalp of their natural oils.  Many shampoos usually rely on sodium laurel sulfate or other damaging detergents for cleansing.  While these generate a thick lather to clean hair, they can also create dryness, frizziness, dullness, and color fade.

We then spend a fortune of time and money on products that are effectively undoing the damage caused by shampoo.

Nobody knows this problem better than hair care professionals who are dealing with it day-in and day-out.  One in particular, legendary L.A. celebrity stylist Chaz Dean, decided to do something about it.  He got tired of clients leaving his salon raving about their color and the feel of their hair, only to complain a few weeks later that their hair looked and felt brassy and dull. 

He knew the main culprit was likely their shampoo, so he started experimenting with various ingredients, including natural herbs and botanicals, that he knew had cleansing and hydrating properties.

The result was a radically new approach to the way we cleanse our hair.  It’s called WEN® Cleansing Conditioner.  WEN® contains a super-hydrating blend of glycerin, chamomile, rosemary, calendula, and Cherry bark, which when combined, will both cleanse the hair as well as impart shine and softness, even to damaged hair.

WEN® is a 5-in-1 formula that takes the place of your shampoo, conditioner, deep-conditioner, detangler, and leave-in conditioner.  And, the most amazing thing about it is that it cleanses without lather.  Instead, when mixed with water, it creates a smooth foam for shiny, healthy-looking, manageable results.  The first time you try it certainly feels strange, but the results speak for themselves.

Before being marketed, WEN®  underwent extensive consumer tests, and the results were impressive.  More than 90 percent of the participants in the studies reported that their hair was more shiny, less frizzy, and had more bounce.

WEN® is recommended for all hair types, and once you start using it, it will become the only cleanser/conditioner you  will want to include in your daily routine.

Right now, WEN® is offering an easy way for online shoppers to try the product.   They have put together a special 30 day introductory kit that contains everything you need for 30 days of incredible treatment, plus two really cool free gifts and free shipping.

The introductory 30-day kit is now less than $30 and has a 60 day money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.

In 2013, there was one celebrity story that dominated the media from the first few days of January all the way through this Christmas. Nope, not Miley and her twerking or Justin Bieber's possible retirement. We're talking about Kimye, a.k.a. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. When these two tabloid fixtures first got together, it was clear that they were poised to become the biggest celebrity couple the Internet has ever seen. Whether you like it or not, they're probably this generation's Britney and Justin, and the biggest media power couple since the first Bennifer, so every time you check your Twitter feed or browse through the tabloids in a supermarket, there's bound to be Kimye wherever you look. 

But they didn't become the year's biggest news story overnight. No, over the course of the year, the couple were making the right announcements or wearing the wrong dresses, all to ensure that 2013 truly was the Year of Kimye. We've decided to help you jog your Westdashian-related memory by breaking down their year, season by season. 

Winter
The couple ushered in the new year by announcing that they were expecting their first child together. The news came when West announced to the crowd at his New Year's Eve concert in Atlantic City, N.J., that Kardashian was set to become his "baby mama," which, of course, flung the media into a tail-spin so that pop culture fiends the world over could wake up on the first day of the new year to find out that the most famous child in the world was on its way. From that moment, it was clear that Kardashian and West were set to dominate the cultural conversation for the next 12 months, a promise that they have more than lived up to. 

When it came time for the pair to confirm reports of the pregnancy, they did so the only way they knew how: by hosting a massive New Year's party in Las Vegas and informing all of the waiting paparazzi that there was, indeed, a little baby Kimye arriving soon. From there, the paparazzi and gossip sites were immediately on bump watch, and spent the next nine months writing article after article about the size of Kardashian's belly, speculating how far along she might be, and wondering if maybe it was time to take a break from her heels. They capped off the season by posing for the cover of the French magazine L'Officiel Hommes,  locked in a naked embrace. Clearly, this is where the seed of inspiration for West's "Bound 2" video was planted, so we really should have seen it coming. 

SpringKimye's spring was dominated by one event: the 2013 Met Gala. "Hold on," you must be wondering, "how can one single event have dominated an entire season in terms of Kimye koverage?" Well, because Kardashian chose a custom-made Givenchy gown designed by West's good friend Ricardo Tischi that was, shall we say... less than flattering. The floral-patterned gown featured a high neck, long sleeves, and attached gloves, all of which resulted in an ensemble that was less fashion-forward, and more Mrs. Doubtfire. Unfortunately for Kardashian, the Internet had a field day, and the next few months were filled with jokes made at her expense. But luckily, she was able to put it out of everyone's mind the next month.

WENN

SummerLeave it to Kimye to upstage royalty. A whole month before the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to Prince George, America was blessed with a royal baby of its own, when Kardashian gave birth to a baby girl on June 15. They decided to eschew both the K-initial tradition established by Kardashian's family, as well as all common sense, in naming their baby North West. The couple is notoriously protective of their daughter, and so the world didn't get their first look at one of the world's most famous infants until late August, when West stopped by Kris Jenner's talk show to premiere her baby photos.

Also in the summer, Kardashian's divorce from Brooklyn Nets player Kris Humphries was finalized, just a week before she gave birth. Of course, since most of the world forget about Humphries the second Kardashian filed for divorce, it's only a significant part of Kimye's year, because it opened the door for the biggest celebrity news story of the fall. 

Fall

After North's birth, West decided to help Kardashian out and grant her a break from the spotlight. Of course, he chose to do this by kicking off the fall with a series of interviews promoting his album Yeezus, in which he complained about the difficulties of breaking into the fashion world, declared himself to be a "creative genius," and compared himself to a character from Wreck-It Ralph. Then, in October, he started a "rap feud" with late night host Jimmy Kimmel, after his show aired a sketch "mocking" West's BBC interview. But after clearing the air during a 15-minute interview on the show, West moved on to something a bit more important...

On October 22, West proposed to Kardashian at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The spectacle included an orchestra (playing Kanye West songs, natch), an audience of family, close friends, and the camera crew from Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and an emphatic statement on the jumbotron, asking her to "PLEEEASE MARRY MEEE!!!" The proposal dominated the media cycle for weeks, and while everyone was busy predicting what a possible Kimye wedding would include, the couple found themselves in the middle a lawsuit after video of the whole thing was leaked to the press. 

And then, just when we all thought they couldn't top that proposal, West released the music video for his single "Bound 2," which featured a topless Kardashian straddling his lap while the two zipped through the countryside (or, at least the very realistic green screen backdrop) and stared blankly into each other's eyes. Unfortunately for West, the two were beaten at their own game when James Franco and Seth Rogen released a shot-for-shot recreation of the video, which, although more watchable than the original, is not quite as hilarious. 

That essentially bring us up to speed on the year in Kimye. Of course, we're leaving out countless SNL  parodies, Instagram posts and fights with the paparazzi, but with these two so heavily dominating the news this year, it's hard to include it all. For now, all that we can do is look back fondly over the past 12 months, and bask in the glow of the most famous couple of the year. But don't be sad; with the wedding of the century likely headed our way in 2014, there's still plenty more Kimye antics to look forward to. 

Josie Ho -- singer and actress from Hong Kong -- gives us a sneak peek into her role in the horror flick Open Grave. She describes what it takes to star in a such a terrifying film and how it actually speaks to the human inside us all. 

What sets Open Grave apart from other horror movies? What will viewers find unique?

The script for starters. The way the storytelling reveals the truth little by little as the film progresses. You don't know the whole picture until the end of the movie!

Tell us a little about your character? What was your process preparing for the role?

I play a mute girl from China who doesn't know English, but it appears that I am the key to solving the mystery, so I must attempt different ways to gain the others’ trust without words.  With no dialogue, I had to figure out my own body language and facial expressions.  This took a lot of practice before filming since it was my first time portraying a mute character while acting.

How was it working with director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego?

He gives actors a lot of freedom and he even asked us to block our own scenes. He would then setup the camera to capture where we wanted to be while filming.  I have a lot to learn from that because we don't get so much freedom due to budget in Hong Kong, but I did sometimes feel lost with too much freedom in scenes, haha!

How were the relationships between cast mates filming such an intense movie? At any point does it ever get scary while filming this type of movie, or are you all laughing in between takes?

Really good actually! Most of us didn’t know each other before filming, but one week into production we became friends.  Sometimes we’d play cards at night, but I lose from time to time!

Anything more you can share from the experience filming?  

It was kinda cold in Hungary at the time of filming, but I had to wear just a single layer tee for the character throughout the entire film, so I was pretty chilly the whole time!

What is next for you?

I just finished a role in a Hong Kong film called Naked Ambition 3D, and next month I am going to star in a film called Badminton, which is produced by my 852 Films and directed by Derek Kwok.  Both projects are comedies. When I was younger, I was more concerned about hitting the marks and trying to be in serious dramas.  But now, I just wanna let loose gearing a bit more towards comedy.  Just like The Joker says, "Why so serious?" This has become the new agenda in my career!

Anything else you'd like to add?

Please go see Open Grave. You may find yourself awakened after watching this film, as it is about humanity.

Can wine really improve our health and increase longevity? Scientists are beginning to say "Yes!" Supposing that the theory is true -- which wines give us the most bang for the buck?

Researchers have found that red wines rich in flavonoids are best for our health. Flavonoids are best known for their antioxidant qualities and help the body resist such maladies as allergens, viruses and carcinogens.

Red wines also contain anxioxidants, which help the body resist cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir contain the highest concentrations of antioxidants and flavonoids.

Other red wines such as Merlots and red zinfandels contain fewer flavonoids, but more than most white wines. So, the best bet for drinking wine for our health is to stick to the dryer red wines.  Just because wine contains components that are central to good health doesn't give us a free rein to get plastered every night. Don't overdo it -- but adding a glass of wine to your daily diet can definitely make a difference to our health.

Paracelsus, the noted 16^th-century Swiss physician wrote, "Wine is a food, a medicine and a poison - it's just a question of dose." As with almost any food or drink, wine consumed in large doses can be a detriment to our health.

Most health officials agree that one or two four-ounce glasses of wine per day can be beneficial to men, while women should limit their consumption to one four ounce serving per day.

Cardiovascular expert, Professor Roger Corder, has spent years studying the evidence of health benefits from red wine. In his new book, "The Wine Diet," he says he is convinced that most of us should include red wine in our every day lifestyle.

Corder discovered what he eventually labeled the "French Paradox." Specifically, he wondered why the French have a lower rate of heart disease despite the fact that their diet was extremely rich in fats. He concentrated his research on the southwest portion of France, where life expectancy seemed to be highest.

Professor Corder discovered that the region produces very tannic local wines, which contain the highest procyanidin (antioxidant) content of any wines, worldwide. This led him to further research on the amazing medical benefits of red wine.

While wine may not be man's ultimate elixir or fountain of youth, it certainly behooves us to consider adding a glass of wine or two to our daily diet - and raise a "toast" to our continued good health.           

Women often envy celebrities because of their great-looking, flawless hair. From Mia Farrow's classic pixie cut to Jennifer Aniston's Friends-era haircut called "The Rachel," we've been imitating our favorite star's styles for years.

Case in point, Glamour Magazine's UK edition just published the most popular celebrity hair trends for 2013, and short cropped cuts are back. Michelle Williams sports brilliant blonde locks, Rihanna and Emma Watson offer really rich reds, and Oscar-winners Anne Hathaway and Halle Berry are living for dark, glistening blacks.

While not everyone can pull off these short hair styles, there is something all these lovely ladies have in common, and which every woman can achieve for themselves: incredible color.

No, we're not talking about using a basic over-the-counter treatment. Those may be affordable, but these mass-produced colors don’t last as long, don't leave your hair feeling soft, and are often messy to apply. This is not a star-worthy option.

Big name celebrities obviously have big name stylists. However, even mainstream salons can provide high-quality hair dye and great results. The problem, of course, is that these visits are pricey, especially for women who frequently treat gray roots.

Now an innovative new company called eSalon is bringing celebrity-grade hair color to the masses — and at prices everyone can afford.

Getting the Perfect Hair Color

The reason salon treatments are so effective —and expensive— is because formulating hair color is both a science and an art. You get a fully personalized, custom blended color created specifically for you, and the ingredients are a much higher quality. That shows in the way it lasts, as well as how it makes your hair look and feel.

ESalon employs professional colorists, accessing more than 2,000 color variations, to create high-end custom blends specifically for your hair, and which can't be found in typical drug store brands. You just complete a short “hair profile” on the eSalon website, giving the same information you would provide a salon stylist. Next, you pinpoint exactly the color you want via their online matching system.

Professional colorists then review your order and profile, mix your color using salon grade hair dyes, and ship everything to your doorstep— all within two business days. Their high-quality dyes provide 100 percent gray coverage and include ingredients such as Vitamin E, B5, and aloe vera. This leaves hair rich and shiny, and helps the color last a long time.

It may sound crazy, but the company has prepared more than 300,000 custom hair color applications, thanks to both the quality and price.

A complete color application from eSalon normally costs less than $20 per application— not much more than drug store brands, but with the quality and formulation you'd expect at a professional salon for three times the price.

Best of all, eSalon is currently offering new clients an incredible deal: treatments for only $9.95(that's a 50% savings), plus $4.95 shipping and handling. And every eSalon order features a 100% satisfaction guarantee; that means if you're not satisfied, they'll refund the entire amount — including shipping.

You don't have to be wealthy to show off beautiful celebrity-style. With eSalon, you'll have the rich quality and incredible color you love, and you'll never have to break the bank or settle for cheap drugstore brands again.

When we’re young, the main concern regarding our skin tends to be hiding pimples and experimenting with makeup. Teenagers roll their eyes at anti-aging concerns such as wrinkles and crow’s feet. After all, that’s years away... or is it?

According to dermatologists, the fight against the signs of aging should actually start as early as our 20s. This is when we need to get serious about skin care, becoming vigilant about sunscreen, proper hydration, and looking to slow down the skin’s aging process.

In fact, our skin and the way it ages differ markedly as we grow older.

When it comes to treating skin for multiple issues—acne, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, etc.— there are multiple factors to consider, including different levels of hydration, exfoliation, and supporting collagen and elastin production. And the severity of these issues depends on your age.

That was the conclusion reached by an MIT scientist in Cambridge, MA who wanted to prove cosmetic creams could compete with plastic surgery in the war on aging. She developed unique topical solutions for each decade when a woman's skin goes through the most important changes—her 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Over an eight week consumer study consisting of 80 women between those ages, researchers reviewed the effect these different creams had on their skin. At every two week interval, each woman’s face was photographed for evidence of changes in her skin from when she first started using her age-based cream. 

Seventy percent of women noticed an increase in their skin’s hydration in those first two weeks alone. At the end of the study, nearly 100 percent of the women were reporting significantly positive results from their age-based cream.

The scientist then used the results of the study to create a skin care line called Stages of Beauty. It consists of four creams formulated to treat the unique issues of your skin’s age, based on the most skin prominent decade.

For women in their 20s there’s the Radiance cream;  lightweight and infused with an anti-aging complex that works to prevent the fine lines and wrinkles we develop in our 30s. It also contains other soothing ingredients to calm skin from breakouts and damage from the sun.

For women in their 30s there’s the Harmony cream; delivering a deeper level of hydration for the years when the moisture barrier begins to deplete. The Harmony cream stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to create a tightening effect of the skin. This pushes younger skin cells forward for glowing skin and helps prevent the skin drooping that starts to occur in our 40s.

For women in their 40s there’s the Elegance cream; an intensely hydrating cream, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It also begins the process of cell repair and goes into DNA protection mode.

For women in their 50s there’s the Grace cream; an ultra-hydrating cream for the age when hormones shift into overdrive and a rapid deterioration of the moisture barrier occurs. The Grace cream works to balance the effects of hormones on the skin, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to create a tightening effect, and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Every cream is formulated with a mix of proven anti-aging ingredients: Resveratrol, Apple stem cell botanical extract, Sea botanicals and Amino acids, Peptide triple blend, Prickly pear extract, Tetra peptide 17, Sodium hyaluronate, Amino acid complex, Hyaluronic acid, Acetyl tetrapeptide-2, and Seaweed extract.

But, do the creams really work? According to numerous women, including Jill Zarin from the hit series The Real Housewives of New York, the answer is "Yes!"

"I’m always on the lookout for products that make me look and feel my best, but it isn’t always easy," Zarin states. "Stages of Beauty is the one anti-aging cream that has really made a difference for me. I look in the mirror every day and I’m amazed. It’s like nothing I’ve used before."

If you’re tired of constantly changing product as your skin ages, or wondering whether you're using the very best skincare available, there’s never been a better time to try your personal Stages of Beauty skin cream. That’s because they’re currently offering a free 14-day trial of each cream so you can see the changes for yourself.

Click here now to get your risk-free trial. You could be on your way to looking younger in no time!

One of the unfortunate realities of life is that as we get older we lose energy and muscle mass, and our endurance and libido suffer. As a result, men have searched long and hard for a magic elixir that could result in everlasting youth.

Until just a few years ago, most scientists considered anti-aging treatments to be little more than snake oil—but today, that's all changed.

There is little doubt that when our body stops manufacturing certain substances, it begins to accelerate all aspects of the aging process. However, if the body were to begin creating these substances again, it could theoretically restore youth. 

And the most important of these substances? Testosterone.

As we age the body produces less and less of this key hormone. Indeed, natural production of testosterone peaks in a man's late 20s, and the results become more and more obvious; increased apathy, lowered sex-drive and performance, less energy, and less spunk.

The trick is how to safely get the body to start producing more testosterone. One of the most exciting approaches has been developed by a group of researchers working at a leading Cambridge, Massachusetts health supplement company. 

They have developed a safe and effective supplement which actually triggers the body to raise free testosterone levels naturally. It’s called Nugenix, and it’s now being made available to the public. Nugenix relies on well-researched natural testosterone boosting ingredients such as Testofen® that can significantly pump up a person’s free testosterone levels.

In fact, the company states that results of Nugenix include enhanced sex drive as well as enhanced physical performance and stamina.

So what kind of a difference can a testosterone boosting supplement like this make? According to users of the product and studies held in both Irvine, California and Queensland, Australia– it’s nothing short of spectacular. From increased muscle definition and endurance, to increased performance in the gym and desire in the bedroom – users have been reporting virtual transformations as a result of safely boosting their free testosterone with Nugenix.

Nugenix is manufactured under the strictest quality standards and is available at GNC stores across the nation. 

Best of all, right now, the company that manufacturers Nugenix is giving away samples of the product to qualifying customers who request them online.

Click here to learn more and find out how to get your sample.

August... the very mention of the month in reference to the box office traditionally elicits thoughts of a non-blockbuster creating, "dog days" inspiring, less than stellar timeframe for movies. A closer look reveals quite the opposite. 

We argue that August is one of the best months to be a moviegoer because you get edgier films like this weekend’s R-rated sci-fi action filmElysium from Sony (studio says mid-$30 millions this weekend) and Warner Bros. R-rated comedy We're the Millers (expect low $20 millions for Fri. through Sun. after a Wed. debut of $6.77 million) along with family fare such as Disney's Planes (likely $28 million through Sunday) and Fox's Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (expect just under $20 million for the weekend after a Wed. debut of $5.45 million). It is certainly a somewhat schizophrenic month when it comes to content...and that's why we love it!

In our opinion, 2009 was a great year for August releases and really showed that it was no longer was a second class month worthy of scorn and derision (and in fact has evolved arguably into one of the best months of the summer in terms of content) when both Inglourious Basterds and District 9 were released within a week of each other. Both films earned rave reviews and solid revenues while breaking out of the typical cookie-cutter mold of traditional summer fare. Universal's 2 Guns has already kicked off August in similar R-rated fashion and Kick Ass 2 will capitalize further on this next week.  

R-rated comedies also do well in August when "Blockbuster Fatigue" has set in and audiences are looking for something a little different and a bit more challenging.  In 2005, the R-rated hit The 40 Year Old Virgin was a notable example.  

Oprah Winfrey is a marketing machine and the evidence is clear as the true life biopic Lee Daniels' The Butler tops the chart this weekend with an impressive $25.01 million. The film is already generating Oscar buzz with Forest Whitaker's portrayal of a butler who served under numerous U.S. Presidents for 34 years garnering much praise from audiences and critics alike. This is the first number one opening weekend for The Weinstein Co. since 2009's Inglourious Basterds and proves that when Oprah endorses anything, whether a book or a movie, audiences listen.

In second place with $17.78 million is Warner Bros.' R-rated comedyWe're the Millers which impressively of all the wide release films for this Summer, had the best second weekend at hold at just 33%. The film is just shy of the $70 million mark in North America.

Third place goes to Sony's R-rated sci-fi thriller Elysium which in its second weekend blasted up another $13.6 million against a 54% drop after a first place debut last weekend and $55.9 million to date in North America. The Matt Damon film directed by District 9's Neil Blomkamp earned an estimated $22 million overseas this weekend, bringing its cume to $37.7 million internationally and $93.6 million worldwide.

Universal's Kick Ass 2 came in much lower than expected for a fourth place debut of $13.568 million,  the original Kick Ass opened in April of 2010 with a number one debut of $19.8 million and many were expecting a number in that range for the R-rated action sequel this weekend.  Internationally the film fared better opening in 17 territories this weekend and grossed an estimated $6.3M at 1,500 dates.

The Top 5 is rounded out by Disney's animated Planes in its second weekend with $13.14 million and $45.09 million to date while Open Road's Steve Jobs biopic Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher in the titular role also opened to a less than expected $6.7 million in seventh place as did the Harrison Ford film Paranoia from Relativity Media in the number 13 spot with $3.5 million.

Only two more weekends left in the summer movie season and we are running nearly 11% ahead of the season at the same point last year.

Top Movies for Weekend of August 16 - August 18 (Estimates)