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They’re still lining up for ‘Pirates’

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Times Staff Writer

The after life: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” which arrives Tuesday on DVD, received the kind of disastrous reviews that would sink most movies. But not only did the ballyhooed sequel to the 2003 adventure hit weather the critical storm, the Johnny Depp flick ranks as the box office champ of 2006.

Since its theatrical release in July, when it took in a record-breaking

For the record:

12:00 a.m. Dec. 4, 2006 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Monday December 04, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 42 words Type of Material: Correction
‘Pirates’ box office: The DVD File column in Sunday’s Calendar said that since its theatrical release in July, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” has taken in a record-breaking $135.6 million domestically. That figure was from its opening weekend, not overall.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday December 06, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 41 words Type of Material: Correction
Taylor and Burton: A DVD File item in Sunday’s Calendar section said that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton met and fell in love on the set of the 1962 film “Cleopatra.” The movie was made in 1962 and released in 1963.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday December 10, 2006 Home Edition Sunday Calendar Part E Page 2 Calendar Desk 0 inches; 39 words Type of Material: Correction
Taylor and Burton: Another DVD File item last Sunday said that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton met and fell in love on the set of the 1962 film “Cleopatra.” The movie was made in 1962 and released in 1963.

$135.6 million domestically, the film has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. The DVD has conquered the Amazon.com pre-sales list: the two-disc special edition ranks at No. 1 and the single disc at No. 5.

And undoubtedly, the final installment in the trilogy, which sails into theaters May 25, will bring in even more doubloons at the box office.

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Liz and Richard, together again

Power couple: Long before Brangelina and TomKat, there were Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. She was married to husband No. 4 -- Eddie Fisher -- and he was married to Sybil Burton when they met and fell in love in Rome, on the set of the 1962 blockbuster “Cleopatra.”

Their affair became so notorious that the paparazzi and the legitimate press couldn’t get enough of the lovebirds. They married in 1964 and for 10 years were the ultimate glamour couple, spending money like drunken sailors. Burton lavished Taylor with jewels, furs, fast cars, yachts and beautiful homes.

Often they took roles in films to pay for their extravagances, but the couple also managed to make a few classics, especially 1966’s landmark drama “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” for which Taylor received her second best actress Oscar.

On Tuesday, Warner Bros. celebrates these two with the “Elizabeth and Richard Burton Film Collection,” which includes a two-disc special edition of “Woolf” as well as the DVD debuts of 1967’s “The Comedians,” 1965’s “The Sandpiper” and 1963’s “The V.I.P.s.”

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‘Architect’ in stores before theaters

Quick turnaround: The window between theatrical and DVD releases seems to be narrowing monthly. But Magnolia’s “The Architect” is taking it one step further. Though it doesn’t open here theatrically until Friday, the drama starring Anthony LaPaglia hits video stores Tuesday.

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Desperate to stand out from the crowd

Taste patrol: With so many DVD releases on the shelves, some companies are taking extraordinary -- and some might say offensive -- means to attract viewers. Last Tuesday, Lionsgate released its two-disc “Van Gone Wilder” edition of the gross-out “National Lampoon” comedy “Van Wilder” ensconced in a box that pops up to resemble women’s breasts.

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This Tuesday, the turkey “Beerfest” has extras for the undiscerning viewer such as “Deleted Scenes: Full-bodied and full-babed” and “Party Foul: Hear stories of the cast and filmmakers’ most outrageous alcohol mishaps.”

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susan.king@latimes.com

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