Weekend Box Office thread

[Brian in Mesa]

Cage Film Tops Box Office for 3rd Weekend
Sunday December 05 1:54 PM ET

Nicolas Cage logged a third weekend atop the North American box office on Sunday with his action-adventure "National Treasure," but overall ticket sales slid as movies competed for attention with shopping in the post-Thanksgiving holiday period.

One of the hardest-hit films was director Oliver Stone's "Alexander," which earned an estimated $4.7 million in the three days beginning Friday, losing about two-thirds of its opening-weekend tally as it dropped one place to No. 7.

The $150 million swords-and-sandals epic, starring Colin Farrell as the youthful Macedonian warrior, has pulled in $29.7 million after 12 days, and should finish with about $40 million, said a spokesman for Warner Bros. Pictures. The studio paid $35 million for North American rights from producer Intermedia Films, a unit of Munich-based IM Internationalmedia AG. Intermedia has said it expects the film to do much better internationally, just as "Troy" did recently.

"National Treasure" dug up an estimated $17.1 million, taking its total to $110.3 million. The Walt Disney Co. picture is on track to surpass 1996's "The Rock" ($134 million) as Cage's biggest movie.

The only new entry in the top 10 was director Mike Nichols' potty-mouthed adultery drama "Closer," which opened at No. 6 with $7.7 million, a hefty number for a limited release.

Columbia Pictures' London-set drama, an adaptation of a play by British playwright Patrick Marber, stars Julia Roberts as a photographer who beds both Jude Law's journalist character and Clive Owen's dermatologist. Natalie Portman plays a stripper who also gets sack time with both men.

While all the movies in the top five played in more than 3,100 theaters each, "Closer" was launched in just 476 to "give it some time to mature," said Rory Bruer, president of domestic theatrical distribution at the Sony Corp.-owned studio. "It's daring, it's provocative, people are going to talk about it."

The studio will add 150 runs next weekend, and hopes the film's momentum will be boosted as critics' groups start naming their top picks of the year.

TICKET SALES SLIDE

According to tracking firm Exhibitor Relations, the top 12 films earned $80 million, down 47 percent from last weekend, and off 10 percent from the year-ago period, when Tom Cruise's "The Last Samurai" opened at No. 1 with $24.3 million.

Columbia's holiday comedy "Christmas with the Kranks," starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, rose one place to No. 2 with $11.7 million. After two weekends, the film has earned $45.5 million.

The costly computer-animated children's fable "The Polar Express," which started off slowly three weeks ago, is still chugging along, rising one to No. 3 with $11.0 million. The total for Warner Bros.' $170 million-budgeted production rose to $96.4 million. The Time Warner Inc.-owned studio partnered on the project with real-estate heir Steve Bing.

A Warners spokesman predicted the Tom Hanks film would at least hit $130 million. He noted that it was No. 2 to "National Treasure" during the week, while its 43 percent drop from last weekend was the smallest among the wide releases in the top 10.

The superhero cartoon "The Incredibles" fell two places to No. 4 with $9.2 million in its fifth weekend, taking its total to $226 million. The Disney-distributed film was produced by Pixar Animation Studios Inc.

Yet another cartoon, "The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie," held steady at No. 5 with $7.8 million in its third weekend. The total for the cable TV adaptation rose to $68.4 million. It was released by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Ocean's Twelve' Makes Waves at U.S. Box Office
Sunday December 12 1:55 PM ET

"Ocean's Twelve," the heist caper that George Clooney, Brad Pitt and their A-list pals shot in their spare time while living it up in Europe, stole the No. 1 slot at the North American weekend box office.

According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, the Warner Bros. film sold $40.9 million worth of tickets in the three days since opening on Dec. 10.

It marks the fourth-biggest opening for a December release, after the "Lord of the Rings" movies, and narrowly surpassed its 2001 predecessor, "Ocean's Eleven," which opened with $38.1 million in 200 fewer theaters and finished with $184 million.

Not so good was the opening of "Blade: Trinity," Wesley Snipes' third turn as the half-human/half-vampire title character of the Marvel comic book series. The New Line Cinema release opened at No. 2 with $16.1 million for the weekend and $24.6 million since its Wednesday launch. Pre-release forecasts had it starting in the $32.5 million range of 2002's "Blade II."

"We had a solid opening," said David Tuckerman, New Line's distribution president.

After ruling the box office for three weekends, Nicolas Cage's action-adventure "National Treasure" (Walt Disney Pictures) slipped to No. 3 with $10 million, taking the total for the Walt Disney Co. release to $124.2 million.

Close behind was Warner Bros.' animated holiday fable "The Polar Express" with $9.8 million, down only 9 percent from last weekend -- easily the smallest drop in the top 10. The total rose to $110 million. The studio expects it will easily pass $150 million. The film, which cost about $175 million to make, got off to a slow start four weeks ago, but has held its own since.

"Christmas with the Kranks" rounded out the top five with $7.6 million. Columbia Pictures' holiday comedy, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, has made $54.8 million after three weekends, and should finish above $80 million, said an official with the Sony Corp.-owned studio.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Carrey's 'Snicket' Top Ticket at Box Office
Sunday December 19 2:47 PM ET

Comedian Jim Carrey returned to the top of the North American box office with the grim children's movie "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."

But the tidings were not as happy on Sunday for two other new releases, the Adam Sandler film "Spanglish" and Dennis Quaid's remake of "Flight of the Phoenix."

"Lemony Snicket" sold $30.2 million worth of tickets in the three days since opening on Friday, according to estimates provided by its distributor, Paramount Pictures, on Sunday.

The figure was in line with industry expectations, but paled against the $68 million opening of Carrey's last chart-topper, "Bruce Almighty," over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in May 2003.

Last weekend's champion, the all-star crime caper "Ocean's Twelve" (Warner Bros.), slipped to No. 2 with estimated sales of $18.3 million. After 10 days, it has earned $68.7 million vs. $72.3 million at the same time for its 2001 predecessor "Ocean's Eleven."

"Spanglish" (Columbia) opened at No. 3 with about $9.0 million, about half of what industry observers had been expecting.

The animated family film "The Polar Express" (Warner Bros.) held steady at No. 4 for a third weekend with $8.6 million. The surprise hit of the holidays, the film has now earned $123.6 million after a slow start. Wesley Snipes' superhero adaptation "Blade: Trinity" (New Line) fell three places to No. 5 with $6.6 million in its second weekend, a drop of 59 percent. Its total rose to $35.4 million. Both studios are owned by Time Warner Inc .

"Flight of the Phoenix" (Fox), meanwhile, crashed at No. 8 with $5.2 million.

LIMITED RELEASES

In the limited release world, two awards contenders began their campaigns strongly. Director Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" (Miramax), starring Leonardo DiCaprio as eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, grossed about $831,000 from 40 theaters. Actor/director Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" (Warner Bros.) starring Hilary Swank as a plucky boxer, scored almost $178,000 from eight theaters in its first round. Miramax Films is a unit of Walt Disney Co.

Overall sales fell from the year-ago period but were essentially unchanged from last weekend, according to tracking firm Exhibitor Relations. The top 12 movies grossed about $100.3 million, down 25 percent from last year, when "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" opened at No. 1.

"Lemony Snicket," a dark adventure based on the first three books of the popular children's series by Daniel Handler, stars Carrey as the evil Count Olaf, who must care for three young orphans. The film, budgeted at about $140 million, was directed by Brad Silberling ("City of Angels").

As with recent animated hit "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," it was developed by Nickelodeon Movies, the film arm of the Nickelodeon kids cable channel which, like Paramount, is owned by Viacom Inc.

"Spanglish," from writer/director James L. Brooks ("As Good As It Gets") stars Sandler, Téa Leoni, Cloris Leachman and Spanish actress Paz Vega in a domestic comedy-drama fueled by marital tension. It was budgeted near $80 million.

Industry observers had expected an opening in the mid- to high-teen millions, although Columbia's forecast was in the $8 million-$12 million range, said Rory Bruer, the Sony Corp .-owned studio's president of domestic theatrical distribution. He predicted the movie would "be around for quite a while," as is often the case with Brooks' films.

"Flight of the Phoenix," a remake of the 1965 Jimmy Stewart film, stars Dennis Quaid as the captain of a transport plane that has crashed in the Gobi Desert. The film, budgeted in the mid-$40 million range, was directed by John Moore ("Behind Enemy Lines").

Industry expectations were modest, but Fox had hoped for an opening above $6 million, said Bruce Snyder, president of domestic theatrical distribution at the News Corp.-owned studio. "It's much too early to be disappointed," Snyder added.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Fockers' Retains Crown at U.S. Box Office
Sunday January 2 1:58 PM ET

"Meet the Fockers" was the most popular movie in North America for a second weekend, and has now earned almost as much as its 2000 predecessor, "Meet the Parents," did in its entire run, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.

The broad family comedy, starring Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman, sold $42.8 million worth of tickets in the three days beginning Friday. Its total after 12 days rose to $163.4 million. "Meet the Parents," by contrast, ended its run with $166 million.

Both films were distributed in North America by Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric Co.-controlled NBC Universal, which split the budget with closely held DreamWorks SKG.

"Fockers" set two records over the weekend. Its Friday haul of $12.2 million was the best for New Year's Eve, beating "Cast Away's" four-year-old record of $8.5 million. It continued its winning ways the next day with sales of $18 million, surpassing the New Year's Day record of $12.8 million set last year by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"

As is the case for this time of the year, there were no new releases in the top 10, and the rankings were little changed. The children's comedy "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" held steady at a distant No. 2 with $14.7 million, followed by the Howard Hughes biopic "The Aviator" which rose one place to No. 3 with $11.2 million.

The TV cartoon adaptation "Fat Albert" fell one to No. 4 with $10.7 million, and the all-star crime caper "Ocean's Twelve" was stable at No. 5 with $9.2 million.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Fockers' Beats Horror Flick at Box Office

January 09, 3:30 PM ET

By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer

The horror of meeting the in-laws beat out the fright flick at theaters this weekend. "Meet the Fockers" took in $28.5 million to remain the top movie for the third straight weekend, holding off the horror newcomer "White Noise," which debuted a strong No. 2 with $24 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The two movies paced Hollywood to a healthy start for the year, with the top 12 films grossing $98.3 million, up 8 percent from the same weekend in 2004.

That comes after a holiday surge sparked by "Meet the Fockers" lifted Hollywood to a record $9.4 billion domestic haul in 2004. Though the year's revenues were up, higher admission prices mean movie attendance was off about 1.7 percent, so the solid beginning positions the industry for a healthier 2005.

"The end of the year was stronger than expected, so headed into the first of the year, we have some momentum going," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "Studios just need to keep the momentum in the market place, because once you lose it, it takes a long time to get back."

Since opening just before Christmas, "Meet the Fockers" has taken in $204.3 million, topping the $166.2 million total of its predecessor, "Meet the Parents."

The comedy sequel reunites Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro as prospective in-laws with a shaky relationship, adding Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand to the cast as Stiller's zany parents.

The superstar cast and the movie's universal theme has made "Meet the Fockers" an easy sell to audiences.

"It hits home, doesn't it? Conflicts between in-laws, everybody's been there," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, which released "Meet the Fockers" and "White Noise."

Critics hated "White Noise," which stars Michael Keaton as a man convinced his dead wife is trying to communicate with him through his television. Yet scary movies tend to have a built-in audience of horror fans, who turn out in huge numbers over opening weekend.

The box office often plunges for fright flicks in their second weekend, though some manage stronger staying power, such as last year's $100 million hit "The Grudge," which most critics also panned.

"White Noise" producer Paul Brooks said he hopes his movie can defy the critics, too, and hold up well beyond opening weekend.

"It's always fascinated me, the way critics work," said Brooks, who also produced "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." "They have a particular view of a film which sometimes can be significantly at odds with what the man on the street and the lady on the street and the kid on the street want to see."

Two films embraced by critics, Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" and Terry George's "Hotel Rwanda," had strong showings as they expanded from limited release.

"Million Dollar Baby," starring Eastwood as mentor to a strong-willed boxer (Hilary Swank), took in $2 million in 109 theaters, up from nine theaters the previous weekend.

"Hotel Rwanda," featuring Don Cheadle as a real-life hotel manager who sheltered refugees during the 1990s Rwandan genocide, grossed $1.15 million in 105 theaters, up from seven the previous weekend.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Coach Carter' Scores at Box Office
Sunday January 16 1:36 PM ET

Samuel L. Jackson bounced "Meet the Fockers" from the top spot at the North American box office after three weekends with his basketball movie "Coach Carter," while Jennifer Garner dropped the first bomb of the year with her superheroine saga "Elektra."

According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, "Coach Carter" sold $23.6 million worth of tickets in the three days beginning Jan. 14, followed by "Fockers" with $19.0 million.

"Elektra," which was crushed by the critics, opened at No. 5 with $12.5 million. Even Halle Berry's unloved "Catwoman" did better, opening to $16.7 million last July.

Two other top-10 debutants were in a tight race for the Nos. 3 and 4 slots. The animated family movie "Racing Stripes" crossed the finish line with $14.0 million. The comedy-drama "In Good Company," starring Dennis Quaid, jumped 29 places to No. 4 with $13.9 million in its first weekend of wide release.

"Coach Carter," based on a true story, stars Jackson as a hoops coach who raises a storm by pulling his hit players from the local competition so that they can focus on improving their anemic high school grades. The film, budgeted at about $30 million, was released by Paramount Pictures in conjunction with its Viacom Inc. corporate sibling MTV Films.

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"Elektra," which was crushed by the critics, opened at No. 5 with $12.5 million. Even Halle Berry's unloved "Catwoman" did better, opening to $16.7 million last July. OUCH !!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Are We There Yet' Arrives Atop Box Office
Sunday January 23

The road trip comedy "Are We There Yet?" earned $18.5 million to quickly arrive at first place in the weekend box office.

The family picture starring rapper-actor Ice Cube in its opening weekend sent "Coach Carter" back to the bench when the basketball drama brought in $11 million for second place, according to studio estimates released Sunday.

"Assault on Precinct 13," a remake of the 1976 "cult classic" about cops and criminals joining forces against a jail siege by gang members, took in $7 million in its first weekend and finished sixth in the box office tally.

Final figures were to be released Monday.

"Are We There Yet?" follows Cube as he embarks on a road trip with two manipulative children who he tolerates only because he is trying to woo their attractive divorced mother.

Showing in wide release at 2,709 theaters, "Are We There Yet?" averaged $6,829 a cinema.

"It's a total family picture," said Rory Bruer, president of distribution for Sony Pictures. "It's very funny and Ice Cube did a terrific job. He's just hysterical in it."

Cube, 35, next will be in "XXX: State of the Union," scheduled for release in April. The action film sequel also will feature Samuel L. Jackson, star of "Coach Carter."

The PG-13 rated comedy continued the trend of family films performing well at the box office, especially over the past six months, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

"It's a very appealing genre. Families are always looking for entertainment, something that is suitable for the whole family," he said.

The comedy played well across demographics, with an audience breakdown of 43 percent white, 26 percent black and 18 Hispanic, Bruer said.

"Meet the Fockers," another PG-13 rated film, continued to do well and is marching toward becoming the highest grossing live-action comedy of all time. The in-law farce collected $10.2 million over the weekend to push its five week total to $247.7 million.

The blockbuster comedy moved into second place in the live-action comedy category behind record-holder "Home Alone," which earned $285.8 million. The God-comedy "Bruce Almighty" dropped to third place at $242.7 million.

The blizzard that swept across the Midwest and clobbered the Northeast kept many movie fans from the theaters, but the numbers remained slightly higher than the same weekend last year, Dergarabedian said.

Revenues from the top 12 movies were up 3.9 percent from last year.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

De Niro Finds Top Spot at Box Office Again
Sunday January 30, 2005

Robert De Niro returned to the No. 1 slot at the North American box office on Sunday with the thriller "Hide and Seek" six weeks after his comedy "Meet the Fockers" began a three-week reign.

Several films that featured prominently when Academy Award nominations were unveiled on Tuesday enjoyed stronger ticket sales over the weekend after going into wide release.

"Hide and Seek" earned an estimated $22 million from 3,005 theaters in the three days since opening Friday, said its distributor, 20th Century Fox. De Niro plays a widower whose daughter, played by Dakota Fanning, has a creepy imaginary friend.

The News Corp.-owned studio had hoped the $30 million film would open with about $18 million, said Bruce Snyder, president of domestic distribution at Fox.

"The element of a real actor in a psychological thriller certainly elevated it," he said.

Last weekend's top movie, the Columbia Pictures family comedy "Are We There Yet?," slipped to No. 2 with $17 million, taking its 10-day haul to $39.1 million. Despite modest ratings in exit surveys last weekend, the Ice Cube comedy lost just 8 percent of its audience, the slightest dip in the top 10. Columbia is a unit of Sony Corp.

EASTWOOD WINS A ROUND

"Million Dollar Baby," which picked up seven Oscar nominations, jumped nine places to No. 3 with $11.8 million, after six weekends in limited release. Director Clint Eastwood's tale of a feisty pugilist played by Hilary Swank, was playing in 2,010 theaters, up from 147 last weekend.

The film was released by Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., which had been expecting a $10 million weekend. Its total stands at $21.1 million.

Eastwood on Saturday night snagged the top prize at the Directors Guild of America Awards, an event that has correctly foreshadowed 50 of the last 56 Oscar winners for best director.

Leading Oscar contender "The Aviator," with 11 nominations, jumped two places to No. 6 with $7.5 million. Director Martin Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic added 242 theaters, taking its total to 2,503 outlets. The film has earned $68.2 million to date, and could reach $100 million, said Miramax Films, which is distributing it in the United States. Warner Bros. is releasing it in Canada; the figures combine sales from both territories.

"Sideways," with five nominations, finally made it into the top 10 in its 15th week. The oenophile comedy jumped four places to No. 7 with $6.3 million, taking its total to $40 million. It expanded to 1,694 theaters from 696 last weekend. The film was released by News Corp.'s Fox Searchlight Pictures.

"Million Dollar Baby," "The Aviator" and "Sideways" will all compete for best picture at the 77th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 27. The other two contenders for the top prize, Miramax's "Finding Neverland" and Universal's "Ray," also performed solidly, having been in theaters longer.

"Finding Neverland," earned $2.7 million from 1,258 theaters, taking its total to $35.9 million after 12 weeks. "Ray," which comes out on home video on Tuesday, earned $559,000 from 527 theaters. It has earned $73.8 million after 14 weeks.

Rounding out this weekend's top five, "Coach Carter" fell two places to No. 4 with $8 million in its third week. Paramount Pictures' Samuel L. Jackson basketball drama has earned $53.6 million to date.

Universal's "Meet the Fockers" also fell two places, to No. 5, with $7.6 million in its sixth week. The comedy has earned $257.9 million to date.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Boogeyman' Big at Super Bowl-Affected Box Office
Sunday February 6, 2005

The new low-budget thriller "Boogeyman" haunted the No. 1 slot at the weekend box office in North America on Sunday, a day when movie theaters will be lucky to scare up much business in the face of competition from the Super Bowl.

"Boogeyman" earned an estimated $19.5 million since opening on Friday without press previews, a tactic studios sometimes adopt for films that fans will rush out and see even if the critics are revolted.

The $7 million film set a new record for a film opening on Super Bowl weekend, beating last year's $16.1 million bow of the hip-hop flavored drama "You Got Served."

Both films were released by Screen Gems, the genre arm of Sony Corp .'s Columbia Pictures. The studio said it had hoped "Boogeyman" would open in the mid-teens. Barry Watson (TV's "7th Heaven") stars as a young man tormented by a childhood run-in with the titular monster.

The project was shot in New Zealand by "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures, the company behind the recent smash "The Grudge," which opened with $39.1 million last October. "Boogeyman" was able to piggyback on the "Grudge" success since its trailer screened before the main attraction.

With the country focused on the Super Bowl XXXIX match between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, kicking off at 1830 EST (2330 GMT) in Jacksonville, Fla., the top-10 contained just one other new release.

"The Wedding Date," a romantic comedy targeted at female moviegoers looking for an alternative to football, beer and nachos, opened at No. 2 with $11.0 million, exceeding low industry expectations.

The film marks the feature headlining debut of Debra Messing, the Emmy-winning star of "Will & Grace," who plays a woman left weak at the knees by the studly male escort (Dermot Mulroney) she hires to impress her family.

Budgeted at under $15 million, it was produced by Gold Circle Films, one of the companies behind the indie smash "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Gold Circle is backed by Norm Waitt, co-founder of computer maker Gateway Inc. . Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric Co. -controlled NBC Universal, released the film under a deal with Gold Circle.

The No. 3 slot went to Columbia's Ice Cube comedy "Are We There Yet?," which earned $10.4 million in its third weekend. With $51.1 million in the bag so far, the studio expects it to end up with more than $70 million, marking yet another profitable outing for the star of the hit "Friday" franchise.

Last weekend's champion, the Robert De Niro thriller "Hide and Seek," fell to No. 4 with $8.9 million. Its 10-day total stands at $35.7 million. The film should finish near the $55 million level, said its distributor, Twentieth Century Fox, a unit of News Corp.'s. Fox Entertainment Group Inc. .

"Million Dollar Baby" performed the best of the three best-picture Oscar nominees in the top-10, falling two places to No. 5 with $8.7 million. The total for Clint Eastwood 's boxing melodrama rose to $34.7 million. The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Time Warner Inc. .

Oscar rival "The Aviator" held steady at No. 6 with $5.5 million and a total of $75.9 million. The Howard Hughes biopic was released in the United States by Miramax Films, a unit of Walt Disney Co., and in Canada by Warner Bros.

The oenophile comedy "Sideways" was unchanged at No. 8 with $4.8 million, and a total of $46.8 million, marking the biggest picture ever released by its distributor, Fox Searchlight Pictures. The previous best for News Corp.'s art house arm was 1997's "The Full Monty" with $45 million.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Smith's 'Hitch' Carves Rich Niche at Box Office
Sunday February 13, 2005

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Will Smith spread the love at the weekend box office in North America as "Hitch" hiked to the No. 1 slot with a record opening for a romantic comedy, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.

The film sold a better-than-expected $45.3 million worth of tickets in the three days since opening on Friday, and gave its distributor, Sony Pictures, a rare trifecta at the box office.

The Sony Corp.-owned studio also claimed the No. 2 spot with last weekend's champion, the horror movie "Boogeyman," which was followed by another former chart-topper, the Ice Cube comedy "Are We There Yet?"

A Sony official said the last time a studio won the trifecta was in 1989 when Universal Pictures ruled with "Sea of Love," "Uncle Buck" and "Parenthood."

The previous record for a romantic comedy bow was held by Sony's "50 First Dates," which kicked off a year ago with $39.9 million.

Smith, better known for action flicks like "Independence Day" and "Men in Black," makes his romantic comedy bow in "Hitch" as a "date doctor" who has trouble following his own rules. Eva Mendes and Kevin James co-starred. Smith's company, Overbrook Entertainment, also produced the $70 million film. Sony said it would have been happy with an opening in the mid-$30 million range.

"Boogeyman," a low-budget horror film, earned $10.8 million in its second weekend, taking its 10-day haul to $33.3 million. While such genre pictures can lose up to two-thirds of their audience in their second weekends, "Boogeyman" slipped just 43 percent.

"Are We There Yet?" also enjoyed a good hold, off just 20 percent to $8.5 million as it held steady at No. 3. It has earned $61.5 million after four weekends.

Oscar nominee "Million Dollar Baby" rose one to No. 5 with $7.6 million, for a total of $45.1 million to date. Director Clint Eastwood's boxing melodrama was released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Time Warner Inc.

Walt Disney Co's kids cartoon "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" opened at No. 5 with $6.0 million, in line with the studio's expectations.

In the limited-release world, "Bride and Prejudice," a "Bollywood"-inspired update of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," opened with a strong $388,000 from 32 theaters. It was released by Disney's Miramax Films.

The documentary "Inside ***********," which takes a look at the infamous adult film, aroused $91,000 from 12 theaters. It was released by Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric Co.-controlled NBC Universal.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Smith's 'Hitch' Still Tops at U.S. Box Office

Sunday February 20, 2005

Will Smith's romantic comedy "Hitch" led the North American box office for a second consecutive weekend, narrowly fending off a strong challenge from the new Keanu Reeves sci-fi thriller "Constantine," according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.

With overall business buoyed by the U.S. Presidents Day holiday on Monday, "Hitch" earned about $31.8 million for the three days beginning Feb. 18, while "Constantine" opened at No. 2 with $30.5 million.

Hitch," released by Sony Corp.'s Columbia Pictures, stars Smith as a date coach who has trouble getting his own romantic life in order. After 10 days, the $70 million budgeted film has earned $90.1 million, and should hit $150 million, said Rory Bruer, Columbia's president of distribution.

He attributed the film's strong hold to both its romantic element as well as to the broad comedic dynamic between Smith's character and that played by Kevin James, who portrays a corpulent client trying to lure a woman way out of his league.

"Constantine," based on the relatively obscure "Hellblazer" comic book series, stars Reeves in the title role as an exorcist who must send Satan's minions back to hell. Distributor Warner Bros., the film's domestic distributor, said the opening exceeded expectations, noting that Reeves' 1999 blockbuster "The Matrix" opened with $27 million. But critics blasted the dark tone and confusing narrative.

The film, budgeted at under $100 million, was a joint venture between Time Warner Inc.-owned Warner Bros. Pictures and Australia's Village Roadshow Ltd .

The top 10 contained two other new entries: the family film "Because of Winn-Dixie" opened at No. 3 with $10.9 million, followed by the kids comedy "Son of the Mask" at No. 4 with $7.7 million.

"Because of Winn-Dixie" revolves around a lonely young girl (newcomer AnnaSophia Robb) and an orphaned dog in a small town. Jeff Daniels plays her father. The $14 million movie was released by Twentieth Century Fox, a unit of News Corp.'s Fox Entertainment Group Inc .

"Son of the Mask," a sequel to the 1994 hit Jim Carrey film "The Mask" stars Jamie Kennedy as the father of a child who is born with the Mask's special powers. Carrey was not associated with the followup, which was released by Time Warner's New Line Cinema.

Actor/director Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated film "Million Dollar Baby" rounded out the top five, falling one place to No. 5 with $7.2 million; the total for the Warner Bros. release rose to $54.7 million.

Illustrating the limited appeal of the best picture nominees before the Feb. 27 Academy Awards, Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" has been the most popular contender, with a box office haul of $88.1 million after 10 weekends. The Howard Hughes biopic is currently at No. 9 after a $4.2 million weekend. It was released in the United States by Walt Disney Co.'s Miramax Films, and in Canada by Warner Bros.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Mad Black Woman' Tops Weekend Box Office
Sunday February 27, 2005

"Diary of a Mad Black Woman" got its revenge against mixed critics' reviews by earning $22.7 million and taking first place at the weekend box office.

The drama-comedy is based on a script by Tyler Perry from his play of the same name and also features him cross-dressed as a gun-toting grandmother and in two other supporting roles. The film's strong debut pushed Will Smith's romantic comedy "Hitch" to the second spot with a weekend haul of $21 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Films contending for top honors at the Academy Awards also continued to draw healthy audiences with best picture nominees "Million Dollar Baby," "The Aviator" and "Sideways" ranked among the top 11 films.

Final figures were to be released Monday.

"Diary of a Mad Black Woman" follows Kimberly Elise's character, Helen, who is kicked out of her house by her husband on their 18th wedding anniversary so his longtime mistress can move in. Helen recovers from heartbreak by reconnecting with her cantankerous grandmother Madea, played by Perry, and by relying on her faith.

The film received some poor reviews, with The Associated Press giving it a single star in its four-star rating system and National Public Radio describing it as "half inspired and half really, really terrible."

Showing in 1,483 theaters, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" averaged a healthy $15,307 a cinema.

Perry, who has gained a strong following among blacks with his plays, should be given credit for the film's success, said Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films Releasing.

"The performance of the film is really a testament to Tyler Perry," Ortenberg said. "He's a cultural phenomenon that is taking America by storm. In the next few weeks, those unfamiliar with Tyler will become familiar with Tyler."

Audiences in exit polls gave the film an A-plus rating and the vast majority said they would recommend the PG-13 rated film to others, Ortenberg said.

"Every once in a while there is a film that comes out of nowhere and grabs the No. 1 spot and certainly 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' has done that," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "It shows the power that the urban audience wields at the box office."

"Hitch," another PG-13 rated film, played widely in 3,571 theaters and its $122 million over three weeks made it the first film in 2005 to crack the $100 million mark.

"Million Dollar Baby," which stars best-actress nominee Hilary Swank as a bullheaded boxer, ranked sixth with an estimated $7.2 million. Fellow best-picture nominees "The Aviator," a biopic about Howard Hughes, finished in ninth with $3.9 million, while the drinking road-trip movie "Sideways" ranked 11th with $3.5 million.

The latest Wes Craven horror film, "Cursed," debuted in fourth place with $9.6 million, while the weekend's other new film, the action-comedy "Man of the House" starring Tommy Lee Jones, opened in fifth place with $9 million.

Revenues from the top 12 movies were estimated at $105.4 million, down 24.6 percent from the same weekend last year. The comparison was skewed because Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" debuted last year with $83.8 million.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'The Pacifier' Tops North American Box Office
Sunday March 06, 2005

"The Pacifier," starring Vin Diesel, took top honors at the North American box office in its first weekend, nudging the heavily publicized MGM bow "Be Cool," starring John Travolta, into second place.

Disney's "The Pacifier," aimed at mostly female and family audiences, drew a better-than-expected $30.2 million for the March 4-6 weekend with Diesel's rendition of a tough guy thrown into an unfamiliar role, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday.

"Be Cool," skewing heavily toward men, reaped $23.5 million in ticket sales, versus the high $20 million range studio insiders had expected. Final results will be available on Monday.

A tight race had been expected between the two films in their opening weekend with all bets on Travolta reliving his Chili Palmer character made famous in the 1995 hit "Get Shorty," over Diesel's turn as a Navy SEAL assigned to protect five children from enemies of their recently deceased father.

While "Be Cool" narrowly missed its mark, Travolta was able to top the opening gross of his 1997 film "Face/Off," which reaped $23.4 million for Paramount.

The film, also starring Uma Thurman, Danny DeVito, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Christina Milian, also trumped last week's top champ "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," a low-budget African-American drama/comedy of a wife's revenge.

"Diary" (Lions Gate Films) based on a play written and produced by actor Tyler Perry, ended up in fourth place with $12 million and a total-to-date of $38 million.

Meanwhile, the Will Smith romantic comedy "Hitch" (Columbia) slipped one notch to No. 3 with $12.5 million, taking its total to $138.4 million. "Million Dollar Baby" (Warner Bros.) edged up one spot to No. 5 from No. 6 last week with $8.5 million, taking its total to $77 million.

Keanu Reeves' satanic saga "Constantine" followed in 6th place with $6 million in its fourth weekend.

The horror film "Cursed," starring Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg as siblings who develop supernatural powers after being bitten by a werewolf, ended its second weekend at No. 7 with $3.9 million, followed by the Tommy Lee Jones sorority comedy "Man of the House" at No. 8 with $3.5 million.

"Because of Winn-Dixie" about a lonely young girl (newcomer AnnaSophia Robb) and an orphaned dog in a small town, fell to No. 9 with $3.5 million.

Taking 10th place in its opening weekend was "The Jacket," an R-rated thriller from Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney's production company Section 8. The Warner Independent Pictures film, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, starring Adrien Brody and Keira Knightley, drew $2.7 million in sales, slightly below its expected gross of between $4 million and $5 million.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Robots' Rules the Box Office With $36.5M
Sunday March 13, 2005

"Robots" ruled the box office as the animated family flick debuted with $36.5 million a solid opening, but well below the $46.3 million premiere of the filmmakers' previous hit, "Ice Age."

While "Ice Age" opened with little competition for the family crowd, "Robots" faced Vin Diesel's hit "The Pacifier," the previous weekend's No. 1 movie. "The Pacifier" finished a strong second with $18.1 million, lifting its 10-day total to $54.4 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The weekend's other new wide release, the Bruce Willis police thriller "Hostage," debuted at No. 4 with $9.8 million.

Mel Gibson's religious blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ," which grossed $370 million last year, made barely a ripple at theaters in a recut version that toned down the blood and violence. "The Passion Recut" played in 957 theaters but took in just $239,850.

In sharp contrast to the firestorm over the original film, the new version of "The Passion" arrived quietly, with little fanfare. The fact that the original is available on DVD limited theatrical prospects for the recut edition.

Gibson said he recut the movie for people who were put off by the brutality of the original, which explicitly depicted Christ's scourging and crucifixion.

"We certainly had higher expectations than what we got," said Rob Schwartz, head of distribution for Newmarket Films, which released "The Passion of the Christ" and the new cut. "We were trying to get the film out there hoping it would reach an audience that it didn't reach the first time around. It doesn't seem to have worked out quite as well as we had hoped."

Newmarket executives hope more movie-goers will turn out as Easter approaches, Schwartz said.

"Robots," featuring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Robin Williams and Mel Brooks, is the second feature-length cartoon tale from "Ice Age" directors Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha. The movie tracks the adventures of an idealistic robot inventor who moves to the big city.

While "Robots" did not enter theaters with the profile of "Shrek 2" and "The Incredibles," which opened to sky-high numbers, it had been expected to rival the opening weekends for 2002's "Ice Age" and last year's "Shark Tale."

But competing with "The Pacifier," "Robots" fell about $10 million short of both those debuts.

"Those other movies didn't have anything that was working the families with this strength, so I am very, very pleased," said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for Fox, the studio behind "Robots." "The holidays are coming up, kids are getting out of school, so it's positioned wonderfully."

In limited release, the Joan Allen-Kevin Costner comic drama "The Upside of Anger" opening strongly with $225,783 in nine theaters. The film, centering on a boozy mother embittered over the abrupt departure of her husband, expands to about 150 theaters this weekend.

"Millions," a British family film from director Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting," "28 Days Later") grossed $72,987 in five theaters. The movie follows two young brothers momentarily distracted from grief over their dead mother after a suitcase of cash lands in their laps. It expands gradually over the next six weeks.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'The Ring Two' Tops North American Box Office
Sunday March 20, 2005

DreamWorks' horror sequel "The Ring Two," took the Number 1 spot at the North American box office this weekend, knocking the more family-oriented animated sci-fi flick "Robots," into second place.

"Ring Two," starring Naomi Watts and David Dorfman as a mother and her brooding son who are haunted by an evil entity and a mysterious unmarked videotape, pulled in $36 million in over the March 18-20 weekend, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday.

The new film, which opened in 3,332 theaters, fell slightly short of studio executives' expectations of around $40 million. But it handily surpassed the $15 million opening weekend of its predecessor, "The Ring" which bowed in 1,981 theaters in 2002. Final results will be available on Monday.

Directed by Japan's Hideo Nakata, who won high marks with two earlier Japanese-language films in the "Ring" series, "The Ring Two" also stars Sissy Spacek, 30 years after she starred in the horror cult classic, "Carrie." It's rated PG-13.

Fox's "Robots," which features the voices of Mel Brooks , Halle Berry , Robin Williams and Ewan McGregor as gleaming, scrappy misfit robots, made $21.8 million over the weekend, falling 39 percent and bringing its total to-date to $66.9 million.

Next was Disney's "The Pacifier," starring Vin Diesel as a Navy SEAL assigned to protect five children from their deceased father's enemies. It slipped one notch to third place with $12.5 million and a total to-date of $72.3 million.

Coming in at No. 4 was the week's second new offering, Walt Disney Co.'s G-rated "Ice Princess," which generated $7 million in its opening weekend, also short of expectations of close to $15 million. The film, a warm and fuzzy ice skating story geared toward young girls, stars Michelle Trachtenberg of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Joan Cusack and Kim Cattrall.

Meanwhile, the Will Smith romantic comedy "Hitch" from Sony Corp.'s Columbia held its own at No. 5 for the second week in a row with $6.6 million, taking its total to $159.4 million.

MGM's "Be Cool," with John Travolta, fell three notches to No. 6 in its third weekend, with $5.8 million and a total to-date of $47.2 million.

"Hostage," from Disney's Miramax and starring Bruce Willis as a former hostage negotiator whose family is threatened, took seventh place and generated $5.79 million in its second weekend. The R-rated thriller, which debuted last week at No. 4, has a total to-date of $19.3 million.

"Million Dollar Baby" from Warner Bros. fell two spots from last week to No. 8 with $4 million, taking its total to $90 million.

"Diary of a Mad Black Woman," a low-budget African-American drama/comedy of a wife's revenge, came in at No. 9 from No. 7 last week with $3.5 million. "Diary" has generated a total to-date of $47.8 million. It was put out by Lions Gate Films and based on a play written and produced by actor Tyler Perry.

Keanu Reeves' satanic saga "Constantine" from Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Ltd. followed in 10th place with $2.3 million. The R-rated film's total-to-date is $70.4 million.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Guess Who' Debuts As Top Movie With $21M
Sunday March 27, 2005

by David Germain, AP Movie Writer

Two guesses on who topped the weekend box office. Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher, that's who. Their comedy "Guess Who," an update of the 1967 classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," debuted as the No. 1 movie with $21 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Sandra Bullock's sequel "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" opened in second place with $14.5 million for Friday to Sunday. That brought the movie's total to $17.6 million since opening Thursday to get a head start on Easter weekend.

The previous weekend's top flick, "The Ring 2," slipped to third with $13.8 million, lifting its 10-day total to $58 million.

Hollywood had a solid but unremarkable Easter weekend, generally a slow time at theaters because families are preoccupied with holiday gatherings. The top 12 movies took in $90.1 million, off 7 percent from Easter weekend last year, when "The Passion of the Christ" was No. 1.

"Guess Who" stars Mac as a black father vexed after learning his daughter's boyfriend (Kutcher) is white, a reversal of the "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" scenario, which starred Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier in the story of a white woman engaged to a black man.

While the original was heavy on social commentary amid the civil-rights movement, "Guess Who" plays the interracial-romance angle for slapstick laughs.

"It's definitely a different movie," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony, which released "Guess Who." 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' is the inspiration, but this is very broad comedy that plays really well in kind of the buddy mode as well as the romantic comedy mode."

In "Miss Congeniality 2," Bullock reprises her role as a tomboy FBI agent who gets a fashion makeover, this time teamed with a surly partner (Regina King) to track down a kidnapped beauty queen.

At $14.5 million, the sequel had a better opening weekend than the original, which debuted with just over $10 million on Christmas weekend 2000, then hung on through word of mouth to become a $100 million hit.

Woody Allen's comedy-drama hybrid "Melinda and Melinda" had a strong expansion from its debut at one New York City theater the previous weekend. The film, which stars Radha Mitchell in dual roles, widened to 95 theaters in 12 cities, taking in $790,000.

"The Ballad of Jack and Rose," starring Daniel Day-Lewis, debuted well in limited release, taking in $60,461 in four theaters. Written and directed by Rebecca Miller, Day-Lewis' wife and the daughter of playwright Arthur Miller, the film centers on the relationship between a dying environmental idealist and his troubled teenage daughter.

The blood-soaked South Korean vengeance thriller "Oldboy," runnerup to "Fahrenheit 9/11" for the top prize at last spring's Cannes Film Festival, debuted solidly in limited release with $75,000 in five theaters.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

'Guess Who' was very mediocre. Had some laughs but you could see them coming so I'd advise waiting until video.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Sin City' Tops North American Box Office
Monday April 4, 2005

Tales of hustlers in the film noir comic-book adaptation "Sin City" took top honors at the North American box office over the weekend, knocking chick-flick "Beauty Shop," into second place.

R-rated "Sin City," starring Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Benicio Del Toro and Clive Owen, pulled in enough viewers to make $28.1 million at North American theaters, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. Final results will be released on Monday. "Sin City" was released by Miramax's Dimension Films, which is owned by Disney.

The Robert Rodriguez adaptation of Frank Miller's "Sin City" comics had enjoyed a hefty marketing campaign prior to its opening and had been expected to track as high as $30 million or more, according to studio insiders.

PG-13-rated "Beauty Shop," starring Queen Latifah in the role she originated in last year's "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," sold $13.5 million in tickets over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total since its opening last Wednesday to $17.3 million. "Beauty Shop" was put out by MGM.

While the film came out near the top, the sequel didn't surpass its two predecessors. "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" debuted in 2004 with $24 million in its opening weekend. The original "Barbershop," starring Ice Cube, opened in 2002 with $21 million in sales.

Meanwhile, Sony Pictures' "Guess Who," an updated spin on the classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" with Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac, came in at No. 3 in its second weekend with $13 million and a cumulative total of $41.3 million.

Taking fourth place was "Robots," from Fox, which drew $10 million in ticket sales and a four-week cumulative haul of $104.6 million.

"Miss Congeniality 2" rounded out the top five after having been mostly panned by critics as a tired reworking of the 2000 action comedy also starring Sandra Bullock as a tough-minded FBI agent unwilling to be just another pretty face. The film was put out by Warner Bros., a division of Time Warner Inc.

The sequel made $8.4 million in its second week and a cumulative total-to-date of $31.4 million.

Taking sixth place was the Vin Diesel comedy "The Pacifier," which brought in $6 million.

The family movie, which riffs on Diesel's tough-guy persona, has brought in $96.4 million in five weeks and is on track to top $100 million for Walt Disney Co's Buena Vista.

Horror sequel "The Ring Two," in its third week in theaters, took in $5.8 million, a drop of 57 percent from the prior weekend when the DreamWorks release ranked No. 3 in its second week. The film's cumulative total-to-date is $68.1 million.

After three weeks in limited release, New Line Cinema's "The Upside of Anger" expanded to more than 1,100 theaters and came in at No. 8 with $4.1 million. The R-rated film starring Kevin Costner and Joan Allen, showing in slightly more than one third the number of theaters as most of its box office competitors, has a cumulative total-to-date of $8.7 million. New Line is a unit of Time Warner Inc.

The Will Smith comedy "Hitch" took No. 9 with $3 million in its eighth week and the largest cumulative total ($171.4 million) of all its competitors. Disney's "Ice Princess" came in at No. 10 with $2.6 million in sales.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Sahara' Tops 'Fever Pitch' at Box Office
Sunday April 10, 2005

By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer

Matthew McConaughey's "Sahara" heated up the weekend box office, with the action flick set in the African desert debuting at the top with $18.5 million. Audiences gave a cooler reception to "Fever Pitch," the weekend's other new wide release. The Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon baseball romance opened in third place with a so-so $13 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, "Sin City," slipped to second place with $14.1 million, lifting its 10-day total to $50.7 million.

In limited release, Stephen Chow's raucous action comedy "Kung Fu Hustle" had a big opening with $293,025 in seven theaters, averaging a whopping $41,861 per cinema. "Sahara" averaged $5,866 in 3,154 theaters, and "Fever Pitch" reaped $3,979 in 3,267 locations.

Already a hit in Asia, "Kung Fu Hustle" features writer-director Chow as a two-bit crook in pre-revolution China whose antics land him in the middle of a showdown between mobsters and martial-arts heroes. "Kung Fu Hustle" expands to nationwide release April 22.

Hollywood's box-office slump continued as overall revenues remained down for the seventh-straight weekend. The top 12 movies took in $80.3 million, off 18 percent from the same weekend last year.

Revenues for the year have fallen slightly behind those of 2004, when Hollywood rang up record domestic grosses of $9.4 billion.

"Sahara," adapted from Clive Cussler's adventure novel, stars McConaughey, Penélope Cruz and Steve Zahn as adventurers who turn up a long-lost Civil War vessel in the desert and try to stop a plague spreading through Africa.

Distributor Paramount had expected the movie to debut in the $15 million range, said Wayne Lewellen, head of distribution.

"This is a good, solid opening I think for this film," Lewellen said. "It played well particularly in the middle of the country, which always bodes well for it holding up."

"Fever Pitch," directed by the Farrelly brothers from Nick Hornby's memoir about his sports obsession, stars Barrymore as a career woman who stumbles into a relationship with a man whose world revolves around the Boston Red Sox.

"It may have alienated guys with too much romance, and it may have alienated women with too much baseball," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

But women made up 58 percent of the audience for "Fever Pitch." That may bode well for the movie's long-term prospects, since films appealing to women often have a longer shelf life than movies aimed at men.

"These romantic comedies tend to leg out. They play on and on," said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox, which released "Fever Pitch." Barrymore's "Never Been Kissed" had an $11.4 million opening weekend and held on to do a solid $52.4 million when its domestic run ended, he said.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

'Interpreter' Translates to Box-Office Win
Sunday April 24, 2005
By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer

Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn's "The Interpreter" translated into solid box-office as the United Nations thriller debuted with $22.8 million to top the weekend for Hollywood.

The weekend's other main debut, Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet's romantic comedy "A Lot Like Love," had a so-so opening of $7.7 million, coming in at No. 4, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Expanding nationwide after two weeks in limited release, Stephen Chow's action comedy "Kung Fu Hustle" was No. 5 with $7.3 million, lifting its total domestic gross to just over $8 million.

Anthony Anderson's kidnapping comedy "King's Ransom," so bad it was not screened beforehand for critics, finished in 10th place with just $2.4 million.

In limited release, the documentary "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" opened strongly with $70,000 at three theaters. The film offers an inside portrait of the corporate scandal at the energy company.

Overall business was down for the ninth-straight week, with the top 12 movies taking in $83.4 million, off a fraction from the same weekend last year.

"The Interpreter," directed by Sydney Pollack, stars Kidman as a U.N. translator at the center of an assassination plot after she overhears a death threat against an African dictator. Penn co-stars as a federal agent.

Reviews generally were positive, with critics calling "The Interpreter" an unusually brainy thriller.

"I think audiences were anxious for any good, solid story," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, which released "The Interpreter."

"The Interpreter" was a rare triumph for older audiences, with the over-35 crowd making up 60 percent of the film's viewers. The under-25 audience that drives most of the box office was divided among several movies, including "The Amityville Horror" and "A Lot Like Love."

"You look at the demographic and go, how can 'The Interpreter' be No. 1? But if you put the right movie in the marketplace, the older audience will go," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

"A Lot Like Love," which received mixed reviews, fell short of distributor Disney's hopes that it would hit $10 million over opening weekend. Considering Kutcher's solid box-office history, including the current hit "Guess Who," the performance of "A Lot Like Love" was another sign of audience disinterest in what Hollywood has had to offer the last two months.

The slump has left the industry limping into its busy summer season, with such big titles as "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," "Kingdom of Heaven" and "The Longest Yard" due out in May.

"There hasn't been that breakout picture the public's jumping to see yet, but it'll happen. It's just around the corner," said Chuck Viane, Disney head of distribution

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Batman Begins Tops 2nd Straight Weekend
Source: Box Office Mojo
June 26, 2005

The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with the studio estimates for the weekend. Be sure to stay tuned there for the final figures on Monday.

Warner Bros. Pictures' Batman Begins dipped just 45.1% in its second weekend and added $26.8 million to remain atop the box office. The $150 million-budgeted comic book adaptation, directed by Christopher Nolan, has earned $121.7 million in 12 days. The film stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Ken Watanabe, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson and Rutger Hauer.

Columbia Pictures' Bewitched, with Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine, debuted in second place with $20.2 million from 3,174 theaters. The big screen adaptation of the TV series cost about $85 million to make.

20th Century Fox's Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, dropped a spot to third, collecting $16.8 million in its third weekend. The $110 million action-thriller has earned $125.4 million so far.

The top five was rounded out by two newcomers. Lindsay Lohan comedy Herbie: Fully Loaded, from Walt Disney Pictures, made $12.8 million over the three days from 3,521 theaters and has taken in $17.8 million since opening on Wednesday. George A. Romero's Land of the Dead opened in 2,249 theaters and earned $10.2 million. The $15 million-budgeted zombie film was distributed by Universal Pictures.

DreamWorks' animated Madagascar added $7.3 million for a total of $160 million after five weeks.

George Lucas' Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith garnered $6.3 million in its sixth weekend in theaters, pushing its massive total to $358.6 million. The last "Star Wars" film has climbed to the 10th spot on the all-time domestic blockbuster list and currently ranks at #19 on the worldwide list with $717.5 million.

Paramount's The Longest Yard made $5.5 million in its fifth week for a score of $141.9 million. The comedy remake cost $82.5 million to produce.

In limited release, Lions Gate Films documentary Rize opened at No. 12 with $1.6 million from just 352 theaters. Warner Independent Pictures documentary March of the Penguins also earned an impressive $130,000 from four theaters.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Narnia Dominates with $67.1 Million
Source: Box Office Mojo
December 11, 2005

The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with the studio estimates for the weekend. Be sure to stay tuned there for the final figures on Monday.

Walt Disney Pictures' The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe exceeded expectations, opening to an impressive $67.1 million. Director Andrew Adamson's adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel marks the second-biggest opening ever for a film in December, surpassing The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ($62 million) and trailing only The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($72.6 million). It is also the 23rd best opening of all-time domestically and the third biggest debut of 2005 so far. The fantasy-adventure, budgeted at about $180 million, opened in 3,616 theaters and averaged $18,546 per location.

Warner Bros. Pictures expanded Stephen Gaghan's Syriana into 1,723 theaters which allowed the film to climb to the second spot with $12 million. Made for $50 million, the political thriller, starring George Clooney, Matt Damon and Jeffrey Wright, has earned $13.5 million in three weeks.

WB's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire dropped 48.1% in ticket sales its fourth weekend but still managed to add $10.3 million for a grand total of $244.1 million. The $150 million fourth installment in the franchise now stands at 37th on the all-time domestic blockbuster list and 29th on the worldwide list with $576.9 million, just behind War of the Worlds ($588.9 million).

Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, from 20th Century Fox, collected a healthy $5.8 million in its fourth weekend, a dip of just 39.7%. James Mangold's $28 million-budgeted drama, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, has made $77 million. Likewise, Paramount's Yours, Mine and Ours dropped just 37.6% in its third weekend with $5.2 million for a total of $40.9 million. Directed by Raja Gosnell, the comedy was produced for $45 million.

Paramount's Aeon Flux, however, took a hefty 63.5% drop its second weekend with $4.6 million, good for sixth place. Starring Charlize Theron, the $62 million big screen adaptation stands at $20.3 million.

Also notable is Warner Bros.' "The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience" which entered the top 12 with $946,000 from just 66 IMAX theaters, an average of $14,333.

In limited release, Sony's Memoirs of a Geisha earned $647,000 from eight theaters for an average of $84,250 per site. Rob Marshall directed the $85 million drama, starring Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe and Michelle Yeoh. Even more impressive was Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, which garnered $545,000 from just five theaters, an average of $109,000. That marks the 9th highest per theater average ever for a film. Also, The Weinstein Co.'s Mrs. Henderson Presents, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, earned $58,200 from six theaters.