Box Office Breakdown: Fred Claus No Match for Jerry Seinfeld
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Political, Romance, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
In a shocking turn of events, Bee Movie came buzzing back to life this weekend stealing the #1 spot from recent victor, American Gangster. Bee’s $25 million take also embarrassed the newest comedic entry, Fred Claus.
Although fellow ‘Frat Packer’ Will Ferrell rang bells with November 2003’s Elf, Vince Vaughn couldn’t come close to matching his friend’s $31.1 million debut. The news was especially surprising given Vaughn and director David Dobkin’s recent collaboration on 2005’s Wedding Crashers. Could this mean Vaughn’s only appealing when he’s part of a larger comedic team?
Also noteworthy this weekend was the disappointing performance of Lions for Lambs. Lions wasn’t expected to take in Mission Impossible-esque numbers, but the film did still boast Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and actor/director Robert Redford. As it was, the movie grossed less than any other Cruise-attached wide release in more than 20 years. At least Streep can say this topical film debuted higher than her last attempt (Rendition).
P2, the only other new Top Ten entry, racked up ninth place.
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Box Office Breakdown: A Gangbusters Weekend for Washington, Crowe
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
Combine Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington’s star-wattage and you’re bound to get a hit. But did anyone expect a $43 million debut for American Gangster? Why did these Oscar-winners do so well when others have only done okay? How did an R-rated film beat out an animated PG flick? Why didn’t the movie’s long running-time (157 minutes) turn people away?
Gangster’s #1 spot was just one of the film’s many weekend achievements. The movie also marked the biggest opening weekend for both lead actors (Russell’s Gladiator earned $35 million; Washington’s Inside Man grossed $29 million). It also had the 2nd best debut for a drama in November (right behind 2002’s 8 Mile).
Unfortunately, all this good news was lost on comedian Jerry Seinfeld—the hardest working self-promoter of 2007. Even though NBC spent countless hours of airtime sucking up to its former Golden Boy, Seinfeld’s Bee Movie was stung with a 2nd place finish. Although $38 million take is nothing to complain about, I expect next week’s Fred Claus will slide right in to become the week’s best-grossing comedy.
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Box Office Breakdown: Saw Slices Its Way to #1
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Disney, Miramax, Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Drama, Family, Horror, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases,
This weekend’s success of Saw IV proved that ‘torture porn’ is very much alive and well…at least right before All Hallows Eve. (Apparently originality is not a prerequisite when you’re in the haunting mood.) The horror series, which took in $55 million domestically when it debuted in 2004, bloodied the competition with its recent $31 million take. It will now likely hit the $80 million mark the last two installments surpassed.
Although Dan in Real Life, lagged behind with only $11 million, the film at least managed to place second. Hopefully Dan will have legs in the weeks to come; it’s a nice counter-programming option for those desperately seeking romance on their date nights. Those hunting for acceptable kids fare may have it a bit harder though—- which probably explains why The Game Plan has remained firmly planted in the Top Five.
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Saw’s Bloody Quest
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Lionsgate, Horror, New Releases,
This Halloween will be rife with horrific gore as the fourth installment to the Saw film franchise hits the theaters. To promote both the film and the spirit of Halloween giving, the Lionsgate film studio has launched a blood drive. Give blood to get blood (on the screen) is the motto, one that’s been successful for Saw in the past. Last year’s “Give ‘Til it Hurts” drive brought 23,500 pints of blood to the American Red Cross. This year’s goal is 60,000 pints of the red stuff.
The three existing Saw films have raked in the dough, $415 million globally since the 2004 original. In the past three years, a total of 38,000 pints of blood have been collected through the Saw franchise efforts. The blood drive has become part of the ritual of the Saw films. Every two seconds in the U.S. alone, someone needs blood. During a 95-minute Saw IV flick, approximately 2,850 people will need blood. Give before you go see the newest Saw installment…blood is a Hallow’s Eve tradition.
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In Theaters this Weekend (10/26)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Lionsgate, Sony, Touchstone, Warner Bros, Documentary, Drama, Horror, Independent, Noir, Political, Romance, Comedy, Thrillers, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- Dan in Real Life (PG-13): starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook (directed by Peter Hedges)
- Saw IV (R): starring Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor (directed by Darren Lynn Bousman)
- Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead* (R): starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei (directed by Sidney Lumet)
- Bella* (PG-13): starring Sophie Nyweide, Eduardo Verastegui (directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde)
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