A new Box Office Report!

Dude here again. I missed last week. due to the fact that I was in Vegas. There was no zombie outbreak, like I was lead to believe from last week's #1 movie, although I guess there WERE zombies in a metaphoric sense. But, I'm not in jail, I'm not married (anymore), I've sobered up, and my computer is working again. So it's all good.

This weekend, The Rock reclaims his crown (sadly, not as the Scorpion King) and snags the box office away from the string of R-rated number 1 movies we've been having lately. Let's go to the numbers, shall we? (All in millions, remember, and these are the studio estimates, the actuals will be available on Monday. Just to prove me wrong).

1. The Game Plan (BV) - $22.6, 3103 screens, week 1, $22.6 total

2. The Kingdom (Uni) - $17.6, 2793 screens, week 1, $17.6 total

3. Resident Evil: Extinction (SGems) - $8.0, 2828 screens, week 2, $36.7 total

4. Good Luck Chuck (LGF) - $6.3, 2612 screens, week 2, $23.5 total

5. 3:10 to Yuma (LGF) - $4.1, 3006 screens, week 4, $43.9 total

6. The Brave One (WB) - $3.7, 2837 screens, week 3, $30.8 total

7. Mr. Woodcock (NL) - $3.0, 2195 screens, week 3, $19.6 total

8. Eastern Promises (Focus) - $2.8, 1408 screens, week 3, $11.2 total

9. Sydney White (Uni) - $2.6, 2106 screens, week 2, $8.5 total

10. Across The Universe (Sony)- $2.0, 339 screens, week 3, $5.5 total

So those are the numbers, but what do they mean? Well, it means that my theory is correct: People Love The Rock! Seriously, he's tough to beat. And when Disney snags him and puts him in a heartwarming family comedy, people will come.

The Kingdom, a pretty kick ass action flick, took second place with a respectable $17 million, but it was predicted to earn much higher numbers. This adds to the recent theory that people aren't ready to watch films set in the middle east, given the current global climate.

Last week's top earners moved down. Everything's slipping, and nothing is doing that great. It will pick up in October, though. Or November.

Below the radar, the new Wes Anderson movie The Darjeeling Limited, opened up on two screens (as well as the New York Film Festival) and took in $140,000, which gives it the highest per screen average of the week. Coming in second in theater averages is Ang Lee's controversial new flick Lust, Caution (which was released with an NC-17 rating in the states) opened up on one screen and took in $67,000. On one screen! Impressive. Whether this film gets a wider release remains to be seen, as most theater chains don't carry NC-17 films, even though those are the best movies to sneak into!

And in the "Because It's There" series: WAR took in $43,000 on 104 screens, bringing it's grand total to $22,468,000 in 6 weeks.

There you have my break down. Next week brings us a whole new crop of movies, including another middle grade fantasy book adaptation, and a Ben Stiller/Farelly Brothers comedy. And I heard a rumor that a new Uwe Boll movie is coming out soon. One can only hope!

Until next weekend....

Viva Las Vegas!!!

I've been on vacation. My first paid vacation. It was unbelievable. Very relaxing. I won $4 at video black jack and decided I was good. I didn't do anything on the caliber of going into Coca Cola world with a Pepsi (true story, 4 years ago) or pass out those flyers for hookers (also, true story, 2 years ago). But I did walk all over Vegas in a tux, telling passsers by that "the bitch left me at the alter". In a town with free drinks everywhere, you'd think that would get me some booze.

Alas, I shall chronicle my exploits in a later post, but I just wanted to let my seven faithful readers know that I'm still alive. And I look damn fine in a tux, even if my eyes are barely there. (That would be the open bar).

(Becca got very tan from all the hours by the pool. I, however, am now a lovely shade of pink.)

Box Office Report: 9-16-07

Dude here again. Ummm... I got nothing. Usually I have an idea of how I start off this column, something sticking in my craw, or a humorous anecdote to relay. But nothing of interest really happened. Wow. I'm disappointing myself, even. Oh, I totally just sneezed and bit my tongue at the same time. That's gotta count for something. Even if it is abject stupidity.

This weekend, a movie about dragons and a movie with Jodie Foster battled it out for supremacy, and only one survived, but continued the recent trend of low numbers. Well, technically most of the films produced lower than average numbers. Let's go to said numbers, shall we? (All in millions, remember, and these are the studio estimates, the actuals will be available on Monday. Just to prove me wrong).

1. The Brave One (WB) - $14.0, 2755 screens, week 1, $14.0 total

2. 3:10 to Yuma (LGF) - $9.15, 2667 screens, week 2, $28.5 total

3. Mr. Woodcock (NL) - $9.10, 2231 screens, week 1, $9.10 total

4. Dragon Wars (Freestyle) - $5.3, 2275 screens, week 1, $5.3 total

5. Superbad (Sony) - $5.2, 2910 screens, week 5, $111.3 total

6. Halloween (MGM/Wein) - $5.0, 3051 screens, week 3, $51.2 total

7. The Bourne Ultimatum (Uni) - $4.1, 2611 screens, week 7, $216.1 total

8. Balls of Fury (Rogue) - $3.34, 2758 screens, week 3, $28.8 total

9. Rush Hour 3 (NL) - $3.32, 2208 screens, week 6, $133.1 total

10. Mr. Bean's Holiday (Uni)- $2.6, 1770 screens, week 4, $28.4 total

So those are the numbers, but what do they mean? Well, it means that Jodie Foster can still open a movie, even one that came out just two weeks ago, but starred Kevin Bacon. The Brave One, which ostensibly is the same exact film as Death Sentence on paper, opened up to a weaker than expected $14.1 million dollars. What is this saying about the audiences? I have no idea. I guess when it comes to kickin' arse, people still prefer to respect Charles Bronson.

Mr. Woodcock overcame some harsh reviews and came in a respectable third, battling it out with Yuma for the number 2 spot. Again, watch those numbers flip around in the next day. Still, not bad for a movie that's been hanging out on the shelf for awhile, and looks remarkably like every other Billy Bob Thornton comedy since Bad Santa.

Dragon Wars, the highly anticipated motion picture that finally tells it like it is about the battle between dragons and man on the streets of Los Angeles (take THAT giant fighting robots) opened up to a disappointing fourth place, but can take solace in knowing that in Korea, it's the biggest money maker of all time. (Or something. I'm not entirely too sure. It's huge in it's original country).

Below the radar, a lot of films opened up on small screens, all hoping to garner attention in their own ways. (And all of them playing at my favorite theater out here, where they always seem to be sold out). The Beatles-inspired musical Across the Universe opened up to heavily divided reviews (Either people love it or hate it, with no middle ground) on 23 screens and took in $685,000. Eastern Promises, the latest collaboration between A History of Violence star and director Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg, opened up on 15 screens and took in $553,000. And In The Valley of Elah, the latest from Paul Haggis (of Crash fame, the Academy Award winning one, not the one about eroticism in crashed cars... fittingly directed by aforementioned Cronenberg) took in $150,000 on 9 screens.

And in the "Because It's There" series: The Simpsons Movie took in $700,000 on 799 screens, bringing it's grand total to $181,277,000 in 8 weeks.

There you have my break down. Next week, one last "threequel" tries to sneak in, but this one looks pretty kick ass. Oh, and that annoying looking movie with Dane Cook is coming out too. It's possible that Resident Evil, though, will emerge victorious, and might break these low weekend numbers we've been experiencing. One can only hope.

Until next weekend....

Really?

18 years and this is what we get? Wasn't the Crystal Skull already procured by The Phantom?

You should listen to your friend Billy Zane. He's a cool guy.

Box Office Report: First Day of Futbol Norte Americana Edition

Dude here again. It's a lovely September weekend, and football has started in the U.S. Which would mean a whole lot more to me if I actually cared. And I only care when there's money on the line. And I only put money on the line when I'm at a pizzeria in New Jersey, because Tony gives me good odds. Point is, some movies came out this weekend.

This weekend, a slower change of pace hits the box office, as the movies are a bit smaller, and not exactly the kind that will break records like this previous summer has burned me out on. Let's go to the numbers, shall we? (All in millions, remember, and these are the studio estimates, the actuals will be available on Monday. Just to prove me wrong).

1. 3:10 to Yuma (LGF) - $14.1, 2652 screens, week 1, $14.1 total

2. Halloween (MGM/Wein) - $10.0, 3475 screens, week 2, $44.2 total

3. Superbad (Sony) - $8.0, 3069 screens, week 4, $103.6 total

4. Balls of Fury (Rogue) - $5.6, 3081 screens, week 2, $24.2 total

5. The Bourne Ultimatum (Uni) - $5.47, 3010 screens, week 6, $210.0 total

6. Shoot 'Em Up (NL) - $5.45, 2108 screens, week 1, $5.45 total

7. Rush Hour 3 (NL) - $5.3, 2690 screens, week 5, $129.1 total

8. Mr. Bean's Holiday (Uni)- $3.38, 1778 screens, week 3, $25.0 total

9. The Nanny Diaries (MGM/Wein Co) - $3.32, 2444 screens, week 3, $21.0 total

10. Hairspray (NL) - $1.9, 1393 screens, week 8, $114.8 total

So those are the numbers, but what do they mean? Well, it means that the huge summer box office numbers are gone for a bit, and we're going to have some low number 1 spots for the first week. 3:10 to Yuma took the top spot, but only took in $14.1 million, so it's not like there will be clamoring for the return of the western anytime soon. (Despite the fact that a bunch are scheduled to come out in the next few weeks). The Russell Crowe/Christian Bale flick did garner some fantastic reviews, however, and it looks like it will stand to find it's audience eventually.

Hopefully the same can be said of Shoot 'Em Up, which opened to a middling sixth place (although don't be surprised if it winds up taking slightly more than Bourne when tomorrow's numbers are finalized). Shoot 'Em Up, the ultraviolent nihilistic glee-fest which features some of the most ridonkulous (in the good sense) action sequences ever captured on film, seems to have polarized audiences and critics alike, and that's a shame. This movie is just plain fun.

Coming in at 23rd place is the Brothers Solomon, taking in $525,000 on 700 screens. There's no polarizing about this movie, people just outright hate it. Loathe it, and for no good reason. It's not perfect, not by a long shot, but it has some outstanding gags, and Wills Arnett and Forte are a brilliant comedic duo. (Granted, nowhere near on par as Jonah Hill/Michael Cera, whom audiences opted for once again, enough to push the film over the $100 million mark).

Below the radar, the going to the moon doc In The Shadow Of The Moon opened up on 4 screens and took in $41,200. The Richard Gere led The Hunting Party also opened up on 4 screens and took in $40,000. Interesting, to say the least.

And in the "Because It's There" series: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters took in $67,000 on 37 screens, bringing it's grand total to $423,000 in 4 weeks.

There you have my break down. Next week, another large group of movies will open and not make record breaking amounts of money. I'm not even sure what comes out at all next week to be honest. Oh, snap! The one about the dragons fighting each other comes out! Holy crap, that movie's gonna be amazing! It's got dragons, people. And they're fighting a war on our turf!

Until next weekend....

You know what I haven't mentioned in awhile?

I made Simon Pegg laugh!

Totally slipped my mind.

What's this? Dio Friday?!?!?

Yes, enjoy your Friday afternoon with a touching (and timeless) tale of a pizza delivery boy who takes an elevator down to hell, where video games are devices of torture, and the Borg attacks in spades, until Dio can help you out with a lightsaber to the crotch!

Box Office Report from yesterday, so it's not really the full holiday weekend numbers but I don't care.

Dude here again. Not gonna lie to you, I'm pretty proud of that Robocop video from last week. Rest assured, I'm hard at work on Robocop 2: Electric Boogaloo! It's gonna be sa-weeeeeet!!

This weekend, Hollywood is happy to have one more record to break at the official close of the summer. It figures. Let's go to the numbers, shall we? (All in millions, remember, and these are the studio estimates, the actuals will be available on Tuesday due to the holiday weekend. Just to prove me wrong).

1. Halloween (MGM/Wein) - $26.5, 3472 screens, week 1, $26.5 total

2. Superbad (Sony) - $12.2, 3002 screens, week 3, $89.0 total

3. Balls of Fury (Rogue) - $11.6, 3052 screens, week 1, $14.5 total (wed. open)

4. The Bourne Ultimatum (Uni) - $10.1, 3290 screens, week 5, $199.6 total

5. Rush Hour 3 (NL) - $8.5, 3008 screens, week 4, $120.4 total

6. Mr. Bean's Holiday (Uni)- $5.9, 1765 screens, week 2, $18.9 total

7. The Nanny Diaries (MGM/Wein Co) - $5.1, 2636 screens, week 2, $15.2 total

8. Death Sentence (Fox) - $4.1, 1822 screens, week 1, $4.1 total

9. War (LGF) - $3.6, 2277 screens, week 2, $16.4 total

10. Stardust (Par) - $3.0, 1766 screens, week 4, $31.0 total

So those are the numbers, but what do they mean? Well, if you're Halloween, you're pretty damn proud. Highest Labor Day weekend opening (knocking down the champ Transporter 2), pulling in over $26 million dollars. Not bad for a movie a lot of people questioned the need of. I guess the answer is plain and simple. Money. On the plus side, this could allow Rob Zombie the opportunity to make more movies that kick ass, like Devil's Rejects. On the downside, there will probably, somehow, be a sequel to this. Fan-freakin-tastic.

Balls of Fury, which is contender for best title of the year (regardless of quality of film) came in at a respectable third, but still couldn't compete with the raunchy R-rated Superbad team in their third week. Even though both movies seem to be one giant wang joke. It was unfortunate timing to be released in the summer of Rogen, but Balls of Fury will find it's audience soon enough. And it shall be quoted whilst drunk.

Death Sentence, the latest from Saw director James Wan, opened up in eighth place with a rather low $4.1 million. Interesting to note that in two weeks, Jodie Foster's in a movie called The Brave One, which looks like it's almost the same exact movie. I bet that does outstanding numbers. I'd also like to point out how proud I am of James Wan not succumbing to making all the Saw movies, or just outright horror movies. He's branching out, and I respect that, even if the box office numbers don't reflect it.

Below the radar, John August's meta-trip The Nines opened up on two screens and took in $23,500, which doesn't sound like much, but it means that each screen took in $11,750, giving it the highest per screen average of the whole weekend. This is a fun, mind twist of a movie that deserves a bigger audience, and hopefully will be released on more screens in more markets in the coming weeks.

And in the "Because It's There" series: Once took in $300,000 on 150 screens, bringing it's grand total to $8,019,000 in 16 weeks. (I plead with you all again, go see this movie).

There you have my break down. Next week, we have a group of R-rated action movies, comedies, and horror flicks, all of which I want to see. 3:10 to Yuma, Shoot Em Up, Brothers Solomon, and Hatchet. As much as I can't wait to see Shoot Em Up, my money's first gotta go to Brothers Solomon. I can never turn down WIll Arnett in any motion picture. And neither should you. The man's a genius.

Until next weekend....