Box Office Report: Same as it ever was...

Dude here again. I'm getting into the swing of this new year. I've even kept my New Year's Resolution and refrained from making "I haven't _______ since last year!" jokes! Well, I haven't made any in the column yet. And that example doesn't count.

And I haven't made a joke about that in my column since TWO years ago!

This weekend, new movies were released and none of them made any sort of impact upon the unstoppable blue monster. 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).

1. Avatar (Fox) $48.5, 3422 screens, week 4, $429.0 total

2. Sherlock Holmes (WB) - $16.6, 3626 screens, week 3, $165.1 total

3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Fox) - $16.3, 3641 screens, week 3, $178.1 total

4. Daybreakers (LGF)- $15.0, 2523 screens, week 1, $15.0 total

5. It's Complicated (Uni)- $11.0, 2955 screens, week 3, $76.3 total

6. Leap Year (Uni) - $9.1, 2511 screens, week 1, $9.1 total

7. The Blind Side (WB) - $7.7, 2880 screens, week 8, $219.1 total

8. Up In The Air (Par)- $7.1, 2218 screens, week 6, $54.7 total

9. Youth In Revolt (Dim/Wein)- $7.0, 1873 screens, week 1, $7.0 total

10. The Princess and the Frog (BV)- $4.7, 2620 screens, week 7, $92.0 total

So those are the numbers, but what do they mean? Well, it means that now it's a matter of "when", not "if" regarding Avatar overtaking Titanic's record of highest grossing picture of all time, not adjusted for inflation, etc. It's really boring when a movie just keeps knocking over record after record. It's like your friend playing you in Mortal Kombat, and he just constantly beats you over and over again with a sweep kick. It's beginning to not be fun anymore.

Oh, but on a plus side, it overpassed Transforming Robots 2: Revenge of No Screenwriter as the #1 money maker of 2009. Mad props for that. (I still want my money back for that one...)

Daybreakers proves the recent movie edict: Though shalt only make vampire movies that make money only if the vampires sparkle. Although a decent-for-January opening, I wouldn't expect a Daybreakers 2: Newer Moon on the horizon.

Leap Year: I'll catch it on its' "leap" to the bargain DVD bin. I'm sorry Amy Adams, but I guess there's just some things I wouldn't do for you.

Oh, Youth In Revolt, will you ever catch a break? After multiple release delays, you finally opened to mediocre word of mouth and even less mediocre business. Someday, Michael Cera, you will prove to the world that you can play more than awkward shy funny boy. Too bad the public won't perceive you that way.

Below the radar, Crazy on the Outside, the directorial debut of Tim Allen, took in $75,400 on 75 screens. Avatar is trembling in shiny blue boots.

So there, you have my amazing break down. Next week, Denzel Washington saves us from a post apocalypse, and we see if it has a chance against the mighty Avatar. (I'm betting no, but who knows?)

Until next weekend.......


(All numbers courtesy of Box Office Mojo)