Box Office Report: Calm before the storm

Dude here again. Only one more week left until I get to start all the hyperbole-laden and record shattering weekend box office grosses. I can't even begin to convey how excited I am. Rest assured, it involves involuntary releases of bodily fluids. But out of sheer joy and excitement. And not at all due to a "drinking problem." (I don't understand what the big deal is, it's not even a "problem"!)

This weekend, comedies ruled the roost, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler squeaking into the top spot over Harold and Kumar and a certain other lady that someone is trying to forget. 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 this column wrong).

1. Baby Mama (Uni) - $18.2, 2543 screens, week 1, $18.2 total

2. Harold and Kumar... (NL)- $14.5, 2510 screens, week 1, $14.5 total

3. The Forbidden Kingdom (LGF) - $11.2, 3151 screens, week 2, $38.2 total

4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Uni) - $11.0, 2799 screens, week 2, $35.0 total

5. Nim's Island (Fox) - $4.5, 2977 screens, week 4, $38.9 total

6. Prom Night (ScrGms) - $4.4, 2821 screens, week 3, $38.1 total

7. 21 (Sony)- $4.0, 2952 screens, week 5, $75.7 total

8. 88 Minutes (Sony) - $3.6, 2168 screens, week 2, $12.6 total

9. Horton Hears A Who! (Fox) - $2.4, 2159 screens, week 7, $147.8 total

10. Deception (Fox) - $2.2, 2001 screens, week 1, $2.2 total

So those are the numbers, but what do they mean? Well, it means that of all the things that are making people laugh, Tina Fey rules them all. Attracting more folks with a PG-13 rating (as well as female skewing subject matter) Baby Mama easily surpassed the R-rated pothead antics of Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But it's pretty clear that the audiences felt like having some laughs this weekend, before the onslaught begins.

(I have to point out that Harold and Kumar did come awfully close to surpassing the original's entire box office run. Very interesting, and considering how low the costs are for these films, plus the huge profit they make on video because potheads don't realize the movie actually came out in theaters, it's possible a third Harold and Kumar could be winding around the mountain.)

A movie with Obi Wan and Wolverine called Deception came out. It didn't too well. The holdovers are fading fast, but it's worth noting 21 keeps adding screens, despite being out for 6 weeks already.

Below the top ten, a Burt Reynolds movie called Deal opened up. Anytime Burt Reynolds is in a movie that opens up, it's worth noting. It made $31,000 on 50 screens. Yeah Burt! I'm gonna watch Smokey and the Bandit in celebration! (You should, too).

And in the "Because It's There" series: The Bank Job took in $183,000 on 239, bringing its grand total to $29,570,000 in 8 weeks.

There you have my break down. Next week, Ironman! Plus, extra added bonus, Son of Rambow!

Until next weekend....