For a sci-fi/fantasy nut like me, this weekend was a hulking slice of bacon-wrapped goodness. Neil Blomkamp's District 9 delivered, Park Chan-Wook's Thirst hit all the right notes, and while I didn't see The Time Traveler's Wife yet, I've heard good things. Apparently America agrees because box office is up from this same weekend last year.
1. District 9- $37M
Is it wrong of me to think that District 9 is going to set a new bar for the future of special effects heavy action films? Costing at a measley $30M to produce, yet featuring some of the most realistic and natural sequences of any film in years, Neil Blomkamp's directorial debut is well on it's way to doubling and probably tripling on their investment. What's more, they marketed the film in a way that maximized visibility while minimizing cost, using viral marketing and a number of slick but simple ad campaigns featuring unique "prawn" posters.
2. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra- $22.5M/$98.8M
A 60% tumble might be standard for in the 2nd week for most action films, but considering the $150M budget plus the $150M on marketing, I can't help but think this is a bit distressing. The likely culprit for the huge drop is that District 9 likely stole a good portion of it's male audience, but also what's up with G.I. Joe not getting the IMAX treatment? It seems like a movie perfect for the jumbo screens. Certainly everything other #1 film this summer season has had that benefit.
3. The Time Traveler's Wife- $19.2M
Ahhh, the benefits of counter-programming. Rachel McAdams' return to the genre that made her a household name also netted her best opening as the lead character. According to Warner Bros., a whopping 76% of the audience was female! I'm not even gonna front, I can't blame you 24% dudes who went to this thing because I'll be one of 'em. Sorry, I'm a sucker for a good romance. See, ladies. I do have a sensitive side buried in here somewhere.
4. Julie & Julia- $12.4M/$43.7M
It's a good week to be a book adaptation, and also a good week to work for Sony Pictures, as Julie & Julia is the second low budget film in as many weeks to outgross it's budget. The Meryl Streep/Amy Adams...what would you call it, dramography(?) about legendary chef Julia Child and the woman who emulates her for a year, only dropped an estimated 38% from last week. I actually saw this a couple of days ago and found it to be pretty darn good.
5. G Force- $6.91M/$99M
6. The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard- $5.35M
There are reasons why The Goods tanked as badly as it did. It's $5M opening is roughly the same as most other non-Apatow non-The Hangover comedies this year. One of the reasons why it failed is it's marketing campaign, which basically just boasts that it was brought to you by the same people who gave you Step Brothers. That's it? Why else should I care? A bunch of familiar faces standing around a car lot ain't gonna put many butts in seats.
7. Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince- $5.16M/$284M
8. The Ugly Truth- $4.5M/$77.5M
Katherine Heigl now officially kicking her own ass as The Ugly Truth has surpassed 27 Dresses in total revenue.
9. Ponyo- $3.51M
I'm actually surprised this made the list at all, but it's still a paltry sum. Not surprisingly, Hayao Miyazaki's latest failed to find an American audience. None of his previous films have, either, which isn't to say that they aren't great films it's just that their kiddie look and Japanese sentimentalities don't quite jibe over here the way they do in other parts.
10. (500) Days of Summer- $3.02M/$18M
Still holding strong as it continues to expand to more theatres, only dropping an estimated 19% from last week.
Also...
Can we finally put the nail in the coffin of these lame teeny-bopper musicals comprised of moonbounce children still sucking at the teet of the High School Musical craze? Bandslam, one such awful looking film, debuted with a meager $2.3M and shall now go the way of the 8 track and the Walkman. Be gone with you!
I guess nobody wants to watch Ashton Kutcher try and re-enact a version of his own life. They probably feel he's not qualified to act the part. His film, Spread, which is about a young guy who macks on hot older chicks(like Anne Heche???) debuted at 91 sites and enticed about $117,000. Surely Mr. Demi Moore could've put that massive Twitter following of his to better use than this?
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