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Opening in sixth was the Amanda Bynes vehicle Sydney White, about which, I am actually proud to say, I know absolutely nothing. It made $5 million from 2,104 theatres for a $2.5k average. A quick glance at imdb tells me it is also known as Sydney White and the Seven Dorks. In the immortal words of Stan Lee, 'nuff said. Mr. Woodcock followed in seventh with $4.9 million, down 43%, for a $15 million total. I caught a few minutes of Bad Santa this weekend, which is a brilliant comedy that served to remind me how much better Billy Bob Thorton can do. Be careful, BBT, I'm a fan, but you're losing me.
Superbad... I'm out of adverbs to describe it's never-ending run in the top ten. Suffice it to say, it dropped 39% to $3 million and raised its total to $116 million. Same problem for Bourne Ultimatum. Dropped 32%. Made another $2.7 million. Total stands at $220 million. Dragon Wars rounded out the top ten with $2.5 million, a shockingly reasonable 50% drop (I expected at least 60-70%), and an $8 million total.
And in limited release, Sean Penn's Into the Wild opened to relatively spectacular numbers, bringing in $207k from four theatres for a $51.7k average. Pic is universally being hailed as Penn's best effort as a writer and director, and has gotten very good, though not perfect, notices from critics. Look for Wild to compete in some peripheral Oscar categories (adapted screenplay, supporting actress), and Emile Hirshe may emerge as a star. Also faring well was The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, whose title is going to hurt it in the long run, I think. It earned $144k from five theatres for a $28.8k average. Critical consensus is far more divided on this one, but those who love are very passionate about it, and Westerns are known to appeal to the older Academy crowd (cinematographer Roger Deakins is all but assured his sixth nomination in what has been a spectacular year for him). Pitt gets all the press, but word is that Casey Affleck owns this movie, and between this and his star turn in brother Ben's directorial debut Gone, Baby, Gone later this year, his agent could find his phone ringing off the hook come January.
And that about wraps it up for this week, folks. Check back next Monday when Robert Benton's Feast of Love tries to compete with the Rock in The Gameplan and Peter Berg's much-hyped thriller The Kingdom. Plus, in limited release, we get a peak at Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited and find out how the controversy surrounding star Owen Wilson will affect its appeal, and the latest from Brokeback Mountain helmer Ang Lee, the NC-17 rated Lust, Caution. See you then.
Comments (3)
How could you leave "Tron" off your list of video game movies? It did kick ass, though . . . at least to 11 year-old me when I saw it.
1 of 3 | Posted by JasonR | Posted on September 25, 2007 6:10 AM
Umm... because Tron was a movie first and a video game second???
2 of 3 | Posted by Fitz | Posted on September 25, 2007 8:58 AM
I think Fitz has a point. It's been a long time since I've seen Tron, too, and I think I'll keep it that way. Seems like one of those movies that was good when you were a kid, but then you see it again, and realize it's actually not that good. That happened to me with Red Dawn... loved it growing up, but man, that movie is terrible now.
3 of 3 | Posted by sutterkane | Posted on September 25, 2007 10:22 AM