Monday, August 16, 2010

'Expendables' rules the weekend; 'Eat Pray Love' opens strong

Sylvester Stallone leads an all-star cast in "The Expendables," the top draw at the box office this weekend.
Sylvester Stallone leads an all-star cast in "The Expendables," the top draw at the box office this weekend.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • "The Expendables" won the weekend, grossing $35 million
  • "Eat Pray Love" grossed an estimated $23.7 million
  • "The Other Guys" has reached total of $70.5 million at box office

(EW.com) -- Men dominated the box office this weekend in a gender battle that pitted Sylvester Stallone's testosterone-fueled "Expendables" against Julia Roberts' "Eat Pray Love."

"The Expendables" won the weekend easily, grossing $35 million and a crucial victory for Lionsgate. "Eat Pray Love" was no slouch either, considering its limited appeal to men. The PG-13 rated travelogue grossed an estimated $23.7 million, making it Roberts' highest opening as a leading lady since 2001's "America's Sweethearts."

The other new wide release, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," had a much harder time connecting with audiences. The Michael Cera-starrer grossed only $10.5 million, far less than the studio had hoped. The film from British director Edgar Wright, with a budget of $60 million, was a huge hit at Comic-Con that hasn't translated to the real world.

Those that did attend the hyperkinetic action/love story had a great time, though. The film generated an A- from CinemaScore with audiences under 25 giving it an A. Still, "Scott Pilgrim" is likely to be viewed as a significant under-performer for the studio.

Last weekend's holdovers performed in the range expected.

"The Other Guys" lost less than 50 percent of its value for a weekend take of $18 million and a total cume of $70.5 million.

"Step Up 3D" didn't fare as well. The 3D dance flick lost some 58 percent of its value for a seventh-place finish and $6.6 million of additional gross. Its total two-week cume stands at $29.5 million.

"Inception" landed in the fourth spot this weekend. With an additional $11.3 million, Christopher Nolan's dreamscape is on the verge of $250 million.

"Despicable Me" landed in the sixth slot for its sixth weekend in theaters. Losing only 27 percent of its value, the animated hit grossed $6.8 million and now boasts a gross of $222 million.

"Salt" landed in eighth place with $6.3 million. The Angelina Jolie-starrer crossed the $100 million mark this weekend.

"Dinner for Schmucks" landed in ninth place. Losing less than 40 percent of its value for an additional $6.3 million, the Steve Carell-Paul Rudd laugher has now earned $58.8 million after three weekends of release.

And "Cats and Dogs" rounded out the Top 10, earning an additional $4 million for a total cume of $35 million.

Summer at the movies is almost over. Come back next weekend to see how "Piranha 3D" fares against "Nanny McPhee Returns."

No comments: