Monday, September 10, 2007

Gravy Train

As expected, the western 310 To Yuma led the way, taking the top spot...



Brandon Gray of Box Office Mojo:

The 3:10 to Yuma remake claimed an estimated $14.1 million to top a typically slow early September weekend…

Ben Fritz of Variety:

Audiences proved willing to saddle up for Western "3:10 to Yuma," which lassoed a solid $14.1 million on a typically soft post-Labor Day frame.

"Shoot 'Em Up," meanwhile, fired blanks in its pursuit of a younger male aud.

Gross for the James Mangold-directed "Yuma," financed by Lionsgate and Relativity Media, was on the high end of most expectations. Per-play average was $5,317 at 2,652 locations.

"We feel that the results really validate our strategy of wanting to be the first Western and first prestige film of the fall," said Lionsgate theatrical films [president] Tom Ortenberg.

Indie moved up the pic's release to give it more breathing room before the season's other high-profile oater, Brad Pitt starrer "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which opens Sept. 21.

Lionsgate's Russell Crowe-Christian Bale starrer appealed primarily to men over 25. Ortenberg predicted the pic could have a long run like the studio's last early-opening kudos contender, "Crash." Lionsgate is already planning an aggressive awards season campaign.

New Line's outrageous actioner "Shoot 'Em Up," meanwhile, didn't hit as many young men as the studio had targeted. Clive Owen starrer bowed in sixth place to only $5.5 million.

Dimension and MGM's "Halloween" remake took a big fall after its boffo Labor Day weekend bow, as expected, declining 62% to $10 million, landing at No. 2. Rob Zombie-helmed horror pic's cume is now $44.2 million

Sony's "Superbad" crossed the $100 million mark as it fell 36% to $8 million, coming in No. 3. High school comedy has now cumed $103 million.

Rogue's pingpong laffer "Balls of Fury" took the No. 5 spot, declining 50% in its second frame to $5.7 million. Sports parody has cumed $24.3 million.

Revolution and Sony's "The Brothers Solomon" barely registered as it bowed on 700 theaters to a dismal $525,000.


Read the complete article here

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly:

With weak competition, Russell Crowe's Western remake earned $14.1 mil and was the last film standing in the box office shootout...

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