Pamela McClintock of Variety
Disney sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" found plenty of loot in its debut at the domestic box office, grossing an estimated $45.5 million from 3,832 theaters and cementing the franchise's foothold. Original "National Treasure" debuted at $35. million over Thanksgiving weekend in 2004.
The four other new wide releases proved no match for holdovers "I Am Legend" and live-action/CGI combo "Alvin and the Chipmunks," which came in No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in their sophmore frames, according to Rentrak.
Warner Bros." "Legend," starring Will Smith, declined 56% to an estimated $34.2 million from 3,620 theaters for a boffo cume of $137.5 million in the pic's first 10 days of release.
Twentieth Century Fox's family friendly "Alvin" fell just 35% to an estimated $29 million from 3,499 theaters for a hefty cume of $84.9 million in the film's first 10 days.
In a closely watched race, Universal's Tom Hanks-Julia Roberts starrer "Charlie Wilson's War" narrowly beat out DreamWorks-Paramount's Johnny Depp musical adaptation 'sweeney Todd," although neither film was able to jump the $10 million mark in their debuts.
Directed by Mike Nichols, "Wilson's War" grossed $9.6 million from 2,575 to place No. 4 for the weekend.
Playing in less than half the number of theaters as "Wilson's War," director Tim Burton's 'sweeney" grossed an estimated $9.3 million from 1,249 theaters for the No. 5 spot and a per screen average of $7,486. Per location average for "Wilson's War" was 3,735.
Warner Bros." Hilary Swank-Gerard Butler romancer "P.S. I Love You" came in No. 5 in its debut, opening at a modest $6.5 million from 2,454 theaters. Warners distributed the film through its output deal with Alcon Entertainment, which produced and put up all the financing.
Sony's Judd Apatow-produced biopic spoof "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" failed to find many laughs, grossing an estimated $4.1 million from 2,650 theaters and coming in at No. 8 behind Disney holdover "Enchanted." Performance of "Walk Hard" marks a rare blemish for Apatow.
Indie title "Juno" proved the little engine that could, placing No. 10 for the weekend in grossing and estimated $3.4 million as it expanded from 40 to 264 theaters for a cume of $6.4 million.
In placing No. 7, "Enchanted" declined a slim 25% in its fifth frame to an estimated $4.1 million from 2,752 theaters for a cume of $98.3 million.
New Line's "The Golden Compass" declined 55% in its third frame to $4 million for a cume of $48.4 million. Film came in No. 9 for the weekend.
Overall, distributors were delighted with weekend results.
Click here for more USA stats...
Meanwhile, I Am Legend rules overseas...
Nicole Sperling of EW:
''Book of Secrets'' helps Nicolas Cage find his way back to the top of the weekend box office
Read More ....
Cage had another #1 debut this year--with the Febuary release of Ghost Rider...
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