Sunday, February 16, 2014

Holiday Box Office Update: Lego Won't Let Go Of #1

"The Lego Movie" continues to crush all competition at the box office as this President's Weekend rolls on...


 Rom-com redux About Last Night has the best cune among the new releases; New RoboCop does ok biz but nowhere near where it should have been; Endless Love fails to spark viewers while mythic romance Winter's Tale melts...




Pamela McClintock of THR:

Cementing its blockbuster status, The Lego Movie easily remained at No. 1 in its second outing, grossing an outstanding $48.8 million for the three-day weekend.

From Warner Bros and Village Roadshow Pictures, Lego Movie is expected to post a four-day gross north of $60 million -- marking the second-best showing of all time for the long Valentine's Day and President's Day holiday after Valentine's Day, which debuted to $63.1 million in 2010. Through Monday, the film's North American total will be north of $140 million.

Among the weekend's four new entries -- including three 1980s remakes -- Sony's About Last Night is faring the best, thanks to Kevin Hart's rising star status. The Screen Gems title, targeting sweethearts celebrating Valentine's Day, took in $27 million for the three-day weekend, putting it on course for a four-day opening of $30.2 million.

Thanks in large part to Lego and About Last Night, holiday box office revenue was up nearly 30 percent from last year, when the top earner was A Good Day to Die Hard ($28.6 million). The bump was all the more impressive considering more dismal weather on the East Coast and in other parts of the country.

About Last Night, starring African-American actors this time and nabbing an A- CinemaScore, is a remake of the 1986 film starring Brat Pack members Demi Moore and Rob Lowe. Hart -- who is still in theaters with hit Ride Along -- stars opposite Michael Ealy, Regina Hall and Joy Bryant. Steve Pink directed the film, about two couples who hook up at a bar.

MGM and Sony's RoboCop reboot came in No. 3 for the weekend after opening on Wednesday. The $100 million sci-fi epic took in $21.5 million for the three-day weekend for a projected four-day gross of $25 million. That puts RoboCop's six-day debut at $30 million, a lackluster start for the event title.

RoboCop has earned $70 million overseas to date. Sony insiders hope it will ultimately earn $200 million internationally, where the movie has yet to open in China, Brazil and Japan.

Targeting males, RoboCop was directed by Jose Padilha and stars Joel Kinnaman in the title role. It opens 27 years after Paul Verhoeven's original debuted, and also stars Abbie Cornish, Michael Keaton, Gary Oldman and Samuel L. Jackson.

George Clooney's The Monuments Men enjoyed a nice hold in its second weekend, grossing $15 million for the three-day weekend and coming in No. 4. The star-studded movie is projected to earn $18 million for the four days, pushing its North American total to $46 million.

Universal's Endless Love -- the third 1980's remake -- is holding at No. 5, grossing $13.4 million for the three days. The romantic drama, also benefiting from Valentine's Day, should take in $14.7 million for the four days. Starring Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde, the Universal film is based on the 1981 Franco Zeffirelli film that starred Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt.

While the original was panned, it was a solid box-office performer. Moreover, the theme song, by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, became an instant hit and remains a classic. It is also the biggest-selling single of Ross' career. The remake, directed by Shana Feste, earned an A- CinemaScore.

The weekend's fourth new film, Winter's Tale, took in a disappointing $7.8 million for the three days, putting its projected four-day opening at $8.5 million. Adapted from Mark Helprin's novel, Winter's Tale marks the feature directorial debut of writer and producer Akiva Goldsman. The $57 million Warner Bros film stars Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay and Matt Bomer. It received a B CinemaScore.

Ride Along beat Winter's Tale to come in No. 6, earning $8.8 million for the three days. By the end of Monday, the film's North American total will stand at $117 million.

Elsewhere, Disney's Frozen crossed the $955 million mark at the global box office, becoming the No. 3 animated title of all time (excluding re-releases).

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