Solo Couples

As the weekend's only wide release--the star powered comedy Couples Retreat (reviews) should have no problem coming in at #1 come Monday right?



Vince Vaughn and Malin Akerman in the comedy "Couples Retreat".

Andrew Stewart of Variety:

..."Retreat"... should face its toughest competition from a pair of Sony holdovers: last weekend's frame-topper, "Zombieland," and the fourth week of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." The 3D toon has cumed $82.9 million domestically, while the studio's zombie comedy had taken in $29 million as of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Classics launches two fest favorites in New York and L.A.: "An Education" and "The Damned United."

As the frame's lone wide release at 3,000 playdates, U expects "Couples" to garner decent numbers from auds over 25; tracking is evenly split among men and women.

Centered on four couples who take a trip to a tropical island resort, pic toplines Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Malin Akerman and Kristen Bell. "Couples" is co-scripted by Vaughn, based on his original idea. Last year's "Four Christmases," also starring Vaughn and Favreau and produced by Vaughn, opened with $31.1 million at 3,200 playdates.

After a strong showing last weekend with $12.5 million, Disney's 3D double-bill release of "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" enters its soph sesh at 1,752 playdates. The franchise should see healthy numbers as auds take advantage of the toons' limited two-week run. Disney said it will wait until after the weekend to decide whether to extend the franchise beyond the two weeks.

"Meatballs" saw a 33% decline last weekend but still managed to top Disney's toon update with $15.8 million at 2,977. Pic expands to 2,992 in its fourth frame with hopes of maintaining a strong hold over younger auds and repeat viewers.

Sony's other B.O. champ, "Zombieland," opened with $25 million at 3,036 locations. Studio expects good word of mouth and surprisingly good notices to keep the comedy alive and well, but with "Couples" added to the mix, pic is likely to see a 40%-50% drop.

After a disappointing weekend for Drew Barrymore's skater-girl pic, "Whip It," Fox Searchlight hopes word of mouth gives the pic a boost after a $4.7 million opening at 1,720.

Likewise, Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" will look to improve on its $4.4 million after expanding last week to 962.

Paramount rolls out low-budget scarefest "Paranormal Activity" at 159 locations in 44markets. Pic earned $535,000 at 33 engagements last weekend....

Speaking of Paranormal Activity (reviews): It may still be in a limited number of theaters but it's a nation wide sell out nonetheless...

'Paranormal Activity': Demand it?--Marketing campaign invites you to try to get thriller in your town -- and EW film critic Owen Gleiberman hopes it works...

Next Week: Gerard Butler is a Law Abiding Citizen; Penn Badgley meets his Stepfather Dylan Walsh; And director Spike Jonze knows Where the Wild Things Are...