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Friday, February 26, 2010

Police Blotter

This weekend funny cops and a malicious horde invade the cineplex..

Director Kevin Smith takes Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, and Seann William Scott, on a ride along in Cop Out (reviews) Director Breck Eisner unleashes The Crazies-(reviews) a remake of the 1973 classic from George A. Romero...





Andrew Stewart of Variety:

Studios are calling this weekend at the domestic B.O. the calm before the storm, with two R-rated pics opening in wide release: Warner Bros.' buddy comedy "Cop Out" and Overture's horror pic "The Crazies."

Launches come a week before Disney rolls out its much-anticipated 3D "Alice in Wonderland," which is expected to do boffo business as it bows day-and-date in several key territories overseas.

Paramount's reigning champ "Shutter Island" should hold well after an impressive opening last weekend, earning $41 million -- the highest opening for both director Martin Scorsese and star Leonardo DiCaprio.

..."Cop Out," launching on 3,150 screens, stars Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, playing police officers who investigate the case of Willis' stolen baseball card.

Directed by fanboy auteur Kevin Smith, "Cop Out" is co-scripted by Mark and Robb Cullen and reps the first film Smith helmed but didn't write. Originally titled "A Couple of Dicks," Smith reportedly allowed the change after taking flak for "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." That film opened to $10.1 million at 2,735 playdates in 2008.

Tracking for "Cop Out" is strongest among males, but weaker for femmes.

"The Crazies," about a smalltown residents contaminated by a toxic water supply, opening at 2,477 engagements, should also play best among male auds. Overture said it hopes positive early reviews for the film can help it cross over to other demos.

Pic is co-financed by Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi.

"Shutter" has seen strong mid-week figures, having cumed $50.2 million as of Wednesday, with Par adding 12 engagements in its soph sesh for a total 3,003 playdates. Scorsese's thriller about U.S. Marshals, played by DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, who investigate the case of a missing woman at a remote insane asylum, overpowered a host of holdovers in its opening weekend. Pic beat out Warner's "Valentine's Day" and 20th Century Fox's "Avatar."

"Valentine's Day" saw a steep drop of 70% in its soph sesh last weekend after becoming the highest-grossing opener during Presidents Day Weekend with $63.1 million. Pic has cumed $89.9 million.

Entering its eleventh weekend, "Avatar" should pass $700 million, having already cumed $691.7 million. With "Alice" set to occupy most 3D screens in the coming week, pic should continue to play well on 2D screens as it holds steady during mid-week.

Fox's other holdover, kid-targeted "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief," will continue to benefit as the frame's top family title until the "Alice" onslaught. "Percy" earned $15.3 million in its soph sesh, down 51% for a cume of $60.7 million...

Nicole Sperling of EW:

Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan pairing up for a buddy comedy flick from director Kevin Smith seems like a good idea on paper. But with reviews for Cop Out stuck in the terrible category, this Warner Bros. flick is going to have to actually fight to land the number one slot...

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