Up against an even more desperately uninteresting lot of new films even compared with last weekend's lot of largely uninteresting films, The Help continued its reign of terror and racial understanding this weekend with a third number one finish at the box office. While its returns continued to drop--only $14.3 million this weekend--those returns were still more than enough to best the piddling new competition, which combined could barely crack $25 million.
The strongest of the three new films was, shockingly, the not-screened-for-critics Colombiana, a revenge thriller so ridiculously inept that not even Rorie, a dyed-in-the-wool fan of ridiculous revenge thrillers, could bring himself to appreciate it. Regardless of quality (or lack thereof), this latest film from Luc Besson's absurdity factory managed an okay enough $10.3 million. Behind it was Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, another film acting on behalf of a director who did everything but actually direct the film in Guillermo del Toro. Proving that Katie Holmes is basically box office poison at this stage of her career, the movie grossed just $8.6 million, which on a weekend this terrible, somehow was still good enough for third place.
Coming in fifth was Our Idiot Brother. The Paul Rudd-fronted comedy made a rather paltry $6.6 million, but in a hilarious twist of events arguably more hilarious than anything in the actual movie, that was still good enough to turn a profit. Our Idiot Brother cost a mere $5 million to make, thus ensuring us a whole series of Idiot Brother sequels starring Paul Rudd as a traveling, Kung Fu-like character, imparting his simplistic wisdom on those he meets as he travels across the country, selling weed and organic vegetables to get by.
With no new entries in the indie market making an impact, and the usual suspects making money yet again--Sarah's Key, Senna, and The Guard--I think it's time we hit up the top ten list. It's super depressing this week!
 | 1. The Help $14.3 million / $96.6 million |
 | 2. Colombiana $10.3 million / NEW |
 | 3. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark $8.7 million / NEW |
 | 4. Rise of the Planet of the Apes $8.6 million / $148.5 million |
 | 5. Our Idiot Brother $6.6 million / NEW |
 | 6. Spy Kids: All the Time in the World $5.7 million / $21.7 million |
 | 7. The Smurfs $4.8 million / $126 million |
 | 8. Conan the Barbarian $3.1 million / $16.6 million |
 | 9. Fright Night $3 million / $14.2 million |
 | 10. Crazy, Stupid, Love. $2.9 million / $69.5 million |
Dropped Out: 30 Minutes or Less; Final Destination 5; One Day
Source: Box Office Mojo
Gonna See RotPotA today so I can finally stop having people tell me I need to see it.
Saw Senna last week. It's VERY good if you are a fan of racing and/or Formula 1. It's a tough movie to watch and I think the worst part is that, unlike everybody else on the screen, you know how that infamous week-end in Imola will end and your emotions start ramping up during the whole buildup of the '94 season and particularly for the Imola week-end (another pilot died the day before Senna's crash).
Speaking os Zoe Seldana. Is it more or she was discovered in the new Star Trek (a very good movie) and since then has been in a TON of really shitty movies? She'll destroy the little career she has by always picking up all those crapy projects.
damn Conan is sinking FAST
Well she was the witch lady in Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar.
So if Star Trek is getting more movies, and Avatar is getting a trilogy I don't think she'll be going anywhere.
No matter how many Takers, Death at a Funeral or Colombianas she wants to make.
@Doctorchimp: Oh right, forgot about Avatar...ugh I don't think I need more avatar lol.
I am glad Fright Night failed, that movie had trash all over it. And honestly who thought remaking Conan was a good idea?
Actually no she was not the witch from Pirates. That was Naomie Harris.
I know nobody believes me, but Spy Kids 4 was kind of enjoyable!
Wow, no one went to the movies this weekend.
Although, she's probably scared of black people:)
...Yeah. August, huh guys?
The Help: 2051
It could work.
Wow, I thought Fright Night would carry better. I liked that film a lot.
On the bright side, it's great to see Emma Stone with a bonafide star-making hit on her hands.
With the failures of Conan and Fright Night perhaps Hollywood will think twice about resurrecting franchises from the 80's...nah, they'll remake anything that has some name recognition already.
@PenguinDust said:
i quite liked The Losers, like you say, "pointless but fun" i think its the only role iv liked Chris Evans in, EVER