Guys. We did it. WE. DID. IT.
Indeed, whether it was the result of the above "call to arms" trailer for The Expendables, or just had more to do with middle-America identifying more easily with big, beefy, homoerotic dudes stabbing and blasting the shit out of Latinos, versus a snotty, narcissistic bitch going to India and "finding herself", Stallone's action throwback took the crown at this week's box office, raking in an estimated $35 million. The aforementioned chick flick, Eat, Pray, Love, did mange to do pretty okay for itself though, coming in second with around $23.7 million. That said, $23.7 million is not $35 million. Take THAT vaginas!
The real surprise for me, and the big disappointment of the weekend, was Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, a movie that was marketed with almost absurd aplomb, yet only managed to pull in around $10.5 million. Now, I feel like that number could go up a bit when the exact figures come in, as there's nothing a nerd loves more than Sunday matinee prices at the movie theater, but regardless, it's a pretty lackluster opening for a movie that was pushed as heavily as this one, and also is, by all accounts, at least pretty entertaining. Admittedly, I have yet to go out and see it--this weekend kind of got away from me, and mostly I just stuck to Netflix--but I will see it this week, if only to do my part, since I feel like it's the kind of thing I just should support. I love Edgar Wright. I do not wish to see him fail.
Not a metric ton of news elsewhere on the list. The Kids Are All Right predictably wasn't able to stick around past its number 10 debut on the list last week, and we bid quick adieu to Charlie St. Cloud (now who will we swoon for? WHO?!?). The one sad piece of news is that after 8 weeks in the top ten, we must finally say goodbye to Toy Story 3, which, despite earning over $2 million this weekend, couldn't beat Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore for the 10 spot. On the plus side, the movie cracked $400 million domestically, and is now at around $940 million worldwide. Come oooooonnnnnn a billion! You can do it!
Shoot the link below with an AA12 shotgun to make it explode...and reveal the full top 10 for the weekend.
Box Office Results: 08/13 - 08/15
 | 1. The Expendables $35 million / NEW |
 | 2. Eat, Pray, Love $23.7 million / NEW |
 | 3. The Other Guys $18 million / $70.5 million |
 | 4. Inception $11.4 million / $248.6 million |
 | 5. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World $10.5 million / NEW |
 | 6. Despicable Me $6.8 million / $222 million |
 | 7. Step Up 3-D $6.6 million / $30 million |
 | 8. Salt $6.4 million / $104 million |
 | 9. Dinner for Schmucks $6.3 million / $58.9 million |
 | 10. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore $4 million / $35 million |
Dropped Out: Toy Story 3, Charlie St. Cloud, The Kids Are All Right
Source: Box Office Mojo
I can't help but feel that it's probably due to Cera being in it. After seeing it this weekend I don't feel that he's as poorly miscast as I once did but he still wasn't a great fit.
It's a goddamn shame, since this movie is such a watershed moment for videogames in film. Meanwhile, Resident Jovovitch TREE DEE is goes on to make 70 kabillion dollars.
Here's hoping it does well in the UK though. All my friends over there have been chomping at the bit to see it.
Thank God this has stopped before Pauly Shore is allowed to make his comeback.
In all seriousness I think Scott Pilgrim will fare a little better next week. I know several people who chose Expendables first but want to go see Scott Pilgrim next week.
it was a great weekend for movies! Everyone has something to watch!
If you're a dude- THE EXPENDABLES
If you're a chick- EAT, PRAY, LOVE
If you have a date- SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
If you are insane- INCEPTION
Yeah, way to go men of America. We put a generic, action film at the top of the box office list and let more deserving movies die a sad death (Scott Pilgrim). I feel so proud to have male genitalia.
Maybe if they'd advertised toward the younger demographic they could have gotten a bigger audience, get the female teen crowd or some of that radio Disney/High School Musical money.
I don't know, maybe the movie would have done better if it went with a R-rating and had a little more "mature" content. It didn't hurt The Expendables.
I mean lets be fair here Scott would destroy the testosterone induced power houses with one single smack of style and originality