Without fail America has once again handed over its hard earned money (or, in the case of one movie, the parents' hard earned money) to the worst new movies released. Leave it to clever trailer editing and dance-driven teenagers to take sloppy sci-fi and something that should have been direct-to-DVD straight to the top.
With and estimated $27 million Jumper made its debut at the number one spot, something that shouldn't be too surprising. It launched itself with a rocking trailer featuring Samuel L. Jackson spouting sharp one-liners and Hayden Christensen looking every bit the Ken doll action figure moving his way through sharp special effects. There were two options: it was either an engaging piece of sci-fi or a sleepy action movie in sci-fi clothing. When it hit theaters, it turned out to be the latter. But it was too late for audiences who didn't know what hit them. We'll know how beloved it truly is next week when it either sinks or swims into a second week.
The real shocker this weekend was the success of Step Up 2 The Streets. At nearly $20 million, the movie almost matched the opening cash earned by the original Step Up. While I'm just as amazed at the next person at the amazing feats of dance acrobatics that the cast puts one, the movie has "direct-to-DVD" written all over it. But movie studios apparently know teenage audiences well enough to gamble that kids will pay to watch anything if it involves other teens in tight clothes doing the hip-hop version of a Cirque-du-Soleil show. Who needs things like plot and acting when your main characters can spin on their head?
Step Up 2 just edged out the last kids fantasy adventure flick The Spiderwick Chronicles. With less than $20 million on opening weekend, the movie has a long way to go to make back it's $90 million budget. But, in its favor, the film hits DVD just in time for summer, giving it a solid chance to recover matters when it comes to store shelves.
Despite the fact that it was the best movie out this weekend and despite the fact that it was the only remotely romantic movie in theaters, Definitely, Maybe took it on the chin, coming in just under $10 million. I must have had a romantic streak when I wishfully hoped this one might do any better. At fifth place it was the only movie unable to oust last weekend's champion Fools Gold. For the full weekend top ten check out the chart below.
President's Day is one of those Monday holidays that some folks get off and many of those lucky people will be headed to theaters. Check back tomorrow for the four day holiday update.
WEEKEND BOX OFFICE TOP TEN Presidents' Day Weekend, 2008 3 Day Totals
LW = Last Week WR = Weeks Released THTRS = Number of Screens * Denotes new release. Click on title to read CB Review
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