#BOXOFFICE: “TAKEN 2” STEALS THE BOX OFFICE A SECOND WEEK

Although hotly-buzzed Horror Sinister burst out of the gate running on Friday, alas it is last week’s Champion Taken 2 on-top again for a second week with $22.7 million from 3,705 theatres. Despite a competitive weekend with several new Films opening, the Liam Neeson-starring Blockbuster remains victorious, banking $86 million in two weeks for 20th Century Fox.

Following right behind in second is Warner Bros.’ Argo, directed by Ben Affleck.  The Drama which premiered at TIFF last month has gained strong word-of-mouth and earns a stellar 94% at Rotten Tomatoes and is considered widely a real Contender to win Best Picture at the Oscars.

Sinister finds itself in third spot with $18.3 million for Lionsgate Films/Alliance Films, from 2,527 theatres.  Earning positive reviews, the Scott Derrickson Film starring Ethan Hawke tallies-in at 63% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.  Made for a micro-budget of $3 million only, Sinister already is a major success based on brilliant marketing.  I dare you to watch its Trailer and not get creeped-out!

Mixed Martial Arts Comedy Here Comes the Boom, starring Kevin James, opens in fifth for Sony Pictures with $12 million from 3,014 theatres, although reviews have been more mixed with a total 44% on Rotten Tomatoes.  Musical-Comedy Pitch Perfect continues to do well in sixth with $8.8 million this weekend, earning $38  million overall after costing only $17 million to make.

Seven Psychopaths opens in ninth with $4.1 million for CBS Films/Alliance Films from 1,480 theatres, earning v. positive reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes).  The quirky Dark Comedy which won the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award at TIFF last month, stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits and adorable Bonny the Shih Tzu.  Although it admittedly is a bit of a challenge to sell to audiences, clearly is in the favourable books of the Arthouse Crowd and will expand in coming weeks, timed for Halloween.

Rounding out the Top Ten in North America is Atlas Shrugged Part 2 – not to be confused with Cloud Atlas – based on the Novel by Ayn Rand.  The Film has yet to see a release in Canada, but pulled-in $1.9 million south of the Border.

#SPOTTED: A MESSAGE FROM ABBIE CORNISH

Beautiful, remarkably talented and most of all, sweet as pie, Australian Actress Abbie Cornish always makes my day!  Check-out this lovely note she jot for me today after stopping by for a quick visit at the RoboCop Set here in Toronto!

I was lucky enough to get a Snap with Cornish not only at TIFF 2011, but also last month again as she was so gracious with Fans at Windsor Arms Hotel’s InStyle Magazine Party. Cornish truly is a Class Act and I am so excited about where her Career is going after falling in love her after seeing her performance in Bright Star and also the superb Limitless.

Just last week, the stunning Cornish attended the Los Angeles Premiere for Seven Psychopaths, which had premiered at TIFF 2012 and without skipping a beat, she’s now back in Toronto and ready to work again!

Follow Cornish on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

INTRODUCING BONNY THE SHIH TZU: STAR OF “SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS”

Is she this year’s Uggie?  Bonny the Shih Tzu has only been acting since she was 10 months old (equivalent to 13 human years), but this little Lady is already stamping herself as a Star on the rise.  Bonny stars in TIFF 2012 Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award Winner Seven Psychopaths, stealing the show from her famous Co-Stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, Gabourey Sidibe and Olga Kurylenko. The Dark Comedy has her starring as the Canine Companion to  a dangerous Criminal (Harrelson), getting kidnapped by troubled Actor and Dog Thief, Rockwell.  Before we know it, the stakes are raised and no lives are spared to get Bonny back.

Was fame written in the stars for Bonny?   The adorable tri-coloured Shih Tzu actually is a Rescue Dog, now owned by the Performing Animal Troupe, a Movie Animal Company.  She is trained currently by Claire Dore who praises her incredible focus and ability to tune things out around her.

Okay Miss Bonny, we’d like to see you tune this out!  My little Boy Billy is just smitten with you and had one question to ask:

Alliance Films releases Seven Psychopaths on October 12, 2012.

“Like” Bonny the Shih Tzu on Facebook!

UPDATE: It appears there is a romance looming!  Billy received this reply from Bonny on Facebook:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Kevin Winters – Getty Images)