#BOXOFFICE: “WRECK-IT RALPH” DESTRUCTIVE AT THE BOX OFFICE

Huge bow for Disney this weekend with Animated Feature Wreck-It Ralph debuting at number one with $49.1 million. Opening Friday night with an impressive $13.4 million from 3,752 theatres across North America, the Video Game-obsessed Film features the Voicework of  Jack McBrayer (spotted in Toronto recently), Sarah Silverman, John C. Reilly and  Jane Lynch. Audiences and Critics are responding well already with it earning 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, putting it in-contention for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Oscars.

Opening in second is Paramount Pictures’ Flight, starring Denzel Washington.  The Film is the latest from Director/Producer/Writer Robert Zemeckis, best known for 2000’s Cast Away.  The Plane Crash-Drama has received solid Reviews, tallying 76% at Rotten Tomatoes and earns $25 million from 1,900 theatres this weekend.

Last week’s number one Film, Argo slips to  number three this weekend but still is performing strongly with $10.2 million for Warner Bros., which has a legitimate chance of winning Best Picture with this gripping Political Drama – not to mention several Acting Awards with an array of brilliant performances.

RZA‘s directorial Debut, The Man with the Iron Fists insists on keeping expectations low, opening in fourth for Universal Pictures with $8.2 million from 1,868 theatres.  Reviews have been mixed (56% on Rotten Tomatoes) for the Kung Fu-Action Flick, made for a Budget of $20 million.  Eli Roth produces while Lucy Liu, Rick Yune, Jamie Chung and Russell Crowe star.

Cloud Atlas unfortunately continues to under-perform for Warner Bros. in sixth with $4.8 million in this its second week of release, just ahead of Paranormal Activity 4  in eight with $4.3 million with a bit of a post-Halloween slump in its third week. Meanwhile, Silent Hill: Revelation 3-D rounds out the Top Ten with $3.3 million.

#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.

#TIFF12: KEVIN JAMES AT PRESS CONFERENCE FOR “HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA”

Adorable Funnyman Kevin James was perhaps one of the greatest surprises of the day, showing-up at the Press Conference for Hotel Transylvania as prior he had not been confirmed.  The King of Queens Star arrived much to the delight of Fans earlier today and  in addition to having completed work recently on Grown-Ups 2, his next release will be Here Comes the Boom this October where we will see him undergo a massive physical transformation after Mixed Martial Arts training.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)