#BOXOFFICE: “HANSEL & GRETEL” TAKE A BITE OUT OF BOX OFFICE

Critics didn’t like it v. much, but Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D opens solidly, debuting at number one this weekend with $19 million in North America for Paramount Pictures.  The Action-Fantasy starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton opened in 3,372 theatres, was made for $50 million and performed particularly well overseas including Russia where it earned $8.6 million alone on Friday.  Audiences gave the Film a B over at Cinemascore, which suggests it might not be as bad as Critics made it seem, earning only 15% at Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.

Last week’s Champ, Mama slips to second but still is going well with $12.9 million for Universal Pictures/eOne Films.  In two weeks it has grossed an impressive $47.5 million domestically.

Now into its eleventh week of release, Silver Linings Playbook continues to benefit from its Oscar Buzz in third, earning $10 million for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films (eOne Films) from 2,641 theatres, keeping another Best Picture Contender,  Zero Dark Thirty, at bay in fourth with $9.8 million from 2,929 theatres.

Parker from FilmDistrict/eOne Films opens with $7 million this weekend in fourth.  The Action Flick starring Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez garnered overall negative reviews (35% on Rotten Tomatoes), but Audiences responded with a B+ Cinemascore.

Django Unchained still is hanging-in sitting in fifth with $5 million and right behind in sixth is The Farrelly Brothers‘ latest RomCom Movie 43 which boasts an All-Star Cast, but still managed only to pull-in $5 million in its debut for Relativity Media/Alliance Films (eOne Films).  The Cast includes: Kate Winslet, Josh Duhamel, Johnny Knoxville, Chloe Moretz, Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman, Anna Faris,  Chris Pratt, Gerard Butler, Snooki, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Sudeikis and many more.  Critics were particularly tough, the Film tallying only 6% on the Tomatometer. Audiences were equally tough with an unimpressed Cinemascore of a D.

Broken City rounds-out the Top Ten in its second week with $3.8 million ($15 million earned to date), almost on its way to recouping half of its $35 million budget.

#SPOTTED: JACK MCBRAYER IN TORONTO FOR “WRECK-IT RALPH”

Funnyman Jack McBrayer is in Toronto for a long-overdue visit in support of his latest Film, Wreck-It Ralph for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada.  The Funnyman known best for his work as Kenneth Parcell on NBC‘s Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Comedy Series 30 Rock, arrived yesterday after doing a round of Press in New York City  and met some Fans on MuchMusic‘s New.Music.Live last night.

This morning he did the rounds including visits to KISS 92.5 and also CityTV’s Breakfast Television (watch his appearance here). McBrayer was super-nice to stop and greet Fans with a bit of time to spare this morning at CityTV.  Billy even jumped-in for a Photo, staying just enough out of potential Fashion Crisis‘ way, careful not to shed onto his Black Sweater!

With 30 Rock soon concluding after seven v. successful seasons, McBrayer can next be soon in Savannah and Movie 43 alongside an All-Star Cast which includes the likes of Kate Winslet, Emma Stone, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Anna Faris, Gerard Butler and many more.  He also has been cast in Disney Animated Series, Wander Over Yonder in the Lead Role of Wander.

Wreck-It Ralph has McBrayer voicing the Character of Fix-It Felix in the Animated Feature about a Video Game Villain – the Titular Character – who wishes to change his ways with the help of Felix.  Featuring also the Voice Work of Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman and John C. Reilly, the Film opens Friday, November 2, 2012.  Watch the Trailer here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)