#BOXOFFICE: “OBLIVION” IS VERY PRESENT AT BOX OFFICE

Neither a Divorce nor a Scientology Scandal could stop him.  Tom Cruise is a bona fide Cinematic Legend, topping the Box Office once again this weekend with his latest, Oblivion, which earns a stellar $38.2 million for Universal Pictures, from 3,783 theatres.  Reviews were mixed from Critics, earning 58% on the Tomatometer, and Audiences responded with a B- CinemaScore.  Getting a head-start internationally last week, the Film has grossed over $60 million overseas already.

Even in its second week, the superb 42 continues to go strong for Warner Bros., earning $18 million after debuting on-top last week. The Film got a bit of a push Monday with it being Jackie Robinson Day and with that A+ CinemaScore, it should continue to go well for the next few weeks with lots of positive word-of-mouth.

In third this weekend is The Croods with $9.5 million, benefiting overall from a lack of other Family-oriented Films out right now.  Domestically it has just surpassed the $150-million mark.

Scary Movie 5 still manages to maintain in the Top Five with $6.3 million in its second week, just ahead of G.I. JOE: Retaliation with $5.8 million in its fourth week.

The Place Beyond the Pines expands to 1,542 theatres for Focus Features/eOne Films this weekend in sixth and does respectably with $4.7 million, now earning a total of $11.3 million in its run thus far. Reviews are strong, tallying in at 81% on the Tomatometer.

With no other new entries in the Top Ten this weekend, Oz The Great and Powerful rounds-out the Top Ten with $3  million for Disney.

#BOX OFFICE: “42” HITS A HOME RUN AT THE BOX OFFICE

A Box Office Home Run for Warner Bros.’ 42 this weekend, its release timed right for the beginning of Baseball Season earning $27.3 million from 3,003 theatres across North America.  The Biopic about Jackie Robinson from Director/Writer Brian Helgeland not only fared well among Critics with a 77% consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, but Audiences loved it, giving it a well-deserved A+ CinemaScore. This bodes well for its word-of-mouth in coming weeks and also, tomorrow is Jackie Robinson Day in the U.S., meaning even more buzz for the Flick.

Opening in second is eOne Films/The Weinstein Co.’s Scary Movie 5, the latest in the long-running Franchise, earning a non-disgraced $15.2 million from 3,402 theatres.  Critics panned it universally, garnering 6% on the Tomatometer and C- Cinemascore from Audiences.  Neither Lindsay Lohan, Charlie Sheen nor Ashley Tisdale could save this.

Former Champ The Croods earns $12.9 million in its third week and to date the Animated Feature from 20th Century Fox has grossed over $142 million domestically.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation earns $10.5 million for Paramount Pictures in fourth, just ahead of last week’s number one Film in Evil Dead which slips to fifth spot with $9.3 million from 3,025 theatres for Sony Pictures.

Meanwhile, Oz the Great and Powerful continues to go on well in eighth with $4.8 million in ninth in its sixth week of release, ahead of Tyler Perry’s Temptation which slips to ninth in its third week with $4.4 million. a

In Limited Release and The Place Beyond the Pines, the latest from Director/Writer Derek Cianfrance who made a splash in 2010 with Blue Valentine, earns $3.8 million from only 514 theatres for eOne Films/Focus Features and likely will continue to expand in coming weeks.  Starring a phenomenal Cast including Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes and Dane DeHaan, the Drama is well-reviewed earning 81% on the Tomatometer.

Overseas, Oblivion starring Tom Cruise debuted big with $60 million grossed overseas and equally is expected to open big in North America, where it debuts next weekend.