Turn off the Lights

“Unknown” Makes a Name for Itself

What’s in a name? Not much, apparently. Unknown dominated the weekend box office sliding just ahead of I Am Number Four, which had to settle for number two. Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son earned $17 million, about half the opening of the previous two entries. Both Gnomeo and Juliet and The King’s Speech had staying power. All that, and the holiday weekend is not even over.

It was age before beauty at the weekend box office. Liam Neeson’s unofficial sequel to Taken nabbed $21.7 million bringing it to the top of the charts. Alien angst had to settle for runner up, though that $19.5 million opening still may be enough for a sequel. It can’t be said for Martin Lawrence latest fat-suit franchise entry. “Big Mommas” underperformed, but still made the top five.

This week we had to put to rest the following holdovers: True Grit, The Green Hornet, and Sanctum. They went down in the murky waters of eleventh place and beyond with honor-well all except Sanctum. Two more unlucky movies will fall into oblivion when Hall Pass and Drive Angry 3D top the charts.

The Top Ten

1.  Unknown - $21.7M (weekend)…$21.7M (gross)
2.  I Am Number Four - $19.5M…$19.5M

3.  Gnomeo and Juliet - $19.4M…$50.4M
4.  Just Go With It - $18.2M…$60.7M
5.  Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son - $17.0M…$17.0M
6.  Justin Bieber: Never Say Never - $13.6M…$48.4M
7.  The King’s Speech - $6.5M …$103.2M
8.  The Roommate - $4.1M…$32.6M
9.  The Eagle - $3.5M…$15.0M
10. No Strings Attached - $3.1M …$66.0M

Drive Angry 3D, a movie about a nogoodnick who escapes from hell to avenge his daughter and grandchild is zooming into 2,200 locations. The film features Nic Cage, a definite negative in terms of box office potential, yet it also features fast cars, action, and 3D which may be a boon for the little picture. This action picture caters to fans of fast cars, pretty women, and the fiery depths of hell. Drive Angry has potential, but Hall Pass has a bigger location count.

The comedy about a bunch of married guys trolling the bars for young flings with the permission of their wives opens at 3,000 locations. Advertising for the film gives a Hangover on the home front vibe but it will likely do typical February numbers at the box office.

Comments

Meet the Author

Follow Us