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SUNDAY AM: It’s a dull pre-Oscar weekend at the North American box office with only two major releases are genres fighting each other for No. 2. 
There were better than expected grosses considering the East Coast was slapped with another harsh snowstorm. Otherwise, there’s not much to say. Holdover Shutter Island, the Marty Scorsese/Leo DiCaprio psychological thriller from Paramount, will easily stay No. 1 again with just a 41% drop from a week ago. It made $6.7M Friday and $10.4M Saturday for a $22.2M weekend and estimated cume of $75M. Warner Bros’ Bruce Willis/Tracy Morgan buddy comedy Cop Out (formerly entitled A Couple Of Dicks) opened Friday with $6.2M Friday and $7.8M Saturday for a $18.5M weekend which shows audiences are starved for laughs. Gee, you don’t think director Kevin Smith’s nationally blown-out-of-proportion fight with Southwest Airlines was a PR grab by this publicity hog, do you? It’s the first film he helmed that he also didn’t write. Overture’s doomsday horror pic The Crazies co-financed by Participant Media and Imagenation Abu Dhabi debuted with $5.7M Friday and $6.4M Saturday for a $16M weekend due to heavy TV ad rotation. Fox’s Avatar crossed $700M domestic. And Sony Pictures Classics platformedg the French language prisoner drama A Prophet in 9 NY and LA locations after it’s won several awards and is Oscar nominated. Industry types all weekend emailed me from the theaters gushing how good this pic is.
Overall year-to-date revenues for the first 2 months of 2010 are $1,805,600,000, as compared to $1,778,467,029. Revenue is up 1.53%, but attendance is down .48%.
Here’s the Top 10 for the weekend:
1. Shutter Island (Paramount) Week 2 [3,003 Theaters]
Friday $6.7M, Saturday $10.4M, Weekend $22.2M, Cume $75M
2. Cop Out (Warner Bros) NEW [3,150 Theaters]
Friday $5.9M, Saturday $7.8M, Weekend $18.5M
3. The Crazies (Overture) NEW [2,476 Theaters]
Friday $5.9M, Saturday $6.4M, Weekend $16M
4. Avatar (Fox) Week 11 [2,456 Theaters]
Friday $3.1M, Saturday $6.6M, Weekend $14M, Cume $706.9M
5. Percy Jackson (Fox) Week 3 [3,302 Theaters]
Friday $2.4M, Saturday $4.6M, Weekend $9.8M, Cume $71.2M
6. Valentine’s Day (Warner Bros) Week 3 [3,578 Theaters]
Friday $2.9M, Saturday $4.2M, Weekend $9.5M, Cume $100.3M
7. Dear John (Sony) Week 4 [3,006 Theaters]
Friday $1.5M, Saturday $2.1M, Weekend $5M, Cume $72.6M
8. The Wolfman (Universal) Week 3 [3,043 Theaters]
Friday $1.1M, Saturday $1.9M, Weekend $4.1M, Cume $57.2M
9. Tooth Fairy (Fox) Week 6 [2,249 Theater]
Friday $730K, Saturday $1.7M, Weekend $3.4M, Cume $53.8M
10. Crazy Heart (Fox Searchlight) Week 11 [1,158 Theaters]
Friday $610K, Saturday $1.2M, Weekend $2.5M, Cume $25M
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Here’s the last word on Shutter Island: someone high up should look into – well – plagiarism on this one. I direct everyone to watch the movie, The Ninth Configuration (1980), directed by William Peter Blatty (most famous as the author of The Exorcist). It is often considered a cult film and it won the Best Screenplay award at the 1981 Golden Globes. The film is based on Blatty’s novel, The Ninth Configuration (1978). Shutter Island has such a similar plot, with similar characters, that it’s truly surprising that Scorse made SI. I’d bet a thousand that he was well aware of the similarities when he first read the script.
written & directed by William Peter Blatty. Same characters, same plot, same ending. And it’s a better film. You should rent the DVD of Blatty’s film & see for yourself. There are so many major & minor plot points that exactly match, it’s unreal. A real shame, since Blatty’s film has been largely forgotten over time. Check it out & find out for yourself.
You do realize that “Shutter Island” is a novel by Dennis Lehane, right? That the film is an adaptation of that novel?
The novel SHUTTER ISLAND still postdates Blatty’s work.
I recognized the similarities between SI and 9th Configuration, it has a similar setting and a similar resolution in certain ways, but by no means are the plot and characters the same to the degree it could be called plagarism by any stretch.
Very true – and not knocking “Ninth Configuration” or Blatty. Just saying that Scorsese didn’t “rip off” “Ninth Configuration” by adapting a Dennis Lehane novel that’s similar to it, as someone up there was bizarrely suggesting.
Both of those movies were based on novels. I hardly think Shutter Island could be considered a sequel to The Exorcist as the other films scribe describes The Ninth Configuration.
Corporate owners of Hollywood please read and learn. Good movies live forever. Movies like these don’t. The mighty dollar IS mighty. Making money and lots of it. Yes. I understand that. But to make long term money, please consider excellent writing, acting, storytelling. Not short term weekend boxoffice and payoffs to the “reviewers” who push your product. Look at the history of movies. Look at the movies that whose lives have lived since the beginning of movie making. No intention to disrespect you but as corporate bottom liners, you have no perspective or experience about what is excellent. You are not creatives, though many of you think you are. If you want to make lots of money, then I implore you to think about these ideas. Or think about this: What would Humphrey Bogard or Jimmy Cagney or Steve McQueen or Paul Newman think of these movies? I’ll leave you to answer that question.
The author of the article needlessly shits on Kevin Smith and makes the outrageous claim that the Southwest thing was a PR stunt (guess he paid someone to throw him off and then thought podcasting and tweeting would reach a wider audience than Larry King Live, GMA, etc). A few more pile on. Then we have someone recommending we skip Shutter Island to go see the movie by the child rapist? Wow…
Ghost Writer was horrid. I’m all for smaller films doing well, and mainsteam films failing; such as that mess known as Avatar, but Shutter Island is a masterpiece that the public are enjoying. So let it be.
I am glad Crazy Heart is doing well. Looks like Up in the Air dropped off the buzz radar. I think Bridges will win the Oscar.
All these comments just suck. I thought these comments were from legitimate hollywood but instead from a bunch of idiots, re: KS Fat issue discussion, go see ghost writer?!? Idiots. And hoping a movie bombs -perplexed go back to New Mexico and live your life being a cow tipper. Last I knew – if u work in the business u support theatre sales and audiences flocking to theaters so our industry continues to make money.
So that’s what became of “A Couple Of Dicks”? I remember reading that script awhile ago. Not surprised about the title change for obvious reasons. I caught “The Crazies” over the weekend and would recommend it to horror buffs. Probably the best horror remake/reboot there’s been since “Dawn of the Dead,” with some truly scary set pieces (the car wash attack is going to be remembered for years to come) and it’s a great looking film to boot. Will probably disappear fast when “Alice” opens next weekend, but it’s worth a look.
I think I would have been more impressed by the car wash scene in THE CRAZIES had I not seen the somewhat similar bit in THE FINAL DESTINATION. Car wash horror is kind of played out at this point.
Come on, did anyone like The Crazies? I walked out after the first 10 minutes. The tv spots and trailers are bad so the film made good on the promise.. Not a great film!
I think the beauty of the entire movie is you don’t know how to feel and you don’t know which to believe. You are very much in the mind of Leo’s character. Paranoid and stuck between two different things that both could very much be true. I called it very early on. The fact that it didn’t show him anywhere else but the Ferry and the Island. He has experienced Trauma. The Doctor said he does experimental procedures. Patients seemed coached. Just met his partner. And there wasn’t much to the movie unless he was crazy. Frankly, practically from the beginning I just felt that’s the only way it could have been.
Cool. Thanks for blowing the twist. Now I no longer need to see the movie.
Just plain rude.
Wow was “Shutter” a major disappointment — and for a Guy like Scorsese who prides himself on originality… to just steal a bunch of pieces of other films and call it “his own” is truly a sign that it’s time for him to go back to teaching.
They were booing at the WGA screening.
Since when has Scorsese “prided himself on originality”?
He makes genre films and always have. In fact, one of his goals was always to make a film in every genre. Gangster movies, a boxing movie, a re-make, a romance…all of which reference other films in many ways.
How did you end up in the WGA without knowing anything about Scorsese or his films? Good lord.
Not to mention, even if you didn’t like it, even a weaker effort by a director like Martin Scorsese is not a sign that the man should “go back to teaching”. What is it with you people? Seriously, you don’t like one movie by a great director and suddenly he should “go back to teaching”.
Do us all a favor and don’t ever write anything – ever.
I read “Crazies” over a year ago and it was weak. Saw it the other day and noticed that they did some reworking–this time it was an improvement. But still…the whole thing is overdone.
You guys are so full of it, Kevin Smith is FAR from full of himself, he’s one of the most self-deprecating people ever. You guys know nothing about him and he’ll always make movies because he doesn’t LOSE money, even when his movies don’t do that well in theaters, they make money. He doesn’t need a big budget to make a solid comedy. He will always get work for that very reason. So get over it, internet nerds.
“Here’s the last word on Shutter Island: someone high up should look into – well – plagiarism on this one. I direct everyone to watch the movie, The Ninth Configuration (1980), directed by William Peter Blatty.”
Larry Brooks you are the man! I posted this similarity on another site. There is no question Dennis Lehane was influenced by Blatty’s plot device. For those who haven’t seen the Ninth Configuration, please get a hold of it, you will not be disappointed. It makes ‘Shitter Island’ look like a Shawn Levy flick.
Uh – yes – you…posted that same exact comment up above – where it was pointed out to you that “Shutter Island” is an adaptation of a Dennis Lehane novel.
The stories may be similar, but if you have a problem with it, take it up with Lehane – not Scorsese.
Ah – sorry, my bad. Thought it was a repeat of Larry Brooks’ comment.
SI was OK, but way below Scorsese’s ability. He rocked on the Cape Fear remake, but SI was just ‘not bad” for the most part.
About Avatar…It did what movies are supposed to do. Get people into the theaters again. So what’s the problem?
Well said FILMFAN, well said indeed. Where are all you SHUTTER ISLAND haters spreading all your poisonous opinions about such a masterpiece of a movie? Where are all you “nay-sayers” who said this movie would drop 60-70%? SHUTTER ISLAND is number who one for the second straight week and all you guys have to talk about is COP OUT.Let me tell you just went to see this movie with my girlfriend and we both thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Great cast, good story, good score. All this bad editing you guys were singing about, never saw it. I thought this was one of Scorsese’s best films especially moving into a different genre. You people are nuts, absolutely nuts. Leonardo Dicaprio..quickly becoming one of my favorites and definitely one of the best hollywood has to offer. After seeing his performance in so siked to see INCEPTION, i mean so siked. I was already siked now i’m really siked. Hahaha to all you losers who thought SHUTTER ISLAND drop like a hammer…freeking losers. Grow some brains people.
I hope Smith and Willis are not cheering for 18mil. This is a colossal failure. Once again,Smith is involved. If this makes 40mil for it’s entire inception, I’d be suprised.
The trailer was middling,and when Tracy Morgan quotes a ‘Die Hard’ idiom, I nearly pulled thatfat ass off the plane myself for such hackneyed work.
Kevin Smith seems to write everyone in the same voice. I have liked a few things he’s done.
I read the novel, but didn’t bother with the movie because I found the novel a bunch of predictable cliches. It seems like a thousand other things I’d seen.
Another side note on SHUTTER ISLAND. Not only was it an amazing movie but it may have had one of he best ending credits i have ever heard. “this bitter earth” by Dinah Washington on “nature of daylight” by Mike Richter may be the saddest, most gripping beautiful song ever featured in a movie and it couldn’t have been more appropriate a song to cap off and really punctuate what was an amazing movie. I couldn’t let myself leave theater until the song was finished..it was that beautiful and moving a piece of music and those of you whom saw the movie and enjoyed it im sure would agree with me. An amazing piece punctuating and ending what was an amazing movie. Well done Leo and Marty!!
Eh,
are you nuts? The movie cost 30 and most had it making 12-14 this weekend. 18.5 is a big success and it will suredly turn a small profit
“Shutter Island” is my must see movie for the next week, and I’m still interested in “Cop Out”, even though I’m POSITIVE I’ll be disappointed. This weekend both movies will be slammed to the mat by “Alcie in Wonderland”, another film on my radar. Then it’s a month-long slog towards what looks to be a possible box office gargantuan in “Clash of the Titans”, now in 3D! (3D, ugh!)
It also didn’t hurt The Crazies that the buzz was REALLY strong for this remake.
mickeyitaliano:
Last time I checked, an $18 million opening weekend for a $30 million movie is a pretty good number. It’ll end up more than making up its budget in the theater, then really earn once it hits the “home theater” market (which is what Hollywood makes most of its money from these days).
Not every movie is expected to earn a hundred million dollars in its theatrical run. It’s all about cost vs revenue.
Another fairly predictable weekend at the box office for the openers, yet the light drops all around were a bit of a surprise.
1. SHUTTER ISLAND – After speculation that this would sink like a rock, the alright hold proved that Scorcese’s name holds some power to it and the film has been getting better word-of-mouth than assumed. Playing out every week with similair 45% drops, a $125-135M total is in order which is in line with THE DEPARTED. However, I wonder how it would have done if still released in October.
2. COP OUT – Junk does well at the box office, but with the lackluster Saturday bump, a 50+% drop should be expected in the weeks to follow.
3. THE CRAZIES – I hoped this would have beaten COP OUT, but it kicked it’s ass when it comes to PTA. I was surprised how good this film is and word-of-mouth has been great. Hopefully it will have better legs than your typical fright flick, but with ALICE opening next week and having wide appeal, it seems like a challenge. Yet the high PTA is a good thing to see. SEE IT!
4. AVATAR – Anyone else shocked Fox didnt do any “SEE IT BEFORE ALICE TAKES OVER” campaigns? Anyways there is not much left to say until next weekend where we will truly be able to guess where this film will end its run but even then its up in the air.
5. PERCY – After last weekends frightening fall, PERCY found the legs it needs to become a franchise, but AIW might steal some kiddies away. $100M is still possible.
6. VALENTINES DAY – The first film this year to cross the $100M milestone, $120M final seems in order which is sad considering its giant OW, but WB ain’t complaining at all.
7. DEAR JOHN – With a surprisingly great hold, a final in the low-$80Ms seems likely which is a win for Sony.
8. THE WOLFMAN – If only the movie was as scary as it’s weekly drops then it might have been a hit!!!! Universal just can’t cut a break and it looks as if this will be the end sadly of the classic monster ressurgence franchise idea they had. I was looking forward to that but maybe if they had better quality and budget control on the future planned films, they still might go through. The over-inflated budgeted GREEN ZONE seems likely to suffer this film’s fate after a mish-mashed marketing campaign and a lack of enthusiasm. $70M seems unlikely to be attainable for this $150M flick and if any film loses screens to make room for the future films coming out this week and next, it will be WOLFMAN.
9. TOOTH FAIRY – The Rock just won’t let go of the top 10 and TOOTH will probably rank in the top 10 next week too assuming it doesn’t lose it’s screen due to ALICE. It makes more sense to keep this film than WOLFMAN since this has been out longer, theaters get more $ for keeping it. After it’s underwhelming OW that made most think it would sizzle out like SPY NEXT DOOR, TOOTH held on although it was just as unbelievable nauseating and now $60M is possible.
10. CRAZY HEART – A true sleeper, where this film goes next will depend on Bridges’ winning the Oscar. However, I see $45M finish most likely which is a MAJOR success for this film.
*OUT OF THE TOP 10 BUT NOTABLE*
-BLIND SIDE (#11) eeks its way ever closer to the magical $250M mark which it should break even quicker if Sandy wins the Oscar. LAST STATION (#13) had a big expansion and kept a so-so $3000 PTA, but it should dwindle down quickly considering it’s low Oscar chances. EDGE OF DARKNESS (#14) and FROM PARIS WITH LOVE (#15) plummeted out of the top 10 into $2.99 bin oblivion. THE GHOST WRITER (#17) sizzled a $20000+ PTA, however will Oscar winners distract the same movie-goers who would see this? And how will mainstream audiences take it? If Summit keeps it’s great marketing plan on track, GHOST can be a mid-size hit.