Chronicle soars, The Woman in Black suprises and Big Miracle sinks at the US box office

The found footage superhero film Chronicle should barely edge out the return of Hammer horror at the North American box office...

It was a nail biter... Separated by only a few hundred thousand dollars, the superhero movie pulled Chronicle in an estimated $20 million. This original attempt at launching a superhero franchise has been well received by a skeptical online community, with director Josh Trank getting a lion's share of the credit. His name is now being mentioned as a potential attachment to every long-gestating comic book adaptation, while the found footage premise seems more 'hit' than 'miss' after nice returns for Chronicle and January's The Devil Inside.

CBS Films' The Woman in Black came out of nowhere and almost seized the top spot. Daniel Radcliffe's first big post-Harry Potter vehicle ended up with $19.5 million over the weekend. It's the biggest opening for fledgling distributor CBS Films and a big win for both Radcliffe and Hammer, the long dormant horror brand.

Last week's number one film The Grey dropped the traditional 50% pulling in 9 million dollars over the weekend. The well-reviewed thriller didn't inspire as much interest with audiences as it did with critics. The ending has become a major discussion point and The Grey is easily the most polarizing film that's been released in some time. There was hope that the conversation would translate into word-of-mouth ticket sales; however, much like the characters in the survival flick, hope didn't end up amounting to much.

The other wide release this week was the Drew Barrymore family film Big Miracle. The true story of three trapped whales and the rescue mission to save them didn't generate much interest. Even though there's an extreme lack of family films in the marketplace, Big Miracle didn't end up filling the void and should end up with only 6 million dollars over the weekend.

With the exception of The Grey, last weekend's holdovers have fallen fast. Katherine Heigl's One for the Money and Sam Worthington's Man on a Ledge will each end up around $5 million in their second weekend. Both films have already been written off as marked disappointments.

The Descendants continues to be the one film greatly benefitting from Oscar nominations, with its week over week hold continuing to be the strongest of all current releases. The film has been out since November and continues to linger in the bottom half of the top ten. In its 9th week of wide release it will make almost as much as Man on a Ledge in its second week or Red Tails in its third. There's still money to be made in arthouse films if you're willing to be patient and have a marketing team who understands how to platform a film.

Next week is another major cinematic traffic jam. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson tries his hand at another big CG spectacle with Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and speaking of 'CG spectacle', next week also marks the 3D re-release of The Phantom Menace. For the ladies there's Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum in the romantic drama The Vow, and Denzel Washington stars as a wicked villain matching wits with Ryan Reynolds in Safe House.

Here's your top films for North America...

1. Chronicle
Weekend Estimate: $20 million

2. The Woman in Black
Weekend Estimate: $19.5 million

3. The Grey
Weekend Estimate: $9 million; $34 million total

4. Big Miracle
Weekend Estimate: $6 million

5. One for the Money
Weekend Estimate: $5 million; $14 million total

Anghus Houvouras

The Grey leads the pack at the North American box office

Liam Neeson leads The Grey to the number one spot this weekend at the North American box office. The Joe Carnahan directed thriller made $20 million dollars in its opening weekend and the well-reviewed survival thriller is the latest hit for Neeson, who has been able to open three straight films in this time frame to stronger than expected numbers.

Last week's number one Underworld: Awakening had a stronger than expected hold, dropping just 50% week over week for a second place finish with another $12 million dollars. The franchise is showing no signs of slowing down as Awakening, already at $44 million, may end up as the highest grossing entry of the series. It would have to beat Underworld: Evolution at $62 million, and that number seems very attainable.

One for the Money starring Katherine Heigl managed a decent $11 million dollar opening. The bounty hunter-themed comedy was another consistent opener for Heigl who has managed to deliver better than average box office with her last four films. However, One for the Money could end this trend depending on how strong it holds in week two.

Man on a Ledge debuted with a disappointing $8 million dollars. Sam Worthington is having a tough time transitioning from big budget spectacles like Avatar and Clash of the Titans to more realistic material. Whether or not he'll have a career in films that don't require a green screen remains uncertain. He returns to form in March with the sequel Wrath of the Titans.

Red Tails had a decent hold dropping less than 50% and taking in another $10 million dollars over the weekend for a cume of $33 million. Steven Soderbergh's action thriller Haywire took a nosedive this week only managing $4 million in spite of it's marquee cast.

On the awards front, The Descendants is moving back up the charts taking in $6 million this weekend, up from last weekend's total. With the Oscar nominations being announced this past week, the George Clooney-starring drama has received a nice bump. So too has the silent film The Artist, which netted another $3 million this week. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close received a baffling Best Picture nomination, helping the film hold strong in it's second week taking in another $7 million dollars.

Next week is the Super Bowl which is traditionally a slow weekend for the box office and yet there are three more studio releases hitting cineplexes, including the found footage superhero film Chronicle, Daniel Radcliffe horror The Woman in Black and the family film Big Miracle.

Here's your top films for North America...

1. The Grey
Weekend Estimate: $20 million

2. Underworld: Awakening
Weekend Estimate: $12 million; $44 million total

3. One for the Money
Weekend Estimate: $11 million

4. Red Tails
Weekend Estimate: $10 million; $33 million total

5. Man on a Ledge
Weekend Estimate: $8 million

Anghus Houvouras

US Box Office - Underworld slays the competition, Red Tails soars

It was another impressive weekend at the US box office thanks in no small part to a wide variety of new releases. The fourth installment of the Underworld series continued its string of $20 million + openings, with Kate Beckinsale's return to the franchise propelling it to a $24 million dollar opening. The series has been remarkably consistent and audiences seem to have a limitless appetite for vampire related content.

The George Lucas-produced Red Tails also had a stronger than expected opening. Many analysts were sceptical of an all African American cast being able to generate a strong opening. The World War Two themed action film pulled in $19 million dollars this weekend. George Lucas indicated he wants to do a sequel and a prequel for the film. Just typing 'George Lucas' and 'prequel' in the same sentence makes me cringe just a little. If anyone thinks that's a good idea, wait a few weeks and go see the re-release of The Phantom Menace.

Last week's number one film Contraband had a decent hold, hauling in another $12 million landing it at number three for the weekend. The 9/11 themed drama Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close opened without much fanfare. In spite of starring two of the biggest box office draws in Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, the movie opened to an unremarkable $11 million. 9/11 movies have been a hard sell. Even with two of the most bankable stars in the world, audiences seemed relatively ambivalent about the movie and the subject matter. American audiences have made it fairly obvious that they have no interest in the subject of 9/11 or the war on terror at the box office.

This week's other new release, the Steven Soderbergh directed action film Haywire, landed with a 'thud'. The film was marketed heavily on the ensemble cast including Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Antonio Bandereas, and Michael Fassbender. All those names together were only able to net $9 million dollars in ticket sales.

Next week is another slew of studio offerings including the Liam Neeson survival thriller The Grey, Sam Worthington in the heist thriller Man on a Ledge, and the Katherine Heigl comedy One for the Money. Expect to see The Grey at number one next week with steep drops for Underworld, Red Tails and the rest in their second week out.

Here's your top films for North America:

1. Underworld: Awakening
Weekend Estimate: $24 million

2. Red Tails
Weekend Estimate: $19 million

3. Contraband
Weekend Estimate: $12 million; $46 million total

4. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Weekend Estimate: $11 million

5. Haywire
Weekend Estimate: $9 million

Anghus Houvouras

US Box Office - Mark Wahlberg Delivers the Goods with Contraband

After so much speculation about the ailing North American box office in 2011, the first few weeks of 2012 are remarkably healthy...

The Mark Wahlberg action thriller Contraband is set to win the weekend with $23 million in ticket sales. Right behind it in second place is the 3D reissue of Disney's Beauty and the Beast with $18 million. Both Mark Wahlberg and the Disney 3D reissues have been hit or miss at the box office. Beauty and the Beast looks like it won't quite match the impressive take of last year's The Lion King re-release, but the films seem to be performing well enough to warrant the money being put into conversion.

Tom Cruise continues a solid holiday run into the New Year with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol which just inched out the new Glee-inspired choir musical Joyful Noise. Both of them netted about $11 million, with Ghost Protocol making a few hundred thousand more.

Last week's number one The Devil Inside dropped nearly 80% in its second week. The critically-savaged horror film opened strong but has been quickly crucified by poor word of mouth. Still, it managed $8 million in its second weekend.

The awards season crowd saw a modest boost this week. The Weinstein Company's The Iron Lady starring Meryl Streep opened to a strong $5.5 million at 800 screens, almost exactly the same as last week's British import Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The Weinsteins have also been slowly expanding the awards hopeful silent film The Artist to just over 200 screens. This week it pulled in $1.2 million. The real test remains to be seen as the film rolls out to more screens. It will be interesting to see how more mainstream moviegoers react to a silent film.

Next week brings three more new releases with the George Lucas-produced airplane action film Red Tails, the return of Kate Beckinsdale to the Underworld franchise with Underworld: Awakening, and the Steven Soderbergh-directed spy thriller Haywire. With so much new product in the marketplace and the award season swell, the 2012 box office should set a strong pace.

Here's your top films for North America:

1. Contraband
Weekend Estimate: $23 million

2. Beauty and the Beast 3D
Weekend Estimate: $18 million

3. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Weekend Estimate: $14 million; $187 million total

4. Joyful Noise
Weekend Estimate: $11 million

5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Weekend Estimate: $8.5 million (weekend); $170m total

6. The Devil Inside
Weekend Estimate: $8 million; $44 million total

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Weekend Estimate: $6 million; $86 million total

8. War Horse
Weekend Estimate: $5.6 million; $66 million total

9. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Weekend Estimate: $5.5 million (weekend); $125m total

10. The Iron Lady
Weekend Estimate: $5.5 million

Anghus Houvouras

The Devil Inside heats up the Holiday leftovers at the US box office

So much for a slow start to the New Year. The low budget horror film The Devil Inside has opened to a ludicrous $32 million dollars in its opening weekend. The film exceeded the studio's modest expectations to win the weekend by a wide margin. Acquired by Paramount for $1 million dollars, The Devil Inside continues the found footage trend pioneered by The Blair Witch Project and cashed in annually by the Paranormal Activity franchise.

The Holiday leftovers continue to provide studio sustenance. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol took in another $20 million at the box office and is slowly moving towards $200 million in the U.S. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was third with $14 million dollars.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo continues to hold strong but hasn't been the franchise creating cash killer Sony was hoping for, enjoying another solid if not unspectacular weekend with another $11 million in receipts. The thriller will make its way to $100 million dollars, but just barely. There's still talk of filming the sequels back to back with a modified budget, but the film didn't make the kind of bank that would let the studio play with house money.

A few months back I asked the question: Has Spielberg hurt his brand? The answer in the U.S. seems to be "Yes". The Adventures of Tintin is all but forgotten in the States and War Horse will struggle to get to $100 million in ticket sales unless the awards season is particularly kind. Both films were favourably reviewed but neither have struck a strong chord with film fans. The days of Spielberg as an 'Event Filmmaker' seem to be clearly in the rear view mirror. War Horse managed another $8 million dollars while Tintin pulled in another $6 million.

It is rather surprising when a no budget horror film like The Devil Inside comes out with no name actors and will end up clearing more than oscar bait like Young Adult and The Descendents as well as family fare like Happy Feet Two and Arthur Christmas. The horror genre may be queued for a comeback.

The good news this weekend was the excellent per-screen average of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy which netted over $7000 per screen at 800+ theaters for a $5.5 million dollar opening. This is another film that should benefit from the award season nominations.

Here's your top films for North America:

1. The Devil Inside
Weekend Estimate: $32 million

2. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Weekend Estimate: $20 million; $170 million total

3. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Weekend Estimate: $14 million; $156 million total

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Weekend Estimate: $11 million (weekend); $76m total

5. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (even typing this pains me)
Weekend Estimate: $9 million (weekend); $110m total

Anghus Houvouras

Mission Impossible continues the Holiday Haul at the US box office

The North American box office has ended on a high note as 2011 came to a close...

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol continues to reign in the number one spot for two consecutive weeks. Since its release on December 21st, the fourth installment of the spy franchise has managed an impressive 141 million dollar haul. The film is being hailed as 'the return of Tom Cruise' as critics and audiences have given Ghost Protocol high marks. The latest M:I film could wind up being the biggest box office success of the series.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows continues to fall into the runner up position raking in another 22 million dollars for a total of $137 million in receipts. The sequel should end up with around $180 million in ticket sales when all is said and done, coming just shy of the original's $200 million in 2009.

Steven Spielberg has two films in wide release. War Horse is the stronger showing with a 17 million dollar weekend and a 43 million dollar total since being released on Christmas Day. Good reviews and strong word of mouth should keep the period piece in the top three over the coming weeks. His other entry, the animated The Adventures of Tintin hasn't held up as well. Since its release on December 21st, the family adventure has just crossed $50 million in ticket sales and is struggling to stay in the top 10. One has to wonder if the poor reception in the U.S. will have any impact on a sequel, which as of now is intended to be directed by Peter Jackson. Worldwide box office success might still make this a reality.

The two big box office surprises have been the strong holds of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Cameron Crowe family film We Bought a Zoo. Both films are managing to find an audience. In spite of an R rating and some graphic sex and violence, the David Fincher directed thriller banked another $16 million in ticket sales for a total of $60 million. We Bought a Zoo has brought in another $14 million this weekend for a grand total of $45 million.

In other news, the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks has crossed $100 million this weekend and is still the go to family film for American audiences. Meanwhile, the counter programming horror film The Darkest Hour has managed to scrape up $14 million since being released on Christmas Day.

With very few wide releases over the next two weeks, very little should change. Expect Ghost Protocol to land the top spot again next week, and a strong surge from War Horse could propel it to the number two spot.

Here's your top films for North America:

1. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Weekend Estimate: $28 million; $141 million total

2. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Weekend Estimate: $22 million; $132 million total

3. War Horse
Weekend Estimate: $17 million; $43 million total

4. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Weekend Estimate: $18 million (weekend); $100m total

5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Weekend Estimate: $16 million (weekend); $60m total

6. We Bought a Zoo
Weekend Estimate: $14 million (weekend); $45m total

7. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
Weekend Estimate: $12 million (weekend); $50m total

Anghus Houvouras

Mystery Solved! Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows finally gives the US box office a much needed boost

The Sherlock Holmes sequel managed a solid $40 million dollar opening at North American theaters. While some Warner Brothers insiders were hoping for a $50 million dollar debut, the numbers are still leaps and bounds above the any other release since Twilight.

The third Alvin and the Chipmunks movie made a much less impressive debut showing that you can only go back to the well so many times before people start to lose interest. Chipwrecked still managed to take in more in it's opening weekend than a half dozen other recent family films, but this won't be the $150 million+ high earner the previous two entries provided.

Speaking of sequels, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol managed a number 3 opening this week in spite of only playing at IMAX theaters. This bodes well for the wide rollout this week. Expectations are high, though most analysts concede the real money for this one overseas where Tom Cruise is still a massive star. Good reviews for the latest installment of the spy franchise won't hurt either.

Last week's leftovers New Year's Eve and The Sitter had expected drops. Both will be lucky if they end up with $50 million.

The Jason Reitman directed Young Adult opened to a tepid $3.5 million dollars in its first week of wide release. In spite of glowing reviews and nods to star Charlize Theron and writer Diablo Cody, the film's financial and awards potential seems limited at best.

Next week sees a massive number of high profile projects hit the theaters. Mission :Impossible - Ghost Protocol, horror film The Darkest Hour, My Week with Marilyn, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and double dose of Spielberg with The Adventures of Tintin and War Horse all see a wide release. It should make for an interesting Christmas weekend.

Here's your top five for North America:

1. Sherlocl Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Weekend Estimate: $40 million

2. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Weekend Estimate: $23 million

3. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Weekend Estimate: $13 million

4. New Year's Eve
Weekend Estimate: $7 million (weekend); $25m (total)

5. The Sitter
Weekend Estimate: $4 million (weekend); $17m (total)

Anghus Houvouras

New Year's Eve gives studios nothing to celebrate at the US box office

This weekend was a box office bloodbath. All the hopes of a strong December to end a lackluster year at the box office are starting to fade. Two new entries managed to derail the Twilight money train but both debuted to weaker than expected numbers...

The Garry Marshall ensemble comedy New Year’s Eve was a massive disappointment. Even with a dozen name actors and a huge marketing push, the movie was only able to debut to $14 million dollars. The studio is desperate to spin the numbers, but any hopes of recreating Valentine's Day-style success is gone.

There's a lot of speculation about the box office drought, but it seems directly related to the sub-par product hitting being released. The Sitter starring Jonah Hill seems to be another example of a disinterested public with the movie struggling to get to $10 million dollars. This is the second box office failure in 2011 for David Gordon Green, who also delivered the dead-on-arrival Your Highness. Audiences don't seem to be laughing, and neither do the studios financing these overpriced underperformers.

But it's tough to identify just where the disconnect is. Hugo, one of the best reviewed movies of the year, is not gaining any traction in spite of increasing its screens, making another $6 million this weekend. The Muppets has had fantastic word of mouth and brought in another $7 million and Aardman Holiday holdover Arthur Christmas scraped up another $6.5 million.

Speaking of 'well reviewed', The Descendents is still showing a strong hold, making $4.5 million at less than 900 screens. The George Clooney comedy has managed to hover around the bottom of the top 10 for the last 4 weeks and amassed an impressive $24 million dollars.

The Adventures of Tintin has yet to be released in America but started a North America run in Canada. On only 70 screens it managed nearly $1.5 million in receipts. That number is impressive considering it made 25% of Hugo's weekend haul at 2500 fewer theaters. It will be interesting to see how American audiences react to the animated film which just crossed $200 million dollars internationally.

So, the first 2 weeks of December have been an epic bust. Next week brings Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in the sequel Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and the animated three-quel Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. Studios are hoping for a breakout December film, but at this point confidence is beginning to crumble.

Here's your top five for North America:

1. New Year's Eve
Weekend Estimate: $14 million

2. The Sitter
Weekend Estimate: $10 million

3. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Weekend Estimate: $8 million (weekend); $260m (total)

4. The Muppets
Weekend Estimate: $7 million (weekend); $66m (total)

5. Arthur Christmas
Weekend Estimate: $6.5 million (weekend); $33.5m (total)

Anghus Houvouras

Twilight makes it three for three at the North American box office

Traditionally, the weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the worst of the year for the North American box office. And much like the aftermath of Thanksgiving, there’s a lot of leftovers…

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 ends up at the number one slot for the third straight weekend. Another $16 million in receipts were collected, putting the film just shy of the $250 million dollar mark. With so little competition in the marketplace, the teen sensation continues to move tickets. Next week finally provides some contenders with the release of the ensemble comedy New Year’s Eve and The Sitter starring Jonah Hill.

In spite of heavy marketing and good word of mouth, The Muppets took a steep 60% drop clearing only $11 million on its second weekend. Analysts continue to blame the logjam of four family films being released in the same two week time span and spots three, four, and five are made up of the other three. Hugo added theaters and received some buzz from best picture honors from the National Board of Review. However, it fell 30% week over week, ending up with $7.5 million dollars for the weekend. Arthur Christmas picked up another $7 million and Happy Feet Two slid in another $6 million.

The studios are hoping this traditional lull will transition into a more lucrative holiday movie season. Expectations are high for the forthcoming sequels Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol to help break the box office stagnation and try to recover from a financially underwhelming year.

Here's your top five for North America:

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Weekend Estimate: $16 million (weekend); $247m (total)

2. The Muppets
Weekend Estimate: $11 million (weekend); $56m (total)

3. Hugo
Weekend Estimate: $7.5 million (weekend); $25m (total)

4. Arthur Christmas
Weekend Estimate: $7 million (weekend); $24m (total)

5. Happy Feet Two
Weekend Estimate: $6 million (weekend); $51m (total)

Anghus Houvouras

Gremlins – Harmless creature feature or warning about Red China?

Anghus Houvouras presents an outlandish new theory on Gremlins...

Gremlins has been on cable a lot lately, and I started noticing something the more I watched. Was this silly, enjoyable little monster movie a thinly veiled attempt at warning us about the “Red Menace” of Communist China? At first, it sounds crazy. Actually, it still sounds crazy no matter how much you say it, but let’s take a look.

We first meet a Gremlin in a mysterious little shop in Chinatown. You have the typical American dad trying to buy his son a gift. Despite countless warnings to the contrary, the greedy American father takes the gift in spite of the possible danger and peril in accepting this gift.

The cute, harmless Gremlin is a personification of the “harmless” money we’ve been accepting from China. Like the money we’ve been accepting from China, the Gremlin comes with conditions. Don’t get it wet… Don’t feed them after midnight…

Of course, the irresponsible Americans end up making grave errors, and a simple harmless gift soon transforms into something horrible… Now we end up with these terrible, multiplying monsters that terrorize the community.

“Crazy”, you might be saying, and at first it seems that way. But then take a look at the mayhem that ensues and how director Joe Dante shows these violent terrors attacking the American Way.

Our first real encounter with the transformed, destructive Gremlins takes place in suburbia where they attack one of the tenants of American Society: Mom. Mom puts up a good fight. Eventually the fight moves from the kitchen to the living room where another iconic staple of American life is attacked: the Christmas Tree. In this scene, we are shown the Godless communists attacking an American institution: Christmas.

So you have the basic premise that China is offering us a gift that comes with perilous conditions. We disregard the warnings, and soon are besieged by an attack on not only our lives, but our way of life.

The finale takes things to a more literal place, staged entirely in a department store: the very symbol of capitalism. Where the horrible creatures that we can’t seem to control are finally dispatched. And then, our old friend from Chinatown returns to reclaim the “gift”, telling us that we’re “not yet ready” for this kind of responsibility.

Was Gremlins just a fun little horror film, or was executive producer Steven Spielberg trying to warn us about the dangers of borrowing from China?

Anghus Houvouras

Special Features - Steven Spielberg: From ‘Filmmaker’ to ‘From’

Anghus Hourvouras wonders whether the world’s greatest filmmaker has endorsed himself into a corner...

There was a time when Steven Spielberg’s name on a film meant something. It was an event. A reason to go to the movies. There are few filmmakers that have been able to generate excitement in film fans both young and old. That statement was true in the 1970s, the 1980s, and even the 1990s. I don’t know how true that is anymore.

Something happened in the 21st Century that changed the perception of Spielberg. It was subtle and for many years I didn’t even realize it was happening. The world’s most popular filmmaker had transformed from a creative mind to a product endorsement. At some point we started seeing the word “from” appear more in front Spielberg’s name than “a film by”.

This year alone we’ve seen a glut of product “from Steven Spielberg“. Movies like Super 8, Cowboys & Aliens and Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Even on the small screen we see “From” on TV Shows like The United States of Tara, Terra Nova, and the new NBC series Smash. Now at the end of the year we have two movies actually directed by Steven Spielberg and doesn’t seem to be the same level of excitement. It seems like stamping his name on so many films and shows has devalued the brand.

It’s semantics. Perception versus reality. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the film community or entertainment journalism who doesn’t appreciate his work. There’s still respect among his peers and reverence among the media. But to the ticket buying public the transformation of Spielberg from creative force to endorsement stamp has had an impact.

In the U.S., the buzz for The Adventures of Tintin is almost non existent. To a degree, it’s understandable. It’s a property far better known overseas than in the States. But on paper one would think a big animated film directed by one of the world’s most successful filmmakers would be cause for excitement. And yet we are a weeks away from release without so much as a peep outside of the hardcore geek community already familiar with the character. His second release in 2011, War Horse, is generating a little more interest in the media due it’s award prospects, but neither film is setting the media ablaze with interest.

The truth is, Spielberg has lost his luster thanks to “From” appearing on so much lackluster product. Studios are eager to have him on board. His name used to be associated with quality. Movies like Super 8 and Cowboys & Aliens have been marketed to a massive degree on his name, riding his coattails to solid opening weekends. To the average moviegoer, his name holds weight. At the same time, the casual movie fan has little ability to discern between “From Steven Spielberg” and “A film by Steven Spielberg.” This kind of marketing muddying has left us with a cinematic landscape where movies like Tintin and War Horse are lost among the dozen projects a year he puts his name on.

It seems like the saturation point has been reached. The answer to whether or not he remains viable will be answered at the end of December when both The Adventures of Tintin and War Horse are released here in the U.S.. Will audiences turn out for the films or has Spielberg marketed himself into mediocrity? The performance of both films at the box office and during awards season may very well answer that question.

Anghus Houvouras

US Box Office - Twilight fends off The Muppets, Arthur Christmas and Hugo

The Twilight train continues to roll while five family films fight it out…

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 continues its cinematic cash grab adding another $52 million over the 5 day extended weekend bringing the North American total to $220 million dollars. Even with a 70% week-to-week drop, it managed to take the number one spot.

There was a slew of like product in Cineplex’s this weekend with The Muppets, Arthur Christmas and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo vying with the already on release Happy Feet Two and October holdover Puss in Boots. The Muppets surged to the top of the family five-pack with a 5 day tally of $42 million for the #2 spot, while Happy Feet Two survived a weak opening, still managing to pull in more than Arthur Christmas or Hugo. The animated penguin sequel hauled in another $13 million.

Arthur Christmas had a disappointing opening only managing $12 million for the 3 day weekend and $16 million for a 5 day total. Hugo, the first 3D film from Martin Scorsese, only opened on 1200+ screens, so the $15 million dollar 5 day total doesn’t seem that bad. But when you factor in the inflated 3D ticket prices, it’s hard to see it as anything other than average. Next week sees the movie roll out to more theaters so there’s the potential that Hugo could have legs.

With no major films opening this coming weekend, the lineup for next week’s box office should look eerily similar. The only real questions is whether or not Twilight can make it three weeks in a row and just how steep the drop will be for these family films.

Here's your top five for North America:

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Weekend Estimate: $42 million (weekend); $222m (total)

2. The Muppets
Weekend Estimate: $30 million (weekend); $42m (total)

3. Happy Feet Two
Weekend Estimate: $13 million (weekend); $44m (total)

4. Arthur Christmas
Weekend Estimate: $12 million (weekend); $16m (total)

5. Hugo
Weekend Estimate: $11 million (weekend); $15m (total)

Anghus Houvouras

US Box Office - Breaking Dawn - Part 1 on track to match New Moon and Eclipse

While the latest Twilight film, Breaking Dawn – Part 1 performed to expectations this weekend, there were a few surprises in the final North American box office numbers…

Breaking Dawn - Part 1 should end up at around 140 million dollars this weekend, falling right in line with previous entries New Moon and Eclipse. The film should continue to do well through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and could easily end up breaking $300 million in the U.S.

I realize the majority of the online community has a great deal of contempt for the series, but its continued box office dominance is mind boggling. If ten years ago someone told you the biggest film series of the last few years would be about a Vampire and a Werewolf fighting for the affections of an actress unable to emote, you’d have laughed them out of the room. And rightfully so. No one saw this coming.

The real surprise this weekend is the audible ‘THUD’ from Happy Feet Two. George Miller made a similar crash landing around Thanksgiving back in 1998 with Babe: Pig in the City. I think it’s safe to say this time of year isn’t exactly a sweet spot for sequels to family films directed by George Miller. The film should end up in second place with just over $20 million in receipts.

After a solid opening last week, Immortals drops to third place with a $12.5 million take this weekend with a total U.S. take of $53 million. Adam Sandler’s latest Jack and Jill took a less drastic tumble and took in another $12 million for a grand total of $41 million. Neither film looks likely to cross the $100 million mark. For Sandler, who can usually take any film to $100 million in the States (unless it's a drama), this one has to be viewed as a disappointment.

Puss in Boots continues to perform above expectations at it slowly descends down the top ten, adding another $11 million this weekend and $122 million to its total. After four weeks of release, the film was still able to do half of what Happy Feet Two took in it’s first weekend. With The Muppets coming this week and The Adventures of Tintin bowing soon, expect both Happy Feet Two and Puss in Boots to take steep drops.

Tower Heist is hanging on for dear life. Another $7 million for the action comedy feels like a gift. Stars Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy usually have no problem carrying a movie to the hundred million dollar mark. But if there’s a trend in the North American box office the past few months it’s been that there’s no such thing as a sure bet. Unless you have the word ‘Twilight’ in your title, it’s a dice roll.

The other major surprise this week is the latest from Alexander Payne, The Descendants, which should come close to bringing in $1 million from 39 theaters. The movie expands to more cities this coming week. The box office and awards potential for the George Clooney dramedy seems fairly strong.

Next week brings the U.S. the long holiday weekend and a slew of family friendly fare. The Muppets, Arthur Christmas, and Martin Scorcese’s Hugo will all be competing for the same demographic dollar. There’s no shortage of family films in the marketplace, but will any of them break out and make a mint, or will they all have to settle for a piece of the pie?

Here's your top five for North America:

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Weekend Estimate: $140 million

2. Happy Feet Two
Weekend Estimate: $21 million

3. Immortals
Weekend Estimate: $12.5 million ($52 million total)

4. Jack and Jill
Weekend Estimate: $12 million ($43 million total)

5. Puss in Boots
Weekend Estimate: $11 million ($122 million total)

Anghus Houvouras

US Box Office - Breaking Dawn enjoys a $30m midnight opening

Early Friday numbers report 30 million dollars in midnight shows for the latest Twilight film – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 at theaters around the U.S. and while this may be a trigger for the forthcoming apocalypse, the movie is on track to end up near the $70 million mark for Friday. With the American Thanksgiving weekend next week, the film could end up passing 200 million dollars in just over a week.

These freakishly large numbers show the fanbase for this series has not been deterred by negative reviews and a strong backlash from the online community who seems unable to logic just how these supernatural soap operas continue to be a license to print money.

Stay tuned for a full U.S. box office projection later this weekend...

Anghus Houvouras

US Box Office - Immortals on track for the number one spot

Movies about turmoil in Greece are faring better than actual turmoil in Greece...

Tarsem Singh's super violent Greek God actioner Immortals topped the box office and should end up north of 34 million dollars for the weekend. It debuted Friday to an impressive 14 million dollars. Though it's roughly half of the 70 million made by 300, it's still strong considering it lacked any bankable stars.

Speaking of "bankable stars", last weeks number two debut Tower Heist should end up with another 13 million this weekend. Still, given the size of the budget and the presence of Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy, the expectations were significantly higher. We'll have to wait and see the size of the international box office before writing it off as a disappointment. Right now, $100 million seems like the domestic ceiling for the caper flick. Not an abject failure, but certainly not a bomb by any stretch.

While not exactly high art, Adam Sandler's Jack and Jill continues his streak of movies opening above 20 million dollars. There are few stars out there with that kind of consistency. Jack and Jill should end up with around 24 million dollars this weekend just beating out Dreamworks' Puss in Boots which crosses the hundred million dollar mark with another 22 million over the 3 day weekend.

Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar is the weekend's real question mark. The film has been met with a lukewarm reception both critically and at the box office. A first weekend take of 13 million doesn't bode well for the film's award season potential. Whether the movie can weather the chilly reception as the award season rolls out remains to be seen. My guess is, "no". Expect this one to sink like a stone.

Next weekend is sure to shake things up as the truly terrible yet immensely popular Twilight series unleashes The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, and the kids get another seizure inducing CG sequel with Happy Feet Two.

Here's your top 5 for North America:

1. Immortals (Warner Bros)
Friday: $14 million
Weekend Estimate: $34 million

2. Jack and Jill (Sony)
Friday: $9 million
Weekend Estimate: $24 million

3. Puss in Boots (Dreamworks/Paramount)
Friday: $8 million
Weekend Estimate: $22 million

4. Tower Heist (Universal)
Friday: $5 million
Weekend Estimate: $14 million

5. J. Edgar (Warner Bros)
Friday: $4.5 million
Weekend Estimate: $13 million

Anghus Houvouras