The box office results for the weekend of October 19th – 21st has the obvious happening; as another Paranormal Activity installment claims a late horror month weekend. But the real story revolves around Argo’s impressive second weekend showing. Here are the studio estimates:
1. Paranormal Activity 4 ($30.2 million)
2. Argo ($16.6 million)
3. Hotel Transylvania ($13.5 million)
4. Taken 2 ($13.4 million)
5. Alex Cross ($11.7 million)
6. Sinister ($9 million)
7. Here Comes the Boom ($8.5 million)
8. Pitch Perfect ($7 million)
9. Frankenweenie ($4.4 million)
10. Looper ($4.2 million)
Analysis
In the efforts not to sound like a broken record when talking about the Paranormal Activity sequels these last two years, the fourth sucker is already making profits thanks to another thrifty production of just $6 million. With that being said, this opened far below the previous two, and the reviews from the lovely critics has been the worst since the “innovative” franchise appeared three years ago. Still, unless the filmmakers actually care about the art of the product, Paramount will surely churn out another one of these a year from now.
Now to the substantial story. Argo held up better than a set of breast implants on a Beverly Hills housewife. For a wide-release to dip just 15% in its second weekend, yeah, that’s a rarity my friends. Affleck’s third directorial effort has grossed its production budget ($44.5 million) on the domestic front thus far. But it will probably need a worldwide theatrical total of at least $160 million to see the black ink on the balance sheet.
The only other newbie besides PA 4 was Alex Cross. Adapted from the novel by James Patterson, and starring Tyler Perry as the titular (no pun) lead, the flick is off to a lackluster start. With a production budget of $23 million, the only optimism for Summit Entertainment is that the previous two Alex Cross story adaptations (1997’s Kiss the Girls and 2001’s Along Came a Spider) opened up in the mid-teens and went on to reach at least $60 million domestically. However, those two flicks, starring Morgan Freeman, were well received by audiences. Hello, Flop Alert.
Taken 2 and Hotel Transylvania both went over the $100 million mark stateside; assuring that there’s still a decent amount of people (mindless drones) who will pay to see uninspired hoo-hash.
This Friday, another mob-scene of new guys cram their way into the arena. Chasing Mavericks, Fun Size, Cloud Atlas, and Silent Hill: Revelation 3D will all fight it out for some coin. Reviews will be right here my fellow Shockers!
Rise again, beaten dead horse.