Box Office Charts: w/e 30 October 2009
Up Activity
In the US: The life-affirming news this week is that, on wide release, the low-budget Paranormal Activity leaps to #1 ahead of new release SAW VI thanks to excellent word-of-mouth, making $21m to Saw's $14m. This is the first time an entry in the Saw series has failed to make #1, and make less than $30m in its first week of release. The other two releases this week, superhero animation ASTRO BOY and kid's horror CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT, both flop with around $6m...
US TOP 10
(3) 1. Paranormal Activity $21.1m
(-) 2. Saw VI $14.1m
(1) 3. Where The Wild Things Are $14m
(2) 4. Law Abiding Citizen $12.4m
(4) 5. Couples Retreat $10.6m
(-) 6. Astro Boy $6.7m
(-) 7. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant $6.29m
(5) 8. The Stepfather $6.23m
(6) 9. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs $5.25m
(7) 10. Zombieland $4.21m
In the UK: SAW VI is also denied the #1 spot in the UK, as Up remains at the top of the box-office tree with a mighty £3.8m to Saw's $1.7m... Wes Anderson's quirky animation FANTASTIC MR. FOX breaks the £1m barrier to take #3, but a sharp drop-off is expected next week when word spreads that it's not aimed at kids particularly... and CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT also proves unpopular here, taking £798,000...
UK TOP 10
(1) 1. Up £3.8m
(-) 2. Saw VI £1.7m
(-) 3. Fantastic Mr. Fox £1.5m
(2) 4. Couples Retreat £932k
(-) 5. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant £798k
(3) 6. The Imaginarium Of Doctor Paranassus £616k
(4) 7. The Invention Of Lying £362k
(5) 8. Zombieland £323k
(6) 9. Fame £218k
(R) 10. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs £142k
UK RELEASES THIS WEEK
9
Animated sci-fi adventure. A group of living rag dolls have to survive the post-apocalyptic wasteland they find themselves in.
Director: Shane Acker Voices: Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Martin Landau & Christopher Plummer
Tomatometer: 55% (Fresh; based on 127 reviews) "Although its story is perhaps too familiar and less complex than some might wish, 9 is visually spectacular, and director Shane Acker's attention to detail succeeds in drawing viewers into the film's universe."
DEAD MAN RUNNING
Crime drama. A loan shark gives an ex-con 24 hours in order to pay back the money he owes.
Director: Alex De Rakoff Starring: Danny Dyer, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Tamer Hassan & Brenda Blethyn
AN EDUCATION
Drama. A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.
Director: Lone Scherfig Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Olivia Williams, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike & Dominic Cooper
Tomatometer: 89% (Fresh; based on 84 reviews) "Though the latter part of the film may not appeal to all, An Education is a charming coming-of-age tale powered by the strength of relative newcomer Carey Mulligan's standout performance."
MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT
Documentary. A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of the late Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Director: Kenny Ortega
Tomatometer: 80% (Fresh; based on 111 reviews) "While it may not be the definitive concert film (or the insightful backstage look) some will hope for, Michael Jackson's This Is It packs more than enough entertainment value to live up to its ambitious title."
