By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 17 – 19, 2008

“Max Payne” topped the North American box office this weekend with $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Directed by John Moore, the PG-13 rated film based on the popular video game easily dominated its competition by gaining an early lead Friday. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the film follows a grieving detective who has made it his mission to avenge those responsible for his family’s murders.

Still going strong at No. 2 was last week’s box office champion “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which collected $11.2 million to bring its domestic total to $69 million after three weeks in theaters. Walt Disney’s family adventure directed by Raja Gosnell centers on a spoiled dog ending up astray in the middle of Mexico.

Debuting in third place with $11 million this weekend was Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of “The Secret Life of Bees,” the dramatic story of a young girl finding new hope and love inside the house of an African-American family of beekeepers. Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys star.

Meanwhile, Oliver Stone’s “W.” opened at No. 4, taking home $10.5 million. The film stars Josh Brolin and chronicles the life and career of the current president of the United States, focusing on what motivated the man to enter the race for the White House.

Following in fifth place was D.J. Caruso’s action hit “Eagle Eye,” which picked up another $7.3 million and reached a cumulative gross of $81.3 million after four weeks in release. At No. 6, Ridley Scott’s thriller “Body of Lies” lifted its total haul to $24.4 million after this weekend’s earnings of $6.8 million.

Screen Gems’ horror remake “Quarantine” dropped to seventh place, earning $6.3 million and reaching a domestic gross of $24.6 million after a two-week run. Starring Jennifer Carpenter, the flick follows a group of people struggling to escape from a quarantined downtown building.

Down three spots to No. 8 was Peter Sollett’s “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” which finished this weekend’s run with earnings of $3.9 million. The film’s cumulative gross stands at $26.7 million.

Two films rounded out the top 10: Sean Anders’ comedy “Sex Drive” debuted in ninth place with $3.5 million, while “Nights in Rodanthe” pulled in $2.6 million at No. 10.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)