Barrymore, Perabo won't return for 'Chihuahua 2'

Last year's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" was undoubtedly one of the films I hated most in 2008, so I was obviously not thrilled when Walt Disney announced a sequel. I still can't get over the fact that the Raja Gosnell-directed mess pulled $94 million domestically.

From the folks at Moviehole comes word that neither Drew Barrymore nor Piper Perabo will be back for the sequel. Barrymore voiced a dog named Chloe in the first film, and Perabo played the lead human character, who set out to find the lost Chihuahua.

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‘High School Musical 3’ tops Friday box office

Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” danced to the top of the North American box office Friday with an estimated $16.9 million in ticket sales.

The third installment in the popular series is the first to hit the big-screen, opening at 3,623 locations – the widest release this weekend. The film should have no major trouble holding on to the No. 1 spot.

Debuting in second place with $14.1 million was David Hackl’s horror sequel “Saw V,” followed by John Moore’s “Max Payne” at No. 3 with $2.6 million. The latter’s domestic total currently stands at $24.6 million.

The weekend’s third wide release, “Pride and Glory” only made it to No. 4, collecting $2.3 million at 2,585 sites. Gavin O’Connor’s crime drama centers on a family of NYPD cops involved in a major corruption investigation.

At No. 5, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” finished with $1.8 million, lifting its cumulative gross to $73 million. Check back tomorrow for the full three-day box office results.

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

‘Max Payne’ dominates Friday box office

“Max Payne” delivered a strong performance at the North American box office Friday with $7.1 million at the No. 1 spot.

The John Moore-directed adaptation of the popular video game had the widest release at 3,376 locations this weekend, gaining an early lead in what could transform into a solid three-day gross Sunday.

Debuting in second place with $3.8 million was Oliver Stone’s “W.,” which chronicles the life and career of George W. Bush. Following closely at No. 3 was “The Secret Life of Bees,” which collected $3.6 million in ticket sales.

Things didn’t work out that well for “Sex Drive,” the week’s fourth wide release. Sean Anders’ comedy about a loser who takes a road trip to meet his online girlfriend opened at No. 9 with only $1.3 million.

Meanwhile, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” dropped to fourth place, earning $3 million and reaching a total haul of $60.9 million. At No. 5, “Eagle Eye” picked up $2.2 million to bring its domestic total to $76.2 million.

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

Box Office: 'Chihuahua' outruns competition

By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 10 – 12

“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” clung to the top spot at the North American box office this weekend with $17.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Walt Disney’s family adventure outran its competition by gaining momentum Saturday, lifting its domestic total to $52.5 million after two weeks in release. Directed by Raja Gosnell, the story centers on a spoiled chihuahua ending up astray in Mexico.

Debuting in second place with $14.2 million was Screen Gems’ horror remake “Quarantine,” which follows a group of people struggling to survive a night in a quarantined building.  

Following closely at No. 3 was Ridley Scott’s thriller “Body of Lies,” which collected $13.1 million at 2,710 locations. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, the film follows two CIA agents on their quest to hunt down an international terrorist.

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‘Quarantine’ leads Friday box office

John Erick Dowdle’s “Quarantine” topped the North American box office Friday with an estimated $5.3 million in ticket sales. It was an easy win for the horror remake, which debuted at 2,461 locations this weekend.

Following in second place was last weekend’s champion “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which took home another $4.5 million to reach a domestic total of $39.5 million after one week in release.

At No. 3, new entry “Body of Lies” collected $4.3 million. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film stars Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio as two CIA agents struggling to locate a terrorist.

The remaining wide releases of the weekend had troubles competing against existing box office players. “The Express” debuted in sixth place with $1.5 million, while Gil Kenan’s family adventure “City of Ember” only made it to No. 11 with a disappointing $950,000.

Still going strong was D.J. Caruso’s action thriller “Eagle Eye,” which ranked fourth with a Friday gross of $3.2 million. Following at No. 5 was “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” with $2.1 million.

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

‘Chihuahua’ leads Monday box office

Walt Disney Pictures’ family comedy “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” continued its reign at the top of the North American box office Monday with an estimated $1.3 million in ticket sales.

Raja Gosnell’s adventure about a spoiled chihuahua ending up astray in Mexico lifted its total gross to $30.6 million after only four days in release. Following closely in second place was “Eagle Eye,” which earned $1.1 million and reached a cumulative of $55.7 million.

Peter Sollett’s romantic comedy “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” took home $693,010 in third place, bringing its domestic total to $12 million after a four-day run. Meanwhile, George C. Wolfe’s “Nights in Rodanthe” reached $25.6 million thanks to Monday’s earnings of $582,207.

At No. 5, Ed Harris’ Western “Appaloosa” finished with a daily gross of $488,451. Its total haul currently stands at $6 million.

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

'Mamma Mia!' prevails at overseas box office

Universal’s hit musical “Mamma Mia!” clung to the top spot at the international box office this weekend with an estimated $14.1 million in ticket sales. The film’s overseas total now stands at $377.2 million.

Ranking second with $10.9 million was Pixar’s animated adventure “WALL-E,” which lifted its cumulative gross to $230.3 million. Following at No. 3 was D.J. Caruso’s action thriller “Eagle Eye,” which brought its international total to $15.2 million after this weekend’s earnings of $8.3 million.

Meanwhile, DreamWorks’ action comedy “Tropic Thunder” dropped to fourth place, earning $5.2 million and lifting its total haul to $49.2 million. New entry “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” the weekend’s domestic champion, managed to grab the fifth spot with $4.8 million in five markets.

Other results from the overseas box office: “Mirrors” collected $4.6 million to reach a cumulative gross of $18.8 million; “Death Race” picked up another $3.5 million for a $17.2 million total; “Wanted” took home $2.5 million; and “Taken” brought its overseas total to $30.4 million after weekend earnings of $4 million.

New releases in some international markets included “Lakeview Terrace,” “Appaloosa” and “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People.”

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Box Office: 'Chihuahua' outruns 'Eagle'

By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 3 – 5, 2008

Walt Disney Pictures’ family adventure “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” took an easy lead at the North American box office this weekend with $29 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Raja Gosnell’s film about a spoiled chihuahua ending up astray in Mexico had no problems taking over the No. 1 spot from last week’s box office winner “Eagle Eye,” which finished strong in second place.

D.J. Caruso’s action thriller starring Shia LaBeouf took home another $17.7 million, reaching a domestic total of $54.6 million after only two weeks in release. Released by DreamWorks, the film follows a slacker and a single mom who are framed as terrorists and forced to participate in a political assassination.

Debuting in third place with $12 million was Peter Sollett’s “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” which stars Michael Cera and Kat Dennings as two young adults who spend an incredibly chaotic night together in New York City.

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‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ leads Friday b.o.

Friday marked a great start at the box office for Raja Gosnell’s family flick “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which took the No. 1 spot with $7.8 million in ticket sales.

Last week’s champ “Eagle Eye” slipped to second place but still went strong, pulling in $5.5 million. D.J Caruso’s Shia LaBeouf action vehicle reached a domestic total of $42.4 million.

Debuting in third place with $4.4 million was Peter Sollett’s “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” a romance in which Michael Cera and Kat Dennings spend a turbulent night together in New York City.

Ed Harris’ western “Appaloosa” expanded over the weekend, climbing all the way to No. 5 with $1.5 million. The film made slightly less than George C. Wolfe’s “Nights in Rodanthe,” which tool home $2.4 million in fourth place.

Four the other three wide releases, it didn’t look that well Friday. “Blindness” ranked 11th with $750,000, while “Flash of Genius” only collected $720,000 at No. 12. The biggest disappointment was Simon Pegg’s new comedy “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People,” which picked up $460,000.

Even Bill Maher’s “Religulous” performed better at only 502 locations, earning $1.1 million in tenth place.

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

Review: “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”

Seen on: October 3, 2008

The players: Director: Raja Gosnell, Writers: Analisa Labianco, Jeffrey Bushell, Cast: Drew Barrymore, George Lopez, Andy Garcia, Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona

Facts of interest: Gosnell also directed the two disastrous "Scooby-Doo" flicks.

The plot: When a rich chihuahua ends up astray in Mexico, the courageous Papi heads out to rescue her from danger and bring her back home safe.

Our thoughts: Aren’t you tired of watching talking animals getting in trouble in every other animated or live-action family film? I would tolerate it if the story changed a little every once in a while, but here lately, I really feel like seeing the same old routine over and over again.

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