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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D.J. Caruso’s “Eagle Eye” faces a tough competition at the box office this weekend, but for the past couple of days, the action thriller had no trouble defending the top spot, earning an extra $1.7 million Wednesday.

Starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan, the film managed to lift its domestic gross to $35.3 million after one week in release. Following at No. 2 with $1.1 million was George C. Wolfe’s romance drama “Nights in Rodanthe,” which brought its total gross to $16.7 million.

Finishing in third place was Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Burn After Reading,” which jumped back up one spot with a Wednesday gross of $514,309. Its current cumulative gross stands at $47.1 million.

Slipping to No. 4 was Neil LaBute’s thriller “Lakeview Terrace,” which reached a total haul of $27.2 million after picking up $476,159.

At No. 5, Alex Kendrick’s Christian-themed marriage drama “Fireproof” took home $353,066 to lift its domestic total to $8 million after a strong one-week run.

With six wide releases opening Friday, it will get pretty crowded at the North American box office this weekend.  

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

D.J. Caruso’s action hit “Eagle Eye” clung to the top of the box Monday with a strong $2 million in ticket sales, according to estimates released by BoxOfficeMojo.

The thriller starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan lifted its domestic total to $31.2 million. Following at No. 2 was George C. Wolfe’s  romance drama “Nights in Rodanthe,” which took home $979,550 and reached a total of $14.3 million.

Meanwhile, Neil LaBute’s Samuel L. Jackson vehicle “Lakeview Terrace” earned $488,979 in third place, bringing its cumulative gross to $26.1 million.

Finishing fourth Monday was Joel and Ethan Coen’s comedy “Burn After Reading,” which rose to a total gross of $46 million after pulling $471,328.

Following in fifth place was Alex Kendrick’s Christian-themed drama “Fireproof,” which reached a total of $7.2 million after Monday’s earnings of $410,000.

By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of September 26 – 28, 2008

D.J. Caruso’s action blockbuster “Eagle Eye” stormed to the top of the North American box office this weekend with $29.2 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

DreamWorks’ Shia LaBeouf vehicle easily knocked out its competition after opening in 3,510 theaters and securing the top spot early on Friday. Co-starring Michelle Monaghan, the flick centers on a slacker and a single mother who are framed as terrorists and forced to participate in a major political assassination.

Debuting in second place with $13.5 million was George C. Wolfe’s romance drama “Nights in Rodanthe.” Based on the acclaimed novel by Nicholas Sparks and starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, the movie follows two single parents who fall in love during a stormy weekend at an old beachside inn.  

Last weekend’s box office winner “Lakeview Terrace” dropped to No. 3, earning $7 million and lifting its cumulative gross to $25.7 million after two weeks in release. Directed by Neil LaBute, Sony’s thriller follows a racist cop (Samuel L. Jackson) who tries everything in his power to get his new neighbors to move out again.

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By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of September 19 – 21, 2008

“Lakeview Terrace” topped the North American box office this weekend with $15.6 million in ticket sales, according to Studio estimates Sunday.

Neil LaBute’s thriller won an easy fight against its competition in what was a relatively quite weekend at the movies. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, the film follows a ruthless cop who launches into a turbulent feud with his new neighbors (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington).

Meanwhile, last week’s box office champion “Burn After Reading” dropped to No. 2, earning $11.2 million and reaching a domestic total of $36.4 million after two weeks in release. Helmed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the comedy stars Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand as two gym teachers who try to sell classified CIA documents.

Opening in third place with $8.3 million was Howard Deutch’s latest comedy “My Best Friend’s Girl,” in which Dane Cook takes women on horrible dates to make them appreciate their ex-boyfriends. Jason Biggs and Kate Hudson co-star.

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