'Quantum of Solace' rules international b.o.

"Quantum of Solace" continued its domination at the international box office this weekend, collecting another $56.1 million in ticket sales. The overseas total for Marc Forster's James Bond adventure currently stands at $251.6 million.

This strong performance and the film's $70.4 million opening weekend in North America put the 22nd 007 advenutre at the top of the worldwide box office. "Solace" has indeed set the highest opening ever for a Bond film in most markets it's currently showing. 

At a distant No. 2, Disney's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" brought in $7.7 million in 32 territories, lifting its overseas total to $122.2 million. Following in third place with $5.4 million was "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," which reached a cumulative gross of $47.5 million.

Meanwhile, "Saw V" picked up another $2.9 million, bringing its total haul to $31 million, while "Max Payne" pulled in $1.6 million for an international total of $30.4 million.

Source: Variety

'High School Musical 3' rules overseas b.o.

Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” stormed to the top of the overseas box office with an estimated $40 million, snatching the title of the No. 1 movie worldwide.

Domestically, Kenny Ortega’s third installment in the popular series slashed its competition by debuting at the top spot with $42 million. On the international circuit, the film picked up $13.5 million in the U.K. alone.

Following in second place with $9 million was Joel and Ethan Coen’s spy comedy “Burn After Reading,” which lifted its overseas total to $48 million. At No. 3, John Moore’s “Max Payne” collected $8.7 million to reach a cumulative gross of $17.8 million.

Meanwhile, D.J. Caruso’s action thriller “Eagle Eye” finished in fourth with $7 million, bringing its international cume to $57 million. Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder” took home another $4.4 million for a total haul of $66 million.

Other results from the overseas box office: Universal’s “Mamma Mia!” and Pixar’s “WALL-E” earned $4 million each, reaching international totals of $408.7 million and $253.5 million respectively; “Admiral” picked up $3.6 million; and “Nights in Rodanthe” finished with $3.4 million.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Box Office: 'High School Musical 3' takes No. 1

By Franck Tabouring
Weekend of October 24 – 26

Walt Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” took center stage at the North American box office this weekend with an impressive $42 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The third installment in the popular series opened at 3,623 locations Friday, easily dominating its competition all weekend long. Starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, the musical follows Troy and his gang as they gear up to graduate from high school and prep for college.

Debuting in second place with $30.5 million was David Hackl’s horror sequel “Saw V,” which almost matched its predecessor’s opening weekend gross of $31.7 million. The blood-laden film follows a detective who tries to uncover the identity of the late Jigsaw’s ruthless successor.

At No. 3, John Moore’s video game adaptation “Max Payne” collected $7.6 million, lifting its domestic total to $29.6 million. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the film follows a grieving detective who struggles to hunt down those responsible for the murder of his family.

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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' leads box office into 'Saw' weekend

Usually, this time of the year really belongs to “Saw,” but this year, the latest installment in the bloody horror franchise has some serious competition: “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

Not only does “High School Musical” have a massive fan base, but it is also the widest release with 3,623 locations. David Hackl’s “Saw V” debuts at 3,060 sites.

“Max Payne” has been clinging to the top spot of the box office all week, picking up another $978,033 Wednesday. The film’s domestic total now stands at $21.1 million.

Meanwhile, Oliver Stone’s “W.” moved up to second place, collecting $683,823 to reach a cumulative of $12.8 million. “The Secret Life of Bees” finished third with $667,519 Wednesday, bringing its total to $12.6 million.

It’s pretty safe to assume this week’s new releases will easily jump to the top of the box office chart. The “Saw” flicks usually pull in around $31 million during opening weekend, and I believe the fifth installment will keep up this tradition.

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‘Eagle Eye’ rules overseas box office

D.J. Caruso’s action hit “Eagle Eye” soared to the top of the international box office this weekend with an estimated $12 million in ticket sales. Its total gross currently stands at $45.6 million.

At No. 2, Ethan and Joel Coen’s comedy “Burn After Reading” collected $8.7 million to reach an overseas total of $30 million. Andrei Kravchuk’s Russian drama “Admiral” ranked third with a weekend gross of $8.2 million and a cumulative gross of $27.6 million.

Meanwhile, Pixar’s animated adventure “WALL-E” picked up another $7 million at No. 4, lifting its total international haul to $247 million. Domestically, the film about the lonely robot only grossed $221 million.

Debuting in fifth place with $6.4 million was John Moore’s video game adaptation “Max Payne,” which opened in 32 territories. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the film follows a grieving detective who has made it his mission to avenge those responsible for his family’s murders.

Other results from the overseas box office: Universal’s musical “Mamma Mia!” reached the $400 million mark with weekend earnings of $5.9 million; “Nights in Rodanthe” grabbed $4.4 million to lifts its total to $12.6 million; and “Tropic Thunder” picked up another $4.1 million.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Box Office: ‘Max Payne’ defeats competition

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.

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‘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)

Review: “Max Payne”

Seen on: October 17, 2008

The players: Director: John Moore, Writer: Beau Thorne, Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges

Facts of interest: Based on the video game of the same title.

The plot: Max Payne is a detective who heads out to track down those responsible for the murders of his family.

Our thoughts: John Moore’s big-screen adaptation of the popular “Max Payne” video game is not a complete disaster; it’s mediocre at best. The film feels just as rushed and as dull as last year’s “Hitman,” with the one exception that it looks slightly better. I can’t comment on how the movie compares to the game because I’ve never played it, but I can only hope it’s more entertaining than this no-brainer.

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'Max Payne' web reviews

John Moore's "Max Payne" is Hollywood's latest video game adaptation. Starring Mark Wahlberg, the flick centers on a detective who seeks to avenge the murders of his wife and child. Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Chris O’Donnell and Ludacris co-star. Wanna know what the Web's film critics say about it? Let's check:

• Cinematical's Eric. D. Snider: "For a movie based on a video game, there's a curious dearth of action in Max Payne."

• Katey Rich at Cinema Blend: "The movie gets an extra half a star for its production design, which at least looks good, and for having the decency not to run longer than two hours."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "I will say 'Max Payne' is better than 'Hitman,' but that's only in the sense that it doesn't have any of those gut-wrenching attempts at real drama."

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