Box Office: 'Avatar' holds on, beats 'Darkness'

Weekend of January 29 – 31, 2010: 'Avatar' STILL on top; new releases doing so-so...

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic “Avatar” got one step closer to beating the domestic gross of “Titanic” this weekend by collecting another $30 million at the North American box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“Avatar” easily beat its competition by scoring an average of $9,759 per theater at 3,074 locations. The film’s total gross now stands at an impressive $594.4 million. Worldwide, Fox’s hit movie has generated 2.039 billion ever since its release.

At No. 2, Martin Campbell’s thriller “Edge of Darkness” bagged $17.1 million. Starring Mel Gibson, the film based on a BBC mini-series follows a detective who embarks on a perilous investigation into his daughter’s brutal murder.

Following in third place this weekend was new entry “When in Rome,” a disastrous romantic comedy that managed to grab $12 million from ticket sales at 2,456 locations. Directed by Mark Steven Johnson, the film stars Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel.

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'Avatar' wins Friday box office race with $7M

Cameron's 'Avatar' is still the dominant force at the box office; new releases still no real threat...

James Cameron's "Avatar" held on to the No. 1 spot at the North American box office Friday with a solid $7.3 million in ticket sales, beating all new releases while reaching a domestic total gross of $571.7 million.

Mel Gibson's new thriller "Edge of Darkness" came close to defeating "Avatar," but Cameron's sci-fi flick prevailed, heading for yet another weekend win. "Darkness" grabbed $5.6 million from 3,066 locations. The film is based on a popular BBC TV mini-series.

In the thriller directed by Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale"), Gibson plays a tough Boston detective who penetrates a dark and dangerous world after his daughter is brutally murdered on his doorsteps.

Debuting in third place Friday was Mark Steven Johnson's comedy "When in Rome," which generated $4.4 million from ticket sales at 2,456 locations. The film stars Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel.

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Box Office: 'Avatar' passes 'Dark Knight'

Weekend of January 22 – 24: ‘Avatar’ prevails, passes ‘Dark Knight’

James Cameron’s sci-fi hit flick “Avatar” prevailed yet again at the North American box office this weekend with a solid $36 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Weekend earnings for the Fox hit movie dropped compared to last week’s, but “Avatar” easily beat its competition by scoring an average of $11,461 per theater at 3,141 locations.

“Avatar” also passed the $533 million domestic gross of “The Dark Knight,” lifting its cumulative gross to $552.7 million. The film is also on track to beat the worldwide total of Cameron’s “Titanic.”

This week’s new releases generated mixed results, but “Legion” delivered the best performance with a three-day gross of $18.2 million, enough for No. 2. The film follows the battle between humans and angels.

Meanwhile, “Tooth Fairy” opened in fourth place with $14.5 million from ticket sales at 3,344 locations. Starring Dwayne Johnson, the comedy follows a mean hockey player ordered to duty as a real tooth fairy.

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'Avatar' heading for another weekend win

James Cameron's "Avatar" beat all new releases Friday at the North American box office by scoring a daily gross of $9.1 million. Fox's sci-fi epic reached a total haul of $525.9 million after 36 days in release.

"Avatar" is on track to win the weekend race again, and it will also beat the domestic total of "The Dark Knight" before Sunday. The Golden Globe-winning film may even end up leading next weekend.

At No. 2, new entry "Legion" collected $6.7 million from ticket sales at 2,476 locations. Starring Paul Bettany, the flick follows a bunch of strangers battling an army of angels to ptotect humanity's only hope.

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Box Office: 'Avatar' wins it yet again!

Weekend of January 15 – 27, 2009: 'Avatar' prevails!

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic “Avatar” held on to the No. 1 spot at the North American box office one more time this weekend with another solid $41.3 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Fox’s “Avatar” lost the top spot to “The Book of Eli” Friday but regained momentum Saturday to win the weekend race with an average of $12,572 per theater at 3,285 locations. The film’s total currently stands at $491.7 million.

Debuting in second place was Albert and Allen Hughes’ post-apocalyptic action flick “The Book of Eli,” which bagged $31.6 million from ticket sales at 3,111 locations. Starring Denzel Washington, the film follows a loner on his journey to protect a book.

At No. 3, Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones” picked up $17 million after expanding into $2,563 theaters. Based on the famous novel of the same title, the film lifted its early total gross to $17.5 million after several weeks in limited release.

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'Book of Eli' beats 'Avatar' at box office Friday

'Avatar' defeated at Friday box office! Denzel Washington rules for now...

Albert and Allen Hughes' post-apocalyptic action flick "The Book of Eli" kicked James Cameron's sci-fi hit "Avatar" off the throne at the North American box office Friday with a solid $11.7 million in ticket sales.

Playing at 3,111 locations, "Eli" scored an average of $3,769 per theater. The film stars Denzel Washington as a loner who travels across what's left of the U.S. to protect a book that may hold all hope for humanity.

Cameron's "Avatar" scored another $10.4 million Friday, lifting its domestic total to $460.8 million. The film is expected to pass "Star Wars" tomorrow and become the third highest-grossing film domestially.

Following in third place, Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" picked up $5.7 million, reaching an early total gross of $6.1 million. At No. 4, "Sherlock Holmes" bagged $2.8 million for a cumulative gross of $173 million.

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Movie Review: “The Book of Eli”

Seen on: January 16, 2010

The players: Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes, Writer: Gary Whitta, Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Beals

Facts of interest: First Hughes bros. film since "From Hell."

The plot: In a post-apocalyptic world, one man (Washington) travels cross-country to protect a book that apparently holds the hope for mankind.

Our thoughts: Albert and Allen Hughes’ post-apocalyptic action flick “The Book of Eli” boasts strong technical aspects but falls a bit short in the story department. It’s a movie with straightforward messages and lots of brainless action, and chances are many folks out there will enjoy watching Denzel Washington beat the heck out of bad guys.

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'The Book of Eli' feature trailer hits the web

Here's the brand-new feature trailer for Allen and Albert Hughes' upcoming post-apocalyptic action flick "The Book of Eli," and it's quite an action-packed, intriguing preview, so check it out after the jump. The first teaser already boasted a solid look, and this one certainly delivers as well.

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Stunning 'The Book of Eli' trailer debuts online

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to think about Allen and Albert Hughes' upcoming drama "The Book of Eli," a sort of post-apocalyptic western starring Denzel Washington in the lead. Now that I saw the film's teaser trailer, however, I admit I'm quite excited about this project.

The story follows Washington as Eli, a badass hero who travels across America to pass on the knowledge of what could be society’s only way to redemption. Protecting this knowledge, however, seems to be quite a challenge, but Eli will stop at nothing to complete his mission.

The trailer below looks quite stunning, and even though it only shows Washington strolling across plenty of wasteland and showing viewers he's not someone to be messed with, the footage managed to grab my attention. I am indeed intrigued by "The Book of Eli," which opens Jan. 15, 2010.

Also part of the cast are Gary Oldman, who's a small-town despot willing to do anything to get a hold of Eli’s book; Mila Kunis, who plays a woman who first tries to betray but later joins Eli on his quest; and Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals and Michael Gambon.

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A look at Denzel Washington in 'Book of Eli'

The folks at USA Today just posted several stills from Allen and Albert Hughes' upcoming drama "The Book of Eli," and you can check one of them above (and the rest of them here). In the post-apocalyptic film, Denzel Washington will play a hero who travels across America to pass on the knowledge of what could be society’s way to redemption.

Also part of the cast are Gary Oldman, who's a small-town despot willing to do anything to get a hold of Eli’s book, Mila Kunis, who plays a woman who first tries to betray but later joins Eli on his quest, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals and Michael Gambon. "Eli" will embark on his adventure Jan. 15, 2010.