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Tuesday July 06, 2010

Hollywood B.O.: The Short, Sad Life of Jonah Hex

Once again, two movies opened wide this weekend, and once again they were no.s 1 and 2 at the box office—even though no. 1, “Twilight: Eclipse,” actually opened on Wednesday (but to the best reviews of the series, 63% from top critics at RT, although indicative was Joe Morgenstern's thumbs up: “It didn't leave me cold”), while no. 2, “The Last Airbender,” opened on Thursday (to horrible reviews and 7% from top critics on RT).

The other five films in 2,000+ theaters fell off in typical fashion: between 47.9% (“Karate Kid”) and 52.8% (“Grown Ups”).

Of the seven films playing wide this weekend, the only one out of place was “Toy Story 3.” It's now in its third week but it remained ahead of the two second-week films. Like so:

A few questions from looking at the final column above. Since most major releases get a partner with whom they dance during subsequent weekends, which film partnered with “Toy Story 3” three weekends ago? And who was “Get Him to the Greek”'s partner? And what two films opened six weekends ago but has since fallen off the charts?

Answers in reverse order.

Six weekends ago, “Prince of Perisa” and “Sex and the City 2” opened together. “PP” is now 12th, in 600 theaters, and probably won't gross $90 million domestically. “SATC” is now chartless, although still playing in several local Seattle theaters, and is stuck at $93 million. 

“Get Him to the Greek” opened with “Killers,” that Ashton Kutcher thing, which is still playing in 700+ theaters and made about a half mil. Total gross: $45 million ($56m worldwide).

And “Toy Story 3”'s partner? That would be “Jonah Hex,” which has all but vamoosed. It's still playing in a handful of theaters but for whatever reason they‘re not counting its numbers. It hasn’t topped $10 million domestically. It's already been tossed and forgotten.

Remember the difficulty Andy had in throwing away his toys in “Toy Story 3”? That's not Hollywood with its toys. But then they make a shittier product. And they know new ones arrive every week.

Posted at 08:15 AM on Tuesday July 06, 2010 in category Movies - Box Office