Without the lack of significant competition, what with the collapse of Semi-Pro last week, and with America's seeming desire to get out to the movies, 10,000 B.C. easily won the weekend, taking in $35 million, twice its nearest competitor. Or perhaps this was another case of marketing winning the weekend in spite of the mediocre quality of the film it represents (much like Vantage Point a couple of weeks back), considering the everywhere presence the commercials have had. Whatever the reality is, the film is not terribly good, but it does provide some big screen drama until the next best thing comes along.

Its nearest competitor is the latest Disney flick, College Road Trip. This is also the second Martin Lawrence film so far this year, and his last one, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, just recently exited the top ten after spending a few weeks on the chart. This one will likely spend a few weeks there as well. I cannot say that I have any interest in seeing it, but while I was at the multiplex on Friday I came across a young lady who was in the film, out with her family to catch it on opening night. I did not catch her name, but did not get the impression that she had a major role in it, likely it was one of her first screen roles. The all looked excited to be there, and I would be too if I had been in their shoes.

There was one other new release to reach the charts this week, The Bank Job. The Jason Statham-starring heist picture finished in fourth place, a respectable open for a film that has seemingly modest aspirations. It is based on an actual bank robbery that took place in London in 1971 that has never been solved. The film is a solid entry in the genre and proved to be very entertaining, and surprisingly complex despite its straight forward nature.

Among returning films, Will Ferrell's Semi-Pro continued its sub-par performance. It tumbled out of first place, where it opened with half of what was expected. It slipped more than 60%, thus falling to fifth place in its second weekend. This does not bode well for its immediate future. I suspect that the marketing is going to turn towards DVD in order to recoup some of its pride.