Blogcritics

Box Office Recap 7/18-7/20: The Dark Knight, 'Nuff Said

Chris Beaumont — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:24:42 EDT

And we have a new king of the hill.
Wow! The Dark Knight turned in an absolutely monster weekend. Who would have thought it would climb this high? I recall visiting forums where some foolish souls predicted that The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor would make more than the Bat-sequel. I know the Brendan Fraser film has not yet opened, but I think it can be safely assumed that it...

Box Office Update 7/11-7/13: Hellboy Outlasts Hancock

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:18:58 EDT

Superheroes rule the cineplex.
Last week, the leader at the box office was a superhero film that did not begin life as a comic book. It definitely got its inspiration from the funny pages, but it was spawned from an original script. That movie was Hancock, and it put on a surprisingly strong showing in its second week, although it was not quite enough to retain the top spot....

Box Office Update 7/4-7/7: Will Smith Takes Hancock to the Top

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 8 Jul 2008 07:28:47 EDT

Superheroes take flight.
Will Smith returned to the top of the box office. Hancock opened with a potent $103 million over its first five days of release. Despite the movie not receiving terribly strong reviews, Will Smith once again proved how big of a box office draw he is. Hancock is the eighth Will Smith film in a row to cross the century mark (a string that began with...

Box Office Update 6/27-6/29: WallE* Flies High

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 08:03:06 EDT

Pixar does it again. Is there no stopping them?
Last weekend was topped by a film that was good and hit its box office expectations, yet did not cross the $50 million mark as the weekend winners had for the seven weekends prior. The trend towards lower box office takes lasted a mere week as this weekend featured two films crossing the $50 million barrier. Next week should continue the high box...

Box Office Update 6/20-6/22: Get Smart Rises to the Top

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:59:37 EDT

Maxwell Smart proves he has what it takes to charge to the head of the class.
Last weekend saw the second comic book adaptation to top the box office this year, the first being the big hit Iron Man. There will be at least one more of those this year with The Dark Knight coming next month. This week features a television adaptation in the top spot in Get Smart, the second of that kind to do so this year. Sex and the City took...

Box Office Update 6/13-6/15: Hulk Smash Puny Panda

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:46:41 EDT

Another comic book movie tops the box.
Five years ago, Ang Lee brought the first big screen take on the big green superhero. I liked the film, although a good portion of the movie-going public really did not care for it. That failure made the opening of this new version something of a question mark. There was the hope that the movie would open strongly, but there is still a bad taste...

Box Office Update 6/6-6/8: Kung Fu Panda Displays Superior Fu in Defeating Zohan

Chris Beaumont — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 20:56:20 EDT

The panda out-duels Sandler.
Last weekend, television series turned movie sensation Sex and the City plummeted 67%, while the other new release from the last frame, The Strangers, also fell by 57%. Taking the place of those R-rated films, both with a more limited audience, are family- and teen-oriented films Kung Fu Panda and You Don't Mess with the Zohan. Both films...

Box Office Update 5/30-6/1: Sex and the City Climbs to the Top

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 06:35:00 EDT

Surprising many, Indy was knocked from the top spot.
Surprising analysts all over the net, Sex and the City defied expectations and unseated Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which was entering its second weekend. It had been expected that the Harrison Ford adventure would retain the top spot in its second weekend, while the television show-turned-movie would do strongly among women...

Box Office Update 5/23-5/25: Indiana Jones Easily Defeats Prince Caspian

Chris Beaumont — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:25:30 EDT

Indy returns to his familiar place atop the box office charts.
This weekend saw the long-awaited return of beloved adventurer Indiana Jones to the big screen in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The film had its official open on Thursday and it has not looked back since. It hit fast, taking in $25 million on its opening day and then crossing $30 million on its second day. The strong opening...

Box Office Update 5/9-5/11: Iron Man Outraces Speed Racer

Chris Beaumont — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:23:00 EDT

Comic book hero beats out cartoon hero.
"I am Iron Man." With those fateful words the fate of a new franchise was sealed. Last weekend, Iron Man got the summer season off to a roaring start with a take approaching $100 million. This weekend it took in an impressive $51 million, pushing its gross north of $175 million. Next week will see it become the first film of 2008 to cross...