Box Office Update 9/28-9/30: The Game Plan Outscores The Kingdom

Surprising analysts, including myself as an outsider looking in, Disney's family comedy The Game Plan topped the politically charged action thriller The Kingdom for box office supremacy. Although I guess I really shouldn't be all that surprised. Looking across the top ten, and even beyond, there really is not all that much competition for the family audience. Mr. Bean's Holiday is slipping (down to 19th), but it wasn't that good at all. We also have Sydney White, slipping a bit in its second weekend, although that is more targeted at the tween audience than the family. There isn't really anything other than those to compete for that demographic. From past experience, if a halfway decent family film comes out, it is almost assured of having a good run at the box office.

I did have the opportunity to catch The Game Plan over the weekend. I found it to be a funny, smile-inducing, inoffensive comedy that was very easy to enjoy. Maddison Pettis, who co-stars as the young girl, is cute and does a very good job without becoming annoying. Also, Dwayne Johnson shows once again why he should be a movie star. I suspect that this will have decent legs, as there is no real competition in the near future in the family realm — that is, aside from it actually being an entertaining movie.

Coming in second place this week is the movie that many were expecting to top the box office, The Kingdom. I guess the less than expected take could be blamed on audiences not wanting to go see a movie set in the Middle East, what with all we can see each night on the news. Still, this was an exciting movie that straddled the line between the serious and the crowd pleasing. In particular, the final big action piece was excellent. It is worth checking out.

There was one other film making its debut on the top ten list. Across the Universe, in the third week of its limited release made it to number ten. It does not appear, though, that the studio believes it can succeed on a large scale. My opinion is that they should give it a shot. I saw it and thought that it was absolutely wonderful, capturing a lively exuberance that has more going on than just the interpretation of Beatles songs.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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