By ANTHONY D'ALESSANDRO

Walt Disney sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" had no
problem reigning over Friday's box office, grossing $19.3 million as
it opened in 3,929 theaters.

"Caspian's" opening day haul came in slightly lower than industry
expectations and behind first Narnia installment, "The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe," which pulled in $23 million on its first day and
$65.6 million for its final three-day in December 2005. Both pics are
co-productions with Walden Media.

"Caspian's" loot marked the third best opening day for Disney in May
behind last year's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" ($42.9
million) and 2003's "Finding Nemo" ($20.2 million).

The only new wide release of the weekend, "Caspian" will easily take
the weekend crown, and its B.O. will only gain momentum from Saturday
and Sunday family matinees.

"Prince Caspian" stole kids away from Warner Bros.' "Speed Racer,"
which came in fourth for the day, declining a steep 68% from opening
Friday to $1.98 million from 3,606 for an eight-day cume of $24.1
million.

Placing No. 2 on Friday was Par's B.O. hit "Iron Man," which came
close to flying past the $200 million mark at the domestic B.O. The
Paramount-Marvel superhero pic grossed $8.6 million for the day from
4,154 sites, a 42% decline, for a cume of $199.9 million in the midst
of its third frame.

Fox's "What Happens in Vegas" continued its hot B.O. streak on Friday,
declining a slim 37% to $4.6 million from 3,255 for third place. The
eight-day cume for the Ashton Kutcher-Cameron Diaz romantic comedy
currently stands at $31 million.

In fifth place, Sony's "Made of Honor" grossed $1.5 million from
2,816, down 37% for a $30.7 million running cume in the midst of its
third sesh.

On its sixth Friday, Overture Films' "The Visitor" was the only
arthouse title to crack into the day's top 10. Pic about a college
professor's friendships with immigrant couples in New York City
generated $165,000 from 224 sites for a running domestic take of $2.9
million.

Sony Pictures Classics' "Redbelt" kicked up $98,000 from 932, a 10%
dip, raising its B.O. to $1.7 million.

Paramount Vantage's "Son of Rambow" saw a 72% hike in its third Friday
after upticking its theater count from 36 to 91. The British comedy
made $62,000, raising its cume to $348,000.

By ANTHONY D'ALESSANDRO

Walt Disney sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" had no
problem reigning over Friday's box office, grossing $19.3 million as
it opened in 3,929 theaters.

"Caspian's" opening day haul came in slightly lower than industry
expectations and behind first Narnia installment, "The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe," which pulled in $23 million on its first day and
$65.6 million for its final three-day in December 2005. Both pics are
co-productions with Walden Media.

"Caspian's" loot marked the third best opening day for Disney in May
behind last year's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" ($42.9
million) and 2003's "Finding Nemo" ($20.2 million).

The only new wide release of the weekend, "Caspian" will easily take
the weekend crown, and its B.O. will only gain momentum from Saturday
and Sunday family matinees.

"Prince Caspian" stole kids away from Warner Bros.' "Speed Racer,"
which came in fourth for the day, declining a steep 68% from opening
Friday to $1.98 million from 3,606 for an eight-day cume of $24.1
million.

Placing No. 2 on Friday was Par's B.O. hit "Iron Man," which came
close to flying past the $200 million mark at the domestic B.O. The
Paramount-Marvel superhero pic grossed $8.6 million for the day from
4,154 sites, a 42% decline, for a cume of $199.9 million in the midst
of its third frame.

Fox's "What Happens in Vegas" continued its hot B.O. streak on Friday,
declining a slim 37% to $4.6 million from 3,255 for third place. The
eight-day cume for the Ashton Kutcher-Cameron Diaz romantic comedy
currently stands at $31 million.

In fifth place, Sony's "Made of Honor" grossed $1.5 million from
2,816, down 37% for a $30.7 million running cume in the midst of its
third sesh.

On its sixth Friday, Overture Films' "The Visitor" was the only
arthouse title to crack into the day's top 10. Pic about a college
professor's friendships with immigrant couples in New York City
generated $165,000 from 224 sites for a running domestic take of $2.9
million.

Sony Pictures Classics' "Redbelt" kicked up $98,000 from 932, a 10%
dip, raising its B.O. to $1.7 million.

Paramount Vantage's "Son of Rambow" saw a 72% hike in its third Friday
after upticking its theater count from 36 to 91. The British comedy
made $62,000, raising its cume to $348,000.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985990.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

moviePig wrote:
On May 17, 2:50 pm, Garondo Marondo <Classic.Mr.H... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

By ANTHONY D'ALESSANDRO

Walt Disney sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" had no
problem reigning over Friday's box office, grossing $19.3 million as
it opened in 3,929 theaters.

Can we expect threads now about Christian fantasies kicking Marvel-
superhero butt?

No, we just got the two "Camping in line since the Christmas trailers"
movies within two weeks of each other--
If places were reversed, we'd be making the same loopy theories, and
they'd STILL both break records.

(Unlike a certain ogre, pirate and wallcrawler last year, however, we're
actually getting GOOD movies to go with our summer B.O. records--
Last year, May ended overnight, and we had to wait all the way till July
to see movies with repeat value.)

...or will Indy-in-the-wings keep a lid on things?

I've read three pre-Cannes analyst-column articles so far about "Does
all the hush-hush about Indy mean it stinks?"

And unfortunate part is, I've been inclined to agree--Even for
Spielberg's old-school lid-keeping, Paramount DID rather
uncharacteristically sneak this entry on us out of the blue.

On May 17, 6:31 pm, Derek Janssen <ejan... at (no spam) nospam.verizon.net> wrote:





moviePig wrote:
On May 17, 2:50 pm, Garondo Marondo <Classic.Mr.H... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

(Unlike a certain ogre, pirate and wallcrawler last year, however, we're
actually getting GOOD movies to go with our summer B.O. records--
Last year, May ended overnight, and we had to wait all the way till July
to see movies with repeat value.)

...or will Indy-in-the-wings keep a lid on things?

I've read three pre-Cannes analyst-column articles so far about "Does
all the hush-hush about Indy mean it stinks?"

And unfortunate part is, I've been inclined to agree--Even for
Spielberg's old-school lid-keeping, Paramount DID rather
uncharacteristically sneak this entry on us out of the blue.

I'll go with Harkness on this one, i.e., "Trust the filmmaker".  Only
Spielberg's "dramatic" movies (or components) have ever failed to at
least entertain.  Though I didn't worship even the first Indy, and
though Harrison Ford may be auditioning for THE MUMMY by now, I can't
see not seeing this on the Big Screen, with the Big Popcorn and, if my
bladder can stand it, the Big Coke... (non-diet, extra caffeine...)

On May 17, 2:50 pm, Garondo Marondo <Classic.Mr.H... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:





By ANTHONY D'ALESSANDRO

Walt Disney sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" had no
problem reigning over Friday's box office, grossing $19.3 million as
it opened in 3,929 theaters.

"Caspian's" opening day haul came in slightly lower than industry
expectations and behind first Narnia installment, "The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe," which pulled in $23 million on its first day and
$65.6 million for its final three-day in December 2005. Both pics are
co-productions with Walden Media.

"Caspian's" loot marked the third best opening day for Disney in May
behind last year's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" ($42.9
million) and 2003's "Finding Nemo" ($20.2 million).

The only new wide release of the weekend, "Caspian" will easily take
the weekend crown, and its B.O. will only gain momentum from Saturday
and Sunday family matinees.

"Prince Caspian" stole kids away from Warner Bros.' "Speed Racer,"
which came in fourth for the day, declining a steep 68% from opening
Friday to $1.98 million from 3,606 for an eight-day cume of $24.1
million.

Placing No. 2 on Friday was Par's B.O. hit "Iron Man," which came
close to flying past the $200 million mark at the domestic B.O. The
Paramount-Marvel superhero pic grossed $8.6 million for the day from
4,154 sites, a 42% decline, for a cume of $199.9 million in the midst
of its third frame.

Fox's "What Happens in Vegas" continued its hot B.O. streak on Friday,
declining a slim 37% to $4.6 million from 3,255 for third place. The
eight-day cume for the Ashton Kutcher-Cameron Diaz romantic comedy
currently stands at $31 million.

In fifth place, Sony's "Made of Honor" grossed $1.5 million from
2,816, down 37% for a $30.7 million running cume in the midst of its
third sesh.

On its sixth Friday, Overture Films' "The Visitor" was the only
arthouse title to crack into the day's top 10. Pic about a college
professor's friendships with immigrant couples in New York City
generated $165,000 from 224 sites for a running domestic take of $2.9
million.

Sony Pictures Classics' "Redbelt" kicked up $98,000 from 932, a 10%
dip, raising its B.O. to $1.7 million.

Paramount Vantage's "Son of Rambow" saw a 72% hike in its third Friday
after upticking its theater count from 36 to 91. The British comedy
made $62,000, raising its cume to $348,000.

Can we expect threads now about Christian fantasies kicking Marvel-
superhero butt? ...or will Indy-in-the-wings keep a lid on things?

On May 17, 2:50 pm, Garondo Marondo <Classic.Mr.H... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

By ANTHONY D'ALESSANDRO

Walt Disney sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" had no
problem reigning over Friday's box office, grossing $19.3 million as
it opened in 3,929 theaters.

Can we expect threads now about Christian fantasies kicking Marvel-
superhero butt?

...or will Indy-in-the-wings keep a lid on things?

On May 17, 6:31 pm, Derek Janssen <ejan... at (no spam) nospam.verizon.net> wrote:
moviePig wrote:
On May 17, 2:50 pm, Garondo Marondo <Classic.Mr.H... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:

By ANTHONY D'ALESSANDRO

Walt Disney sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" had no
problem reigning over Friday's box office, grossing $19.3 million as
it opened in 3,929 theaters.

Can we expect threads now about Christian fantasies kicking Marvel-
superhero butt?

No, we just got the two "Camping in line since the Christmas trailers"
movies within two weeks of each other--
If places were reversed, we'd be making the same loopy theories, and
they'd STILL both break records.

(Unlike a certain ogre, pirate and wallcrawler last year, however, we're
actually getting GOOD movies to go with our summer B.O. records--
Last year, May ended overnight, and we had to wait all the way till July
to see movies with repeat value.)

...or will Indy-in-the-wings keep a lid on things?

I've read three pre-Cannes analyst-column articles so far about "Does
all the hush-hush about Indy mean it stinks?"

And unfortunate part is, I've been inclined to agree--Even for
Spielberg's old-school lid-keeping, Paramount DID rather
uncharacteristically sneak this entry on us out of the blue.

I'll go with Harkness on this one, i.e., "Trust the filmmaker". Only
Spielberg's "dramatic" movies (or components) have ever failed to at
least entertain. Though I didn't worship even the first Indy, and
though Harrison Ford may be auditioning for THE MUMMY by now, I can't
see not seeing this on the Big Screen, with the Big Popcorn and, if my
bladder can stand it, the Big Coke... (non-diet, extra caffeine...)

--

And unfortunate part is, I've been inclined to agree--Even for
Spielberg's old-school lid-keeping, Paramount DID rather
uncharacteristically sneak this entry on us out of the blue.

I'll go with Harkness on this one, i.e., "Trust the filmmaker". Only
Spielberg's "dramatic" movies (or components) have ever failed to at
least entertain. Though I didn't worship even the first Indy,