I don't think I'm alone when I say thank goodness for Martin Scorsese and his new movie Shutter Island. Valentines Day is an example of everything that is wrong with the Rom-Com genre, the makers throw a gigantic cast together, get Garry Marshall whose last flick Georgia Rule, was another nail in the coffin for the careers of Lindsay Lohan and Jane Fonda yet the studio promotes the film with the tagline 'From The Director of Pretty Woman': now that was a truly great romantic comedy. The sad thing is that last year the horrific He's Just Not That Into You was released to terrible reviews yet still made $165m worldwide. Hugh Grant and Working Title have encountered a lot of criticism but the films they made were great rom-coms. Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings etc are classy productions with witty scripts, good acting and a lot of heart. The last decent romantic comedy I saw was 500 Days Of Summer and that was an indie flick.
So the aforementioned Shutter Island opened to a career best $41.1m for Scorsese. The delay in release was blamed on the recession but you do wonder how a studio can think that Scorsese and Leonardo Di Caprio isn't Box Office gold. I am extremely excited about this movie and have been waiting since the original October release date for it. It is unfathomable to me how a director whose last film won Best Director and Picture Academy Awards can not command a release date around awards season. Di Caprio will have to wait a while longer for that elusive gold statue.
The love disappeared for Valentines Day with a 70% drop with $16.7m adding up to an $86.9m total that will reach $100m by next weekend. Is it just me or how on earth did it take till the year 2010 for a film called Valentines Day to be released on Valentines Day weekend? Baffling.
In at 3 is a small film by James Cameron. Apparently it is in 3D or something. Only $16.2m. In its TENTH week. TENTH!! Astonishing. Total now stands at $688m. $700m by next weekend is a certainty but can it reach $750m? Don't bet against it.
Chris Colmbus's Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief stumbled to $15.3m ($58.7m) and frankly I am not surprised. It performed far better than many expected and after the debacle of I Love You, Beth Cooper, Columbus returns to what he knows best. In my humble opinion the first two Potter's are the best of the series so kudos to him.
The Wolfman whimpered to $9.9m ($50.4m), a 69% tumble but considering its bad reviews and word of mouth it isn't absolutely disastrous. Although you have to wonder who will be hiring Joe Johnston after this. Jumanji, Jurassic Park and Hidalgo form a pretty average resume yet according to iMDB he is on board to direct Captain America but I wouldn't hold your breath for that one.
$7.13m and a total of $65.8m for Dear John showed its alarming slide since knocking Avatar of its very, very large tree but it is an impressive sum nonetheless considering that it is targeted at a niche audience. Saying that I do like Nicholas Sparks so I might be in that demographic...oh dear.
The Rock or Dwayne Johnson was in Southland Tales so I forgive him for making Tooth Fairy...kind of. $4.35m amounting to $49.7m is magnificent for a movie that has a title that already puts me off!
At the tail-end of the chart the Jeff Bridges starring Crazy Heart took $2.96m ($21.5m). Its staggered release seems to be working and if Bridges can nab that Oscar then Crazy Heart could reach $30m-$35m.
From Paris With Love is scribed by Luc Besson so I'm already interested. But it has John Travolta. Ah. Maybe not then. $2.66m increases the total to $21.4m but from a $52m budget one has to wonder if the studio looked at the project carefully enough. Last years Taken was a smash hit but it had Liam Neeson, a popular and respected actor whereas Travolta is a turn off.
Edge of Darkness completes the top ten but only just. Mel Gibson's return has turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. $2.24m raising it to $40.3m. The trailer was mediocre and formulaic and Gibson isn't a draw any more. A shame for Martin Campbell though who was badly misses for Quantum of Solace.
In the UK Avatar remained supreme with a remarkable tenth week at the top with the best screen average again. £83.2m is a British record and although $100m looks unlikely it is a distinct possibility that it could get extremely close.
Princess and the Frog moved to £8.8m and proves there is life in the old hand drawn animation yet. It took an age to reach $100m in the States but it seems to be a slow burning success story for Disney.
Peter Jackson seems to have finally lost his midas touch. A poor £1.6m for The Lovely Bones from 420 screens coupled with its disappointing US performance add up to the conclusion that The Hobbit can't come soon enough. The trailer was odd though, it told you about the whole movie and seemed to be unsure what tone it was aiming for.
The UK chart doesn't exactly fill you with excitement with Alvin and his infuriating chums in at 8 with over £23m but the European production Solomon Kane opened to £611,886 which from a reported $45m budget is just awful. Sometimes you have to wonder how some projects get commissioned.
Next week Avatar looks like it will remain on top with Leap Year and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans the only competition. As for the USA expect The Crazies and Cop Out to battle for number one spot, my money being on The Crazies. Horror has been having quite a resurgence of late and The Crazies looks like a good remake which lets be honest is a rarity nowadays.
Avatar is only $44m away from reaching $2.5bn so watch this space..
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