Despite critics who basically disliked the movie, Liam Neeson’s final film in the “Taken” series, “Taken 3,” took in $40.4 million over the weekend. Box office numbers are taken from studio estimates tracked by Rentrak, which tallies the totals each week.
The film earned just 12 percent positive ratings at RottenTomatoes.com, but audiences turned out in numbers, giving it a 72 percent approval rating. The total made during the weekend is slightly less than the $49.5 million made by “Taken 2” in October 2012. The first weekend for the original “Taken” was $24.7 million. “Taken” made $145 million in the U.S. while “Taken 2” made 139.9 million.
“Selma,” which opened in wide release this weekend, came in second with $11.2 million. It has made $13.5 million overall. Third was “Into the Woods” with 9.8 million, putting it over $100 million in the U.S., with “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” fourth with $9.4 million (236.5 million total). Angelina Jolie’s “Unbroken” was fifth with $8.4 million.
“American Sniper,” in very limited release since Christmas, is one of the big films opening Friday along with “Blackhat” and “The Wedding Ringer.”
Title Weekend Total box office
1. Taken 3 $40.4 million $40.4 million
2. Selma $11.2 million $13.5 million
3. Into the Woods $9.8 million $105.3 million
4. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies $9.4 million $236.6 million
5. Unbroken $8.4 million $101.6 million
6. The Imitation Game $7.6 million $40.8 million
7. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb $6.7 million $99.5 million
8. Annie $4.9 million $79.4 million
9. The Woman In Black 2: Angel of Death $4.8 million $22.3 million
10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 $3.8 million $329.5 million
Another weekend was ruled by “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.”
A crop of new competition was much easier for the latest Peter Jackson installment to fend off than last week. With “The Woman In Black 2: Angel of Death” as the only real threat, “Five Armies” racked up $21.9 million over the weekend. The film has now made $220.8 million since it opened on Dec. 17.
“The Woman in Black 2,” which didn’t have Daniel Radcliffe return from the first installment, came in fourth with $15.1 million. The first “Woman in Black” made $20.9 million in its opening weekend and $54.3 million overall.
Coming in second again was “Into the Woods” with $19.1 million followed by “Unbroken” with $18.4 million. The last installment of the “Night at the Museum” franchise was fifth with $14.5 million.
“Selma” continues to do well in limited release, making $645,000 on 22 screens. It opens nationwide this Friday. Another limited-release film, “American Sniper,” earned $640,000 in four theaters. It expands this Friday and opens nationwide Jan. 16.
Title Weekend Total box office
1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies $21.9 millon $220.8 million
2. Into the Woods $19.1 million $91.2 million
3. Unbroken $18.4 million $87.8 million
4. Woman in Black 2: The Angel of Death $15.1 million $15.1 million
5. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb $14.5 million $89.7 million
6. Annie $11.4 million $72.6 million
7. The Imitation Game $8.1 million $30.8 million
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 $7.7 million $323.9 million
Another new feature in Cinema Corner 2.0 is our wrap-up file of all the movie-related events from the day. Think the Drudge Report meets Hollywood.
Why should you have to search all over the Internet for movie news when you can get it all right here. We’ll list here some of the stuff we’ve posted from earlier in the day along with other items we think you should check out. Each day, we hope to provide you with a roundup of sorts of the things we believe you’ll enjoy and want to read about.
We’re back at it. Hope everyone had a nice holiday. Be on the lookout for our stories as we get back to work in providing you all the movie news that’s out there.
Despite a bevy of films released on Christmas Day, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is proving to be more than a one-hit wonder.
The film collected $41.4 million through the long holiday weekend and now stands at $168.5 million domestically. It beat out “Unbroken,” which debuted at No. 2 with 31.7 million. It just did beat out Disney’s “Into The Woods,” which had $31 million.
Rounding out the top five were “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” which held its ground in its second week of release with 20.6 million, and “Annie,” which made $16.6 million despite poor reviews from critics.
“The Interview,” the Seth Rogen/James Franco film that was pulled by Sony Pictures a little more than a week before its Christmas Day release after cyber attacks and threats by North Korea, took in $1.8 million in limited release. It made $1 million on Christmas Day for a total of $2.8 million overall.
“American Sniper” and “Selma” also fared well in limited release. “Sniper” made $610,000 on just four screens. “Selma” was seen on 19 screens and made $912,000.
“Sniper” opens nationwide on Jan. 16 while “Selma” does the same on Jan. 9.
Title Weekend Total box office
1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies $41.4 millon $168.5 million
2. Unbroken $31.7 million $47.3 million
3. Into the Woods $31 million $46.1 million
4. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb $20.6 million $55.3 million
5. Annie $16.6 million $45.8 million
6. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 $10 million $306.7 million
7. The Gambler $9.3 million $14.3 million
8. The Imitation Game $7.9 million $14.6 million
9. Exodus: Gods and Kings $6.8 million $52.5 million
10. Wild $5.4 million $16.4 million
I have never seen “Into the Woods” on stage, but I am sure it is a real treat.
Before seeing the new film, my only experience with this musical play came when PBS broadcast a live performance many years ago. I believe it had to be more than 20 years since the play aired because I have blurry memories of watching it in the home where I resided between 1988-1996.
Needless to say, I went into the new film with few memories of the plot, but with great expectations.
And I am happy to report, many of those expectations were met. The music, as one would expect from Stephen Sondheim, is outstanding. The story, which weaves together several classic fairy tale characters into one intricate plot, has plenty of twists and turns. I especially liked when the stories deviated from the traditional versions. The script also has clever humor that had me laughing loudly and often.
The film has other strengths. It looks great. Beautiful settings, both natural and artificial, enhance the telling of the tale. Both the production design and the costumes seem destined for Oscar nominations from the Academy. Other technical categories such as cinematography, editing and sound may also receive recognition. There is a lot on screen that demonstrates great filmmaking artistry.
A varied cast also brings much to the film with their exceptional performances. Meryl Streep as the Witch is getting a lot of attention. Likewise, Johnny Depp as the Big Bad Wolf is intriguing casting, though his role is rather small.
I especially liked the performances of the children: Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Daniel Huttlestone as Jack of the Beanstalk fame. Those two seemed to be enjoying their characters far more than any of the others on screen. But truly, all the actors are well cast and the screening audience of which I was a part were cheering and clapping throughout the show.
With all this praise for the film, I feel I must offer the opposite side of the coin. I know the play is around three hours. The film is only two hours and four minutes. Even with this more economical running time, I felt the film tarried too long.
I was very involved with these characters until what I will call the third act. Without giving anything away, I almost wish the film had ended after 90 minutes or so. Leave out the one last challenge and recognize that these characters have been through enough and deserve their happy ending sooner.
Rob Marshall directed the Academy Award-winning Best Picture “Chicago.” There is a classic musical that is moving forward with every frame. “Into the Woods” lingers rather than plunging ahead quickly toward the end. However, even with that flaw, there is still quite a bit to make this film worth seeing.
Opening on Christmas Day, this might be just the holiday film for which many are hoping.
Another new feature in Cinema Corner 2.0 is our wrap-up file of all the movie-related events from the day. Think the Drudge Report meets Hollywood.
Why should you have to search all over the Internet for movie news when you can get it all right here. We’ll list here some of the stuff we’ve posted from earlier in the day along with other items we think you should check out. Each day, we hope to provide you with a roundup of sorts of the things we believe you’ll enjoy and want to read about.
While we’re on vacation this week, this page will update often with the latest news. So check back often to see “What’s Happening Now!”
This sounds like a joke: Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody and John Cusack are in a movie set in the Han dynasty. But it’s real: “Dragon Blade” opens Feb. 18. Read more about it here. (NEW)
• “Unbroken” and “Into the Woods” are in a tight battle to win the holiday box office, according to Box Office Mojo. (NEW)
Another new feature in Cinema Corner 2.0 is our wrap-up file of all the movie-related events from the day. Think the Drudge Report meets Hollywood.
Why should you have to search all over the Internet for movie news when you can get it all right here. We’ll list here some of the stuff we’ve posted from earlier in the day along with other items we think you should check out. Each day, we hope to provide you with a roundup of sorts of the things we believe you’ll enjoy and want to read about.
As always, enjoy. And Merry Christmas!
“Home Alone” is one of the Christmas favorites among movies. But what if it were a horror film?
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NOTE: Roger Thomas’ weekly review and our CinemaCorner page will appear Sunday due to the Christmas holiday.
Another new feature we’ll bring you each week is a breakdown of the new films coming to theaters. Hopefully, you can use this guide to prepare yourself for a fun weekend of movies, buy tickets, read up on films and so much more.
Unbroken: After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he’s caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
Into the Woods:A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.
The Gambler: Lit professor and gambler Jim Bennett’s debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?
Selma:Martin Luther King and the civil rights marches of Selma, Alabama, that changed America forever. Based on a true story.
American Sniper: Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
Big Eyes:A drama about the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.
Two Days, One Night:Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job.
Beloved Sisters: The aristocratic sisters Charlotte and Caroline both fall in love with the controversial young writer and hothead Friedrich Schiller. Defying the conventions of their time, the sisters decide to share their love with Schiller. What begins playfully, almost as a game among the three of them, soon turns serious as it leads to the end of a pact.
NEXT WEEK
The Woman in Black 2:Angel of Death: 40 years after the first haunting at Eel Marsh House, a group of children evacuated from WWII London arrive, awakening the house’s darkest inhabitant.
A Most Violent Year:In New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city’s history.
Leviathan: In a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend, Dmitri to help. But the man’s arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family.
Another new feature we’ll bring you each Friday is a breakdown of the new films coming to theaters. Hopefully, you can use this guide to prepare yourself for a fun weekend of movies, buy tickets, read up on films and so much more.
The Hobbit:The Battle of the Five Armies (premiered Wednesday): Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the terrifying Smaug from acquiring a kingdom of treasure and obliterating all of Middle-Earth.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb: Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever.
Annie: A foster kid, who lives with her mean foster mom, sees her life change when business tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in.
Mr. Turner:An exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W. Turner’s life.
Goodbye to All That:When his wife unexpectedly informs him that she wants a divorce, well-meaning but oblivious husband Otto Wall finds himself thrust back into bachelorhood, where he searches for the real thing amidst a string of one night stands.
NEXT WEEK
Unbroken: After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he’s caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
Into the Woods:A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.
The Gambler: Lit professor and gambler Jim Bennett’s debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?
Selma:Martin Luther King and the civil rights marches of Selma, Alabama, that changed America forever. Based on a true story.
American Sniper: Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
Big Eyes:A drama about the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.
Two Days, One Night:Sandra, a young Belgian mother, discovers that her workmates have opted for a significant pay bonus, in exchange for her dismissal. She has only one weekend to convince her colleagues to give up their bonuses so that she can keep her job.
Beloved Sisters: The aristocratic sisters Charlotte and Caroline both fall in love with the controversial young writer and hothead Friedrich Schiller. Defying the conventions of their time, the sisters decide to share their love with Schiller. What begins playfully, almost as a game among the three of them, soon turns serious as it leads to the end of a pact.
Cinema Corner 