It’s early, but it’s nice to see a film other than ‘XXX’ at the top, though I have yet to see ‘Signs’. I also love how wonderfully ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ is doing. Funny, I saw ‘Pluto Nash” nowhere on the list.
‘Signs’ Reclaims Box-Office Crown
By DAVID GERMAIN
.c The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The signs are everywhere that summer blockbuster season has ended.
The alien-invasion tale “Signs” climbed back to the No. 1 spot at the box office with a $14.4 million haul in its fourth weekend, while the espionage thriller “XXX,” the top film for the last two weekends, came in a close second with $13.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The weekend’s three new movies debuted weakly. Elizabeth Hurley and Matthew Perry’s romantic comedy “Serving Sara” was No. 6 with $6.1 million; the Wesley Snipes-Ving Rhames prison boxing drama “Undisputed” was No. 8 with $4.7 million; and Al Pacino’s Hollywood satire “Simone” came in at No. 9 with $4.1 million.
…The summer’s biggest sleeper hit, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” expanded to 1,329 theaters, up 269, and grossed $7.6 million to bring its total to $64 million. Nearly five months after its release, the film climbed to No. 4, its highest rank yet, up from sixth place last weekend.
In limited release, Robin Williams’ “One Hour Photo,” in which he plays a dreary photo clerk who dangerously obsesses on a family of customers, took in $315,000 at just seven theaters in five cities to average a whopping $45,000 per theater.
Jennifer Aniston’s “The Good Girl” expanded to 188 theaters in its third weekend and grossed $1.55 million for an impressive average of $8,245.
…“Signs,” starring Mel Gibson, debuted at No. 1 in early August and then slipped to second place the last two weekends, behind Vin Diesel’s “XXX.”
“Anytime a film jumps back into first place, it’s got to be about the film. People have got to be giving it great, positive word of mouth,” said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney, which released “Signs.”
“Signs” now has taken in $173.2 million, while “XXX” climbed to $106.7 million, the 13th movie released this year to top $100 million.
…Final figures will be released Monday.
1. “Signs,” $14.4 million.
2. “XXX,” $13.7 million.
3. “Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams,” $7.8 million.
4. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” $7.6 million.
5. “Blue Crush,” $6.5 million.
6. “Serving Sara,” $6.1 million.
7. “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” $5.6 million.
8. “Undisputed,” $4.7 million.
9. “Simone,” $4.1 million.
10. “Blood Work,” $2.9 million.