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BOX OFFICE REPORT: Ass kicked! Spring did not hope eternal for 'Kick-Ass' at the box office. Despite an aggressive marketing push and even stronger reviews, the Matthew Vaughn action-comedy was edged out of number one by the fourth weekend of 'How to Train Your Dragon!' Meanwhile, 'Death at a Funeral' also proved a somber affair, all part of another box office cliffhanger from a soft weekend at the movies.
Ooof. What happened to "Kick-Ass?" The Lionsgate action comedy was all but certain to lead this weekend at the box office. And while the film was championed by plenty of well-deserved and heroic reviews, industry observers are surprised by its lack of heat. In fact, the entire session seemed to be set on low with newcomer "Death at a Funeral" also underperforming.
After last weekend's box office nail biter between "Clash of the Titans" and "Date Night," get ready for round two as "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Kick-Ass" duke it out for number one. Here's the current state of the weekend's top five box office attractions, still in flux (and courtesy of Deadline.com and Box Office Mojo):
1. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (DreamWorks Animation/Paramount) Week 4 [3,825 Theaters]
Friday $4.3M, Saturday $8.7M, Weekend $20M, Cume $158.6M
An astounding comeback for this highly, and deservedly, praised 3D extravaganza. After registering a disappointing opening weekend in March, "Dragon" has benefited from two key dynamics: excellent word of mouth from adults and kids PLUS the luxury for higher ticket prices at its 3D presenations. The film's return to the number one spot on Saturday over some formidable competition this weekend makes Sunday's totals all the more important. Get ready for another box office cliffhanger story to reveal a suprising finish.
2. KICK-ASS (Lionsgate) NEW [3,065 Theaters] -- Friday $7.5M, Saturday $7.2M, Weekend $19.75M
Was it the R-rating? Maybe audiences were confused by the campaign, which seemed to paint a family-friendly veneer? Will word of mouth catch up with the positive reviews generated by the film and deliver stronger box office results during the week? With the Spring season winding down, "Kick-Ass" still has a good shot at experiencing its own "Dragon" effect. Stay tuned.
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3. DATE NIGHT (Fox) Week 2 [3,380 Theaters] -- Friday $5.4M, Saturday $7.5M, Weekend $17.3M, Cume $49.2M
Despite having to settle for second place after last week's throwdown with "Clash of the Titans," the raucous comedy starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey looks to have caught on with audiences. Posting the best hold of the weekend, "Date Night" may have the legs to play against some Summer heavyweights.
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4. DEATH AT A FUNERAL (Screen Gems/Sony) NEW [2,459 Theaters] -- Friday $5.6M, Saturday $6.7M, Weekend $17M
Another underachiever this weekend, despite boasting a formidable ensemble cast led by Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence and Tracy Morgan. Better than the recent Tyler Perry marriage opus "Why Did I Get Married Too?," the comedy of "Death" did earn mixed reviews but plays like gangbusters with audiences. Will it face an early burial if the film proves unable to crossover into the mainstream?
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5. CLASH OF THE TITANS (Warner Bros) Week 3 [3,753 Theaters]
Friday $4.2M, Saturday $6.7M, Weekend $15.7M, Estimated Cume $132.9M
Despite going beyond the century mark, "Clash" did not play like a S
ummer movie in the end. Also benefitting from higher 3D prices, the critically slammed actioner will face a tougher battle as films like "Iron Man 2" start to take over screens in two weeks.
And speaking of looking ahead, the Spring wind down continues with the arrival of the ensemble actioner "The Losers." Make room for Jennifer Lopez, too. The triple-threat diva makes her return to the big screen in the romantic comedy "The Back-Up Plan." Will next weekend be pregnant with box office possibilities? Find out next Sunday in Examiner.com.
Angelenos seeking to discover more on the Weekend Final Five should click on Fandango or MovieTickets for local theater and ticket information.
Keep reading the Personalities page on Examiner.com for the latest movie reviews & box office updates, plus celebrity & industry news.
Will "The Losers" prove a box office winner? Find out next weekend!
Comments
Most superhero/comic-book movies need to have a large percentage of kids in the audience in order to get big box office, so I think "Kick-Ass" didn't do well as expected because it's rated R. The same thing happened with "Watchmen" because of the R rating. All the biggest superhero/comic-book blockbusters have been rated PG or PG-13.
The Death at a Funeral trailer was not funny. they try to make stereotypical characters like in Wedding Crashers and Date Movie, but failed to even be funny beyond stupid! idk y they had a 12 year old actress (chloe wentz) curse in Kick Ass. that turns parents off and no1 takes their kids to an R movie. The Backup Plan will fail. The only upcoming movie that has legs is Iron Man 2
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