News / Entertainment
Box-Office Battle Between Bond and a Penguin Favors the Animal Kingdom
By the narrowest of margins Warner Brothers nabbed the top spot at the box-office this weekend with their animated release “Happy Feet.” With a story line carrying the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Hugh Jackman, “Happy Feet” danced its way to $42.3 million in ticket sales.
Following close behind the family driven “Happy Feet” was Daniel Craig’s premier as James Bond in “Casino Royale.” With a strong start on Friday it looked as if the international spy might hold the top spot but by Sunday Bond couldn’t wrestle away the title from an animated penguin. “Casino Royale” finished with a strong $40.6 million, the second highest total for a Bond flick, trailing only “Die Another Day” starring Pierce Brosnan as 007.
Bond brought in an additional $42.2 million in overseas sales.
“Borat” slipped to number three at the box-office after enjoying two weeks at the top. The Sacha Baron Cohan flick took in another $14.35 million to run its total to $90.5 million since its opening.
The opening of “Bobby”, the story behind the assassination of Robert Kennedy, opened well in a limited release. With an A-list cast of Hollywood actors that includes Emilio Estevez, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, Anthony Hopkins, and Lindsay Lohan the movie brought in $67,000 in just two theaters.
“For Your Consideration” also opened strong in limited release. The movie starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara brought in $394,000 at 23 theaters.
Both “Bobby” and “For Your Consideration” will reach audiences nationwide this week.
As for the bombs of the week top prize went to “Fast Food Nation” which could only manage $390,000 at the box-office while “Let’s Go to Prison” took in $2.1 million.
1. "Happy Feet," $42.3 million.
2. "Casino Royale," $40.6 million.
3. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," $14.35 million.
4. "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause," $8.2 million.
5. "Flushed Away," $6.8 million.
6. "Stranger Than Fiction," $6.6 million.
7. "Babel," $2.9 million.
8. "Saw III," $2.8 million.
9. "The Departed," $2.6 million.
10. "The Queen," $2.3 million.
