Foiling three other releases, “The Musketeer” made a stab at no. 1 over last weekend. The “wire-fu” film adaptation of Dumas’ classic, “The Three Musketeers,” made off with $10.3 million. Hollywood’s screenwriters seem bent on defiling literature’s richest classics, and screenwriter Gene Quintano felt Dumas – the hack – neglected to write enough “Matrix” into “Musketeers.” Fencing in 2,438 locations, “The Musketeer” shared $4,230 among each screen. Still, “The Musketeer” needs to work on its parry if it is to lead the court next weekend.
Debuting at no. 2, “Two Can Play That Game” played the game on 1,297 screens and hit ’em up for $7.7 million. The movie dished up a sweet $5,953 per-screen average as the genre never requires ultra-wide releases. “Two” continued the trend of low-budget, profitable movies geared toward the under-represented African-American community. As usual, the audience propelled it to a high opening; unfortunately, large drops tend to await it. The cross-over appeal is limited, but occasional films, like “Soul Food” and “Waiting to Exhale,” have such appeal.
“Jeepers Creepers” was cut in half its second week. It scared $6.2 million worth of movie-goers for a frightening $24.4 million total. While “Creepers” has not lasted long, it will make money. When you make a dime in the horror genre, you make a sequel. When you are Francis Ford Coppola, who has outlived his genius by 20 years, you produce said sequel. Yuck.
Judas Priest fans saw only Marky Mark in “Rock Star;” they avoided it like a haircut. Mark Wahlberg’s highly anticipated follow-up to the monkeys ended up like The Monkees indeed: over-hyped. It rocked on 2,525 screens but pocketed only $6 million for third place. With just $2,384 per screen, “Rock Star” did not even draw like a has-been; Wahlberg and costar Jennifer Aniston should wish it never was.
“The Others” shrank from the light of fourth place for the first time in its run. Though slipping to fifth place, it shined once again. “Others” dropped 25 percent to $6 million; the next smallest drop was 37 percent. With a $67.5 million total, it has shown more leg than Kidman.
Despite the hair, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker showed some nice legs too. In sixth place, “Rush Hour 2” suffered the 37 percent drop to $5.8 million. With $206 million overall, “Rush Hour 2” is the second biggest film on the year (next to “Shrek” at $260.4 million). Sticking to seventh place “American Pie 2” worked up $4.7 million. With $131.2 million cumulative, “Pie” is fading fast and may not last another round.
Dropping to eighth place, people squealed at “Rat Race” with another $4.5 million. “Rat Race” has scratched out $43.3 million but may be trapped near that total if it drops too heavily.
Dame Julie Andrews and Miss Anne Hathaway ruled over no. 9. “The Princess Diaries” increased the royal treasury by $3.4 million to $97 million. “Diaries” has an outside chance of toppling $100 million next weekend.
Dying slowly in the ten spot, “O” bullied $2.7 million off of people. The update on Shakespeare’s “Othello” turned out to be a travesty … tragedy after all. With only $10.8 million, “O” will be outcast next week.
Opening outside of the top ten, “Soul Survivors” got voted off the island. Its ghastly $1.1 million demanded an early grave. Next week, Keanu Reeves coaches the Lil’ Rascals in “Hardball,” while “The Glass House” shatters Leelee Sobieski’s career.