"Dreamgirls" sure put a fright into its backers, with an uncharacteristic slowdown at the box office midweek (during the most profitable time of year for movies). But it's first full weekend since debuting on Christmas Day was strong, with an excellent per-screen average and ranking at #3, despite being on about a third of the number of screens as most of the other movies. Presumably, it will expand a little in a week or two and then go really wide on January 26, the Friday after the Oscar nominations are announced. "Rocky Balboa" (budgeted at a modest $24 million) did exactly what Stalone wanted. It made money, avoided getting laughed off the screen and gave the boxer a far more dignified sendoff than "Rocky V." Another surprise: the "Babe"-like "Charlotte's Web" (in intention, not quality) overcame a weak opening to do solid business. It won't be a smash, but this week has saved it from being a flop. Meanwhile, "Babe" director Chris Noonan (always overshadowed for that film's achievement by producer George Miller) has stumbled badly with his long-awaited followup: the nicely sweet "Miss Potter" opened very weakly in limited release, grossing a tiny amount on just two screens. And keep in mind, today's box office will also be a big boost to these films, since New Year's Eve is traditionally slow and New Year's Day is gangbusters. The weekend box office, per Box Office Prophets:
1. Night At The Museum -- $37.8 million ($116.9 million total)
2. The Pursuit Of happyness -- $19.3 million ($98.3 million total)
3. Dreamgirls -- $15.5 million ($38.5 million total)
4. Charlotte's Web -- $12 million ($52.9 million total)
5. Rocky Balboa -- $11.4 million ($48.8 million total)
6. The Good Shepherd -- $11.2 million ($35.8 million total)
7. Eragon -- $8.5 million ($56.7 million total)
8. We Are Marshall - $8 million ($25.1 million total)
9. Happy Feet -- $7.8 million ($176.2 million total)
10. The Holiday -- $6.8 million ($50 million total)
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I have not seen the film yet, but I was lucky enough to be working in the entertainment press in Boston on the night that "Dreamgirls" (the play) opened for out-of-town tryouts. So I got to see/hear Jennifer Holliday sing that amazing song live for the first time! So many years later, I still remember the power of that performance. I am looking forward to hearing Jennifer Hudson in the film.
Lucky, lucky you. That must have been an amazing night, though I;m sure they tightened the show and did all sorts of tweaks to it. I never saw it myself in any form -- the closest I got was seeing Jennifer Holliday performing on the Tony Awards.
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