`STRANGER' AT HOME AT BOX OFFICE $22 MILLION FOR SCARY FLICK RECORD SUPER BOWL OPENING.Byline: Greg Hernandez Staff Writer The new fright flick ``When a Stranger Calls'' took in a shocking $22 million at the box office over the weekend - the biggest opening ever for a movie bowing on Super Bowl weekend, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. studio estimates Sunday. The high turnout for the film - released by Sony Pictures Entertainment's Screen Gems label - was led by females under 21 years old on a weekend when football takes precedence The order in which an expression is processed. Mathematical precedence is normally: 1. unary + and - signs 2. exponentiation 3. multiplication and division 4. over going to the movies for most men. ``It far exceeded any expectations,'' said Rory Bruer, Sony's president of domestic distribution. ``Anywhere in the midteens and we're going to be happy so we are absolutely amazed a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. .'' The previous Super Bowl weekend record was set a year ago by ``Boogeyman,'' also released by Sony/Screen Gems, which debuted at $19 million. ``Stranger'' had a production budget of just $15 million and should be quite profitable for the resurgent re·sur·gent adj. 1. Experiencing or tending to bring about renewal or revival. 2. Sweeping or surging back again. Adj. 1. studio. ``Super Bowl is not known as a big weekend because you have a distracted audience and it cuts into the box office,'' said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations Co. ``But when properly counterprogrammed, you can have strong success.'' The 20th Century Fox comedy ``Big Momma's House 2,'' starring Martin Lawrence Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence[1] (born April 16, 1965) is an American actor, comedian, director and producer. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor. , also remained popular despite a drop to second place. In its second week, ``Momma'' had estimated ticket sales totaling $13.35 million and has earned an impressive $45.4 million in just 10 days. Also slipping a spot was third-place ``Nanny McPhee'' featuring Emma Thompson Emma Thompson (born 15 April 1959) is an Emmy-, BAFTA- and Academy Award-winning English actress, comedian, and screenwriter. She is also a patron of the Refugee Council. Biography Early life Thompson was born in Paddington, London, England. in the title role. The Universal Pictures release took in an estimated $9.9 million and has grossed $26.6 million in its first two weeks. ``Brokeback Mountain,'' which received eight Academy Award nominations last week, including one for Best Picture, climbed to the No. 4 spot with an estimated gross of $5.7 million. Its weekend gross was off 14 percent from last week despite distributor Focus Features adding 435 theaters on Friday to give the film its widest release to date: 2,089 theaters. Greg Hernandez, (818) 713-3758 greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com TOP MOVIES Here are estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released today. 1. ``When a Stranger Calls,'' $22 million. 2. ``Big Momma's House 2,'' $13.35 million. 3. ``Nanny McPhee,'' $9.9 million. 4. ``Brokeback Mountain,'' $5.7 million. 5. ``Hoodwinked,'' $5.3 million. 6. ``Underworld Underworld See also Hell. Unfaithfulness (See FAITHLESSNESS.) Ungratefulness (See INGRATITUDE.) Unkindness (See CRUELTY, INHOSPITALITY.) Aidoneus epithet of Hades. [Gk. Myth. Evolution,'' $5.1 million. 7. ``Something New,'' $5 million. 8. ``Annapolis,'' $3.5 million. 9. ``Walk the Line,'' $3.4 million. 10. ``Glory Road,'' $3 million. - Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. CAPTION(S): box Box: TOP MOVIES (see text) |
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