`THE MATRIX' KEEPS GRIP ON TOP SPOT.Byline: Dave McNary Daily News Staff Writer ``The Matrix'' continued to dazzle daz·zle v. daz·zled, daz·zling, daz·zles v.tr. 1. To dim the vision of, especially to blind with intense light. 2. moviegoers as the science-fiction thriller thrill·er n. One that thrills, especially a sensational or suspenseful book, story, play, or movie. thriller Noun took in an estimated $22.2 million at 2,903 theaters during Friday-Sunday to dominate the nation's weekend box office, studio sources said Sunday. The Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) .' release, highlighted by eye-popping special effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. amid Keanu Reeves leading a rebellion Rebellion Absalom conspires to overthrow father, David. [O.T.: II Samuel 15:10–18:33] Bastille Day celebration of day Paris mob stormed prison; first outbreak of French Revolution (1789). [Fr. Hist. against computers, showed solid staying power as it lost only 20 percent of its audience from its opening weekend to push its 12-day total to $72.9 million. ``The Matrix'' is already the third-highest grosser this year after ``Analyze This'' with $85.9 million and ``Payback'' with $79.6 million. ``These results are the best we could have hoped for,'' said studio distribution chief Dan Fellman. `` `The Matrix' has become America's must-see film. We're attracting all ages and a lot of repeat business.'' Analysts said ``The Matrix'' has connected well with its core audience of male teen-agers and young adults. ``It really hit well with its target customers,'' said movie analyst Arthur Rockwell. ``That's why it has great legs.'' Robert Bucksbaum, president of the Reel Source tracking service, predicted ``The Matrix'' will draw $140 million by the end of its run and credited the studio with smart scheduling. ``It turned out better not being released in the summer, when there's so much competition,'' he noted. ``Young moviegoers will go to a film any time of the year if it's what they want to see.'' 20th Century Fox's romantic comedy ``Never Been Kissed'' opened respectably in second with $11.7 million at 2,455 theaters. ``Kissed,'' which stars Drew Barrymore as a reporter infiltrating infiltrating adjective Referring to a tumor that penetrates the normal, surrounding tissue a high school, performed in line with expectations and could top $50 million by the end of its run, according the Bucksbaum. ``We think it will cross over to the date crowd because it's not just a kids' movie,'' he added. Three holdover hold·o·ver n. One that is held over from an earlier time: a political advisor who was a holdover from the Reagan era; a family tradition that is a holdover from my grandparents' childhood. Noun 1. comedies bunched together for third, fourth and fifth place, led by Paramount's second weekend of ``The Out-of-Towners'' with $5.3 million at 2,105 theaters, followed by Disney's second weekend of ``10 Things I Hate About You'' with $5.2 million at 2,276 sites and Warner's sixth weekend of ``Analyze This'' with $5.1 million at 2,351 locations. Disney distribution executive Chuck Viane, noting ``10 Things' '' overall take of $20.5 million places it close to turning a profit, said, ``We're very happy with it because it was done for the right price.'' Sony's low-cost ensemble comedy ``Go'' generated a moderate opening in sixth with $4.7 million at 1,563 theaters. Director Doug Liman's previous effort, 1996's highly praised ``Swingers,'' posted total grosses of $4.5 million. DreamWorks' fourth weekend of Sandra Bullock's ``Forces of Nature'' finished seventh with $3.7 million at 2,335 theaters to go past $42 million overall. Miramax's opening of ``Twin Dragons
Rounding out the top 10 were Disney's third weekend of ``Doug's 1st Movie'' with $2.3 million at 2,152 locations and Miramax's 18th weekend of ``Shakespeare in Love'' with $2.2 million at 1,614 theaters. ``Shakespeare,'' with seven Academy Awards, has totaled $87.5 million since its December release. TOP MOVIES Estimated grosses for Friday through Sunday at North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. theaters. 1. ``The Matrix,'' $22.2 million. 2. ``Never Been Kissed Never Been Kissed is a 1999 comedy directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Drew Barrymore, David Arquette, Michael Vartan, Molly Shannon, Leelee Sobieski, John C. Reilly, Jessica Alba, Marley Shelton, James Franco, Giuseppe Andrews, Jeremy Jordan and Garry Marshall. ,'' $11.7 million. 3. ``The Out-Of-Towners,'' $5.3 million. 4. ``10 Things I Hate About You,'' $5.2 million. 5. ``Analyze This,'' $5.1 million. 6. ``Go,'' $4.7 million. 7. ``Forces of Nature,'' $3.7 million. 8. ``Twin Dragons,'' $2.7 million. 9. ``Doug's 1st Movie,'' $2.3 million. 10. ``Foolish,'' $2.2 million. CAPTION(S): box Box: Top movies (see text) |
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