MOVIE FANS WILD ABOUT `WILD WEST'; `SOUTH PARK' DEBUT OUTGROSSES `DADDY'.Byline: Dave McNary McNary may refer to:
``Wild Wild West'' and ``South Park'' both posted solid but not sensational sen·sa·tion·al adj. 1. Of or relating to sensation. 2. Arousing or intended to arouse strong curiosity, interest, or reaction, especially by exaggerated or lurid details: openings Wednesday as the summer box office continued to sizzle siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. . Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) .' ``Wild Wild West'' took in $7.07 million at 3,309 theaters in its first day following a massive publicity campaign. Despite mostly downbeat down·beat n. 1. Music a. The downward stroke made by a conductor to indicate the first beat of a measure. b. The first beat of a measure. 2. Informal A period of stagnation or inactivity. reviews, the action-comedy should give Will Smith his third midsummer success in four years, following 1996's ``Independence Day'' and 1997's ``Men In Black.'' ``The opening for `Wild Wild West' is pretty decent,'' said Robert Bucksbaum, president of the Reel Source tracking service. ``The anticipation and recognition are very high.'' Paramount's ``South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut'' performed above expectations with $4.85 million at 2,128 theaters and posted a slightly higher per-theater-average than ``Wild Wild West'' after receiving surprisingly strong reviews. The R-rated comedy may have lost some ticket buyers since most of the nation's theater owners vowed to ban minors unless they were accompanied by an adult. Sony's sixth day of ``Big Daddy,'' which dominated last weekend, finished a close third with $4.7 million at 3,027 theaters and hit $55.8 million overall. Wednesday's results show ``Wild Wild West'' should easily win the critical Friday-Monday holiday weekend, one of the heaviest moviegoing periods of the year. Bucksbaum predicted it will take in $58 million in its first six days on its way to $165 million overall, while ``South Park'' should finish the six days around $35 million and reach a final gross of $80 million. Summer box office was ignited ig·nite v. ig·nit·ed, ig·nit·ing, ig·nites v.tr. 1. a. To cause to burn. b. To set fire to. 2. To subject to great heat, especially to make luminous by heat. by ``Star Wars Episode 1,'' which opened on May 19 with a record-setting $28.5 million. Since May 7, when ``The Mummy'' debuted, the nation's box office is up 28 percent over the same period in 1998. SOLID OPENINGS Two new films and a 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. posted respectable grosses Wednesday: Title theaters gross ``Wild Wild West'' 3,309 $7.07 million ``South Park'' 2,128 $4.85 million ``Big Daddy'' 3,027 $4.7 million SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations CAPTION(S): Photo, Box PHOTO (Color) Kevin Kline, left, and Will Smith co-star co·star also co-star n. A starring actor or actress given equal status with another or others in a play or film. tr. & intr.v. co·starred, co·star·ring, co·stars To act or present as a costar. in the film ``Wild Wild West.'' Warner Bros. BOX: SOLID OPENING (See text) |
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