"Bedtime Stories" Takes the Second Place
“Marley and Me” reached No. 1 at the Box Office for the second weekend since it had been released on December 25th. The 20th Century Fox’s cutest dog, Marley, won the hearts of the Americans as the weekend’s biggest-grossing film, after it had already made history with the biggest earnings on the release day.
The movie took an estimated $24.1 million during this weekend and made almost $14 million on its release day. Based on John Grogan’s novel, “Marley and Me” tells the story of John and Jenny, a couple who moves to live in Florida and adopt Marley as to get accustomed to the parenting style.
In the two weeks since it hit theatres, Marley grossed a total of $106.5 million. Bert Livingston, general sales manager for 20th Century Fox Films told the Los Angeles Times that reaching No. 1 for two weeks in a row gets you into business, because the people are talking about this success.
The period of the holidays was the moment for many releases, as a lot of studios were trying to attract the moviegoers who have extra time. Before the start of the new year, “Defiance,” directed by Edward Zwick, opened in a limited number of theatres and expects to make a really great job when released.
Brandon Gray, publisher of online movie publication and reporting service Box Office Mojo, stated that the studio executives plan to release the movie early in the holidays as to leave “a lot of breathing room” and benefit from the sold-out movies. He added that this happens “at the cost of the week following,” because movie fans don’t go to see so many films during one single weekend.
Walt Disney Studios’ “Bedtime Stories,” starring Adam Sandler, tells the story of a hotel maintenance worker, whose stories told to his nephews come true. The movie reached No. 2 this weekend, with earnings of $20.3 million. According to the box-office tracking company Media by Numbers, the total two-week gross reached to $85.4 million.
Chuck Viane, the president of Disney distribution, stated that “Bedtime Stories” is the kind of movie which attracts children and families. He added that the movie delivers “the kind of lighthearted entertainment” which is responsible for a good laugh and a good time spent in a theater.
No. 3 this weekend was taken by “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The movie, based on Scott Fitzgerald’s novel about a man who ages in reverse, earned $18.4 million during the weekend and reached a total of $79 million.
“Valkyrie,” starring Tom Cruise took $14 million over the weekend and reached only No. 1. The movie tells the story of Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, who is part of a group of German military officers who plan to kill Adolf Hitler.
