Sun Nov 2, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

'High School Musical 3' First in Class

Limp Box Office Brings More Tricks Than Treats

It proved to be a light weekend for the movies, hampered by Halloween being on a Friday.  Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year repeated in the number one slot, with $15 million despite having very slow Friday numbers as the audience went trick or treating.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno, from Kevin Smith, opened to mostly positive reviews but just $10, 682,000 which rival studios say may be as much as one million over their own estimates.  Final numbers are due out on Monday. The other newcomer, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, scared up just $6,009,000, eclipsed by Saw V’s second weekend haul of $10,110,000.

Meantime, Changeling, written by J. Michael Straczynski, went into wide release and finished in fourth place with $9.4 million.

Disney’s surprise hit, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, slid to sixth place but still brought in $4,747,000, pushing its total to date to $84,061,000. The rest of the top ten were repeat performer with most seeing 40-50% declines from their previous week’s performance. Disappointing performers, such as Pride & Glory, continue to keep audiences at bay, meaning poor final numbers for the studios.  This includes the political film, W., which has just $22,398,000 to show after three weeks. 

Warner is doubly disappointed with Pride and the big budget dud Body of Lies, which has earned a mere $34,612,000 after four weeks – horrible showings for superstars Russell Crow and Leonardo DiPCaprio. Even though Guy Ritchie’s RockNRolla gained 804 screens and earned $1.75 million, its total earnings of $2,374,000 remain yet another failed release.

The mix of subject matter gives people plenty to choose from but clearly, people are electing to stay home.  All of that could change this month as highly anticipated films are ready to roll out starting with November 14’s Quantum of Solace.  Already opening around the world, Daniel Craig’s second go as James Bond has earned huge box office revenue and positive reviews.

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