WEEKEND BOX OFFICE 3/14: Robots Rule!

Indiana Jones it ain't!

That's what they were aiming for -- an almost impossible goal. Is this a precusor for the botching up of "The DaVinci Code?"

This may be interesting news for those who were puzzled by the "Alexander" less-than-impressive box office in the U.S.:


TOP STORY
Great overseas B.O.
Epic 'Alexander' conquers key territories

By Don Groves

"Alexander" may be fighting a losing battle for box-office glory in the U.S. but Oliver Stone's epic was more victorious as it began its offshore crusade last weekend.
Auds overseas enjoy large-scale films depicting historical struggles as the results for "Troy," "King Arthur" and "The Last Samurai" all proved -- and the early indications for "Alexander" are similarly positive.

The Colin Farrell/Angelina Jolie starrer raked in $7.4 million from 848 screens in 10 markets. It commanded the top spots in key markets led by Russia's estimated $3.7 million on 345 screens, Taiwan's $1.1 million on 190, Thailand's $476,000 on 110, Sweden's $474,000 on 61 and Denmark's $420,000 on 48.

Given the pic's extended running time and mature ratings classifications, and spirited competition such as "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" in Russia, Denmark and Sweden, the per-screen averages were fairly impressive.

The Macedonian conqueror was the No. 1 foreign release in Turkey, behind local "Star Wars" spoof "G.O.R.A.," snaring roughly $580,000 on 64. It was tops in Malaysia, Finland and Croatia but well beaten by fellow frosh "National Treasure" in the Philippines.

Still 'Incredible'

The frame's victor overseas by a sizable margin, "The Incredibles," racked up $44.3 million on 4,362 screens in 22 territories, propelling cume to $59.1 million.

The Disney/Pixar pic bowed at No. 1 in 12 markets, setting toon highs in Italy and Greece, although checking in below "Finding Nemo" in France and Belgium and trailing "Shrek 2" in the U.K., Spain and Israel.

Superheroes drummed up $18.1 million on 491 in the U.K., including sneaks (a BVI record, toppling "Monsters, Inc."); $9.2 million in France; $5.6 million in Spain (also a BVI high); $5.4 million in Italy; $1.3 million in Belgium and $362,000 in Greece. Its bows in Holland ($849,000), Israel ($353,000) and Hungary ($203,000) were also impressive.

Beginning its offshore adventures "National Treasure" claimed a terrif $4.3 million on 768 in Germany (a personal best for topliner Nicolas Cage, beating "The Rock"). It drummed up a lukewarm $1.5 million in Australia, although good enough to be No. 1 in a heatwave-affected market; a lucrative $524,000 in the Philippines (outgunning "Pirates of the Caribbean"); $475,000 in Austria; $425,000 in Switzerland; and $296,000 in South Africa.

'Jones' keeps up

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" seduced $14.9 million from 2,076 playdates in 25 territories, hoisting cume to $84.2 million.

Renee Zellweger/Colin Firth/Hugh Grant starrer rang up $1 million on 68 in Russia, including previews (records for Universal and producer Working Title), $325,000 in Switzerland, a mediocre $302,000 in Mexico (20% below "Bridget Jones's Diary," which wasn't popular there) and $257,000 in Singapore. In 10 days the sequel has fetched $1.5 million in Sweden and $1.2 million in Denmark.

Teutonic laffer "Seven Dwarfs" whistled up $2.3 million in its fifth outing in Germany, raising the market total to a magical $41. 8 million.

"The Polar Express" delivered $8.2 million, driven by Germany's sturdy $2.1 million, Mexico's top-ranked $1.85 million and Brazil's $395,000.

But the Tom Hanks starrer wasn't hot in Japan, taking $1.8 million, dwarfed by local animated hit "Howl's Moving Castle," which conjured up $12.1 million in its second sojourn (a decline of just 16%), elevating its cume to $45.7 million.

"Express" continued to draw a fair number of tykes in Australia but isn't playing broadly, as evidenced by the skimpy midweek and evening business, as it eased by 23%, banking $1.8 million in 11 days.

"The Forgotten" scared up a fair $1.2 million in the U.K., sending its cume to $26.5 million in 37 markets. Thriller isn't performing anywhere near as well abroad as at home, where it grossed $66.6 million.

Kranky 'Christmas'

The corny humor of "Christmas With the Kranks" didn't translate as the Sony/Revolution pic kicked off its tour in Germany (mustering $764,000 on 372), Austria, Switzerland and Poland.

"Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid" found a tame $1.1 million on 349 in Spain, squeezed by the soph session of "Alien vs. Predator"; snake tale has collected an OK $29 million in 27 markets, and will soon overtake domestic's $31.5 million.

Fox's creature feature climbed to $71.2 million, boosted by Spain's beefy $4 million and Italy's $2.8 million in 10 days, although experiencing sharp drops in both.

Just as they show in their disdain for W., the foreign audiences show more discernment than Americans in flocking to ALEXANDER.

I'm not so sure being in the company of "Troy" and "King Arthur" proves anything of the sort, "The Last Samurai" perhaps. Then observe the other movies that are doing as well internationally like "National Treasure" and "The Incredibles" and it still doesn't explain why the film is apprantly bombing in the states. Stone better hope the international box office holds up next week or he will have to rely on the upcoming DVD to hope to make a profit.

Stone isn't making or losing money on ALEXANDER--the studio is. I thought, lightwizard, that you knew the facts of life when it came to Hollywood movies!

Oh, come on, Larry -- you know perfectly well I know Stone doesn't personally lose money, other than the fact that he could have trouble getting money to make films in the future and certainly not that much money. It doesn't look good on his filmography to have directed a flop. I'm sure the producers and the studio will not be patting him on the back if the film loses a great deal of money. That's the direction it's headed in. You don't suppose Stone made the film for the purpose of losing money?

Incidentally, I would really believe that part of the money Stone is making for directing the movie is in profit sharing and isn't uncommon in the industry.
Intermedia has staked their company on this movie and it isn't looking great. This has nothing to do, of course, with whether any one person be he a movie critic or not loves the movie. I can make a phone call and confirm if Stone is sharing profits as part of the deal (which would mean he would have likely reduced his base salary as a director).

He could have staked it on conquering the Greeks or whatever one wants to believe.

From today's Variety:

TOP STORY
Release pace takes holiday
'Closer', 'Daggers', 'David' the only new releases

By Gabriel Snyder

HOLLYWOOD -- As studios take an early December breather from their furious fall release pace, Sony opens helmer Mike Nichols' "Closer" on 476 screens this weekend.
Only other new releases for the frame are Lions Gate's Jim Caviezel starrer "I Am David," which unspools on 226 screens, and Sony Pictures Classics' martial-arts love story "The House of Flying Daggers," which bows on 15 screens in L.A. and Gotham.

While "Closer," an adaptation of Patrick Marber's play starring Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen, has been kicking up awards notice, business over the frame may be dominated by holdovers.

Disney's "National Treasure" could rule the roost for a third straight week. After a strong Thanksgiving for the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced pic, adventure story has been leading in midweek results, earning more than $1.5 million a day.

For the first time, it looks like Warner Bros.' "The Polar Express" has a good shot of outgrossing toon rival "The Incredibles" from Disney and Pixar. In midweek shows, "Polar" has been taking in around $900,000 a day, while "Incredibles" has had a daily take in the vicinity of $600,000.

Traditionally, the first week of December is a slow one at the wickets, as studios assume people are too busy with holiday shopping and office parties to attend theaters, and total box office tends to sink more than 40% off Thanksgiving weekend.

So studios tend not to release their strongest product over the frame. Even last year when Warners' opened Tom Cruise starrer "The Last Samurai" on Dec. 5 to $24 million, the marketplace still sank 40% off the previous holiday frame.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE ESTIMATE
Dec. 3 - Dec. 5, 2004

Title Engagements Estimated Weekend Box Office

1. National Treasure (BV) 3,243 $17.1
2. Christmas With the Kranks (SONY) 3,416 $11.7
3. The Polar Express (WB) 3,650 $11.0
4. The Incredibles (BV) 3,178 $9.2
5. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PAR) 3,307 $7.8
6. Closer (SONY) 476 $7.7
7. Alexander (WB) 2,445 $4.7
8. Finding Neverland (MIRAMAX) 526 $2.9
9. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (UNIV) 2,433 $2.8
10. Ray (UNIV) 1,547 $1.9

"National Treasure" still on top!

"Alexander," well, Stone will be looking at one of the biggest flops of the year as second weekend international figures also went into the basement.

WEEK BOX OFFICE FINAL
Dec. 3 - 9, 2004
Title (Dist.) Reported Weekly Box Office/Screens/This Week Cumulative

1. National Treasure (BV) $21,130,959 3,243 $114,239,337
2. The Polar Express (WB) $14,888,628 3,650 $100,238,397
3. Christmas With the Kranks (SONY) $13,407,695 3,416 $47,171,044
4. The Incredibles (BV) $10,693,624 3,178 $227,536,615
5. Closer (SONY) $10,005,027 476 $10,005,027
6. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PAR) $8,685,569 3,307 $69,239,011
7. Alexander (WB) $6,184,677 2,445 $31,115,563
8. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (UNIV) $3,739,650 2,433 $37,299,300
9. Finding Neverland (MIRAMAX) $3,661,544 526 $12,520,895
10. Ray (UNIV) $2,433,705 1,547 $68,337,595

Interesting turn of events even though many on these boards were nor many critics were not favorable to "National Treasure." "The Polar Express" has broken the $100M mark and I know there are waiting lines at my local IMAX theater to see it in 3-D. "Alexander" is hanging on but even adding in the international BO, it's falling short of even half its cost. "Finding Neverland" isn't finding an audience here even if it's being mentioned as an Oscar candidate but then "Chicago" began quite slowly and built up momentum finally making money after being nominated.

Despite really bad reviews, "Meet the Fockers" leads the box office, "Phantom" opens on limited screens at about the same pace as "Chicago":

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE ESTIMATE
Dec. 24 - Dec. 26, 2004
Title (Studio) Screens / Estimated Weekend

1. Meet the Fockers (UNIV) 3,518 $44.7
2. Fat Albert (FOX) 2,674 $12.7
3. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (PAR) 3,623 $12.5
4. The Aviator (MIRAMAX) 1,796 $9.4
5. Ocean's Twelve (WB) 3,290 $8.6
6. Darkness (MIRAMAX) 1,700 $6.4
7. The Polar Express (WB) 2,618 $6.3
8. Spanglish (SONY) 2,441 $5.0
9. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (BV) 1,105 $4.9
10. The Phantom of the Opera (WB) 622 $4.2

TOP STORY from Variety

Absent 'Rings' stings B.O.
'Ocean's Twelve' biggest holiday pic for 2004

By Dave McNary

Where's Frodo when you need him?
For the first time in four years, there's no "Lord of the Rings" film to dominate the offshore holiday season film business. Instead, the Christmas break saw respectable performances from limited debuts of "Meet the Fockers," "Kung Fu Hustle," "The Aviator" and "Alexander" plus decent holdover biz from "Ocean's Twelve," "The Incredibles," "Polar Express," "Shrek 2," "Howl's Moving Castle" and "National Treasure."

But the numbers are dwarfed by the takings during the past three seasons from the "Rings" trilogy, which opened each year on the Wednesday of the week before Christmas and instantly became the must-see pic everywhere. In its first dozen days last year, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" had cumed $270 million in 38 territories; in 2002; "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" took in $203 million in 28 nations during that period.

By contrast, the biggest comparable holiday entry of 2004 is "Ocean's Twelve," which opened Dec. 17 and has cumed $67.8 million offshore. Despite some markets seeing closings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, "Twelve" totaled $22.6 million from 5,183 prints in 46 territories over the most recent frame, down only 22% from the previous Friday-Sunday.

The top total for "Ocean's" came in France with $4.2 million, off 44% with a $14.1 million cume. The sequel led the market ahead of the opening of BVI's "National Treasure" with $2.8 million at 614 engagements.

In Italy, "Ocean's" increased its soph sesh take by 33% to $2.9 million as it bumped up playdates from 289 to 400.

Family-friendly toon "The Incredibles" finished a close second for the Christmas frame with $21.1 million at 6,273 screens in 49 territories, pushing its foreign cume to $228.3 million. The CGI toon is the 12th Disney animated pic to cross the $200 million mark and will easily clear the $300 million mark in a few more weeks.

After U.K. theaters were closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, "The Incredibles" received strong support on Boxing Day on Sunday with $1.1 million, lifting the six-week cume to $46 million. In Australia, its Boxing Day opening grossed $1.4 million at 286 playdates, setting a single-day record for an animated pic.

Sony's opening of "Kung Fu Hustle" turned out to be a tonic for a quintet of Asian markets, none of which were affected by disastrous tsunamis that struck Sunday. The action-comedy set records in China with $7.8 million at 492 sites, besting the mark previously held by "House of Flying Daggers"; in Hong Kong with $3.2 million at 92, topping the mark set by "Lost World: Jurassic Park 2"; and in Taiwan with $1.9 million at 45, eclipsing the record by "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

"Kung Fu Hustle" posted the fifth-largest debut of all time in Singapore with $1.15 million at 46 screens while its Malaysian opening of $952,000 at 52 was second only to "Spider-Man 2."

"Polar Express," the other major family entry besides "The Incredibles," grossed a moderate $10.5 million from 6,000 prints in 59 countries during the Christmas frame, down 7% from the prior sesh, and lifted its foreign cume to $83.8 million. "Kung Fu Hustle" easily beat the "Polar" Hong Kong opening, which grossed $381,900 at 31.

A pair of high-profile pics opened impressively on Boxing Day in their first foreign forays with "Meet the Fockers" taking in $1.8 million at 236 screens in Australia while the "The Aviator" soared with $90,000 at a single London location.

BVI's "National Treasure" remained reliable with $7.9 million at 2,295 playdates in 20 territories, lifting the actioner's foreign coin to $52 million. Its U.K. debut on Boxing Day took in $620,000 at 340 sites and its Turkish opening weekend of $515,000 set a mark for the biggest debut of a Disney action pic.

UIP reported solid Italian biz for "Shrek 2," where the CGI toon led in its soph sesh with $5 million at 440 sites, pushing its Italo cume to $13 million in 10 days.

Japanese animated hit "Howl's Moving Castle" remained a durable performer in that market with $5.6 million in its sixth weekend, pushing its Japanese cume to $108.8 million. It also opened solidly in South Korea with $3.8 million at 243 playdates.

"Alexander" continued showing generally stronger international pull for audiences than Stateside, where its domestic cume is $33.8 million, compared with foreign takings of $32.7 million from 25 territories. The Oliver Stone epic opened in second place in Germany, its first major foreign foreign market, with $1.96 million at 499 engagements for the Thursday-Sunday period.

"Alexander" finished third in Austria as it opened with $311,582 at 76 screens while its Grecian cume has hit $2.28 million after four weeks, including $198,000 at 70 sites over the Christmas weekend. Five-week Danish total has reached $1.47 million while Swedish cume totals $1.38 million.

"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" remained a player after seven weeks with $4 million at 2,260 playdates in 21 territories, pushing foreign cume to $162.4 million. It's grossed $7.3 million in Korea in 17 days, making it Universal's eighth largest pic in that market.

"The Phantom of the Opera" posted solid opening day biz on Sunday with $363,015 at 196 playdates in Oz, New Zealand and Latin America in territories handled by UIP. But figures weren't available for "Phantom" holdovers or "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."

From Variety:


TOP STORY
'Focker' fill-up
U laffer lighting up the New Year

By Gabriel Snyder

With no new wide releases this weekend, Universal's "Meet the Fockers" is prepped to continue its domination of the holiday box office.
After ringing up $70.5 million in its first five days of release, pic has continued to do monster biz, grossing $13.9 million on Monday and $12.6 million on Tuesday. With a cume of $97.1 million going into Wednesday, pic will easily cross $100 million on the eighth day of its run.

Despite the pic's strong late-year run, the 2004 box office looks more likely to end up below 2003, the second year in a row that receipts and admissions have declined.

Several pics will debut in limited release over the last weekend of the year. On Wednesday, U introduced "In Good Company," helmed and written by Paul Weitz, on three screens in Gotham, L.A. and Toronto. Laffer, starring Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid and Scarlett Johansson, is set to go wide on more than 1,600 screens Jan. 14.

Coastal-dwelling Johansson fans can also see her this weekend in the bow of Lions Gate's "A Love Song for Bobby Long," which starts on eight screens in L.A. and Gotham.

Also starting with limited bicoastal runs on Wednesday is Thinkfilm's "The Assassination of Richard Nixon," starring Sean Penn as a disaffected American, and Sony Pictures Classics "The Merchant of Venice," starring Al Pacino. Both pics started on four screens in L.A. and Gotham.

Lions Gate is also aggressively expanding "Beyond the Sea" this week, adding 377 screens for a total run of 383.

Newmarket will expand "The Woodsman" more moderately, to 13 screens from the six it opened at on Christmas Eve. Newmarket topper Bob Berney said the new screens are in existing markets: adding a screen in Pasadena in L.A. and new engagements in the Bay Area.

Pic started out last week with $53,985, averaging $8,997 per screen. "I'm reasonably happy," Berney said. "It needs a little time to generate word of mouth." He added, "I was expecting a little more Saturday, but the subject matter may be a little tough to go out for on Christmas Day."

Beyond "Fockers," midweek biz has been strong across the board for wide release pics. Paramount's "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" grossed more than $5 million on both Monday and Tuesday to bring its cume to just a shade under $70 million. Fox's "Fat Albert" has grossed more than $3 million on both days, boosting its cume to $16.6 million.

Warners' Santa toon "The Polar Express" has also played well in the days after Christmas. Its Monday gross of $2.4 million was up 16.5% from Dec. 20. Strong post-holiday play has brought its cume through Tuesday to $144.9 million.

The last-minute push will help 2004's numbers, but it's not likely to leave the year in the black. By Nielsen EDI's tally, annual box office as of Sunday was $8.894 billion, just 0.4% above 2003 through that point. EDI ends their year on the first weekday after New Year's. To top last year's final figure of $9.158 billion, theaters need to do $264 million of biz in the final seven days.

New Year's weekend last year was especially robust, with "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" grossing $28 million in its third week and "Cheaper by the Dozen" picking up nearly $22 million in its sophomore session. All told, total box office amounted to $142 million for the frame.

Last week, total box office was just $134.8 million, hampered by Christmas Eve falling on a Friday, and the upcoming weekend, in which New Year's Eve falls on Friday, is expected to show a

From Variety:

TOP STORY
'Incredibles' lives up to name o'seas
Pixar pic's foreign cume at $318.5 million

By Dave McNary

The post-holiday foreign box office generated solid but not spectacular business as 2005 launched with respectable perfs from "The Incredibles," "Meet the Fockers," "National Treasure," "The Aviator," "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Alexander."
"The Incredibles" remained potent overseas with $17 million at 6,981 playdates in 58 territories, pushing its foreign cume to $318.5 million. As in the past few frames, the Disney/Pixar toon and Warner's "Ocean's Twelve" were expected to compete for weekend honors; figures for "Ocean's" weren't available Sunday.

Still, the final numbers will be a far cry from the same frame of 2004, when the fourth session of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" grossed $35.3 million in 51 territories, followed closely by "The Last Samurai" with $32.3 million in 13 markets.

"The Incredibles" continued to live up to its name, becoming the fourth animated pic to generate over $300 million in overseas grosses as it joined "Finding Nemo," "The Lion King" and "Shrek 2." "Incredibles" is also the fifth BVI title to go past $300 million foreign along with "Nemo," "The Lion King," "Armageddon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl."

The Disney/Pixar CGI toon showed strong legs in Australia with $2.3 million, down 34% in its third weekend; in Germany with $2 million, off 3% in its fifth weekend; and in the U.K. with $2 million, down 18% in its ninth weekend. Respective cumes are $14 million in Oz, $22.1 million in Germany and $57.5 million in the U.K., besting the take from "Monsters Inc."

"The Incredibles" also showed staying power in Spain in its seventh weekend with $900,000 to lift the cume to $24.5 million. The fourth Mexican frame took in $1 million to push the total to $13.5 million.

'Treasure' respectable draw

"National Treasure" continued to rack up respectable return with $14.2 million at 3,900 screens in 34 countries, lifting its total overseas to $103.2 million. The actioner became the 41st BVI title to cross the $100 million mark in foreign grosses since the imprint was launched a dozen years ago; it's also the ninth pic produced by Jerry Bruckheimer to achieve that distinction.

"Treasure" took in $2.1 million in Blighty, off 9% from the soph sesh, for an $11.2 million cume in that market. Mexican takings totaled $1.5 million for a 10-day cume of $4.6 million. It opened with $1.5 million in Russia and with $875,000 in Belgium to lead the latter market.

In its first wide foreign foray, "The Aviator" took in $2.3 million at 300 U.K. playdates following a two-week platform that had brought in $700,000. Given its three-hour running time, the weekend perf compared favorably with launches for "The English Patient" with $1.9 million and "Casino" with $1.7 million.

"White Noise" led the U.K. market with $2.7 million but was viewed by rivals as likely follow the pattern of other horror pics and fall off noticeably in coming weeks.

"Alexander" continued its overseas campaign with better perfs than Stateside, posting a decent opening in Spain in first place with $5.4 million at 420 playdates in its first five days following its Wednesday launch. Its U.K. opening wasn't as lofty with $1.9 million for the weekend, leaving the Oliver Stone epic in fourth behind "White Noise," "National Treasure" and "The Incredibles."

'Ray' solid in Germany

"Ray" made its first foreign foray with $890,000 at 106 German playdates for a solid $8,396 per-screen, leaving it 28% ahead of last year's debut of "Lost in Translation" in the Teuton market. "Ray" will launch next frame in Austria, followed by the U.K. and Italy on Jan. 21 and Japan on Jan. 29.

"Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason" remained a respectable draw overseas with $7 million at 1,973 playdates in 25 territories as its opening led in Italy with $4.3 million at 376 sites, 107% ahead of "Bridget Jones's Diary" in U.S. dollars and 30% ahead in euros. Sequel's foreign cume has hit $188 million with $66.7 million in Blighty.

Domestic comedy hit "Meet the Fockers" met with solid foreign perfs with $5.1 million at 578 engagements. Its soph sesh of $3 million at 259 led in Oz, down 29%, and its Mexican debut was No. 1 with $1.85 million at 272, 68% ahead of "Meet the Parents."

Chinese-language action-comedy "Kung Fu Hustle" remained a potent player in eight Asian markets with $5.5 million at 1,092 sites for a $47 million cume. It took in $1.9 million in its third weekend in Japan plus a $260,000 opening at 30 playdates in the Philippines.

Sony Classics will launch "Kung Fu Hustle" domestically in March.

'Snicket' sees moderate response

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" continued to post moderate returns with $4.5 million, lifting the offshore cume to $42 million. It finished sixth in its fourth weekend in the U.K. with $1.78 million, pushing that market's total to $22.75 million.

"SpongeBob SquarePants" took in $3.8 million offshore, opening in Oz with $1.25 million at 240 playdates, 33% ahead of "Rugrats;" New Zealand's launch took in $440,000 at 63, double the "Rugrats" debut. German moviegoers kicked in $1.1 million for a cume of $6.4 million.

Family comedy "Racing Stripes," opening offshore a week ahead of its Stateside debut, racked up a solid start with $1.1 million at 227 in Australia's four-day weekend, comparable to last year's opening of "Scooby-Doo 2."

From Variety:

TOP STORY
'Incredibles' lives up to name o'seas
Pixar pic's foreign cume at $318.5 million

By Dave McNary

The post-holiday foreign box office generated solid but not spectacular business as 2005 launched with respectable perfs from "The Incredibles," "Meet the Fockers," "National Treasure," "The Aviator," "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Alexander."
"The Incredibles" remained potent overseas with $17 million at 6,981 playdates in 58 territories, pushing its foreign cume to $318.5 million. As in the past few frames, the Disney/Pixar toon and Warner's "Ocean's Twelve" were expected to compete for weekend honors; figures for "Ocean's" weren't available Sunday.

Still, the final numbers will be a far cry from the same frame of 2004, when the fourth session of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" grossed $35.3 million in 51 territories, followed closely by "The Last Samurai" with $32.3 million in 13 markets.

"The Incredibles" continued to live up to its name, becoming the fourth animated pic to generate over $300 million in overseas grosses as it joined "Finding Nemo," "The Lion King" and "Shrek 2." "Incredibles" is also the fifth BVI title to go past $300 million foreign along with "Nemo," "The Lion King," "Armageddon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl."

The Disney/Pixar CGI toon showed strong legs in Australia with $2.3 million, down 34% in its third weekend; in Germany with $2 million, off 3% in its fifth weekend; and in the U.K. with $2 million, down 18% in its ninth weekend. Respective cumes are $14 million in Oz, $22.1 million in Germany and $57.5 million in the U.K., besting the take from "Monsters Inc."

"The Incredibles" also showed staying power in Spain in its seventh weekend with $900,000 to lift the cume to $24.5 million. The fourth Mexican frame took in $1 million to push the total to $13.5 million.

'Treasure' respectable draw

"National Treasure" continued to rack up respectable return with $14.2 million at 3,900 screens in 34 countries, lifting its total overseas to $103.2 million. The actioner became the 41st BVI title to cross the $100 million mark in foreign grosses since the imprint was launched a dozen years ago; it's also the ninth pic produced by Jerry Bruckheimer to achieve that distinction.

"Treasure" took in $2.1 million in Blighty, off 9% from the soph sesh, for an $11.2 million cume in that market. Mexican takings totaled $1.5 million for a 10-day cume of $4.6 million. It opened with $1.5 million in Russia and with $875,000 in Belgium to lead the latter market.

In its first wide foreign foray, "The Aviator" took in $2.3 million at 300 U.K. playdates following a two-week platform that had brought in $700,000. Given its three-hour running time, the weekend perf compared favorably with launches for "The English Patient" with $1.9 million and "Casino" with $1.7 million.

"White Noise" led the U.K. market with $2.7 million but was viewed by rivals as likely follow the pattern of other horror pics and fall off noticeably in coming weeks.

"Alexander" continued its overseas campaign with better perfs than Stateside, posting a decent opening in Spain in first place with $5.4 million at 420 playdates in its first five days following its Wednesday launch. Its U.K. opening wasn't as lofty with $1.9 million for the weekend, leaving the Oliver Stone epic in fourth behind "White Noise," "National Treasure" and "The Incredibles."

'Ray' solid in Germany

"Ray" made its first foreign foray with $890,000 at 106 German playdates for a solid $8,396 per-screen, leaving it 28% ahead of last year's debut of "Lost in Translation" in the Teuton market. "Ray" will launch next frame in Austria, followed by the U.K. and Italy on Jan. 21 and Japan on Jan. 29.

"Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason" remained a respectable draw overseas with $7 million at 1,973 playdates in 25 territories as its opening led in Italy with $4.3 million at 376 sites, 107% ahead of "Bridget Jones's Diary" in U.S. dollars and 30% ahead in euros. Sequel's foreign cume has hit $188 million with $66.7 million in Blighty.

Domestic comedy hit "Meet the Fockers" met with solid foreign perfs with $5.1 million at 578 engagements. Its soph sesh of $3 million at 259 led in Oz, down 29%, and its Mexican debut was No. 1 with $1.85 million at 272, 68% ahead of "Meet the Parents."

Chinese-language action-comedy "Kung Fu Hustle" remained a potent player in eight Asian markets with $5.5 million at 1,092 sites for a $47 million cume. It took in $1.9 million in its third weekend in Japan plus a $260,000 opening at 30 playdates in the Philippines.

Sony Classics will launch "Kung Fu Hustle" domestically in March.

'Snicket' sees moderate response

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" continued to post moderate returns with $4.5 million, lifting the offshore cume to $42 million. It finished sixth in its fourth weekend in the U.K. with $1.78 million, pushing that market's total to $22.75 million.

"SpongeBob SquarePants" took in $3.8 million offshore, opening in Oz with $1.25 million at 240 playdates, 33% ahead of "Rugrats;" New Zealand's launch took in $440,000 at 63, double the "Rugrats" debut. German moviegoers kicked in $1.1 million for a cume of $6.4 million.

Family comedy "Racing Stripes," opening offshore a week ahead of its Stateside debut, racked up a solid start with $1.1 million at 227 in Australia's four-day weekend, comparable to last year's opening of "Scooby-Doo 2."

"Alexander" nearing its cost in ticket sales due to overseas business:

TOP STORY
O'seas B.O. is own reward
Foreign aid for 'Alex,' 'Closer'

By Don Groves

Compared with the U.S., auds overseas are showing a much greater appetite for "Closer," "Alexander," "Oceans Twelve" and "The Incredibles" -- but markedly less enthusiasm for "Ray" and "The Grudge."
Those trends were reinforced last weekend as holiday-driven U.S. films continued to lose steam, and awards-contenders tried to make their mark, with varying degrees of success.

"Closer" courted $12.9 million from impressive debuts in 13 territories and holdovers in eight, playing on 2,066 screens. The cume reached $29.8 million and will overtake domestic later this week. Helmer Mike Nichols' drama scored $2.9 million on 325 in France, $2.1 million on 265 in Spain, $795,000 on 180 in Brazil and $377,000 on 78 in Belgium -- No. 1 in all. Pic, starring Clive Owen, Jude Law, Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman, ruled in its soph session in the U.K., snaring $3 million (boosted by its Ireland preem), to raise the market total to $7.7 million.

"Alexander" marched to $103 million after capturing an estimated $9.5 million from roughly 2,900 screens in 54 territories. Oliver Stone's epic drummed up a fair $1.3 million on 187 in Australia, rated as a bit better than they expected by local exhibs who dissed the pic. It was narrowly beaten by the fifth frame of "Meet the Fockers," which has collected a stellar $22 million.

Splendid saga

"Alexander" triumphed again in its soph session in Italy, grossing $2.9 million (falling by a mild 25%), driving the market tally to $8.1 million. Through its third stanzas, the Colin Farrell starrer has generated a splendid $12.8 million in Spain, $9.1 million in France and a puny $4.9 million in the U.K.

The weekend champ, "Oceans Twelve" minted $14.4 million from roughly 4,600 prints in 58 countries, elevating the cume to $170.4 million, with the U.K. still to come. Steven Soderbergh-helmed heist caper collared $6.8 million on 510 screens in Japan, including sneaks, very good, but 20% below the bow of "Oceans Eleven."

Warners' pic ended the nine-week reign in Japan of local animated smash "Howl's Moving Castle," which has hauled in a socko $159.8 million. "Castle" (which bows Stateside in June) drew $2 million in its second chapter in France, slipping by a mere 6%, boosting the territory total to a swell $4.6 million.

"Blade: Trinity" topped $43 million in 23 markets, fueled by top-ranked debuts in Germany ($4.5 million on 524) and Austria ($873,000), plus Switzerland's $414,000, Holland's $318,000 and South Africa's $238,000.

'Aviator' flies high

"The Aviator" rang up a solid $2.1 million on 305 in Germany and $318,000 in Austria. Leonardo DiCaprio starrer held strongly in its third weekend of wide release in the U.K., mustering $1.8 million (off 7%), cuming $10.2 million. It abated by 29% in Spain, earning $1.6 million, bringing the market total to a handy $4.5 million in 10 days.

Ray Charles biopic "Ray" appears to have niche appeal abroad, judging by its debuts in Blighty ($912,000 on 224) and Italy ($544,000 on 150). However the Jamie Foxx starrer does have legs, as evidenced by its mere 11% decline in its third chorus in Germany, where it's rung up $2.45 million.

"The Grudge" has scared up $43.8 million in 25 markets, a reasonable sum considering the genre isn't as strong internationally as in the U.S.

Sarah Michelle Gellar starrer took an OK $1.7 million in Spain and has racked up a fine $15.2 million in the U.K, a tidy $6 million after three weeks in Italy and a soft $4.5 million in France.

'Snicket' erratic

"Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" has whistled up $50.2 million in 13 markets, but it's performed erratically. Jim Carrey starrer fetched a strapping $24.4 million in the U.K. a so-so $6.9 million in Australia, a tepid $4.7 million in France and $4.2 million in Spain. The orphans-and-wicked count saga was last weekend's victor in Taiwan, trapping $507,000 on 56, with sneaks, and it's taken a neat $2 million in 10 days in Mexico.

"The Incredibles" soared to $343.5 million, marking the fourth Disney blockbuster to cross $600 million globally, joining "Finding Nemo," "The Lion King" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."

"National Treasure" seized $6 million, spurring its cume to $128.6 million in 48 markets. Nicolas Cage starrer grabbed $330,000 on 44 in Malaysia (a record locally for a Disney live action pic) and retained pole position in its second turn in Greece, banking $1.7 million so far, off 27%. "Treasure" dropped by 29% in Holland, fetching $1.6 million in 11 days.

Continuing its successful European tour, "House of Flying Daggers" garnered $1.1 million on 251 screens in Italy, registering the highest per-screen average in the top 10. Chinese actioner's cume hit $71.4 million.

Two poorly reviewed films rate high this weekend but with "Million Dollar Baby" making a surge to number three indicating a word-of-mouth and it's Golden Globe award for Clint and Oscar nominations boost. "The Aviator" is doing even better overseas:

from Variety



TOP STORY
'Aviator' soaring o'seas
'Fockers' wows auds in Blighty

By Don Groves

Those 11 Academy Award noms helped fly "The Aviator" to the top spots in France, Italy and Mexico and ensured modest drops for the Howard Hughes biopic in Germany, Spain and the U.K. last weekend.
In a productive frame, "Meet the Fockers" wowed auds in Blighty, "Closer" was victorious in Australia and Taiwan, and "Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera" recorded one of its spiffier openings in Japan.

"Aviator" rang up an estimated $12.5 million from 22 markets, driving the cume to $34.7 million; it looks capable of reaching $100 million overseas. Martin Scorsese-helmed drama grabbed $3.9 million in France, $2.8 million in Italy and $1.2 million in Mexico.

Leonardo DiCaprio starrer has minted $4.6 million through its soph session in Germany (abating by 16%), $6.2 million after its third stanza in Spain (down 20%) and $11.1 million through its fifth wide in the U.K. (easing by 31%).

The frame's champ, "Meet the Fockers," whistled up $18.4 million from 1,626 playdates in 17 territories, spurring cume to $58.6 million. The Jay Roach-helmed laffer generated $14.8 million at 456 locations in the U.K., UIP's third-biggest debut locally and in pounds eclipsing the bow of "Meet the Parents" by 261%.

Ben Stiller/Robert De Niro/Dustin Hoffman starrer was No. 1 in Brazil, clocking $1 million on 184, 37% up on the original, and netted $499,000 on 58 in Portugal. "Fockers" has amassed a stellar $23.6 million Down Under, $7.3 million in Mexico and $5.2 million in Russia.

"Closer" drew $10.2 million in 28 markets, bringing the cume to $45.1 million, racing past domestic's $33.4 million. Mike Nichols-helmed drama grabbed $1.6 million in five days on 330 in Australia, a tony $236,000 on 27 in Holland and $207,000 on 19 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Sony's pic has garnered a fine $11 million in the U.K., $5 million after its second turn in France (albeit plunging by 47% as "Aviator" landed), $4.2 million through its soph outing in Spain (declining by 27%) and $6.1 million in Germany after its third.

'Sideways' straight ahead

The five Oscar mentions for "Sideways" enhanced its profile as Fox's comedy entered its first major markets, wining and dining in Australia with a tasty $813,000 on 59, including sneaks, and nabbing $656,000 on 72 in the U.K.

The six Oscar noms for "Ray" don't appear to be stimulating interest in the Ray Charles saga, which orchestrated a passable $848,000 on 169 in Australia, a blah $400,000 on 103 in Japan and $361,000 on 126 in Spain. On limited release, Jamie Foxx starrer was muted in Russia and Sweden.

"Ray" has grossed an OK $2 million in 10 days in the U.K. (down 38%), a weak $1.2 million in 10 days in Italy (off 19%) and a respectable $3.1 million in 25 days in Germany. It's scraped up just $8.8 million in 22 markets.

"Ocean's Twelve" ruled Japan, making $3.9 million in its second sojourn (down 29%), to bring the market cume to a swell $15.4 million; its cume topped $185 million.

"Phantom of the Opera" drummed up $3.1 million on 269 in Japan, elevating its cume to $61 million and the global total to $100 million. Joel Schumacher-helmed musical has rustled up a solid $16.9 million in the U.K. and a terrif $11.6 million in South Korea but a uniformly soft $4.7 million in Oz, $4.3 million in Germany, $3.4 million in Spain and $1.4 million in Italy.

'Elektra' takes off

"Elektra" reigned in Spain, scoring $2.1 million on 350, and in Thailand ($559,000), the Philippines ($462,000), Malaysia, New Zealand and Indonesia. But the "Daredevil" spinoff crashed 68% in its second lap in the U.K., grossing $2.5 million so far; cume is $15 million in 19 territories.

"Blade: Trinity" clung to top spot in its second adventure in Germany despite tumbling by 58%, capturing $1.9 million, raising the market total to $7.4 million. New Line pic's cume reached $48.1 million and with Japan, Spain, Russia and Taiwan ahead, will easily surpass domestic's $52 million.

Continuing its checkered career, "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" fetched an impressive $2.1 million in South Korea and a mediocre $1.2 million on 398 in Germany. Jim Carrey starrer has racked up $57.2 million in 25 markets, highlighted by the U.K.'s nifty $24.9 million and Oz's $7.1 million. The fantasy hasn't caught on in France or Spain.

"Emperors' Journey," a French docu on penguins, which BVI acquired for France, waddled into that market with a dandy $2.7 million on 408.

Warners' Gallic hit "A Very Long Engagement" is traveling reasonably well, collaring $1 million on 244 in Germany, $586,000 on 121 in Spain, a strong $302,000 on 24 in Greece and $113,000 on 12 in Sweden. The WWII drama has mustered a so-so $1.4 million in 10 days in the U.K., down 26%. It's earned $43.9 million in 19 countries.

WEEK BOX OFFICE FINAL
Jan. 28 - Feb. 3, 2005
Title (Distributor) Reported Weekly
Box Office Engagements This Week Cumulative

1. Hide and Seek (FOX) $26,807,677 3,005 $26,807,677
2. Are We There Yet? (SONY) $18,546,040 2,710 $40,657,912
3. Million Dollar Baby (WB) $16,606,488 2,010 $25,920,637
4. Meet the Fockers (UNIV) $10,009,770 3,006 $260,355,910
5. The Aviator (MIRAMAX) $9,785,078 2,503 $70,467,981
6. Coach Carter (PAR) $9,549,244 2,574 $55,104,602
7. Sideways (FOXSEARCH) $8,300,997 1,694 $42,008,305
8. In Good Company (UNIV) $7,673,050 1,960 $37,428,722
9. Racing Stripes (WB) $7,562,796 3,185 $36,088,112
10. Assault on Precinct 13 (FOCUS) $5,597,126 2,297 $16,064,934
Data provided by Nielsen EDI

I see that Million Dollar Baby has got the Right wing all stirred up again. Nobody's tying them up and forcing them to go see this movie
. I have no idea what the flap is about but Im sure its some "evill" crap from which they must protect us all