The Weekend Report: October 30, 2011

Cat Us If You Can

If not quite purrrrfect, Puss in Boots nonetheless was the top weekend movie choice with an estimated $33.2 million debut. Also debuting in wide release were the futuristic thriller In Time that ranked third with $11.8 million and two notches back, the further adventures of gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson in The Rum Diary with a $5.1 million bow.

Indian imports were rife tied to that nation’s Diwali holiday. The fantasy RA. One, promoted as Bollywood’s most expensive production ever, had an opening weekend of $1.23 million plus $300k from its Wednesday bow. Telugu 7 Aum Arivu (and its dubbed version 7th Sense) provided a hearty $294,000 at 61 cinemas while Tamil cinema’s Velaudhum was sturdy with $108,000 at 22 sites.

Also in the niches Canada’s foreign-language Oscar submission Monsieur Lazhar opened to a solid $214,000 from 31 initial exposures. Shakespeare as beard in Anonymous wasn’t quite sterling with $980,000 from 265 screens and the light romantic All’s Faire in Love encountered a stormy reception of $17,600 from 83 engagements.

Exclusive highlights include Sundance winner Like Crazy with a very encouraging $123,000 from four playdates and the inspirational October Baby provided a $101,000 tally at 14 plexes.

Overall weekend revenues nudged up to $105 million for a 17% drop from last weekend. It was 9% improved from 2010 but that was cold comfort for a generally soft frame. Last year the bow of Saw 3D led the Halloween pack with $24.2 million with the sophomore session of Paranormal Activity 2 trailing with $16.5 million.

The Shrek spinoff Puss in Boots was initially expected to open north of $40 million but expectations were pared back to $35 million to $40 million as opening day loomed. The audience skewed 59% female and 55% were 25 years old and up according to exit polls (family stats were unavailable). Once again 3D underperformed with those engagements accounting for roughly two-thirds of the compliment and 51% of the box office while Imax dates were 7% of the total.

In Time had an even gender split with 58% of ticket buyers aged 25 years plus and Rum Diary was awaiting demos at deadline but undoubtedly had scant appeal to a younger crowd.

Last weekend’s Show East exhibition convention in Miami did not provide much evidence to calm industry anxiety though optimism for several Thanksgiving releases remains strong. The major question mark remains The Adventures of Tintin which opened to a buoyant $55 million in 19 countries internationally. But while the boy adventurer is beloved through much of Europe, he’s virtually unknown in North America and hence the blockbuster chose to open earlier on familiar turf.

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