The Weekend Report

Shaken by half, it was nonetheless Spectre  that stirred the top spot in weekend moviegoing with an estimated $35.2 million. Three wide releases offered scant challenge to the veteran operative. Seasonal comedy Love the Coopers slotted third with an OK $8.3 million while the Chilean mine disaster saga The 33 grossed $5.7 million. The gridiron glory of My All American faded fast at $1.4 million.

Exclusive newcomers were moribund, although Angelina Jolie Pitt’s brooding snapshot of a fraught marriage Beyond the Sea grossed $94,700 from 10 engagements that suggest considerable TLC would be in order as it expands in coming weeks.

A handful of films expanded, the most effective results for prior freshman class Spotlight, Brooklyn and Trumbo.

Diwali holiday celebrations came with a clutch of new Indian movies but only the Hindi Prem Ratan Dhan Payo found favor with a $2.4 million tally. In Québec,  kidpic La Guerre des tuques had a potent start of $610,000 from 71 sites.

Weekend revenues were on the descent with roughly $110 million in sales. It was a 33% drop from the prior weekend and a 23% slide from 2014. Last year the launch of Dumb and Dumber To edged out Big Hero 6 with a $36.1 million opening.

One studio rep cited the tragic events unfolding in France as a factor in boxoffice downturn but it seems more likely debuting releases had weak or limited appeal. “You’re always facing competition but it takes the Super Bowl or seasonal shopping in early December to cripple the business,” per one box office maven.

Real-time events apparently eluded the folks buying tickets for Love the Coopers that was expected to open at $5 million or $6 million based on tracking. The venerable if un-stellar genre of a multi-generational holiday meal comedy (that tends to crop up this time of year) is proven fungible entertainment. Its audience skewed 70% female and was 82% aged 25-years and older. It’s apt to find many leftovers after the turkey is served.

The heroic rescue of trapped Chilean miners in The 33 has played extensively in South America and generated about $12 million in two months. Domestic interest was slim and the decision to go wide seemed shrewd with the film opening to anticipated strength. It skewed surprisingly 51% female with 73% of the audience aged 25-years and older. It nonetheless faces a likely sharp fall-off in interest.

Another venerable movie trope, the college football yarn with valuable life lessons, ran its course with My All American. The production itself confronted tough opposition as it zig-zagged from the financially troubled Clarius Entertainment to Focus Features with an expected release through its High Top division and eventually the hitherto unknown Aviron. Ultimately it was a season to forget.

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