Hit me again
Critics booed it, but audiences doubled down last weekend for 21, which remained atop the box-office charts with $15.3 million. The tale of Las Vegas card counters edged out two new releases: the family flick Nim's Island ($13.2 million) and the George Clooney football comedy Leatherheads ($12.7 million).
The up side
Repeating in the top spot is always an impressive feat, but a few other facts also standout for 21. First, its second weekend gross was just 36 percent lower than its opening weekend (every other returning film in the top 10 had a fall of at least 40 percent). And second, it won the weekend while playing in fewer theaters than any of the new wide-releases.
Bomb Squad
A third place opening isn't too bad for Leatherheads, but you can bet that Universal expected more. While Leatherheads ran neck-and-neck with Nim's Island, it cost $20 million more to produce, making for a much steeper climb to profitability.
Swami Sez
Swami forgot about the champ.
Prediction: The family flick Nim's Island wins the weekend with $19 million
Result: About $6 million short on that one.
Prediction: Leatherheads comes in second, earning at least $5 million more than The Ruins.
Result: Very close, but Leatherheads only topped The Ruins by $4.6 million.
Scary at the top
Last weekend was a tough one to call, but this weekend offers no such challenge. Prom Night isn't screening in advance for critics, but that shouldn't hurt it too much on opening weekend.
Prediction: Prom Night easily takes the top spot with $21 million.
'Street' wise
The only new release offering Prom Night any competition is the cop drama Street Kings. It has a strong cast (Forest Whitaker, Keanu Reeves, Hugh Laurie), but as we've said many times in this space, an R-rated movie will always have a tough time against a PG-13, which is what Prom Night received.
Prediction: Street Kings finished second with $12 million.
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