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Sinking signs at the BO
Shyamalan's chilling drama is second to new entry XXX
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Arthur J Pais
Following the pattern of hyped films suffering a decline in their second week, M Night Shyamalan's sci-fi thriller Signs sped down by 51 per cent this weekend. Pushed to the second spot by Van Diesel starrer XXX, which pocketed $46 million, Signs, nonetheless, harvested a strong $30 million, taking its cume to $18 million in 10 days.
Even if it suffers more declines, it could still gross an excellent $170 million in North America, according to conservative estimates. The movie, made for $70 million, could recoup its negative cost in just about two weeks since its opening.
Diesel, a former extreme sports athlete in XXX, still believes in his death defying stunts. An agent for a sophisticated outfit (Samuel L Jackson in an interesting role) recruits Diesel for a covert mission that poses extreme danger and challenge to the sophisticated and smart agent.
XXX is perhaps the last of the summer releases to open with a slam bang three-day box-office numbers. Though Eddie Murphy's comedy The Adventures of Pluto Nash is carrying good advance reports, nobody is expecting it to open with a huge weekend gross.
Of the three wide-release films, Spy Kids 2 did fairly good business, earning approximately $25 million since its opening. Though the film received good reviews from influential newspapers and magazines, it may not have the stamina of its predecessor.
While the former, a surprise hit, earned about $125 million in North America, the new movie could earn about $85 million, making it a medium range hit.
Bringing in a disappointing $7.2 million for the suspense yarn, Blood Work, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, who also played the lead as recent heartplant recipient lured into a dangerous assignment, joined K-19: The Widowmaker, as one of the biggest flops of the season.
At 71, Eastwood scored a surprise hit last year with Space Cowboys. While Blood Work was made for about $45 million, K-19, which starred 60-plus Harrison Ford cost nearly $100 million. Ford not only earned $25 million for the movie --- the first film to give him that much of money, hiking his fees from $20 million --- but was also assured a percentage of the gross. K-19 is headed for a $40 million gross in North America. No big budget film has sunk so fast this year.
Still going strong, Austin Powers in Goldmember has reached $167 million, on its way to a $200-$210 million gross. Road to Perdition, has made $84 million and is expected to reach the $100 million mark. The film's success affirms that Tom Hanks is the most bankable star in Hollywood.