Fog rules over US box office
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The Fog, a story of a coastal town invaded by inclement weather and bloodthirsty ghosts from a 100-year-old shipwreck, scared overhyped rival Elizabethtown to third place, and last week's champ Wallace And Gromit to the second. The newcomer earned about $12.2 million in its first weekend, which is noteworthy, as the film cost just $18 million.
The high profile Elizabethtown, directed by Almost Famous helmer Cameron Crowe, and starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst, received mixed reviews. A longer cut of the film received a tepid welcome at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/17fog.jpg)
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1. The Fog
Cast: Tom Welling, Maggie Grace and Selma Blair.
Director: Rupert Wainwright.
Young cast, atmospheric camerawork.
Boring, for the most part.
Number of weeks: New.
BO Verdict: Average.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/10wallace.jpg)
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2. Wallace & Gromit In The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit
Cast: (Voices) Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Sallis and Ralph Fiennes.
Director: Nick Parker and Steve Box.
Superb entertainment, exuberant animation, lovable lead players.
Too sweet natured.
Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Success.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/17elizabeth.jpg)
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3. Elizabethtown
Cast: Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, Jessica Biel.
Director: Cameron Crowe.
Decent performance by the lead players. Few touching moments.
Too long and suffocating.
Number of weeks: New.
BO Verdict: Disappointing.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/sep/26flight.jpg)
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4. Flightplan
Cast: Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, Erika Christensen, Sean Bean.
Director: Robert Schwentke.
The formidable Jodie Foster; some suspenseful moments.
Story has too many bumps; the suspense nosedives soon.
Number of weeks: 4.
BO Verdict: Hit.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/10shoes.jpg)
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5. In Her Shoes
Cast: Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine.
Director: Curtis Hanson.
Interesting chemistry between the lead players, strong life lessons and mild comedy.
Takes time to warm up.
Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Disappointing.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/may/23dot.gif)
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/17domino.jpg)
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6. Domino
Cast: Keira Knightley, Mickey Rourke.
Director: Tony Scott.
Fascinating story about a female bounty hunter.
Too confused, unfocussed and violent.
Number of weeks: New.
BO Verdict: Flop.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/10money.jpg)
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7. Two For The Money
Cast: Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughley and Rene Russo.
Director: DJ Caruso.
Intriguing twists, many smart lines.
Very predictable Al Pacino, overlong and overdrawn drama.
Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Flop.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/04history.jpg)
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8. A History of Violence
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris.
Director: David Cronenberg.
Intriguing story, solid performances, gripping narration.
A bit harrowing at times.
Number of weeks: 4.
BO Verdict: Art house hit.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/may/23dot.gif)
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/sep/26tim.jpg)
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9. Corpse Bride
Cast (Voices): Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter.
Director: Tim Burton.
Imaginative setting; story with heart; wonderful voices.
Appeal is limited to die-hard Burton fans.
Number of weeks: 5.
BO Verdict: Success.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/may/23dot.gif)
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/oct/10gospel.jpg)
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10. The Gospel
Cast: Boris Kodjoe, Idris Alba, Nona Gaye.
Director: Rob Hardy.
Feel-good movie, low-keyed for most part. Unpretentious, too.
Too preachy.
Number of weeks: 2.
BO Verdict: Hit.
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![](http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2005/may/23dot.gif)
Text: Arthur J Pais
Design: Uday Kuckian
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