'The Day the Earth Stood Still' invades top box office spot

[Kaffee]

'The Day the Earth Stood Still' invades top box office spot
Dec 15, 2008, 07:15 AM | by Amy Wilkinson

Categories: Box Office

Jaden Smith (pictured) is getting a small taste of what it's like to walk in dad Will's action-blockbuster shoes. As expected, the remake of the 1951 sci-fi flick starring Keanu Reeves easily replaced Four Christmases atop the box office leader board with an opening weekend gross of $31 million, according to Sunday's estimates. Despite mediocre reviews, the film held fairly steady throughout the weekend, falling slightly shy of our $36 million estimate.

The Vince Vaughn-Reese Witherspoon yuletide comedy came in second with $13.3 million, bringing its three-week total to just under $88 million, while Twilight faded to the third spot during its fourth week with just over $8 million. The teen vampire romance managed to reach one milestone, however, grossing a total of $150 million -- the amount director Catherine Hardwicke surmised the movie would have to suck in for sequel New Moon to get the go ahead. Obviously, Summit executives saw the writing on the wall weeks ago and have hired Chris Weitz (About a Boy, American Pie) to direct next fall's follow-up. Rounding out the top five are Disney's doggie flick Bolt with $7.5 million and Baz Luhrmann's underperforming Australia with $4.3 million.

The weekend's other new major release -- Nothing Like the Holidays, starring John Leguizamo and Debra Messing -- got coal in its stocking with a measly $3.5 million during its first weekend.

Also of note is the Clint Eastwood-starring Gran Torino (rumored to be the actor-director's last turn in front of the camera). Although it opened in only six theaters (three in New York, three in L.A.), the film scored the best per screen average, $47,333, with a gross of only $284,000.

so, Droogie baby, was it any good.

[Don Chipotle]

Originally Posted by Kaffee

so, Droogie baby, was it any good.

Nope.

[T1000416]

As far as remakes go, I guess it was semi-satisfactory. But still completely unnecessary.

[Laggy]

I would still like to see it

[Prince of Pistols]

They should never remake a classic.
Remakes are tons of failure anyways, besides a very few select movies.
Not everything needs to be remade 3 times over.

[Altima]

I haven't seen it and have no interest to, it is a slow month at the movies for me.

[Don Chipotle]

Originally Posted by Altima

I haven't seen it and have no interest to, it is a slow month at the movies for me.

It's Awards season, son. Much better than the summer period because the movies are actually great and not just good or mediocre!

[Dionne]

I thought this movie was horrible.

[Goldiroxxor]

Originally Posted by Drooglebugle

Nope.

I told you it wouldn't be as good as the original.

[Kaffee]

I've seen the orginal about 100 times. Along with the classic War of the Worlds and so many more. It doesn't really bother me that they remake one, nothing I can do about it.