Faced with the start of the NFL season, the VMA’s (like everyone else, we’re on Team Taylor Swift), and, perhaps, a bit of moviegoer ennui, it was another slow weekend at the multiplex. Tyler Perry’s latest film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, topped all comers with an impressive $24 million, but otherwise it was a mixed bag for the remaining new releases. The “visionary” animated flick 9 placed second with $10.8 million; however, Sorority Row and Whiteout bombed, finishing sixth and seventh respectively, each earning a shade over $5 million. Wake us when the good movies start coming out again. As we do each Monday, here’s a breakdown of the top five at the box office.
1. Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself: $24 million ($24 million total)
That Tyler Perry has more number one openings over the last five years (five) than directors like Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay (both with four) speaks to both his prolific output (he’s made eight films over that stretch) and loyal fanbase. Despite the fact most of the people you know never even heard of this film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself was still able to land the seventh biggest September opening in Hollywood history. There is a niche here and Mr. Perry is more than happy to fill it up.
2. 9: $10.8 million ($15.2 million total)
Shane Acker’s apocalyptic animated sci-fi film clearly brought out the geeks in small droves; since opening Wednesday, the Tim Burton executive produced film has grossed $15.2 million. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you realize that Focus Features’s last animated flick—the sleeper 3-D hit Coraline—opened with $16.8 million, this start is more than respectable.
3. Inglourious Basterds: $6.5 million ($104.3 million total)
The reports of Quentin Tarantino’s death were apparently greatly exaggerated. Later this week, Inglourious Basterds will pass Pulp Fiction as the caffeinated director’s highest grossing film. Worldwide, Basterds is nearing $200 million; even with a relatively high price tag it looks like things will still be in the black for The Weinstein Company when all receipts are counted. Also, huzzah to Brad Pitt! The revenge flick is his ninth film to cross the century mark.
4. All About Steve: $5.8 million ($21.8 million total)
How bad were things at the box office over the weekend? Well, All About Steve, with its 6 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, only dropped 48 percent from its opening bow and remained in the top five overall. Welcome to September.
5. The Final Destination: $5.5 million ($58.2 million total)
The ridiculous 3-D horror film, The Final Destination, held off newcomers Sorority Row and Whiteout to finish in fifth place. Now the highest grossing film in the history of the terrible franchise, The Final Destination will most likely breed another film. If you feel like weeping for the nation’s youth, you are more than welcomed to do so. Also, you can’t cheat death!
