FILM: Box Office Results - 5/29/07

If it weren't for Memorial Day, good old Jack Sparrow would've been screwed this week. With an extra day, At the World's End was able to top Dead Man's Chest by seven million, making $142 million. It also exceeded Shrek the Third's ($122 mil) first weekend box office total, but was a few mil shy to beat Spiderman 3's ($148).

Thursday I implied that the plot was simple, but I was wrong--there were so many hidden agendas and double crosses. Although this was supposed to be the last film and there were several plot points that were being wrapped up in a tight little bow, there were others that were just beginning. Like they promised, there were a couple things left up in the air in case they wanted to make another sequel. Unlike Spiderman 3, the romantic angle of Dead Man's Chest was gripping and tangible. Like poor Spidey and even the new Bruce Wayne, Will Turner finds it's harder to keep his true love than to find her. Aside from the intricate plot and two or three impressive combat scenes, there were several unnecessary sequences. Whenever studios create trilogies or sagas, they know they can't just continue with the same theatrics. There's a fine line between shocking us and underwhelming us. And unfortunately there were a few instances when the film fell on the wayside with useless giants, pointless Jack hallucinations, and an unimpressive goddess. There are three moments, however, that are worth seeing--which may be skewed by my gender--Elizabeth getting to wield a powerful position, the two lovers professing their love during, by far, the most chaotic moment of the film, and when Keith Richards silences a room of rowdy, ravenous pirates with just a whisper.

The horror thriller Bug came in at #4 with $4.2 mil after Shrek (#2) and Spiderman (#3), while Waitress jumped up seven spots to #5 with $4 mil. Indie Angel-A was released in 7 theaters and made $38,000 domestically. Luckily it made $7.7 mil abroad. The anime Paprika, released only in 2 theaters, made a bit more--$46,000. Lastly, Boss of it all, which was only released in one theater, raised $2,000 domestically and $2 mil abroad.

Next week, everyone's betting on Knocked Up to take the fourth spot behind all of the blockbusters, bringing some adult humor back into the box office. Other possible contenders for the top 5 are Kevin Costner and Demi Moore's crime thriller Mr. Brooks and Lucy Lui's vampire action flick Rise: Blood Hunter.