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Chocolate gives Depp sweet success |
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With plenty of magical moments, eye-popping special effects and Johnny Depp's box-office clout, Tim Burton's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory had a fairy-tale opening.
Pocketing a handsome $55.4 million in three days, it's a new Depp record whose previous best, Pirates Of The Caribbean, opened with $46m over two years ago. Burton and Depp have worked together on four films, and this is by far the biggest, with a good possibility of hitting $200m. Their critically acclaimed Ed Wood earned just $10m, Sleepy Hollow got $70m, and 1990's Edward Scissorhands, about $50m. Opening solidly at number two was the raunchy, R-rated comedy Wedding Crashers. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn star as shameless womanisers who, as the title suggests, strike at weddings. The film cost about $50m compared to Charlie's $150m.
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1. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Ned Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Deep Roy and Christopher Lee. Director: Tim Burton.  Riot of colours; strong drama; and the amazing Oompa-Loompas. Gets a bit repetitive; too dark and punishing to those unfamiliar with the novel.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Big hit.
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2. Wedding Crashers Cast: Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams. Director: David Dobkin. Bawdy comedy; terrific chemistry between Wilson and Vaughn; Fast tempo in the fist half.Overextends the plot; runs out of humor and salty jokes in the second half.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Solid Hit.
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3. Fantastic Four Cast: Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chilkis, Chris Evans. Director: Tim Story. Amusing and entertaining moments; reputed Marvel Comics characters.Cheesy script; predictable; lacks inventiveness.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Hit. |
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4. War Of The Worlds Cast: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Morgan Freeman. Director: Steven Spielberg. Great first half with many sensational sights.Lacks sustained narrative strength.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit. |
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5. Batman Begins Cast: Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy. Director: Christopher Nolan. Interesting take on Bat myths, atmospheric.Short on thrills, never exciting, wooden dialogue.Number of weeks: 5. BO Verdict: Solid hit. |
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6. Mr & Mrs Smith Cast: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Director: Doug Liman. Star power, intriguing first half.Starts to run out of steam towards the last quarter.Number of weeks: 6. BO Verdict: Hit. |
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7. Dark Water Cast: Jennifer Connelly, John C Reilly, Tim Roth. Director: Walter Salles. Low-keyed suspense; damn good cast.Not enough satisfying jolts.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Average.
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8. Herbie: Fully Loaded Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Matt Dillon and Michael Keaton. Director: Angela Robinson. Lohan, Lively pace in the first half, some amusing touches.Runs out of steam soon.Number of weeks: 4. BO Verdict: Above average.
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9. Bewitched Cast: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine. Director: Norah Ephron. Kidman and Ferrell.Where is the magic?Number of weeks: 4. BO Verdict: Disappointment.
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10. Madagascar Cast (voices): Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith. Director: Eric Daniell, Conrad Vernon. Bloodless fun for kids; in-jokes for adults; Ben Stiller.Lacks imagination and vigour of classics like Shrek.Number of weeks: 8. BO Verdict: Hit. |
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Text: Arthur J Pais
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