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Smiths kill box-office competition |
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The assassin couple made a killing in the US box office over the weekend. With a mammoth $51 million gross, Doug Liman's Mr & Mrs Smith is giving Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie a great big hit.
The movie version of the popular television series The Honeymooners was dead on arrival. The Adventures Of Sharkboy And Lavagirl In 3-D, about a 10-year-old boy who dreams of fantastic adventures to escape from his harassed life, did reasonably well.
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1. 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: New. BO Verdict: Solid opening. |
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2. 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: 3. BO Verdict: Hit. |
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3. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith Cast: Evan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Natalie Portman. Director: George Lucas. Engaging story; exciting special effects; soaring action.Poor performances, uninspired writing.Number of weeks: 4. BO Verdict: Superhit. |
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4. The Longest Yard Cast: Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds. Director: Peter Segal. Star power.Repetitious, worn-out gags.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Medium range hit.
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5. The Adventures Of Shark-Boy and Lava-Girl in 3D Cast: Taylor Lautner, Taylor Dooley, Cayden Brown. Director: Robert Rodriguez. Genial entertainment.Not much imagination, gets tedious after a while; not slick.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Average success.
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6. Cinderella Man Cast: Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger. Director: Ron Howard. Solid performances, touching melodrama, gritty boxing scenes.Sags in the middle.Number of weeks: 1. BO Verdict: Below expectations.
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7. The Honeymooners Cast: Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Regina Hall and Gabrille Union. Director: John Schultz. Nil.Uninspired comedy, waste of acting talent.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Dead on arrival.
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8. The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants Cast: Amber Rose Tambyln, Alexis Bledel, Blake Lively, America Ferrara, Bradley Whitford. Director: Ken Kwapis. Surprisingly mature sentimental drama, lively dialogue.Performances; editing could have been better.Number of weeks: 1. BO Verdict: It has some life yet.
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9. Monster-in-Law Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan. Director: Robert Luketic. Solid appeal for women.Lack of witty situations; poor dialogue.Number of weeks: 5. BO Verdict: Durable comedy.
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10. Crash Cast: Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Thandie Newton, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito. Director: Paul Haggis. Blunt and unexpected discussion of racial situation in LA; surprising twists; fine performances.Overdrawn, excessive melodrama.Number of weeks: 6. BO Verdict: Surprise hit.
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Text: Arthur J Pais
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