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Transporter 2 leads US box office |
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Action film sequels often have better openings than their successful originals, which is why the $20.3 million four-day opening for kidnap drama Transporter 2 isn't surprising at all.
Though the original Transporter grossed only about $25 million in theatres three years ago, it made twice that money in video and DVD sales. The sequel, starring Jason Statham, could be profitable in just about a month, as the movie cost about $30 million. But the real success of the weekend was The Constant Gardner, which while playing in just about 1,350 theatres, (Transporter 2 was had more than 3,200) grossed a lively $10.8 million. This low-budget film ought to break even in about six weeks, and is likely to be a sleeper hit.
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1. Transporter 2 Cast: Jason Statham, Alessandro Gassman, Amber Valletta, Matthew Modine. Director: Louis Leterrier.  Lively tempo, plenty of action, better than the original. But after a stage, things look pedestrian.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Above average.
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2. The 40-Year-Old Virgin Cast: Steve Carell and Catherine Keener. Director: Judd Apatow. An appealing hero, Carell; many pleasant diversions.Script loses much of its edge as it goes on.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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3. The Constant Gardener Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz. Director: Fernando Meirelles. Riveting drama, superb performances.At times, too much melodrama.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Promising.
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4. Red Eye Cast: Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy. Director: Wes Craven. Above average cat-and-mouse hostage drama; good leading pair.More of a vendetta film in the last quarter; loses its focus.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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5. The Brothers Grimm Cast: Matt Damon, Heather Ledger, Monica Bellucci. Director: Terry Gilliam. Some amazing technical moments, subversive plot, attractive cast.Frustrating story structure.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Big disappointment.
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6. Four Brothers Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Andre Benjamin, Tyrese Gibson, Garret Hedlund. Director: John Singleton. A fast and furious revenge drama without pretensions; young cast.Too violent; dialogue lacks sparks.Number of weeks: 4. BO Verdict: Hit.
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7. 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 humour and salty jokes in the second half.Number of weeks: 8. BO Verdict: Superhit.
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8. March Of The Penguins Narration: Morgan Freeman. Director: Luc Jacquet. Amazing visuals; unbelievable insights into the lives of emperor penguins.A bit too sentimental.Number of weeks: 11. BO Verdict: Superhit.
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9. The Skeleton Key Cast: Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, Peter Saarsgard and William Hurt. Director: Ian Softley. Few shivers; a surprising ending if your mind is not really on the screen.Another haunted house film without big surprises; waste of great talent.Number of weeks: 4. BO Verdict: Success.
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10. The Cave Cast: Morris Chestnut, Eddie Cibrian, Cole Hauser, Piper Perabo, Lena Headey. Director: Bruce Hunt. Nothing to cheer.Lame monsters, lack of pulsating moments and bad performances.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Flop.
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Text: Arthur J Pais
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