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Family Reunion scores at the box office |
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Rising above all expectations, Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion took the top box-offrice slot with $30 million. The comedic film has writer-director Perry acting in multiple roles, including the title role of an elderly lady who is suddenly forced to take care of a runaway woman.
But two other box-office newcomers were bleeding from day one of their release. The fairytale adventure Doogal, with the voices of Whoopi Goldberg and many other well-known actors, tanked, earning just about $3.6 million at Number 8 on the chart. It was followed by the monster drama Running Scared. Paul Walker, who plays the lead in Running Scared, may not have worry too much over its failure. He plays the lead in Eight Below, which in 10 days has grossed a decent $45 million. Perry's first film, Diary Of A Mad Black Woman cost just about $5 million and grossed a massive $55 million in North America. His newest, which cost about $7 million, could earn about $70 million from theatres alone, with $80 million expected from video sales and other ancillary sources.
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1. Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion Cast: Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Lynn Witefield. Director: Tyler Perry.  Spirited performances, genial comedy. Not enough truly inspiring jokes.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Superhit.
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2. Eight Below Cast: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, David Biggs. Director: Frank Marshall. Inspiring family drama.Predictable, not many surprises.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Hit.
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3. The Pink Panther Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Kevin Kline, Beyonce Knowles. Director: Shawn Levy. Steve Martin, a few hearty laughs.Bring back Peter Sellers.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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4. Date Movie Cast: Allyson Hanningon, Adam Campbell, Jennifer Coolidge, Eddie Griffen. Director: Aaron Seltzer. Melodrama and romance aimed at teens.Below average in all aspects.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Hit.
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5. Curious George Cast: (Voices) Drew Barrymore, Will Ferrell, Dick Van Dyke. Director: Matt Callaghan. Engaging plot, lovely 2-D animation.Could have been livelier.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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6. Firewall Cast: Harrison Ford, Paul Bettany, Virginia Madsen. Director: Richard Loncraine. Time-passer for the first half or so.Becomes unnecessarily complicated, boring.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Flop.
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7. Final Destination 3 Cast: Ryan Merriman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Texas Battle. Director: James Wong. Plenty to cheer for the bloodthirsty crowd.Too much of a formula, lousy performances.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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8. Doogal Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon. Director: Daniel Tay. : Entertainment for the very young.Uninspired for most part.Number of weeks: 1. BO Verdict: Flop.
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9. Running Scared Cast: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright. Director: Waynan Kramer. None.Incoherent, too violent, listless performances.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Flop.
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10. Freedomland Cast: Samuel L Jackson, Jullianne Moore, Edie Falco. Director: Joe Roth. Well-known novel, distinguished cast.Weak script, uninspired direction and acting.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Disaster.
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Text: Arthur J Pais
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