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Big Momma rules US box office |
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While the critics were busy slamming Big Momma's House 2, audiences
across North America hugged the film with enthusiasm. With a $28 million gross, the movie -- starring Martin Lawrence as a Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent who disguises as Big Momma to nab his ex-partner's murderer -- is on its way to gross some $70 million. We call the movie that cost $40 million a hit because of its strong opening.
The low-budget British import Nanny McPhee came next on the charts with a decent $14 million. The film, which is something like an anti-Mary Poppins comedy, is quite a hit in England. And the movie -- about a nanny who attempts to tame the seven ill-behaved children of a widower -- is heading for medium-range success in America. The delightful black comedy The Matador -- about a waning, aging hit man (Pierce Brosnan) and his complicated friendship with a timid salesperson (Greg Kinnear) -- slowly made its way to the top 10 chart.
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1. Big Momma's House 2 Cast: Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Zachary Levi. Director: John P Whitesell.  Affable Martin Lawrence, a few good laughs. Not enough laughs.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Hit.
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2. Nanny McPhee Cast: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury. Director: Kirk Jones. Family entertainment, seasoned cast, a different kind of nanny film.Could have been more amusing.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Hit.
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3. Underworld: Evolution Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy and Derek Jacoby. Director: Len Wiseman. Plenty of thrills for those who crave gore.Gets too tiresome, waste of Jacoby's talent.Number of weeks: 2. BO Verdict: Hit.
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4. Annapolis Cast: James Franco, Jordana Brewster. Director: Justin Lin. Mildly amusing, inspirational.Dull, weak performances.Number of weeks: New. BO Verdict: Disappointing.
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5. Hoodwinked Cast: Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, James Belushi. Director: Tony Leech. Cheerful vocal performances. Limited imagination; drags in the second half.Number of weeks: 7. BO Verdict: Hit.
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6. Brokeback Mountain Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal. Director: Ang Lee. Tender love story; great performances.Occasionally a bit too brooding.Number of weeks: 8. BO Verdict: Hit.
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7. Glory Road Cast: Josh Lucas, Derek Luke. Director: James Gartner. Feel-good story of the underdog.Yet another basketball drama about African Americans.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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8. Last Holiday Cast: Queen Latifah, Gerald Depardieu, L L Cool J, Ranjit Chowdhry. Director: Wayne Wang. The formidable Queen Latifah; a number of good jokes.Becomes predictable after a while.Number of weeks: 3. BO Verdict: Hit.
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9. The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe Cast: Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Liam Neeson. Director: Andrew Adamson. Charming and scary at the same time; plenty of thrilling scenes.Second half drags.Number of weeks: 8. BO Verdict: Superhit.
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10. The Matador Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis. Director: Richard Shephard. Delightful black humor, strong performances, plenty of plot twists.Violent bullfight scenes.Number of weeks: 5. BO Verdict: Hit.
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Text: Arthur J Pais
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