The post-Thanksgiving weekend is usually one of the quietest, so it comes as no surprise that there was little change at this week's box-office with the one-two punch of "Happy Feet" and "Casino Royale" dominating for a third week.
Both films continue to sit side-by-side in most ways with those penguins just in front - this weekend's takings were $17 million & $15.1 million respectively, both their screen averages were just under $4,500 per screen, and their totals stand at $121 million & $115.9 million respectively.
Overseas Mr. Bond continues to dominate with a strong $44.7 million from 54 markets this weekend - a total more than its four nearest competitors "Flushed Away," "The Departed," "Borat" and "Happy Feet" combined. Its worldwide take at present stands at $312.4 million with little sign of slowing down as yet.
Denzel Washington actioneer "Deja Vu" also held onto its third place position from last week, dropping 46% but still holding well with a $3,549 screen average. The film looks on course to end up domestically grossing its $75 million budget back.
There were three newcomers this week, with all three earning poor reviews and quiet box-office. Despite a wide 3,200 screen bow, religious drama "The Nativity Story" came in fourth with a mere $8 million. Its $2,521 per screen taking was only a fraction higher than the $2,254 screen take of Brazil-set horror flick "Turistas" which came in eighth with $3.5 million on only half the screens of "Nativity".
The real dud though was Kal Penn comedy "National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj" which took in a weak ass $2.3 million and barely fit into the Top Ten. One wonders why this didn't go direct-to-DVD in the first place.
In limited release only Penelope Cruz drama "Volver" and play adaptation "The History Boys" made any decent returns with $13,466 & $10,350 screen averages respectively.
