Feb 2, 2009

'Taken' rocks Box Office

Debuted on Friday, January 30, 20th Century Fox kidnapping thriller "Taken" has shot up to the top of the North American box office chart. Seizing an estimated $24.6 million over the three-day weekend, the Pierre Morel-directed film has won over "Paul Blart: Mall Cop", which has dominated the box office for two weekends in a row.

"Taken" doesn't stop only at stealing "Paul Blart" #1 position since it has also secured itself as the second-biggest Super Bowl opening. The Liam Neeson-starring CIA thriller lands behind "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour", which collected $31.1 million over 2008 Super Bowl weekend.

The Associated Press further reports that "Taken" has helped fuel the first $1 billion January in Hollywood history. "We are thrilled. It's an all-audience movie," comments 20th Century Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston on their film's success. "When people come out they are going to talk about it. I think it's going to play for a long time."

Slipping down to the second place is "Paul Blart: Mall Cop". Facing approximately 35.3% decrease in sales over the weekend, the comedy film from Kevin James grosses around $14 million to the total of about $83.4 million. "Mall Cop" is closely followed by another thriller, "The Uninvited". Landing third place on the chart, the remake of 2003 Korean film rakes in $10.5 million.

The fourth and fifth positions go to "Hotel for Dogs" and "Gran Torino". While family comedy "Hotel for Dogs" manages to hold on to its position from last week with an estimated $8.7 million, Clint Eastwood's action drama "Gran Torino" falls down two slots, pulling in about $8.6 million for the total earning of about $110.5 million.

Top Ten Movies at Weekend Box Office for January 30 - February 1:

1. "Taken" - $24.6 million
2. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" - $14 million
3. "The Uninvited" - $10.5 million
4. "Hotel for Dogs" - $8.7 million
5. "Gran Torino" - $8.6 million
6. "Slumdog Millionaire" - $7.7 million
7. "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" - $7.2 million
8. "New in Town" - $6.8 million
9. "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" - $4.3 million
10. "Inkheart" - $3.7 million

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