"Bruno" is on track to exceed already sizable expectations for its opening weekend.
Universal's Sacha Baron Cohen comedy sold a studio-estimated $14.2 million worth of tickets Friday, making it likely that the film will gross close to, and possibly even exceed, $40 million by Sunday.
Given that the studio paid financier Media Rights Capital $42.5 million for rights to distribute the film, and that it will likely earn about the same amount overseas, that's a very strong start. In fact, it could be one of the biggest debuts ever for an R-rated comedy, behind only "Sex and the City," "American Pie 2," "Scary Movie" and June's "The Hangover."
It was tough to tell from Friday grosses how several films already in the marketplace will hold on for the weekend. Comparisons are difficult because last Friday was an extraordinarily strong day at the box office with most people off of work, but Saturday was extraordinarily slow because it was July 4.
Ticket sales for "Public Enemies" dropped 57% Friday to $4.4 million, a big decline for a drama that needs to last a long time to succeed given its $100-million-plus budget and $40.1 million start in its first five days. But if today's decline is very modest, which is likely given how slow last Saturday was, it could end up dropping less than 50%. As of Friday, it has grossed $56.8 million.
The same goes for Fox's "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs." It declined 51% on Friday to $8.35 million. Given how strong Saturdays usually are for family films, its ultimate drop could be less than 40%. The animated feature has grossed a total of $100.4 million.
One thing that was very evident on Friday, however, is that Fox's "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is barely registering at the box office, even among its core audience of teenage girls. The low-budget, romantic comedy sold $2.1 million worth of tickets on its first day, putting it on track to gross around $5 million for the weekend.
-- Ben Fritz
Photo: Sacha Baron Cohen in "Bruno." Credit: Mark Schwartzbard / Associated Press
'Dollhouse' exclusive: A new clip from 'Epitaph One'
Below are two clips from the unaired "Dollhouse" episode titled "Epitaph One." The first is a Tribune exclusive.
"Epitaph One" will be screened at Comic-Con July 24 and it will be on the "Dollhouse" Season 1 DVD set, which comes out July 28. The episode will also go on sale at iTunes Aug. 11. However it will not be available at any time on Hulu. (The original "Dollhouse" pilot -- another outing that was never seen on TV -- will be exclusive to the DVD set.)
For more on the intriguing "Epitaph One," look at this list of 13 facts about it. For all my previous stories on the Fox drama, look here. And to get a little info from creator Joss Whedon on the episode, look at this EW PopWatch story. Be aware that the EW story contains plot information about the episode and pictures from it as well.
I look forward to the screening of the show at Comic-Con; I'll post more extensive thoughts on "Epitaph One" after that.
Here are the clips!
1. Looking around:
2. Finding someone:
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When Andrew Met Ben: A 'Humpday' To Remember
These days, the term for close, nonsexual friendships between straight men is "bromance." Critic Bob Mondello says the new comedy Humpday takes the idea about as far as it can go. (Recommended)
ARGENTINA: Women Writers Who Break the Mould
BUENOS AIRES, Jul 11 (IPS)An Argentine woman’s first novel, narrated by a character that eludes female literary stereotypes, has surprisingly met with some nasty sexist comments from spheres where such biases were previously unheard of, such as literary criticism and sophisticated readership.
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