'Saw' no longer conquers in US
Source: Agencies |
November 2, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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THE "Saw" horror franchise is not as sharp as it used to be, but the seventh and final entry in the annual Halloween series managed to take the top spot at the weekend box office in North America, according to studio figures.
"Saw 3D" earned US$24.2 million over three days beginning on Friday, in line with muted expectations, but still the series' third-lowest opening.
Last year's disappointing "Saw VI" launched to just US$14.1 million, crushed by the considerably fresher scary movie "Paranormal Activity." "Saw 3D" is already close to surpassing its predecessor's US$28 million total.
The four "Saw" movies before that all opened top, with more than US$30 million each. The first film in distributor Lionsgate's series opened at number three in 2004 with US$14.1 million.
Each film revolves around the grisly fates that befell victims entangled in elaborate traps. Some critics have denounced the series as "torture porn," but "Saw" is one of Hollywood's most successful franchises with worldwide ticket and DVD sales of US$1 billion, according to Lionsgate.
The new film cost just under US$20 million to make, easily the priciest in the low-budget series, because of the added cost of shooting in 3D.
While horror movie franchises have a habit of resurrecting themselves, Lionsgate distribution president David Spitz said "Saw 3D" is "in all seriousness the final chapter of the series." The studio will unveil a new genre film to fill the Halloween slot in a few weeks, he added.
Last weekend's champion, "Paranormal Activity 2," slipped to second with US$16.5 million, taking the 10-day haul for the Paramount Pictures sequel to US$65.7 million.
The Bruce Willis-led crime ensemble "Red" held at number three with US$10.8 million, giving it a US$58.9 million total after three weekends.
Former box office champ "Jackass 3D" fell two places to fourth with US$8.4 million in its third weekend. The total for the third entry in Paramount's reality series rose to US$101.6 million, easily surpassing the US$73 million lifetime haul for 2006's "Jackass: Number Two."
Clint Eastwood's supernatural drama "Hereafter" slipped one to fifth with US$6.3 million in its second weekend of release. The total for the Warner Bros. release stands at US$22.2 million, short of its reported budget of US$50 million.
"Saw 3D" earned US$24.2 million over three days beginning on Friday, in line with muted expectations, but still the series' third-lowest opening.
Last year's disappointing "Saw VI" launched to just US$14.1 million, crushed by the considerably fresher scary movie "Paranormal Activity." "Saw 3D" is already close to surpassing its predecessor's US$28 million total.
The four "Saw" movies before that all opened top, with more than US$30 million each. The first film in distributor Lionsgate's series opened at number three in 2004 with US$14.1 million.
Each film revolves around the grisly fates that befell victims entangled in elaborate traps. Some critics have denounced the series as "torture porn," but "Saw" is one of Hollywood's most successful franchises with worldwide ticket and DVD sales of US$1 billion, according to Lionsgate.
The new film cost just under US$20 million to make, easily the priciest in the low-budget series, because of the added cost of shooting in 3D.
While horror movie franchises have a habit of resurrecting themselves, Lionsgate distribution president David Spitz said "Saw 3D" is "in all seriousness the final chapter of the series." The studio will unveil a new genre film to fill the Halloween slot in a few weeks, he added.
Last weekend's champion, "Paranormal Activity 2," slipped to second with US$16.5 million, taking the 10-day haul for the Paramount Pictures sequel to US$65.7 million.
The Bruce Willis-led crime ensemble "Red" held at number three with US$10.8 million, giving it a US$58.9 million total after three weekends.
Former box office champ "Jackass 3D" fell two places to fourth with US$8.4 million in its third weekend. The total for the third entry in Paramount's reality series rose to US$101.6 million, easily surpassing the US$73 million lifetime haul for 2006's "Jackass: Number Two."
Clint Eastwood's supernatural drama "Hereafter" slipped one to fifth with US$6.3 million in its second weekend of release. The total for the Warner Bros. release stands at US$22.2 million, short of its reported budget of US$50 million.
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