by David Poland

October 8 , 1999

Not much analysis to do this weekend. Only two wide releases. One for young chicks. Another for older chicks. ("Chicks" being the technical term, of course.) You can be sure that no one at Paramount expected that Superstar would have to fight for the top slot against both Random Hearts AND Double Jeopardy. But it does.

I believe that Harrison Ford's weakest opening of late was Sabrina with a $5.6 million Coincidentally, that film, too, was directed by Sydney Pollack. And Molly Shannon's last opening was an $11.8 million start for Never Been Kissed. Huh? You don't think that was a Molly Shannon movie?
Hmmm ...

Also, American Beauty adds another 500 venues to top the 1000 venue mark.

WEEKEND GUESSTIMATES

1. Double Jeopardy - 2913 venues - off 30 percent - $11.9 million
2. Three Kings - 2942 venues - off 35 percent - $10.3 million
3. Superstar - 1943 venues - new - $8.2 million
4. American Beauty - 1226 venues - off 15 percent - $7 million
5. Random Hearts - 2697 venues - new - $6.8 million
6. Blue Streak - 2691 venues - off 30 percent - $5.6 million
7. The Sixth Sense - 2784 venues - off 25 percent - $5.3 million
8. Drive Me Crazy - 2234 venues - off 45 percent - $3.7 million
9. Elmo in Grouchland - 1210 venues - off 30 percent - $2.3 million
10. For Love of the Game - 2400 venues - off 45 percent - $1.9 million

The Limey - 17 venues
julien donkey-boy - 1 venue
Boys Don't Cry - 2 venues
The Grandfather - 2 venues
Whiteboys - not opening

 

E ME: You know the routine.