In a surprise to absolutely no one, Taken 2 was #1 at the Box Office this week with a 50.2mil weekend box office. Audience came back to see Liam Neeson’s “particular set of skills” again; and most likely with the International Box Office the sequel will prove to come close to the original. I have only really read negative reviews, but I think the general audiences only want to see Neeson shoot people again, and that’s good enough for them, and me.

Unfortunately, Tim Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie’ did not share in the same financial success. The film opened up at #5, with only a 11.5mil open. Meanwhile, the other big animated feature, Hotel Transylvania stayed at #2 only dropping 38% from last week. It seems a more colorful CGI approach won out to stop-motion animation and black and white cinematography.

Finally, next week we see the Kevin James “comedy” Here Comes the Boom. The story of a teacher turned MMA fighter. I think the movie looks horrible, but that might be because I’m not a James fan. I liked him in Hitch, but that’s it. Audiences, however, seem to love him. Both, the Zookeeper and Paul Blart made the guy a TON of money, so I’m sure next weekend he will be #1. Opening against him is Ben Afflecks, Argo, which looks fantastic; which is why it won’t make any money and will get an Oscar nomination. Go figure.

Title Weekend  Total
1. Taken 2 $50,000,000  $50
2. Hotel Transylvania $26,300,000  $75.9
3. Pitch Perfect $14,700,000  $21.5
4. Looper $12,200,000  $40.3
5. Frankenweenie $11,500,000  $11.5
6. End of Watch $4,000,000  $32.8
7. Trouble with the Curve $3,870,000  $29.7
8. House at the End of the Street $3,698,000  $27.5
9. The Master $1,840,000  $12.4
10.  Finding Nemo 3D $1,555,000  $38.9

~Chaz