TOP 5 FILMS AT THE BOX OFFICE
The feel-good comedy “Love the Coopers” seemed to arrive just in time for moviegoers weary of world events, while the rippedfrom-the-headlines drama “The 33,” about the 2010 Chilean mining collapse, may have been a little too real.
“Love the Coopers” took in roughly $8.3 million, exceeding expectations and placing third, the best of several new wide-release movies. As the season’s first premiere with a holiday theme, expectations are that its performance will improve as the Thanksgiving weekend nears.
James Bond and Charlie Brown, as expected, repeated as the top two cinematic attractions. “Spectre” also broke box-office records over the weekend in China, where it arrived to $48 million in ticket sales. To compare, the previous Bond movie, “Skyfall,” took in $59 million over its entire Chinese run.
Art-house ticket buyers appeared to reject Angelina Jolie Pitt’s poorly reviewed “By the Sea” as a vanity project.
“My All American,” about a Texas football star and his battle with cancer, was spurned by the faithbased audience it pursued. Independently financed for about $20 million, it collected an estimated $1.4 million, averaging $872 on 1,565 screens. “Spotlight,” about the Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal, earned almost as much on just 60 screens, averaging $22,560 per location.
SPECTRE,
The James Bond series returns to top form, with 007 going up against the best Bond villain in living memory — Christoph Waltz, as a charming lunatic out to control the world. The Bond women (no Bond girls in this one) are Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci, and the action sequences are brilliantly crafted. (PG-13) 138 minutes — Mick LaSalle
$33.7 million; $129 million; 2 weeks
THE PEANUTS MOVIE,
The movie feels too long (even at just over an hour and a half) and the ending may rankle Peanuts purists. But the film is funny and sweet and retains a strong spiritual connection to Charles Schulz’s comic strip and the best Charlie Brown TV specials. (G) 93 minutes — Peter Hartlaub $24 million; $82.3 million; 2 weeks
LOVE THE COOPERS,
Some good work by a talented ensemble cast and a few on-target jokes are the highlights of this otherwise pedestrian Christmas comedy about a dysfunctional family. Much of it feels pre-fabricated. The cast includes Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin and Ed Helms. (PG-13) 107 minutes — Walter Addiego
$8.3 million; 1 week
THE MARTIAN,
The latest from Ridley Scott has many great things in it, including a loose and engaging performance from the always reliable Matt Damon as an astronaut who gets left behind on Mars and must fend for himself. The only problem is that the movie slows down when it should get faster and drags in its last third. (PG-13) 142 minutes — M.L. $6.7 million; $207.4 million; 7 weeks
THE 33,
Based on the true story of a Chilean mining disaster that ensnared 33 workers, this drama contains its fair share of both scary and inspirational moments, but it often gets trapped under the superficiality of its script. Think “The Perfect Storm,” except that the action takes place underground. (PG-13) 120 minutes— David Lewis
$5.8 million; 1 week