Man on Ledge, the poorly received Sam Worthington thriller, didn't need a group boycotting it for it not to do well at the box office. It managed to finish in fifth place with $8.25 million all on its own.
1. The Grey $20M
Who would have guessed back in 1993 that the star of Schindler's List would re-invent himself 20 years later as the second coming of Charles Bronson? Neeson's latest tough-guy-action-thriller didn't open quite as strongly as Taken ($24.7 million) and Unknown ($21.9 million), but it's still an extremely impressive debut, and if it hadn't been for a debilitating knee-injury, Neeson probably could've avoided taking on serious roles for another 10 years.
2. Underworld: Awakening $12.5M
As we've all learned by now, vampires + werewolves = license to print money.
3. One for the Money $11.8M
After 2010's The Bounty Hunter disappointed at the box office, it looked liked like we'd never have to see another romantic comedy about bounty hunters ever again. But for some reason, someone decided to greenlight One for the Money, and now that it has proven to be moderately successful, we may have to deal with a few other bounty hunter-themed rom coms in the future.
4. Red Tails $10.4M
George Lucas recently vowed to follow in the footsteps of his mentor Francis Ford Coppola and only make self-financed art movies that only appeal to very small audiences. As he browses through the receipts for Red Tails though, he's no doubt re-thinking that promise.
5. Man on a Ledge $8.25M
By all accounts, this is a weak debut, but it may be too early to completely write-off the movie just yet. The few people who did see the movie awarded it a very generous B+ Cinemascore rating, so the possibility of follow-ups like Man on a Subway Platform and Man in a Tub With a Nearby Electrical Appliance aren't as far off as they may at first seem.
6. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close $7.14M
Six weeks into its theatrical run, this widely reviled 9/11 drama is still running strong. No doubt the "How on earth was that nominated for so many Oscars?" factor is a huge part of its appeal.
For the complete box office tally, visit Box Office Mojo.
The Grey should of never been made and this Liem guy has no feelings as to not only know what was beeing done to the wolves, but to eat one. I use to watch his movies bit will no longer watch any moe of his. Same on his HEART.
Posted by: Wi nd Dancer | 02/23/2012 at 11:26 AM
To poster Ann: Thank you for your information. I don't view animal rights cavalierly; I'm fully in support of protecting endangered wildlife. My point in my original posting was: Why criticize one film over another, when both films exploit the wilderness theme? Dramatically, the struggle between Man and Beast is as old as Time itself.
Posted by: Ken/Toronto | 02/04/2012 at 02:02 PM
@spike - No, everyone does not know wolves are not man eaters. Are you ignorant of the events going on in the Western US. They are blowing wolves away daily. Here is a link to educate yourself:http://www.defenders.org/index_v2.html. @Ken - the brouhaha is because the wolf has been delisted as an endangered species and is being hunted in the west and finally @Richard - Animal rights activists are working daily to try to stop the killing of the big cats all over the world. This is the website of one of the groups working hard to stop the hunting. http://www.panthera.org/ If you are interested in their plight then I suggest you get involved and work with them like I do. Sick of people thinking that animals dont matter and they are here for our consumption, entertainment, enjoyment. All creatures on this planet have a reason to be here. Culling them is not an option. There are too many humans, maybe we should cull some of them.
Posted by: Ann | 02/03/2012 at 11:03 PM
Naturally, no comment from the animals rights lunatics about the tiger and other cat populations beign decimated in Asia. P.C. is B.S.
Posted by: Richard | 02/01/2012 at 04:24 PM
I just saw Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and was surprised to read here that it was "widely reviled". I'd like to understand the reasoning behind the revulsion. I found the film a thoughtful and very touching depiction of grief and the struggles of a child to comprehend the incomprehensible, despite his inability to understand or relate to most of the people in his world.
Possibly there weren't enough vampires or explosions in it to satisfy those who see the world through cartoon coloured glasses.
Posted by: Dave Erwin | 02/01/2012 at 04:19 PM
It's fiction people, pick your battles. Honestly animal rights activists do more harm than good. Everyone knows wolves are not man-eaters, never have been never will be. Get a life.
Posted by: spyke | 02/01/2012 at 03:55 PM
Man On A Ledge-Incredible thriller.
You're sitting on the edge of your seat throughout the whole film. Hardly a moment's rest as you watch this movie.
It should have a higher rating.
Posted by: Villand | 02/01/2012 at 03:48 PM
the Grey - worst movie I have seen in a long time. Some parts were totally unbelievable - I cannot believe that 7 men would leave the safety of the wreckage and trek into the woods with no food, etc on them. I am certain 7 men would have come up with a better plan. Not worth the $$$$.
Posted by: annette | 01/31/2012 at 05:33 PM
can't wait for some sequels: girl with the dragon tattoo will spawn -- sailor with the anchor tattoo TOOT TOOT ... man on a ledge -- chicken in a bucket ... pearl harder ... titanic 2: jacks back starring jack nicholson ... and ... crouching hooker hidden dragqueen ...
Posted by: spaceballs | 01/31/2012 at 02:21 PM
Re "The Grey" - I don't recall animal rights activists condemning "Frozen" - a superior outdoor thriller from a coupla years back which featured, among other things, LOTS of hungry, scary, man-eating wolves. Why the brouhaha now?
Posted by: Ken/Toronto | 01/30/2012 at 12:50 PM