Moore's 'Capitalism' Opens Strong, 'Meatballs' Stays #1

LOS ANGELES — Movie fans lined up for a second helping of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," which took in $24.6 million to remain No. 1 at the box office for a second straight weekend.

The Sony animated tale raised its domestic haul to $60 million after 10 days in theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday.

"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" fended off Bruce Willis' action thriller "Surrogates," a Disney release that debuted at No. 2 with $15 million.

Opening in third place with $10 million was MGM's "Fame," a new take on the 1980s music and dance hit about students at a school for performing arts.

Michael Moore's documentary "Capitalism: A Love Story" opened strongly in limited release with a $240,000 weekend haul in just four theaters, raising its total to $306,586 since premiering Wednesday. The Overture Films release expands nationwide Friday.

Overall business dipped, with Hollywood's total domestic gross at $100.5 million, down 4.5 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Eagle Eye" opened at No. 1 with $29.2 million.

While it was generally quiet for new movies, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" held up strongly, its receipts dropping just 19 percent from a $30.3 million opening weekend. Revenues for many films fall 50 percent or more in their second weekends.

"We've seen that not only families but teens seem to be embracing it, as well," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. "To only drop 19 percent, it's just one of those movies that's playing to everybody."

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Some Hollywood analysts had expected "Surrogates" to open in first place. With a production budget reported at $80 million, the movie's $15 million weekend was a blow to Disney.

"Unfortunately, I don't think this was a great moviegoing weekend, for whatever reason," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney. "I'm disappointed we're not No. 1, but very happy we beat the other films we opened against."

While "Fame" opened even lower, it cost far less to produce, with a budget of just $18 million.

"Do I wish it was better? Yeah. But are we going to lose money? No," said Erik Lomis, head of distribution for "Fame" distributor MGM.

"Capitalism" opened in four theaters in New York City and Los Angeles, its big weekend putting it on track to become the latest documentary hit from Moore ("Fahrenheit 9/11," "Bowling for Columbine").

With "Capitalism," Moore examines the roots of the economic meltdown, mixing interviews from people losing jobs and homes with his trademark stunts, such as wrapping crime-scene tape around Wall Street.

"People are frustrated, and I think Michael points some things out that are pretty thought-provoking and pretty eye-opening," said Kyle Davies, head of distribution for Overture. "It's timely. People want to see what's going on, but the movie's funny and entertaining at the same time. Michael's one of the unique people able to point to some topical issues and make it extremely interesting."

Estimated ticket sales are for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," $24.6 million.

2. "Surrogates," $15 million.

3. "Fame," $10 million.

4. "The Informant!", $6.9 million.

5. "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself," $4.8 million.

6. "Pandorum," $4.4 million.

7. "Love Happens," $4.3 million.

8. "Jennifer's Body," $3.5 million.

9. "9," $2.8 million.

10. "Inglourious Basterds," $2.7 million.

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On the Net:

http://www.hollywood.com/boxoffice

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Universal Pictures and Focus Features are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount and Paramount Vantage are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disney's parent is The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is a division of The Walt Disney Co.; 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox Atomic are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a consortium of Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Sony Corp., Comcast Corp., DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and Quadrangle Group; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC Films is owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corp.; Rogue Pictures is owned by Relativity Media LLC; Overture Films is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corp.

Comments

[Luke3]

Michael moore's new movie tanked big time. It was one of the lowest grossing movies all year.

[PoliticalRockChick]

Many on here have no clue that the constitution, the declaration, the bill of rights makes no mention of Capitalism. The constitution explains how the government should be run; a democracy, not Capitalism.

I guess it's worth repeating again. To those who are not inform, please read the constitution and Bill of Rights. Some on here states the the laws that were enacted were privileges. The Bill of Rights isn't called The Bill of Privileges. HERE'S A LINK: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/

[aufregen]

I am aware that the constitution says nothing of capitalism; neither does it make any mention of democracy, women's rights, freedom for blacks, racial equality, education, social welfare programs, unions, pensions, etc. etc.

The constitution does NOT say the government is to be run as a democracy, it defines the polity as a constitutional republic. Also, these are political systems, while capitalism is an economic system.

[Luke3]

You need to take a civics class. The USA is NOT a democracy. We are a republic.

[pharmmajor]

kmdippenger said: "the Prop 8 disaster was a prime example of why we should let elected officials make certain decisions instead of the general population. Most Americans don't know their history, geography, world affairs, civics (what else) well enough to have an intelligent conversation with a contemporary from another developed country..j­ust because they "learn" something on the 24 hr news cycle or read it on the internet doesn't make them educated."


That is the most arrogant statmenet I've ever read. I can't believe that person just admitted that they believe that the people need their freedom of choice taken away.

[Tyler-Durden]

i disagree. the truth is, the majority of people do not take responsibility for educating themselves adequately. therefore, those with evil intentions often take advantage of the systems in place. this is why we have laws. if everyone agreed not to kill people, we wouldn't need penalties for murder, would we? but we do, because there are those who will not respect the rights of others as equally valuable as their own.

but that is why our forefathers created a representative govt. to forgive people the burden of having to maintain a constant watch for wrongdoing. most people are busy with trying to make a living and raise their families. which they have a right to do. so we elect people who are willing to take the responsibility for us. and we elect people who we believe represent THE CHOICES WE WOULD MAKE.

so the choice is still there. we are just allowing others to make it for us. the catch is, WE'RE EXPECTING THEM TO MAKE THE CHOICES THAT ARE IN OUR BEST INTEREST. instead they are making choices in their OWN best interest, because the govt. has been corrupted with payola and hidden agendas by the power hungry.

[lioness39]

Good show, Micheal Moore. I want this country to get madder and madder over the state of our health care. It absolutely sucks.

[cartunes]

1. I wonder were he does his banking? 2. who handles his investments? 3. what cars and how many does he own? 4. and does he go to public clinics. 5. the value of his home. But like everything else lts never the gun or the system that's wrong is the people who abuse it that suck .

[diva555]

he has a chrysler 5 years old, lives in Michigan ( and we all know the value of Michigan homes) and in a moderately priced condo in NYC..next door to my building. .Bill maher discussed with him his charitible work such as a wing on a library, and other things. Doesn't own any stocks..ha­s savings accts. and savings bonds. He started out by filming a doc about the town in which he was born, Flint, MI

[Tyler-Durden]

hey man, what's with the hostility? Mr. Moore is trying to do what he thinks is a good thing for America. he's trying to bring our attention to abuses in various systems. Yes, he is a film maker, so his primary purpose is to entertain. So his message is certainly framed to do that. But he's still making valid points: the health care system IS corrupt, if people are being denied treatment they deserve. the 9/11 movie demonstrated what we ALL know NOW, that Iraq was NOT in any way linked to the terrorist attack in NYC. and i'm sure this movie demonstrates what we also know, that the corporate behemoths like Goldman Sacks and Bank of Amerika are ripping us off and getting away with it because the industry was so deregulated.

these things aren't disputable, we know that Big Finance, Big Insurance, and Big Pharma are ripping us off. Just because Mr. Moore makes a cynical film about it, doesn't make it untrue. So you may not like the way he delivers his message, but THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE IS ATTEMPTING TO BRING OUR ATTENTION TO IT SO WE MAY INVESTIGATE FOR OURSELVES AND KNOW WHAT ABUSES ARE REALLY OCCURRING.

sounds fairly patriotic to me. American citizens are more important to me, than corporations.

[kid5rivers2]

Bailout me! A commentary in calypso courtesy Trinidad and Tobago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCA5Gzl-4DE

[k6007]

Did I say something wrong?

[shivers]

beautiful. More proof that bankers are running everything and directing culture. we measure movies successes not as good cinema, but how much it rakes in...

[pfc1369]

People make movies in order to 'rake it in.'

[Tyler-Durden]

i believe that's a portion of it. people do like to tell stories. most doctors like to heal people, but they also want to be paid. it's not always absolute.

[kkrimmer]

Thanks HP for highlighting this film, we know fox isn't going to do more than mention it. Can't wait to see it.

[PoliticalRockChick]

Everyone must see Capitalism when it opens worldwide. I live in NY and I bought my tickets. It would blow people's minds away. Capitalism is an economic system, that is not mentioned, nor is part of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Capitalism is not a government system. Democracy is. Americans you better educate yourselves in your ignorant ways.

[Dial8]

Not all Americans are ignorant to this... unfortunately a lot of the ones who vote are.

[abbyrose86]

Why weren't more people aware of this? I mean, it should be common knowledge, right?

[hmsbeagle]

A vast population of the USA are kept ignorant , for a educated aware public would ask awkward questions . But not all are ignorant . Michael Moore's film is a EDUCATION about what they do not want you to know , his best line is at the end ...he is one man taking on a evil system what are the rest of us going to do about it ?

[lucas37]

Wow. Democracy huh?

You mean the tyranny of the Majority taking away rights of the minority?

Like California with Prop 8?

Liberals are extremely ignorant.

Michael Moore is the best capitalist around. He has found his niche, markets it, and sells guilt to well to do rich Liberals. I love free markets and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Tsar Bomba]

You lie! There is no such thing as a "free market".

[pfc1369]

Capitalist is not synonymous with 'making money.'

They have (mis)taught you well.

[kmdippenger]

Thank you....the Prop 8 disaster was a prime example of why we should let elected officials make certain decisions instead of the general population. Most Americans don't know their history, geography, world affairs, civics (what else) well enough to have an intelligent conversation with a contemporary from another developed country..j­ust because they "learn" something on the 24 hr news cycle or read it on the internet doesn't make them educated.

[PWM]

We don't have free markets. Those things died in the 1880s due to their tendency to abuse society and the enviornment.

[hmsbeagle]

Well Michael Moore has found a fine response form you Lucas37 , still refuse to accept that the system has collapsed , the truth to power search that mr Moore has done is shaking you to your foundations . Democracy is noting to do with capitalism . You have been royally fooled over and over again , Liberals what ever you want to call em ...the game is OVER and you have been called OUT.

[InofTouch]

Capitalism: A Love Story...di­d it open nation wide, or just selected theaters

[PoliticalRockChick]

Selected. NY and LA are only showing it. I loved it. This documentary should be shown to school children.

[pfc1369]

Oh, no!

They might actually learn something!

You know we can't have that.

[Freedom of Logic]

Oct 2 it opens nationwide. Almost there for the rest of us.

[Tyler-Durden]

opens today

[pharmmajor]

The meatballs beat out the lard-ball. Excellent.

[joependleton]

Was there a moment just before you posted when you thought "naw, this is just going to make me sound stupid."?

[me again]

The idiot just didn't think.....­if he did the math, he would see the MM film in 4 theatres far exceeded the meatballs in ticket sales.

[Nivekian]

Nope, and now he will play the Red victim card.

[protagonia]

YOu are an ignorant kid. Even left your Major in your handle.

Return when your parents are not paying for everything.

[pharmmajor]

And the sheep go "Baaah"

[PWM]

Uneducated hick.

[pharmmajor]

Oh please. Michael Moore is no different from Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck. A know-nothing who fosters divisivness between the parties.

[lordjin]

Is this "movie" really about raining meatballs?

[AleshiaMassey]

seems like a Backlash has begun...

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/backlash-begins-cbs-cancels-michael-moore-appearance/

[lordjin]

typical.

[abbyrose86]

Why am I not surprised?

[PWM]

No surprise there.

[BannedInBoston]

Think I'll pass on "Cloudy". Michael's flick I'll probably do.