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Big bucks keep North American box office busy
2009-01-19
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" took the lead as holiday weekend US crowds packed theatres to see a flurry of new movies, sending box office earnings soaring, Exhibitor Relations said Saturday. In its opening weekend, "Mall Cop" star Kevin James gets big laughs taking his job as a mall security guard too seriously, earning 33.8 million dollars. Trailing at number two was Clint Eastwood's latest big vehicle "Gran Torino," which raked in 22.2 million dollars for the weekend. Also in their first week out were fright flick "My Bloody Valentine," which scared up 21.9 million dollars, and Notorious B.I.G biopic "Notorious," close behind with 21.5 million dollars. The premier weekend for "Hotel for Dogs," in which kids establish a wacky canine facility, saw it net 17.7 million dollars. Comedy "Bride Wars" with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson brought in 11.7 million; trailed by "The Unborn," with 9.8 million dollars, and Daniel Craig's war epic "Defiance" with 9.2 million dollars. Rounding out the top 10 were naughty canine comedy "Marley and Me" with 6.3 million dollars and "Slumdog Millionaire," the critically praised prizewinner drama, with 5.9 million dollars.
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