'National Treasure' digs up dough
published:
Monday | January 7, 2008
Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger in a scene from National Treasure. - Contributed
LOS ANGELES (AP):
Disney's National Treasure: Book of Secrets, with Nicolas Cage as a history fan on the trail of a lost city of gold, was the number one box-office draw for the third straight weekend with US$20.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Three other hits crowded behind: Will Smith's sci-fi smash for Warner Bros., I Am Legend, with US$16.4 million; Fox Searchlight's teen-pregnancy comedy Juno with US$16.2 million; and 20th Century Fox's family tale Alvin and the Chipmunks with US$16 million.
Book of Secrets raised its domestic total to US$171 million in three weeks, putting it just US$2 million shy of the total that 2004's National Treasure rang up during its entire run.
I Am Legend has grossed US$228.7 million, while Alvin and the Chipmunks has taken in US$176.7 million.
The weekend's only new wide release, the Warner Bros. fright film One Missed Call, managed to pull in the horror-movie crowd despite universal loathing by critics. Starring Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon in a tale of people whose gruesome deaths are preceded by cellphone messages recording their final moments, the movie debuted at number five with US$13.5 million.
Featuring a star-making turn from Ellen Page as a pregnant teen, Juno has emerged as an independent-film sensation, grabbing critical praise and building momentum as Hollywood's awards season progresses.
The film has three nominations for next week's Golden Globes, among them best musical or comedy and an acting honour for Page.
Breaking into the top 10 as it expanded to more theatres was Focus Features' tragic romance Atonement, which came in at number 10 with US$5.1 million.
Atonement leads the Golden Globe field with seven nominations, among them best drama and acting honours for Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.
