Katyn was the leader on the Per Theater Chart with $14,206 in one theater, while Examined Life was close behind with $12,085, also in one theater.

There were several other new releases that surprised at the box office, including Crossing Over, which earned an average of $8,597. This is far better than its reviews suggested. An American Affair opened with an average of $5,850 in 2 theaters. The documentary Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead opened with $4,352 in one theater, which suggests limited potential to expand. The same can be said of Bob Funk and its opening of $4,085 in one theater. Play the Game struggled with an average of $2,327, but it was playing in 22 theaters. Finally, Echelon Conspiracy, the latest from After Dark Films opened with just over $500,000 in 400 theaters for an average of $1,250.

This past week also saw milestones reached for a few Per Theater Chart alumni:

• Let the Right One In topped $2 million, which is a rare milestone for a horror film playing in limited release.
• The Reader reached $25 million over the weekend, while it should have little trouble hitting $30 million before long.
• Speaking of $30 million, Milk was able to get there over the weekend, barely. $35 million is not out of reach, but $40 million probably is.
• Slumdog Millionaire made it past $100 million since last week, and now sits in 21st place for the year, just ahead of Bolt and just behind Four Christmases.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Date posted: 2009-03-03