The Numbers Latest box office news from the web's leading movie box office web site http://www.the-numbers.com American First http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5430 It's the Labor Day long weekend and The American it getting a jump on the competition by opening tonight. There have been several Wednesday releases this summer, including a few by non-blockbuster films like Vampires Suck and Knight and Day. So how will this one compare? ]]> International Box Office: Expendables Remain Essential http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5429 The Expendables held on to top spot on the international chart with $24.70 million on 4823 screens in 38 markets for a total of $101.46 million after just three weeks of release. It had a few openings over the weekend, most notably in Germany where it placed third with $2.94 million on 531 screens. Meanwhile, it fell from first to fourth in the U.K., but still added $2.02 million on 453 screens over the weekend for a total of $10.52 million after two. With openings in Italy and Japan ahead, the film will have no trouble getting to $250 million worldwide, which is more than enough to ensure a profit. ]]> 2010 Preview: September http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5428 Summer has ended and while there were some bigger than expected hits in August, this trend is unlikely to continue in September. There are four weekends this September and nearly a dozen films opening wide, plus a few more that may or may not open wide. Of all of those films, maybe three of four will be midlevel hits, while only one film, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole 3D, has a real shot at reaching the $100 million milestone. This is compared to last year when we had two $100 million hits; granted, one of those was Paranormal Activity, which didn't expand truly wide till Halloween. Hopefully 2010 can gain ground on 2009 overall, even if it doesn't have as many $100 million hits. ]]> IMAX: Avatar is Special on IMAX http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5427 The Special Edition release of Avatar pulled in $1.5 million domestically and $560,000 internationally for $2.06 million worldwide. In other IMAX news, it was reported that John Woo will be shooting his next movie, Flying Tigers, and it will be converted to the IMAX format. First Aftershocks and now this film. The trend I predicted at the beginning of the month is quickly coming true. Flying Tigers begins shooting next spring. ]]> Contest: Not the Last Chance to Win: Winning Announcement http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5426 The winners of our Not the Last Chance to Win contest were determined and they are... ]]> Top of Per Theater Chart is up for the Taking http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5425 No film was able to top the $10,000 mark on the per theater chart with Takers coming very close with an average of $9,298. ]]> DVD Sales: Last Soars to First http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5424 New releases this week were dominated by The Last Song, which outsold the second place film on this week's sales chart by a two-to-one margin. It won the week with 761,000 units and $13.69 million in revenue. ]]> Takers Take Top Spot http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5423 There was an upset at the box office with Takers pulling out a last minute win. However, it wasn't enough for the overall box office, as that sunk 12% from last weekend to $113 million. More importantly, it was down nearly 10% from last year. 2010 still has a $300 million lead over 2009 at $7.53 billion to $7.23 billion and I'm not concerned about the big picture, yet. ]]> DVD and Blu-ray Releases for August 31st, 2010 http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5422

It's a devastatingly slow week on the home market when it comes to first run releases with only a couple making an appearance, and combined these two films failed to reach $100 million at the box office. There are a few TV on DVD releases that try to make up the difference, but overall it is still a very slow week. Looking at the best of the best, House, M.D.: Season Six on DVD or Blu-ray gets serious consideration for Pick of the Week, but that honor goes to Thriller: The Complete Series on DVD. ]]> Featured TV on DVD Review: Brothers and Sisters: Complete Fourth Season http://www.the-numbers.com/interactive/newsStory.php?newsID=5421

Brothers and Sisters is a family drama with an impressive cast that began its run in 2006. I've reviewed the previous three seasons and can sum them up thusly... Season One: Too many characters meant it took a while for the show to get going, but once it did, it was compelling. Season Two: The writers' strike meant it was shortened significantly and like many similar shows, this causes problems and the quality slipped. Season Three: We went from family drama to dangerously close to soap opera territory. So how does Season Four compare? ]]>