Movies

Proving once again that all publicity is good publicity, Tropic Thunder remained atop the charts for a second week, pulling in $16.3 million to push its total to $65.8 million. The film has been dogged by those offended by its treatment of the mentally handicapped, but the protests don't seem to have affected its earning potential.

Finishing impressively at No. 2 was The House Bunny. The starring vehicle for Anna Faris earned $14.5 million with a per-theater average of $5,355. Movies that earn back more than half their budget on opening weekend can count on a future in the black.

Rainn Wilson promoted The Rocker on everything but the Titanic, and for what? The film that gave him his first lead role earned a scant $3.7 million in its first five days after opening last Wednesday. Good thing for Rainn that The Office starts next month.

Never underestimate the power of the Playboy Bunny.

Prediction: Death Race tops all new releases with $15 million.

Result: The House Bunny edged it out by less than $2 million.

Prediction: Tropic Thunder remains on top with $17 million.

Result: Anything within a million is a gimme putt.

Need proof that Labor Day weekend is the worst holiday weekend for film? Three movies open in wide release today, and none of them were deemed worthy to screen in advance for review. So, sight unseen, might as well go with the one opening in the most theaters.

Prediction: Babylon A.D. wins the weekend with $23 million.

Normally a movie spoof like Disaster Movie would serve as counterprogramming to something more high-minded. But seeing as nothing that qualifies as brain food is opening, it's going to have to fend off the other mind-numbers for the box-office bucks.

Prediction: Disaster Movie earns the No. 2 spot with $17 million.

Stephen Becker

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