It used to be that no other actress could open a movie quite like Julia Roberts. It’s the reason why she was, at one time, the highest-paid actress in Hollywood. But not so much anymore. Julia’s new movie, “Duplicity,” co-starring Clive Owen, failed to claim the top spot this weekend at the box office. In fact, the film finished in third place behind the Paul Rudd comedy “I Love You, Man.” Oh, how the Pretty Woman has fallen!
Audiences knew what they wanted this weekend: Nicolas Cage and the apocalypse.
Summit Entertainment’s supernatural thriller “Knowing,” which stars Cage as an astrophysics professor who figures out how to predict monumental catastrophes, debuted as the No. 1 movie at the weekend box office with $24.8 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
“Knowing” easily foiled “I Love You, Man” and “Duplicity,” the other films opening in wide release. “I Love You, Man” was second with $18 million and “Duplicity” was third at $14.4 million.
The victory was another affirmation for Summit Entertainment, the small studio behind the vampire saga “Twilight,” which opened last year with more than $69 million and went on sale Saturday on DVD after fans lined up at midnight.
Richie Fay, the studio’s president of domestic distribution, said there are several reasons for the studio’s successes.
“We’ve got great creative talent at the studio, veterans on the marketing side and I’ve got a few years under my belt on the distribution side,” said Fay. “It’s the right people coming together at the right time. We’re lean and mean, but we pack a punch. We can deliver on all levels. With the DVD coming out so well, we’re obviously a fully functioning studio.”
The “bromantic” comedy “I Love You, Man” attracted equal numbers of men and women, according to the studio. It stars Paul Rudd and Jason Segel
“I think the movie debuted at expectations,” said Don Harris, Paramount’s vice president of distribution. “We had the advantage of opening at the beginning of college and high school spring break, so the audience for this film is going to continue to be available. We think the movie will have good legs. There are no other comedies coming out for the next couple of weekends, so that bodes well for the film.”
It’s a sad day when more people want to spend their money on another bad Nicolas Cage action flick than the always-delicious Clive Owen. Seriously, what was the last really good movie Nicolas Cage did? “Leaving Las Vegas”? And Cage as an astrophysicist? Ha! I’ll bet he can’t even SPELL astrophysics. “Duplicity” got good reviews, although it did seem to be a bit of a “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” knock-off, while “Knowing” was pretty much reviled by every major critic. But perhaps recent stories about Julia Roberts’ nasty personality turned off some movie goers. As for being bested by “I Love You, Man” all I can say is, never underestimate the hotness of Paul Rudd!
Here’s Julia Roberts at the premiere of “Duplicity,” trying to put on her best “I’m not a bitch” face. Photo credits: Fame.
probably because this movie concept has been done a million times.
i need a little more creativity to spend $11 on a movie!
I have a hard time swallowing her as an intelligence agent. And the previews show her doing that wide open mouth, loud laugh thing she does. Again.
I’m surprised “I Love You, Man” didn’t come out on top…kinda knew “Duplicity” wasn’t going to do well.
You’re right about Clive Owen being “always delicious.” I still think he should have been cast as James Bond instead of Daniel Craig. He’d have been the first Bond that appealed to me (though Pierce Brosnan always seemed like a gentleman). There’s just something about Clive Owen that is irresistible.
“more people want to spend their money on another bad Nicolas Cage action flick than”
Since I saw both films, I think I can explain.
More people want to watch science fiction films of that kind, that are both “action” as well as more dealing with deeper questions about earth and human existence and religion.
I lpved it that they tried to explain what were Angels that the bible delt with and gave us a new explaination of our existence.
So, naturally there would be ample audience for Nic’s film.
On the other hand, despite my respect to Clive’s talent and charisma, I find Julia completely unbearable.
Why would anyone cast her, is beyond my understanding.
If this outcome is a surprise to anybody, they should work in the film industry.
“I still think he should have been cast as James Bond instead of Daniel Craig. ”
I absolutely agree.
He has more of the original “playfulness” and lightness that was a part of Bond.
A much better match to the spirit of Bond.
I agree with MSat.
Ugh on the Nick Cage action. Double, greasy hair ugh!
Don’t much like Cage and was surprised to see so many people in the theater along with me and the hubs. I have to say though that the movie (Knowing) had me gripping my husband’s hand so hard that I think he complained I was going to break something. It’s touted as a supernatural thriller and I suppose parts of it are but that movie’s my idea of a horror movie. (Speaking of two major scenes in particular) It was sure a heck of a lot scary that that so called horror movie “The Unborn” that I saw last week.
Bottom line, Cage and the cheesy ending not withstanding, it was worth the price of admission. And uh that’s my $0.02
Heck, I’d rather go to the Cage movie than the Roberts movie. I went to “I Love You, Man” and am going to “Knowing” next. Guess what’s not on my “to see list”? I dig chick flicks, but Roberts doesn’t cut it for me anymore so taking a pass on the film.
I love Clive Owen; it’s too bad that the film didn’t do better, but in all honesty, I would have inclined to see Duplictiy had Roberts not been cast. IMO, her talent for REAL acting is questionable and the characters are never a stretch. The last film Roberts was any good in was Steel Magnolias!
I used to be a Julia fan, but I’ve cooled on her and can’t really explain why. Maybe it’s because she keeps giving interviews where all she talks about is how she doesn’t care about films and would rather be with her family. She’s probably just doing the film for the money and will disappear again.
She was appealing as a young ingenue — had this likeable, vulnerable quality — but she’s lost it as she’s matured.
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