By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --"Lone Survivor" triumphed at the weekend box office.
The patriotic Navy SEAL drama starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster smashed expectations to earn $38.5 million domestically in its first weekend in wide release, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The Universal film directed by "Friday Night Lights" and "Battleship" filmmaker Peter Berg is based on Marcus Luttrell's memoir about a dangerous mission his Navy SEAL team embarked on in Afghanistan in 2005.
"We're thrilled for us, the filmmakers and Marcus, who — as brave as a man as he is — continues to be brave in telling this true story," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal. "It's an amazing result. What's most gratifying about this is that it's been endorsed by every quadrant of the movie-going audience: young, old, male, female."
Rocco said "Lone Survivor" performed particularly well in middle America. The movie's launch marks the second biggest opening for a film in January, after the $40.1 million debut of the monster movie "Cloverfield" in 2008.
"We had an inkling it'd do well when it opened in limited release in December, but projections had it coming in between $17 million to $28 million," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak. "Nothing had it coming close to $40 million."
In its eighth weekend, Disney's icy animated tale "Frozen" stayed cool in the No. 2 spot, earning $15 million and bringing its domestic total to $317 million, passing Disney Animation's $312 million record set by "The Lion King" in 1994. "Frozen" also topped the international box office with $27.8 million from 50 international markets.
Paramount's controversial "The Wolf of Wall Street" scored No. 3 in its third weekend, earning $9 million and boosting its total domestic haul to $78.6 million. The hedonistic tycoon drama directed by Martin Scorsese stars Leonardo DiCaprio as reckless stock broker Jordan Belfort. The film earned an additional $10 million from 17 international territories.
Lionsgate's "The Legend of Hercules," the weekend's only other major release, tied Sony's "American Hustle" for the No. 4 position, with both films earning $8.6 million, according to studio estimates.
"American Hustle," whose domestic total now stands at $101.5 million, also earned an extra $5.2 million this weekend from four international territories. The con-artist caper leads the nominees at Sunday's Golden Globes alongside "12 Years a Slave" with seven nods each.
Several other awards contenders expanded into wide release this weekend ahead of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's glitzy ceremony, including the Weinstein Co.'s "August: Osage County" at No. 6 with $7.3 million, Warner Bros.' "Her" at No. 10 with $5.4 million and CBS Films' "Inside Llewyn Davis" at No. 14 with $1.9 million.
Overseas, Universal's animated sequel "Despicable Me 2" earned $13.8 million alone in China, where it opened this weekend seven months after its initial release. The original animated film featuring the voice of Steve Carrell was not released in China.
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Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Where available, latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday:
1. "Lone Survivor," $38.5 million ($750,000 international).
2. "Frozen," $15 million ($27.8 million international).
3. "The Wolf of Wall Street," $9 million ($10 million international).
4. "The Legend of Hercules," $8.6 million ($650,000 international).
(tie) "American Hustle," $8.6 million ($5.2 million international).
5. "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," $8 million ($22.2 million international).
6. "August: Osage County," $7.3 million ($175,000 international).
7. "Saving Mr. Banks," $6.6 million.
8. "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones," $6.3 million ($15.5 million international).
9. "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," $6.1 million ($3 million international).
10. "Her," $5.4 million.
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Estimated weekend ticket sales Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:
1. "Frozen," $27.8 million.
2. "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," $22.2 million.
3. "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones," $15.5 million.
4. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," $14.4 million.
5. "Despicable Me 2," $13.8 million.
6. "The Wolf of Wall Street," $10 million.
7. "47 Ronin," $9.7 million.
8. "The Attorney," $6.7 million.
(tie) "The Physician," $6.7 million.
9. "Walking With Dinosaurs," $6.3 million.
10. "Ender's Game," $6 million.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More