http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=123635 May 27, 7:07 AM EST HOLLYWOOD (AP) -- The Jim Carrey comedy "Bruce Almighty" reigned at the box office in its opening weekend, taking in $86.4 million and easily surpassing "The Matrix Reloaded" as the No. 1 movie of the Memorial Day weekend. "The Matrix" sequel earned $45.6 million to place a distant No. 2 in its second week of release, according to studio estimates Monday. Attendance for "The Matrix Reloaded," which has collected $209.5 million since its powerhouse debut May 14, shrunk by 60 percent — suggesting "The Matrix" is unloading quickly. Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co., characterized the performance of "Bruce Almighty" as a "definite surprise." The comedy stars Carrey as a regular guy who receives the powers of God (played by Morgan Freeman) after complaining too much about life. Before getting his comeuppance, Bruce uses the abilities to look up women's dresses, torment his work rival and teach his dog to use the toilet. "We all thought this would be a big weekend, but the question was — would "Bruce Almighty' top 'The Matrix?'" Dergarabedian said. "Jim Carrey in a broad comedy like this is pretty much unstoppable." The only other new film in wide release was the Michael Douglas-Albert Brooks remake of "The In-Laws," about a wild secret agent and meek doctor whose children are marrying. The comedy, based on a 1979 film starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, collected $9.1 million. "The Matrix Reloaded," a sequel to the 1999 film about a computer hacker trying to unravel a parallel reality devised by machines, faced high expectations after its huge debut — but early success may have shortened its long-term prospects. "So many people saw that movie so quickly that it's very difficult to maintain for a second weekend," Dergarabedian said. But the 60 percent plunge in attendance was steeper than other blockbusters, including last year's "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones," which saw second-weekend ticket sales fall by only 38 percent and 40 percent, respectively. But "Spider-Man" was rated PG-13 and "Clones" was PG. The R-rating for "Reloaded," Warner Bros. executives said, curtailed its audience by restricting most unchaperoned moviegoers under 17-years-old. "You can't compare an R-rated movie over a holiday period with movies that appeal to a broad family audience. We have a different kind of movie," said Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. head of U.S. distribution. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Monday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Tuesday. 1. "Bruce Almighty," $86.4 million. 2. "The Matrix Reloaded," $45.6 million. 3. "Daddy Day Care," $18 million. 4. "X2: X-Men United," $13 million. 5. "The In-Laws," $9.1 million 6. "Down With Love." $5.1 million. 7. "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," $4 million. 8. "Holes," $3 million. 9. "Identity," $2.6 million. 10. "Anger Management," $2.4 million.
Jim Carrey is back...he's probably the most bankable star in Hollywood right now after Tom Cruise. Hopefully, he'll try his hand at drama again. I think I'm the only person that enjoyed Man on the Moon AND The Majestic
Man on the Moon was an excellent film. The majestic was OK. My girlfriend and I went to see Bruce Almighty over the weekend and we both laughed our butts off..........excellent flick
Hell, I even liked the Truman Show. Man on the Moon was a good film, I think a lot of people such as myself still don't see what's so funny about Andy Kaufman or why he deserved a movie about his life.
Well, The Truman Show made $125 million at the box office, so it did very well. His last two dramas tanked pretty badly, though.
I am still surprised, but pleased, to see "Daddy Day Care" doing so well. I like Eddie Murphy as an actor and stand-up comedian and I wish he would do more adult-oriented films but it seems like when he does them they bomb at the box-office now. I still remember when Beverly Hill Cop was one of the top 6 grossing films OF ALL TIME ! It is still in the top 30, respectfully.
I agree, i think Eddie Murphy is the man, but if you think about it, the only movies he has been sucessful in the past few years are the kid oriented films, ex. Dr. Dolittle (well except for Pluto Nash) and the others like I Spy and Showtime have bombed continously. Btw, I thought Matrix was better than Bruce. I love Jim Carrey but this movie was a bit predictable and seemed like a sequel to Liar Liar.
did i ever tell you all my eddie murphy story??? eddie murphy in las vegas??? it deserves a whole new thread if i didn't....i can't remember if i told it here or not
Bite your tounge, PG! Kaufman might not have been ha ha funny, but he was truly one of a kind. A mad genious IMO. Carey was very good portraying him too. As good as that flick was, it didn't do Andy justice. Go rent I'm From Hollywood.
