Oz the Great and Powerful kept up its reign, topping the box office for a second week in a row with $42.2 million. Newcomer The Call came in second with an impressive $17.1 million, but fellow new release The Incredible Burt Wonderstone earned a disappointing $10.3 million. Jack the Giant Slayer followed in fourth place with $6.2 million, and Identity Thief rounded out the top five with $4.5 million. Meanwhile, Spring Breakers made its very limited debut in just three theaters, with $270,000.
Not even a wicked witch could stop Oz the Great and Powerful from winning the box office in its first week of release. Sam Raimi's hyped fantasy film took in $80.3 million, making it the year's biggest opener so far. Last week's No. 1, Jack the Giant Slayer, slipped to No. 2 with $10 million. Identity Thief came in third with $6.3 million, and the week's other new release, Dead Man Down, followed with $5.4 million. Snitch rounded out the top five with $5.1 million.
Jack the Giant Slayer won the box office this weekend with $28 million, but it's not exactly a great feat: the Nicholas Hoult flick had a huge budget and didn't quite achieve blockbuster status. Identity Thief finished second and added $9.7 million to its growing total. The weekend's other new releases, 21 and Over and The Last Exorcism Part II, reaped $9 million and $8.3 million, respectively. Rounding out the top five was Dwayne Johnson's Snitch, which took in $7.7 million.
Successfully reimagining a classic fairy tale is a tough job, but Jack the Giant Slayer sufficiently blends old and new elements to create a story that is entertaining for all ages, even if the 3D is a little dizzying. The story centers on Jack (Nicholas Hoult), a poor farm boy who, in a moment of weakness, accepts some enchanted beans from a monk in exchange for his horse. Though the monk warns him not to get the beans wet, inevitably it rains, and lo and behold, a monstrous beanstalk shoots up through Jack's home. This in itself is an issue, but the greater problem is that the kingdom's runaway Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) happens to be trapped in Jack's house at the top of the beanstalk. Also at the top of the beanstalk? Man-eating giants.
Hoult is an ideal Jack — not a boy, not yet a man. He lends just the right amount of innocence and determination to the character, attempting to prove himself and earn the love of the damsel in distress. In fact, the film is well cast all around: Ian McShane and Ewan McGregor also star as the king and his army captain, respectively. Stanley Tucci plays the king's scheming aide, whose evil intentions make him an even bigger obstacle for Jack than the giants. The characters are classic, but the actors make them feel fresh, thrilling, and funny. To see what else I thought about Jack the Giant Slayer, just read more
Now that award season is over, let's focus on what's really important: new movies! This week, Nicholas Hoult is climbing a giant beanstalk alongside Ewan McGregor in Jack the Giant Slayer, Miles Teller and Skylar Astin are treating their best friend to the night of his life in 21 and Over, and Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, and Matthew Goode are showing us what real family dysfunction looks like in Stoker. Which will you see? Click through the pictures to get a sneak peek of all three.
Nicholas Hoult was joined by his costar Eleanor Tomlinson at the premiere of Jack the Giant Slayer in LA last night. Eleanor wore a shimmering Azzaro gown as she and Nicholas posed for photos with their costars Bill Nighy and Stanley Tucci. Stanley walked down the green carpet with wife Felicity Blunt.
It's been a busy Winter for Nicholas, who premiered his other film Warm Bodies in January. At that premiere, Nicholas said he was "very proud" of ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lawrence, who was at the time in the middle of her award season sweep. The two will be reuniting soon for the next X-Men movie. Nicholas recently said that he's "really excited" to get back to work with Jennifer and the rest of the cast on the upcoming flick, which is expected to hit theaters next year.
