..Gary Dretzka
..Leonard Klady
..David Poland
..Doug Pratt
..Ray Pride

April 30, 2006 Weekend Estimates Worldwide Releases Domestic Market Share Planes, T-r-a-i-n-s and RVsy Better than anticipated debuts for RV and United 93 once again translated into improved box off ice results with the former comedic hijinx grossing an estimated $16.3 million to rank as the weekend's top attraction. The frame also saw disappointing bows for the familycentric Stick It and Akeelah and the Bee and good response for limited openers The Lost City and Water. Tracking had indicated that the Robin Williams family comedy RV would be the weekend's top ticket but it was perceived initially as having primarily youth appeal. Its appeal to families proved to be even better than anticipated and the initial boost will be an asset as such juggernauts as Mission: Impossible 3, Poseidon and The DaVinci Code enter the marketplace in May. Far more scrutiny was accorded United 93 that was expected to rank third behind Stick It with pundits wondering whether it would gross $10 million in its bow. Initial estimates put the masterful recreation of events on 9/11 slightly ahead with an estimated $11.5 million to the inspirational family movie's $11.3 million. United 93 certainly benefited from press attention and a media tour that included real life family members of victims. Universal has designated that 10% of the opening weekend box office will go to the flight's memorial and one can only hope that exhibitors will follow suit. Weekend business should exceed roughly $102 million that translates into a boost of 14% from 2005. Ticket sales were down by approximately 6% from the immediate prior weekend. With the exception of adult appeal fare, most holdover titles experienced erosions between 45% and 55% that once again underlined the brutal, quick burn tendency of modern movie going. The generally well-reviewed Akeelah and the Bee ranked eighth overall in its premiere round with a $5.7 million. The saga of a African-American girl whose keen literacy takes her to the finals of the National Spelling Bee was strongest in black communities and is the type of audience pleaser that would have benefited from sneak previews to spread word-of-mouth prior to its bow. Limited openers stepped up in an effort to get a toehold in theaters that will become increasingly difficult as the summer season swings into top gear. Andy Garcia's long-cherished dream project The Lost City posted good initial response. The tale of Havana in the politically turbulent 1950s garnered roughly $163,000 from 18 locations. There was also a positive result for Deepa Mehta's Indian drama Water that grossed $57,500 in five initial outings. The film previously rang up about $2.1 million in Canada where it was co-produced. The rest of the field lacked standouts including fest favorite Clean with $15,200 in two exposures, the Korean import Lady Vengeance grossing $11,100 from two playdates and Hungarian Oscar submission The Death of Mr. Lazarescu with a box office of $5,770 from a single outing. - by Leonard Klady Weekend Estimates - April 28-30, 2006 Title Distributor Gross (average) % change Theaters Cume RV Sony 16.3 (4,490) - 3639 16.3 United 93 Uni 11.5 (6,420) - 1795 11.5 Stick It BV 11.3 (5,550) - 2038 11.3