“Oz the Great and Powerful†continued to cast a spell on moviegoers over the weekend, while another magician â€" “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone†â€" essentially arrived to a chorus of boos. “Oz†(Disney) took in an estimated $42.2 million at theaters in the United States and Canada, for a strong two-week total of $145 million, according to Hollywood.com, which compiles box-office data.
Halle Berry turned out a larger-than-expected African American audience for “The Call†(Sony), which placed second, with about $17.1 million in ticket sales; the film cost only $15 million to make. Steve Carell’s “Burt Wonderstone†(Warner Brothers) was a disappointing third, taking in an estimated $10.3 million. This film, which received dismal reviews and a C-plus score from audiences in exit polls, cost $32 million to make. Warner has now released five box-office duds in a row, including the enormously expensive “Jack the Giant Slayer,†which was fourth for the weekend, taking in about $6.2 million, for a three-week total of $53.9 million. “Identity Thief†(Universal) was fifth, selling $4.5 million in tickets, for a six-week total of $123.7 million.
