A fortunate event for Paramount

By R. Kinsey Lowe

Dec. 20, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” lifted Paramount’s fortunes over the weekend, delivering an estimated $30.2 million and the studio’s third No. 1 opening this year.

The Paramount-Nickelodeon-DreamWorks co-production directed by Brad Silberling predictably attracted families and kids, with moviegoers 16 and younger making up 25% of the audience, parents 25% and the other 50% composed of what Paramount described as “mainstream moviegoers over 16.”

James L. Brooks’ “Spanglish” took in an estimated $9 million to debut in third place. Sony Pictures reported the audience skewed 55% female and 56% under 35, perhaps due partly to Adam Sandler’s loyal fan base.

Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” opened in eight locations in four cities with a Friday-to-Sunday tally of $177,776 and $22,222 per theater, $233,230 since it opened Wednesday. Warner Bros. plans to gradually roll out the critically acclaimed Golden Globes nominee, with a nationwide release Jan. 28, the Friday after Oscar nominations are announced.

Another awards contender, Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator,” with Leonardo DiCaprio, opened in 40 theaters, bringing in a solid $20,778 per venue and an estimated total of $831,124. The Miramax-Warner Bros. co-production expands nationwide Dec. 25.

Golden Globe nominations and critics awards boosted business significantly for a couple of returning films, “Sideways” and “Finding Neverland.” Fox Searchlight reported a 32% increase for “Sideways” in 49 fewer theaters than last weekend with a weekend tally of $1.6 million in 424 locations and $16.6 million to date. Miramax booked “Finding Neverland” in 448 additional theaters and posted a 13% increase last weekend to $1.9 million in 985 locations and a total to date of $16.9 million.

Overall, movies grossed an estimated $110 million, according to box office tracking firm Nielsen EDI, 3% ahead of last weekend but down 22% from the comparable period last year, which included the $72.6-million opening weekend for the final “Lord of the Rings” film.

In the industry holiday period that traditionally begins the weekend before Thanksgiving and continues through the weekend encompassing or immediately following New Year’s Day, EDI noted, this year’s tally to date is down 5% to $801.3 million from $845.6 million in 2003.

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Box Office

Preliminary results (listed in millions) are based on studio projections.

*--* Movie 3-day gross Total

*--*

*--* Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events $30.2 $30.2

Ocean’s Twelve 18.3 68.7

Spanglish 9 9

The Polar Express 8.6 123.6

Blade: Trinity 6.6 35.4

National Treasure 6.1 132.8

Christmas With the Kranks 5.7 62.3