‘2012’ scores $24 million

By Jeffrey Jolson

Cusack and Glover at 2012 premiere

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 11/14/09 — If blowing up asteroids and the White House was popular, why not end the earth for real box office appeal?

Director Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “The Day after Tomorrow”) set his personal best for opening night box office with a $23.7 bow for his “2012” world-ender, based on the Mayan predictions for the final days.  After all, since Nostradamus’ vision based on the Christian-esque Armageddon at the turn of the century turned out to be bust, why not find a new calendar?

Some pundits set the weekend final at $60M, less than the $68M of “Day after Tomorrow,” I think it will be closer to $70M due to word-of-mouth and the fact that is what I have in the office pool.

Yet that word-of-mouth is no laughing matter, it is not just kids passing the word. Critics everywhere are thumbs-upping the film — and they have never been fans of Emmerich’s popcorn flicks.

The Washington Post called the film “Emmerich’s crowning achievement as the destroyer of worlds” and “a perfect disaster” as they gave it four stars. The San Francisco Chronicle said a formula picture done almost to perfection. In “2012,” Emmerich gives you everything you expect, but givesi it to you bigger.” They headlined the  review “… an action movie turned up to 10.”

The only other film likely to light more than 10 million trees for the weekend is the Jim Carrey-starrer “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” On Friday, it slipped slipped 38% from its opening day a week ago, grossing $5.6 million off 3,683 in second. It’s now up to a total on $46 million in humbugs.

With its’ adult market holding strong, “The Men Who Stare at Goats” took $1.95 million off 2,453, down 58% in its second Friday for an eight-day cume of $19.2 million

A film to keep your eyes on s both possible Awards contender and steady box office longshot is “Precious: bsed on the popular novel “Push.” By Sapphire, focused around a big black woman. It did $2M on Friday night and should triple that by Sunday.

Next week is “New Moon” week here at Hollywood Today,” and at box offices everywhere by weekend, so tune in here early and often.