Forget the fanboys and their comic-book movies, it's time to hail a long-neglected fan base-the mature women who kept "Mamma Mia!" on top in the international market for the fifth week in a row. One woman in Germany is reported to have seen the ABBA-inspired musical romance more than 70 times.
Thanks to a top-of-the-market bow in Italy ($2.6 million) and strong holdovers, "Mamma Mia!" pulled in $13.6 million over the weekend from 44 territories, lifting its foreign gross to $377 million. After 13 weeks in Britain, it ranks at No. 4 and has reached a market gross of $123.2 million. "Mamma Mia!"
Among recent newcomers, the political thriller "Eagle Eye," added 17 markets, recording $8.2 million from a total of 26 markets and raising its total to $15 million. The Ben Stiller comedy "Tropic Thunder," pulled in $5.1 million from 31 markets to lift its total to $49.2 million.
Disney launched its talking-dogs comedy "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" in five overseas markets day-and-date with its No. 1 domestic debut, taking in $5.1 million led by top-ranked bows in Australia ($2.6 million) and Mexico ($2 million).
New domestic dud "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" grabbed the No. 1 spot in the U.K. with $2 million. The Holocaust drama "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" led Spain for a second weekend with a 10-day take of $6.5 million.
In Japan, the local film "Suspect X," the big-screen spin-off of Fuji TV's detective drama "Galileo," opened at No. 1 to an impressive $5.2 million.
In France, Laurent Cantet's Palme D'Or winner "The Class" held on to first place for a second weekend for a two-week take of $6.1 million.
(China Daily/Agencies October 7, 2008)
