Awards Watch: Weekend Box Office

Going into the weekend, I was a little concerned that one of my favorite movies of the year, Slumdog Millionaire, might not fare so well. Sure, it had critical raves and a smart marketing campaign behind it, but I can't help but remember what happened last year to another film I had high hopes for--The Kite Runner. That film also featured a cast of unknowns and subtitles, and started out with awards possibilities before eventually disappearing at the box office. And that film didn't have to go up against James Bond!

Happily, things look good for Slumdog: it earned $350,434 from just 10 theaters--one of the year's top theater averages to date. In fact, things look good for a lot of indie movies. A Christmas Tale, starring Catherine Deneuve and Mathieu Amalric (also in Quantum of Solace as the new Bond baddie) also did well its' first weekend out, taking in $65,408 in just 5 theatres. ($9,344 per theatre.) And in 38 theatres, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas earned a very nice $490,000--$12,893 per theatre.

Also doing very well is the Kristen Scott Thomas starrer I've Loved You For So Long. Thomas is earning raves and Oscar buzz for this French film and while her praise is deserved, I have some strong reservations about the movie. I'm going to wait until it's been out for awhile to go into it so no one can accuse me of spoilers, but let's just say it's one of those films that is completely undone by it's ending. I was with the movie until literally the last 5 minutes. Still, it's worth checking out for her stunning work as a woman trying to fit back into society after 15 years in prison.

--Jenelle Riley