"Contraband" enters box office

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Writer: Elaine Ewe

17 Jan – Baltasar Kormákur should know best about how to come away rich, considering that he previously starred in a 2009 Icelandic film, "Reykjavík-Rotterdam", upon which "Contraband" is based. His directorial film managed to open at top spot for the weekend, making it one of Mark Wahlberg's best openings ever for a film that is not from an established brand like "Planet of The Apes". Garnering a total gross of $24.5 million, the action-thriller managed to precede even the classic Disney animated film, "Beauty And The Beast 3D", which opened at the same time to a contrasting widespread critical acclaim. On the other hand, "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" is still among the top three and has surpassed the original movie's box office earnings already, according to online tracker, Box Office Mojo.

However, in Malaysia, a different story is told with "Nanban" sitting at the top, a Tamil remake of the 2010 blockbuster dramatic comedy, "3 Idiots". Directed by S. Shankar, "Nanban" stars an ensemble cast that comprises of Vijay, Jeeva, Srikanth, Ileana D'Cruz, Sathyan and Sathyaraj. Following hot on its heels is Derek Yee's witty Hong Kong comedy, "The Great Magician", starring indomitable leads Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Lau Ching Wan as polar opposites competing for the affections of one woman. Next, in third place, is the locally-made film, "Keramat", a tale of horror about a man accused of rape who returns with supernatural powers to exact revenge on the villagers who wronged him.

While "Contraband" may not have been successful in Malaysia, in Singapore it easily nabbed first place at the weekend box office charts. Also competing for the top spot is "The Great Magician", which is yet again another unsuccessful attempt as it sits at second place here as well, although it managed to beat David Fincher's adaptation of Stieg Larsson's dark novel, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", which took third place. Perhaps the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations have rendered moviegoers less in the mood for contemplative movies about abuse and murder while gearing them up for fast-paced movies such as "Contraband".

Other new releases last week in Malaysia were "Ah Beng The Movie: Three Wishes", "Underworld: Awakening (3D)", "Vettai", "Players", "Maharaja", "The Beaver", and "Relationship Status".

On the other hand, there were not many new releases last week in Singapore, considering the numerous numbers the week before, with only "Nanban", "A Happy Event" and "I Spit On Your Grave" to add to the local box office top two.

Box office takings for the weekend just gone (12 January 2012 - 15 January 2012)
Malaysia 1) Nanban 2) The Great Magician 3) Keramat 4) The Darkest Hour 5) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 6) Contraband 7) Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows 8) Vettai 9) Turning Point: Laughing Gor Returns 10) Jack And Jill	Singapore 1) Contraband 2) The Great Magician 3) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 4) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 5) Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol 6) Courageous 7) The Darkest Hour 8) Flying Swords and Dragon Gate 9) Special Forces 10) Alvin & the Chipmunks 3