Movies

Hellboy II: The Golden Army earned $34.5 million in its debut, knocking fellow crime fighter Hancock from its perch as the nation's top movie. Hellboy II was released by Universal after Sony, which released the original Hellboy, passed. Sony might be wanting a do-over on that one, as the sequel earned $11 million more than the original in their respective opening weekends.

Journey to the Center of the Earth was widely viewed as a test case for the public's interest in 3-D movies. A close look at the numbers shows that crowds are into the third dimension. Of the 2,800 screens the film opened on, less than one-third showed the film in 3-D. But those that did accounted for more than 50 percent of the movie's $21 million take.

The Squad was about ready to close up shop for lack of new membership when along comes Meet Dave. The Eddie Murphy science-fiction comedy bombed about as bad as a movie can, taking in just $5.3 million, or about $50 million less than the movie cost. Fox will be feeling this one for a while.

Swami held out for some heroes, and they delivered.

Prediction: Hellboy II earns $32 million to win the weekend.

Result: Just $2.5 million short of the total.

Prediction: Hancock holds on to the No. 2 spot with an additional $28 million.

Result: About $4 million short on this one, but No. 2 indeed.

There are some who think that The Dark Knight could make a serious run at surpassing Spider-Man 3's opening- weekend record of $151 million. Between the buzz and stellar reviews, it would seem to have a shot. It is opening in a few more theaters than Spidey did, but the availability of screens in those theaters due to its late-summer release and its 152-minute running time might slow it down.

Prediction: The Dark Knight earns $140 million, falling short of Spider-Man 3's $151 million opening-weekend record. Still, that would beat the $135.6 million that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest earned in weekend one to become the second-highest- grossing opening in history.

Believe it or not, there are other movies opening this weekend besides The Dark Knight. Chief among them is Mamma Mia!, counterprogramming if ever there was such a thing. Will the smash-hit stage musical be a big-screen smash?

Prediction: I'll say yes – Mamma Mia! earns $27 million, good for No. 2.

Stephen Becker