'Taken 2' Still Reigns Box Office, Bests Ben Affleck's 'Argo'

None of the newcomers can beat defending champion "Taken 2" on North American box office this weekend. The Liam Neeson-starring actioner stays atop the chart by grabbing an estimated $22.5 million for a total cume of $86.7 million after two weeks of playing Stateside.

Ben Affleck's highly-praised "Argo" and Ethan Hawke's horror "Sinister" debut on the second and third places respectively. The critics' darling drama bags around $20.1 million, while the mystery movie takes in approximately $18.2 million. The strong October result for the first three movies on the chart help boost box office revenues to a 58% gain over the same weekend last year.

"Argo", which receives a glowing "A-" CinemaScore, attracts to mostly audience over the age of 25 who make up 93% of the ticket buyers. Of the satisfying result, Warner Bros. Pictures' president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman says, "Good movies rise to the occasion. Both 'The Town' [also directed by Affleck] and 'Gran Torino' played older initially and then turned into four-quadrant movies."

"Sinister", on the other hand, receives a "C+" CinemaScore from the audience. The horror draws younger ticket buyers with 54% of them are males. "Whenever you overperform industry expectations, it's always a nice thing," Lionsgate/Summit executive president of distribution David Spitz comments on the movie's first week result.

Placing fourth is animated film "Hotel Transylvania" with around $17.3 million for a total domestic gross of $102.1 million in its third week. "Here Comes the Boom" rounds up the top five with around $12 million on its debut weekend. The action comedy receives an "A" CinemaScore and attracts 45% family audience.

Newcomer which can't make it to the top five is "Seven Psychopaths". The film can't exceed CBS Film's expectation as it only takes in around $4.2 million and lands on the ninth place. The result is quite disappointing since the movie becomes a favorite at some festivals with its starry cast ensemble.

Top Ten Movies at Box Office for October 12-14:

1. "Taken 2" - $22.5 million
2. "Argo" - $20.1 million
3. "Sinister" - $18.2 million
4. "Hotel Transylvania" - $17.3 million
5. "Here Comes the Boom" - $12 million
6. "Pitch Perfect" - $9.3 million
7. "Frankenweenie" - $7 million
8. "Looper" - $6.3 million
9. "Seven Psychopaths" - $4.2 million
10. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" - $2.1 million 

Ben Affleck Is Still in Touch With Jennifer Lopez

After splitting with Jennifer Lopez 8 years ago, Ben Affleck confessed to The Hollywood Reporter that he still kept in touch with the "On the Floor" singer. However, he explained that it's now more like a supportive friendship.

"We don't have the kind of relationship where she relies on me for advice but we do have the kind of relationship where there'll be an e-mail saying, 'Oh, your movie looks great'," he said to the magazine. He gave his support to the 43-year-old actress when she became the judge of "American Idol", "I said, 'This was really smart. Good luck.' I touch base. I respect her. I like her. She's put up with some stuff that was unfair in her life, and I'm really pleased to see her successful."

He then recalled the lowest point of his career when he had to enter an alcohol rehabilitation center in 2001, "I went to rehab for being 29 and partying too much and not having a lot of boundaries and to clear my head and try to get some idea of who I wanted to be." Yet, he refused to say more about it, "It was more a 'let me get myself straight' before it became a rite of passage."

The 40-year-old actor and film director met the "Maid in Manhattan" actress on the movie set of "Gigli" and they dated shortly after. During their courtship, they were well known as Bennifer. However, they split in January 2004, citing the media scrutiny as the reason of their separation.

Ben has been the husband of Jennifer Garner since June 29, 2005. In the sit-down with THR, the "Argo" movie director also revealed that he kept several guns for family safety. Commenting on the alleged stalker Garner faced recently, he said, "It gave me a stronger sense of feeling protective about my family. There's a lot of crazy, weird people out there. It's an ugly world."

Ben Affleck Leaves Apology Note After Hitting a Parked Car

 

Ben Affleck took full responsibility for accidentally hitting another car in Santa Monica, Calif. recently. The "Argo" actor left an apology note that contained his contact information after sideswiping the parked car while out and about on Saturday, October 6.

The husband of Jennifer Garner wrote on the paper, "Hi, knocked off your mirror! Very sorry! Will cover everything - Ben." Wearing a plaid shirt, a pair of jeans and dark shades, the "Daredevil" star left the note on the windshield of the car before driving away.

On the same day, Ben was spotted taking his two daughters, Violet and Seraphina, to grab a bite at McDonalds and dropped by Barnes and Noble for book shopping. When the little girls were not with their famous father, they stepped out with their actress mother for a girl outing.