In the slowest weekend since the early spring, 3:10 to Yuma blasted its way to the top of the box office with a decent haul of 14.1 million dollars. Considering its largely positive reviews and the general softness of the September schedule, the Russell Crowe-Christian Bale western should hang around for a few weeks and approach its 55 million dollar budget. Last week's winner, Halloween suffered a precipitous decline in its second weekend, tumbling 62% and bringing in an additional 10 million bucks (44.2M).

Superbad held strong in its fourth weekend, pulling in 8 million and creeping over the 100 million dollar mark (103.6M). Unpolished turd Balls of Fury was fourth with 5.6M (24.2M) followed by the super-charged Bourne Ultimatum which tacked on 5.4M to its impressive haul of 210M. The week's other big newcomer, the gonzo Shoot 'em Up, faired poorly, bringing in a below-expected 5.4M. Hold-overs reigned after that: Rush Hour 3 (5.3M, 129.1M), Mr. Bean's Holiday (3.3M, 25M), Nanny Diaries (3.3, 21M) and Hairspray (1.9M, 114.8M).

The Brothers Solomon was a disaster in 700 theaters, averaging a career-threatening $750 in its first weekend. The rest of the limited release crowd all did fairly well: In the Shadow of the Moon ($10,300 per), The Hunting Party ($10,000), Fierce People ($10,400) and I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With ($14,000).

Photo courtesy of Lions Gate