Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Box Office Review: Tucker and Chan score big, suck
()
Even though Rush Hour 3 did top the box office this weekend, I take some solace in the fact that it underperformed at 50.2 million dollars. Considering that New Line gave away so much profit to get the movie made, there's hope that we've seen the last of the never-funny pairing of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. Bourne Ultimatum had a solid second week, adding 33.6 million to raise its cume to 132.3 million. It should end up being the top grosser of the Bourne series and, unlike say Rush Hour 3, deserving of another chapter. The Simpsons Movie finished third, totalling 11.1 million and now sitting at an unexpectedly robust 152.2 million.
The big disappointment this weekend was Stardust. Despite consistently good reviews, audiences just didn't go for Matthew Vaughn'ssuperb romantic fantasy. It finished with a very weak 9 million in its first weekend and should sink quickly. See it this week! Underdog finished fourth in its second weekend, taking in 6.4 million to up its gross to 24.7 million. After that it was the surprisingly durable Hairspray (6.2M, 92.1M), Chuck and Larry (5.9M, 103.8M), Order of the Phoenix (5.3M, 272M) and No Reservations (3.9M, 32.1M). Daddy Day Camp was D.O.A. with 3.5 million in its first weekend and 5.0 million since its Wednesday opening.
Of the films in the limited-release crowd, the werewolf-themed Skinwalkers was a dud, opening in the most theaters--737--and delivering the worst per-screen average in the top 30--$766. Julie Delpy's 2 Days in Paris opened big with $181,000 in only 10 theaters while Rocket Science did about half as well with $56,900 in 6 venues. The other new indie, Dans Paris played in only 2 theaters and managed an okay $6600 per. At the other end of the financial spectrum, Transformers became the fourth film this summer to break the 300 million-dollar mark joining Spidey 3, Pirates 3 and Shrek 3. I notice a troubling pattern here.
Support for LAist comes from
Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist