Harry Potter making the bucks – others movies fare well

It appears the sequel to Warn Brothers is not doing to bad at the box office. The sequel, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” conjured $87.7 million in estimated opening grosses to top the weekend box office. The show missed the original’s then-record $90.3 million debut by just 3%. The sequel trailed original’s Friday night grosses, but it outpaced the first “Harry” over Saturday and was expected to do so again Sunday. Universal/Imagine’s “8 Mile” did not do as well with Eminem starrer’s big bow a week ago. The Hip-hop drama marked a big 58% drop to $21.3 million in second place. Still not bad when you think about it. Sony Screen Gems/Franchise’s Steven Seagal-Morris Chestnut starrer “Half Past Dead” grossed an estimated $8.2 million in fifth place. Overall across the nation, the weekend’s $174 million in estimated total grosses brought in a 8% upswing from the same frame a year ago, according to data from B.O. tracker Nielsen EDI. Year-to-date, 2002 is 12% ahead of the same portion of last year with $7.78 billion in total grosses. The latest “Harry” again helmed by Chris Columbus and produced by David Heyman has had excellent reviews and franchises are ready to start cashing in on the success. “We have been sold out every show since it opened” Stated Noah Chandler with Reel Theatres in Sevierville. “It’s been going great.” The original “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and it’s sequel are based on children’s books by British author J.K. Rowling. Both films brought in big family crowds. “Harry” will have to work hard to keep the #1 spot with two new flicks coming across the screen - MGM’s James Bond action flick “Die Another Day” and New Line’s “Friday After Next.” Thanksgiving day will serve up another five wide screen releases including Disney’s family tooner “Treasure Planet” which many young folk have been waiting for. If you’re going to check out the new “Harry” flick be sure to get some popcorn and snacks on the way in. It’s not a short movie with its 2:44 running time. Sadly, this will be the last time you will see Richard Harris. The actor passed away a little over three weeks ago. Next week, check out the Harry Potter review. It will have you going batty!