Arbiter Online

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Culture

Media Credit: MCT CAMPUS Robert Downey, Jr. as "Ironman" [Click to enlarge]

There is one solution to the overwhelming summer heat. It’s not a dip in the pool or even the sweetness of a Cola Slurpee. It’s the sacred chill and relaxation that only a movie theater can provide. Millions of Americans went to the movies this summer, and here is a top 10 list of some of their favorites, based on box office revenues.

10. Wanted: The Angelina Jolie: Action-packed flick also starred Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy. Based on a graphic novel, the film raised $51 million in its opening weekend against stiff competitor “WALL-E.”  The film culminated its streak with a $133.7 million finish. Follow the tagline of the movie and “choose your destiny” when it hits DVD in the coming months. 

9. The Incredible Hulk: Not expected to create such a theatrical splash, “The Incredible Hulk” proved vastly underestimated by wringing in a total of $134.4 million. Movie-goers were hesitant to give this Edward Norton and Liv Tyler film a whirl after the disappointing 2003 version of the movie by the same name. Overall the film showed up its predecessor by profiting nearly $2 million more than the previous film.

8. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: The second installment of C.S. Lewis’ series “The Chronicles of Narnia” did not fare as well as the earlier “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” but still created enough gusto to make our summer movie list. “Prince Caspian” opened in mid-May to the tune of $55 million, and went on to gross $140 million throughout the following summer months. Fans can experience the enchanting Disney adventure anytime they wish once it hits DVD shelves in early December. And for the diehard fans who can’t get enough, the third film of the series, “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” will hit theaters in 2010.

7. Sex and the City: Four years ago, the world said goodbye to an addictively clever show based on the lives of hilarious, but deeply intriguing, ladies, and we’ve missed them ever since. “Sex and the City” was sure to be a hit as women (and secretly, some men) attended showings in entourages. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda brought in an impressive $152.3 million in its time spent on the hot box office ten. Complete your growing TV series collection by picking up the movie’s DVD Tuesday, Sept. 23.

6. Kung Fu Panda: Animated jungle animals anthropomorphized by the voices of Hollywood heavyweights like Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman, combined with the genius talent of Dreamworks made “Kung Fu Panda” a family favorite. Bringing in $212.6 million, the film appealed to demographics all over the board. Moviegoers from all walks of life enjoyed this simplistically witty film. Be on the lookout for a holiday DVD release.

5. Wall-E: The trailers were sparsely advertised, and the storyline was kept quiet. These key techniques drove countless people and their children to enjoy the hover-chair-based future of Earth. No recognizable names were attached to the project. Rather, an original idea and the nation’s curiosity made this film a box office sweetheart. “Wall-E” grossed $216.2 million while in theaters, and is sure to bring gross more money when the DVD comes out Nov. 18.

4. Hancock: Take a step back Superman, not even the mutant X-Men could handle the “Hancock” heat. This crowd pleaser skyrocketed to the top of the box office over the Fourth of July weekend, bringing in $226.3 million throughout the summer. Will Smith’s portrayal of the confused superhero pleased longtime fans, and garnered him some new ones as well. Mentionable co-stars include Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman.

3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: When a movie is 20 years in the making and two of the brightest, most legendary movie minds (Steven Spielberg and George Lucas) collaborate, some cinematic craziness is expected. Thousands of excited “Indy” fans filled theaters across the nation, and gave their explorer the coveted third spot on the summer movie countdown. The original Dr. Jones, Harrison Ford and heartthrob Shia LaBeouf did not disappoint as they took audiences on the highlight adventure of their summer and made $315.3 million in ticket sales. Relive the adventure by picking up the DVD Oct. 14.

2. Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr. and the rest of the “Iron Man” crew started the movie season off right when the movie opened May 2. With a storyline based on a lesser-known comic book, “Iron Man” caught the attention of Americans and ordered them to the movies. Topping off at $317.5 million, the techno superhero beat out several contenders, but fell prey to a fellow heroic vigilante and the frightening smile of a villain. 

1. The Dark Knight: There are two words to describe “The Dark Knight”: record breaking. The follow-up to 2005’s “Batman Begins” surpassed its predecessor’s box office record in just short of a week. Thousands of opening midnight shows alone brought in roughly $20 million. Audiences had been hooked for months by intriguing advertisements and Heath Ledger’s already acclaimed performance as The Joker. After grossing $489.4 million, $171.9 million more than its closest competitor, this one’s in the record books, that’s for sure.



With the glamorous summer blockbusters behind us, look out as the heroes take a hiatus and some cooler, more complex characters lead on the silver screen.

Burn after Reading: After last year’s Academy Award winning “No Country for Old Men,” buzz is already surrounding brothers Ethan and Joel Coen as they prepare to release their new film, “Burn After Reading” Sept. 12. In the film, a CIA official’s memoir ends up in the hands of two troubled gym employees. “Ocean’s Eleven” buddies, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, along with John Malkovich and Tilda Swinton head the notable cast.

Eagle Eye: In this dramatic, mysterious thriller, a spy uses a young man to complete some dirty dealings. Starring Shia LaBeouf and Billy Bob Thorton, “Eagle Eye” is sure to please the moviegoers who crave gripping, edge-of-your-seat action. The D.J. Caruso film opens Sept. 26.

Flash of Genius: Starring Greg Kinnear and Lauren Graham, this biopic depicts the life of the Kearns family from Detroit during the 1960s. Robert Kearns invented the intermediate speed windshield wiper and fought with the automobile industry for the wiper rights for years. It opens Oct. 3.

Body of Lies: Ridley Scott directs Leonardo DiCaprio and Russel Crowe in this CIA action-packed flick telling the story of terrorism in Jordan. Expected to be a political thriller and non-stop entertainment, “Body of Lies” opens Oct. 10.

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