Gay times at the B.O. (VAR, THR, BOM, MCN, LAT)

By Ken-Ali

Moviegoers were in gay spirits over the weekend as Adam Sandler's latest comedy, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," topped the box office, and the feel-good "Hairspray" scored a record launch for a musical, according to the LA Times.

The Hollywood Reporter:

Universal Pictures' PG-13 'Chuck & Larry', starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James as two straight firefighters who pose as gay in order to collect domestic-partnership benefits, led the weekend list by pulling in $34.8 million in 3,495 theaters for a per-theater average of $9,949. Directed by Dennis Dugan ('Happy Gilmore', 'Big Daddy'), it was far from Sandler's biggest opening -- that honor belongs to 'The Longest Yard', which bowed to a three-day gross of $47.6 million and a four-day number of $58.6 million during Memorial Day weekend in 2005 -- but it still marked Sandler's eighth comedy to open at more than $30 million.

Although Sandler is generally considered a guy's guy comedian, the relationship comedy of 'Chuck & Larry' actually managed to attract slightly more females (52%) than males. It also spoke to a younger crowd -- 54% were under 25. The movie earned a B-plus in CinemaScore polling.

Box Office Mojo reports that 'Hairspray' was the word, delivering the biggest opening on record for a musical, even when ticket price inflation is taken into account.

BOM:

New Line Cinema's early Sixties-themed musical based on the Broadway show that was based on John Waters' picture of the same name spritzed a lustrous estimated $27.8 million on approximately 3,900 screens at 3,121 theaters, the widest release ever for the genre. The 1988 original, also released by New Line, grossed $6.7 million in its entire run, the equivalent of roughly $11 million today.

As expected, one week out 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' moved up to No. 2 after another round of Saturday kiddie matinees according to Deadline Hollywood Daily. On Friday, the Warner fivequel took in $10.4 million from 4,285 venues and $12.2 mil Saturday for a $33.2 mil weekend (-57%). Its hot new North American cume is already $208.5 million. There'd been speculation whether the new Harry Potter book would cut into the franchise's movie ticket sales.

Variety reports international magic as, overseas, "Phoenix" finished the weekend with a cume of $351.3 million, putting worldwide box office receipts at a hefty $558.8 million.

According to Movie City News, the current weekend pushed seasonal box office to $2.62 billion compared to last year's $2.61 billion for the same period. While the promise of a huge boost in movie going was predicted that clearly hasn't occurred though continued incremental weekly tallies could ultimately result in a slight boost in admissions by the Labor Day deadline.

Box Office Mojo on the holdovers:

Down 45 percent in fourth place, 'Transformers' claimed a solid estimated $20.5 million, lifting its total to a hefty $263 million in 20 days. 'Ratatouille' rounded out the top five with an estimated $11 million, off 39 percent. The animated comedy continues to trail its Pixar predecessor 'Cars', yet still has made $165.6 million in 24 days. Meanwhile, 'Live Free or Die Hard' had a good 35 percent drop to an estimated $7.3 million for $116.5 million in 26 days.