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Mark Wahlberg Contraband

January 16, 2012 by · Comments Off on Mark Wahlberg Contraband 

Mark Wahlberg ContrabandMark Wahlberg Contraband, “Contraband,” the action drama starring Mark Wahlberg, managed to debut at No. 1 stealing the top slot away from competitors at the weekend box office.

Universal’s action drama film with Wahlberg playing a reformed smuggler debuted above expectations at No. 1 with $24 million, while Disney’s 3-D rerelease of “Beauty and the Beast” claimed the No. 2 position with $18.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“Joyful Noise,” the Warner Bros.’ musical comedy starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, on the other hand, opened below expectations with $11.3 million in the No. 4 spot behind Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” which earned $11.5 million in its fifth week, bringing the action franchise’s box office total to $186.7 million.

“The Devil Inside,” Paramount’s horror film that debuted at $33.7 million last weekend, dropped 77 percent coming in at No. 6 with $7.9 million. Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian said the film’s terrifying plunge didn’t matter because the independently produced movie already made a huge profit.

“It doesn’t matter because ‘Devil Inside’ is a profit-making machine. If your budget is low enough, who cares if it drops big and you’re making money? It’s already one of the most profitable films of the past year, so there’s nothing really to complain about there,” said Dergarabedian.

“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” ”War Horse” and “The Iron Lady” were the only Golden Globes nominees that managed to crack the top ten ahead of Sunday’s ceremony. “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” fell to the No. 7 spot in its fourth week of release, while “War Horse” galloped into the No. 9 position. “Iron Lady” rounded out the list at No. 10.

“The Artist,” which won three Golden Globes, earned $1.1 million at No. 14, and “The Descendants,” which won two Golden Globe and tied for second place with “The Help,” surfed away with $2 million at No. 13.

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