POKEMON PIC TOPS US BO

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgWill the power of Pokemon ever stop? U.S. fans of the animated series
proved this weekend that they had to catch all of POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE.
After setting the record for the biggest Wednesday opening of all time for
an animated film, the Pikachu vehicle grossed an estimated $52.1 million
over a 5-day period, squishing the non-summer record of $45.7 million set
by A BUG'S LIFE. The much anticipated new film from Kevin Smith, DOGMA,
with visual effects by Station X Studios, bucked controversy and finished
3rd. With a gross of $8.8 million, it seems God does have a sense of humor
(and I'm not talking about singer Alanis Morrisette, who plays the heavenly
mother in the film). HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, with visual effects by
Hollywood, California-based K.N.B. EFX Group, Inc., slips from 3rd to
finish in 8th with a weekend gross of $4.4 million and a cume of $34.8
million. The second largest grossing flick of the year behind STAR WARS:
THE PHANTOM MENACE, the SIXTH SENSE, with visual effects by DreamQuest,
holds on to the final spot of the top ten with a weekend gross of $2.7
million and a cume of $267.8 million. All box office figures quoted from
the November 15, 1999 issue of Daily Variety.