'Cloud Atlas' Flops at Box, 'Argo' Finally Tops

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 29, 2012

With its $100 million budget, "Cloud Atlas" starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry has earned a mere $9.4 million in the box office this weekend.

The film debuted in 2,008 theaters across the U.S., just as the East Coast geared up for Hurricane Sandy - possibly contributing to the low box office earnings.

Directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski, "Cloud Atlas" received mixed reviews, and the film adaptation of David Mitchell's best-selling book received at 62 percent rating on RottenTomatoes.com.

The dramatic sci-fi story follows the actions of individuals and how their lives affect others from the past, present, and future. "Cloud Atlas" also stars Hugh Grant and Susan Sarandon.

Also factoring in to the film's low box office earnings, "Cloud Atlas" competed with "Argo" which rose to the top over the weekend.

Ben Affleck's thriller depicts the 1980 joint CIA-Canadian secret operation to remove six fugitive American diplomatic personnel from the dangers of revolutionary Iran.

"Argo" stars Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, and Alan Arkin, among others. The Warner Bros film finally topped the box office three weeks after it premiered with $12.4 million.

Moreover, "Cloud Atlas" came in third behind the second-grossing film for the weekend- the sci-fi adaptation of "Hotel Transylvania," which saw $9.5 million in its fifth week.

Coming in after "Cloud Atlas" at number four in the box office was the horror film "Paranormal Activity," which saw $8.7 million over the weekend.

Tied in fifth place for earnings were the films "Silent Hill: Revelation 3-D" and "Taken 2" with $8 million.

Rounding out the top 10 best-selling films for the weekend were as follows: "Here Comes the Boom," "Sinister," "Alex Cross," and "Fun Size."

Meanwhile, many areas along the East Coast have declared a state of emergency Monday as Hurricane Sandy threatens force winds between 45 to 85 mph. The storm is expected to join two other weather systems to create huge and problematic weather conditions affecting more than 50 million people.

With the presidential election nearing, President Barack Obama is working to balance his reelection campaign with running the government during the storm.