NICOLAS CAGE - GHOST RIDER BACK IN SADDLE AGAIN

Sony's Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, galloped ahead of four new entries in the box-office race over the weekend, taking in an estimated $19.7 million in ticket sales, box-office trackers Media by Numbers said Sunday. New Line's The Number 23, starring Jim Carrey, was number two on the list with $15.1 million. (New Line distribution chief David Tuckerman told the Los Angeles Times that although the film opened at the low end of the studio's expectations, it cost only $30 million to make and would therefore earn a profit.) Disney's Bridge to Terabithia slipped to third place with $13.6 million. Reno 911!: Miami, based on the Comedy Central show, debuted in fourth place with $10.4 million. Two other newcomers, The Astronaut Farmer and Amazing Grace failed to make much of an impression. Farmer, starring Billy Bob Thornton, placed ninth with $4.52 million, followed by Grace with $4.3 million.

The top ten films for the weekend, according to studio estimates compiled by Media by Numbers:
1. Ghost Rider, $19.7 million; 2. The Number 23, $15.1 million; 3. Bridge to Terabithia, $13.6 million; 4. Reno 911!: Miami $10.4 million; 5. Norbit, $9.7 million; 6. Music & Lyrics, $8 million; 7. Breach, $6.2 million; 8. Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls, $5.3 million; 9. The Astronaut Farmer, $4.5 million; 10. Amazing Grace, $4.3 million.

26/02/2007