"TED" TOPS BOX OFFICE WITH RECORD-BREAKING DEBUT; "MAGIC MIKE" SECOND-BEST

Still from Ted

Stellar weekend at the Box Office with us celebrating Canada Day Weekend up north and Americans gearing-up to celebrate their 4th of July Weekend. Although it was a heated battle between two strong R-Rated Openers in Ted and Magic Mike, alas it is the former which takes the top spot with $52.5 million from 3,239 theatres for Universal Pictures. The Comedy starring Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane also is a hit with Critics, earning 70% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. Above this, it sets the record previously held by The Hangover as the largest-ever Opening for an R-Rated Comedy.

Magic Mike also stuns in its Debut for Warner Bros., opening at number two with $38 million. The Male Stripper Dramedy starring Channing Tatum, directed by Steven Soderbergh, was made for only $7 million apparently and also has fared v. well with Critics, earning a stellar 80% on the Tomatoemeter.

Disney/Pixar's Monster Brave continues to perform well in its second week, earning $35.5 million from 4,164 theatres. To-date, it has made $132.7 million.

Meanwhile Lionsgate Films' Madea's Witness Protection Program opens in fourth spot with $27 million, one of Tyler Perry's more decent showings in quite some time considering his last few Films failed to fire.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter continues to plod along with $6.2 million this weekend for 20th Century Fox, good enough to land it in sixth spot, just ahead of Moonrise Kingdom which from just 854 theatres, earns $5 million in eighth.

DreamWorks Pictures' People Like Us starring Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks fails to impress, taking-in just $4.2 million and rounding out the bottom of the Top Ten.

"PEOPLE LIKE US" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from People Like Us

Upon receiving news of his Father's death, Sam (Chris Pine) makes a rare visit home to see his Mother Lillian (Michelle Pfeiffer). Shocked to learn that he must deliver an inheritance of $150,000 to a long-lost Sister he never knew he had in Frankie (Elizabeth Banks) and her Son Josh (Michael Hall D'Addario).  Not knowing his true identity or reason for surfacing, he becomes an integral part of their lives. Meanwhile, internally Sam is coping with the death of his distant Father and also facing fraud allegations at work.  At the same time, he must deal with his Girlfriend Hannah (Olivia Wilde) whose patience is wearing thin with him as a darker side of him is revealed.  We wonder through all of this what will become of Sam and his Friendship with Frankie and Josh when he reveals the truth to them.

Although primarily a Producer, Alex Kurtzman more than ably steps-up to the challenge of directing his first Feature here - a rare Family-oriented Drama geared more towards Adults in an especially crowded Field of Blockbusters at the Box Office.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that Kurtzman has a superb Ensemble Cast to work with here and other than a few lags in pacing, due more to a few thick and substantial Subplots, everything ties up beautifully in what should be a rewarding experience for Moviegoers.

Pine finally gets an opportunity to shine in a Leading Role which doesn't require action sequences of him and he proves that he has what it takes to stand alongside the likable Matt Damons of Hollywood.  Banks must be given credit for veering away from the comedic mold with some of her more recent choices including this, where we see her fully embodying what it means to be a hungry Single Mom with a hardened heart. Pfeiffer as always is a pleasure to watch, giving a v. humanistic portrayal of suppressed disappointment and silent anger.

Although the tears might not come until late, be warned that you should be armed with some Napkins from the Concessions Stand.  DreamWorks Pictures releases People Like Us on June 29, 2012.