"LION" IS KING OF THE BOX OFFICE AGAIN

Still from Moneyball

Disney's The Lion King 3-D, last week's Champion, defies all odds and does it a second week in a row, still going strong with $22 million in its second week of release. The Animated Feature wins a hotly-contested race for the lead with Sony Pictures' Moneyball, both a critical and commercial success, getting edged-out with $21 million. The Sports Drama also garnered an amazing 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, meaning that likely it will be a serious Best Picture contender come Awards season.  And to think it all started at TIFF 2011!

Third-place finisher Dolphin Tale 3-D for Warner Bros., starring Morgan Freeman and Harry Connick Jr., is by no means a slouch either, opening with a v. impressive $20 million from 3,507 theatres.

Abduction starring Taylor Lautner opens in fourth spot with $11 million below expectations, as it was made for $36 million and high hopes were held for its Lead Actor's star power. Surely the Actor will see better days soon with the impending release of the next installment of Twilight.

A strong and proven Cast of Leading Men wasn't enough to save Killer Elite which debuts in fifth spot also with $9.5 million. The Action Thriller starring Clive Owen, Robert DeNiro and Jason Statham also fared poorly with Critics at 23% on the Tomatometer.

Former Champion Contagion slips to sixth spot in its third week with $9 million, earning $57.5 million in its run, just ahead of Drive starring Ryan Gosling in seventh, with $6 million in its second week. Meanwhile, Disney's The Help finds itself in eighth spot, now surpassing the $150 mark domestically - just about exceeding everyone's expectations.

ENTER TO WIN DOUBLE PASSES & THE SOUNDTRACK TO "ABDUCTION"

Abduction OST

The Twilight Saga's Taylor Lautner stars as Nathan in the upcoming Thriller Abduction about a young Man who is on a mission to reveal his true identity after learning that he once was a Missing Child. Alliance Films releases Abduction on September 26, 2011.

Partnering together for the first time, Alliance Films, Sony Music Canada and Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want not only to give you a chance to win 1 of 10 copies of its Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - featuring music from Train, Cobra Starship, Oh Land, our Friend Andrew Allen and Lenny Kravitz - but also 1 of 5 Double Passes to see it in Toronto. Yes, you!  The OST hits stores on September 20, 2011.

To qualify for the win, you must "like" Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook and under this Posting, and leave the answer to the question: "Who plays the role of Karen Lowell in Abduction?".

You have until September 20, 2011 to enter. Canadian Readers only. Good luck, Mavenati!

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

ALLIANCE FILMS TO PURCHASE MAPLE PICTURES

Maple Pictures Logo

It was just announced yesterday that two of Canada's biggest Film Distributors are now one. Alliance Films will be purchasing Maple Pictures for a total $38.5 million, effectively handling its releases in Canada for U.S.-based Lionsgate Films.

Alliance Films' President Charles Layton states in a Press Release, "This transaction combines two extraordinary Distributors in Canada and strengthens the distribution infrastructure we offer to our content partners. We’re thrilled to add Lionsgate’s new Films and very large, renowned library to Alliance. We look forward to working with the entire Lionsgate Team in the years to come.”.