"THE ROOMMATE" HOLDS STALKERS AT BAY ATOP THE BOX OFFICE

Still from The Roommate

I don't believe my eyes! A James Cameron Movie not to top the Box Office? Sony Screen Gems, which seems to be specializing in films of the Camp genre ruled the Box Office on a tepid weekend with Thriller, The Roommate. Drawing parallels to that of 1992 Thriller Single White Female, the Film starring Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly brought in $15.6 million in its debut. Review to follow later today.

Another Thriller, Sanctum, placed second with $9.2 million for Universal Pictures. Produced by Avatar Director James Cameron, the Film was made for a $30 million budget. Critics however didn't budge this time, with the Film earning a negative 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

No Strings Attached still continues to perform well in its third week with $8.4 million for Paramount. To date it has pulled in $51.8 million domestically - not bad considering it was made for $25 million.

The King's Speech lands in fourth with $8.3 million, bringing its domestic tally to $84.1 million as its Oscar buzz reaches a feverish pitch for the Historical Drama from The Weinstein Co.

HOPKINS TOPS BOX OFFICE FOR FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS WITH "THE RITE"

Still from The Rite

In a tepid weekend at the Box Office, Exorcism-themed Thriller The Rite finds itself on top with $15 million from 2,985 screens. Starring The Tudors' Colin O'Donoguhe and veteran Anthony Hopkins, this marks the first time a Hopkins Film has topped the Box Office since 2002's Red Dragon.  Read my review of The Rite here.

Last week's champion No Strings Attached slips one spot to second with $13.6 million this weekend, the second week in a row Natalie Portman has two films in the Top Ten. Portman's Fox Searchlight Oscar vehicle, Black Swan, accounts for the eighth spot with $5.1 million as it closes in on the $100 million mark domestically. Well done.

Action Hunk Jason Statham's The Mechanic accounts for third spot with $11.5 million for recently-launched CBS Films. The Film has received mixed reviews overall, with 48% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.

FILM REVIEW: THE RITE

Still from The Rite

"What were you expecting, spinning heads and Pea Soup?" Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) asks. Well actually.... yeah. 

Mikael Håfström's The Rite is suggested (note, not based upon) by the Book The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio. Its story centers around one American Priest Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue) who journeyed to Rome, studying at a school for Exorcism after deciding initially that he wanted to retire his apsirations to remain in the Priesthood. Realizing quickly that his College Scholarship would require a $100k repayment, he decides to take up the opportunity in Rome after some blackmail masked thinly as persuasion from Mentor, Father Matthew (Toby Jones).

Failing to connect in a classroom setting under the tutelage of Father Xavier (Ciaran Hinds), Michael is referred over to study as an Apprentice to a trusted name in the field, Father Lucas (Hopkins). Despite witnessing a series of Exorcisms alongside Father Lucas, Michael is left unconvinced still, believing that these Possessions are nothing more than Neuroses.