How well did "The Hobbit" do in its first weekend at the box office? It made nearly 11.5 times what second-place finisher "Rise of the Guardians" pulled in. The Associated Press reports that its $84.8 million was "a record-setting opening better than the three previous "Lord of the Rings" films."

From The AP:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $84.8 million ($138.2 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' has familiar ring to it)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $7.4 million ($20.1 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
3. "Lincoln," $7.2 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Skyfall," $7 million ($12.2 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
5. "Life of Pi," $5.4 million ($11.5 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2," $5.2 million ($13 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $3.3million ($4.7 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
8. "Playing for Keeps," $3.2 million ($1.4 million international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Gerard Butler stars in rom-com 'Playing for Keeps,' one of year's worst movies)
9. "Red Dawn," $2.4 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
10. "Silver Linings Playbook," $2 million ($370,000 international). (Review by Lemire: Charming 'Silver Linings Playbook' has great performances from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

James Bond and some animated characters have overtaken the vampires at the weekend box office. Have all the Twi-hards seen "Breaking Dawn" already?

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Skyfall," $11 million ($20.3 million). (Review by The News-Herald's Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $10.5 million ($26 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
3. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $9.2 million ($23.5 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
4. "Lincoln," $9.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
5. "Life of Pi," $8.3 million ($23.8 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "Playing for Keeps," $6 million ($500,000 international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Gerard Butler stars in rom-com 'Playing for Keeps,' one of year's worst movies)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $4.9 million ($5.8 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
8. "Red Dawn," $4.3 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
9. "Flight," $3.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
10. "Killing Them Softly," $2.7 million ($1.4 million international). (Review by Lemire: Brad Pitt’s strong in ‘Killing Them Softly,’ but crime drama lacks subtlety)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

A weaker weekend at the box office keeps the last in the "Twilight" series at the top of the box office, but not by much.

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $17.4 million ($48.4 million international) (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
2. "Skyfall," $17 million ($34 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
3. "Lincoln," $13.51 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Rise of the Guardians," $13.5 million ($40 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
5. "Life of Pi," $12 million ($21.5 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "Wreck-It Ralph," $7.02 million ($1.5 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
7. "Killing Them Softly," $7 million ($700,000 international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Brad Pitt’s strong in ‘Killing Them Softly,’ but crime drama lacks subtlety)
8. "Red Dawn," $6.6 million ($500,000 international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
9. "Flight," $4.5 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
10. "The Collection," $3.4 million.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

The last installment in the "Twilight" series had another strong weekend at the box office — as did "Skyfall" and "Lincoln." Actually, "Rise of the Guardians" fared pretty well (at least, it seems that way, after the mediocre review I read). What movie did you see this holiday weekend?

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $43.1 million ($97.4 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
2. "Skyfall," $36 million ($41.3 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
3. "Lincoln," $25 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Rise of the Guardians," $24 million ($10 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
5. "Life of Pi," $22 million ($17.5 million international) (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "Wreck-It Ralph," $16.8 million ($2.1 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
7. "Red Dawn," $14.6 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
8. "Flight," $8.6 million ($723,000 international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
9. "Silver Linings Playbook," $4.6 million ($1.6 million international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Charming 'Silver Linings Playbook' has great performances from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence)
10. "Argo," $3.9 million ($6 million international). (Review by Meszoros: With stellar espionage drama 'Argo,' Ben Affleck does it again as director)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

No surprise here: "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2" came in first at the weekend box office. It raked in $100 million more than "Skyfall," which came in second. Pretty impressive numbers. How long will it stay on top?

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $141.3 million ($199.6 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
2. "Skyfall," $41.5 million ($49.6 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
3. "Lincoln," $21 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Wreck-It Ralph," $18.3 million ($4.8 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
5. "Flight," $8.6 million ($1 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
6. "Argo," $4.1 million ($8.7 million international). (Review by Meszoros: With stellar espionage drama 'Argo,' Ben Affleck does it again as director)
7. "Taken 2," $2.1 million ($2 million international). (Review by Meszoros: Liam Neeson helps make 'Taken 2' another guilty pleasure)
8. "Pitch Perfect," $1.3 million ($4.1 million international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Anna Kendrick helps make 'Pitch Perfect' infectiously catchy)
9. "Here Comes the Boom," $1.2 million ($2.5 million international).
10 (tie). "Cloud Atlas," $900,000 ($5 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Cloud Atlas' ambitious, mostly satisfying epic with strong work from Tom Hanks, Halle Berry)
10 (tie). "Hotel Transylvania," $900,000 ($7.8 million international). (Review by The AP's Michael Rechtshaffen: 'Hotel Transylvania' is frighteningly unfunny stuff)
10 (tie). "The Sessions," $900,000.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

This makes about as much sense as the movies. I have a feeling I know at least one of my co-workers is going to appreciate this.

Learn about infographics software.

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I think this is the first week since I started posting the weekend box office about a year ago that the top 10 movies are the same top 10 movies from the previous week, though in a different order. I'd like to see a handful of these. What are your movie recommendations?

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1,” $16.9 million ($40.2 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros)
2. “The Muppets,” $11.2 million ($1.8 million international). (Review by Meszoros; Q&A with Kermit the Frog by The AP's Derrik J. Lang)
3. “Hugo,” $7.6 million. (Review by Meszoros)
4. “Arthur Christmas,” $7.4 million ($11.4 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain)
5. “Happy Feet Two,” $6 million ($16.3 million international). (Review by Germain)
6. “Jack and Jill,” $5.5 million ($3.2 million international). (Review by The AP's Jake Coyle)
7. “The Descendants,” $5.2 million. (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire)
8. “Immortals,” $4.4 million ($4 million international). ("You can see the next Man of Steel in theaters now swinging a sword in 'Immortals'" by Lang)
9. “Tower Heist,” $4.1 million ($4 million international). (Review by Lemire)
10. “Puss in Boots,” $3.1 million ($23 million international). (Review by Lemire)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

It has recently come to my attention that I am the night crew's resident "Twilight" expert.

It's a horrifying concept, really. I would never call myself a "Twi-hard", or rabid fan of Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance series. However, after many nights trying to explain the finer points of the series to my fellow copy editors--such as the fact that Jacob is actually a shapeshifter and not a werewolf, and how Edward and other vamps can actually go in the sun without dying (although, I might die of embarrassment if I glittered in the sunlight, too--just kidding!)--I have decided it's about high time I embraced this particular role in the newsroom and brought copy desk discussions on the pop culture phenomenon that is "Twilight" to the public. Because, let's face it: Twilight surely isn't going anywhere any time soon.

The current news is that the latest movie in the series, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," released last Wednesday, has taken quite a bite out of the box office. "Eclipse" has taken in $161.7 million since opening and was expected to gross around $175 million for the six-day holiday total, according to Associated Press reports. That is a very large debut, only recently surpassed by a few films, including "The Dark Knight" and last summer's sequel to "Transformers," also according to the AP.

That's a pretty big deal, folks. It seems like all those self-professed "Twi-moms" and their teen daughters have come out in droves to stare longingly at the shirtless abdominals of the way-too-young-to-be-so-hot Taylor Lautner. Oh, and maybe they also want to see how the love triangle between Jacob Black (Lautner), Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) will play out.

Disclaimer: I haven't actually seen "Eclipse" but Entertainment Editor Mark Mezsoros reviewed it here. Check that out for more on the film.

In any event, girls all over and of all ages are going absolutely gaga for this saga. The question on all of our minds is: Why?

Twilight is everywhere I go these days. People (read: girls) are either drooling over the male stars, or dreaming about finding an Edward of their own. On the flip side, I hear a lot of extaordinarily negative comments about the franchise just as often. Either way, Twilight is one of the most talked about stories in pop culture right now. And I have absolutely no idea how it got to be that way.

Now, maybe I'm biased because I grew up with Harry Potter. I still have the 'Platform 9 3/4' sign that adorned the wall of my college dorm room (and apartment... and I still have it at the age of 24--don't judge me). I totally get the craze of following your favorite fiction characters as they take life on the silver screen. So I get the basics of the movement. I just don't understand why now, why Twilight.

At it's core, the series is a drippy teen romance. And sure, the books were entertaining enough if you like completely shallow, meaningless literature with too-perfect characters and a heroine who, I believe, is the exact opposite of a good role model for teen girls with her total dependence on Edward and her constant need to always be rescued. Add to that some pretty low budget films featuring bored looking actors with caked on white make-up, and Twilight just doesn't do it for me. So... what's the draw?

Apparently I missed something, even after reading all four books and renting the first two movies. And again, maybe I'm just biased after having devoted half of my life to Hogwarts (side note: has anybody seen the trailer for Deathy Hallows?! OHMYGOSH!), but I refuse to accept that Twilight is the next Harry Potter. So if somebody could please fill me in on how and why, exactly, Twilight got to be this big, I'd appreciate it.

-Danielle Capriato
DCapriato@News-Herald.com