Slow Labour Day Weekend Allows 'American' to slash 'Machete'

George Clooney's The American led a typically slow Labour Day weekend at the box office, bringing in $16.7 million over the three days since opening on the previous Wednesday.  Its total after the weekend was $19.8 million.

In second place, Machete, the spin-off flick from Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez' Grindhouse film, opened with $14.1 million.  

The top two films each had a production budget of approximately $20 million, so both should be able to reach profitability relatively easily.

Takers fell from first to third place in its second weekend, with an additional $13.5 million bringing its total-to-date to $40 million.

Last week's number two picture, The Last Exorcism, followed typical horror movie free-falls, bringing in $8.8 million for for $33.5 million in eleven days.  With a tiny production budget of $1.8 million, distributor Lionsgate is likely crying all the way to the bank.

Finally, fifth place went to Drew Barrymore and Justin Long's romantic comedy Going the Distance.  The film opened weakly, with $8.8 million over three day weekend.