And you thought last weekend was weak. With Friday estimates in, it appears that no film will reach $10 million by Sunday – a box office calamity that has not been equaled since Bangkok Dangerous debuted at number one with just $7.7 million in September 2008.  Unfortunately, this weekend’s new releases will fall short of even that sorry benchmark; leaving Lionsgate’s The Possession to hold down the top spot for a second week with a projected $9.3 million. CBS Films’ The Words, with Bradley Cooper, was third on Friday with an estimated $1.6 million from 2,801 locations. That’s a landslide compared to fellow newcomer The Cold Light of Day. With just $637,00 from 1,511 runs, the action/thriller failed to break Friday’s top ten altogether. Also outside the top ten (but with nothing to be ashamed of), was Raiders of the Lost Ark. Returning for a limited release in 267 IMAX theatres, the 1981 classic took in another $438,000 on Friday to bring its lifetime domestic total above $245 million.  Full details and analysis tomorrow.

Oh, the irony.  On the very day that Hollywood will fete its highest achievements of the past year, we are here to consider releases that reside in its creative basement.  After a Friday win, newcomer Hall Pass could not hold off holdover Gnomeo and Juliet. After two weeks at number three, the all-ages animated film won the weekend with an estimated $14.2 million. Sad for Hall Pass but it could have been worse: Drive Angry 3D now holds the record for the lowest opening ever for a 3D wide-release.