Paul Blart: Mall Cop surprises with $34 Million opening weekend

Kevin James took down the bad guys,  and the top spot in the U.S. Box office, with his new movie “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.”  The film, in which James plays an bumbling over-zealous security guard took in $33.8 million in its opening weekend, knocking Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial/acting offering Gran Torino into second place. Last week Torino became the biggest opening movie of Eastwood’s career with takings of $29 million.  I haven’t caught Gran Torino yet which still did another $22.2 million this week, but despite the critics luke warm reviews, everyone I have heard from loved it.
New horror film My Bloody Valentine 3-D, starring Jaime King, took in a nice $21.9 million and new release Notorious, about late rapper Notorious B.I.G., wrapped up the fourth spot, taking in $21.5 million. Smalls was born Christopher Wallace and also used the stage name “Notorious B.I.G.” His debut CD, 1994′s “Ready to Die,” helped re-energize East Coast rap. He was killed in Los Angeles in 1997.
Lisa Kudrow’s family film Hotel for Dogs took the fifth spot with $17.7 million on its opening weekend.