'Argo' fails to take box office crown from 'Taken 2'

There was no loud boom at the weekend box office as "Argo" got taken from the top spot while "Here Comes the Boom" was mute. But, things are looking up at the box office.

As "Argo" crawled into the race for Oscar's top prize, according to insiders, it seems it could not overtake "Taken 2" as that film repeats as box office champion. With an estimated $22.5 million take, the Liam Neeson vehicle remains the one to beat. After weeks of lackluster totals as the summer season ended, the box office finally saw signs of life in the final week of September and now with the release of "Taken 2." Meanwhile, the release schedule has picked up and the overall selection was crowded, to say the least. The top five films were all in double digits. One must note that two films were not expected to vie for the crown simply because of their theater count. Those were "Seven Psychopaths" and "Atlas Shrugged: Part II." The total for "Seven Psychopaths" will upset the studio for sure, however. But in 3,014 theaters was the new Kevin James film, "Here Comes the Boom," which could not be heard. Sure, it landed in fifth with $12 million, but that was not good. Perhaps it was the title or simply was not that good. However, that has never stopped a James film before, for the most part. Weekend 1. "Taken 2" - $22.5 million 2. "Argo" - $20.1 million 3. "Sinister" - $18.2 million 4. "Hotel Transylvania" - $17.3 million 5. "Here Comes the Boom" - $12 million Taking a look at "Hotel Transylvania," one must be impressed and this could be the little surprise that Hollywood needed for now. When it went head-to-head, after winning its initial weekend, it smashed "Frankenweenie." Two films that went after the same audience and people continue to check in to "Hotel" and roasted "Frankenweenie." As the film sailed over "$100 million, the marketing folk for the later film will not repeat that plan again. Now, taking a look at the box office for the year. It seems that the doldrums is over but can it keep pace and be a record year? The Wrap is reporting that the box office is up 4 percent from 2011 and even attendance is up 2 percent for the year. That is good news, especially with potential blockbusters on what, including the next installment of the "Twilight" saga.