22 Dec 2008

Carrey comedy tops box office

11:52 am on 22 December 2008

A new comedy film by Jim Carrey topped the box office in North America at the weekend.

However, all movies took a hit from icy weather on the East Coast and parts of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

Yes Man earned $US18.2 million during the three days beginning on Friday, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday.

Carrey plays a bank officer stuck in a personal and professional rut. After he attends a self-help seminar, he must say "yes" to all ideas and requests, leading to both comic and dramatic pitfalls.

A new Will Smith drama, Seven Pounds, was second.

The mouse cartoon, The Tale of Despereaux, opened in third place.

Based on an award-winning children's book, it revolves around a heroic mouse who falls in love with a human princess.

Last weekend's champion, the sci-fi remake The Day the Earth Stood Still" fell to fourth. Fifth was the comedy Four Christmases which opened four weeks ago.

Teen vampire movie Twilight was in sixth place. Its total earnings to date are $US158 million.