'Couples' takes on Sony holdovers

Universal goes up against 'Zombieland,' 'Cloudy'

By ANDREW STEWART

'Couples Retreat'

Universal will have some breathing room at the box office this week with romantic comedy "Couples Retreat" as the only wide opener.

U should face its toughest competition from a pair of Sony holdovers: last weekend's frame-topper, "Zombieland," and the fourth week of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs." The 3D toon has cumed $82.9 million domestically, while the studio's zombie comedy had taken in $29 million as of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Classics launches two fest favorites in New York and L.A.: "An Education" and "The Damned United."

As the frame's lone wide release at 3,000 playdates, U expects "Couples" to garner decent numbers from auds over 25; tracking is evenly split among men and women.

Centered on four couples who take a trip to a tropical island resort, pic toplines Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Malin Akerman and Kristen Bell. "Couples" is co-scripted by Vaughn, based on his original idea. Last year's "Four Christmases," also starring Vaughn and Favreau and produced by Vaughn, opened with $31.1 million at 3,200 playdates.

After a strong showing last weekend with $12.5 million, Disney's 3D double-bill release of "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" enters its soph sesh at 1,752 playdates. The franchise should see healthy numbers as auds take advantage of the toons' limited two-week run. Disney said it will wait until after the weekend to decide whether to extend the franchise beyond the two weeks.

"Meatballs" saw a 33% decline last weekend but still managed to top Disney's toon update with $15.8 million at 2,977. Pic expands to 2,992 in its fourth frame with hopes of maintaining a strong hold over younger auds and repeat viewers.

Sony's other B.O. champ, "Zombieland," opened with $25 million at 3,036 locations. Studio expects good word of mouth and surprisingly good notices to keep the comedy alive and well, but with "Couples" added to the mix, pic is likely to see a 40%-50% drop.

After a disappointing weekend for Drew Barrymore's skater-girl pic, "Whip It," Fox Searchlight hopes word of mouth gives the pic a boost after a $4.7 million opening at 1,720.

Likewise, Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" will look to improve on its $4.4 million after expanding last week to 962.

Paramount rolls out low-budget scarefest "Paranormal Activity" at 159 locations in 44 markets. Pic earned $535,000 at 33 engagements last weekend.

The Coen brothers' latest, "A Serious Man," averaged $41,918 at six venues last week for the frame's top per-screen average. "Serious" will expand to 21 in its soph sesh, having cumed $327,244.

On the specialty front, "An Education" and "The Damned United" bow in limited release at four and six locations, respectively. Sony Classics said it hopes to capitalize on high anticipation generated for both films from successful fest runs. "Education" won the World audience kudo earlier this year at Sundance, followed by screenings at Telluride and Toronto, where "United" also screened.

"Education" will expand next week to markets including Chicago, San Francisco and Boston; a Nov. 2 wide release is planned.

Roadside Attractions also launches two pics: Chris Rock-produced docu "Good Hair" at 185 and boxing drama "From Mexico With Love" at 279. NeoClassics' private-school comedy "St. Trinian's" enters the frame at 76 on the East Coast.

On the foreign front, Sony looks to add to last weekend's success with its slow rollout of "Zombieland," bowing in Russia and the U.K, while U opens "Couples Retreat" day-and-date in Australia and New Zealand.