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"Affleck&amp;apos;s Argo is awesome in more ways than one!\r\nFollowing its stellar critical reception, the truth-based Iranian-hostage crisis thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck earned an estimated $20.1 million -- surpassing expectations -- and landed in number two for its opening weekend at the box office, according to early estimates.\r\n\r\nLiam Neeson&amp;apos;s Taken 2, in its second weekend in theaters, held onto the top spot with an additional $22.2 million. The news wasn&amp;apos;t as good for Kevin James, whose new comedy Here Comes the Boom went, well, bust, earning just $12 million and landing in fifth place, which is the worst opening in James&amp;apos; big-screen career.\r\nArgo, which is now a lead contender for awards season 2012-2013, is the biggest opening for a film starring Affleck since 2003&amp;apos;s disastrous Daredevil.\r\n\r\nJust in time for the Halloween season, Ethan Hawke&amp;apos;s horror film Sinister -- which cost just $3 million to make -- scored at third place with $18.3 million.  Seven Psychopaths, starring Colin Farrell, made just $4.3 million its first weekend out, landed it at number 9.\r\n\r\nOther top ten films this weekend included Hotel Transylvania (number 4, $17.3 million), Pitch Perfect (number 6, $9.3 million), Frankenweenie (number 7, $7 million), Looper (number 8, $6.3 million) and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (number 10, $2.2 million)."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/weekend-box-office-ben-afflecks-argo-opens-bigger-than-expected-20121410>