Entertainment

Julia Stiles Hip-Hops Her Way To #1

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 12, 2001 / 3:53 PM EST / CBS

The big screen has been enjoying its best Martin Luther King holiday weekend ever, reports CBS News Entertainment Contributor Laurie Hibberd, who has the details in her Box Office Plus Report.

A little hip hop was the thing that kicked Tom Hanks out of the top spot. Here are the numbers according to Hollywood.com They're based on a long weekend including partial figures for Monday due to the Martin Luther King holiday.

Save The Last Dance debuted at number one, pulling in $28 million.
After three weeks at the top, Cast Away fell a notch to second with $20 million.
Traffic is holding tough in the third spot.
What Women Want and Finding Forrester are tied for fourth place, both taking in $12 million.
That left Kevin Costner's film Thirteen Days, in sixth place.

Hibberd says that Save The Last Dance isn't as groundbreaking as Flashdance was when it came out in 1983.

"We hadn't seen anything quite like Flashdance. We loved that movie," said Hibberd. "This doesn't have the groundbreaking fashion or dance moves that did, but girls will love it. They love Julia Stiles and this is like a mother/daughter movie because older women are enjoying it, as well."

Hibberd said she is surprised but glad that Save The Last Dance is doing so well.

"She is a great role model for young girls. She's not little waif. She has meat on her bones and knows what she wants. She's a tough gal and I like it," said Hibberd.

Don't cry for Tom Hanks. Hibberd predicts Cast Away will earn $200 million.

"When the Oscar nominations come out, no doubt Cast Away will be among them. That will fuel more people to see them. The buzz will keep going on," she said.

What will the Golden Globes do for Traffic, if it gets a nomination?

"If Traffic wins, it bodes well for an Oscar nomination," said Hibberd. "The Globes don't carry that much weight but it may help the groundswell swing it over."

"What's interesting about Traffic, you think this would be one of those films too hip for the room - only New York and L.A. would really get into it," said Hibberd. "In fact both suburban and urban audiences are embracing the movie, wanting to know what it's about."

Hibberd, who recommends Finding Forrester, said she loves Sean Connery in the title role as William Forrester.

"I think this was a smart role for him. This was a charming movie and my pick of the week," she said. "Please go out and see this movie if you can. I think Sean Connery does a terrific job. This is the type of role that will get him more notice than The Rock o Entrapment.

Two other movies, Double Take and Antitrust, also opened this weekend but had disappointing numbers.