Penguins feast at Thanksgiving box office

"Our outstanding performance is due to our ability to draw in both families and adults unaccompanied by kids," Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said. "We're spreading out a little bit. Last weekend, the picture skewed 60/40 female, and this weekend we are evening out."

"Casino," a co-production between Columbia Pictures and MGM, also is proving its strength. The latest incarnation of James Bond has grossed an estimated $94.2 million in its 10 days in theaters. Sony said the "Casino" is on track to be the biggest Bond movie ever.

And then there is Washington. The actor has opened seven movies to more than $20 million throughout his career, and this weekend was no exception. "Deja Vu," a Disney release from director Tony Scott, reaped $29 million for the five-day frame for a per-theater average of $9,340. According to the studio, the film scored strongly with audiences, earning an A- from CinemaScore.

"Deck the Halls" opened a little softer then expected. The holiday-themed comedy starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito opened to an estimated $16.9 million for the five days. Although certain elements of the story line about two neighbors competing for the best decorated house might have felt a bit recycled, the film from director John Whitesell played more to moms and young girls then distributor Fox expected.

"I really thought there was a little more male side to this movie," Fox distribution president Bruce Snyder said. "I thought it would have been more balanced."

"Bobby," an MGM/Weinstein Co. release from director Emilio Estevez, earned $6 million during the five-day frame for a per-theater average of $3,645. The R-rated film, which expanded wide Thursday -- a day later then most because Wednesday was the anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy -- has grossed $6.1 million in its 10-day run.

"We didn't open 'Bobby' on Wednesday out of respect for the anniversary of JFK's assassination," Weinstein Co. co-head Harvey Weinstein said. "It seems our key and core audience didn't find the film until Saturday, when we had the strongest hold of any major movie."

The film reached primarily older females, and the distributors are hoping strong word-of-mouth will allow the film to play through the holidays.

"We're a little disappointed with this gross. We were hoping to do better," MGM distribution president Clark Woods said. "But there is a lot of film in this marketplace, a lot of film dedicated to the older female audience."

Darren Aronofsky's "Fountain" did best in the major markets, where fans of the "Requiem for a Dream" director queued up to see his latest work. But that enthusiasm didn't expand to the rest of the country, though distributor Warners is hopeful that new audiences will find the film over the holiday season.