Box office estimates for the weekend of July 29 - 31 Rank. Movie Title – Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week # … [The Scorecard Review final score] 1. Cowboys & Aliens - $36,200,000 I 3,750 I $36,200,000 I 1 ... [TSR 6/10] 2. The Smurfs - $36,200,000 I 3,395 I $36,200,000 I 1 ... [TSR 4/10] 3. Captain America: The First Avenger - $24,905,000 I 3,715 I $116,772,000 I 2 ... [TSR 6/10] 4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - $21,925,000 I 4,145 I $318,460,000 I 3 ... [TSR 9/10] 5. Crazy, Stupid, Love - $19,300,000 I 3,020 I $19,300,000 I 1 ... [TSR 8/10] Source: www.boxofficemojo.com

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It seems like Hollywood had a rough go of it this past weekend. Although the hype for Cowboys & Aliens seems to have been building since as early as last Comic-Con, it failed to deliver the goods in its opening weekend.

The combination of mediocre reviews and lack of general interest seemed to have dug Cowboys & Aliens a shallow grave after only a weekend in wide release.

The other thing that I hadn't counted on was the fact that people actually wanted to see The Smurfs. Maybe it was just me, but the abysmal previews were enough to turn me off of it. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be true for the rest of America. In a shock that no one could have predicted, according to box office estimates, Cowboys & Aliens and The Smurfs managed to tie for the number one movie in America.

It may be too early to tell, but I think it's safe to say that when the guy who directed the live-action Scooby Doo movies has another number one movie at the box office, it doesn't look good for the movie business or the consumers.

The only other wise release to debut this past weekend and even make a dent in the top five was the ensemble romantic comedy/drama Crazy, Stupid, Love which premiered at number five. Despite generally favorable reviews, including one from our own Bayer, the film faltered financially when put up against other box office heavy weights like Captain America and the final Harry Potter film.

Calhoun Kersten vs. Aaron Ruffcorn

Each weekend Kersten and Ruffcorn go head to head in the Box Office Challenge, trying to pick the correct Number One film in America and how much money it will make.

This weekend ... Ruffcorn Wins!

Season record: 7-7

Thoughts by TSR: Ruffcorn may have won this week, but that brings Kersten and Ruffcorn head to head. Kersten had better watch his back...