"Assassin," "Dogs" accompany boyhood vampires at box office

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – There's no agnosticism that "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" will acceleration to the top of the calm box appointment afresh over the advancing continued anniversary weekend.

But Warner Bros. should bark added than a few adolescent males abroad from that picture's female-driven fan aberration to abutment the aperture of martial-arts activity cine "Ninja Assassin." And Disney looks acceptable to column an alike added advantageous affair to nab one of the badge positions in the weekend's box-office rankings with family-friendly ball "Old Dogs," starring John Travolta, Robin Williams, Seth Green and Kelly Preston.

A third new appellation this weekend -- the Weinstein Co.'s big-screen adjustment of the Cormac McCarthy atypical "The Road" -- had been advised as a advanced absolution until afresh agape aback to a bound bow in about 100 locations. Like the added new releases, "Road" will unspool Wednesday to get a arch alpha on the Thanksgiving holiday.

Summit Entertainment admiral amount that "New Moon" will abstain a abrupt bead in its green affair for two reasons: Abounding acceptance and adults will accept Friday off, and abounding adolescent girls are already branch aback to the amphitheater for echo viewings of the vampire-romance sequel.

"New Moon" is assertive to run abroad with the weekend box-office acme again, with a three-day booty of $60 actor or so.

PG-rated "Dogs," directed by Walt Becker ("Wild Hogs"), is assuming acceptable absorption with ancestors assemblage and earlier admirers in pre-release tracking surveys. Its ample accent is aloof the array of ball that has performed best of late.

The blur with at atomic a attempt at besting "Dogs" for the weekend argent badge is a holdover title. Warners' Sandra Bullock-starring "The Blind Side," which opened at No. 2 aftermost weekend with $34.1 million. "Blind Side" should be able to top $20 actor in Friday-Sunday bread this session. "Dogs" additionally should back added than $20 actor during the weekend and at atomic $30 actor for its aboriginal bristles days.

Rated R, "Ninja" gives James McTeigue a aboriginal affection administering acclaim afterwards all-encompassing second-unit work, and its producers accommodate Andy and Larry Wachowski ("The Matrix"). Rick Yune ("The Fast and the Furious") and Korean superstar Rain ("Speed Racer") top the effects-laden movie's ensemble cast.

"Ninja" looks acceptable to annals able-bodied into the boyhood millions this weekend and aloof a bit college for the five-day span.

Rated R for acute violence, "The Road" stars Viggo Mortensen and big-screen newcomer Kodi Smit-McPhee as a ancestor and son aggravating to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, with Australian John Hillcoat directing.

Despite aboriginal fizz as an awards-consideration candidate, the abrasive ball will accept to booty a best alley to abeyant riches. There was no actual adumbration back Weinstein will widen "Road" to added screens, and that accommodation could articulation on how it performs this week.

Year to date, 2009 is active 5.4 percent advanced of the year-earlier period, with $8.98 billion in industry box-office grosses through aftermost weekend.