‘Perfect Guy,’ ‘Visit’ box office results are strong

‘Perfect Guy,’ ‘Visit’ box office results are strong

LOS ANGELES

“The Perfect Guy” and “The Visit” sailed past modest opening weekend expectations – and budgets – locking in debuts in the mid-$20 million range thanks in part to good timing and robust female turnout.

“The Perfect Guy,” a PG-13 rated thriller starring Sanaa Lathan and Michael Ealy, secured the first place spot with $26.7 million, according to Rentrak estimates Sunday.

M. Night Shyamalan’s nail-biter “The Visit,” a $5 million production from micro-budget horror-makers Blumhouse, took a close second with an estimated $25.7 million for distributor Universal. With numbers this close, the places might shift today, but both films are resounding successes on a weekend that often doesn’t go noticed on the release calendar.

Rounding out the top five at the box office were: “War Room,” $7.4 million, third place; “A Walk in the Woods,” $4.7 million, fourth place; and “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation,” $4.2 million, fifth place.

Miss Georgia wins Miss America title

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.

Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell is the new Miss America.

Cantrell bested 51 other competitors in the nationally televised pageant from Atlantic City on Sunday.

First runner-up was Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts. Miss Colorado, Kelley Johnson, was second runner-up.

The pageant also marked the return of Miss America 1984 Vanessa Williams, who was back for the first time after resigning the crown after a nude photo scandal. Pageant executive chairman Sam Haskell apologized to Williams on behalf of the pageant.

Williams went on to a successful television and stage career.

Associated Press