The warmly reviewed “Christine,” starring Rebecca Hall and Michael C. Hall and directed by Antonio Campos, won the specialty box office this weekend.
Distributed by The Orchard, the film earned $14,046 from one location this weekend. Its 83 percent Rotten Tomatoes score reflects many accolades directed at Hall’s performance as real-life ambitious newswoman Christine Chubbuck, whose struggle with depression ended with her suicide during a live television broadcast.
IFC’s “Certain Women” came in a close second with a per theater average of $13,046 from five theaters for an estimated total of $65,230.
Starring Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, Rosanna Arquette and Laura Dern, the Kelly Reichardt film focuses on three women who are imperfectly blazing trails as their lives intersect in small-town America. It has received glowing reviews with a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Animated drama from Japan, “Miss Hokusai,” earned the No. 3 spot with $12,521 on average from two locations for a total of $25,042. Based on true events, the film revolves around Japanese artist and painter Katsushika Hokusai, as seen through the eyes of his daughter, Katsushika O-Ei. It has a 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
STX thriller “Desierto” fared well in 73 locations, earning an average of $6,164 per theater for a total of $450,000. The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a Mexican worker who is being hunted by a vigilante (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as he attempts to cross the border into the U.S. in order to reunite with his wife and daughter. It has a 59 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Eammon Films drama “Coming Through the Rye” earned an estimated $4,000 from one location. Starring Alex Wolff and Chris Cooper, the film is based on true events of a boy’s search for reclusive author J.D. Salinger. It has won raves from critics, as reflected in its 92 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.
Finally, Roadside Attractions drama “Priceless,” which hasn’t been rated on Rotten Tomatoes, made $703,200 from 303 locations for a per theater average of $2,321. The film involves a truck driver who faces a difficult choice once he discovers the contents of his deliveries.