Coen brothers Western hauls in $4.5 million on Friday. By Mawuse Ziegbe Matt Damon in “True Grit” Photo: Paramount Pictures “True Grit” fended off “Fockers” and took names at the Friday box office. The Coen brothers’ critically acclaimed, dust-kicking adventure scored the top spot at the start of its third weekend in theaters, pulling in $4.5 million. The figure nudges the total estimated haul of the rollicking Western drama — which features performances from Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges and newcomer Hailee Steinfield — to just under $100 million. “Grit” star Barry Pepper has attributed to the filmmakers’ stunning attention to detail, explaining to MTV News why the film stands out from modern Wild West fare. “So many of them have so many anachronisms that kind of ruin it for me and pull me out of the period, whereas the Coen brothers are so authentic and they have such a precise vision,” he told MTV News at the film’s premiere. “And the dialogue [in ‘True Grit’] is extraordinary, which is plucked straight from the source of Charles Portis’ novel. So, yeah, this one’s a very special one for me.” Hot on the heels of “Grit” is the familial laugh-getter “Little Fockers,” which raked in $4.2 million for a second-place finish. The latest installment in the Fockers saga — the all-star gang of Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand returns for more awkward fun — has snapped up $114 million since its holiday release. The Nicholas Cage-starring, witch-battling, ghoul-dodging romp “Season of the Witch” — which was ushered into theaters with a flurry of less-than-encouraging reviews — debuted in third place. The flick snagged $3.7 million at the Friday box office. The Disney digital adventure “Tron Legacy” continues to maintain a presence in the box-office top five. The sci-fi sequel added $2.7 million to its total haul, which now stands at around $140 million. Gwyneth Paltrow’s onscreen turn at the mic, “Country Strong,” kicked off the weekend in fifth place. The flick, which also stars Garrett Hedlund and fellow music and Hollywood double-dippers Leighton Meester and Tim McGraw, made $2.5 million. Check out everything we’ve got on “True Grit,” “Little Fockers” and “Season of the Witch.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘True Grit’
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‘True Grit’ Flexes Box-Office Muscle
