The combined B.O. tally of the Australian films and documentaries released theatrically this year will fall far short of 2012's $47.9 million.
Given the packed schedule of movies in December/January, it's not surprising that distributors unloaded a bunch of short-run films last weekend, including One Chance, Carrie, Magic Magic and Austenland.
Australian cinemagoers flocked to the latest edition of The Hunger Games and the Doctor Who anniversary special last weekend, but Adoration was unloved.
Australian cinemagoers have really sparked to an exuberantly crude comedy starring Johnny Knoxville as a crotchety 86-year-old man who reluctantly embarks on a road trip with his eight-year-old grandson.
Are Australian audiences getting soft and avoiding darker and more confronting, challenging material?
The Marvel franchise in Australia is growing by leaps and bounds, judging by last weekend's brawny debut of Thor: The Dark World.
Some 17 Australian films including two documentaries have been released in Australian cinemas this year.
The charismatic Tom Hanks in the title role of high seas thriller Captain Phillips helped inject life into the flagging Australian box office last weekend.