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.
Australian moviegoers were faced with a choice between seeing a US thriller starring Hugh Jackman and an English time-travelling comedy drama last weekend.
The winners of the News Corp Australia Box Office Awards were announced at a luncheon held at the Australian International Movie Convention today.
Those critics and writers who think Princess Diana ought to be allowed to rest in peace may have a point, judging by the lousy opening figures in Australia for director Oliver Hirschbiegel's Diana.
Box-office takings lifted by 13% to $16.7 million last weekend, powered by an impressive launch for Gravity, a strong hold by Grown Ups 2 and sizable contributions from the children's/family films.
Tim Winton's The Turning drew sizable audiences at Australian cinemas last weekend, earning $215,552 at 14 screens, running for two sessions a day at most locations.