Box Office (Specialty): J.F.K. Assassination Pic 'Parkland' Struggles

The historical drama -- directed by writer-turned-filmmaker Peter Landsman -- features an ensemble cast led by Zac Efron; Chinese director Zhangke Jia's "A Touch of Sin" enjoys strong New York City debut.

Exclusive Media's Parkland opened to a troubled $334,100 from 257 theaters in North America as it tried to compete with behemoth Gravity for adult moviegoers. Parkland's per location average was $1,300.

Matters were further complicated by Sony's decision to sneak its adult drama Captain Phillips -- directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks -- in 800 theaters across the country Saturday night, a week ahead of its official launch.

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Hanks ended up competing with himself to some degree, since his company Playtone produced Parkland, which recounts the events inside the Dallas hospital where John F. Kennedy was brought after being shot on Nov. 22, 1963. The film earned mediocre reviews.

Writer-turned-filmmaker Peter Landesman directed Parkland, featuring an ensemble cast led by Zac Efron, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver, James Badge Dale and Ron Livingston.

Exclusive Releasing executives said the drama did exceptional business in Texas, and strong numbers in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Among other new limited offerings, Chinese director Zhangke Jia's A Touch of Sin scored the top location average of the weekend, grossing roughly $24,000 from two theaters in New York after its debut at the New York Film Festival. The critical darling comes to L.A. next weekend.

Jeremy Lin documentary Linsanity, from Ketchup Entertainment, likewise saw a promising start, taking in $103,000 from nine theaters for a location average of $11,444.

Stu Zicherman's comedy A.C.O.D. opened to a tepid $20,047 from three theaters for a location average of $6,682. The movie, distributed by the Film Arcade, stars Adam Scott, Amy Poehler, Jessica Alba and Jane Lynch.

Roadside Attractions debuted Christian musical drama Grace Unplugged in 511 theaters. The film, starring Amanda Joy Michalka, James Denton, Kevin Pollak and Shawnee Smith, grossed $1.1 million for a location average of 2,046. Roadside is counting on an A- CinemaScore to help the film have strong legs.