Rock's 'Head of State' wins campaign for box-office reign

LOS ANGELES -- Audiences gave their votes to Chris Rock and put his presidential farce "Head of State" in the lead with a weekend box office of $14 million.

The Steve Martin and Queen Latifah comedy "Bringing Down the House," the top movie for three straight weekends, held the runner-up slot with $12.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The journey-to-the-center-of-the-Earth adventure "The Core," starring Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank, opened in third place with $12.4 million.

The box office is expected to rebound as big summer flicks start arriving. The Adam Sandler-Jack Nicholson comedy "Anger Management" warms things up in mid-April, followed by the May debuts of the "X-Men" sequel "X2" and the sci-fi follow-up "The Matrix Reloaded."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.:

1. "Head of State," $14 million.

2. "Bringing Down the House," $12.5 million.

3. "The Core," $12.4 million.

4. "Basic," $12.1 million.

5. "Chicago," $7.4 million.

6. "Dreamcatcher," $6.4 million.

7. "Agent Cody Banks," $6.1 million.

8. "Piglet's Big Movie," $4.6 million.

9. "View From the Top," $3.8 million.

10. "The Hunted," $3.7 million.