‘Risk,’ ‘Fly Away’ Draw Top Spots at Box Office

Two new Columbia Pictures movies, “Maximum Risk” and “Fly Away Home,” opened atop the weekend box-office list.

“Maximum Risk,” a Jean-Claude Van Damme action thriller, was No. 1 at $5.8 million. “Fly Away Home,” about an estranged father and daughter who help a flock of geese migrate, was second with $5 million, according to preliminary estimates by Exhibitor Relations Co., which tracks box-office receipts.

“Bulletproof” was third at $4 million, “Tin Cup” No. 4 at $3.5 million and “First Kid” fifth at $3.3 million.

The timing of Columbia’s one-two punch is ironic considering that Sony Corp., Columbia’s parent, forced out studio chief Mark Canton on Friday after a summer of expensive flops including “The Cable Guy.”

Final figures were to be released today. According to preliminary figures, other Top 10 movies included:

6. “The Rich Man’s Wife,” $3.2 million.

7. “A Time to Kill,” $2.9 million.

8. “The Spitfire Grill,” $2.5 million.

9-10. (tie) “Independence Day” and “Jack,” $2.1 million each.