Box Office News: 'Ouija' Rides High on $20M Weekend; Keanu Reeves' 'John Wick' Takes $14M

"Ouija" earned $20 million on the pre-Halloween weekend, while the truly adrenaline-pumping "John Wick," starring Keanu Reeves, comfortably got $14 million on its opening weekend.

However interesting those figures are, it's still a battle for the sustained support of the moviegoing public. That's due to the fact that the more that moviegoers appreciate the merits of a film, the more it's likely to stay on the circuit.

In that regard, "John Wick" seems to have a stronger foothold. It's the perfect vehicle for Reeves' comeback to the action genre. Reeves plays the part of a former assassin who comes out of retirement to exact vengeance on gangsters who broke into his home, beat him up, and killed his dog.

The dog happened to be his wife's last gift to him before she passed away. The dog's death gives Reeves' character enough rage to go on a violent shooting spree.

Meanwhile, "Ouija" is another take on the supernatural horror that gets unleashed through a spirit board. A group of friends probe into the spirit world as they investigate the Ouija's role in the death of a girl who recorded her own use of the board.

The cast does not boast of any big names, although at least one of the leads, Daren Kagasoff, has had previous serious exposure on TV and is known for his five seasons of dramatic highlights in ABC's "The Secret Life of The American Teenager," playing the role of Trevor.

The problem with a movie like "Ouija" is that it is seasonal. Part of its box-office appeal was because of the timing of its release, which was ideal for the Halloween season. Beyond Halloween, however, the appeal could lessen considerably since it has no huge stars. Moreover, the plot isn't particularly original and the scenes are not exceptionally gripping.

As for "John Wick," Reeves turns in a very convincing performance backed up by able fan support.