THE HUNGER GAMES loses top spot to a romantic comedy

Apparently the moviegoing public liked what they saw of trailers shown in a TV marketing blitz, or else they were curious to see a principally black cast directed by someone other than Tyler Perry. Whatever the case, "Think Like a Man," from director Tim Story ("Barbershop," "Fantastic Four"), did so well on Friday, it's first day ($12 million domestic gross), that it knocked "The Hunger Games" out of the top spot. "Think Like a Man" is about four women who latch onto an advice book written by a man to get the upper hand in their relationships . . . until the men get wind of it and decide to fight back.

Since "The Lucky One"—about a vet fresh from Iraq who searches for a woman he thinks kept him alive—grossed $9 million to take second place, maybe it shows the public is finally hungry for something other than two teens locked in a fight to the death. Further proof? Walt Disney's nature documentary "Chimpanzee" placed fourth, earning just $500,000 less in receipts than "The Hunger Games." 

So what does it all mean? 

Well, this is a big election year in the U.S., so no doubt Republicans will start a movement to ask Obama to prove he's been attending films in this country by producing his ticket stubs, and the Democrats will probably tout the defeat of "Hunger" as a sign that the economy is almost fully recovered. 

Two tickets to "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," please. . . .