This weekend’s success of Saw IV proved that ‘torture porn’ is very much alive and well…at least right before All Hallows Eve.  (Apparently originality is not a prerequisite when you’re in the haunting mood.)  The horror series, which took in $55 million domestically when it debuted in 2004, bloodied the competition with its recent $31 million take.  It will now likely hit the $80 million mark the last two installments surpassed.

Although Dan in Real Life, lagged behind with only $11 million, the film at least managed to place second.  Hopefully Dan will have legs in the weeks to come; it’s a nice counter-programming option for those desperately seeking romance on their date nights.  Those hunting for acceptable kids fare may have it a bit harder though—- which probably explains why The Game Plan has remained firmly planted in the Top Five.

Other notable mentions for this week:

• After debuting in ninth place last week, Rendition has already made a swift exit.  (Thankfully, Reese and Jake will have their love to keep them warm.)
• ‘It’ girl Michelle Monaghan now only has one film in the Top Ten; The Heartbreak Kid has disappeared while Gone Baby Gone deservedly stays.
• Meanwhile another Gone star, Amy Ryan, has stepped in to take Monaghan’s place.  The woman who does a great job playing a drugged-up mother also makes an appearance in Dan as one of Steve Carell‘s family members.  She’s so cleaned up in the latter film, she’s barely recognizable.

1. Saw IV, Lionsgate, $31,756,764
2. Dan in Real Life, Touchstone, $11,809,445
3. 30 Days of Night, Sony, $6,862,764
4. The Game Plan, Disney, $6,129,720
5. Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?, Lionsgate, $5,643,899
6. Michael Clayton, Warner Bros., $4,924,374
7. Gone Baby Gone, Miramax, $3,817,451
8. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Touchstone, $3,446,012
9. We Own The Night, Sony, $3,395,012
10. The Comebacks, 20th Century Fox, $3,371,708