'American' takes No. 1 at U.S. box office

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- George Clooney's "The American" took the No. 1 spot at the weekend U.S. box office with more than $12.96 million in estimated gross receipts.

"Takers" with Hayden Christensen and Matt Dillon was a close No. 2 with $11.45 million.

The pulpy action flick "Machete" was a close third with $11.3 million.

All studio estimates are via Box Office Mojo.

"The Last Exorcism" was fourth with more than $7.64 million; "Going the Distance" fifth with more than $6.88 million; "The Expendables" sixth with more than $6.59 million; "The Other Guys" seventh with $5.4 million; "Eat Pray Love" eighth with $4.85 million; and "Inception" was ninth with $4.53 million.

"Nanny McPhee Returns" was 10th with more than $3.57 million.