Friedman's column is sort of foolish. "If not for the international market. . . ." When the international market contributes $300M to your picture, I don't think there's any scenario where it makes sense to cut those numbers out. Also, WOTW was is nearly a month old and has just now dropped from the top five. I'd like a flop like that.
For the record, I'm not a fan of Spielberg's, though I know you are, but I did like WOTW.
If it hangs around a bit longer and pases 'Ryan' it becomes his highest grosser since Jurassic Park. Flop? Nope. I don't like everything he cranks out but loved WOTW. As you well know. :-)