Snakes underperformed against my modest projection but still managed to squeak out a win. The question now is will Snakes be lauded as the top dog or will people see this for the weak showing it was?
#1 movie predicted correctly: Nine Weeks In A Row
1. Snakes on a Plane $15.3m (My rank:#1, $3.0m Off)
My guess was $18.3m, and I’m pretty happy I went low. This is the final ringing verdict that Internet buzz on a project doesn’t really matter, or does it mean that they didn’t release it soon enough to capture the audience? I’m betting it wouldn’t have mattered when they released it, a funny title doesn’t mean people will see your movie. Either way, I still called it at number one, just wish it could have done a tad better so I could really gloat.
2. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby $14.1m (My rank:#2, $2.7m Off)
Ricky Bobby still has box-office pull. Yeah, it couldn’t hold off Snakes, but considering the showing Snakes had I wouldn’t call it much of a defeat. We also have to consider it is Ricky’s third week, he will probably beat Snakes in seven days. Hiss, hiss… Shake and Bake!
3. World Trade Center $10.8m (My rank:#5, $1.4m Off)
It did really well on word of mouth, very impressive America. The budget here was $65m (production, not marketing) and they’ve made $45m off it so far. All in all, it looks like a modest financial success, certainly not the bloodbath that other 9/11 flick faced. We just may see more films with meaning yet.
4. Accepted $10.1m (My rank:#3, $1.0m Off)
Nothing shocking, a typical number and now will never be heard from again. I want something better out of Justin Long going forward or I’m going have to start keeping him after class.
5. Step Up $9.8m (My rank:#4, $.9m Off)
This one had huge internet buzz and actually banked it (unlike that reptile one). I think this was the most popular Rope title over the last few months, it was between that and Karate Kid 3.
6. Barnyard: The Original Party Animals $7.4m (My rank:#8, $2.7m Off)
Man, I read $4.7 instead of $7.4. I seriously think I might have a learning disability. I still want credit for this one, no way you can hate on me for not being able to read.
7. Little Miss Sunshine $5.6m (My rank: NOT RANKED)
Hey, what are you doing here? I liked this one, reviewed it, interviewed the directors, and yet when I saw the theater count I discounted it. In hindsight, that was dumb.
8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest $5.0m (My rank:#7, $.3m Off)
It feels like this has been out forever. I’ve run out of fun things to say about it. I do believe it will be out of the top ten after this weekend and then we can begin the long national wait for numero tres.
9. Material Girls $4.6m (My rank:#6, #3.4m Off)
The Duff girls couldn’t get it done and now you’ve got to wonder if we’ll see old Hillary on Cinemax in a few years, maybe in something like “Cheerleader Confessionals”. Here’s hoping!
10. Pulse $3.5m (My rank:#10, $.2m Off)
I had it dead, and it died. Now, I want to see all of you back here on Friday morning where I’ll go for the first double digit streak of my young Oracle career.
Here is the MySpace info. Pop it, then rock it.
