Halloween is right around the corner which makes it Saw II‘s weekend. The only real competition is the swashbuckling Legend of Zorro which has an advantage in theater counts and rating but a disadvantage in interest factor. The public wasn’t clamoring for a sequel. The other two openers include a mixed bag of critical opinions on The Weather Man and the romantic comedy Prime starring a very un-bride like Uma Thurman. Those last two openers won’t make much of a peep. We also bid a fond farewell to Flightplan this weekend which won’t see the top 10 for the first time in two months. Ciao!
1. Saw II 15.0m
The posters are extremely creepy because I’m a big proponent of proper nail care. The team behind Saw 2 picked a beautiful set to contend against, before all the Oscar monsters and right in time to cash in on holiday horror fun.
2. Legend of Zorro 13.7m
This is the only other film on the board with a legitimate shot at the top spot. If it achieves that lofty perch it will be because mom and dad had to take a kid to the movies this weekend. That should be the tagline in fact “Go bug mom and dad until they cave!”
3. Doom 8.7m
I don’t see a huge drop-off in week two. I do see a huge drop-off in week three, but you have to pay extra for ultra futuristic Oracle.
4. Prime 5.7m
Prime isn’t a completely horrible film so it should get fair word of mouth. Only one in 300 Americans needs to see it for it to reach my projection so I don’t think I’m asking too much here.
5. The Weather Man 4.8m
Nic Cage has picked some odd roles lately hasn’t he? It’s been all downhill since Con-Air.
6. The Fog 4.8m
Gets a tiny Hallow’s eve reprieve before sliding into the ether.
7. Dreamer 4.7m
It defied me on its opening weekend but not this weekend. This weekend I’ve got it pegged. You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.
8. Wallace and Gromit 4.4m
I’ve always loved Wallace. Gromit pisses me right off, but Wallace is all good in my book. So I’m always conflicted as to where this movie goes in the projections. This week Wallace told me eight was enough.
9. North Country 4.1m
Can you get Oscar buzz if you aren’t in theaters anymore? I think you can and I also could see a February re-release.
10. Elizabethtown 3.0m
The best soundtrack doesn’t always lead to the best box office. It’s a lesson Mr. Crowe learned the hard way with this labor of love.
