Box-Office Oracle: Brad Pitt and ‘Moneyball’ Take on Lautner, Handicapped Dolphins and 3D Lions… Oh My!
By
Laremy Legel
I guess I should start an “incorrectly predicted” streak? I keep betting against the family dollar, and it keeps coming back to haunt me. So what’s the call for this very competitive weekend? Let’s break it down!
Laremy predicted the #1 movie correctly 0 Weeks In A Row
I’m not exactly betting “against” family money here, because I think Dolphin Tale and Lion King 3-D will split the vote. Leaving Moneyball to slide into the top spot. Brad Pitt is solid, Jonah Hill is solid, Zaillan and Sorkin’s script is solid, and adult drama deserves some love too. Plus, there’s precedent, Wall Street 2 won this weekend last year, taking out kid-friendly Legend of the Guardians.
As for the long-term prospects of Moneyball, there’s a number of competing factors at play. Brad Pitt has a bit of potential for Best Actor love based on his body of work. Call it Benjamin Button residuals. And the screenplay will definitely get a nom. Best Picture? I’m not so sure, it’s really early in the season, plus I don’t see this having the same level of vocal supporters that Social Network was able to amass. Somehow, that became a movement, where this might just end up being a good movie. We should have a clearer picture after this weekend, further updates as events warrant.
The trailers don’t make me angry, and that’s quite an accomplishment. Plus, it’s a true story, people love those (*cough* Blind Side). Throw in Harry Connick Jr. for the ladies and this should give Warner Bros. a shot at the crown.
Taylor Lautner seems to have picked a lemon for his leading man debut. I didn’t see it, but they refused to let me see it, so I’m comfortable saying this won’t thrive this weekend.
One of my great disappointments this year was the failure to get butts in seats for this film. I talked to a few civilians who didn’t love it though, too quiet, too esoteric. I get that, believe me, I just think there’s something great here for cinema junkies. And perhaps history will judge this film in a kinder light.
Maybe they only spent $5m making this film? Because that’s the only way I can weave a success story here.
Prediction: $1.981 million
How say you? Colombiana is inexplicably getting 400 more theaters this weekend if you’d like to predict it to finish first. Other than that, you’ve got four new releases to weigh in on, predictions away!
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