The Maze Runner looks to be the people’s champion this weekend, especially if you count the people who don’t have anything more than a summer job yet. The trailers don’t look all that bad, but I missed the screening, so that 67 percent on RT could go either way. Still, that number alone means it’s better than Divergent, right? And that one opened up at nearly $55 million! Sigh. Those were simpler times. As for The Maze Runner, I’m slotting it in at $28 million, which is pretty respectable for a September release. Even if it makes it this far it would represent the 11th best September opening ever. EVER!
Next up, This is Where I Leave You, a film that is sporting a rotten rating. People not digging on Jason Bateman? This looks to be adult fare, as the movie season runs full speed toward “Oscar” and “Winter Blockbuster” season. Unfortunately, if you look at September, there’s basically no precedent for an adult drama crushing it. Maybe Contagion at $22 million? This does not seem like that. I did enjoy the book, but it’s really guy lit, so I can’t go above $15.1 million.
Then we’ve got A Walk Among the Tombstones. It’s only getting 2,500 theaters, and it has the worst poster I’ve ever seen. But let’s not judge a movie by its cover, let’s judge it by the director having written The Wolverine. I’m awarding it a kind $12.5 million, not a penny more.
Tusk is the final entry into the derby, Kevin Smith‘s latest looks to be a comedy-horror, one then the other. It’s gotta be a more commercial effort than Red State, which didn’t even crack $1.2 million. So the $3.4 million I’m calling for this weekend is a huge improvement! K-Smith, you’re back on the bus, get comfy and tell us a story.
That’s it for me, your turn, let’s get it on.
Current Record: 43-86-5 against the wisdom of the crowds.
Major Theater Chain (MTC) Tracking
- The Maze Runner:
- Tusk:
- This is Where I Leave You:
- A Walk Among the Tombstones:
SIDE NOTE: Some of the theater numbers below are estimates. We’ll have the actual counts in Sunday’s wrap-up article.
