Weekend Box Office #127

In the midst of a long tiring move. Moved my mother-in-law into the house, and now we're doing the big furniture move tomorrow.

Meanwhile I have too much stuff. Too many DVDs, too many books, too many scripts, too much writing, too many CDs, too many tapes, too many records.

I still haven't seen anything that opened in 2009 yet. But here is this weekend's action:

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (4104 theaters). Early word is that it's okay, but no Pixar film. The 3-D will help, the high screen count will help. Prediction: $48.9 million for the weekend.

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT (2732 theaters). Creepy commercials will bring people in. $17.3 million for the weekend.

12 ROUNDS (2331 theaters). The commercials are vague, while the LA Times didn't have an ad (or a review) today. $6.8 million.

******

Last weekend, KNOWING did a solid $24.6 million. I LOVE YOU, MAN did $17.8 million. DUPLICITY stiffed a bit with only $14.0 million.

Weekend Box Office #126

Some interesting movies this weekend:

KNOWING (3332 theaters). Has anyone made more bad movies in the past 10 years than Nic Cage? This one at least has an interesting hook, and apparently he doesn't overact. My estimate? $18.2 million for the weekend.

I LOVE YOU, MAN (2711 theaters). They've done a pretty good job of advertising this too. $15.8 million.

DUPLICITY (2574 theaters). Despite being the most grown-up of these three movies, it could sneak into the number one slot. $18.8 million.

******

Last weekend, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN did a solid 24.4 million. LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT did a pretty good $14.1. MISS MARCH only did $2.4 million.

It's a Small World

Today, for the second time in a week, I got a script to read from a production company that I gave someone notes on in 2007.

Different production companies, different scripts.

It's nice to see that tales I've helped (to whatever small extent) are circulating. It gives one hope.

And I told both writers -- so if I didn't tell you, no, it wasn't your script.

And yes, my coverage on both scripts will be honest...

Weekend Box Office #125, and also 11,000

So I wrote my 11,000th piece of paid coverage or notes yesterday. Scary, scary, scary. Not bad for 18 years of doing this.

I wonder what the record is....

*******

I'm going to be moving at the end of the month, renting a house so that my wife's mom can live with us. I think it'll work out. Fingers crossed. Though I hate moving.

*******

I'm trying to bang out 15-20 pages of a new comedy so that I can bring it in to my group of Monday night. I have the basic outlines of a story, but at this point I'm just letting the pages flow, and seeing what comes out.

*******

New in theaters this weekend:

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (3187 theaters). This seems to be getting solid-enough views, while the ads are positioning it well as a family movie that might draw in some young adults as well (the Rock plus aliens plus car chases can only help). Let's guess $26.7 million for the weekend.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2401 theaters). It's a little weird that they are remaking old horror movies that their young target audience has probably never heard of, but what the hell, it's a cool title. $10.9 million.

MISS MARCH (1742 theaters). This just looks rather stupid, without the cast to compensate. $4.1 million.

*******

Last weekend, WATCHMEN did $55.2 million. A little short of my estimate, but not bad.

Weekend Box Office #124 -- Watchmen

So I apologize for getting lazy on my blog again, and since I'm getting read to move at the end of the month, it may get worse.

Dig deep into the archives if you are bored.

This weekend the only movie opening wide is WATCHMEN (3611 theaters). I was on board with the graphic novel when it first came out (though I'm not really a graphic novel guy), but somewhere along the years since someone borrowed it and never gave it back -- I have no idea who.

It's a great graphic novel, however, and I've heard that's sort of the problem. Fans of it may be disappointed by the movie, while people who haven't read it apparently may be confused by parts of the film. Plus it's about 2 hours 40 minutes long.

Still, my prediction for the weekend: $63.1 million. Because it's escapism, it's a big screen movie, and there isn't much else fresh out there.

****************

Last weekend, MADEA GOES TO JAIL finished number 1, with $16.1 million, even though it dropped over 60%.

THE JONAS BROTHERS only did $12.5 million, just narrowly nosing out SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, which should zoom past $130 million this week. Not bad for a movie that at one point they were considering sending straight to DVD.

STREET FIGHTER limped in with $4.7 million.