Inception, Other Stuff, Weekend Box Office #196

So I saw Inception, and I liked it a lot. It's mentally engaging and visually cool, and it hangs together for what it is.

It's interesting to hear the criticism of the movie from people who don't like it (including some critics). Basically, either they are too confused with what is happened (which probably means they aren't used to being actually challenged to figure things out in a theater) or they wish it was a different version of the idea that it isn't.

There are probably hundreds of ways to take this basic idea and do it differently, and a lot of them might have worked. Christopher Nolan chose this tale, and on that level it's hard to quibble with a lot here.

Worth seeing on the big screen.

*******

As an odd little writing experiment, I created a Facebook page for the main character in my Nicholl semi script, which I'm trying to turn into a pilot. It's a different way of storytelling, using text and pictures to tell the tale, and I'm having fun with it, while it's a good way to make me think about aspects of this world every day.

Her name is Blue Malone; if you're around Facebook, check out the page and friend her if you like. She won't bite.

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Opening this weekend in wide release --

CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE (3705 theaters). I'm not sure why the not-very-good first movie demanded a sequel, but my niece and nephew (age 9 and 11) want to see it, and that's a lot of theaters. Figure $21.9 million for the weekend.

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS (2911 theaters). I was hoping this would be good, but most reviews have been unenthusiatic (it's running at 53% on Rotten Tomatoes right now -- though that's better than a lot of movies currently out). Figure $16.9 million for the weekend.

CHARLIE ST. CLOUD (2720 theaters). Looks a bit earnest and sappy, though I suppose there's a market for that. Figure $10.2 million.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT is expanding to 847 theaters; it'll be interesting to see how it does. Figure about $4.8 million.

*****

Last weekend, SALT made $36.0 million, finishing about $6 million behind INCEPTION's second week. RAMONA AND BEEZUS made $7.8 million.

Weekend Box Office #194/#195

No, a piano didn't fall on me. Just got underwhelmed by summer movies, and forgot to care about what they might make for a few weeks.

Though apparently INCEPTION ($62.8 million last weekend) is really good; I'm going to see it this weekend, and maybe I'll do a post trying to figure out why some critics hate it.

Last weekend, THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE only opened to $17.6 million, despite costing about $140 million (only about $10 million less than INCEPTION). They are selling it like a family film, but it looks busy, and neither Nic Cage or Jay Baruchel really seem like breezy action/fantasy people.

Word is SALT is solid (and should do about $40 million this weekend), while RAMONA AND BEEZUS might do $10 million -- not bad for a girl's movie that cost only $15 million.

Weekend Box Office #193

A couple of non-thrilling wide openers this weekend:

DESPICABLE ME (3474 theaters). The reviews I've seen say it's a little too sappy to really work well. Figure $21.7 million.

PREDATORS (2669 theaters). Also mixed reviews, and another odd choice from Adrien Brody. Maybe $13.6 million for the weekend.

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Last weekend, ECLIPSE made $83.7 million for the 4-day weekend (and $176 million for its first 6 days), while THE LAST AIRBENDER made a surprisingly-strong $51.8 million. Though expect both to drop rapidly.

Weekend Box Office #192

Nothing opening wide this week for adults, unless you've been hooked by the whole Twilight thing. I've managed to resist it.

Some movies in limited release are supposed to be good, particularly Winter's Bone and Cyrus.

This weekend's new wide releases:

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE (4416 theaters). It has already made almost $100 million in it's first 2 days. Figure another $90 million for the 4-day holiday weekend (Monday July 5 is somehow a holiday, though I'm not sure how that works).

THE LAST AIRBENDER (3169 theaters). This is supposed to be really awful, unless you're a 9-year-old boy. Apparently it has some of the worst 3D and special effects ever. It made $16 million yesterday, but word will probably get around quick. Figure $29.5 million for the 4-day weekend.

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Last weekend, GROWN UPS did $40.6 million, while KNIGHT & DAY only did $20.1. TOY STORY 3 finished in first.