If you’re an American living in America there’s a fairly good chance you won’t be seeing a movie this weekend. I’ll be making a big pitch for one of them, which I hope you’ll find compelling, but other than that it’s pretty slim pickings. How slim? Rooney Mara slim! Let’s break this thing down.
Laremy predicted the #1 movie correctly 0 Weeks In A Row
Contagion
Brad and I just wrapped on The Toronto International Film Festival, I’d rank my top four films like this 1) Anonymous 2) Butter 3) Moneyball 4) Shame. Shame might actually be the best of the bunch, but it’s also the toughest to watch. Butter and Moneyball in particular are worth seeing twice. Why do I bring any of this up? Because this weekend’s box office doesn’t have much to talk about. At this point, I’m vamping.
Contagion passed the $30m mark worldwide, though that’s almost entirely domestic, which means it will need an international push to get into the black. I like it to do well internationally, but the $60m production budget looms large. What did the individual actors get paid here? Who got the most? I’d guess Damon and Paltrow pulled down $5m a piece but I have no evidence to back that claim up.
Moving right along …
Prediction: $12.32 million
The Toy Story 3-D re-release cleared $7k per theater, but I only have Lion King clearing $5k per. What gives? Well, Toy Story was a double feature, sequel included, and released on the marketing might of Toy Story 3. The Lion King won’t be as much of a value proposition, and the animation is somewhat out of modern step given Pixar’s dominance. Still, it’s picking up over half of the pre-sales over at Fandango, so I reserve the right to be wrong.
Prediction: $11.5 million
I just asked Brad if he wanted to see this with me, because we both missed the screening due to TIFF. Then we shared a hearty laugh. My take is somewhere in the mid-$3,000s per theater based on 1.5 million people going on a date this weekend.
Prediction: $10.2 million
4. Drive
Here’s my pitch: if you love movies … and can take a few violent scenes, this is a taut and outstanding film. ’80s synth dominates the score and Ryan Gosling really hits his stride. I’d love to see this convert a few folks and build strength as the weekend closes, it’s most deserving of some love.
Prediction: $10.06 million
5. Straw Dogs
I still don’t get why you remake this. But the guy from “True Blood” was pretty epic in it, respect given there.
Prediction: $8.42 million
6. The Help
This is looking more and more like a Best Picture nominee. Tate Taylor stock is at an all-time high.
Prediction: $5.97 million
7. Warrior
Everyone I’ve spoken to really liked this film (except for Brad who just sorta liked it). Still, it made nada. Why? Because September is a wasteland for theatrical releases. It’s as simple as that.
Prediction: $2.75 million
8. The Debt
I mean, the largest September opening in history is Sweet Home Alabama at $35m. That’s the worst highest opening of any month. I know, right??!
Prediction: $2.48 million
9. Colombiana
I sort of want Rihanna and Zoe Saldana to do a project together. Proposed title: R.Z. Anna.
Prediction: $2.18 million
Did Jimmy Franco get back-end here? Take a tip from Leo D. and let them keep their pesky salary for a percentage of total gross. That’s a move that says “I believe”. $375m worldwide and counting!
Prediction: $1.85 million
How say you? Cheeky enough to take a lion or a car film at the top? Four newbies to sink your teeth into, predictions away!
