New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Featuring Annapolis

Before I get started, I am looking for a new name for this column. Originally it was just for new movies in my area, then I added a listing of the other films opening regardless of their release size, this week is the debut of another addition, box office predictions. So, if any of you have any ideas for a title, please share! Now, back to your regularly scheduled column.

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Can any of this weeks newcomers challenge last week's top dog, Underworld: Evolution? Quite possibly. However, this week's crop does not look all that promising, but perhaps I will be surprised.

See the end of the post for a new feature, I will attempt to predict the top ten box office leaders. Who knows how good it will be? Knowing me and predictions, not too well. It should be good for a laugh. With that said, also be sure to check out my Box Office Update column each Tuesday!

Annapolis. Justin Lin's latest centers on the Naval Academy at Annapolis. James Franco goes head to head with drill sergeant Tyrese Gibson and officer Jordana Brewster. Will this be any good? The trailers make it seem rather pedestrian, but Lin proved his skills to me with his debut film, Better Luck Tomorrow, so I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Big Momma's House 2. I should be the last person to criticize, but did anyone really need this? Granted, I have not seen the first one, and don't have much of a desire to. The trailers look terribly unfunny, perhaps a step up from a Rob Schneider film. That's a shame too, Martin Lawrence can be a funny guy, but I think he can find a better vehicle than this.

Nanny McPhee. All I know about this is what I've seen in the trailers, and it looks increasingly annoying. Of course, it is aimed at kids, but that does not mean that kids movies cannot be entertaining to the rest of us. This one stars Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, and Angela Lansbury, and tells the story of a nanny that is also a witch.

The Matador. This is the one I'm looking forward to seeing. Pierce Brosnan as an aging hitman who decides for a change of scenery, makes friends with nice guy Greg Kinnear and tries to leave the business. This doesn't last long as Brosnan takes Kinnear along on one last job. The commercials look very funny. This had a brief release at the end of 2005 for award consideration, scoring a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination for Brosnan. This weekend it goes wide, hopefully doing well, but I doubt it will challenge for the top spot.

Also opening this weekend, but not near me:

• Breaking News
• Bubble
• Imagine Me and You
• Manderlay
• Rang De Basanti
• Roving Mars
• Tristram Randy: A Cock and Bull Story

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS

1. Underworld Evolution. Clinging to the top spot, but it will be close.
2. Big Momma's House 2. I may not be looking forward to it, but I think it will be a hit, at least for a week.
3. Brokeback Mountain. Its release is widening as the word of mouth net expands, this has been doing great business, no sign of it backing down.
4. Annapolis. The ads are everywhere, and I think it will open decently.
5. Hoodwinked. This is a guess, it could drop a lot more, but I think the word of mouth is good enough to sustain it.
6. Last Holiday. This could become a nice little sleeper hit.
7. Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This has been a huge surprise, and I think it will be on the list for a few more weeks.
8. Nanny McPhee. Not sure about this, I think lack of familiarity may keep people away, but family films always seem to draw.
9. Glory Road. This is a good film, but it is not long for the top ten.
10. Fun with Dick and Jane.This should have dropped off a couple of weeks ago, but is hanging on, and I think this will be the last trip to the top for this one.

Enjoy your weekend at the movies!