New Movie Releases and Box Office Predictions: The DaVinci Code, Over the Hedge, See No Evil

Here we are, the third week of May, will it finally deliver against the pundits predictions? The first two weeks have each brought us big budget films with expectatons of big dollar signs, both underperformed. This week brings what has been expected to be one of the biggest films of the year. It will be interesting to see how it performs.

The DaVinci Code. (2006, 150 minutes, PG-13, suspense, trailer) Ron Howard and Tom Hanks have teamed up to bring the contoversial smash novel to the big screen. I have been amused by the uproar that has been caused over a piece of fiction. Oh yeah, it is fiction, I thought you knew? I am curious to see it, although I don't have high expectations, I am just hoping it is an entertaining adventure. The film costars Audrey Tautou, Paul Bettany, and Ian McKellan.

Over the Hedge. (2006, minutes, 87 PG, animated comedy, trailer) Here is yet another CG animated film. It seems like a new one is popping up every couple of weeks. This one concerns a gaggle of woodland creatures invading a community looking for snacks. The commercials look very funny, and the voice cast looks to be top notch. The cast includes Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Garry Shandling, and Gene Wilder.

See No Evil. (2006, 84 minutes, R, horror, trailer) I am looking forward to this, although I don't have any real expectations for it. It is the debut film from thbe newly formed WWE Films, headed by, who else, Vince McMahon. The film stars Glen Jacobs, aka the wrestler Kane, as a serial killer named Jacob Goodnight who is holed up in an abandoned building. He is alone until a group of criminals are escorted there to complete some community service. The problem is that the cop escort is the same cop that had put a bullet in Jacob's head years earlier. The film was directed by porn director Gregory Dark.

The Notorious Bettie Page. (2006, 100 minutes, R, drama, trailer) This is a biopic of none other than pinup superstar of the 1950s. The film stars Gretchen Mol as Page. We follow her journey to New York, where she aspired to be an actress. It is there that she hooks up with Irving and Paula Klaw, who become her mentors. I have not heard much about it, but I am sure it will be entertaining. It was directed by Mary Harron, who was also behind American Psycho.

Two Square Miles. (2005, 90 minutes, NR, documentary, trailer) This film is having a one showing stay at the local arthouse, and it is free to all. The screening also features director Barbara Ettinger, who will be on hand for a Q&A session. This is a documentary that takes alook at the battle waged between a multinational corporation and the town of Hudson, New York. The battle concerned the construction of coal-fired cement plant.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• The King
• Twelve and Holding

Box Office Predictions.

I think this week will be relatively easy to peg the top few films. Despite my poor miscue last week, and despite early bad word from Cannes, I am sure you all know what number one will be. Here is how it will play out:

1. The DaVinci Code
2. Over the Hedge
3. Mission: Impossible III
4. Poseidon
5. RV
6. See No Evil
7. Just My Luck
8. United 93
9. An American Haunting
10. Ice Age: The Meltdown

I think the biggest question mark is See No Evil. It is a low budget horror flick, and those tend to do reasonably well, if not downright good. It is opening on one third of the screens the other new releases are, plus it is the debut offering of WWE Films. Could be interesting.

What are you seeing this weekend?

Categories: News, Movies, Previews, Weekly