New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Sex and the City, The Strangers

The past couple of weekends have only had one new film each added to the nationwide roster. If nothing else, the audience has not had much of a choice when it comes to fresh meat. This weekend changes things, we get two, count'em two, new movies heading out to the nation. However, they are both R rated films with targeted demographics that do not overlap much with last week's heavy hitter, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It will be interesting to see how they impact the box office charts. Money issues aside, it will be nice to see some films that target an older audience.

Sex and the City. (2008, 135 minutes, R, romantic comedy, trailer) I cannot say I have much interest in this film. Then again, I never watched the series, and am not the biggest fan of Sarah Jessica Parker. That said, with the lack of wide releases in recent weeks, I feel a bit starved in terms of big screen content, so I may just go in cold and give it a shot. Do you think I'll be lost? From what I gather in the trailers, Parker's character is getting married to Jeremy Noth's character, and I am not sure what the rest of the gang are doing. I guess I just may find out! The television series' head honcho, Michael Patrick King, penned the script and directs.

The Strangers. (2008, 107 minutes, R, horror/thriller, trailer) This thriller has been bounced around the schedule for awhile now. I do not recall when it was originally set to be released, but I believe it was last year. In any case, the trailers have been super creepy and the posters have matched (well, some of them). Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler star as a couple who have just arrived at home, and as they prepare a romantic evening, they start to hear things. The couple have been targeted for a home invasion that gets rather violent. The film strikes me as a more audience-friendly Funny Games. One of the best parts of the trailer, one that completely sells the film, has Tyler asking why them, the answer comes back: "You were home." Creepy. First timer Bryan Bertino writes and directs.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
• The Foot Fist Way
• Savage Grace
• Stuck

Box Office Predictions
Last weekend saw Indiana Jones dominate the weekend, en route to becoming the first film in history to top $25 million in its first five days of release. Will it's strength carry through to a second week on top of the pile? Considering the new competition, I believe it is a lock to repeat. Both of the new films are rated R, immediately limiting their audience, and just do not have the strength that Indy has, nor the wide ranging fan base. At least we have some R rated flicks in theaters.

Here is how I think the top ten field will play out for the three day weekend:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull	$48 million
2	Sex and the City	$32 million
3	The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian	$14 million
4	The Strangers	$12 million
5	Iron Man	$10 million
6	What Happens in Vegas	$5 million
7	Made of Honor	$2 million
8	Baby Mama	$2 million
9	Speed Racer	$1.5 million
10	Forgetting Sarah Marshall	$.75 million