Critical Outcast: New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Legend of the Guardians, The Virginity Hit, Wall Street

Last weekend saw four new films enter the fray and for the most part they did pretty good. The Town took the crown last week easily topping the second place Easy A. Will it have as easy a time this week, which sees another four hitting theaters? I would think not. I suspect it may have trouble staying in the top two. Frankly, it is fun to think about but I don't really care, so long as the movies are good. I mean, it is all about the movies right? Validation will come, maybe.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. (2010, 90 minutes, PG, animated fantasy) Let me be honest, when I first saw the trailer for this I had no interest in seeing it. Sure, the animation wowed me but I cannot say watching owls excited me all that much, the story just didn't seem all that original. However, now I kind of do want to see it. I am curious to see this animation run for a full feature in 3D and maybe they are able to work that familiar story into something fresh. More than seeing owls seek the heroes of legends to save them, I am interested in seeing what the director can do. You see, this was directed by Zack Snyder, the man behind the Dawn of the Dead remake and Watchmen, and this is definitely a curious project to see his name attached to.

The Virginity Hit. (2010, 86 minutes, R, comedy) I am not so sure about this. It is the kind of project that could either be brilliant or a disaster. It all depends on execution. Well, that and I have not made up my mind about the trailer. The story is told documentary style as some friends who are documenting another friends first sexual encounter. It is a low budget feature with no recognizable actors. It could be worth a shot. What do you think?

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. (2010, 127 minutes, PG-13, drama) Frankly, I never thought that I would see a sequel to Wall Street. It never struck me as a film that needed it, nor do I see Oliver Stone as a director who does sequels. Here we are, the question remaining is whether or not it is any good? Time will tell. I do like the trailer. I like how the film picks up in real time after the original With Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) getting out of prison and finding himself outside looking in. He still seems as manipulative as ever and I am sure this will play out in interesting fashion. Stone is not my favorite filmmaker, but he rarely makes a movie that is not worth checking out.

You Again. (2010, 105 minutes, PG, comedy) I see this trailer and think that this is not a movie I should be interested in. It looks annoying and lacking in originality. So, why am I interested? I think it could be an entertaining diversion. The cast looks like they had a lot of fun making it and hopefully that translates to fun on the screen. No one is expecting greatness, just a fun diversion. The cast includes Kristen Bell, Odette Yustman, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Victor Garber.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

Buried
Enter the Void
Howl
Like Dandelion Dust
A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism
Waiting for "Superman"
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Box Office Predictions
I am looking to the Owls of Ga'Hoole as the winner this week. It has the family factor in its favor, not to mention the 3D cost bump. I am not sure about its legs to have a long run, but to start it should do fine in fending off the competition. Coming in behind it will be the Wall Street sequel, which should do well with fans of the original and the curious who wish to see if Shia Labeouf has learned to act.

Here is how I think it could play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole	$24 million
2	Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps	$21million
3	The Town	$16 million
4	You Again	$13 million
5	Easy A	$9.5 million
6	Devil	$6 million
7	The Virginity Hit	$4 million
8	Alpha & Omega	$2.5 million
9	Resident Evil: Afterlife	$2 million
10	Takers	$1 million