Lots of new releases aiming for your box office bucks this weekend, including the return to the big screen of Mitt Romney’s favourite supporter and a masked superhero who struck out his first time in Hollywood. Let’s check out our contenders:
After supposedly swearing off acting with Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood is back in front of the camera with Trouble With The Curve, co-starring Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. The film has Eastwood as a retiring baseball scout who brings his daughter with him on his final trip. Eastwood is always good for a decent box office opening, and though he may be the brunt of more than a few jokes lately, I don’t think there will be very many empty chairs in theatres showing Trouble With The Curve this weekend. Look for the film to debut in the top spot with $19 million.
What else will make the top five? Find out after the jump!
Dredd 3D marks the return of Judge Dredd to the big screen, his first appearance since 1995 when Sylvester Stallone’s character bombed big time (what can I tell you, I actually liked it). This time out Karl Urban plays the title character, who is sent in to a 200 story apartment with his new protege (Olivia Thirlby) to take down drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headley). While Dredd may not be a North American blockbuster name, reviews have been solid and the film has what I consider a not-so secret weapon – Game of Thrones’ Headey. I think this one will do better than some are predicting – look for a second place debut with $17 million.
House At The End Of The Street is a new horror flick starring Jennifer Lawrence as a girl who moves into a new home with her mother (Elisabeth Shue), only to discover the neighbourhood and the house next door is full of dangerous secrets. House At The End Of The Street and Dredd 3D will wind up vying for similar audiences, so I think the race between the two will be very tight. I’m predicted a third place debut for House…with $16.5 million, but it could very easily outpace Dredd 3D when the actuals come out.
End Of Watch is a gritty new cop flick starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena and Anna Kendrick. There’s been lots of talk about this flick, certainly about Gyllenhaal’s adventures riding shotgun with Los Angeles police as he prepared for his role, but I don’t think End Of Watch is going to really bring in audiences. I’m guessing it will find life on DVD and VOD. Look for a fourth place finish with $11 million.
Finding Nemo 3D will close out the top five with $10 million.
So, to recap, here are our predictions:
1) Trouble With The Curve – $19 million
2) Dredd 3D – $17 million
3) House At The End Of The Street – $16.5 million
4) End Of Watch – $11 million
5) Finding Nemo 3D – $10 million
Be sure to check back on Sunday to see how the weekend turns out!
Oh, God. Elizbeth Shue is playing moms now?