I knew Quantum of Solace would do well, but da-yum! Lookin’ at over $200 million when all is said and done, and that’s just domestic. It’s already north of $300 million worldwide. And Slumdog Millionaire looks like it’s going to be huuuuge as well.
11/21
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Animated tale in which a celebrity dog, convinced he has the superpowers of the character he plays, must fend for himself in NYC.
WILL IT SUCK?
First time directors but the writers (one of whom directs) have worked on stuff like Cars and The Emporer’s New Groove, so there’s hope. Oh and the voice cast includes James Lipton and Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and all I can say is, it’s about freakin’ time we got those two together. Right?
Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Let’s see, Miley Cyrus is one of the voices and there’s a talking dog. Twilight may have a fight on its hands. $125mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
If the reviews hold up, it could make it into the final three.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
The CW Presents True Blood
WILL IT SUCK?
Director Catherine Hardwicke’s work gets increasingly bland as you go from Thirteen to Lords of Dogtown to The Nativity Story, so I’m not as psyched to see her at the helm as I would have been in 2004. Melissa Rosenberg, who adapts the best-selling tween sensation, has scripted her fair share of Dexter eps, but she’s also written a few Birds of Prey as well, and this is much more in the latter category. But, hey, it’s got Peter Facinelli (from the Best. Show. Ever.), so what am I worried about?
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Summit just made their first blockbuster. $128mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Biggest Beneficiary of Harry Potter Switching Release Dates
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
A man in a pharmaceutical trial (Michael Rappaport) believes he’s developing superpowers.
WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is great. A festival fave. Rappaport is supposed to be outstanding.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Buzz should carry it through a fairly light weekend. $2mil.
WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Probably won’t make it onto the radar. But if it did, I’d look at Rappaport.
Next Week: A movie that, sadly, got ten times more relevant on Election Day.
Rappaport can act? That’s amazing! I thought “sheepish” was the limit of his emotional range.