For the record, I shot 67% for the categories I bothered to make predictions for in the Golden Globes. About average for me. Kate Winslet, thankfully, threw me for a loop.
And somehow I’m not supposed to be surprised that Gran Torino won the weekend, but I am.
1/16
Wide
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Slasher remake in 3-D.
WILL IT SUCK?
Not only did director Patrick Lussier helm Dracula 2000, he also knocked out it’s two straight-to-DVD sequels, and White Noise 2 and The Prophecy 3, so those are kind of horror remakes, right? Speaking of horror sequels, one of the writers penned Jason X and is handling the Messengers sequel (oh, yes, there will be a Messengers sequel).
Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I don’t think the 3-D gimmick is going to put asses in seats, but maybe Jensen Ackles will. $37mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Notorous B.I.G. bio-pic.
WILL IT SUCK?
From director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food, Men of Honor). This does not concern me. One of the co-writers wrote Biker Boyz. He also wrote Get on the Bus. But he wrote Biker Boyz. This concerns me. (The other writer is credited with the 2nd Annual Vibe Awards.)
Good cast though, with Anthony Mackie as 2Pac, Derek Luke as Puffy and Angela Basset as Ma Bigge.
Early buzz is good.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I think this could be a sleeper hit. $46mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Kids start their own little SPCA.
WILL IT SUCK?
Writers have worked on The Drew Carey Show and the surprisingly good Sky High, so there’s hope. My favorite little factoid about this film, though, is that it’s based on a novel by the same woman who wrote the novel I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Early buzz is mixed.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Has to deal with Inkheart next week and a little bit of Mall Cop this week, but this has dogs. $66mil.
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Die Chubby
WILL IT SUCK?
Let me list you the offenses of director Steve Carr: Next Friday, Dr. Dolittle 2, Daddy Day Care, Rebound, Are We Done Yet?
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Busy weekend. This will be a strong test of Kevin James’ ability to open a film without a major star to play off of. $26mil.
Limited
WHAT’S THE PITCH?
Hey, you got your kung fu in my Bollywood musical! You got your Bollywood musical in my kung fu!
WILL IT SUCK?
I’m not going to pretend to know fuck-all about Bollywood, but I know a thing or two about kung fu cinema, and the fact that they’ve got Gordon Liu up in here tells me they’re keeping that side real. Trailer looks spectacular, except for that banana peel gag.
HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
No real competition. Might be able to tap into the Stephen Chow crowd. And straight-up Bollywood musicals have been doing better and better in the states. $4mil.
Next Week: Werewolf/Vampire
What’s stunning is that Clint signed off on Warners’ making “Get off my lawn!” the new “Ya feelin’ lucky, punk?” But maybe that’s just me.
Now that I have a lawn, so looking forward to saying that. Just need someone to actually get on my lawn.