May 12, 2006

New Movie Releases and Box Office Predictions: Poseidon, Goal!, Just My Luck

It's the second weekend of May, and the second potential blockbuster. Last week's M:I:III underperformed, but still pulled in a decent take. This weekend brings the disaster remake Poseidon, will it share the same fate as the Cruise actioner? Its competition includes a new romantic comedy aimed at the tween crowd and another inspirational sports film.

Goal! The Dream Begins. (2006, 121 minutes, PG, drama, trailer) This is an inspirational sports tale, this time centering on soccer. It is about a Mexican cook in LA who gets a chance to play professional soccer. All he has to do is find a way to England and he will have his shot. I think I've seen enough of these inspirational sports tales for a while, I'll pass.

Just My Luck. (2006, 103 minutes, PG-13, comedy, trailer) Lindsay Lohan's latest romantic comedy, and I don't think it looks all that good. Lohan plays a socialite who is blessed with good luck, one day she loses that good luck to a guy who has no luck at all. She has to find a way to get her luck back, which involves finding this mystery guy. I don't know, Lohan is not a bad actres, but she keeps finding her way into these less than impressive films. She costars with Samaire Armstrong and Chris Pine. The movie was directed by Donald Petrie, who also directed Miss Congeniality and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Poseidon. (2006, 98 minutes, PG-13, trailer) Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot, Troy) is bringing the biggest disaster film of the 70s kicking and screaming into 2006. Along for the ride is a cast that includes Kurt Russell, Andre Braugher, Josh Lucas, and Jacinda Barrett. You all know the story, a big wave hits a big boat, boat flips, passengers try to find a way to survive. Some live, others die, all while trying to keep there head above water. It looks like it could be fun, but haven't we seen this story many times already?

The World's Fastest Indian. (2005, 127 minutes, PG-13, drama, trailer) This is based on the true story of Burt Munro, as portrayed by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Munro was a New Zealander who, in 1962, set the land speed record on his heavily modified Indian motorcycle. The trailer portrays Munro as an eccentric, who loves life and his pursuit of speed. Hopkins looks like he is having a blast in the role, making the whole movie look like fun. It was directed by Roger Donaldson, who also helmed Species and The Recruit.

Water. (2005, 118 minutes, PG-13, drama, trailer) This drama is set in 1930s India and deals with the traditions of the Hindu religion. An eight year old girl is married to an elderly man who dies shortly thereafter, leaving her a widow before she is even a teenager. After he dies, she has her head shaved and is sent to a an ashram where widows are sent to del with their bad karma. Her exuberance sparks a rebellion with a few other widows. The trailer makes this look like a very good film. It is beginning its run at the local arthouse. It was directed by Deepa Mehta.

Also opening this week, but not near me:
  • Dead Man's Shoes
  • Keeping Up with the Steins
  • Russian Dolls
  • Saving Shiloh
  • Sketches of Frank Gehry
  • Wah-Wah

Box Office Predictions:

I think this week will see a capsized boat at the top of the list. I have a feeling it will do well, probably finishing in the $50 million range. Following the ship will be a mission once deemed impossible, then it will be a free for all. Here is how I think it will play out:

  1. Poseidon
  2. Mission: Impossible III
  3. Just My Luck
  4. RV
  5. An American Haunting
  6. Goal!
  7. United 93
  8. Ice Age: The Meltdown
  9. Silent Hill
  10. Scary Movie 4

Of course, I've been wrong more often than I've been right.

What are you seeing this weekend?

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