New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, The Great Debaters, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

First let me say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who happen to read this! I hope you are spending plenty of time with your loved ones and only going to the theater if it is a family tradition. With that out of the way, just remember that because you are not at the cineplex, that does not mean there is nothing there waiting for you. This Christmas day finds three new films infiltrating theaters. Each of these new releases is targeting a different segment of the audience. One is going after science fiction and horror fans, another is Oscar bait filled with more serious drama, and finally there is one for the kids with a family friendly fantasy. I hope to catch two of them eventually. Read on to learn a bit more about your holiday options, and remember that there is nothing else coming this weekend, so make these last.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. (2007, 86 minutes, R, horror, trailer) Let me start by saying that the footage I have seen thus far from this movie look better than the entire first feature. That said, I am keeping my expectations low for this one, all I am hoping for is some blood, action, and maybe even a couple of scares. In this outing, the two extraterrestrial creatures wind up in a small Colorado town where the the townsfolk must band together in order to survive the invading menace. The movie is directed bybrothers Colin and Gregg Strause, a duo that has made a name for themselves in the world of special effects. The cast includes a single recognizable name to me, Reiko Aylesworth (24 and ER). Here's to hoping.

The Great Debaters. (2007, 123 minutes, PG-13, drama, trailer) This looks like it could be good, and is already getting some critical acclaim with its Golden Globe nominations and its appearance on Roger Ebert's top ten of 2007 list. It features Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker in lead roles, as well as Denzel in the director's chair and Oprah Winfrey serving as one of the producers. It is the story of Professor Melvin Tolson (Washington) a controversial debate coach at a black college in the South. He brings together an underdog debate team to national notoriety, culminated with an invitation to debate Harvard's championship team. This looks to be an inspirational piece that will hopefully sidestep the cliches that bog down inspirational sports tales, this seems to be in a similar vein. Whatever the case, I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. (2007, 111 minutes, PG, family fantasy, trailer) You know, I have no interest in seeing this film. I know, it's rare, but occasionally a film just does not strike me as entertaining. This happens to be one of those films. If someone who has seen the film can convince me otherwise, perhaps I will go. It tells the story of a boy and his dog, but in this case his dog is a legendary water horse, that will come to be known as the Loch Ness Monster. This is director Jay Russell's first film since 2004's Ladder 49.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• The Bucket List
• Honeydripper
• The Orphanage
• Persepolis
• There Will be Blood

Box Office Predictions
As I look at the films in theaters and the new releases for Christmas, I have no idea where they will land. Anything I say will be a pure guess. So, here goes nothing. I have a feeling that National Treasure will hang onto the top spot. The new AVP will open well but fade quickly, same for The Water Horse. I hope to see Juno continue to climb and that Sweeney Todd will hang onto its audience and grow some legs. Other than that, here are my guesses:

Here is how I think the top ten field will play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	National Treasure: Book of Secrets	$29 million
2	Aliens vs Predator: Requiem	$20 million
3	I Am Legend	$17 million
4	The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep	$16 million
5	Alvin and the Chipmunks	$15 million
6	The Great Debators	$9 million
7	Sweeney Todd	$6 million
8	Juno	$4.5 million
9	Charlie Wilson's War	$4 million
10	PS I Love You	$3.5 million