New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Quantum of Solace

Last week's box office was dominated by an animated family-oriented comedy. It found support in a pair of R-rated comedies looking to serve a different demographic. This week there is but a single title entering the fray, and it is likely to take a large chunk of the action for itself. Why? Little direct competition and a relatively weak season. It is likely to hold well until The Day the Earth Stood Still on December 12th. Oh yes, it will also have the first Star Trek trailer attached to it, that is sure to get a few more into the theater.

Quantum of Solace. (2008, 106 minutes, PG-13, action, trailer) The highly anticipated new James Bond adventure is the only wide release hitting theaters nationwide this weekend. This is sure to be a big hit as evidenced by the $160 million it has already made internationally. The big question is if it will become the biggest opening Bond film. That title is currently held by Die Another Day with its $47 million open. Beyond that, will it over take Casino Royale and become the biggest moneymaker (unadjusted for inflation) of the series? It has to top $167 million.

As for the film? It arrives to positive buzz and the strength of Casino Royale. This is the first Bond film that is a a direct sequel to the one before it. Quantum of Solace picks up shortly after the events of the last film and Bond is not happy. His next mission takes him on a journey of revenge, seeking out those responsible for the coercion and death of Vesper Lynde. This leads him to Dominic Greene, who works for a criminal organization on the verge of controlling a powerful resource and Bond plans to put a stop to it.

Looks like a winner to me!

Take a look at the theme song video from Alicia Keys and Jack White:


Also opening this week, but not near me:

• The Beautiful Truth
• A Christmas Tale
• Dostana
• The Dukes
• Faded Memories
• House of the Sleeping Beauties
• How About You
• Slumdog Millionaire

Box Office Predictions
The big question this week is just how high will Quantum of Solace go? Will it outdo the big opening the Madagascar sequel had last week? I am not sure, but I think it will be able to topple the animated riches and open north of $60 million and eclipse Madagascar's $63 million. This Fall season seems to be particularly weak, some good films, sure, but few that are sure to fire up the box office. The moving of the next Harry Potter film from it's 11/21 slot to July 2009. Madagascar will easily win the second place position with the rest of the holdovers going after the loose ball.

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

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Quantum of Solace	$64 million
2	Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa	$33 million
3	Role Models	$9.5 million
4	High School Musical 3: Senior Year	$6.5 million
5	Changeling	$5.75 million
6	Zack and Miri Make a Porno	$4.5 million
7	Soul Men	$3.75 million
8	Saw V	$2 million
9	The Secret Life of Bees	$2 million
10	The Haunting of Molly Hartley	$1.5 million