New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Friday the 13th, Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Internatonal

This Valentines Day weekend does not have any easily recognizable romantic films, not even a romantic comedy. You would think they would try to capitalize on the timing of the holiday with a romantic blitz. Instead, we will have to make do with he's just not that into you. Otherwise, you have a new horror film, a thriller, and a light hearted comedy. So, what will win your cinematic dollar?

Friday the 13th. (2009, 95 minutes, R, horror, trailer) Back in 1980 Sean Cunningham helped usher in the golden age of the slasher film. Now, nearly three decades later we have a remake/reimagining for Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes and helmer by Marcus Nispel, who also helmed the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake. This new film seem to combine elements of the first three films of the series. I am looking forward to this movie, everything I have seen so far looks surprisingly good. Hopefully it will pay off.



Confessions of a Shopaholic. (2009, 112 minutes, PG-13, romantic comedy, trailer) Here is a movie that could be really good or really annoying; I am hoping for the latter. Isla Fisher stars as the shopaholic of the title. She is a young woman who dreams of high fashion, overextending her credit in the process. While seeking ways to reduce her debt, she inexplicably finding herself in the employ of a finance magazine. The trailer looks like fun and I have liked isla
ever since I first saw her I'm Wedding Crashers.



The International. (2009, 118 minutes, R, thriller, trailer) I am not sure what to think about this movie. On one hand it has Clive Owen in a bombastic, world spanning thriller,
but the bad guy is a seemingly faceless bank using our money for more nefarious deeds. That doesn't sound all that exciting. Although, an evil bank just may me perfect timing with the current financial crisis. Very interesting.



Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Two Lovers
• Under the Sea 3D

Box Office Predictions
Last weekend the box office charts were ruled by a romantic film called He's Just Not That Into You, will it be able to hold on this weekend? Something tells me this romance filled weekend will be filled with screams of fright at the delights to be offered by the new Friday the 13th. The big question I have is how well an action/thriller will fare in he face of lighter and scarier fare? I suspect it will do all right, but nothing spectacular.

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

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Frday the 13th (2009)	$31 million
2	He's Just Not That Into You	$20 million
3	Confessions of a Shopaholic	$17million
4	The International	$14 million
5	Taken	$12 million
6	Coraline	$10 million
7	Paul Blart: Mall Cop	$6.5 million
8	Pink Panter 2	$5.5million
9	Slumdog Millionaire	$4 million
10	Push	$4 million