Box Office Outlook

I always wonder what prompts moviegoers to see one movie over another every weekend. Is it the trailers? Advertising? Franchises? Stars? Word of mouth?

Well, it always seems to be a simple answer in hindsight that’s complex in foresight.

Let’s take The Dark Knight. Take Heath Ledger’s tragic death, add in some superhero hype along with a dash of franchise and lots of advertising and you get one of the biggest hits of the decade.

What about The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, AKA the movie that almost knocked TDK off it’s mantle? Take some franchise recognition and add in trailers and some advertising and you get some success…

…though maybe it didn’t translate to success. Maybe, just maybe everyone who saw TDK already just wanted something else to watch. And considering Swing Vote made a measly 6 million this weekend it’s easy to see The Mummy was the only viable alternative.

The Seth Rogen and James Franco starrer, Pineapple Express, comes out this week and looks to top TDK’s crown at the box office this week. Will it happen? Probably. Do we no for sure? Not until next monday.

What will you watch this weekend? Aug 1st, 2008 Edition

Ahh, Friday… that day of the week where tinseltown unleashes new movies for us to watch. This week’s biggies are Swing Vote and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Now, honestly… The Mummy looks… old and Swing Vote looks… preachy and un-funny… if that’s even a word.

So, which will you watch? The Mummy opens up in 3,759 theatres while Swing Vote opens in 2,213. So, how will you know if they’re actually good? Is it possible the trailers lied and they really aren’t as bad as they look? Well, no… they are. Per Rottentomatoes, The Mummy is at 11% and Swing Vote is at 32%.

Who knows, if you’re feeling nostalgic you may enjoy The Mummy… or enjoy Swing Vote if you’re really into the Presidential Election… or hell, take a chance on Midnight Meat Train (opening in 102 theatres this weekend)!

Forget it, just go watch The Dark Knight again. You know you want to.

A New Standard.

From the pits of mediocrity rises a new era for super hero films. An era than promises excellence in both story and character development as well as acting and special effects. An era that seems to clear any cheesy lines or out-of-world occurences.

This era is spearheaded by two films: the recently released Iron Man and Batman Begins.

The latter has it’s much awaited sequel coming in a couple months while Iron Man has recently opened to rave reviews, calling it the best Marvel super hero movie and second overall to the aforementioned Batman Begins.

One can only hope that this recent trend continues with The Dark Knight and The Incredible Hulk, and then continues flowing with The Watchmen, which is based on what many consider to be one of the greatest graphic novels of all time.

We have always been marred by horrible super hero movies such as Pootie Tang, if that counts, Daredevil, Steel, and Spawn. Recently, the Fantastic Four movies, The Hulk, Superman Returns, and X-Men 3 have proved to be the creme of the crop in the land of average movies.

But with Iron Man, Dark Knight, and Incredible Hulk coming out within a couple months of each other… one can only hope a new standard for super hero movies will be set.

Oscar, we need to talk.

Okay, so I know you’re gold and that bald is beautiful.

But buddy, beauty isn’t skin deep.

I… I saw your show the other night… and… I’m sorry, but I’m underwhelmed.

What happened man? Dude, you’re simply… boring.

You’re ho-hum and are losing interest. I respect you though, and everything you represent. But, dude, I can only bear to hang out with you for four hours for so long. I mean, it hurts to see Jon Stewart come over and rely on making fun of you to be funny.

Come on, maybe next year you could invite Ellen back and you can work towards… breaking out of this funk.

Personally, I gotta hang out with you. I love your opinion on movies… but… people are talking.

Well, I’ll see ya next year man… take care. And please, liven up.