Box Office Challenge
What movie will be No. 1 at the box office?
Hitting the screens this weekend ...
Apollo 18 The Debt Shark Night 3D A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (limited)
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This weekend looks to be a thrill-fest of sorts, and there's something for everybody, well, almost...
On the one hand, we've got the moon-based docu-horror Apollo 18, another in a long line of failed "this is real" marketing campaigns (a la Catfish, The Fourth Kind). They've gone so far as to withhold the names of the actors, or the astronauts, I should say. I don't know, this just looks boring to me. It looks potentially creepy, but how many people will actually believe this is real? The question should be rephrased to: how many complete idiots are there out there? I guess if there are people out there who believe the U.S. Government blew up the World Trade Center, then there's certainly going to be people who believe that there was a monster-alien-sasquatch-virus on the moon. Wait, a moon sasquatch? That'd be cool. I don't think that's what this film is about though, and that's too bad. As it stands, I guess this film could add up to some pointless fun, but , truth be told, I'm just not feeling Apollo 18, at all.
On the other hand, we've got a stellar cast kicking all kinds of ass in the political thriller The Debt, directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love). With a solid cast of well-knowns (Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington and Tom Wilkinson), assuming the story is as riveting as the film's trailer suggests, I’m betting this will make for a very entertaining cinematic experience. Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of the Titans) makes for such a likable fellow — he’s been hard to miss lately, and his natural charisma speaks as to why. I also like what I’m seeing in the winsome newcomer Jessica Chastain (she was totally awesome in The Tree of Life) — I imagine she and Worthington will entertain some good chemistry, possibly mixing up a little romantic tension amidst the throes of their dangerous mission. I believe the trailer implied such -- that’s what I’m hoping for anyway.
On yet the other hand (yes, that's the third hand, let's call it one that's been bitten off by a blood-crazy fiend of a shark), we've got Shark Night 3D. If you ask me, the film's trailer didn't play too well, it all looks pretty basic and yeah, dumb. But, shark movies can be a lot of fun, and I'm sure this film will have a decent draw. I might check it out, with some beers in my backpack. Make up my own drinking game, on the fly...
Each week Calhoun Kersten and Aaron Ruffcorn go head to head in a Box Office Challenge. Who will win? Maybe you. Calhoun will be back Monday with the Box Office Review. Tune in to find out who wins.
We’ll take a look at the box office and see if we can’t nail the Number 1 film in the U.S. Whoever is closest, wins. But really, if they aren't within $2 million, it's not very impressive.
It’s harder than you think. If you don’t believe, let’s see what your answers are.
Calhoun Kersten's prediction for the weekend of September 2 - 4 …
Apollo 18 ($18 Million)
Aaron Ruffcorn's prediction for the weekend of September 2 - 4 …
The Debt ($15 Million)
So what are your guess for the Number 1 movie at the box office this weekend?