WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, NOVEMBER 7-9, 2008 Rank. Movie Title (Distributor) Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Paramount (DreamWorks)) $63.5 million | 4,056 | $63.5 million | 1

2. Role Models (Universal) $19.3 million | 2,792 | $19.3 million | 1

3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista) $9.3 million | 3,464 | $75.7 million | 3

4. Changeling (Universal) $7.3 million | 1,855 | $20.6 million | 3

5. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Weinstein Company) $6.5 million | 2,735 | $20.9 million | 2

Source: boxofficemojo.com

The first Madagascar made $47 million in its opening weekend, so this can only mean one thing ... expect more Madagascar.

Zack and Miri is slowly slipping away, already down to number five, the attempt at mainstream just didn't seem to work for porn

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Buena Vista) $15.0 million | 3,626 | $61.8 million | 2

2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno (Weinstein Company) $10.7 million | 2,735 | $10.7 million | 1

3. Saw V (Lionsgate) $10.1 million | 3,084 | $45.8 million | 2

4. Changeling (Universal) $9.4 million | 1,850 | $10.1 million | 2

5. The Haunting of Molly Hartley (Freestyle Releasing) $6.0 million | 2,652 | $6.0 million | 1

Source: www.boxofficemojo.com

I like to think people chose parties and trick-or-treating with the kids over going to the theater. And I also like to think that the reason I underperformed on the Bayer Box Office Challenge was because I was too concerned on properly draping fake spider webs on the banister.

Here

MOVIE OF THE WEEK -- Zack and Miri Make a Porno Plot: Didn’t you read the title? Two friends (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) are out of cash and attempt to make some money through amateur porn. Buzz: No, Judd Apatow isn’t directing. In fact, this is Kevin Smith’s chance to get back to being hip and relevant again.

Also Opening: Changeling (wide) The Haunting of Molly Hartley RocknRolla Fear(s) of the Dark Ballast Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

The Haunting of Molly Hartley wasn't screened in Portland or Chicago, which is probably for the best. Chace Crawford can only do so much right?

More importanly, we have iterviews from the directors of ... Fear(s) of the Dark Ballast and Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

and now it's time to play --

Simply pick the Top 5 movies at the box office this

A wrap-up from Michael Kutza, the founder and artistic director, of the Chicago International Film Festival ....50 COUNTRIES, 175 FILMS, 100 DIRECTORS

What more can a city ask for? This year more than ever, the Chicago International Film Festival opened your eyes to things you just don’t see every day. In our 44 years, we have been committed to taking you across the globe to discover some of the most exciting cinema the world has to offer. The new voices, new ideas, new storytellers, new stars. I feel we have the perfect mix of star-studded red carpet premieres and cutting-edge world cinema for serious filmgoers.

The two weeks of the Chicago Festival are still packed full of once-in-a-lifetime events where you will see things that may never hit the Chicago screens again!

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, OCTOBER 24-26, 2008 Rank. Movie Title (Distributor) Weekend Gross | Total Gross | Week #

1. High School Musical 3: Senior Year - $42.0 million | $42.0 million | 1

2. Saw V - $30.5 million | $30.5 million | 1

3. Max Payne - $7.6 million | $29.7 million | 2

4. Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $6.9 million | $78.1 million | 4

5. Pride & Glory - $6.3 million | $6.3 million | 1

Source: boxofficemojo.com

Just as I predicted ... almost.

These were my picks -

1. HSM 3 2. Saw 5 3. Max Payne 4. Pride & Glory 5. Beverly Hills Chihuahua

For some reason I thought Ed Norton and Colin Farrell could somehow manage to make over $7 million and beat a little dog that's been around for a month now. Next week can we

Movie of the WEAK?! Pride and Glory Plot: One family has a long history of New York City Police officers. The family’s moral codes are tested when Ray (Edward Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law (Colin Farrell). Buzz: Norton is on the short list for top American actor and Farrell can do it (In Bruges) so we’ll see what director Gavin O’Connor (Tumbleweeds, Miracle) can do with this gritty cop drama.

Also Opening: Saw V High School Musical 3: Senior Year The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D (re-release) Changeling - In Chicago Happy-Go-Lucky

I am happy and confident to report that Saw V will not win the box office this weekend. But the fact that it will be taken over by HSM 3 ... should I really feel good about any

Weekend Box Office Results: 1 Max Payne - $18,000,000 2 Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $11,200,000 3 The Secret Life of Bees - $11,050,000 4 W. - $10,550,000 5 Eagle Eye - $7,343,000

Queen Latifah beats the President. Max Payne kills the chihuahua.

The Secret Life of Bees has the highest per screen average at $6,945.

I haven't figured out how, but I'm going to change up the box office preview/review. Until I figure out the perfect system, TSR's Box Office Challenge will be on a slight hold. I'll still be attempting to predict the order of the top 5, and for the record, I won again ...

Jeff Bayer = 9 points

1. Max Payne 2. Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3. W. 4. Sex Drive 5. Body of Lies

OPENING THIS WEEK -- Movie of the Week: W. Plot: Oliver Stone directs a film about the life and times of George Walker Bush (he’s the president). Buzz: All signs point to Josh Brolin’s characterization of the president to be spot on. With Stone, it’s always about the buttons he’s attempting to push, not just the story.

Also Opening: Max Payne Sex Drive The Secret Life of Bees What Just Happened?

And we will have reviews of all the major movies this week. Max Payne - McLaughlin (the gamer) and Bayer (the wanna-be gamer, but has never actually played the game) Sex Drive - both him (Pardee) and her (McLaughlin) perspectivies The Secret Life of Bees - Bayer What Just Happened? - De Salvo W. - De Salvo (it just made sense since he was already seeing one movie that started with a 'w.'

And now

I saw Crawford in the Spring at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas. It's a film all about the tiny little town of Crawford, TX and the man that moved there. It's a good documentary that gives yet another angle to President George W. Bush and his political machine. An independent film can be a tough sell and Crawford is the first film to make it's debut on Hulu.com--a Web site completely worth checking out, if nothing else for it's "Saturday Night Live" collection.

And here's an email from the Crawford team ... I recommend checking out the film on hulu.com. After 3 years of filmmaking, we're thrilled to say: CRAWFORD is yours!

On our new website you'll find a beautiful double-disc DVD, replete with some truly incredible extras

Can we ignore the fact that Body of Lies failed to hit the top two at the box office this weekend? Instead let's focus on the positive, like this Reuters article. And by the way ... this opening will kill chances for Body of Lies to get any notice come awards season. Unless this is a very poor year for Best Supporting Actor, and then maybe Russell Crowe and his 45 extra pounds will get a nomination.

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Born of Hollywood, acting as a teenager, Oscar-nominated by age 19, Leonardo DiCaprio is a product of the film studio's star-making machine.

He made young women swoon in the biggest box office hit of all-time, 1997's "Titanic," but his youthful looks meant the transition to strong, leading man

This Last Title1 1 Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $17,511,000 2 N Quarantine - $14,200,000 3 N Body of Lies - $13,120,000 4 2 Eagle Eye - $11,015,000 5 3 Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - $6,500,000 6 N The Express - $4,731,000 7 4 Nights in Rodanthe - $4,610,000 8 5 Appaloosa - $3,340,000 9 20 The Duchess - $3,322,000 10 N City of Ember - $3,200,000

N = new release this week Source: boxofficemojo.com

Do you feel that? That's the misunderstanding of the world. A talking dog and a horror film beat out two of the biggest stars in the weekend box office.

I almost feel guilty. Here is the winning prediction from Box Office Preview - October 12, 2008 ... Jeff Bayer = 2 points. 1. Body of Lies 2. The Express 3. Beverly Hills Chihuahua 4. Eagle Eye 5. Quarantine

That's right. Out of nine predictions, there was only one guess that was right. Eagle Eye in the four hole.

Movie of the Week:Body of Lies Plot: A CIA operative (Leonardo DiCaprio) uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. Buzz: Yeah, the plot is secondary. DiCaprio teaming up with Russel Crowe is the real interest here. And so far, when Ridley Scott directs Crowe, good things happen (Gladiator and American Gangster).

Also Opening: City of Ember The Express Quarantine Happy-Go-Lucky

The Beverly Hills Chihuahua must be stopped and DiCaprio plus Crowe should be enough to do the trick. Quarantine did not have an advanced screening in Portland or Chicago, so as always be careful with that.

We have two new writers joining our staff this week. The reviews for the weekend... Morrow McLaughlin - Body of Lies Nick Allen - Body of Lies & The Express Jeff Bayer - Happy-Go-Lucky & City of Ember

And now

The film Soul Men might have started out at a comedy-drama, but now it has a different meaning. Bernie Mac stars in the film and Issac Hayes has a cameo. Both are featured on the soundtrack. Stax Records will release the soundtrack on November 4. Here is a press release from Stax.Authentic soul music and superstar musical performances are the consistent theme and backdrop for the side-splitting comedy, Soul Men, starring entertainment icons Bernie Mac, who passed away on August 9, and award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson. The film also includes a cameo appearance by Isaac Hayes who died the day after Mac in unrelated circumstances. Soul Men, directed by Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man, Undercover Brother, Roll, Bounce) will be released November 7, 2008 nationwide (Dimension

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, OCTOBER 3-5, 2008 1. Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $29.0 million 2. Eagle Eye - $17.7 million 3. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - $12.0 million 4. Nights in Rodanthe - $7.4 million 5. Appaloosa - $5.0 million

Source: BoxOfficeMojo.com

Beverly Hills Chihuahua also had the highest per screen average with over $9,000. Second was the limited release Bill Maher film Religulous at $6,972 per screen. Barely anyone say Flash of Genius or Blindness.

It's like my own personal Apocalypse ... Audiences flock to a film about a chihuahua, the Iowa Hawkeyes pretty much declare their season is over and the Chicago Cubs ... sigh, let's just say I am canceling my return trip to Chicago for the World Series.

But there is good news as well, the TSR staff won the Box

Another huge slew of films hit theaters this weekend. An American Carol Beverly Hills Chihuahua Blindness Flash of Genius How to Lose Friends and Alienate People Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Appaloosa

We did see everything except An American Carol and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. I can't imagine anyone is sad about that.

And now it’s time for everyone’s (or at least 12 people’s) favorite new game … Here’s how it works, just decide the order. Points are awarded as such … #1 at the box office = 5 points 2 = 4 points 3 = 3 points 4 = 2 points 5 = 1 point

Your goal: Try to beat us. Our goal: Prove our dominance. Currently our dominance has not been dominant. In fact, we are 0-2.

Dvaid Pohl 1. Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist 2. Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3. Eagle Eye 4. Flash of Genius 5. How to

Charlie Kaufman's mind is at it again. The writer behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is set to direct his first feature film, Synecdoches, New York, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, and now the film's website is following in its creative footsteps. View the Synecdoches, New York website here. Sony Pictures released this statement ... The website for writer Charlie Kaufman’s directorial debut “SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK,” was designed and programmed by 1 Trick Pony, in coordination with Sony Pictures Classics and the filmmakers. Its’ design utilizes a variety of film stills and imagery to convey the movie's tone which helps illustrate the overlapping of the actors’ roles in the film. Those entering the site can view full profiles of the main Cast and Crew, as well as 'Synopsis,' ‘Trailer’ and 'Reviews & Links' sections. These sections include cartoon/animations developed by Corduroy Road Productions (who also produced the animation seen in the film). The site has been programmed in 'Flash' to allow for the variety of subtle animation techniques and also uses selections from Jon Brion's unique film score as background audio.

Sony Picture Classics will release SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK on October 24th in select cities and nationally throughout November.

From Charlie Kaufman, comes a visual and philosophic adventure, “SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK”. As he did with his groundbreaking scripts for "Being John Malkovich", "Adaptation", and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", Kaufman twists and subverts form and language as he delves into the mind of a man who, obsessed with his own mortality, sets out to construct a massive artistic enterprise that could give some meaning to his life.

Robert Downey Jr. is still continuing this blockbuster pace. With Iron Man arriving on DVD, and Tropic Thunder still fresh in everyone's minds, Downey is set to begin production on the most famous detective of all time ... Principal photography is set to begin on location in London for the action adventure mystery “Sherlock Holmes,” being helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie, for Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures.

Robert Downey Jr. brings the legendary detective to life as he has never been portrayed before. Jude Law stars as Holmes’ trusted colleague, Watson, a doctor and war veteran who is a formidable ally for Sherlock Holmes. Rachel McAdams stars as Irene Adler, the only woman ever to have bested Holmes and who has maintained a tempestuous relationship with the detective. Mark Strong stars as their mysterious new adversary, Blackwood. Kelly Reilly will play Watson’s love interest, Mary.

Based on an original story/comic book by Lionel Wigram, inspired by the classic tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the film will be produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. Steve Clark-Hall and Bruce Berman are serving as executive producers.

In a dynamic new portrayal of Conan Doyle’s famous characters, “Sherlock Holmes” sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.