Box Office Challenge

What movie will be No. 1 at the box office?

Hitting the screens this weekend ...

Cowboys & Aliens Crazy, Stupid, Love The Smurfs

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I'm embarrassed from time to time, at what stupid films get churned out by Hollywood. The Smurfs, AKA puerile garbage, is finally hitting the big screen. You can stop holding your breath now, and yeah, please insert a 'blue in the face' joke here...blah, I can't believe this film was made. Yet another beloved childhood memory sent through the marketing meat-grinder, CGI'd beyond all recognition, entirely tarnished. When will they stop? Please make them stop. "Get Smurfed?" Seriously?

Crazy, Stupid, Love doesn't look too much better really. But then again, I am the lone American whom cannot stand Steve Carell. OK, he's tolerable in (very) small supporting roles, a la Melinda and Melinda, but I just can't stand the guy if he's on-screen for more than 30 seconds. I'm certainly missing some particular gene, as I realize a great many people enjoy him a great deal.

Both The Smurfs and Crazy, Stupid, Love are likely to bring in a decent dollar, but this weekend's no-brainer for the number one box office slot is Jon Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens. It's just got too much going for it. A) Harrison Ford, B) Daniel Craig (blah, but yeah, I'm weird about him too), C) Olivia Wilde, D) Sam Rockwell, and of course, director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2, Mr. Jon Favreau. Many mad allegiances have been forged under the preceding five big names, and these allegiances alone will sell many a ticket. Its marketing campaign has been frothing at the mouth for some time too. "Ubiquitous" comes to mind.

I don't think I'll see it in the theater personally. It looks far too glossy for a "Western" and far too hokey for...well, for me. Looks like a lot of wasted resources, a lot of wasted talent. I'd rather re-watch Brisco County Jr.

But yeah, I definitely see Cowboys & Aliens in at number one -- quirky sci-fi films like this don't traditionally fare too well money-wise -- but it's simply got too much going for it. It won't break any records, but it should be solidly in at number one. See my dollar prediction below...

Each week Calhoun Kersten and Aaron Ruffcorn go head to head in a Box Office Challenge. Who will win? Maybe you. Aaron 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 July 29 - 31 …

1. Cowboys & Aliens ($57 Million)

Aaron Ruffcorn's prediction for the weekend of July 29 - 31 …

1. Cowboys & Aliens ($40 Million)

So what are your guess for the Number 1 movie at the box office this weekend?

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