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Box Office: Zack and Miri and Molly

The sequels were king this past weekend with High School Musical 3 and Saw V pulling in large groups from wildly different demographics (or at least one hopes so). Last week's other new release Pride and Glory came in with a less than stellar fifth place. Here's the top five:

1. High School Musical 3: Senior Year: $42 million
2. Saw V: $30 million
3. Max Payne: $7.6 million
4. Beverly Hills Chihuahua: $6.8 million
5. Pride & Glory: $6.2 million

We've got two new releases this week hoping to pull in both laughs and shrieks. We've also got a couple expanding into wider release.

The Haunting of Molly Hartley
What's It All About:
After surviving a murder attempt committed by her psychotic mother, Molly Hartley tries for a new lease on life at a new private school, but she learns that something truly evil is in store for her on her 18th birthday.
Why It Might Do Well:
Hellooo! Halloween?
Why It Might Not Do Well:
Star power is limited to veterans of teen fair like 90210 and Gossip Girl which doesn't give the film broad appeal.
Number of Theaters:
2,250
Prediction:
$12 million

Zack and Miri Make a Porno
What's It All About:
Kevin Smith wrote and directed this comedy about two down on their luck platonic friends (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) who decide the answer to their money problems is to make a porn film together.
Why It Might Do Well:
Smith is the guy behind the Clerks movies, Chasing Amy and Dogma, and Rogen has Knocked Up, Superbad and The 40 Year Old Virgin on his resume.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The last time Smith did a film without Jay and Silent Bob we got Jersey Girl.
Number of Theaters: 3,000
Prediction:
$22 million

And Expanding into Wider Release:
Changeling
What's It All About:
Clint Eastwood directs and Angelina Jolie stars in this story based on true events. Jolie plays a mother in 1928 Los Angeles who confronts corrupt police after her son is kidnapped and another child is returned in his place.
Why It Might Do Well:
High powered people on both sides of the camera and a plot that will tug at the heart strings. Also, when it went into limited release last week it had the highest per screen average of the week.
Why It Might Not Do Well:
52% at Rottentomatoes.com is nothing to brag about.
Number of Theaters:
1,800
Prediction
: $9 million

RockNRolla
What's It All About:
Guy Ritchie directs this comedy/crime drama about a London real estate scam and the various felons mixed up in it.
Why It Might Do Well:
The trailer pleases and 60% at Rottentomatoes.com is within the Fresh range.
Why It Might Not Do Well:
Still a pretty small release.
Number of Theaters:
800
Prediction:
$6 million

As a Kevin Smith fan I was hoping Zack and Miri would get a number one release, but I think High School Musical 3 has got the legs to hold the top spot for another week. Also, this being Halloween weekend, we can probably expect the horror flicks to have an edge. Here's my prediction.

1. High School Musical 3
2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
3. Saw V
4. The Haunting of Molly Hartley
5. Changeling

For the first time in awhile we've got not one but TWO perfect scores, so congrats to Pat Campbell and cough. This week was a bit easier to call so overall the scores were higher. Here's the rundown:
1. Pat Campbell: 16
1. cough: 16
2. NP: 13
2. dtzamaras: 13
2. lostinafog: 13
2. Ray: 13
2. VP: 13
2. Gregory Rubinstein: 13
3. Matt: 12
3. hitesh choudhary: 12
3. AJ Wiley: 12
4. Bradford Oman: 11
4. Alex Farquharson: 11
4. Herff: 11
4. Harless?: 11
4. I Eat Robots: 11
5. Vera: 9
5. Tristan: 9
6. Chris: 6
6. DarkAgair: 6
7. jeff romagnuolo: 4

Post your predictions for the top five movies in the comments section below before 5:00PM Eastern Time on Friday. One point for every top five movie correctly named, two points for every correct placement, and one extra point for the top movie.





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