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Box Office Prediction: The Impossible 'Dream'?

by Patricia Chui Dec 28th 2006 // 3:50PM

Filed under: Box Office, Hold the 'Fone, Box Office Predictions

Hey all. Quickie prediction today, because there's really only one movie opening wide this weekend. But what a movie it is!

Dreamgirls'Dreamgirls': "I'm your dreeaaaamgirl, dreamgirls will never leave you ..." Oh, sorry. I love musicals. I am not ashamed. And if you share that love, you know that these days, movie musicals only come along once in a blue moon. Unbelievably, it took 25 years to bring the Tony-winning Broadway show to the big screen -- but sometimes, things are worth the wait. Directed by Bill Condon, who wrote the film adaptation of 'Chicago' (he also directed 'Gods and Monsters' and 'Kinsey'), this version of 'Dreamgirls' stars Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose (who won a Tony award for the play 'Caroline, or Change') as the Dreams; Jamie Foxx as the group's manager, Curtis; and Eddie Murphy as fading R&B singer James "Thunder" Early.

Jennifer Hudson in DreamgirlsOK, so much for the formalities. I'm not going to delve into the politics of why Beyoncé was nominated for a best actresss Golden Globe and Jennifer Hudson was nominated for supporting actress, when Hudson is the one who truly dominates the screen. Let's focus on the facts. The fact is, as Effie, the original lead singer of the Dreams who's shunted aside in favor of the more telegenic Deena (Beyoncé), Hudson makes one of the most spectacular film debuts in recent history. Every moment she's on the screen is riveting. Her passionate version of 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going,' already made legendary by Jennifer Holliday in the original stage show, deserves all the kudos it's getting; even if you don't like musicals, the number will have your jaw on the floor. Murphy, too, reminds us that he can actually act -- and sing -- giving his best performance in years (yes, better than 'Shrek'). And Beyoncé? Not too shabby herself, especially when she sings the original song 'Listen,' which she co-wrote.

And now on to the important question: Will it be No. 1 at the box office this weekend? Obviously, DreamWorks is counting on people other than musical-lovers to make 'Dreamgirls' a hit. It happened with 'Chicago,' and it can certainly happen here, seeing as how the movie's gotten more buzz than almost any other film this holiday season. As of yesterday it had already earned more than $19 million, which is astonishing considering it only expanded -- from three theaters to 852 -- on Christmas Day. (It doesn't truly go wide until later in January.) Still, that's ... only 852 theaters, whereas 'Night at the Museum,' which had boffo returns last weekend, is playing on 3,685 screens. And let's not forget that 'Pursuit of Happyness' is still going strong. Well, 'Borat' made it to No. 1 in a small number of theaters. Can 'Dreamgirls' do the same?

That's for the box office to decide, and for us to guess. To read about last week's top five, click here. Now go ahead, take a whack at it, folks; should be an interesting weekend.

NEW DEADLINE: Saturday at noon Eastern. You heard right. So get those picks in, pronto. And Happy New Year, everybody!

1. Night at the Museum
2. Dreamgirls
3. The Pursuit of Happyness
4. Rocky Balboa
5. The Good Shepherd

POST: What's your weekend top five prediction?

POST: What do you think of 'Dreamgirls'?

'Dreamgirls': Showtimes, trailer & more | Beyoncé and Jamie Foxx chat

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Tags: beyonce, box office, BoxOffice, dreamgirls, eddie murphy, EddieMurphy, jennifer hudson, JenniferHudson, prediction

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