Cinematical

Happy Good Friday, one and all! What's so good about it, you ask? Well, it's Friday, for one thing. Honestly, isn't that enough? Seriously, there's lots to look forward to this weekend: Easter, The Sopranos, Entourage (yes, I'll admit it, I'm something of an HBO whore), and one of the most hotly anticipated movies of this young spring ...

Grindhouse
What It's About: Best buds Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino team up for a double feature paying homage to an era when the movies were trashy, the women were ... uh, trashy, and the gore was cheesily over-the-top. Rodriguez's Planet Terror is a terrifically bad ("bad" meaning "awesome") zombie flick starring Rose McGowan as an go-go dancer with a machine gun for a leg and Freddy Rodriguez as her gunslinging ex-boyfriend; Tarantino's Death Proof is about a stunt man (Kurt Russell) who stalks women with his muscle car and then -- well, let's just say his car has a skull and crossbones on it, and leave it at that. Oh, and don't forget the fake slasher-film trailers contributed by Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Rob Zombie and Edgar Wright.
Why It Might Do Well: The release of this film, with its two powerhouse directors, is definitely an event. When's the last time a movie (or movies) dropped all pretense and just reveled in being fun? All the fanboys who've seen 300 four times have something else to salivate about now.
Why It Might Not Do Well: At 180 minutes long, Grindhouse can only have so many showings a day. And let's face it, not everyone's a fan of Tarantino or Rodriguez -- ultimately you're either dying to see this film, or you wouldn't go see it if Tarantino himself showed up at your door and begged.
Prediction: $26 million
More on Grindhouse | Tarantino vs. Rodriguez showdown | Grindhouse exclusive clip

The Reaping
What It's About: When a small town is hit with what appear to be the ten plagues of Exodus (locusts, rivers turning to blood, etc.), a former missionary and current disprover of myths (Hilary Swank) arrives determined to send those locusts back to from whence they came.
Why It Might Do Well: Fright fans love religious horror films (The Exorcist, The Omen, Constantine), and there isn't much true competition around for people looking for a good scare. Lots of people are curious about this one.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Reviews have been subpar, and Hilary Swank starring in a horror film seems odd somehow. Has this Oscar winner decided to go the Ben Kingsley route?
Prediction: $12 million
More on The Reaping | The Reaping photos

Are We Done Yet?
What It's About: Ice Cube stars in this family-friendly sequel to surprise hit (and remake) Are We There Yet? This time around, Nick and his new family try to fix up their dream home in the suburbs, with predictably hair-pulling results.
Why It Might Do Well: Are We There Yet? made $18.6 million when it opened in 2005, and the talented Ice Cube has plenty of fans, young and old. The same people who loved the first film will show their support for this one, too.
Why It Might Not Do Well: This may feel to some like a bit of a retread of the last film, and unfortunately it's going head-to-head with Meet the Robinsons, still only in its second week of release -- as well as newcomer Firehouse Dog.
Prediction: $14 million
More on Are We Done Yet? | Are We Done Yet? photos

Firehouse Dog
What It's About: Former canine movie star who gets separated from his handlers in a small town (not the same small town as The Reaping, presumably) and caught in a fire is rescued by firefighters and becomes their mascot; Josh Hutcherson plays the kid who adopts the lovable mutt as his new best friend.
Why It Might Do Well: It's a family movie starring a cute pup. All together now: Awwwww. Hutcherson's star is on the rise, too, after Bridge to Terabithia.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Lacking the firepower (sorry) of Meet the Robinsons and Are We Done Yet?, this film could get lost in the shuffle.
Prediction: $7 million
More on Firehouse Dog | Firehouse Dog exclusive clips

My box office prediction follows -- and after that you'll find the standings from last week, which from now on we'll be including as part of this Friday post (instead of on Mondays). Congrats to Liesse00, who climbs back to the top of the leaderboard with a perfect score -- and to me, frankly, who didn't finish last. Whoo! Share your prediction by Saturday at 5pm; your thoughts on any of these movies any ol' time you like. And a very happy Easter/Passover weekend to you all.

1. Grindhouse
2. Blades of Glory
3. Are We Done Yet?
4. Meet the Robinsons
5. The Reaping

Last Week's Prediction Results
1. Liesse00: 16
2. Bubba8193: 13
2. Laura: 13
4. Patricia: 12
4. Kaitlin Hess: 12
6. Thad: 10
6. Stuart: 10
8. Sy: 9
8. MrPKI: 9
8. Mario: 9
8. Chris: 9
8. Evilone1414: 9
13. Gilbert Davis: 8
14. Spencer: 7
15. Tangoeco: 7
16. James Miles: 6