Box Office: The Captive Phoenix

Unless you've been summering on the planet Cybertron you're probably aware that Transformers kicked some chrome-plated butt over the 4th of July Holiday, making a grand total of $155.4 million from its opening on July 3 through last weekend, and going on to make $165 million as of July 9. This sets a record for the biggest opening week for a non-sequel, an honor previously held by the first installment of the Spider-man franchise. The other new contender from last week, the Robin Williams comedy License to Wed also opened on the third, pulling in $17.8 million so far.

Here's last weekend's top five:
1. Transformers $70.5 million
2. Ratatouille $29 million
3. Live Free or Die Hard $17.7 million
4. License to Wed $10.4 million
5. Evan Almighty $8.7 million

This weekend we'll see some magical shenanigans at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and some much darker deeds being committed in the noble pursuit of scaring the bejesus out of the audience. Here's what's coming:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
What's It All About: This adaptation of the fifth novel in the hugely popular Harry Potter series sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Dumbledore's (Michael Gambon) warnings that Lord Voldemort has returned falling upon deaf ears, and the toad-faced Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) seizes power at Hogwart's.
Why It Might Do Well: The series' previous installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire took in $102.6 million on opening weekend, and the one before that, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had a $93.6 million dollar open. With the final novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, seeing publication this month, the Potter publicity machine has been turned up to a Spinal Tap-esque 11.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Unless Hagrid has a nude scene, I honestly don't see this happening, though with Transformers in only its second week, Order of the Phoenix may not quite reach the numbers of its predecessors.
Number of Theaters: 4,285
Prediction: $95 million

Captivity
What's It All About: Elisha Cuthbert plays a fashion model who is kidnapped and forced to endure weeks of grueling torture at the hands of an obsessed stalker.
Why It Might Do Well: The use of some highly controversial ads (click here for the full story) got this flick in hot water with the Motion Picture Association of America, and since there is no such thing as bad publicity I'm sure there are lots of folks who are curious to see what it's all about.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Based on the disappointing box office numbers for Hostel Part II (only $8.2 million on its opening weekend), the ship may have sailed on the torture/horror trend.
Number of Theaters: 1,500
Prediction: $6 million

Although I managed a perfect score on last weekend's top five prediction (as did several of our readers) it won't be going to my head, particularly since I finished dead last the week before. Sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't. This week Doc Brown took his DeLorean a few days into the future (either that, or he drove down to Tijuana) and brought back the following prediction:

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
2. Transformers
3. Ratatouille
4. Live Free or Die Hard
5. License to Wed

Last Week's Prediction Ranking
1. Matt: 16
1. The 13th: 16
1. Gregory R. Rubinstein: 16
1. Dylsan: 16
1. Chris: 16
1. Mario: 16
1. Bubba8193: 16
1. Ray: 16
2. Ethan Stanislawski: 13
3. Paul D: 12
3. Brad: 12
3. Opp-Neg: 12
3. Bradley Thom: 12
3. Anna07: 12

As always 5:00PM on Saturday is the cut-off for entries in our weekly box office prediction contest. One point for every top five movie correctly named, two points for every correct placement, and one extra point for the top movie.