Cinematical

It looks like my prediction that Juno -- the little indie that could -- would hit number one was overly optimistic, though the number three position and $70.8 million to date are nothing to sneeze at. The big winner this past weekend was the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman vehicle The Bucket List with another newbie from last week, First Sunday, coming in second. Here's the top five:

1. The Bucket List: $19.3 million
2. First Sunday: $17.7 million
3. Juno: $13.6 million
4. National Treasure: Book of Secrets: $11.3 million
5. Alvin and the Chipmunks: $9.3 million

We've got three big releases hitting theaters this Friday with a two to three ratio of laughs to screams.

27 Dresses
What's It All About: A romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl as a single woman who has been a bridesmaid 27 times and is about to go for number 28 at her sister's wedding. Unfortunately our heroine has fallen in love with the groom to be.
Why It Might Do Well: Between her work on Grey's Anatomy and Knocked Up, Heigl alone should draw quite a crowd. Of all the new releases this week that don't involve giant monsters, this is the one to keep an eye on.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Angry frequent bridesmaids may not see the humor in the situation and call for a boycott.
Number of Theaters: 3,000
Prediction: $22 million

Cloverfield
What's It All About: In a sort of Blair Witch Project meets Godzilla scenario, a gigantic creature invades New York City, decapitates the Statue of Liberty and makes finding a taxi damn near impossible. These events are seen from the perspective of an average citizen with a video camera.
Why It Might Do Well: There's been plenty of buzz about this one ever since the trailer premiered last Summer with Transformers, and producer J.J. Abrams is the guy behind Lost. I think this is the obvious flick to take the number one spot.
Why It Might Not Do Well: The last time a critter of this size stomped through the Big Apple he was being chased by Matthew Broderick in 1998's Godzilla, which was a sad time for giant monster fans everywhere.
Number of Theaters: 3,100
Prediction: $40 million
Mad Money
What's It All About: Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes play three employees of the federal reserve who plot to swipe several million dollars worth of currency that is set to be removed from circulation.
Why It Might Do Well: Ocean's 11-13 proved the heist story still has some life in it, and it should be interesting to see how these three actresses work together.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Rumors that the film is actually about packs of rabid twenty dollar bills roaming the streets (rumors that I am just now starting) may be detrimental to the ticket sales.
Number of Theaters: 2,200
Prediction: $7 million

I think Cloverfield's the shoe-in for first place, but how will the rest of the top five look? Perhaps a bit like this:

1. Cloverfield
2. 27 Dresses
3. The Bucket List
4. Juno
5. First Sunday

Last week's competition was a humbling experience for yours truly, but I'm hoping to bounce back with a vengeance. Here's how everyone did:
1. mjd: 13
1. Bubba8193: 13
2. AJ: 11
3. ABIRD0006: 9
3. Lee S: 9
4. waggss78: 7
5. Ray: 6
5. Ryan S: 6
5. Chris: 6
6. Matt: 4
6. Kevin D: 4
6. Gregory Rubinstein: 4

We're looking for a few good people to join in on our weekly box office prediction competition. Post your predictions in the comments section below before 5:00PM on Saturday. One point for every top five movie correctly named, two points for every correct placement, and one extra point for the top movie.