NoReservations Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Adam Sandler's latest, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry surprised me a bit last week. I figured Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix would hold the number one spot for a second week, but I stand corrected. Here's how the numbers looked:
1. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry: $34,775,000
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: $32,185,000
3. Hairspray: $27,800,000
4. Transformers: $20,506,000
5. Ratatouille: $11,000,000

I only see one clear blockbuster this week as the long awaited Simpsons movie finally hits. The rest make for an eclectic mix of golf, gourmet cooking, and stripping. Here's what we've got:

The Simpsons Movie
What's It All About: America's first family of TV animation leaps to the big screen.
Why It Might Do Well: Studies show that audiences enjoy seeing a bald dude with yellow skin doing really stupid stuff. The show has been on the air since 1989 with no end in sight, so there's an audience there. Additionally, I have two words: Spider-pig.
Why It Might Not Do Well: If the folks from Shelbyville manage to swipe all the prints before they make it to theaters, or if Mr. Burns releases the hounds on opening night there could be a problem. Otherwise, I think this one will do pretty well.
Number of Theaters: 3,800
Prediction: $65 $65 million

I Know Who Killed Me
What's It All About: Lindsay Lohan plays Aubrey Fleming, a young woman who is mutilated by a serial killer but still manages to escape, though now she believes herself to be another person entirely.
Why It Might Do Well: They say there is no such thing as bad publicity, so perhaps Ms. Lohan's recent troubles with the law will count in the film's favor. (Hey, it could happen). Also, there's currently no competition in the psychological thriller department.
Why It Might Not Do Well: On the other hand, the public may be sick of this whole "starlets out of control" thing and just stay home to read the new Harry Potter book.
Number of Theaters: 1,200
Prediction: $6.5 million

No Reservations
What's It All About: Catherine Zeta Jones stars as a chef who suddenly finds herself caring for her late sister's daughter.
Why It Might Do Well: The presence of Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin as the little girl will probably attract Little Miss Sunshine fans.
Why It Might Not Do Well: None of Jones's films have ever left much of an impression on me. Yes, she's gorgeous, but I remember her for those cell phone commercials more than anything.
Number of Theaters: 2,300
Prediction: $8 million

Who's Your Caddy
What's It All About: A rap mogul named C-Note (Big Boi) tries to join a stuffy country club. Merriment and golf ensue.
Why It Might Do Well: Well, anything is possible.
Why It Might Not Do Well: Does the world really need a modern take on Caddy Shack?
Number of Theaters: 1,000
Prediction: $4 million

My method of prediction for this week involves looking for box office results in the bottoms of a series of beer bottles. Patience is required, but if you look long enough you can find just about anything there.
1. The Simpsons Movie
2. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
4. Hairspray
5. Transformers

Last Week's Prediction Ranking
1. Chris: 16
1. Lostpicks: 16
2. Evan: 11
2. Gregory Rubinstein: 11
2. Bradley Thom: 11
2. Mario: 11
3. borrachopictures: 9
3. Chris: 9
4. Matt: 7
4. Matt: 7
4. Anna07: 7
4. Brad: 7
4. Bubba8193: 7
4. Ray: 7
5. JR: 5

If you haven't yet joined in on our weekly box office prediction competition, then what the heck are you waiting for? Fabulous prizes most definitely do NOT await the winner, but the bragging rights are top notch. Don't forget to post your prediction for the top five films in the comments section below. One point for every top five movie correctly named, two points for every correct placement, and one extra point for the top movie.

Is it just me, or did Catherine Zeta-Jones go from smoking hot to soccer mom in the span of, like, one movie? I will forever remember my first introduction to Zeta-Jones, watching her slither under a laser beam in Entrapment. Yowsers! But, with the exception of Chicago and Traffic, all she's ever been is a pretty face who delivers lines and remains in the spotlight because she's married to Michael Douglas. That said, I'm all for giving the gal a big starring role to see if she has it in her to own a movie. Her latest, No Reservations, now has a trailer online -- and, fingers crossed, hopefully folks will gobble it up without sending it back to the kitchen.

Capitalizing on the recent wave of food-related shows (the only reason I'm slightly overweight is because I'm addicted to every single show the Food Network airs -- damn you Iron Chef!), No Reservations revolves around a hard-edged chef (Zeta-Jones) whose life is turned upside down when she decides to take in her young niece (Abigail Breslin) following a tragic accident. Throw in a competitor-turned-romantic interest in Aaron Eckhart, add a pinch of funny and a dash of heart -- and this could turn out to be a winning recipe. Scott Hicks directs, while Patricia Clarkson and Bob Balaban (the scene in which he's eating a meal prepared for him by Zeta-Jones immediately conjured up images of that Seinfeld episode -- you know the one) also star in the pic. No Reservations will be served in theaters on July 27.