Month: February 2014

The Monuments Men Box Office Prediction

For much of 2013, George Clooney’s The Monuments Men was looked at as a potential Oscar contender and was scheduled to be released in December. Last fall it was pushed back to February and now it appears we may know why. Reviews have not been too kind and the film currently sits at only 36% on Rotten Tomatoes. Simply put, The Monuments Men was not going to be recognized by the Academy and Columbia Pictures probably realized it.

What impact will the negative critical reaction have? At one time, I might’ve thought Monuments could reach an opening gross similar to what Argo did ($19M) or even Captain Phillips ($25M). Now I’m skeptical. The World War II era picture focuses on people tasked with saving cultural artifacts before the Hitler regime destroys them. Clooney directs and stars and he’s brought in an impressive cast that includes Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, and Bob Balaban. Where Monuments Men could score is with adult filmgoers looking for something to watch after they’ve seen the Oscar favorites.

Having said that, the unfavorable reaction so far doesn’t help. I believe this won’t reach past $20 million and that a debut in the mid to late teens is more probable.

The Monuments Men opening weekend prediction: $16.1 million

For my prediction on The Lego Movie, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/02/02/the-lego-movie-box-office-prediction/

For my prediction on Vampire Academy, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/02/02/vampire-academy-box-office-prediction/

The Lego Movie Box Office Prediction

2013 was a huge year for animated pictures and now the first weekend in February brings The Lego Movie, a high-profile offering from Warner Bros. based on that line of toys that we all grew up and played with. Lego features the voices of plenty of actors we know including Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Charlie Day, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill.

While The Lego Movie is unlikely to reach the heights of Despicable Me 2, Frozen, or Monsters University from last year, it’s reasonable to speculate than an opening similar to Wreck It Ralph is in the cards. That title opened to $49 million in November 2012. I believe the widespread familiarity of the pic’s subject matter and its robust marketing campaign may actually propel it a bit higher and over the $50M mark. This is the type of animated flick that parents probably won’t mind taking the kiddos to and I’m predicting stellar results.

The Lego Movie opening weekend prediction: $54.2 million

For my prediction on The Monuments Men, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/02/02/the-monuments-men-box-office-prediction/

For my prediction on Vampire Academy, click here:

https://toddmthatcher.com/2014/02/02/vampire-academy-box-office-prediction/

This Day in Movie History: February 1

Six years ago Today in Movie History – February 1 – Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert movie set the all-time opening weekend record for a musical concert film with $31.1 million. It also set the record for highest debut on Super Bowl weekend. Both records still stand. In the six years following, Cyrus has remained a force in music even though her material has, um, grown up a bit.

As for birthdays, today would’ve marked the 49th birthday of Brandon Lee. The son of Bruce Lee, Brandon was just beginning to become a star and had appeared in action pics including Showdown in Little Tokyo and Rapid Fire. In March of 1993, Lee was filming The Crow when he was accidentally shot and killed on set. A year later, The Crow would debut to robust results and an eventual $50 million domestic haul.

Pauly Shore is 46 today. The former MTV personality might not have had critics on his side, but he made a successful transition into film in the early 90s with Encino Man and Son-in-Law. His pictures would begin to see diminishing returns with In the Army Now, Jury Duty, and Bio-Dome.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Mr. Lee and Mr. Shore:

Brandon Lee was in Showdown in Little Tokyo with Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren was in The Expendables with Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone was in Demolition Man with Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes was in Rising Sun with Tia Carrere

Tia Carrere was in Jury Duty with Pauly Shore

And that’s today – January 29 – in Movie History!