The weekend before Halloween brings four new wide releases, but many moviegoers will be partying in costumes rather than visit the multiplexes. Warner Bros. targets older adults with the sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas [CLATL] directed by the Wachowskis [WACHO] and Tom Tykwer [TTYKW]. The R-rated epic features time-spanning storylines that inter-connect with an all-star cast playing multiple characters lead by Tom Hanks [THANK] and Halle Berry [HBERR]. Despite mostly positive reviews, the ambitious film at nearly 3 hours long may not appeal to a broad audience and attract just sci-fi fans Breaking into 2008 theaters, Cloud Atlas may book around $14 million.
After declining a miniscule 15% in its second weekend, Argo [ARGO] could retain 80% during its third outing for $13 million, which could be enough to finish in first place should the new releases falter.
Silent Hill: Revelation [SHIL2] arrives six years after the release of the first Silent Hill which Sony opened to $20.2 million. The R-rated horror sequel is distributed by Open Roads, and features a couple of new young faces in the lead. Although Silent Hill is based on a videogame series, its best-selling days are in the past, unlike the still popular Resident Evil series. Stepping into 2933 theaters, Silent Hill: Revelation could survive with $12 million.
Paranormal Activity 4 [PNAC4] was down sharply from the previous installment. With horror fans tired of the series and partying for Halloween this weekend, the sequel looks to drop more than 60% to $11 million.
Victoria Justice [VJUST] and Jane Levy [JLEVY] star in the Halloween comedy Fun Size [FUNSZ]. The PG-13 rated film presents a trick or treat dilemma for moviegoers. The film might be too tame for teens, while too for parents with young children. Paramount may have to settle for an audience of tween girls, who could be finicky in their fandom support. Hitting 3014 locations, Fun Size could score $8.5 million.
Gerard Butler [GBUTL] stars in the biographical drama Chasing Mavericks [MVRCK] about the late surfing legend Jay Moriarty. Fox has barely marketed the PG rated film, which looks to wash out with $5 million from 2002 theaters.
That’s the whisper from the virtual trading floor.
Tag(s): CLATL, WACHO, TTYKW, THANK, HBERR, ARGO, SHIL2, PNAC4, VJUST, JLEVY, FUNSZ, GBUTL, MVRCK
