Wednesday, 26 November 1997

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND PREVIEW

Last Thanksgiving, 101 Dalmations won the five-day weekend with $33.5 million. I expect Alien: Resurrection to blow that number out of the water with over $45 million to win the Turkey Day Parade. Combine that with my predicted $20 million take for Anastasia's second weekend (for third place) and you'll find Fox dancing in a pool of acid saliva. Of course, their steaming cheer won't worry Disney, who are looking at a $35 million long weekend for Flubber, with Robin Williams bouncing into second place.

The rest of the Top Ten is all repeat business. Remember that these are five-day estimates. Look for Mortal Kombat: Annihilation to be one of the few films to drop in overall gross despite the additional two days ($16 million for fourth). The Rainmaker should do well, with positive, though not overwhelming buzz, acquiting itself to the tune of $13 million and fifth place. The Jackal looks to be another flick eaten by an Alien, losing a million to shoot at a $8 million weekend for sixth. The Little Mermaid should swim to another $7 million in its final weekend of competition, dropping to seventh. Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil may be doing great per-screen, but it won't be adding screens, so $7 million for eighth is about a much as Clint can make. And look for Bean to take ninth with about $5 million.

And now for those of you who are taking the weekend off from school, a math problem. If Starship Trooper has dropped 50 percent every week since its release, but the five-day weekend should increase box office by about 60 percent, then how much will Starship Troopers gross? Tah dah! Four million dollars for tenth place, rounding out the Top Ten in its final appearance. Enjoy the movies, everyone!

E-mail your predictions to me early so I can have some crow to go with my turkey on Thanksgiving night.