Box Office Update: Blades of Glory, Meet the Robinsons

Posted by Chris Beaumont (chrisbeaumont@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 30, 2007

From a flood of six wide release films to two, this weekend has downsized its output to a mere trickle. Still, the trickle has the potential of generating this weekend’s top two hits. Lately it seems that you can always count on Will Ferrell and Disney animation, and that is what you are getting this weekend. But, if those two don’t make you salivate, I am sure that there is a a film or three that you missed out on last week, making this a good opportunity to catch up on those desirables. If you need a little blood in your life, you could go with something like The Hills Have Eyes II, or maybe if drama is what you desire, then go see Reign Over Me. Whatever your taste, there is definitely a movie out there for you!

Blades of Glory. (2007, 93 minutes, PG-13, comedy, trailer) Will Ferrell returns to his slapstick roots, following his critically successful turn in the marvelous, yet understated, Stranger Than Fiction. This time out he is paired with Jon “Napoleon Dynamite” Heder (will he ever be able to distance himself from that role?) and heads out on the figure skating circuit. Following an altercation during the medal ceremony at the Olympics, the two are banned for life from the competition of male figure skating. The two find a loophole and now the once fierce competitors must team up and enter the pairs competition. I completely expect this to be completely dumb, yet completely hilarious.

Meet the Robinsons. (2007, 92 minutes, G, animated, trailer) The latest Disney animated creation looks like it will be a cute romp. It is the story of Lewis, an orphan who longs to find his family. One day he meets a boy who takes him to the future where he meets, who else, the Robinsons, a colorful assortment of wacky characters. I do not know how the story will go, but I am sure the results will aim for the heartwarming. The trailer is smooth, brightly colored, and features a dinosaur clip that never fails to elicit a chuckle. Celebrity voices include Angela Bassett, Laurie Metcalf, Tom Selleck, Adam West, and Harland Williams.

Peaceful Warrior. (2007, 120 minutes, PG-13, drama, trailer) The director of the Jeepers Creepers movies, Victor Salva, steps away from horror and into a drama. It is the story of an athlete whose success drives him, until he meets a mysterious stranger who opens his eyes to another source of strength. Scott Mechlowicz and Nick Nolte star.

Also opening this week, but not near me:

• The Lookout
• After the Wedding
• Live Free or Die
• Race You to the Bottom

Box Office Predictions
Will this be the first weekend in four whose top film has words in it? Last week was an acronym (TMNT) and the two weeks prior were headed by a number (300). I have no doubt that this weekend will be led by the latest Will Ferrell vehicle, Blades of Glory. Ferrell is box office gold in these slapstick comedies, and this will not be any different. It will be followed up by Meet the Robinsons, Disney’s latest animated feature that is to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting public. The rest of the field? Who knows - they can take a bit of a breather after last week’s wholesale switch-out of the top ten flicks.

Here is how I think the top ten field will play out:

What are you seeing this weekend?

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