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This week, it’s all about Clooney. You’d be advised to put down your dollars for Leatherheads, because it’s definitely going to win at the box office. Clooney is not only hot, hot, hot, he’s also a steady performer, with arthouse pic Michael Clayton having done a respectable $50 million and last year’s Ocean’s Thirteen pulling in $117 million worldwide. This time, he’s on both sides of the camera. Leatherheads puts Clooney in 1920s football gear, which should be hilarious!
The film also stars small-screen cutie John Krasinski from The Office and uneven moneymaker Renée Zellweger. Could this be Renée’s dollar comeback? Is it John’s chance to redeem himself for the weak financial returns of License to Wed? For this mix of sports and romantic comedy, expect a touchdown, with an opening weekend in the $30 million–$33 million range.
You can probably skip The Ruins, which isn’t likely to be a blockbuster. Though it’s based on a novel that did solid, best-seller-list business, it’s being helmed by relative unknown Carter Smith, whose previous work has all been in shorts (yawn). That means this psychological horror has to rely on horror’s natural appeal and the untested lead potential of stars Jena Malone and Shawn Ashmore. Malone continues to benefit from the “up and coming” label but needs a hit to secure her status as someone who can make a picture tons of cash. Ashmore had a part in the X-Men franchise, but given the large ensemble cast of those films, it’s unclear whether Ashmore has the name recognition to draw crowds. Though horror always does good business and you’ll likely regret it if you haven’t caught the buzz of opening weekend, the studio campaign has pushed this in the mode of The Beach rather than Hostel. Do you really want to spend your ticket money to think? Didn’t think so. The studio had better wise up and make with the gore.
Is this some kind of joke? Yes, actually. The above was part of TOC's 2008 April Fool's issue. Read more about it here.
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