This Week’s Theatrical Releases.

The post-holiday malaise continues as only one new release hits the cineplexes this week. I don’t mind. It make my job easier.

1. One Missed Call (2,240 Theaters, 87 Minutes, Rated PG-13): Yet another remake of a Japanese horror film, this time they remake Chakushin Ari.

The plot revolves around a group of people who get phone calls from their future selves. The calls were made at the moments of their deaths and reveal details of how they died. The people end up dying at the exact time on the exact date the phone call was made. Ohh, spooky.

On a certain level, I can see how this would work. Just the thought of hearing someone dying violently over the phone sends chills. Having that person be yourself add another level to it.

But the sci-fi aspect kind of ruins it for me. I am not a big fan of horror, but I want the situations to be realistic. The more believable the story is, the scarier it will be.

And besides, I distrust any horror film rated PG-13.

Now on to the predictions. It has been two weeks since I posted about the film releases. This is what I predicted then:
12/21-12/23:

1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
3. I Am Legend
4. Charlie Wilson’s War
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

And 12/28-12/30:

1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
3. Alien Vs. Predator-Requiem
4. I Am Legend
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This is how it turned out:

12/21-12/23:

1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2. I Am Legend
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks
4. Charlie Wilson’s War
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

12/28-12/30:

1. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
2. Alvin and the Chipmunks
3. I Am Legend
4. Charlie Wilson’s War
5. Juno

I was surprised at how weak Walk Hard performed, especially considering the similar themed but far less quality Epic Movie opened at number one last January. I am happy that Juno broke the top 5, however. Overall, I was 4 for 10, bringing me to 42 out of 100 over 20 weeks. My average stays at 42%

This is what I predict for this week:

1. One Missed Call
2. National Treasure: Book of Secrets
3. Juno
4. Alvin and the Chipmunks
5. I Am Legend