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Soldiers, magicians compete at box office
2006-10-20
Clint Eastwood's World War Two heroes will vie for supremacy at the weekend box office with a pair of vindictive magicians. Industry insiders are all over the map with their prognostications. Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers" looks like the top dog with an opening in the $15 million-$18 million range. But with Christopher Nolan's period magician movie "The Prestige" gaining momentum with adult audiences, some believe it could give "Flags" a run for its money. In addition, Martin Scorsese's former box office champ "The Departed" is entering its third weekend with strong midweek numbers, an indication that it could remain a contender. There also is a family choice this weekend, with "Flicka," a horse movie starring Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw and Maria Bello. Last weekend's champ, "The Grudge 2," opened with $21 million, but underwhelming grades from audiences could lead to a sharp drop in its second round. Paramount has high hopes for "Flags," which is launching in only 1,876 theaters. With Eastwood's pedigree and its dramatization of the stories of the men who were photographed raising the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima, the film is likely to play well throughout the fall. "Flags" interprets how the Pulitzer-winning photo turned those soldiers into instant heroes and how the U.S. government used it to influence public opinion of the war. Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach and Barry Pepper star in the R-rated film. Eastwood's biggest opener was "Space Cowboys," which bowed to $18 million in 2000. Disney's "Prestige" will open in 2,281 theaters. The film, Nolan's first since last years' "Batman Begins," stars Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as rival magicians in the early 1900s who are obsessed with their craft and try to beat each other at their game. The film has received positive early reviews. It isn't clear where its box office will top out this weekend, but it could challenge "Flags" if people opt for escapism over war. Fox will open the PG-rated "Flicka" in 2,877 theaters. Adapted from the novel "My Friend Flicka," the family drama is directed by Michael Mayer in a departure from his most recent film, the indie "A Home at the End of the World." "Flicka" centers on a girl (Lohman) who attempts to train a wild mustang, to the dismay of her father (McGraw). Insiders are placing its gross in the $8 million-$10 million range. Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette," her first film since 2003's "Lost in Translation," will open in just 859 theaters. With its period clothing, rock soundtrack and Kirsten Dunst in the title role, the film offers a clear alternative to the testosterone-packed top three pictures, and could prove more potent than initially anticipated. Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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