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Kingdom will be bigger. I think it'll be closer to $30M. Action-movie. Big star. big start.

$30m seems really high considering Miami Vice didn't even make that. I say Kingdom does only 15m and is outgrossed by The Game Plan (even though that film looks awful).

Because as much as I love me some Jamie Foxx, there is palpable Foxx fatigue out there in the real world, and Foxx Fatigue mixed with Iraq fatigue makes me think the film underperforms, as good as some say it is.

I feel the Gameplan could lead this weekend due to kids not having anything to see. If the Kingdom does land on top. I will give a lot of dap to Sydney Bristow. Also; Miami Vice did not debut to 30 million because it was a joke of a movie that tried to act as if a beloved TV show... never exist.

Yeah... meant 20 million... carry on.

I suspect The Game Plan will surpass The Kingdom this weekend due to the recent lack of family fare, but even if it does...what a GREAT run it's been for R-rated fare lately. I'm surprised I've seen little or no commentary regarding this revival...despite the fact this IS September and adult themed material dominates, the scope this year had been stronger than normal. Thanks to Superbad, Halloween, 3:10 to Yuma, The Brave One and Resident Evil 3, R-rated flicks have spent six straight weekends at number 1.

Even crazier, every film in the top 5 last weekend was R-Rated, and most projections have 5 of the top 6 R-Rated this weekend. In adition we have the first significant NC17 opening since "The Dreamers," (Lust, Caution poised to top the per theatre chart by a wide margin this weekend at Lincoln Plaza), and overall this is projected to be the best year for R-rated films sine 2003, with 300, Knocked Up and Superbad leading the way.

Granted this doesn't always mean the quality of material is higher...look at RE3, Good Luck Churck and Halloween, but in most cases it is, and who could guess that after the most commercial summer in Hollywood history we would have one of the strongest runs of adult catered movies in recent memory?

Looking ahead, the Kingdom could conceivably keep the streak alive this weekend and it seems like the R "Heartbreak Kid" has a strong advantage in buzz over "Seeker: Dark is Rising" next weekend, and October is a veritable goldmine for "R" films from "We Own the Night," and "Saw 4" to "30 Days of Night," "Rendition" and "Reservation Road" next month is a goldmine as well.

Again R-Rated doesn't always equal better quality, but it's nice to see Hollywood not cater to the tots and not be afraid to look for a more mature audience.

Still do yall think this is a trend or an aberration? Any thoughts?

"Still do yall think this is a trend or an aberration? Any thoughts?"

"SUCK IT, Medved" comes to mind.

Looks like those of you who picked The Game Plan to bodyslam The Kingdom knew what The Rock was cooking.

Would it be outrageous to suggest that the apparent underperformance of The Kingdom, like the underperformance of Kingdom of Heaven, might suggest that, at this point in time, most moviegoers don't want to see ANY kind of movie set in the Middle East?

the only real gauge i went on with GamePlan is Pacifier.

Take action star, introduce ridiculous over the top premise, add in Disney marketing magic...

The Kingdom actually did better than i expected. I really have a strong belief that middle eastern/war related films are going to have a hard time finding an audience. People see it, hear it, ingest it all day long.

Rendition will be an even harder sell.

The Kingdom could have been set in Canada and I honestly believe it wouldn't have made a million more. It topped out where I expected based on the genre (R-rated desaturated action drama aimed at males) and stars. This was never going to be a $40 million opener.

I disagree about the amount of Mideast saturation (see it, hear it, ingest it all day long) but I agree that most people would prefer that their movies go elsewhere. Standard Hollywood escapism.

Stars, stars, stars.

What made us think that Mr Foxx would open a movie to much more? What made us think The Rock doesn't live right around this nummber?

And body slam?

It's a WWE thing, David. You wouldn't understand.

None of The Rock's movies seem to get theatrical releases here, so what's he being marketed as these days. "The Rock", "Dwayne Johnson" or "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson"? Either way he really has a bad moviestar name.

He's slowly phasing out "The Rock" in favor of his real handle.

Don't forget that The Rock was a defensive lineman at the University of Miami. That's the 'Canes for those who follow college football.

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