Cinefeast

The long Thanksgiving weekend is once again upon us... And among other things, that means the movie studios in Hollywood hope that your travels will lead you to the multiplex, at some point. New flicks opening during the holiday time frame include:

Déjà Vu (reviews)-re-teams actor Denzel Washington, director Tony Scott, and mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer...The holiday themed family comedy Deck the Halls (reviews) starring the odd couple of Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick,,,Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny (reviews)--a comedy with Jack Black and Kyle Gass... Darren Aronofsky's time bending love story The Fountain (reviews)...While the improv comedy For Your Consideration (reviews) and the star studded drama Bobby (reviews) go wide...Finally The History Boys (reviews) will hit a handful of theaters...

Can Denzel beat the dancing penguins for #1 during the holiday weekend?

Variety's Ian Mohr sets out what this very crowed field of players looks like:

The powerful team of director Tony Scott, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and star Denzel Washington will wade into the holiday film fray with their Disney-released sci-fi thriller "Deja Vu" in over 3,100 playdates this weekend, but they'll be duking it out with two tough-looking holdovers, "Happy Feet" and "Casino Royale."

As studios look to grab screens and cash over the potentially potent five-day weekend, Fox's Christmas comedy "Deck the Halls" opens on 3,023 in a crowded frame. On Friday, "Deck" expands to 3,205, making it the frame's widest opener.

Warner Bros. will roll out helmer Darren Aronofsky's ambitious sci-fi fantasy "The Fountain" in just under 1,500 engagements, and New Line's lowbrow rock laffer "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny" has booked 1,919 gigs hoping the army of fans that has propelled Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" to more than $92 million to date will be in the mood for their brand of humor.

Further clouding the picture will be an expansion from two to 1,667 engagements for the Weinstein Co./MGM's political pic "Bobby." And Warner Independent moves its awards-season comedy "For Your Consideration" from 23 to 623 playdates.

Fox Searchlight will roll out "The History Boys" on six screens as the limited-release derby also heats up.

Turkey Day frame is traditionally family-friendly, drawing the out-of-school set during plentiful matinees Friday and Saturday, which could give an edge to animated penguin pic "Happy Feet," last weekend's No. 1...

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Meanwhile, despite all of these new films opening today, the folks at Entertainment Weekly make a bold prediction about which flick will be on top come Monday:

"Happy Feet" will keep dancing at No. 1--Expect it to beat Bond again by a nose, and finish ahead of the week's five newcomers...

In my opinion: No matter which of the top 2 film prospects (Happy Feet or the Denzel actioner) may be in first place come Monday...It'll be a case of deja vu