Monster Smash?

At long last-The Matt Reeves directed, Drew Goddard written, J.J. Abrams produced monster flick Cloverfield (reviews) is finally here; Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah spend some Mad Money (reviews) in the chick clique laffer; While Katherine Heigl tries on 27 Dresses (reviews) for her latest romantic comedy; And Kyle Newman's long a work in progress Star Wars franchise inspired comedy Fanboys (reviews) blasts in theaters...



Pamela McClintock and Dave McNary of Variety write in Box office battle of the sexes:

In an interesting box office showdown, Paramount's much-hyped monster movie "Cloverfield" and 20th Century Fox's romantic comedy "27 Dresses," starring Katherine Heigl, open this weekend in what looks to be a battle of the sexes.

Release of the J.J. Abrams-produced "Cloverfield" is a defining moment for Brad Grey's Paramount, which needs a hit of its own after it was largely propped up by DreamWorks titles in 2007.

Pic is bowing in 3,441 theaters --the most ever for a January opening. Fox isn't fooling around either. "27 Dresses" opens in 3,057 runs, one of the highest numbers for this time of year.

Par is counting on its 2008 slate to reinvigorate the Melrose lot, beginning with "Cloverfield," whose novel approach to the classic monster-demolishes-Gotham motif is sure to pique the interest of younger males.

Par was none too happy when Fox decided late in the game to delay "27 Dresses" by one week to today. It was a smart move for Fox, which wanted to give some breathing room to Fox Searchlight's teenage dramedy "Juno," which has been on a box office roll.

"Cloverfield" was already tracking poorly among women, and "27 Dresses" only exacerbated the problem. Latter also starring James Marsden and Edward Burns.

Nor was Overture Films too pleased by the move. It will release its first movie this weekend, the female-skewing crime caper "Mad Money," starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes. Pic bows in 2,470.

Most box office forecasters believe "Cloverfield" will win the four-day Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Pic has been picking up some interest among younger females in recent days, although women still heavily favor "27 Dresses."

One studio exec noted that the "swing vote could be the 35-year-old couple who goes to the movies Saturday night. Which film are they going to see, 'Cloverfield' or 'Dresses'?"...

Joshua Rich of Entertainment Weekly:

The heavily hyped monster movie should scare up a box office win, but Katherine Heigl's ''27 Dresses'' hopes to be more than a bridesmaid

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Cloverfield has the momentum for sure...It's 84 minute running time means that theaters can have more showings per day--which should also help the weekend grosses, It remains to be seen whether or not the flick with solid reviews will be the next The Blair Witch Project...

Next Week: The first of '08's 80's film icons set to return after a long absence...Rambo