Dave McNary and Pamela McClintock of Vaeiety:
The film biz enters unchartered territory this weekend as Lionsgate unspools Oliver Stone's George Bush biopic "W." in 2,030 theaters across the country.
Historically, presidential biopics are made after a politician has left office.
Opinions are divided as to how "W" -- toplining Josh Brolin as Bush -- will play. One school of thought says that curiosity alone will fill theater seats, while the other questions whether people want to see a film about an unpopular president in his waning days.
Even if it works, "W" probably would have trouble winning the weekend away from Fox's Mark Wahlberg crime actioner "Max Payne," which should place No. 1 on the strength of young males.
Based on the vidgame, "Max Payne" was directed by John Moore.
Intense actioner could score one of the best openings of the fall -- if tracking is any indication--as well as bring Fox out of its box office slump.
"Max Payne" also stars Beau Bridges and Chris O'Donnell, and revolves around a cop determined to get revenge for the brutal murder of his family and partner.
Frame's other two new entries are Fox Searchlight's female-skewing "The Secret Life of Bees," based on the best-selling book, and Summit Entertainment's R-rated teen comedy "Sex Drive."
"Bees," toplining Dakota Fanning, Hilarie Burton and Queen Latifah, opens in 1,592 theaters. Film hopes to serve as effective counter programming.
The Searchlight pic also stars Alicia Keys and Paul Bettany, and was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. "Bees" screened well at the Toronto Film Fest, and is earning relatively good reviews.
"Sex Drive" is the least buzzed-about title among new films. Starring Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, James Marsden and Clarke Duke, pic revolves around an 18-year-old who sets out on a cross-country trip, hoping to lose his virginity.
Tracking for "W." varied widely depending upon the tracking service. Lionsgate has aggressively been advertising the pic, including buying up ad time during the presidential debates.
Nearly all the news channels, as well as latenight talk shows, have done pieces on "W.," which also stars Elizabeth Banks, Thandie Newton, James Cromwell and Richard Dreyfuss.
Stone shot the movie in less than two months in order to be in theaters before the Nov. 4 election, which is now less than three weeks away. The filmmaker, who has often been criticized for his interpretation of history, says he went to great lengths to make "W" an accurate portrayal. He's made two previous presidential biopics; "JFK" and "Nixon."
So far, "W." is receiving mixed notices.
"W." won't be the only politically minded film in the marketplace. There's also Bill Maher's docu "Religulous," also from Lionsgate.
"Religulous," heading into its third weekend with a cume of $7.4 million, is on track to score the best domestic gross of the year so far for a documentary.
So far, the domestic box office hasn't been hurt by the withering economy. In fact, summer box office revenues were the best ever, and fall revenues are running at record levels as well.
That certainly doesn't mean that each and every film does well. While the Oct. 10-12 weekend was way up, several films stumbled, including Ridley Scott's Leonardo DiCaprio-Russell Crowe starrer "Body of Lies" and Universal's sports drama "The Express."
Winner of the weekend was Disney family holdover "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," which could have another strong sesh and possibly place No. 2. ("Body of Lies" won both Tuesday and Wednesday at the box office.) ...
With the U.S.electorite buried in election politics audiences may stay away from W.--Stone discribes the film as not an attack on the current CIC but an examination of a complex man.
If that's the case why does everyone in the clips I have seen seem exaggerated in the movie...Is it a Farce?
Joshua Rich of EW:
Mark Wahlberg's videogame adaptation leads a posse of four new films -- including ''The Secret Life of Bees,'' ''Sex Drive,'' and ''W.'' -- looking to shoot down two-time champ ''Beverly Hills Chihuahua''
Next Week: The Halloween tradition continues as the legacy of Jigsaw lives on in Saw V: Zac Efron is on target to finally graduate after he survives High School Musical 3: Senior Year....
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