Apocalypto, Now

I think it's safe to say that. of all the new films opening today, all eyes are clearly more focused on Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (reviews)--wondering how the English subtitled epic will fare with movie-goers...Meanwhile: There's also: Blood Diamond (reviews). starring Leonardo DiCaprio (using possibly the worst fake accent for a movie ever) Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly--directed by Edward Zwick.

On The Run In Blood Diamond

The Holiday (reviews), a star-packed, yule-themed romantic comedy from writer/director Nancy Meyers...And finally, we have the very Home Alone-esque kids comedy Unaccompanied Minors (reviews)...

Ian Mohr of Variety writes:

...The biggest wild card at this weekend's box office is Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto."

Subtitled pic, set in an ancient Mayan kingdom and sporting extreme violence, skews to an all-male demo.

Pic will roll out on 2,465 screens.

But the big question is whether the helmer's offset antics will turn off his fan base.

Notices so far have been solid, with talk of an awards season run, and Disney has mounted a concerted PR push to turn attention to the pic and not Gibson's persona.

Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" took in more than $370 million domestically in 2004.

Meanwhile, women will want in on Columbia romantic comedy "The Holiday," bowing at 2,610 playdates. Nancy Meyers pic stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law.

And Warner Bros. is hoping to gain ground with political action film "Blood Diamond," from director Ed Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Pic bows at 1,900 theaters.

Warners also is bowing "Unaccompanied Minors,"...

The rookies are duking it out over a frame that's still crowded with long-legged holdovers "Happy Feet" and "Casino Royale."

Article Continues...

Over at Entertainment Weekly, Joshua Rich thinks that Mel Gibson's latest passion will be No. 1 by Monday morning:

"Apocalypto" will finally serve the penguins of "Happy Feet" their marching papers

Personally, I don't really think Gibson's personal issues will affect the numbers for Apocalypto, more than the whole subtitle thing might. At least The Passion of the Christ (2004) had a built in Christian audience going for it. A film about the Myan culture is a tough sell even without subtitles...Will be interesting to see what happens come Monday.