BOX OFFICE BUZZ 'JUNO' READY TO TAKE OVER NO. 1 SPOT.Byline: GREG HERNANDEZ Will the three-week box office reign of "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" finally come to an end? You bet. The Disney adventure flick starring Oscar winners Nicolas Cage, Helen Mirren and Jon Voight Jon Vincent Voight (born December 29 1938) is an Academy Award-winning American actor. Voight, an Oscar-winner and four-time nominee, has had a long and distinguished career as both a leading man and, in recent years, character actor, with an extensive range. has been unstoppable and is closing in on the $200million mark domestically. But I expect it to be replaced in the No.1 spot by that wonderful comedy "Juno," which has actually taken over at No.1 in midweek grosses. The movie -- about a 16-year-old girl (played by Ellen Page Ellen Philpotts-Page (born February 21, 1987) is a Canadian actress, perhaps best known for her starring role in Hard Candy and as Kitty Pryde in . She had previously received attention, particularly in her native Canada, for award-winning roles in Pit Pony ) who gets pregnant and picks her baby's adoptive parents adoptive parents Social medicine Persons who lawfully adopt children, who are generally married couples but may be single persons, including homosexuals; most APs are married -- is about to explode beyond being a word-of-mouth phenomenon. I'm looking into my box office crystal ball right now, and I see a weekend gross of at least $15million. But the Jack Nicholson-Morgan Freeman geriatric comedy "The Bucket List," directed by Rob Reiner Robert "Rob" Reiner (born March 6, 1945) is an American actor, director, producer, writer, children's advocate and political activist. As an actor, Reiner first came to national prominence as Archie Bunker's and Edith Baines-Bunker's son-in-law, Michael "Meathead" Stivic, on , could come close to that total as it expands from limited release to nearly 3,000 theaters. Still, "Juno" is my pick to win that battle between generations. NEWBIES: There are three new wide releases that open in theaters today, but I only give the crime comedy "First Sunday" any chance of debuting in the top five. The film, headlined by Ice Cube, opened in 2,000-plus theaters and could take in at least $10million. It will be difficult for the fantasy film "In the Name of the King," starring Jason Statham, to make much of an impression as it opens in 1,600 theaters. I predict an opening of about $5million for "King" as well as for the new animated film "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." HOLDOVERS: There is still some steam left in December's three biggest hits -- "Treasure," "I Am Legend" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks." Although "Treasure" is poised to fall from first place, it should still gross $12million to $14million with "Alvin" and "Legend" in the neighborhood of about $10million. EXPANDING: Some of the movies you might be hearing Oscar buzz about will be a little easier to find this weekend. The epic drama "Atonement" is in nearly 1,000 theaters now -- double what it was. "The Kite Runner" is now playing in 600 locations, while "There Will Be Blood" starring Daniel Day-Lewis Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis (born 29 April, 1957) is an Academy-Award winning and Golden Globe-award nominated actor. Born in London, England, he became an Irish citizen in 1993. can be found in 125 theaters. SNEAKY: It's hard to keep a secret in this town. The comedy "27 Dresses" starring Katherine Heigl Katherine Marie Heigl (born November 24, 1978) is an Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated American actress and former fashion model. Biography Early life Heigl was born in Washington, D.C. and James Marsden isn't due to open for another week, but check the movie listings in your local paper or online to see if you can catch a sneak preview sneak preview n. A single public showing of a movie before its general release. Noun 1. sneak preview - a preview to test audience reactions on Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. . The flick will have one evening showing in 550 theaters. greg.hernandez@dailynews.com 818-713-3758 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The comedy "Juno," has taken over at No. 1 in midweek grosses. |
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