comment #1

talentedgc says ...

I saw a trailer for this before watching Inkheart here in the UK. My heart was sinking but the kids in the theatre were laughing alot!

comment #2

MindlessObamaton says ...

Great. So this means more of Aniston's BS. Wins all around!!!

comment #3

Josh Massey says ...

Why focus on the negative? I'm thrilled both Button and Valkyrie seem to be successes.

comment #4

jbf81 says ...

Those numbers are sooo good for Benjamim. If this hit the 150 mil mark we have our best pic winner.

comment #5

D.Z. says ...

Josh: They're not successes, unless they can survive two weekends. Valkyrie might make its money back sooner than Button, though.

But I'm just glad a Sandler movie bombed this time around, since it proves my point about him not being as much a box-office draw as it seems on the surface. The only time his stuff makes money is when it's a dumb low-budget comedy. Whenever he releases one of those overpriced ego trips, though, he only breaks even on it. They only look successful, because of the front-loaded opening.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if Marley's gross will save Wilson's career, or if it'll be considered a success-by-default, due to its being a family film released during X-mas. I hope it's not going to be as meaningless as Elf was to Will Ferrell.

comment #6

Mark G. says ...

What Sandler bomb?

Just because BEDTIME STORIES is ranked No. 3 it's opening 4 days will be a very healthy $35m-$45m - thus in line with pre-release predictions - it's the other movies which overperformed...

comment #7

Josh Massey says ...

I'd save those "Sandler movie bombed" intimations for another few days. The weekend is just starting, and the kiddies are out in force.

comment #8

Chase Kahn says ...

Seriously, Jeff is burying the lead here -- 'BUTTON's numbers are huge. Could reach 50 million by Monday and this is before the Oscar push. If 'Dark Knight' is out of the final five, 'Button' will have the box office crown the way this is going.

comment #9

nemo says ...

It must be satisfying for Jennifer Aniston to kick Brad Pitt's butt at the box office.

comment #10

Joel says ...

Wait, so is this story seriously predicting final runs of Marley and Button in the $150 million range... after ONE DAY?

Come on! I wouldn't even trust them to call the weekend after a single day's returns are processed.

comment #11

Al-Aurens says ...

I would love for Button to do well; I imagine that the well will eventually run dry for Fincher if he doesn't produce a hit soon. He's in an amazing place right now, and I want to see many more movies from him.

comment #12

Filmsnob says ...

"Anyway, I'm just wondering if Marley's gross will save Wilson's career, or if it'll be considered a success-by-default, due to its being a family film released during X-mas. I hope it's not going to be as meaningless as Elf was to Will Ferrell."

I didn't realized Owen's career needed saving.
Night at the Museum 2 will be another huge hit next year.

comment #13

LexG says ...

Mindless called it above: Yep, Aniston just officially got an extension on entitled, bossy, profane, woe-is-me, take-me-seriously, I'm-America's-Sweetheart-dammit interviews.

And we'll get to hear how she's a "draw," when the movie wouldn't have made one penny more or less with Kate Hudson or Katherine Heigl in the same role.

Those numbers for CCOBB are indeed very surprising, but I'm going to ask a question:

Is anyone else perennially surprised that box office is SO huge on Christmas? I guess it's just something I personally can't relate to; For me growing up, Christmas was about family gatherings and watching sports and being bored in church for hours on end. It never occurred to anyone in my family, nor has it occurred to me in my adult life, to load up Uncle Louie and Aunt Rue and Gramps to go catch a David Fincher or Adam Sandler movie en masse.

Is it really just gravy-stuffed families going in groups of ten on XMas day? Doesn't everyone fall asleep? Aren't all the old-timers tittering and chattering away through the whole movie? Isn't the weather all shitty and there's plenty of games on TV to be watched?

Again, the numbers and facts prove I'm TOTALLY wrong on this, but I just wondered if us actual film geeks who go to movies all year round kinda sit Christmas day out, and it's a moviegoing day for all the amateurs?

Or did all you guys go to movies yesterday too?

comment #14

MindlessObamaton says ...

It must be satisfying for Jennifer Aniston to kick Brad Pitt's butt at the box office.

Nemo: I don't know. He's home with Angelina Jolie on his cock. Something tells me he's gonna be just fine!

comment #15

D.Z. says ...

Mark: Again, it's got to be shot on the cheap to be profitable; and those CG scenes probably cost more than it was worth.

Chase: Button will only make money if it goes over with movie-goers. They managed to buy into it being a holiday-themed flick, but that's it for now.

Filmsnob: Have you seen the Night at the Museum 2 teaser yet? That sucker screams cash-in, not hit. http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2009/NOPQR/Night-at-the-Museum-2/trailer.php
No matter how it does, though, it's a Ben Stiller vehicle, and thus has no bearing on Owen Wilson's appeal.

Lex: I'll probably catch something at the Grove on Sunday when the parking meters aren't charging me $1 for an hour...

comment #16

cleopatrajones says ...

"It must be satisfying for Jennifer Aniston to kick Brad Pitt's butt at the box office."

Nemo: Brad Pitt=SAG nod, possible Oscar nomination, working with Terrence Malik, Quentin Tarantino, and fucking Angelina Jolie

Jennifer Aniston: taking 3rd billing behind a dog and Owen Wilson, fucking douchebag John Mayer who went on tabloid tv to tell the world why he dumped her.

Methinks Brad takes this one.

comment #17

D.Z. says ...

cleopatra: "Brad Pitt=SAG nod, possible Oscar nomination, working with Terrence Malik, Quentin Tarantino, and fucking Angelina Jolie"

So, being the hero in an overpaid union, nabbing the gold, because of a sub-par Fincher effort, and working with two hacks, while marrying another, is supposed to impress me?

"Jennifer Aniston: taking 3rd billing behind a dog and Owen Wilson, fucking douchebag John Mayer who went on tabloid tv to tell the world why he dumped her."

Pitt took second billing in Jesse James and Meet Joe Black, and look what that did for him. Also, he chose to bash Jen while hiding behind Jolie.

comment #18

cleopatrajones says ...

DZ or may I call you Jennifer Aniston?

I would never hope to impress someone who obviously views the body of work which is Marley & Me, He's Just Not That Into You. The Break Up. and Derailed to be of greater cinematic significance than The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the upcoming Inglorious Bastards, and The Tree of Life. Thank you for showing me the light o' wise one of HE.

comment #19

/3rtfu11 says ...

D.Z. says
because of a sub-par Fincher effort

I don't remember seeing Pitt in Panic Room?

comment #20

LexG says ...

Panic Room OWNS.

comment #21

Flosh says ...

Wait, DZ, did you really just call Terrence Malick a hack?

And Panic Room does own.

comment #22

/3rtfu11 says ...

Fuck Panic Room. Makes Alien 3 a classic (Theatrical Version) in comparison.

comment #23

Corey says ...

Who did Pitt take second billing to in The Assassination of Jesse James, now? Because I'm pretty sure you just made that up, as the answer is "no one."

comment #24

Movie Watcher says ...

LexG, you're right about everybody going to the movies on Christams. I stayed home and watched the Lakers beat the Celtics. Priceless.

comment #25

dinovelvet says ...

Isn't it awesome that the No.1 cute, cuddly, PG family-friendly Christmas film stars a suicidal drug addict, and a woman who can be seen stark naked on a magazine cover all across the country?

comment #26

D.Z. says ...

cleopatra: "I would never hope to impress someone who obviously views the body of work which is Marley & Me, He's Just Not That Into You. The Break Up. and Derailed to be of greater cinematic significance than The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, the upcoming Inglorious Bastards, and The Tree of Life. "

How about Thelma and Louis, Seven Days in Tibet, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith?

3rt: "I don't remember seeing Pitt in Panic Room?"

He wasn't in Alien 3, either.

Flosh: "Wait, DZ, did you really just call Terrence Malick a hack?"

Sit through Thin Red Line and that live-action Pocahontas again. I dare ya.

Corey: "Who did Pitt take second billing to in The Assassination of Jesse James, now?"

Whoever kills his character, duh.

comment #27

Chase Kahn says ...

"That live-action Pocahontas"

Wow...

comment #28

Flosh says ...

"Sit through Thin Red Line and that live-action Pocahontas again. I dare ya."

Already have several times, and look forward to doing so again in the near future.

And even if you think those movies are pretentious overrated bores, you're also discounting Days of Heaven and Badlands?

comment #29

dangovich says ...

Move Watcher, the Lakers have improved. They'll lose to the Celtics in seven this year instead of six.

comment #30

Sabina E says ...

I'm so fucking sick of Jennifer Aniston. Such a boring, generic, overrated blonde bimbo who keeps doing the same, boring, predictable romantic comedies. BORING!

Marley and Me looks like a shitfest.

comment #31

Sabina E says ...

LexG, I can't really answer your question about families going to see movies on Christmas, since I am a Muslim and I DON'T celebrate Christmas.

but a lot of people go see movies on Christmas if they don't celebrate Christmas. It is a tradition for my family to go see a new movie every Christmas, because well, there's nothing to do at home.

we saw Slumdog Millionaire yesterday-- it was really great.

comment #32

actionman says ...

Button is a massive leap forward for Fincher. It's a masterpiece. I was completely blown away by it.

comment #33

D.Z. says ...

Flosh: Haven't seen those, but I imagine they've got similar faux-artsy bs.

comment #34

Jonah says ...

Does anybody around here take DZ serious? He's actually trying to sell that Aniston has a better film career than Pitt?

What else has she done besides Friends? What memorable movie roles has she played?

Name 5 arguably great Aniston films (hell, name Friends as one) with her playing a large role. Come on, DZ.

For Pitt I could say Twelve Monkeys, Seven, Thelma and Louise, Legends of the Fall, Interview with the Vampire, Fight Club, Oceans 11, 12, 13, Assassination of Jesse James, Babel, Sleepers, Snatch, Burn After Reading, Kalifornia, Curious Case.

Whether you liked those films or not doesn't really matter. Whether or not they were either commercially or critically successful overall is what matters.

Now for Aniston.

Rock Star...nope
Object of my Affection...nope
Picture Perfect...nope
She's the One...nope
Bruce Almighty...nope
Along Came Polly...nope
Derailed...nope
Rumor Has It...nope
Friends With Money...nope

The Break Up was solid. Good Girl was above average but not memorable. Friends was a decent, but not original show. I'd counter a mention of Office Space with Pitt's similarly small, and superior, role as Floyd in True Romance.

Yeah, sure Pitt is killing himself that Button finished second to a movie about a dog that will be forgotten forever in three months.

For the record, I'm actually a fan of Anistons. But she's made MOSTLY bland, forgettable, and unsuccessful movies.

comment #35

D.Z. says ...

Jonah: "Does anybody around here take DZ serious? He's actually trying to sell that Aniston has a better film career than Pitt?"

No, I'm just saying she's better at avoiding self-serving flicks than him.

"For Pitt I could say Twelve Monkeys, Seven, Thelma and Louise, Legends of the Fall, Interview with the Vampire, Fight Club, Oceans 11, 12, 13, Assassination of Jesse James, Babel, Sleepers, Snatch, Burn After Reading, Kalifornia, Curious Case."

First off, no one saw Thelma, 'Vampire, and Monkeys for Pitt. Second, he was only a supporting actor in the Oceans' series, with Julia Roberts being half the draw. Third, name one movie on that list besides Fight Club where he doesn't play himself.

"Whether you liked those films or not doesn't really matter. Whether or not they were either commercially or critically successful overall is what matters."

So, by your logic, Transformers and The Jazz Singer are "good" movies.

"The Break Up was solid. Good Girl was above average but not memorable. Friends was a decent, but not original show. I'd counter a mention of Office Space with Pitt's similarly small, and superior, role as Floyd in True Romance."

You forgot to add The Edge, Quantum Leap, and Iron Giant. Also, anything with Tarantino probably has Pitt making some stupid movie reference, cursing, shooting up, or shooting at people; so I don't consider that acting.

"Yeah, sure Pitt is killing himself that Button finished second to a movie about a dog that will be forgotten forever in three months."

He *should* be concerned, since *his* dog could be forgotten in a week...

"But she's made MOSTLY bland, forgettable, and unsuccessful movies."

How many successful movies has Pitt made solely on his name, and not without a major co-star in the credits? Troy and Mr. and Mrs. Smith?

comment #36

CarloDennis says ...

"Third, name one movie on that list besides Fight Club where he doesn't play himself."

Uh, pretty sure he wasn't playing himself in Twelve Monkeys. Or in Assassination of Jesse James, Snatch, Babel, Kalifornia, and Burn After Reading.

I could go on, but what's the point?

comment #37

D.Z. says ...

Carlo: So he doesn't play a cocky know-it-all hipster in those films?

comment #38

Movie Watcher says ...

Dangovich, the lakers have all there players back. Last year, Gasol had to play center, and Garnett dominated him. Now he's at forward, so I see the lakers winning it all.
Pitt was in sleepers, but as a supporting role. That was a good movie.
I am tired of Aniston. I will not see the dog movie, and I did not read the book.

comment #39

CarloDennis says ...

D.Z.: No. No, he doesn't. You really should see them.

comment #40

Jonah says ...

"No, I'm just saying she's better at avoiding self-serving flicks than him. "

Yeah, she just makes one unmemorable romantic comedy after another. Really pushing herself there.

"First off, no one saw Thelma, 'Vampire, and Monkeys for Pitt. Second, he was only a supporting actor in the Oceans' series, with Julia Roberts being half the draw. Third, name one movie on that list besides Fight Club where he doesn't play himself. "

Thelma made his career. He got noticed in it. I didn't say people went to see any of those for him, but in many cases, he was the most memorable. He got the oscar nod for monkeys, not willis. He got a career from Thelma. He was part of an ensemble for Ocean's, and they were amazingly successful. Roberts was only half the draw (if that) for the first film.

One film where he didn't play himsel? Kalifornia. Twelve Monkeys. Snatch. Jesse James. Now name me one movie where Aniston didn't just play herself.

"So, by your logic, Transformers and The Jazz Singer are "good" movies. "

I don't know about Jazz Singer but Transformers was a successful movie.

You forgot to add The Edge, Quantum Leap, and Iron Giant.

Hmm...one episode of Quantum Leap. Nope, didn't forget it. The entire world did. Counts for nothing. I don't see anything listed as The Edge on her filmmography. Iron Giant is just a voice job, I forgot she was even in it. Must be a memorable performance.

"He *should* be concerned, since *his* dog could be forgotten in a week..."

His dog will be nominated for a minimum of 5 academy awards. Marley and Me will get nothing.

"How many successful movies has Pitt made solely on his name, and not without a major co-star in the credits? Troy and Mr. and Mrs. Smith?"

More than her. Because she hasn't had even one.

comment #41

Sabina E says ...

you guys do realize you are arguing with D.Z over who is better: Brad Pitt vs Jennifer Aniston, right?

Jennifer Aniston, who is SOOOO desperate to get attention that she has resorted to stripping naked on the cover of a men's magazine, while Brad Pitt is busy globe-trotting the world with his sexy girlfriend and just may snag another Oscar nod.

hahahahahaha....

enough said.

comment #42

Jonah says ...

DeafBrown,

Nobody that argues with DZ is taking his side seriously. I mean, when trying to come up with meaningful roles Aniston has played he mentioned a one episode role on Quantum Leap from 1992.

It's just fun to see how hard he tries to defend the indefensible.

comment #43

D.Z. says ...

Jonah: "Yeah, she just makes one unmemorable romantic comedy after another. Really pushing herself there."

And Jolie makes one unmemorable b-movie after another. Real step up for Pitt.

"He got the oscar nod for monkeys, not willis."

But the nom should have been for Seven, which just proves how seriously he's viewed by AMPAS.

"One film where he didn't play himsel? Kalifornia. Twelve Monkeys. Snatch. Jesse James."

You mean a kooky guy who's deep on the surface? Check.

"Now name me one movie where Aniston didn't just play herself."

Office Space.

"His dog will be nominated for a minimum of 5 academy awards. Marley and Me will get nothing."

Nominated ain't the same as winning.

Deafbrown: "Jennifer Aniston, who is SOOOO desperate to get attention that she has resorted to stripping naked on the cover of a men's magazine,"

And Pitt sells photos of his children with Jolie. What's your point?

comment #44

Jonah says ...

"And Jolie makes one unmemorable b-movie after another. Real step up for Pitt."

We aren't talking about Jolie.

"But the nom should have been for Seven, which just proves how seriously he's viewed by AMPAS. "

This makes absolutely zero sense. Which is normal for you.

"You mean a kooky guy who's deep on the surface? Check."

Wow. Do you even think before clicking "post"?

"Now name me one movie where Aniston didn't just play herself."

"Office Space."

Uh, yeah, she really stretched herself in the role of kooky waitress. Wait, no, she played the same role on Friends for ten years.

"His dog will be nominated for a minimum of 5 academy awards. Marley and Me will get nothing."

"Nominated ain't the same as winning."

Marley won't even be nominated. I'd rather be nominated and lose than not be nominated at all.

I notice you didn't argue your Iron Giant and Quantam Leap angles again. Even for you, that was beyond laughable.

comment #45

D.Z. says ...

"We aren't talking about Jolie."

Well, I thought we were talking about Pitt's career choices. Anyway...

"This makes absolutely zero sense."

It makes more sense than nominating him for a supporting role the same year he takes on the lead in a different film...

"Uh, yeah, she really stretched herself in the role of kooky waitress. Wait, no, she played the same role on Friends for ten years."

Actually, she played a barista on Friends, while she played someone in-between jobs in Office Space.

"I'd rather be nominated and lose than not be nominated at all."

Not if you're the guy who directed Citizen Kane or Goodfellas...

"I notice you didn't argue your Iron Giant and Quantam Leap angles again. Even for you, that was beyond laughable."

Considering your beloved serious actor is grappling with the same type of material in 'Button and 'Bastards, I find that more laughable.

comment #46

jbf81 says ...

I wont get in the Pitt Aniston fight, since its pretty obvious to me who has the better career. But does people really think that Aniston has more than 3 years left in Hollywood? doesnt matter how nakes she gets in magazines, her roles are now going to Katherine Heigh, Kate Hudson, Rachel Mcadams, Reese Witerspoon. She is mediocre and has horrible taste for scripts, since Friends she hasnt done one single thing to impress me and I dont think this will change.

comment #47

Jonah says ...

"We aren't talking about Jolie."

Well, I thought we were talking about Pitt's career choices. Anyway..."

Yeah, Jolie is not a Pitt career choice.

"It makes more sense than nominating him for a supporting role the same year he takes on the lead in a different film..."

You see, this is where I find your mental state troubling. Your comment just doesn't even stand in the realm of sanity.

"Actually, she played a barista on Friends, while she played someone in-between jobs in Office Space."

Wow. That is a major difference. A barista/waitress on Friends and a waitress that gets fired on Office Space. That's nearly as big a stretch as Daniel Day Lewis going from My Left Foot to Gangs of New York. Huge stretch there, bub.

"I'd rather be nominated and lose than not be nominated at all."

Not if you're the guy who directed Citizen Kane or Goodfellas..."

No, I'd still rather be nominated than not.

"I notice you didn't argue your Iron Giant and Quantam Leap angles again. Even for you, that was beyond laughable."

Considering your beloved serious actor is grappling with the same type of material in 'Button and 'Bastards, I find that more laughable. "

You're a coward. We both know it. Don't even have the courage to back up your previous statements.

Aniston's film career is a joke. By far her most successful film is playing third fiddle to a dog and Owen Wilson.

I'm done with you here. You're a fucking idiot.

comment #48

D.Z. says ...

jb: "But does people really think that Aniston has more than 3 years left in Hollywood? doesnt matter how nakes she gets in magazines, her roles are now going to Katherine Heigh, Kate Hudson, Rachel Mcadams, Reese Witerspoon."

Replace Aniston with Kidman, and I'll agree.

Jonah: "Yeah, Jolie is not a Pitt career choice."

The way he's actually milking the tabloid exposure, rather than avoiding it, says otherwise.

"A barista/waitress on Friends and a waitress that gets fired on Office Space. That's nearly as big a stretch as Daniel Day Lewis going from My Left Foot to Gangs of New York."

Speaking of Gangs, how is Leo being a punk there any different than whether it's in The Departed or Basketball Diaries? As for Lewis, wouldn't Gangs really be a step down for him, since he's basically in a remake of West Side Story?

"You're a coward. We both know it. Don't even have the courage to back up your previous statements. "

Sure, I'll back it up. She's done quality material before, which means she's not an idiot. But Pitt will only take whatever makes him the center of attention on screen, even if no one cares, which is why Button's now number 3 this weekend.

comment #49

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