http://www.fantasymoguls.com/

Please join the PDXradio private league with password: danpackard. League is set up for a max of 20 players. The new season starts This Friday November 2nd. The league will lock to all new players on Nov 25th. League ends in Jan.

We are playing the simplier Box Office Moguls game. Rules are primarily simple yu assemble a slate of upto 8 upcoming theatrical releases between Nov 2 and Late Jan. You have a $100 budget to purchase what you think will do best at the box office.

Game can be played with as little time as 20 minutes a week or 20 hours a week. You find yourself playing when your really doing other things.

Check it out and may the best PDXradio poster win bragging rights.

I'm in.

Mrs Merkin, ChickenJuggler, BrianL, QPatrickEdwards, DarkTemper, NewFlyer, Alfredo_T, would all be great addtitions to me and you Skeptical.

Good start for a roster/slate, and I have made the first of many tweakings to my roster/slate.

I'm in too!

Done!

Not being a movie person, I'd probably get stuck with a new Sgt. Pepper Movie sequel and a Plan 9 remake.

I figured with a $100 million I could do a few hundred movies with Ed Wood or Russ Meyer. Unfortunately, they are dead.

Roger Corman is still alive, but he actually wants budgets these days and could only produce a dozen for that kind of cash.

I could give all hundred million to Werner Herzog. In a year, he would emerge from the jungle for more money with an evolving vision he thinks is worth financing.

Maybe I will just send it all to Lloyd Kaufman and hope that the team drinks enough coffee to spend it all in one year.

Oh, it was only a $100? Good thing I gave it all to Troma.

Thanks for the invite Shyguy!

Hopefully we can get at least another 4 of us added on today for 10 out of 20 max.

If my early calculations are right I am predicting that the first week will end up like this:
1) Skybill (Is your strategy that smart?)
2) Chickenjuggler
3) myself
4) Missing KSKD
5) Littlesongs
And in 6th place by default only Skeptical

To share my strategy abit I keep my ears and eyes open when watching tv and radio to see what movies are being buzzed about and witch trailers are getting the most play on television. Then is the television trailer engaging me to want to see the movie if I am an average moviegoer. Read articles and editorials on the site as well as elsewhere. Watch for trends such as: Horror genre for the last couple of years has made a comeback these movies are for the most part good picks. Movies based on comics or videogames: I think this one is a bit hit and miss as I feel that Hitman isn't going to do the huge number as predicted. Go out on a limb and gamble a bit. In this game if you are lucky enough to pick the sleeper hit of all the upcoming movies that can boost your position big time. Look at Disney's The Game Plan w/ the Rock. Before it leaves domestic theatres it will have easily grossed 100 million dollars in the US alone. Right now it is in the 70's range and hasn't even hit the second run theatres yet. Finnally beware of any movie that deals with the subject of war in the Middle East all of these movies have done mediocre at best in the US box office. Although the star studded Lions for Lambs and Charlie Wilson's Wars are yet to come out.

"And in 6th place by default only Skeptical"

I dumped Bee Movie after getting some jitters about it and went with a safe and sound pick instead and I'm not telling which one it is!

My guesses would be to me the very obvious either Sweeney Todd (abit overpriced) and I am Legend. Which no dount is one of the season's biggies but I think that both Bee Movie and the untitled JJ Abrhams project are better big money picks. That could all change though if the Abrhams film gets pushed back any further ala Kite Runner

Thanks for the invite but i'm gonna sit this one out. One Fantasy league is enough for me.

1) Skybill (Is your strategy that smart?)

Shyguy, I haven't a clue what I'm doing! I kind of did what you did.

I watch what is on TV and then sort of decide if I'd like to see it. If I like it, then so will (hopefully) a lot of other people.

I don't really like a lot of movies. My biggest problem is that I fall asleep during most of them that we watch at home!

Great article from WSJ in regards to future releases.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119396048150079835.html?mod=blog

BTW its not too late to join in on this seasons league.

i joined ,is it ok to sign up twice????

What do you mean Dude? I guess you could challange yourself with the Ulitmate Moguls game.

As for more than one account in our league I would suggest no anyone else have anything to say on this?

thats fine ,the whole thing interests the hell out of me love hollywood and movies......

I don't care. Thought about it actually. Was gonna let the kids pick some stuff. Then didn't want to have to manage it, so I bagged on that idea.

Made a switch today. Swapped out a Nicole Kiddman movie, for one I really have no idea why I picked. I think she has a chick fan base that's loyal. For the price, I think it's gonna do well.

Locked on American Gangster. Hope it does well --I'm gonna see that one. 16 million and climbing baby!

Early weekend numbers showing American Gangster over Bee Movie.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/

I picked the wrong D this time while I choose Disney over Denzel

Yeah but I think Bee Movie has longer legs - so to speak.

I hope so. Watched some trailers today and am thinking about rearranging my roster for a big blockbuster but I can't decide which movie looks better.
Also does anyone else see the simalarities between I am Legend and the Untitled JJ Abhrams film? Or whatever they are calling the movie this week Untitled, Cloverfield, Slusho etc

IMHO, that's a big factor.

I think I'm gonna bag on the untitled thing. Too much hype and risk. For all we know, flash in the pan. Big opener, word gets around, then nothing!

B Movie is highly likely to carry a long time. I'm hoping the girl pull Denzel has will balance that.

One thing I keep forgetting to consider is who is producing and or directing the films. Then something I have learned is to look back and remember who the actors and actresses are that carry films and are known commodities in terms of pulling in audiences.

Just checked in!

We've got Skybill out for an early, but slim, lead. Nice move on the double opener. Could cost him in the stretch though.


Next up KSKD and Mrs. Merkin, tied for 2nd & 3rd, hoping huge for that Denzel love to be that gift that keeps on giving!

Chickenjuggler & our league host, Shyguy, looking good, tied for 4th & 5th, but just have to be worried over the lawsuit filed on "Bee Movie". Bummer that. Might knock the legs right out from under that one

,or

could just make it crazy.

We've some early drama there for sure.

Next up, Littlesongs, running on principle with lots of time yet, he might be packing a sleeper!

Finally, we've Skep & Dude --fighting hard for last place! Is there a mid to late season strategy in play here?

Be sure and make your picks before you get locked in, and we go another week!

(I like this game, BTW)

"Is there a mid to late season strategy in play here?"

As in waiting for everyone else spend all their money?

Paying close attention to how many screens a movie is going to open up in helps!

Hint Hint for a certain opening this weekend.

Unless you have a movie that has legs and will be headed for wide release in less than a month. Sometimes it has tiee to generate a buzz.

People who are only thinking in a Portland or big city mindset can hurt in this case. As Portland gets alot of limited release movies.

Skybill with the lead! KSKD close behind in 2nd.

We've seen some packs forming now as the crowd begins to differentiate. 1st and 2nd, leading with a bit of a cushion for now. Lots of potential in the 3rd, 4th & 5th pack, leaving the last runners making gas money, or feeling good on principle!

Will the Sky strategy continue to pay off, are there sleepers about to pop? Will we see some big change ups in the next coupla weeks?

Getting closer to the holiday early showings. Could be huge for the right pick.

Those that spend for BEOWULF are looking to cash in huge, as it opens huge. The big questions are will it have legs, and will it be big enough to hold off the other solid releases?

Gangster and Bee Movie are doing nicely, delivering the goods, neck and neck. Looks like the court case surrounding Bee Movie is under the radar too.

Fred Claus is a bit early. Might just fizzle, who knows? (hoping it sees a brief and solid showing, then picks up later on.)

"Those that spend for BEOWULF are looking to cash in huge, as it opens huge."

Nobody in DEAD LAST place would be smart enough to dump all their future holdings and invest BIG BUCKS on a cartoon, would they?

Heh.

Feeling lucky? Expectations are running high, but it could be a real dog. It's in IMAX, so that bumps the ticket dollars some.

Of course, how many IMAX compatable releases really hit it big? IMHO, that makes it either a first, or just another in a series of almosts, in that respect.

It's kind of like having to decide to go all in on a draw that's not a known winner if it hits. Dicey...

Is it just me or does Beowulf look like a steaming pile of crap? If you put it up against the likes of Golden Compass, Hitman, and Enchanted which one will dominate at the box office.

It's a tough call. These days, it's often hard to learn enough from the video clips. They are so good at highlighting the good stuff, and that's all there is sometimes.

I don't know that I would go all in on that one, unless there were no options. Then it's a good move. Either one is out, or on the rebound!

Trailers usually have some clips that don't even make it in the actual movie. In fact, "how to" guides encourage that moviemakers use clips off the editing room floor.

Well then you have questions about whether or not a video game can translate to the big screen. Yes it is true that video gamers have alot of disposable income and are geniuenly putting a dent in both television viewship but also television.

Beowulf is #1 for the weekend...ACK! Now we'll just have to see if has "legs".
Skep may be kicking us to the curb!

Did anyone see it? Were Angelina's golden "twins" worth it? (If you never saw "Gia")

Just because it was "released" by my studio doesn't mean that I like it or even will watch it!


By the way, my only other "release" is "No Country For Old Men" which opened 2 weeks ago on a dozen screens, went to 148 screens last week and on Wedsneday its supposed to go to 1,000+ screens. This might be my only time I get to gloat so I'm doing it now!

Beowulf Skep Beowulf regardless of how well it did at the box office for the love of god how can you live with yourself?

Went to the actual movie theatre yesterday for the first time in a very long time in fact the last movie I saw in theatres was A History of Violence. Saw Dan in Real Life which was a good, funny, heartwarming story.

"how can you live with yourself?"

I've found that after supporting Bush in the case for WMDs in Iraq, I can live with myself over just about anything now.

Heh.

Ain't that the truth.

Well Skep, I would talk it up huge. Nothing to lose at this point.

(I almost bit on the thing --I'm a sucker for that kind of production.)

WEEK THREE PEOPLE!!

Man, oh man. Look at the dollars now. Skybill is still riding high, of course, but it's looking like anybody's game for second now!

Rosebud & Chickenjuggler (I'll bet that could be a studio name proper too. Hell, we got wide pants, or something like that, why not?) have broken the 100 million mark.

Everybody saw some nice gains all in all, but now it's time to get the trash talk starting!

I dunno if Beowulf has legs, but the number of screens for No Country For Old Men increases x6 wednseday and will be bonus bucks for my studio's coffers.

American Gangster and Bee Movie were both good picks, but they're not gonna keep the pdxradio high flyers airborne much longer. The air is gonna get sucked out from under them starting in a few short hours. Hopefully they bought high quality parachutes!

(How's that for trash talking?)

Oh, just you wait till I mop the floor up with you guys once "Golden Compass" opens!

"No Country For Old Men" could be too realistic in depicting this time in history, and I wonder if it's too depressing for the holidays. I've read that since it has no distraction of romance or mystery, it's just straight-on.

Has anyone here seen "Once"? This is a wonderful little film with great music. I started out not sure if I liked it or not, and then just got sucked in...powerful! If you get a chance, go see it! Both the music and the story have stayed with me for weeks.

A bit of a post-Thanksgiving update. The top 3 new releases, "Enchanted", "Hitman" and "This Christmas" are DOWN one day after their release on Weds. "Beowulf" actually went UP on Thurs and bumped a new release to move into 3rd place. "No Country" doing well too. Fred Claus is up just a bit while "Bee" is down, but still raking over a million a day. Looks like it won't overtake "Gangster".

But the cow with the most milk is "American Gangster". Attendance rose from Weds. to Thurs as viewers skipped new releases. Its gonna be tough to stop the likes of SkyBill and Mrs. M who have made outrageous gains on only $24 and the milk continues to flow. I think I don't like this game!

The Bob Dylan biopic tanked on release day and tanked further on Thanksgiving!

I wonder if "I'm Not There" will have the same effect as "No Country for old Men"? Starts out in very limited release and in a month or two expands to wide release and does well.

I'm gonna go to the movies this weekend but at this point I cannot decide between No Country or Gangster. Mayve after what I have heard though I will catch Superbad at Northern Lights Theatre Pub.

Any thougts or suggestions?

Good question about "I'm Not There". Now in its third day its already on 140 screens -- far more than "No Country" at the same. So far only $540,000.

I'd see "No Country" first because I like Tommy Lee Jones and the Coen Bros. I doubt "Gangster" is as good as "Country" for the admission charge.



BTW, "Enchanted" surprisingly did real well on Friday. Guess I'm not too good at interpreting trends.

Maybe it's because you're not (I'm assuming) a pre-teen girl?

Well, I DO have a 12-year-old daughter.

Wow Skep then you are indeed out of touch with what your 12 yr old daughter is "IN" to!

If she and her friends are into pop culture and movies/entertainment then you should have asked her advice on what she waould see at the movies.

Totally!

There was no reason not to run the choices by my wife and daughter. Women drive a lot of movie tickets. I figured I would place nicely, if nothing else.

My picks would NOT have been mainstream enough to even play this game. Love pop movies, but really love the smaller productions more.

Tommy Lee Jones is just great. I think it would be my pick, if I had movie time coming up. Gangster will be a no brainer DVD purchase, but not something I will brave the theater for.

I just wish we had a different choice of theatres versus the crapfest superplex that is Regal.

One thing that blows me away about the concessions at Regal is all the candy choices are primarily geared towarss little children. I want Dark Chocolate in any form, or how about some nice regionally or locally made chocolates. And what the fucks up with twizzlers if I want to eat some wax I'll just ear wax, I want some red vines brand. Or pints of ice cream or fresh baked cookies hell Otis Spunkmeyer would do! And how about an alternative to popcorn? Hot nuts or pretzels anyone? I'm just sayin' why can't Regal go alittle bit more like the Art houses theatres when it comes to concessions. Awe damnit all to hell I'll just stop by Walgreens or Rite Aide before i go to a first run theatre again. Or better yet just stick to Northern Lights or Salem Cinema for a decent theatre experience.

Any thought?

I love Northern Lights!

I do wish they would expand their menu a bit.

Everthing I have tried on the Northern Lights Menu with the exception of the pizza I really enjoyed especially the dessert being brought to you halfway through the movie. Strawberry Blonde Sundae anyone? Yum Yum. Washed down with a couple of brews or glasses of wine even better.

The rumor mill is abuzz with the strong possibility of Salem Cinema moving and expanding to 2-3 screens with a cafe on Broadway on the ground floor of the new YWCA. That would be awesome.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11252007/gossip/pagesix/de_palma_iraq_flick_bombs_58 2058.htm

Looks like DePalma's Redacted has really tanked in its opening weekend with just 3000 ticket buys.

Who had this on their slate?

"Who had this on their slate?"

That would be Herb.

New results up nothing has changed rank wise. Of the 2 seasons I am currently playing I think I am doing the worst in our league. I am ranked 2nd in this season of Ultimate, and second in the previous season that is finishing up in Dec of Box Office game.

You guys are tough cookies!

Last place should have dropped Redacted but its too late and must realize another needs to be dropped also but I wonder if he is paying enough attention to know that this movie wan't make him much if any box office dollars. Hint Hint...

Well... maybe!

We are headed into a point of change soon. Some people did a few big releases, others did a mix. That's gonna change the dynamics somewhat. Will it be enough to really matter?

Guess we find out soon!

I'm gonna rethink some of my picks. There is still time!

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809873032/video/5200943/

There ain't NO way I'm taking this one off my list.

I've a rabbit in my hat and I'm not pulling it out until just before lock date in order to catch you all with your pants down.

Kskd, your picks are just fine!

Skep I'm gonna check over the avaliable line-up but I don't remember seeing one film on the avaliable roster that will catch any of us with our pants down.

Unless of course you think you have found the ultimate in spoilers ala last season's Game Plan. I am thinking/assuming that each season has just one sleeper choice and that one has already hit the screens in that Xmas movie that came in #2 this week!

OK OK I spoke too soon and am going to spoil your pants down movie.

The only possibility is I am Legend.

Because unfortunely I feel as though Sweeney Todd is going to be a dissapointment at the box office because middle America doesn't goto nor grasp Broadway even though it features Johnny Depp.

Bational Treasure is already I believe on one of our slates.

Other than those 3 films the rest only have potential for another sleeper type,

And don't tell us the jokes on us when you pick Alvin and the Chipmunks.

And its a shame that Denzel's directorial debut in the Great Debaters is going to open in very limited release or so I have read.

Its also nice to finally see some trailers on television for Walk Hard. This movie looks like an F'n hoot!

I wanted to pick the Great Debaters. It's a good, relevant movie premise.

"I Am Legend" reminds me a lot of that old Charlton Heston movie "The Omega Man".
What is old is new again.

New season starts in Dec should we start up another league and do the Ultimate game?

Yep, it's Alvin!

Omega man is based on the Richard mathieson novel " I Am Legend"

Midweek update . . .

Yesterday "Beowulf" was short $1,100 of bumping off "Enchanted" for the #1 spot. "No Country" moved up to #4. 3-D apparently is now accounting for 1/2 of Beowulf's audiences.

Unfortunately "American Gangster" is still reaping half a million dollars daily during the midweek making a catchup seemingly impossible. But at any rate, my "rabbit-in-the-hat" pick has been made and I'm now officially broke.

It looks like Golden Compass is really disturbing some folks,

www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

I am reading the second book and was surprised (not offended) by topics mentioned.

How do you feel this will play out at the box office?

Of course the same fear-mongers said the exact same things about Harry Potter and I doubt anyone has been struck blind or gone to hell for reading or seeing those yet, have they?

So I have this on my roster; after selling 15 million books in the trilogy, I'm not to worried about the religious right doing too much damage if it's a good movie and a good story.

Some people just love to get their undies in a bundle over nothing. The Focus on the Family people can all go see Saw XII.

I bought all three books, knowing I would run right through them. They are filling my Harry Potter void quite nicely, as did the Eragon series...

I can't wait to see the movie(s)!That armoured Bear is on my Wish List.

Agreed: much ado about nothing. I was just really surprised when I started seeing the negative press.

just saw No Country for Old Men killer movie is defiently going to be a best picture nominee.

just saw No Country for Old Men killer movie is defiently going to be a best picture nominee.

Yup. Too bad there isn't gonna be bonus points for nominees in the mogul game.

btw, "Compass" needs to tank.

I didn't realize that the "Lock Date" was for picking your movies. I thought it was the last date for new people to join the league.

I was busy at the Christmas Bazaar at the expo last weekend and all this past week turning pens for this weekend at the Bazaar and didn't get my last movies picked.

I guess I didn't read the rules close enough! Oh well! Chalk it up to a learning experience!

I'd be up for doing the Ultimate Game next season.

The ultimate game is totally different and more in line with the type of movies I would see. As box office totals are just a minor part rather than pivotal to your success.

On a side note who sae that christmas movie coming? Now which movie will be this season's big stinker? Last seasons upset/underdog was the Game Plan and the big stinker was The Heartbreak Kid.

(Shhhhhhh!!!!! Don't tell Skybill there is no "lock date" for adding or dropping movies!!!! He is crushing us enough already without knowing this bit of information! )

Boy do I feel stupid!

I cleared my browsers history and cookies Friday night and forgot to log back in!!!

I was just viewing my slate!

Oh dopey me!

I eliminated some cookies and brownies this weekend myself, but that had nothing to do with my PC!

Edit Add: "Eliminated" as in made to disappear!

TMI!!!!

I went ahead and started a new league for the newest season that starts this Friday I believe. This time round its the Ultimate game. And again it is a private league. Name is pdxradio.com and password is danpackard. Set up for a max of 10 players and the lock date is set for no new players after December 19th.

Keep in mind that this is a whole other ball game. Scoring is based on Per theatre average, Box office, Top 5 at the box office, and i believe the imdb score. This season ends March 3rd.

Shyguy Presents is ready to play are you?

I'm in the new league!

Play on!

Award season has begun maybe this can help us to determine our Ultimate slates.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3id3ba7d7be3800dce8988 e7caf525a965

What the heck, nothing for "Beowulf?"

Weekend update . . . estimated numbers!

Looks like I'll do okay this weekend with a solid 18 mil gain but remain in 6th place while high-rolling Mrs M, 30 mil, may overtake Shyguy and swap 4th and 5th place.

Shyguy, taking in less than 5 mil this weekend will most certainly lose to me next weekend and drop into 6th place.

KSKD, in third, is posting a 10 mil gain on the lucky legs of Fred Claus but has to squeeze 2 more weeks out of it to remain in 3rd place.

Second placer Chickenjuggler, still soaring with Enchanted, along with fringe benefits from Bee Movie, may surpass 15 mil while top gun Skybill will gain only 10 mil, mostly from Fred Claus' legs. If these numbers ring true, we may have a lead change at the top.

To stay at the top, it looks like Skybill has put most of his eggs in the Alvin and the Chipmunks basket!!!! Chickenjuggler, on the other hand, has to fly high for several weeks almost solely the fumes of Enchanted.

At the bottom, Dude is completely dead in the water, while LittleSongs gains solely on the surprising legs of No Country For Old Men -- the 4th highest grossing flick of the week.

So, in the week ahead, will Enchanted and Fred Claus keep the pdxradio high flyers at the top or will Mrs. M's soaring Compass shoot them down?

What happens this Friday for Beowulf-fueled Skeptical when I Am Legend is released? Is it GAME OVER for the rest of you? Ha ha ha.

I'm really surprised at Compass' relatively poor opening, It's definitely not "soaring" yet, I'm hoping it gets better. I wish I'd picked Enchanted (and especially Juno, like CJ did, now there's one I want to go see!)

Alvin & the Chipmunks? That's not going to be pretty...

I gat nailed on Mr. Magorium, but made up for it with Enchanted. I resisted Juno until I heard some stellar reviews and am hoping for it to clear 25M on it's way to maybe 50M.

Then, yes, I have to coast. I'm hoping for better than what Fantasy Moguls reports for There Will Be Blood.

But anyone with I Am Legend come release day is gonna strike gold - my last hope with be for Cloverfield ( Untitled JJ Abrams film ) come Mid January. I think if the television writers strike continues until then, poeple will give Cloverfield a shot in lieu of being able to watch Lost.

Then again, I tend to over think things.

Over all, I'm feeling pretty good about my picks.

Next on my list of movies to see is defientely Juno but was surprised with it being a trailer for both Dan in Real Life and No Country for Old Men that it didn't open in wide realease. It opened in I think like 7 screens WTF! Oh well. I'm reconsidering Cloverfield for this season because if it has legs which it probally does have at least "turtle" legs (Sorry Chickenjuggler I couldn't resist but I could be wrong too) its only got like 3 weeks before the season ends so its a better choice for the new season. Watch and understand those astericks folks. And run away from the sometimes double astericks ala Teeth. I am failing miserable with this season as you guys are both tough competition and the fact that I could have made better choices than Southland Tales and The Mist.

I see Shyguy cleared up some dollars from his slate and put it all on I Am Legend to go head to head with me.

While Shyguy is a few bucks ahead of me, I'm thinking the long legs of Beowulf 3-D puts me ahead of him at the end of the season.

(Of course, if the Will Smith flick tanks, we'll BOTH be sitting at the bottom with Dude. )

I am glad I didn't jump the gun on Golden Compass as I have being reading numerous stories on how the movie is too much for children and not enough for adults.

I dropped Cloverfield because by December it would at the very least be getting some major advertising campaigns underway. However with the exception of the net, billboards in LA, and trailers being played very selectively at certain movies. I hope at the very least that Cloverfield gets screened to critics. If it doesn't that usually means bad things for the movie at the box office. In addition if its on your slate it won't live up to expectations because its only 3 weeks of box office reciepts before the season ends. Damn those * choices. And its death if you find a movie with **!

Besides all of this you have to take into consideration that everything Will Smith touches turns to gold. He is in rare company too with the likes of Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, and probally Jack Nicolsen just to name a few in that very exclusive club.

So yeah maybe all my eggs are in one basket but its a risk I am willing to take.

Yeah - crap. I can't argue with any of that.

Hmmm.

3 word's people:

"I Am Legend"

Just got back and Will Smith is once again outstanding!

$28.5 mil in ONE DAY! Take a bite of that Fantasty Moguls!

Free Song Download from "I Am Legend" It's pretty good! The video that went with it really makes it great though so go see the movie!

http://www.1800goguard.com/movie/download.php?id=65&displayState=none

Ooohh - those box ofice totals for I Am Legend is gonna sting.

I dropped it too major bummer.

Before I can even begin to gloat, I have to yield the floor to SkyBill, who, as it turned out, is wiser than us all: a $45 million weekend for ALVIN!!! It only cost him $15 bucks and we still laughed! And he still has Charlie Wilson's War still pending.

All bow to pdxradio Top Gun Skybill.

Me, on December 10: "Alvin & the Chipmunks? That's not going to be pretty..."

Ok, I'll bow, but it hurts. a lot. Ouch.

I can't even understand what they're saying in the preview. Listening to that for more than 3 minutes would give me a major pain.

Mid-holiday update . . .

Leader Skybill is padding a runaway lead almost solely on the embarassing riches of Alvin. The Bucket List has apparently misfired but Skybill has insurance with Cloverfield next month.

Shyguy has a chance of challenging Skybill for the #1 slot provided Legend remains strong and The Water Horse continues to draw $2 million daily.

While Juno has gained just a bit from an expanded screen count, There Will Be Blood only opens in 2 theatres thereby increasing 3rd placer Chickenjuggler's downward projectory until a slate of new films in January.

Fourth place Skeptical stands to gain from I Am Legend from now until infinity. But that's it. Completely out of money and new films. I am mathematically unable to catch Shyguy. Skybill is a possibilty, but Alvin has to croak, NOW!

KSKD is $50 million behind Skeptical, but BOTH National Treasure and Alien vs Predator opened strong. Hmm . . . if things go well, KSKD could find himself thumbing his nose at Skybill.

Charlie Wilson and Dewey Cox are doing "ok" but they really need to add another zero to those numbers to stop the free-falling rock that is Mrs. M.

At the bottom, Littlesongs is making littleprogress while dude is still trying to find something that will fly. Fortunately however, both of them will cushion the fall for Mrs. M, preventing her from hitting rock bottom!

M and I are gonna duke it out in the football league this weekend for the "Ring". Should be fun but ultimately she will lose there as well! Little and the Dude are gonna do battle for fifth and last place as well.

Something is buggy with the pickable Cloverfield. It gives you the chance to pick it, at ( 5 bucks now? ) but then puts " The Great Debaters " picture in your slot.

I hope they sort that out because if I am stuck with The Great Debaters, some fantasy heads are gonna fantasilly roll.

Something is wrong with the Ultimate side of the game.

When I try to add a movie, I get a lot of blank area, then my current studio below that then a bunch of error code below that.

There is also a message from them saying to copy and paste the errors and send it to them.

Is everybody else getting the same thing?

Yep! I got a response right back too, but I forgot to put what page I was looking at, will try again later today! Wanted to add something yesterday and couldn't!

Looks like you need to add a QB. OH Wait, that's a different league! HA

You guys watch out for M. She is tricky and will sneak up from behind and knock you silly. She just stomped me in the fantasy football league final and won the whole kitten kaboodle!

I still can't add movies to my "Ultimate" slate.

I did get a response on Thursday saying they were working on it, but as of now it's still not working.

CJ, I got stuck with "The Great Debaters" just as you mentioned above.

$3.6 mil. Sucks!

I think I'll email them and see if they will do anything. Of course it's a game and it's free so I can't complain too much!

Still broke @ 5:30 PM Friday.

Bummer!

Man, I thought my two sleeper picks would pay off!

They did, and I creeped past Mrs M!

But, you guys at the top just keep on rocking! I'm likely doomed.

Might get Shyguy though. Look out buddy, I'm right there behind you man!

Was there another game starting up somewhere? This is kind of fun actually!

I was Beowulfed! It was $42 for that sucker! Although it made some money, it wasn't enough to offset the high price even though all my other picks did better than predicted!

Yeah, I could smell that one.

I'm kicking myself for ditching the Will Smith movie. I knew better, but did it anyway. It was in there, and I should have left it!

Surprise sleeper film of the year has to be Juno look at how it is doing at the box office not bad for a very limited release and now in wide release and in 5th at the box office.

Saw Juno last Sunday and have to saw honestly that it is one of the funniest movies I have seen in recent years. I think you would have to have a serious stick up your ass not to enjoy this film, A very funny yet at the same time very heartwarming film with a pretty positive message to ie adpption as an option over abortion and or bad parenting/ I will go out on a limb and say that Ellen Page will sweep all the awards she is nominated for. There just was simply no better performance this year by a female. Have you ever been in a full theatre before and you find yourself the only one laughing at a joke? "I'll have a Makers Mark" and the dialouge gets awfully close to an R rating but the insults and bad words are so creatively written that if the Academy weren't full of old codgers this just might win a best screenplay too! You walk out of this movie feeling very good and warm fuzzies all around. I can honestly say that this is one of the few movies I would go to bat for at making a sequal necause the cast is such a great ensemble and you really want to see what the future has in store for the two main characters Juno McGuff and Polly Bleaker. While the name actors in the movie are great in Allison Janney, Jennifer Garner, and a somewhat surprising performance by Jason Bateman. This film is all about the bright future that is in store for Ellen Page.

/Fukut Thailand
Should have been a movie reviewer,

They finally got the Ultimate game fixed.

Bummer about that. I'll gladly play again next cycle.

Good luck to those of you, signed up for the next round.

Hey, just checked in and the late release sleeper strategy is paying off!

KSKD in 2nd, only $50mil away from Skybill!

Ha!

It's that retarded "Alvin & The Chipmunks" movie.
People pay $50 mil for crap like that? No wonder the USA is going to hell in a handbasket. We are stoopid.

Cloverfiled was awesome but the ending was a let down. Mindless yet good but I would have wanted more from the point of view from the military.

ChickenJuggler have you seen it yet?

Momentary Thread Hijack....

Shyguy, check your email.

Hijack over!

Resume thread!

Yes! A $2 pick and it's the top movie for the weekend!

"Meet The Spartans"

Anybody up for a 3rd round?

The basic game starts again tomorrow (from what I can tell)

I'm in

Me too.

Does our league just continue, or what?

I will set it up password same as last and league name same as last time. Box Office Moguls game this time around ubless we want to play both games together?

PDX Radio
danpackard
10 slots
lock date of Feb 19

I'm in!

Didn't make it before noon so I didn't get any of the movies that opened today. Bummer!

Yeah, same here. Tougher picks, for me, this round.

I'm back in...and hoping I clean up with Hannah Montana!

I don't see how you can clean up too much when its only slated to be in theatres for one week only.

/ I'm just sayin'
a nice compliment to your roster but cleanin' up?

Well, I've already seen it 4 times to improve my box office! I'm going at least 8 more times this week. Ignore the news article that said there were only 3 girls at the first showing, it was a school day!

Besides, it was my last $4. And look what that @#$%^&* 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' "film" has done for Skybill. It made me realize how far many sheeple have sunk into utter stupidity and mediocrity.

Hey now!

If I was one of those people who took everything literally and read more into things than is really there, I'd say Mrs. M just called me stupid and mediocre!

But I know it wasn't directed at me.

Now for the movie. I went and saw it. It was OK except as everything these days they have to include what some feeble minded people call music. Thump, thump, thump, a cross between disco and (c)rap.

I feel that it would have been better if they had stuck to the original style of music that was in the original cartoons. But if they had it wouldn't have appealed to the kids and made so much money (and REALLY helped my movie slate!!!)

Yeah but we know you ain't a part of the sheeple deomgraphic Merkin. Love Ya!

I have been to the theatre alot in the last 6 months but I always pick wisely and haven't been dissapointed yet.

Dan in Real Life was good
No Country for Old Men has a solid lock on Best Pic
Juno was my personal favorite. Funniest movie I have seen in a long time.
Cloverfield wasn't a let down and was spectacular FX.
Into the Wild is underated and a major snub by the Academy

/end random thoghts

Hey, I'm not sure I've seen any of the movies I picked...and no Skybill, I wasn't referring to you personally, movie-wise (lol). If Baby M was older, I'm sure she would have made me take her, and I would have. Now the Bratz movie? No way.

I don't get to see many movies in the theatre (or otherwise) anymore, but I loved "No Country for Old Men" and "Juno" and want to see "Into the Wild". I expected more from "Atonement" after all the raves.

Most disturbing movie lately (On IFC): "Amores Perros" depressing and sad, and a total waste of 2 hours. I hated it. I don't care what the reviews said.

The writers strike hurt the ability to promote some really good movies in the traditional venues ( Letterman, etc. ).

However, the lack of those shows created some really good word-of-mouth reviews. That counts for a lot to me. No Country For Old Men didn't catch my attention until quite late in the game, for me. That's at the top of my list right now ( for " movies to see " )

You guys want a sure fire winner....."Fools Gold". That one looks good!

So guys n Mertkin any suggestions for what to see next in theatres or DVD that are Oscar nominated?

Anyone seen Away from Her? Micheal Clayton? There will be Blood?

Thanks Merkin for the advanced warning on Atonement which would be a wait till free cable movie anyway for me? Any other good movies I may be over looking?

As for fantasy Moguls is it correct in assuming that the Spring/late winter are a glut for the industry?

Darktemper now that the football season is over can we count you in to play in the "Other" fantasy league around here?

You would afterall be a welcome addition!

OK, twist my arm. Just so long as M don't win this to. I don't think I could handle getting stomped on by her again!

DarkLight Films LLC

I have no clue what i'm doing but it appears that I have the highest projected total. BTW, I think me, Skybill, Skeptical, and Jellybean knocked one out of the park with "Fools Gold". Just got back and it was a great flick!

Really? It got a "D" in The Oregonian and I was wondering how I was gonna cook this turkey!

Hmmmm, the critics hated it and sucky reviews. I thought it was entertaining. Oh well, on to Spiderwick and Horton.

There goes the neighborhood, Merkin joined up.

So is 22m good for an opening weekend? Despite the reviews I think it should hit the expected totals.

Stardate Jan 5th. Shyguy.

"I resisted Juno...am hoping for it to clear 25M on it's way to maybe 50M."

Now it's over $100 million.

It's fun to read back even a month ago and see what we predicted...I took one in the proverbial sack for "Golden Comp-ass" (Whooosh - gone).

This is easy fun; if anyone else is thinking about joining, hurry!

(still laughing at the image of Skybill actually awake(!) in the theatre for "Alvin")

I am wondering which is the next movie with the "Juno" factor. Any guesses folks? And if you still haven't seen Juno go and see it you will not walk away disapointed!

It's nothing like Juno, but have you seen the preview for the documentary about the (very) senior citizens rehearsing and performing classic rock songs? That looks like a hoot!

That does sound like a hoot. Hopefully it gets picked up by an A&E for show on free television eventually as I doubt highly that it will be a wide release or even shown in Salem. And I have heard its not just classic rock songs but also alternative and punk rock songs.

HeY Merkin, Crap won't be King if you don't get some movies before the 19th lock date. You in or out? C'mon, get with the program already you slacker!

Just a friendly reminder to everyone the lock date is Feb 19th. I don't know if you can add on the 19th of it they are locked on the 19th so don't get caught with no movies!

Ok, I've picked...I missed some big ones last week while I was out of town! I'm flying by the seat of my pants this time, no research, just previews and prior history (i.e. Tyler Perry)...

I saw 'There Will Be Blood' yesterday. While I didn't dislike it, I've decided that Daniel Day Lewis just plays slight variations of the same intense pyschopathic nut-job/killer in every single movie. Plus his crossed-eyes freak me out. It's kind of like how you can count on seeing Ewan MacGregor's weener in every art/indie film he makes. (But that I enjoy.)

I digress.

Sometimes you don't need to be smart, just lucky. Sort of like the Fantasy Football thing, you know, when you picked the guys with the tightest pants, or was that a pretty colored uniform thing?

I'm so insulted! No, it was never about uniform colors!

But OK, it was about how the thighs and butts looked in the uniform pants, as well as in business suits off the field, with extra points for dreadlocks and cute smiles.

Hey! When is my trophy being presented? I've cleared off a spot on my mantle and it's getting dusty and I need new candles. Real football just wan't any fun after the FF season ended.

Would this kinda trophy be suitable for your mantle Merkin?

http://www.wildcatbelts.com/harper.html

Who is Jellybean2010?

Merkin in your opinion is Day Lewis' performance in There Will Be Blood a lock for him on the Best Actor Award? Is the movie itself Best Picture material?

Hey Shyguy, when they gonna update the stat's?

That's my younger daughter. She was hanging around during one of my online times. Wanted to try the game. Don't know if she's got staying power, but she tossed in a few picks.

Man, I'm sucking wind right now too.

Hoping for some play with Jumper!

Anybody read the flinger books? http://www.amazon.com/Caverns-Journeys-Mcgill-Feighan-No/dp/0425074692

Was a Trilogy when I read them as a kid. Now it appears there is a fourth book! Sweet. Anyway, the core premise is some people being able to fling anything, up to a given weight, including themselves anywhere.

They become the backbone of an interstellar trade and are sought after, controlled, etc...

Was a great premise for storytelling. Hope this movie does it justice.

Jellybean is the name of her future clothing label, and derived from the nickname, "bean brain", where we have always enjoyed her "oops! Sorry!", speak before thinking childhood personality.

One day, there was a discussion about what kind of bean makes the brain, and of course, it was nice, pretty, jellybeans! That's kind of stuck over the years.

If you don't get along with her, it's typically your fault! (love to say that, it's true, and very special to us)

Dark, the updates happen today! I will check in during the evening, see where everybody is at, maybe talk some smack, then go digging for info to maybe change up choices.

Not to go off topic but did you ever get that Scorpions CD? If so what did you think of it?

Totally! It rocks. I listen often. I'll load up the pod with a bunch of stuff, then just stay in a groove for a while. Gets old, and I'll do it again. Never keep too many tunes on the thing.

Right now, I'm listening to: (Kind of a wave, story telling, emotion kick right now)

Toad the Wet Sprocket -- "Fear" (wonderful, if somewhat morbid and dark story telling)

Rush -- Lots of titles, I've a best of collection I put together for long drives.

Scorps -- Again, lots of titles. I had more or less left them out, until that album. Now it's just good to have their tracks that move in the rotation.

SAGA -- "Worlds Apart" I'll play that album, at least once per month, until I just can't. Best production and album arrangement ever.

Dream Academy -- Various. This group can either be just horrible, or beautiful. YMMV

The FIXX -- Various. Too many good albums. One title, off of "Elemental", "Two Different Views" really hits home right now.

Other crap:

Cranberries, Moody Blues, Roxy Music, Thrill Kill Cult, Living Color "Cult of Personality" just kicks so much ass, why don't we have more of this?, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Howard Jones, Creed, ELP, ....

Thomas Dolby -- "Age of Wireless".

Some go in and out, some are always there. I'm feeling that new Scorpions work will always be there.

For me, music is visual, and it brings back moods and mindsets lost otherwise. The Scorpions brings back some good stuff --a perfect bridge between the past and today. Love it for the color and texture --also love it because they stayed true to their form.

...Kraftwerk

Wow! I haven't even thought about them since shortly after high school.

Now I'm going to have to go find their album with "Autobahn" on it.

Great tune!

Thanks Missing!

How dark is the Toad the Wet Sprocket weren't they a mainstream Christian band at one time? I know that Walk on the ocean song is a direct reference to YoungLife International's Malibu Resort/restreat in the Princess Louisa Inlet of British Columbia Canada.

http://sites.younglife.org/camps/MalibuClub/Open%20Content%20Pages/Malibu%20Slid eshow.aspx

"Fear" -- has some serious subject matter. They do have religious undertones --and they do them well. That's not dark at all.

"Hold Her Down", "Butterflies", "Stories We Tell" -- all just excellent tunes, but dealing with some tough stuff at times.

Anyway, serious meat with those guys. Thinkertunes!

New results up now!

Hmm . . . I've fallen from first to 6th. How nice.

Maybe it's just that goofball with the low IQ runnin' your studio!

2nd to 5th myself. I'm hopin' Horton dumps tons o' cash in my box office!

Bump city.


(I was just looking for the link to fantasy moguls.)

Just follow the piles of Elephant crap and you'll find it! OH WAIT, that'll just take you to the bank....try this Fantasy_Moguls

Hey, I'm ahead of Skybill this time!

Hmmm.... gotta come up with some trash talk. Dark, want to lend a hand here?

Hmmmmmm.....

Maybe he could have done better if he did not use DubYah's movie studio! "Low IQ Films" It's the same studio that recorded the smash hit "Watergate".

Don't get to complacent though, me & Bubba are gonna blow you out of the water when Horton stomps into town!

Oh man! I just couldn't do it. Kind of hoping it tanks.

Just feels like a vegas slot machine type of play. The real appeal is just the name recognition.

Missing speaking of Vegas I hope your not the one with 21 on your slate. Thats the one thats gonna tank.

I am hoping that Smart People opens wide and does well in its opening 2 or 3 weeks.

Has this season seen its surprise hit yet?

I have it on there. I know it's gonna tank. I really don't care

This was a hard season. Couple nice openers, then a lotta crap! Just couldn't pick Horton Hears a Who though. Not even sure why, just couldn't do it.

I would watch most of the movies I picked. Not sure I would deal with Horton. Dr. Seuss is best in book form I guess.

"Jumper" was the best this season. Like the premise and will likely watch it on DVD.

---

quote:

'Horton Hears a Who' Opens Big on Friday and 'Doomsday' Tumbles Terribly

Fox's animated Horton Hears a Who opened big on Friday night with $13.75 million on its way to potential earnings of $42.6 million, which would place it somewhere around 14th on the all-time best openings for an animated movie list, and the fourth biggest animated opening for Fox behind The Simpsons and both Ice Age movies.

---

I'm likely cooked!!

Deep Fried!

Dune is one of the greatest stories EVER!

Lots of good quotes to be had from those books. Herbert left us with some great fiction that will live on for quite some time.

Checked in, expecting to get my ass kicked by Horton. (good god, I just couldn't pick it!) The top three slots are neck and neck!

Sweet, and a big razzer to all you gloom of doom Horton fans!

It just ain't over.

I still can't believe Horton got an "A" from Entertainment Weekly. I'm afraid to see if I'm still in last place.

Damn that Will Farrell and SemiPro. I need more Cowbell.

Yepper's, you really got the business end of the Elephant with "Semi-Pro".

"I'm still in last place."


I'm thinking you are. While I missed out on Horton, I didn't pick SemiPro!

Q: How do you make those Presto Logs™?
A: Feed sawdust to an elephant

Q: If you're swallowed by an elephant, how do you get out?
A: Run around till you're pooped out.

I've officially been pooped on by Presto Logs™. Ouch! Maybe I'll be redeemed by the Tyler Perry flick.

There should be a new 2nd place after Horton puts some more Presto Logs in the bank from this weekend! I'm gonna try and give shyguy a run for the first place trophy but I think he's got that locked at this stage!

What's up with Sleepwalking?

It's grossed only a little over 100K and has only shown at about 60 theaters.

Bummer!

And the result are in, Horton trashs the competition!

1 TheatrePub Pictures BubbaGimp $241.72M
2 DarkLight Films LLC DarkTemper $221.48M
3 Fooblitskey Flicks missing_kskd $206.91M
4 Skybill's Follies Skybill $189.37M
5 Not Chickenjuggler chickenjuggler $128.86M
6 Jellybean Films jellybean2010 $123.79M
7 Krap is King mrs_merkin $85.49M
8 Low IQ Films skeptical $82.15M

Hey Merkin, u no more las plaze!

I took a dive for mrs m.






(I haven't had a film open in more than a month, and I've about "$50 worth" of films yet to open. </brag>)

New season starts on the 4th which I think is next Friday. I already set up the new league PDX Radio.com pw danpackard. I set it up this time around for the Ultimate game although we can also play Box Office game too.

I suck. Back to last place.

Welcome back ShyGuy.

I hope you won't be mad at me next week. I should jump into 2nd this week and then slide past you in the final week. I sure am glad I dumped "88" and replaced it with "Forbidden Kingdom". I thought that one would do well and it looks like it did.

Good Luck!!!!!!

Glad your better!

Looks as if Forbidden Kingdom is a slight sleeper of this season so far.

Did I join the right game? There are only 2 of us in the game.

Me and PseudoFilms.

Uh-Oh.....up jumped the DEVIL!

Current members:

1 TheatrePub Pictures
2 DarkLight Films LLC
3 Fooblitskey Flicks
4 Skybill's Follies
5 Low IQ Films
6 Not Chickenjuggler
7 Jellybean Films
8 Krap is King

League is PDX Radio

There's another game going on too.

Shyguy posted this on 28-MAR:

New season starts on the 4th which I think is next Friday. I already set up the new league PDX Radio.com pw danpackard. I set it up this time around for the Ultimate game although we can also play Box Office game too.

This is the game I was refering to having only 2 players.

Getting whooped in it too!!

At the last minute I dropped "88" and picked up "Forbidden Kingdom". I think that little move will land me in first place after next weekends final box office run. It did almost 22 million this weekend and i'm only three million off of the lead. Sorry Shyguy but I think i'm gonna bump you to second place.

Dark I think this would be a final score on that box office moguls game. New game might be locked but I think I can change that. Now its Ultimate Box Office game same league name and password look above if not correct for exact grammer whatever. New game is a bit different and a bit tricky I still haven't mastered it but then again this last season was the first season that I came out on top so I think alot is luck in this game.

We have this weekend still right?

I can't find us on the list of leagues...is it too late?

PDX Radio.com is the league name dan packard or dan_packard is the pw.

Sorry folks I set the lock date initially for April 15th its now changed to May 1st.

Ultimate Box Office is the game and not the orginal Box Office Moguls game.

Sorry Shyguy, I guess my last minute pick turned out to be the sleeper that won it for me! Oh, and Merkin, hows the view from last place?????

Hey lets play two games at once. New league starts tommorrow for original game PDXradio pw danpackard

Simple game again starts May 1.

I'm game.

I'm in on both of the new "simple" games.

That works for me since I'm simple!!

"Merkin, hows the view from last place?"

I just picked my flicks, so things are looking up (yours)!

Now I'll get in on the new game and trounce you!

Say, would you like some "Green Eggs and Ham"?

Yes, I'd like them, right side up.
In my trophy cup.
All filled up!
Don't look at me with daggers, just send them here with Sammy Hagar!

SO, Bill and CJ, how about that Speed Racer Hunh? Pretty good one ay....NOT! What a TURD that one turned out to be! I coulda told ya so, wait, I think I did! No, No Speed Racer!

I'm torn between "Love Guru" and Zohan". Both look good but I think "Love Guru" will win out.

PS...."Meet Dave"????? Remember "Pluto Nash"?

I so dislike Mike Myers. He has no talent and is not funny. He has not made a funny movie since Wayne's World and that movies success in my opinion is more Dana Carvey than Myers.

He Sucks. I wish Dana Carvey would make a comeback!

I have to admit, of all my busts - Speed Racer's performance shocked me the most. I was on track to a record season.

Alas, no.

I saw the previews of 'Love Guru' with Mike Myers making an appearance on American Idol. Unbelievably bad and not the least bit funny.

You've been warned! Run!

Here is my take on Speed Racer. Hollywood took too long to make it. It should have been done 10 years ago. This is because there seemed to be more of a fanbase for "retro" Speed Racer t-shirts and cartoons back then than now. Subject matter was no longer "cool" or the "it"/"vogue" thing.

Not enough Testosterone!

Not enough star power. Emile who?

Or maybe Christina Ricci's giant forehead was just too distracting.

Oh, hey, is $213,000,000.00 a good lead? I think I be whooping you guy's!

Catch me if you CAN!!!

PS....I really hope we get a lot of people on this years Fantasy Football league!!! Last year was fun but it could really be great with twice the people! I liked the auto draft setup to, that way those in the know don't crush the don't know's in the draft. Hell, if Merkin can win anyone can and she just played by colors and other things like that!

I think I will beat you, but we have to wait until Wall-E comes out...another month!

I think I will beat you, but we have to wait until Wall-E comes out...we'll talk at the end of June!

Yes in the ultimate game. But I was talking about the Box Office league.