The lazy days of September. We saw how weak the box office was Labor Day weekend as people were trying their best to do outdoor activities while it’s still warm. As such, “Resident Evil: Afterlife” is the lone contender in wide release this weekend. Expect Milla Jovovich to sexy her way to the top spot as she’s done with the last two “Resident Evil” films.

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Resident Evil: Afterlife

Written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter

The Word: The fourth installment of the gaming world’s most successful movie franchise restores the first film’s pioneer, Paul W.S. Anderson, to the director’s chair. This time, Alice fights more undead, leading survivors to Los Angeles, which turns out to be a bit of a trap. The film was made using the same 3-D fusion camera technology used to make “Avatar.”

Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

My Thoughts: Anderson is one of the biggest names pushing 3D. If the extra dimension can’t find any resurgence in a film that stylizes its action more than Ricky Martin stylized his hair circa 1999, what hope is left? This is especially true considering the way the film has pushed the “same technology as ‘Avatar'” angle. As for the film itself, fans have been continually let down since the first, so Anderson’s return and 3D offer the only promise of a brighter afterlife.

Recommendation: If you’ve been following the series, why wouldn’t you go? Otherwise, why would you?

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Box Office Predictions

Last week was definitely the up-for-grabs tough week and “The American” managed to come out on top with just $13 million or so. With one major release out coming that also happens to be the fourth installment in a series, that makes it super easy to predict. Resident Evil: Afterlife will take top honors. The last two films have made $23 million in their opening weekends, both of which were in September — in fact, “Afterlife” opens six years to the day that “Apocalypse” did. What fans the  series lost after “Resident Evil: Extinction” disappointed, Sony/Screen Gems should make up for in 3-D ticket sales. Expect $25 million on this slow September weekend.

Now for predicting the rest, all of which finished closely last weekend. Clooney’s thriller should endure as grindhouse films don’t typically return well, so I’ve slotted The American over Machete just as they finished last weekend. Takers could be close to jumping over the Robert Rodriguez film, but I’m keeping it fourth. The Last Exorcism should hold up for fifth, but “Going the Distance” could give it a good run for that last spot once again.

1. Resident Evil: Afterlife
2. The American
3. Machete
4. Takers
5. The Last Exorcism