Weekend Preview (1.1.10)

Films are taking a breather this New Year’s Day, although you can bet theaters will be busy considering how well Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel did on Christmas. I myself will probably find something I didn’t see just because I won’t have much else going on this weekend.

Nevertheless, I didn’t give my weekend preview a break since I still need to predict my Top 5 at the box office and am coming off only my second losing week ever (since I started in September).

In a week with nothing hitting theaters, just some films expanding or cutting back, not a whole lot should change. After what Avatar did last weekend, it will without fail hold on to the No. 1 spot for the third week. I’m still certain it will move up and finish right behind “Transformers 2” in total domestic gross by the time it’s done.

Second, I hate to say that I’m pretty confident Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel will outdo Sherlock Holmes. With winter break having not ended yet and popular kids’ movies never dying easy, it should just sneak past it, especially with Avatar and “Holmes” sharing some of the same audience.

I have no problem sliding in It’s Complicated in fourth for the second straight week, but I will stand by last week’s prediction and say finally, this week, that The Blind Side will get nudged by Up in the Air.

1. Avatar
2. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
3. Sherlock Holmes
4. It’s Complicated
5. Up in the Air