School’s out for the summer. That’s the biggest factor heading into this weekend and it could pay dividends for both of this weekend’s new releases: team action blockbuster “The A-Team” and sports movie remake “The Karate Kid.”

After a dismal first June weekend, the box office could really use a pick-me-up. Both films are untested and by that I mean have no accurate previous comparison because they’re not sequels or identical to any recent film. It would take a really horrid weekend for these films to not oust “Shrek” from the number one spot. The four-quel made $25 million last week and even one of 2009’s biggest flops

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Now Playing

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The A-Team

Directed by Joe Carnahan
Written by Joe Carnahan, Brian Bloom and Skip Woods, Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell (TV series)
Starring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Sharlto Copley

The Word: Mr. T has already made public he doesn’t approve of this A-Team, which Fox fast-tracked around this time last year. The film should find an audience between Neeson (who older crowds know), Copley (geek fav after starring in “District 9”), Cooper (for the ladies) and UFC star Quentin “Rampage” Jackson.

Rotten Tomatoes: 48% (mixed)

My Thoughts: Carnahan (“Smokin’ Aces”) knows how to do great action, which I think will give “The A-Team” that always redeemable free pass for being good fun in the summer.

Recommendation: Worth admission if you need a hoot, holler and explosion that you haven’t gotten since arguably “Iron Man 2.”

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The Karate Kid

Directed by Harald Zwart
Written by Christopher Murphey, Robert Mark Kamen
Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson

The Word: The ultimate cheesy underdog sports movie of the ’80s gets modern day treatment with the family-friendly Jackie Chan. This is the only film of its kind all summer, as usually sports films get relegated to spring or fall.

Rotten Tomatoes: 60% (good)

My Thoughts: I think this has potential for a younger generation to enjoy something that their parents loved growing up. We’re talking really young parents here, but still, it has been that long.

Recommendation: Worth admission for kids with no concept of the original and parents who’d like to show them what “wax on” (or for this movie “jacket on”) is all about.

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Box Office Predictions

My apologies for not being around last week to do this, but in a way I’m glad because last week was pretty bad. This weekend is interesting because it’s the first school-less weekend for most kids across the country. The question is whether “The A-Team” becomes the benefactor. The truth is that after last weekend, the box office can only go up. I think The A-Team will get it done with about $35-40 million.

This is a tough spot over at No. 2. I think The Karate Kid has the goods to beat out Shrek Forever After but not by very much. I think the former should at least get $20-25 million at minimum and that our ogre friend should pull in a respectable $20 million for its fourth weekend.

I would normally slide them down, but after Get Him to the Greek I think Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has a better chance of doing well in a school’s out weekend than “Killers,” which finished with just $1 million more last week. I think “Persia” will earn $8 million while “Killers” slips to $7 million.

1. The A-Team
2. The Karate Kid
3. Shrek Forever After
4. Get Him to the Greek
5. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time