Movie Pick 'Ems: Liam Neeson returns to break necks

[Kingdom]

Nothing says awesome like 50-60 year old man seriously kicking everyone's ass. And he's been doing it in Gotham, foreign countries, airplanes, against wolves.. Liam Neeson everybody.

Taken 3 is the lone film opening in the US this weekend. This is probably a franchise never expected to go beyond the first film. In fact, the first film was a winter film dump, made on a budget of just 25 million. Next thing you know, it's a sensation and a word of mouth wonder. Liam Neeson suddenly experienced a massive OOTP talent gain and is one of the top action stars.

The first Taken amassed over 225 million. The second Taken had a little bit bigger budget of 45 million, and went on to make 376 million. Like the first film, it was released in a non-traditional blockbuster film month.

Neither film garnered great reviews, other than the action is splendid. And that's what you get.

The film stars Liam Neeson again, as well as the returning cast of his friends and family from the previous two films. Forrest Whitaker is the significant new addition. The trailers have pretty much given away the plot as his wife/ex-wife is killed (all that work in Taken 2 for naught huh?). Same director from Taken 2. Same producer and writer as well (Luc Besson).


Pick how much money the film will make this weekend in the US (the nearly 10 million it has made so far does not count towards the total). Poll will close this time Saturday.

[Witlon]

Meh. I'll wait for DVD.

Oh yeah...and theatre counts and meta on it. Figure 30-35 on initial expectation, though.

[HollywoodLeo]

I don't see this one fairing as well now that it's onto the 3rd installment and the Taken sequel jokes have ran their course for some time now.

I'll likely watch it when it comes on DVD. The plot is tired but the action should be good.

[Witlon]

Ehhh...after seeing the numbers I'll go with 30-35.99. Cold weather + 'The Final Chapter' should carry it. Hopefully.

[Kingdom]

Projections are putting this at 38-39. So either Shitloon or Foster are gonna win later today.

[Witlon]

Piss. I underestimated the selling power of Maggie Grace.

[Kingdom]

Unless she is naked then..

[Witlon]

Traditional pick'em next with Blackhat/Paddington/American Sniper/Wedding Ringer, Kingdom?!??

[Kingdom]

Wow. Action, family, comedy, drama. That's original pick. Assuming all 4 are wide enough releases, it will happen

[Kingdom]

Blackhat's budget..jesus. Michael Mann is going to go back into hiding in a few weeks.

[Witlon]

He probably should've just stopped at Heat.

And you would think with the budget, they would've gotten a better cast than Thor and an ABC Prime Time star.

[Kingdom]

Must be a lot of Michael Bay explosions...in the world..of cyber terrorism...

[Kingdom]

Paddington has doubled it's budget overseas. Brits love their British bears. I'm pretty done with seeing Bradley Cooper cry in every American Sniper commercial.

[Kingdom]

And then there's Kevin Hart. This may really come down to who has the most theatres.

[Witlon]

40.4 is the estimate for Taken 3. Exact numbers on Monday, but I doubt it's going to move much.