What are you seeing this weekend October 20th

[Kernan]

Four new wide releases vie for our attention in a crowded market ahead of the Halloween weekend release of the expected first fall blockbuster Saw 3.
Despite the high profile of Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers and the terrific buzz forThe Prestige, the movie that has managed to grab the most screens this coming weekend is the family film Flcika with country singer Tim McGraw.
Live action family films have struggled at the box office in the last few years (anyone remember Hoot, How To Eat Fried Worms?) Flicka has had a slow build and now coming down the stretch need to spend some many to get beyond an audience of young girls and their mothers.
Flags of Our Fathers is struggling with buzz. The film is reeling from early reviews that have tarnished the films Oscar possibilities. The film needs positive buzz to get beyond the older audiences that are going to be its core demo.
This is great new for the Christopher Nolan directed The Prestige which despite its period setting is appealing across young male demos. Star power and terrific buzz could make The Prestige a surprise hit this weekend.
The Prestige is competing with another young skewing period piece in Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette which is dealing with similar buzz problems that are afflicting Flags. The film debuted at Cannes and was reportedly met with excessive jeers. The studio claims that did not happen but the negative buzz as remained. On only 800 screens the film is not a contender at the box office this weekend but the film needs a strong opening to remain at the very least on the periphery of the Oscar contenders.


Flicka
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flicka/

Flags of Our Fathers
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flags_of_our_fathers/

The Prestige
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prestige/

Marie Antoinette
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/marie_antoinette/[url]
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Kernan

[iv3rdawG]

I may go see Marie Antoinette and I may see The Prestige. We will see.

[Kernan]

I am intrigued by Flags of Our Fathers. David Poland called it a disaster. The trades, Peter Travers and Richard Roeper all loved it. The buzz is mixed and the Oscar chances are hanging on a solid opening weekend and a strong number to carry it through to November when the first critics awards get handed out.
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Kernan