Akeelah and the Bee 210, +26, B+
RV 245, +32, B- (up from C+)
Stick It 226, +31, B+
United 93 386, +32, B

United 93 has been very calm so far. The grade isn't indicating many fakes either, so maybe a 200-250 ratio is indeed in store. Either way, it's pretty certain that a super breakout is not there.

Even if U93 opens to like 12m, I still see it pushing past 70m. It just strikes me as a leggy movie.

Akeelah and the Bee 226, +16, B+
RV 271, +26, B-
Stick It 262, +36, B+
United 93 397, +11, B

Akeelah and the Bee 226, +16, B+
RV 271, +26, B-
Stick It 262, +36, B+
United 93 397, +11, B

Odd how U93 had the smallest increase.

I'm talking about it outgrossing United 93. Never said anything about RV although RV will make more if only because of its massive theatre count.

Not surprised Ebert liked it. He usually likes uplifting films about black people. He is married to one, after all.

Umm...

So?

If I married a Russian, does that mean I should like all uplifting films about Russian people?

Maybe he (and the other critics who have been praising it) like it because it's a good movie...?

That doesn't answer why he likes so many films about the inner city when all they seem to do is promote a culture that is way overused in film. Plus, the previews for the film make it look like another film in which the poor, underprivileged black girl defeats the snooty, rich, white people. How nice a portrayal of another race

Does Akeelah and the Bee even take place in the inner city?

I hate how any movie starring black actors is automatically lumped into one category.

Also, promote a culture that is way overused in film? Movies with black people shouldn't be made? Is that what you're saying? I don't get it.

They can be made but stop making it look like everyone one of them is poor and held down by the Man. If anything, they should be offended by the portrayal as well.

Also see edited post above.

I hate to turn this into a discussion on race, but...

The sad reality is that I doubt you're going to find an absolutely staggering number of white people living in downtrodden southern Los Angeles, which Akeelah apparently takes place in.

I mean, Akeelah is supposed to be an inspiring story, it's not going to have the same impact if it's a story about an extremely wealthy, priviledged young girl who makes it to a national spelling bee.

No offense but can this be taken off the yahoo tracking thread?

Yeah, I know, my bad, I didn't mean to have a discussion in this thread.

so, any early projections?

Akeelah and the Bee 229, +3, B+
RV 274, +3, B-
Stick It 267, +5, B+
United 93 396, -1, B

Need to pass the usually clogged hours before making some projections, but right now I'm thinking $2m for Stick It and $3m for Akeelah.

Surely Akeelah could still get 500 reviews, right? With a ratio around 100, I'm thinking that might be closer to a $5 million Friday.

I wouldn't commit myself to go that far yet. Let's just say it does look like it was underestimated and $10m weekend appears well within reach.

I predicted 14. I hope I'm right! It looks so good.

I predicted $13M.

And don't worry about Joe, Libs. He hates all movies heavily involving blacks.

Akeelah and the Bee 358, +129, B+
RV 423, +149, B-
Stick It 495, +228, B+
United 93 563, +167, B+ (Up from B)

Good for everything. I think we're going in to a heathly weekend.

I wouldn't doubt a $12 million weekend for Akeelah right now. I had a feeling it would do better than expected, but I didn't go with it for the derby.

It's hard to pin down a number for United 93. I'm thinking around $15-17 million right now.

Akeelah and the Bee 401, +43, B+
RV 482, +59, B-
Stick It 590, +95, B+
United 93 646, +83, B+

I'm glad to see AKEELAH is doing well. It was a GREAT film.

Akeelah and the Bee 421, +20, B (Down from B+)
RV 502, +20, B-
Stick It 627, +37, B+
United 93 684, +38, B+

I should before they're updated that RV lost 3 reviews, Stick It 8 and United 93 a whopping 30.