I'm really not sure what to think. The Yahoo number for Hoot is right in line with what I expected and what theater reports are indicating. An American Haunting seems to be somewhat low as the reports show better numbers. And M:I3 seems to be quite a bit off. I could see it having a low ratio close to I, Robot, but even with that it would only be about $15m, if there has been no clogging.

I'm eager to see if Yahoo really meant something this week.

Mission: Impossible III 1464, +149, B
Hoot 256, +8, C+
An American Haunting 343, +23, C+

Based on my theater activity, Yahoo seems to be accurate. It looks like MI: 3 will fall short of expectations. The good news is that it should widen the prospects for Poseidon and certainly DVC.

At this rate it looks like a $50m opening weekend would be good for MI3. A total of around $170m would result.

Poseidon will be a huge flop. Even the free advance screening passes for this movie had few takers today.

Unlikely it will get a 170m total with a 50 million. You have to take into consideration its in 4000 theaters which basically means its legs will be cut off. Heres why because it has to do with supply and demand, if not many people are turned away from the sold out shows, there wont be as many people coming back again the first time they missed it. History has proven that with higher theater counts comes bigger openings but also the legs becoming shorter and shorter each time due to this

Another reason is you have to look at why the opening is low in the first place since its mainly Tom Cruise backlash taking place if a take under 60 million does happen

I can't see an opening day lower than $20 million. I just can't.

So if it makes below 60 million, you will basically have to take back what you said about me and my backlash comment or that Lecter's bet with me was truely easy winning

Mission: Impossible III 1530, +66, B
Hoot 258, +2, C+
An American Haunting 354, +11, C+

Not a good number at all despite using one of the lowest ratio multiplier

After seeing M:I 3 I'm glad it seems to be underperforming. It doesn't deserve to be a huge blockbuster as it just wasn't that eye-opening or different. The first two films at least had more style and some sense of the director leaving his own imprint on the film.

It's ratio is gonna have to be about 80 for 20m

I got an imprint out of it, the imprint was stick with tv shows.

Pretty much, yeah Abrams doesn't have what it takes to be a big-time Hollywood filmmaker. If only Fincher had directed this we'd likely be looking at a great film as he hasn't made a bad film yet.

Final numbers:

Mission: Impossible III 1564, +34, B
Hoot 259, +1, C+
An American Haunting 362, +8, C+

Final projections:

M:I3 - Final 4 hours of 302 still doesn't instill much confidence. I know it may sound crazy, but I do see only a $15-18m day.

Hoot - terrible hourly numbers all around. 19 reviews for the final four hours. It grossed under $2m on Friday for sure.

An American Haunting - Not bad. The grade is a concern, but both the whole day figure of 362 and the last four of 51 are pointing to a $2-2.5m day.

The guy has a nice eye for action but he's no storyteller.

Yeah Fincher would change it up a bit, the problem is at the end of the day Cruise controls MI, it's his say theres no doubt in my mind about that and I dont know if Fincher would be able to kiss Cruise's ass as much as someone like Abrams and make the cookie cutter endings and such the way Cruise would probably want it.

I think two of your predicts are okay, but I disagree with Hoot. It was weak, and will have horrible legs, but no way it does that poorly on its opener. Its target audience is young. Younger than Harry Potter. I'd say single digit aged kids. And I mean that. Not family film that appeals to all. This movie only appeals to 8 year olds. They just aren't going to be passing in as many reviews. Buzz is low, and its a poor movie (saw it on its national debut) but it'll still make 10 million this weekend at least.

I would have loved a Fincher MI. Too bad it will never happen.

If someone is to make the really crazy projection, it's bound to be me. 14m for MI3. I just don't see under 20 for the 4-hour.

I have the other two each at 1.9m.

Maybe Cruise would considering selling the franchise to Paramount or at least step aside and let someone else play Hunt. He's getting too old to play an action hero. Plus, he just isn't very convincing. Since a 4th seems inevitable, I made a list of who I'd like to see direct the film. Feel free to add yours as anything we come up with will undoubtedly be better than what Cruise will decide.

1. David Fincher - Maybe Cruise will give more of a push to get him if this film disappoints.

2. Wolfgang Peterson - The guy knows how to direct action which is more than one can say for Abrams.

3. John Moore - The director of 'Behind Enemy Lines,' Flight of the Phoenix, and the upcoming Omen remake has shown that he can make action exciting and does decently with human conflict as well. I'm a fan of his first two films and eagerly await the Omen redoing. One thing all his films have is a quick pace, something M:I 3 struggled with as it drags when it shouldn't.

4. M. Night Shyamalan - Imagine how many twists his version would have. I'd also be interested in how he would handle action sequences, something he really hasn't had to deal with thus far in his career.

5. Michael Mann - Collateral was pretty good and he has the unique visual style required. My only concern is that the film would clock in at nearly 3 hours because he tends to be a little self-indulgent at times. I'd be willing to bet that his version would end up in LA at some point during the film.

6. David R. Ellis - The director of 'Final Destination 2', 'Cellular', and the highly-anticipated 'Snakes on a Plane' knows how to stage action scenes and has shown a tongue-in-cheek wit that enlivens his films.

7. Brad Anderson - The director of 'Session 9' and The Machinist is great at setting mood and thus could make a superb thrillerish M:I entry. Since Christopher Nolan won't be doing this as he has a certain batty sequel in the wings (gotta love puns) Anderson is the next best choice as his style shares similarities with Nolan's and 'The Machinist' had similarities to 'Memento.'

Well, personally I'm a big fan of Alex Proyas, so he would be my ideal choice. The way he handled The Crow, I, Robot, and especially Dark City (which was all his) shows he would do the story right. Plus, he's a brilliant action director.

I liked all but I, Robot which was also a huge disappointment for me. The ending was especially lame.

MI3 should desimate my derby , bleh, shoud do fine on the other two openers

You mean on the hill, near the remains of the bridge? I liked that. I'm glad the studios didn't get their ending (which I would have considered lame).

I, Robot is one of my favorite action movies ever. It think it would be perfect if not for that annoying kid (from the disney channel I think).

Thank god I lowered my opening prediction from $75M to $66M at the last minute. Though I should gone lower to the $63M I was predicting two weeks ago. . .

Wow, I was spot on in one of the weirdest Yahoo reviews thread yet!

Yeah, what a weird day it was, especially when the projections actually turned out to be ok.