Blood and Chocolate - 137 (14), +60 (+2), C+ (down from B-)
Catch and Release - 120 (11), +52 (+0), B-
Epic Movie - 1030 (311), +383 (+10), C+ (up from C)
Smokin' Aces - 228 (34), +95 (+3), B- (up from C+)

Really unclogged. Impressive for Epic Movie.

Even if Epic Movie hits 500 written reviews, it's bound to have a written ratio close to 100 (Pursuit was a drama and had a ratio of 90). The grade is so-so, and it was on the homepage for nearly two hours. I wouldn't be surprised to see $5M max tonight.

Blood and Chocolate - 148 (17), +11 (+3), C+
Catch and Release - 133 (11), +13 (+0), B-
Epic Movie - 1101 (326), +71 (+15), C+
Smokin' Aces - 248 (36), +20 (+2), B-

I wouldn't be so sure, its last two matinee shows each did the entire days business through 7pm for Catch and Release at two theatres I was at.

Maybe I just want it to disappoint, then. Catch & Release is a big loser here, as was expected.

Blood and Chocolate - 207 (30), +70 (+16), C+
Catch and Release - 219 (26), +99 (+15), B-
Epic Movie - 1532 (411), +502 (+100), C+
Smokin' Aces - 444 (66), +216 (+32), B-

I think on a day where there is no clogging, we could use our knowledge about the normal ratios. In that case, Epic Movie is doing quite well. I'd still say we're looking at least $6m.

Smokin' Aces did well at night and could do $4m. Catch and Release should get $2.5m today, and Blood and Chocolate $1.5m.

Judging from actual business that I observed Smoking Aces is pretty low ratio, it should fairly easily see double digits.

Yeah, I took that back. Look like it will be another Be Cool or similar to straight-forward R-rated action film like Man on Fire.

How pathetic that something as awful-looking as Epic Movie is going to be number one. I mean, who thought it looked funny? That said, I will be seeing it tomorrow but not paying for it. I just have to see pretty much everything.

It looks like the yahoo counts are back and rockin'.

Last Friday's ratios (minus the final hour):

Blood and Chocolate - 207, $740,254, 279.63
Catch and Release - 219, $2,726,461, 80.32
Epic Movie - 1,532, $6,833,845, 224.18
Smokin' Aces - 444, $5,090,310. 87.22

As for today, Because I Said So could go either way. The Wedding Date had 302.38, while The Family Stone had 109.57 and Must Love Dogs 105.03. I have it at the lower end like Catch and Release did last week. When A Stranger Calls had 261.67, so maybe there was front page effect for both new openers last year. I'll still go with 130 for The Messengers.

At this hour:

Because I Said So 31 (6), C+
The Messengers 38 (3), B

Because I Said So 33 (6), +2 (+0), C+,
The Messengers 41 (3), +3 (+0), B

That's not an overly impressive start for The Messengers. Go ahead, tell me it's early and that it's a night movie opening in January.

Because I Said So 90 (42), +57 (+36), C+
The Messengers 65 (5), +24 (+2), B

Because I Said So is on the front page.

Because I Said So - 132 (70), +42 (+28), C+
The Messengers - 70 (8), +5 (+3), B

It's still early, the film is a night film and it's February. And, remember what you said about Epic Movie *all* day last Friday. Heh.

I probably should invest in a calendar. Yeah, I was off on Epic Movie and was really surprised at how well it did OW.

Messengers is dead. It may be early to call but even the Hitcher was doing alot better than Messengers rate at yahoo.

3-hour:

Because I Said So - 301 (119), +169 (+49), C+
The Messengers - 165 (18), +95 (+10), B

Double-digit weekend should be assured for Because I Said So; it could get to $5m today at this pace. $3m seems to be where The Messengers is headed; not much more upside.

"Because" does appear to be doing well. Proof again that people will eat trash if you tell them it's a meal. I'm still not convinced it will meet tracking, though. Messengers will be lucky to see $3M tonight, IMO.

2-hour

Because I Said So - 354 (127), +53 (+8), C+
The Messengers - 211 (27), +46 (+9), B-

Because I Said So - 378 (128), +24 (+1), C+
The Messengers - 237 (29), +26 (+2), C+ (down from B-)

Because I Said So - 400 (133), +22 (+5), C+
The Messengers - 259 (29), +22 (+0), B- (up from C+)

Without the front page help, the written reviews have become quite scarce, while the overall numbers continue to increase at a steady pace. The ratio shouldn't be high for either.

Because I Said So - 430 (147), +30 (+14), C+
The Messengers - 287 (37), +28 (+8), B-

Have you seen the movie?

No, I didn't think so.