Here's the article. Hmmmmm I wonder where Wsex gets their lines?
The combined star power of John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz will face off against the appeal of the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface this weekend. But indicators suggest that the all-star cast of "Runaway Jury" will be no match for "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," which appears headed for a bloody boxoffice victory.
Opening ultrawide in 3,016 theaters, New Line Cinema's R-rated remake has scored very well in its preview screenings and is attracting under-25 horror fans in droves. Based on the 1974 cult hit, the Marcus Nispel-directed redo stars Jessica Biel and Eric Balfour as two of five twentysomethings trying to escape the clutches of a monstrous clan of Texas cannibals. Targeting the coveted audience of young moviegoers always looking to try out the latest cinematic fare, the R-rated "Chainsaw" is certain to cross the $20 million mark and could gross upward of $25 million.
"Jury," a Regency Enterprises production released by 20th Century Fox, is attempting to resurrect the legal melodrama, but its drawing power may not prove as potent as it originally appeared. Armed with an A-list cast and based on John Grisham's best seller, the movie was originally tracking in the $17 million-$18 million range. But tracking for the PG-13 film directed by Gary Fleder has weakened in recent days. Now industry insiders are pegging the movie in the $12 million-$13 million range, putting it in a close race with other adult dramas for the No. 2 spot.
Among the films jockeying for that slot is Warner Bros. Pictures' "Mystic River," which expanded Wednesday to 1,467 theaters. After reaping an impressive $45,491 per-screen average in 13 theaters this past weekend, "Mystic's" stellar reviews and early Oscar buzz could propel the dark drama to some significant weekend grosses, putting it in contention with "Jury" for second place. Directed by Clint Eastwood, it stars Sean Penn and Tim Robbins, whose performances have received critical acclaim.
Also targeting the adult audience is Buena Vista's "Veronica Guerin," though the Cate Blanchett starrer is only appearing in 472 theaters. The R-rated film from director Joel Schumacher and Jerry Bruckheimer Prods. is based on the true story of the title character, a committed Irish journalist who risked her life during Ireland's drug wars in the mid-1990s. After judging initial viewer reaction, Buena Vista will decide how to expand the film into additional markets.
Up against the new arrivals, last week's top performer, Miramax Films' "Kill Bill-Vol. 1," is likely to drop a respectable 40%-50% this weekend. The Quentin Tarantino-directed over-the-top revenge tale could reap in the $11 million-$12 million range, propelling its gross to about $40 million in 10 days.
In more limited release are a couple of Oscar hopefuls: Focus Features' "Sylvia" and United Artists' "Pieces of April."
Focus will bow the R-rated "Sylvia," starring Gwyneth Paltrow, in New York and Los Angeles. The film, directed by Christine Jeffs, sees Paltrow taking on the life of American poet Sylvia Plath. Centering on Plath's turbulent relationship with husband Ted Hughes, the future poet laureate of England, "Sylvia" tells the story of the couple's last years and the 1963 suicide that ended Plath's short but brilliant career.
MGM's United Artists division also will bow "Pieces of April" in New York and Los Angeles. The specialized release written by Peter Hedges, who makes his directorial debut after writing the screenplay for "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," stars Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson and Oliver Platt. A comedy-drama about family dysfunction, "April" centers on a hip New Yorker who invites her prudish family over for Thanksgiving dinner. "April" was very well-received at this year's Sundance festival and could score well with the indie crowd.
Other limited releases include Samuel Goldwyn Films' R-rated "Returner." The Japanese production combines CG with live-action and integrates underworld crime with an alien invasion.
