The Next Three Days

Director: Paul Haggis

Run Time: 2 hrs. 2 min.

Rating: PG-13

The Bouw-Man.

It’s hard not to think of “The Fugitive” when you view the trailer of “The Next Three Days.”  Granted the plot appears to be more about successfully escaping from prison than finding the real killer, but there definitely are some similarities.  If “The Next Three Days” can come anywhere close to the quality of “The Fugitive,” I think audiences are going to be in for a real treat.  A well-made suspenseful action film goes a long way in captivating the masses, and in seems well for this time of the year.  I especially like the dialogue between Liam Neeson and Russell Crowe when they’re discussing what it takes to successfully pull off a jailbreak. 

 

Russell Crowe is in select company in my book, in terms of trusting his film role choices.  I rolled my eyes when “Robin Hood” came out, but it actually was a decent film considering the material they had to work with.  I’m saying I’m the biggest Russell Crowe fan in the world, but he has the ability to make a good film great.  “Body of Lies,” in which he ironically starred alongside another trusted Hollywood actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), was really his only bad film of the past decade.  This proven track record makes me believe “The Next Three Days” should be a worthwhile film to take in when you’re making your movie choices.

Prediction.

Although I am interested in seeing this, and I think it will be good watch, it has a couple of things going against it this weekend.  The glaring problem is “Mr. Potter,” but the well received action thriller “Unstoppable” will cut into “The Next Three Days” earnings as it remains a fresh alternative.  I’m going to say $11 million, although I’m hoping I’m “low-balling” it and it will in fact have a quality money-making theater run.      

Opening Weekend Gross: $11 Million

Noodles.

I have to say that when I saw the quick teaser trailers for TN3D, I was less than enthusiastic about seeing it. Russell Crowe hasn't exactly been connecting with my tastes in films lately. And while I think Elizabeth Banks is a very beautiful lady, she wasn't enough to make me want to see this.

After just having watched the more extended trailer with my man Liam Neeson, and all the action and craziness that's promised, allow me to eat some humble pie. I would like to see this one. Its hard to imagine that they'll let Crowe actually "kill a guard" and then let him live to the end happily ever after...Movies don't usually let the hero commit murder of the innocent and go on to prosper. I'm hopeful that this film ends well, and the fact that I'm curious to see how it turns out means a great deal.

Prediction.

I think that the main problem for this movie is coming out on the same weekend as Harry Potter. Under normal conditions I would predict somewhere in the neighborhood of $22M, but thanks to Harry I think it will be somewhere in the mid teens.

Opening Weekend: Gross: $17 Million

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