Cult film favs seeking mainstream success

[Shadowdancer]

Two sets of indie filmmakers with cult followings -- Kevin Smith and the Coen Brothers -- make their best attempts yet this weekend to achieve mainstream success.

Neither Smith nor the Coens has had a movie gross more than $50 million, but that may change this weekend with the release of "Jersey Girl" and "The Ladykillers."

Which movie do you think will do the best at the box office? Will either, or both, break the $50 million barrier during their theatrical run?

 

[Wombat]

Neither one of these really grabs me.

I gave up on Kevin Smith's films a while ago. Don't really float my boat.

With The Ladykillers, well, I'm such a huge fan of the original that I am sure I will be disappointed by the remakes, much as I like the Coen brothers in general.

 

[driver8]

Neither one of these really grabs me.

I gave up on Kevin Smith's films a while ago. Don't really float my boat.

With The Ladykillers, well, I'm such a huge fan of the original that I am sure I will be disappointed by the remakes, much as I like the Coen brothers in general.

Both look interesting to me. Jersey Girl seems to be a romantic comedy and hopefully will give KS more recognition and broaden his identity as not just an "indi" or "alt" director.

The Ladykillers fills be with a bit of trepedation since I loved the original, but the Coens sense of humor and an update to the story work as positives in my book. And Tom Hanks' s characterization in the trailer looks like it could be hilarious.

 

[DanMcS]

Ladykillers looks good to me.

I might see Jersey Girl, on video or something, romantic comedies usually not my thing. That one could have problems in general, because the people that like romantic comedies and the people that watch Kevin Smith's earlier movies are not totally overlapping groups. One review I read said fans of his earlier work will probably be really put off, because it's not much like those. And people that might like it due to topic could be put off by it being a Kevin Smith flick.

 

[Umbran]

From where I sit, Ladykillers seems to have gotten a lot more advertising. And, it has Tom Hanks, who is quite a box office draw. If either of these are going to do well, it'll be Ladykillers.

 

[WayneLigon]

Huh; I never really thought of them as 'indie' directors.

Some interesting stats from Box Office Report
Kevin Smith
Coen Brothers

 

[Dark Jezter]

Jersey Girl dosen't look too appealing to me. While I've liked most of Kevin Smith's previous films, this one looks too much like a generic romantic comedy starring Ben Affleck and (Insert currently-popular Hollywood starlett here).

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Liv has been out of the spotlite for quite a while.

I'm looking forward to this.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Scooby Doo 2 - is the big release this week, LadyKillers looks better than Jersey Girl. Jersey girl is going the death of Ben Aflack, 8 million first weekend, then 4.2 second weekend, and the to DVD.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Can you say 'On the money'

Jersey Girl debuted at No. 5 with $8.3 million.