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Stunningly, Next did not have long lines at movie theaters

David Mumpower: Not to be outdone in mediocrity, Next opened to $7.2 million with a per-location average of $2,642. Is Nicolas Cage the most inconsistent movie opener in the industry?

Tim Briody: Stating the obvious, the title is clearly what Cage shouted out as soon as filming wrapped and his paycheck cleared.

Joel Corcoran: I would say that Nic Cage currently stands as the most inconsistent movie opener (if we look at the past few years).

Kim Hollis: Actually, he's fairly consistent if you throw out Ghost Rider and National Treasure. The rest of his stuff is pretty much solidly in that range.

Reagen Sulewski: In fairness to Cage, if I were him I'd be looking at the openings of Ghost Rider and Next and wondering what the hell the difference was. Both looked equally craptastic.

David Mumpower: He had a flaming skull in Ghost Rider as opposed to borrowing Tom Hanks' Da Vinci 'do for Next.

Reagen Sulewski: It's like the Simpsons episode where Sideshow Bob beat out Mayor Quimby. "I can't believe one convicted felon got so many votes and another got so few."

Joel Corcoran: I liked this movie better when Denzel Washington was the star, anyway.

Kim Hollis: In all seriousness, who in Hollywood these days has the discussion, "I need a big star for my film. Let's call...Nic Cage!"

Reagen Sulewski: This is why actors form their own movie companies. It's a guaranteed employment scheme.

David Mumpower: Uwe Boll.

Had you ever heard of The Condemned before this discussion? We hadn't either.

David Mumpower: The last victim this weekend is the again-accurately titled The Condemned. The WWE Productions release earned $4.0 million with a per-location average of $1,732. Where is the love for Stone Cold Steve Austin?

Tim Briody: Steve Austin as an action star is a good idea four years too late.

Reagen Sulewski: Not that The Marine or See No Evil did that great, but I'm surprised that this did so much worse.

Joel Corcoran: Same with me, Reagen. I was actually surprised it did so poorly.

David Mumpower: That's my thought as well, Reagen. As was pointed out in the Weekend Wrap-Up, the WWE has lost 50% in per-location average after two movies. That's rejection in its purest form.

Kim Hollis: I honestly didn't even know Stone Cold had a movie until a couple of weeks ago when a commercial for it came on. I promptly forgot about it.

Reagen Sulewski: And it's not like Vinnie Jones is a nobody. I think it got what it deserved, but I guess what I'm saying is that I'm surprised that movie goers showed some taste.

Joel Corcoran: It struck me as Running Man meets Survivor, so maybe adding Richard Dawson to the cast would've helped.

David Mumpower: These days, you would have to cast Louie Anderson instead.

Tim Briody: Or Al from Home Improvement.

Reagen Sulewski: I always knew he was evil.

Unlike Next, we suspect there *will* be lines for one of this weekend's openers

David Mumpower: Okay, now that we have talked about the stuff everyone realizes was pointless this weekend, let's get to it. What is your opening weekend as well as your final box office expectation for Spider-Man 3? Reagen obviously won't be answering.

Reagen Sulewski: My gut feeling at the moment is that it does not break the all-time record opening.

Kim Hollis: $117 million. $360 million.

Tim Briody: It will probably change a dozen times between now and Friday, but something like $110 million opening and $360 million final. Spider-Man 2 finished with $30 million less than the first one, remember.

Joel Corcoran: I'm going out on a limb. I think Spider-Man 3 will open at $127.5 million with a final domestic box office of $370 million.

David Mumpower: I'm going with $114 million and $385 million. I know that a lot of people have jumped to the conclusion that Spider-Man 3 has to beat Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, but I am simply not feeling the same amount of buzz for this.

Tim Briody: Dead Man's Chest's number is simply too high. I have a feeling that stands for while, at least through 2007 even with all the heavy hitters due.

Joel Corcoran: I'm not feeling the same buzz either, David. But I do get a sense that a lot of people are looking forward to another "movie event," like 300.

David Mumpower: That's the one huge positive Spider-Man 3 has going for it. Look at what weaker films have done thus far in 2007. Now imagine what a tentpole release is capable of accomplishing.

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