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Creepy kids sell.

Kim Hollis: The Unborn, the horror flick from Universal, opened to $19.8 million in only 2,357 locations, a solid per-venue average of $8,405. How did the studio manage such a strong result?

Brandon Scott: It can thank the creepy imagery in the trailers and a great poster. Did anyone see that poster? I mean, if that derriere doesn't sell tickets, what will?

Daron Aldridge: It's hard to say because there was no buzz that made this stand out. Previous January releases The Hitcher in 2007 and One Missed Call in 2008 combined earned less than The Unborn. Hostel had momentum in 2006, but also earned less than The Unborn's debut. Therefore, I say this result is great.

Max Braden: I don't remember it advertised on David Goyer's name, but he's the writer of the Blade and revamped Batman series. I think it's a project that begs in a "you know it when you see it" kind of way.

Eric Hughes: I'm not entirely sure what went right for the Universal release. All I know is I took one look at the trailer and thought, "uh...good pick, Gary Oldman." If the demos skewed young, perhaps a good chunk of the college crowd back on campuses this weekend wanted a good scare with their friends. And it's a good thing The Unborn already made some money - My Bloody Valentine comes out this Friday.

Tony Kollath: Odette Yustman *owns* January!

Jason Lee: I thought Reagen nailed it in his Weekend Forecast, the producers of this film just ticked off all the elements that they needed for a successful horror film.

Creepy kid? Check
Frightened hot girl? Check
Bizzarro monster that slithers up stairs in a scary way? Check

I think it's time to call Morris Chestnut a draw. No? Just me?

Kim Hollis: Not Easily Broken, the latest empowering T.D. Jakes adaptation from Sony/Screen Gems, earned $5.3 million in only 724 locations. Between this movie and Woman Thou Art Loosed, is T.D. Jakes poised to be the next Tyler Perry?

Brandon Scott: I think Jakes gained some publicity for his comments surrounding Obama's presidential nomination. I don't see him as the new Madea.

Daron Aldridge: The $10 million or so difference between their films' openings are something that keeps me from declaring a new Madea is in town.

Max Braden: I'd credit the box office to Morris Chestnut and Taraji Henson, but it certainly helps T.D. Jakes get his next sale. I hadn't realized this until I checked the credits, but director Bill Duke was the badass back in Predator and Commando, among others.

Jason Lee: I can see it now . . . "Coming, Fall 2009, the all-new, smash hit from Tyler Perry: 'Madea Lays The Smack Down on the New Madea In Town!'"

David Mumpower: I don't see Jakes as the next Tyler Perry and it's probably a bit of lazy lateral thinking on our part to even equate the two. Perry's movies are probably intended to be inspirational in tone, but they certainly do not have the same level of commitment to spirituality and redemption that Jakes' stories do. Perry's audience is wider for his movies and he has the box office to show for that, but T.D. Jakes is much more famous on the whole. Since Hollywood is just a side gig for him, that's probably what matters the most to him.

Daron Aldridge: Very true, David. Similar to the question about what is more satisfying to Eastwood, Hollywood probably isn't Jakes' focus.

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