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Josh Spiegel: To be fair, Precious was already considered a frontrunner, but this result is incredible. Who's to say if it'll be as huge once more theaters get the film, but there's almost nothing to analyze here, except how we can all express how amazing this opening-weekend take is. Congrats to all involved.

Michael Lynderey: It's impossible to know just yet on the Best Picture front. The December movies have to be unspooled first, but if the upcoming big-studio roster (led by Avatar, Lovely Bones, Invictus, and Nine) disappoints, Precious can easily break into front-runner status - just like last November's Slumdog Millionaire became the default front-runner when no strong challengers came its way in December. In general, 2009 is turning out to be a pretty weak year for Best Picture candidates - something that the very bad "ten nominations" idea is only going to highlight. As far as Best Actress is concerned, however, Precious' Gabourey Sidibe is looking very Oscary right now. Almost certainly, it's going to come down to Carey Mulligan vs. Sidibe for the win in that particular category.

Reagen Sulewski: Never doubt the power of Oprah, people. I think this result throws it up into the films that are going to be part of "The Real Top 5" Best Picture nominees. It would take a complete rejection from this point to knock it out, and that basically never happens once a film gets momentum.

Kim Hollis: I agree that it was already a frontrunner, but these numbers are going to put its candidacy up to the next level. The combined power of Oprah and Tyler Perry is beyond our comprehension.

Jason Lee: I think it's absolutely a frontrunner for Best Director, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's THE frontrunner for Best Picture. I'd be surprised if the voters decide to go with such a bleak picture for their top honor. It's definitely a contender, though.

Sean Collier: It certainly looks like blue skies ahead, but the buzz may reach critical mass before audiences everywhere get a chance to see the film (see Watchmen for a much different example of the same thing.) It's got everything going for it, but there's still a chance people will get sick of hearing about it.

Pete Kilmer: I think it's a terrific opening. But this movie is going to be a super tough sell due to it's very hard subject matter. This certainly will but the director on the map (he already was as a producer of Monster's Ball), and I think Mo'Nique is going to have a very interesting year with the award season.

Eric Hughes: I'm with Pete in saying that this one will prove to be a tough sell. Having read the book, there's likely a lot in the adaptation that will make theatergoers uncomfortable. As buzzworthy as Precious has become - and with both Oprah and Tyler Perry behind it - I'm dumbfounded that Precious managed to do such boffo business. I've wanted to see this ever since it made waves at Sundance, yet didn't see it this week (or likely in the ones upcoming) because it's just not a movie I'd expect my friends to want to go out and see.

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