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BOP repeats itself. BOP repeats itself.

Joel Corcoran: Deja Vu does seem like a more traditional action flick with a science fiction angle to it. Something more along the lines of I, Robot or Minority Report. And Inside Man was definitely a unique, original story within the traditional crime drama genre.

David Mumpower: I think Kim has struck upon the key here. Deja Vu might have been more expensive to make but it felt less unique than Inside Man.

Kim Hollis: I think Kim has struck upon the key here. Deja Vu might have been more expensive to make but it felt less unique than Inside Man.

David Mumpower: And redundant.

Kim Hollis: And redundant.

Nation rejects baby Jesus. Religious right mourns.

Kim Hollis: The Nativity Story was the biggest new opener this weekend, a situation not unlike being the best Houston Texan. The film managed only $8 million from 3,183 venues, a miserable per exhibition average of $2,514. Will it recover over the holidays or has it failed to capitalize on its seasonal timing?

David Mumpower: In my forecast, I indicated an expectation for over 50% more business than the project managed this weekend. As such, I have obviously over-estimated demand for the product. I figured that the time was right for a straightforward (i.e. not cynical) re-telling of the purest Christmas story. I am frankly stunned about how nonchalant movie-goers appear to be about The Nativity Story.

Reagen Sulewski: I wouldn't be surprised to see this as a big Christmas Day film, but that's going to be on a relative scale.

Joel Corcoran: I don't see how it can recover over the holidays. It hasn't really sparked a fervor among movie fans of any stripe, and it's going to face increasingly strong competition over the next few weeks.

Kim Hollis: It didn't have the massive controversy of The Passion of the Christ, but I think it will level out as weeks go on. It's a safe choice.

Reagen Sulewski: I didn't think it looked all that good, quite frankly.

David Mumpower: But it did have a controversy. Do you think the teen pregnancy of Keisha Castle-Hughes hurt the movie's appeal in religious sectors?

Joel Corcoran: David, I would argue that movie-goers are nonchalant about this movie because it is straightforward. It's the same story we Christians have heard every Advent since we were born. There doesn't seem to be anything new about it at all, unlike other Christian-themed films from the past few years.





Kim Hollis: It might have had a small effect on religious movie goers, but I think it's more that it wasn't marketed much and looked bland.

Reagen Sulewski: Keisha's not really gossip-column worthy so I wonder how many of its target audience even knew.

David Mumpower: Joel, upon consideration, I am beginning to see Reagen and your points. There just isn't anything exciting about this production. It should still show legs over the next four weeks, but it should have done better.

Joel Corcoran: Exactly. I think it will drone on through the holidays and quietly fade away after New Year's.

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