Ryan McNeil
Cue “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder…
Today is Friday the Thirteenth – that mystical occurrence that happens a few times a year and hearkens talk of luck good and bad, superstitions, and of course psycho killers wearing hockey masks.
Now while I am superstitious about some things – I never sign my name in red ink – I’ve never really got my knickers in a knot over Friday the 13th. However, I have to wonder if the films scheduled to be released today have doomed themselves to a poor performance.
It’s really a one on one showdown at the box office this weekend; THE INCREDIBLE HULK in one corner, and THE HAPPENING in the other. In an odd co-incidence, both movies have a lot to overcome. HULK, while possibly capitalizing on movie-goers’ lust for all things Marvel, has to hope that audiences are willing to forget its truly lacklustre older brother directed by Ang Lee. HAPPENING, on the other hand, has director M. Night Shyamalan trying to stop a losing streak that stretches back two features.
There’s already a lot stacked against both movies. I guess the studios figure there isn’t possibly any more bad luck that can be added on with a Friday the Thirteenth release date.
Of course, with that in mind, watch for something already in release to beat them both for the top box office spot this weekend.