'Salt' spices up the box office, but will it overtake 'Inception'?

By Sarah Sluis

This week pits second-weeker Inception against the debut weekend of Salt (3,612 theatres). Starring Angelina Jolie, Salt has received marks of "high popcorn" from critics like our executive editor Kevin Lally,

who dubbed the action-packed espionage romp "an entertaining but preposterous summer popcorn movie." Over at the The New York Times, A.O. Scott praised Jolie's performance, calling her "the prime special effect, and a reminder that even in an era of technological overkill, movie stars matter." That Jolie's casting is seen as so perfect is underscored by the fact that the role was written for a man--Tom Cruise. Though not many women are seen as capable of carrying movies without damsel-in-distress moments, she has consistently placed herself in roles with enviously powerful women. Here's to Jolie!

Because Salt will have the advantage of both good reviews and novelty, I think it has a strong chance of grabbing the top spot, with Inception close behind. However, Salt will have to open over $30 million, because there's little chance that Inception will drop more than 50%. If the Christopher Nolan movie falls 30-40%, earning between $43 million and $37 million, it will be more likely to edge out Salt.

New, non-animated kid fare in the form of Ramona and Beezus (2,719 theatres) will provide an alternative for young audiences. This is the kind of movie that is made for kids, with subject matter so innocuous a parent can sit back and nod

approvingly. Though the mildly comedic movie will see the most action on home DVD players, I found the film to be coherent, well-paced, and "a chance [for parents and daughters] to bond over seeing bits of their life reflected onscreen." Even with out-of-school kids, many forecasters feel this movie will have a hard time breaking $10 million, though its true worth will probably be reflected in its performance during weekdays and in coming weekends.

For indie audiences, star director Todd Solondz offers a follow-up to his characters in Happiness with Life During Wartime (NYC). The revisiting failed to charm our critic David Noh, who summed up his feelings up by saying "what once seemed provocative and challenging now comes across as bratty, aimless and predictable." In a dramatic expansion, The Kids Are All Right will go from 38 to 201 theatres, building on its successful run that has already earned the movie $2.2 million.

On Monday, results will be in for the battle of Evelyn Salt vs. Dominic Cobb.