Will 'Resident Evil 3D' scare away the competition?

By Sarah Sluis

The sole wide release this weekend is Resident Evil: Afterlife (3,203 theatres), the fourth in the series and the first to take advantage of the 3D trend. Since The Hollywood Reporter has pronounced zombies the new vampires, maybe the creatures will attract new audiences. Though most critics have yet to see the movie, the first dozen reviews have been mostly negative, prematurely burying the video game

adaptation with an 11% positive rating. Shot in bona-fide 3D using technology pioneered by James Cameron himself--the film appears to have no plot to back up the stunning visuals. According to Bloody-Disgusting (a website that specializes in movies that are just that), director Paul W.S. Anderson "fails to build a story; there's absolutely nothing at stake, and even less for any of the characters to lose." Worse, the site goes on to note, Anderson creates a movie that takes itself too seriously. Despite its dismal reviews, the movie could top $20 million this weekend, especially once you factor in the 3D revenue and 141 IMAX screens.

Twi-hards can see Bella and Jacob on the big screen once more in a re-release of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (1,187 theatres) intended to promote sales of the upcoming DVD. The next Twilight (Breaking Dawn Part I) comes out over a year from now, so this will be the last chance to see the vampire romance on the big screen for some time. The re-release should average out in the single-digit millions.

Among holdovers, The American is expected to play strongest, given the appeal of the thriller genre and star George Clooney to older audiences.

Joaquin Phoenix's kind-of documentary I'm Still Here (20 theatres) may benefit from a bit of a rubber-

necking, according to FJI critic David Noh, who called it a "cinematic car accident you can't take your eyes from." Filled with drugs, prostitution, a misguided attempt at a rapping career, and nudity, the movie is a bit sad when viewed in context. "Much of the film plays like an extended, wholly misguided cry for help," Noh says, pointing out that Phoenix's real-life experience: His brother died of a drug overdose in front of him, and the 911 tape was replayed constantly, a sick reminder of the tragedy.

Lush Ivy Leaguers contemplate love in The Romantics (NY/LA), which Noh also disliked, dubbing it a "'mumblecore'-style movie gotten up in preppy drag." Those who have been intrigued by Aboriginal culture since seeing Rabbit-Proof Fence can check out a more upbeat, musical celebration in Bran Nue Dae (16 theatres), which "has so much feel-good fizz that you can almost overlook its rickety construction," according to critic Megan Lehmann.

On Monday, it's time for Resident Evil: Afterlife to count its chips from opening weekend, and the specialty films to set their sights on expanding crowds in advance of the numerous year-end awards contenders that will roll in quicker than the fall weather.