'Horrible Bosses' and 'Zookeeper' vie for laughs

By Sarah Sluis

In one corner, we have Zookeeper (3,482 theatres), a PG-rated Kevin James comedy that features talking animal matchmakers for laughs. In the other corner, we have Horrible Bosses (3,040 theatres), an R-rated dark comedy about killing bosses that goes for the "satisfying, nasty and funny," according to critic David Noh. Currently, Bosses is leading on Rotten Tomatoes, earning 74% positive ratings compared to Zookeeper's 14% positive status. But when it comes to the box office, the numbers are expected to be more even, around $20 million each. If anything, critical response for these films indicates their intended audience. Kids under 12 are apparently very excited to see animals talking (huge surprise), while adults are more likely to laugh at seeing worker bees getting their revenge.

While Zookeeper and Horrible Bosses compete for spots two and three, Transformers: Dark of the Moon will continue its reign at the top. The machine-driven sequel should grab around $40 million in its second weekend.

The safest bet this weekend on the specialty circuit is the latest James Marsh (Man on Wire) documentary Project Nim (4 theatres), the "gripping true-life yarn," as described by critic Ethan Alter, that details a project that led a chimp to make its home among a variety of science-minded humans. Fans of the eponymous hip-hop band can check out the musical documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (4 theatres), which details the band's rise, fall, and reunion.

On Monday, we'll see if audiences flocked for digital animals or vicarious revenge on evil supervisors in the weekend recap.