Androids are expected to rule at the box office this weekend, as Disney's sci-fi flick Surrogates, starring Bruce Willis arrives with little competition. The film is likely to benefit from the fact that it runs only 88 minutes, giving theaters an opportunity to squeeze in an additional nightly screening. It is expected to earn $20-25 million. Also arriving is MGM's remake of the musical Fame. Although it's expected to earn only about $10-15 million, it will benefit from a bargain-basement production cost of about $18 million. A third new film, the outer-space horror flick Pandorum is expected to struggle, following a glut of horror movies in recent weeks. The second week of Sony's 3D animated Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is expected to remain a significant contender this weekend, with forecasters predicting it will earn around $18-22 million. In addition, Paramount is beginning a roll-out of Paranormal Activity, the much talked-about chiller about a couple's home being invaded by demons that cost just $11,000 to make. It's being shown in just 12 college towns, with Paramount asking other moviegoers to go to the movie's website and demand that it be brought to their city. "When your city gets enough demands [sic], you will be the first to experience the terror!" a notice on the website reads.

25/09/2009