Sensei did very well on predictions last week, easily beating the other prediction sites again. Sensei also revealed a new film essay (involving Batman and Tom Cruise, no less). This week, we have another battle for the top spot. Ben Stiller teams with Eddie Murphy in “Tower Heist” in hopes of slowing down “Puss In Boots.” Also opening is the latest “Harold and Kumar,” which just hopes to save face.

This weekend’s predictions and revenue results go as follows:

1. Tower Heist ($28 million) – No film has its future connected to positive word of mouth more than this one. Film will need to receive high ratings from weekend audiences, otherwise, “Puss In Boots” will win. Currently critical reviews are favorable but overall buzz on “Tower” feels right around where “Tropic Thunder” opened.

2. Puss In Boots ($25 million) - The film will benefit greatly from family audiences who didn’t see it Halloween weekend. Those audiences are now free of holiday obligations and will bring very healthy numbers to “Boots.” Look for a small drop and even another weekend win if “Tower Heist” falters. (more…)

SIX-MINUTE ‘ DARK KNIGHT RISES’ PROLOGUE ATTACHED TO NEW ‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE’?

Whoa. I’m there.

This might be the best idea Hollywood’s come up with since, well… since offering Christopher Nolan the Batman franchise to begin with.

And I dig the “Mission: Impossible” films, especially the third one.

GEORGE CARLIN ANSWERED 14 YEAR-OLD GIRL’S LETTER

Man, I miss George Carlin. About once  year I have to watch all his HBO concerts over the course of a weekend. Politics shmolitics, the man was brilliant and hilarious.

LINDSAY LOHAN’S PROBATION REPORT’

This isn’t a criticism of The Wrap, who I’ve linked above. But in general, the sport much of the entertainment media (especially the bottom-feeding gossip media) has with the Lindsay Lohans of our world makes me a little ill.

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Kal Penn’s character killed himself on “House.” Kal Penn didn’t commit career suicide by accepting a job in the Obama administration. Penn is merely taking Tinseltown’s love of politics to another level. While it’s not unprecedented for the stars of B-movies to find themselves in the White House, it certainly is unusual. Political activism didn’t hurt the careers of Oscar winners Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, and George Clooney. Their Oscars might be seen as recognition of that activism. After all, their awards came as a result of performances in rather politicized films. If Kal Penn felt typecast as a player in raunchy college comedies, he should have no such worries after his sojourn in Washington, DC. He will be a celebrity among celebrities. Roles will be there for the taking. Just watch: the critical acclaim that escaped him in ”Van Wilder” will have no trouble finding him, and Harold will be wishing that he had followed Kumar to the White House.

According to the Wall Street Journal (and linked in the headlines), actor Kal Penn–known best as Kumar, a pot-smoking, fun-loving, trouble-seeking character in the profoundly stupid Harold and Kumar series–is leaving Hollywood to work in the Obama administration:

Penn, best known for his roles as Kumar Patel in the “Harold & Kumar” movies and most recently as Dr. Lawrence Kutner on the television series “House” told EW.com that he will be associate director in the White House office of public liaison.

“They do outreach with the American public and with different organizations. They’re basically the front door of the White House,” Penn said. “They take out all of the red tape that falls between the general public and the White House. It’s similar to what I was doing on the campaign.” (more…)