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Steven Spielberg
Oscar whispers for Minority Report
Spielberg cements his reputation as director-producer

Arthur J Pais

With the steady business that the well-reviewed Minority Report is enjoying, Steven Spielberg's reputation has been firmly reestablished as director and producer.

In ten days, the movie that cost about $110 million has grossed $77 million in North America. His previous film, AI: Artificial Intelligence, which had received mixed reviews, ended its North American run with just about $78 million.

A gripping but dark sci-fi movie Minority Report is clearly aimed at mature audiences and could end up with a solid but not spectacular $150 million in North America. And if it follows the AI route abroad with its highly commendable $170 million gross, it could be a solid success.

Spielberg's own company DreamWorks has distributed the movie in North America while 20th Century Fox is releasing it abroad.

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Minority Report is also the first film of the year to create Oscar buzz so far this year, with experts predicting it would be nominated in all major categories.

There are strong Oscar whispers for Road To Perdition, another dark drama produced by DreamWorks and directed by Sam Mendes. Two years ago, DreamWorks' American Beauty, Mendes' first feature, won the Oscar for best movie. Perdition, starring Paul Newman, Tom Hanks and Jude Law, opens July 12.

Some Hollywood observers say the movie should not been opening during the crowded second half of the summer season.

But DreamWorks executives apparently hope that the film will draw mature audiences and continue to perform well beyond the summer. Tom Hanks, who has taken on the challenge of playing a role vastly different from his genial and comedic roles, could be in the running for yet another Oscar nomination. Set in the Depression-era Chicago, Perdition is about an avenging father, but it is certainly not the usual kind of hit-and-kill-revenge drama.

Meanwhile, the critically drubbed Mr Deeds, which celebrates homespun values against big city values, reestablished Adam Sandler's box-office draw. Its $37million gross in three days is significant considering that Sandler's last film, Little Nicky, suffered box-office hell with just about $40 million.

Though some experts believe Deeds does not have strong legs, especially with competition like Men in Black II coming up Wednesday, it could still earn a respectable $120 million, even if it drops by 50 per cent next weekend.

Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise on the sets of Minority Report Despite the arrival of Mr Deeds, last week's top earners have held up well. Lilo & Stitch, the charming animated film from Disney, was the second highest grossing film of last week but this week, though it remained at the same position, it overtook last week's winner, Minority Report. It made $22.2 million (and a $77.8 million gross), while Report made away with $21.6 million.

While Scooby-Doo has lost quite a bit of altitude thanks to Lilo & Stitch, the kid friendly movie from Warner Bros continues to enjoy huge bites of the box-office. Fourth on the list of top earners with $12 million, it has already devoured $122 million, with a $150 million final gross in sight. Surely, Warner Bros is working on a follow-up film.

Paramount's Hey Arnold! The Movie, which opened with a seemingly disappointing $6 million (unlike the $16 million the same company Jimmy Neutron had taken few months ago in its opening week), is not a loser at all.

Paramount executives while acknowledging that Arnold was easily swallowed by Lilo & Stitch and Scooby-Doo point out their film cost about $5 million, and they expect it a momentous journey on the DVD and video route.

On the other hand, two other movies dealing with espionage and secrets continue to do steady business. The Sum of All Fears, starring Ben Affleck, has reached $105 million, and with $4.85 million gross last week, it has plenty of life in it. The more taut film and amnesia drama The Bourne Identity, starring Matt Damon, will be another solid money maker. With $72 million in the till and a $10.8 million gross this weekend, it has excellent chances of walking past the $100 million gate.

Very few films have faltered this summer. The short list includes such expensive thuds as Windtalkers that is heading for a disastrous $45 million.

Still on the list of 10 top earners, Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack Of The Clones pocketed $3.6 million, and with $286 million earned so far, it will have to struggle to reach $300 million. Though clearly a profitable venture, it has nevertheless disappointed George Lucas, its producer and director, and distributor 20th Century Fox who were expecting a $400 million gross.

Also slowing down is Spider-Man, with a $3 million weekend earner, and a $396 million gross. Expect the Spider-Man to go home with $410 million, and wait for a few months before scaling big heights in video stores.

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