FOUR WIDE RELEASES LOOKING FOR LOVE OVER EXTENDED HOLIDAY WEEKEND (THR, VAR)

By Nancy Vialatte

In a first, four films will open wide today in order to take advantage of the holiday weekend. The Hollywood Reproter notes that in 2002, there were five wide openers on the Friday following Valentine�s Day, and in 1991, three films opened during the post-Cupid Day weekend. But, there's no precedent for such a chorus of execs proclaiming: "Valentine's Day on a Thursday? Let's go a day early!"

To understand their enthusiasm, consider, too, that the wide openers essentially will enjoy a five-day bow, as Monday is Presidents Day. The cherry pie holiday already makes for a four-day, so with Valentine's Day stimulating extra moviegoing, ever-optimistic distributors are hoping for a win-win situation over the long boxoffice session. (THR)

"Valentine's Day has become a very strong-grossing day over the past couple years," Disney distribution topper Chuck Viane told THR. "And with Presidents Day on Monday making a five-day weekend, it became obvious to everyone this could be the start of something very good."

Last year, Disney fantasy family adventure "Bridge to Terebithia" grossed $28.6 million over the four-day Presidents Day weekend with. Nicolas Cage-starrer "Ghost Rider" scoring the biggest Presidents Day opening ever at $51.9 million, reports Variety.

The films are: Disney's dance sequel "Step Up 2 the Streets," Fox's sci-fi thriller "Jumper," family fantasy "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and romantic comedy "Definitely, Maybe" from Universal.

Limited openers include George A. Romero's "Diary of the Dead."

�Jumper" looks safe to do at least $30 million during the five-day period, opines THR. "It's unique, original and plays to everyone," Fox distribution president Bruce Snyder said. The Los Angeles Times says consumer tracking surveys point to an opening five-day tally of $35 million to $40 million.

But privately, says the LAT, Fox studio executives are trying to talk down opening-weekend targets. They say they expect the movie to open at $25 million, tops, considering that its 1992 source novel is hardly a "Transformers" type of household name.

"Spiderwick" should handily top $25 million while "Step Up 2" follows 2006�s original which grossed $20.7 million on its opening.

"Definitely, Maybe" is the most obvious Valentine's Day fare of the group but could be a bit hampered by a recent glut of female-skewing films in the marketplace.