'Monsters' prep for monster weekend (MBN)

By Paul Dergarabedian

A huge weekend is in store as Paramount's DreamWorks Animation "Monsters vs. Aliens" prepares to invade the nation's theaters in an enormous 4,104 theater onslaught that will likely post the biggest opening weekend thus far in 2009. The PG-rated pic will land on approximately 2,000 3-D screens and will also unspool in IMAX theaters with the full-blown, giant-screen 3-D treatment that virtually puts you in the movie.

"12 Rounds" from Fox is directed by Renny Harlin and offers up an action crime saga that will act as counter-programming to the family-friendly "Monsters" and thus give the adults a brand new drama of their own. Harlan directed "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger" and is no stranger to the action genre.

"The Haunting in Connecticut" is Lionsgate's latest release and the film, which is based on a true story, delivers the latest entry in the always popular horror genre and should do well with a date-crowd friendly PG-13 rating. The film stars Virginia Madsen as the matriarch of a family whose home is possessed by supernatural forces.

Unfortunately we have two consecutive "down" weekends under our belts. The good news is that this weekend will be a lock to get us out of that box-office cold snap and back on the right track. March has been a good month for animated films with "Ice Age: The Meltdown" from Fox earning $68 million in its opening weekend at the very end of March in 2006. Non-sequel March animated hits include the original "Ice Age" ($46.3 million debut) and Fox's "Horton Hears a Who" which debuted with $45 million mid-March last year.