The Lyons Den

Starring E! movie dude Ben Lyons

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Eye on Shia

Shia LaBeouf Universal/Paramount

The boy Shia is a beast at the box office. His last two flicks were Indy Jones and Transformers, both massive hits (and, yes, would have been even if LaBeouf hadn't starred alongside Harrison Ford and Optimus Prime). Before that, though, Shia fronted a little movie called Disturbia which, despite being produced by Steven Spielberg, shocked the industry by holding the No. 1 box-office spot three weekends in a row.

Now Shia's back in another Spielberg-produced flick—his fourth, but who's counting?—and he's paired with Disturbia director D.J. Caruso. A summer movie hidden in a crowded fall slate, Eagle Eye feels like a blockbuster in every sense of the word.

So look for the hits to keep on coming, and for double E to drop $38.7 million this weekend.

What do you think, too low? Way high? Throw your numbers down in the comments and we'll see who owns the B.O.

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: The Ghost With the Most?

Ghost Town Sarah Shatz / Paramount

While Lakeview Terrace will probably be the big box office winner this weekend, the film to keep an eye on is Ghost Town, British comic Ricky Gervais' first leading Hollywood role. Lakeview will win, as it's opening on about 1,000 more screens, but thanks to a loyal following—from Extras, The Office, his popular podcast and recent stand-up tour—Gervais should defy expectations.

Look for good word of mouth to propel Ghost Town to a strong $12 million opening. Think I'm wrong? Then prove it by dropping your numbers in the comments!

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Rocker to Sock 'Em?

The Rocker George Kraychyk / Fox Atomic

As we hit the home stretch for summer movies, we find ourselves in a strange weekend of releases, with Death Race, The Longshots and Hamlet 2. Also, The Rocker is hitting theaters later than originally planned, which puts House Bunny's very talented Emma Stone in the position of having two movies open in the same week.

She's been everywhere doing press, which will help both films, but the driving force of The Rocker is, of course, Rainn Wilson—who rocks in it! Fans of The Office will flock to support Dwight in his tighty-whities, and while he is being compared to Will Ferrell in this movie, don't expect a Ferrell-sized opening. (Well, maybe a Semi-Pro-sized opening.)

Rainn, Emma and the gang will put up a solid $15 million. Think I'm off my Rocker? Drop your numbers in the comments and let's see if you can Beat Ben.

See more of Ben Lyons on the Daily 10, weeknights @ 7:30

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: The Color of Mummy

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Jasin Boland/ Universal Pictures

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor marks the third time we've seen Brendan Fraser do a bad impression of Indiana Jones, and even though it's been seven years, he'll bring in more cash doing it. Oscar winner Rachel Weisz has wisely bowed out this time, replaced by Maria Bello.

For whatever reason, these movies make serious money. Look for Dragon Emperor to unearth around $48 million this weekend, pulling right alongside The Dark Knight for the top of the box office.

Think my head bandages need changing? Will having Jet Li as the undead baddie bring in even bigger bucks? Throw down your figures in the comments, and let's see if you can beat me at the box office.

See more of Ben Lyons on the Daily 10, weeknights @ 7:30

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: A Giant Gotham Gross?

Christian Bale, The Dark Knight Stephen Vaughan/Warner Bros. Entertainment

Finally! It's here! Starting tonight, The Dark Knight invades more than 4,300 screens—many of them IMAX—bringing the return of Batman, one of the most beloved characters in American pop culture.

After Christopher Nolan teamed with Christian Bale to relaunch the franchise in 2005, there's been new interest in the billionaire vigilante. And that, combined with the truly breathtaking performance from the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, has created a hysteria around the film. Midnight screenings are sold out and theaters are adding hourly showings from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

So look for The Dark Knight to pull in a weekend total of $112 million. Only reason I'm not calling it higher is because it's not a holiday, kids are still away at camp, and Hancock, Hellboy II and WALL-E will still put up strong numbers.

What do you think? Can Bruce Wayne close an even bigger deal? Drop your numbers in the comments!

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: One Hell of a Hero

Hellboy II Universal Pictures

Haven't you noticed? It's the Summer of the Fanboy, with Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Wanted and next week's The Dark Knight bringing all kinds of superhero action. Now comes the return of visionary director Guillermo del Toro, with his twist on the genre, Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

The first film was a modest success in 2004 ($60 million domestic, with a $23 million opening weekend), and del Toro has since blown up huge: His Pan's Labyrinth scored six Oscar noms (and three wins), and he recently landed the gig directing two movies based on The Hobbit.

So look for Hellboy II: The Golden Army to surprise the industry and pull in $32.5 million this weekend. The first one has been huge on DVD, and heroes rule the summer.

Plus, does anybody care about a little Eddie Murphy inside Eddie Murphy? Gimme a break. Put your numbers up in the comments, and we'll see who's really, like, super.

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Big Willie Weekend

Hancock Frank Masi / Sony Pictures

It's that time of year: Will Smith season. And the the King of July 4th has another smash hit on his hands with Hancock, costarring Oscar winner Charlize Theron and funnyman Jason Bateman. This is the only major release at the box office over the holiday weekend, and every studio clears a path because, no doubt about it, he's the No. 1 movie star in the world.

In a summer of superheroes, you also have to admire actor-turned-director Peter Berg for bringing us an entirely new character, who doesn't have to cater to both fanboys and mass audiences, or worry about staying true to the source material.

So look for Hancock to bank $127 million over the five-day weekend. Smith goes all-out, and the guy even performed a 45-minute set at his own premiere. (I got a little emotional when he introduced DJ Jazzy Jeff and did "Summertime.")

Don't think Hancock can save the day at the box office this weekend? Then drop your numbers in the comments!

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Who Wants Wanted?

Wanted Chuck Hodes / Universal Pictures

The Matrix changed the way action movies are made, and its influence is all over the latest graphic-novel adaptation Wanted. Unlikely star James McAvoy is an office monkey-turned-international superassassin, joined by Angelina Jolie and Common, and he's intense and convincing.

It won't be No. 1 (thanks, WALL-E), but people are excited. So look for this stylized epic to pull in big cash opening weekend, something around $37 million.

Ang gets half naked, so let's say $37.7 million.

What do you think: Am I on target here, or am I firing blanks? Put up you numbers in the comments, and we'll see who owns the box office this week, you or me.

Get Wanted trailers, clips and more in the Summer Movie Guide.

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Who Likes Mike?

Mike Myers, The Love Guru Paramount Pictures

Mike Myers is more famous than he is bankable. Sure, Shrek movies make cash, and the second and third Austin Powers movies performed, but that's about it. Cat in the Hat barely took in $100 million—Horton Hears a Who did twice that—and so many others bombed. The first Austin Powers didn't even crack $10 million opening weekend.

So look for The Love Guru, opening with little or no buzz, to come in behind Steve Carell's Get Smart, at around $24.8 million.

Am I nuts? Can Justin Timberlake bring the kids to another ridiculous Myers incarnation? Put your numbers up in the comments, and we'll see who's the real box office guru.

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: What's Happening?

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What happens in The Happening? M. Night Shyamalan might blackball me from the business if I tell you, but I know one thing: The guy's movies make money. So do scary movies, and let's not forget that Mark Wahlberg is a huge star. (Check out some of our interview in the above clip.)

The film, Shyamalan's first to be rated R, is unique and terrifying. But I don't think it'll open the way Signs did ($60 million), or even The Village ($50 million). The brand-name director's coming off the dud Lady in the Water and may need to prove himself to audiences again.

So look for his latest effort to open the way The Sixth Sense did, around $25.5 million.

Do you think I'm nuts? Can Wahlberg & Co. crush the Hulk? Put up your numbers in the comments and we'll see what happens.

Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Can Adam Slay 'Em?

You Don't Mess with the Zohan Tracey Bennett / Columbia Pictures / Sony

It's not a good idea to mess with Adam Sandler at the box office. The most bankable comedic star on the planet is coming off a series of films that have opened huge, and You Don't Mess With the Zohan will be no different. How big will it be? Well...

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Beat Ben @ the Box Office: Will Sex Sell?

Sex and the City Craig Blankenhorn/New Line Cinema

The movie that every woman I have ever met is waiting for hits theaters this weekend, and it'll have a big opening—but not that big. Sorry, uh, Mr. Big.

Sex and the City: The Movie has already sold out many theaters, likely to groups of girlfriends planning to down pink Cosmos afterward. But the flick faces a few problems opening weekend:

Indiana Jones isn't going anywhere, and should pull in another $40 million or $50 million. Also, Sex has a strong R rating, and R movies rarely open big. Lastly, the film appeals to an older audience, which doesn't feel like it has to see something opening weekend.

So look for the fabulous NYC foursome to pull in $34.2 million this weekend, which is still a number Mr. Big should be happy with.

What do you think? Vote and sound off in the comments. Oh, and single guys out there: Go to the movie theater and just hang out front!

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