Looking at the Weekend: Dec. 9-11, 2022

Could Black Panther: Wakanda Forever make it five weeks in a row at the top of the box office? It’s possible, even probable. The only films going wide this week are new release The Whale, which should have done a platform release instead, and Spoiler Alert, which is expanding wide. Neither of these films are likely to top the box office, which leaves Black Panther a clean to sit atop the charges for a final week (since Avatar: The Way of Water releases the week after).

Our Highest Rated Films: Empire of Light
Our Best Awards Ratings: The Whale (Oscars), Empire of Light (Oscars)

OTHER LIMITED RELEASES

Father Stu: Reborn (Re-Release)
Detective Knight: Redemption (Limited)
Divorce Bait (Limited)
I Am DB Cooper (Limited)
Loudmouth (Limited)
The Sparring Partner (Limited)
To the End (Limited)
One Fine Morning (Oscar Qualifying Run)
Saint Omer (Oscar Qualifying Run)

Dec. 9-11, 2022
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
The Whale (Wide Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	6.0 Wesley Lovell: (3) Peter J. Patrick: (9) Thomas LaTourrette: (6)	8.0 Wesley Lovell: (6,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (10,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (8,Oscars)	Categories: Picture (PP,TL) Actor (WL,PP,TL) Supporting Actress (PP,TL) Adapted Screenplay (PP,TL) Makeup (TL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): The trailer is terrible, but Brendan Fraser has been said to be brilliant, so I’m curious. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Critically acclaimed return of Brendan Fraser is a surefire Oscar contender. Thomas LaTourette (TL): Wow, it is a dull trailer that is not going to encourage people to see this film. Brendan Fraser still seems a lock for a best actor nom, but mixed reviews may keep it from getting much else.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Christmas Bloody Christmas (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	1.7 Wesley Lovell: (2) Peter J. Patrick: (2) Thomas LaTourrette: (1)	Nil Wesley Lovell: (Nil) Peter J. Patrick: (Nil) Thomas LaTourrette: (Nil)	Categories: None
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): Yet another Christmas horror film with little to distinguish itself from the others. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Nonsensical Santa slasher film is not for me. Thomas LaTourette (TL): This looks exceptionally violent and dumb.
Film	Our Thoughts	Awards Chances
Empire of Light (Limited Release) See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview	7.0 Wesley Lovell: (7) Peter J. Patrick: (7) Thomas LaTourrette: (7)	3.7 Wesley Lovell: (3,Oscars) Peter J. Patrick: (5,Oscars) Thomas LaTourrette: (3,Oscars)	Categories: Picture (WL) Director (WL) Actress (WL,PP,TL) Original Screenplay (WL) Original Score (WL) Film Editing (WL) Cinematography (WL,PP,TL) Production Design (WL,TL) Costume Design (WL)
	Individual Commentary:
	Wesley Lovell (WL): It has some great talent involved, but the trailers haven’t been very good and early word is mixed at best. Peter J. Patrick (PP): Olivia Colman is the reason to see this reminiscence about an old British movie theatre. Thomas LaTourette (TL): The trailers are not that exciting, but it does look like a great showcase for Olivia Colman and some beautiful camera work.