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Jason Lee: I thought it was an interesting premise for a film (albeit stolen from the television world) but I just couldn't envision how the film's producers could stretch it into a compelling 116 minute film.

Pete Kilmer: No one wants to see Cameron Diaz in a serious role where she's the lead, in a support capacity sure (Gangs of New York). But in a lead in a serious movie? No. They want her and Julia Roberts in comedic romantic fare....and Cameron better get cranking on those if she wants to have any clout. As for the movie itself, the concept is interesting to me at least, but North America certainly wasn't going for it.

David Mumpower: At my house, we have a hard enough time deciding where to go for dinner. Picking whether a stranger lives or dies is just too much pressure for me. You know who is well equipped to make such a decision according to Hollywood filmmakers? Cameron freakin' Diaz. Good call, Casting Director.

Eric Hughes: "Do you want to push the button?" "I don't know, do you want to push the button?" "I don't know, do you want to push the button?" That's all I got out of the trailer.

Sean Collier: Thanks, Eric. Now I have to go find that Ren & Stimpy button-that-destroys-the-Universe bit.

Reagen Sulewski: "Hey, let's go see a movie!" "Sure, what's it about?" "It's a grim ethical question padded out to feature film length!" "... Let's just rent Paul Blart again."

Tyler Perry strikes again

Kim Hollis: Precious, the Lionsgate release with huge awards season buzz, opened to $1.9 million in only 18 venues, which gives it a scintillating $104,025 location average. Does this make it the front-runner for Best Picture at this point?

Brett Beach: Talk again about the difference a decade makes. Mariah Carey in 2001 sucking popsicles on TRL and unleashing Glitter on the world vs. Mrs. Nick Cannon in 2009 playing a small egoless supporting role as a caring social worker. The buzz on Precious is deafening - for its grittiness, for its starmaking performance by Gabourey Sidibe, for being this year's Slumdog Millionaire, only with the money replaced by the smallest ray of hope for a better life for the titular protagonist. I think it's a lock for nominations in all the major categories at this point, but I'm not quite ready to crown it front-runner for top honors. On the grosses side, an opening such as this has me thinking a long slow build to $100 million plus is not out of the question at this point.

George Rose: I would certainly call this the current front runner. As far as actually winning an Oscar is concerned, calling it the front runner in early November means diddly squat. The race has hardly begun. A $100,000 average is unbelievable and deserves recognition, but Best Picture is not based on screen average. It seems like a lock at this point for one of the ten Best Picture nominations, but it's got a long way to go before I'd bet on it winning the gold. Though with all the free press this average has already generated, I was kindly reminded of the movie, which I've wanted to see since I saw a trailer a few months back. You know what other trailer blew me away? The Lovely Bones. The race isn't on and no front runner can be declared until that movie comes out. If we're deeming front runners already, my bet is on that based on the trailer alone. And let's be honest, the mark of Peter Jackson's name means a lot more to me than Tyler Perry or Oprah.

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