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Kim Hollis: Gone Girl, the David Fincher adaptation of the popular novel from Gillian Flynn, debuted with $37.5 million this weekend. What do you think about this result? Also, do you think Gone Girl stakes a claim as the first big Oscar contender of the season?

Matthew Huntley: Given how effective the trailer was, not to mention the reputation of the cast (featuring a newly respected Ben Affleck) and director, I'm not surprised Gone Girl opened at number one. However, I am surprised it opened this big. I would have pegged it closer to $28-$30 million because of its seemingly conventional premise, target demographic (who doesn't always show up on opening weekend) and the time of year. So, basically, its numbers are impressive.

However, I don't think it'll be an Oscar contender, despite its very strong reviews. My reasoning is that even though it's an audacious and unconventional genre picture, it's not exactly an "important" film, if you know what I mean, or at least not the type of film the Academy would consider important and award-worthy, which is totally arbitrary, but that's just the way it is. Nevertheless, the reviews and hype should still translate into strong legs and a $120 million finish domestically.

Felix Quinonez: I think it's an awesome opening weekend. It's a huge win for everyone involved. I also think that because the movie exceeded expectations, it will get some positive headlines which will attract even more moviegoers. As far as its Oscar chances go, I'm hesitant to speak on that since I haven't seen it yet.

Bruce Hall: Hard to deny what a solid opening this is. The movie is based on a popular book, and I do think that a respected director and well regarded cast helped. Ben Affleck is well on his way to removing himself from everyone's go-to list of late night talk show jokes for good. I don't know how seriously we should take Gone Girl as an Oscar contender, though. I'm just not sure there's anything special enough about this movie to put it in the discussion. I think Gone Girl is a big win and a great change of pace for anyone ready to shake off the summer for good and head into the usual late year awards drama. But I'd be surprised to see Gone Girl playing much of a role in that conversation.

Edwin Davies: Considering how huge the book was and the pedigree of those involved - people have certain expectations of quality from Fincher at this point and Affleck has managed to make sure his name means "quality" to people instead of, well, the opposite of that - I'm not surprised that the film has opened as well as it has. The final number may be a bit higher than I expected, but I'd have been more shocked if the film had opened to less than $30 million than I am that it opened to almost $40 million. This was a great combination of red hot property combined with great trailers and a superb cast.

In terms of the Oscar conversation I think that Gone Girl has a more than decent shot at being one of the Best Picture nominees if they choose nine or 10 this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if Fincher and Gillian Flynn land directing and screenwriting nods, respectively. I think it's a little early to say with any certainty what the film's chances are without seeing how other contenders like Birdman and Inherent Vice do, but I will say this: Rosamund Pike seems like the film's best shot at a major nomination at this point.

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