Once again, it’s a weekend battle of head-to-head stars. In this corner, we have the man behind the puppet that has dominated the box office every Halloween for the last three years, Tobin Bell. And in this corner we have the much lauded and respected television-comedian-turned-box-office-star, Steve Carell. It might not seem like much of a fight, but you never know. You know the rules. Let’s drop the cage. Two men enter! One man leaves!

In the box office this weekend: Winner = Bell

Forget Carell’s success and forget his spectacular summer failure, the funnyman doesn’t figure into this one at all. Saw makes money every year, regardless of quality. Add in the fact that there is only one other competing horror film this weekend and it becomes pretty clear that Saw IV will take this weekend in a walk. Had they scheduled Halloween for this weekend it would be a different story. But they didn’t. The appropriately named Halloween got out of the way of this. Sorry Dan in Real Life. I don’t care how good you might be. You’re a gooey family dramedy opening Halloween weekend.

In the critical arena: Winner = Carell

Success be damned, Saw has never been a critical darling. Carell on the other hand has a slew of fans in the critical world and word is his movie is pretty good. I’d bet on Carell.

In their careers: Winner = Carell

This one isn’t necessarily as clear-cut as one might guess. Carell will make the bigger splash and have the bigger career, there’s no doubt about that. But horror icons get careers that last them well beyond their own demise. Bell is slowly developing a legion of fans who will wait in line for hours to drop $50 a pop to get an autograph and a photo with him. Carell should be so lucky. Comedians rarely get more than 15-20 years before they become punchlines themselves. I’m pulling for Carell. I like him, but people might actually be talking about Bell long after both their deaths. But Carell will be picking up $20 million paychecks for a while, and will win a couple of Emmys to boot. So you know, he really wins.

In a fight: Winner = Carell

He’s young, spry and no doubt has to work out every day because of those big-time studio contracts. Despite the fact that he plays sissies, I get the distinct impression he could lay down the hurtin’ on old Tobin.

Winner = Carell

He’ll lose the weekend and probably the box office battle overall, but he’ll win the war.

C. Robert Cargill – - – Email Me

——————————————

Austin-based Cargill, who not only loves but owns The Cutting Edge, writes on movies and DVD five times a week.