LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Searchlight and Miramax will learn this weekend whether big wins at the Golden Globes will translate into big box-office, Daily Variety said Friday.
Searchlight is expanding "Sideways" to 699 screens, following the movie's win for best movie comedy at the Golden Globes. Miramax is expanding its release of "The Aviator" to 2,261 screens, following its win for best movie drama.
Variety said the two titles are not likely to get much competition from this week's two new wide releases -- the action-thriller "Assault on Precinct 13" and the Ice Cube comedy "Are We There Yet?"
"Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera" is also expanding this weekend, playing on 1,504 screens -- up from 900 last weekend. The new Dennis Quaid-Topher Grace comedy "In Good Company" is also expanding, playing on close to 2,000 screens this weekend.
Variety said the competition for No. 1 appears to be a two-way affair -- with last weekend's champ "Coach Carter" facing off against "Meet the Fockers" -- which has already grossed $235 million and reported strong mid-week receipts on Tuesday and Wednesday.
