Readers who rely on the print edition of the Xpress for their information about upcoming films are apt to think there are only three films opening this week when, in truth, there are five. News of two titles—Solitary Man and The Good, the Bad and the Weird—came in too late to make it into this week’s print issue. This is particularly unfortunate, because Solitary Man has the appearance of a solid offering and I know that The Good, the Bad and the Weird is irresistible fun.

I was 18 years old when I got my first dose of Betty Boop. It was at a three day film festival at the University of South Florida where cartoons and shorts had been programmed to screen between the movies. I remember the first encounter was Betty Boop, M.D. (1932)—and let me tell you, it was your proverbial love at first sight.

It’s a week that has something for just about every taste I can think of: You’ve got toys, zombies, art-house fare (for those who don’t think zombies are) and a comic-book movie that hopes to be the next franchise. What more could you want?

How do you gauge an audience? By this I mean, how do you determine what people will and won’t go to see? I have tussled with this question for a while now—but more so recently because of being involved with the programming for both the Thursday Horror Picture Show and the Asheville Film Society. I have listened to advice. I have taken advice. I have ignored advice. I have gone with my instincts and I’ve gone against my instincts. The results have led me to conclude there’s no earthly way of making an accurate determination.