The first-place winner, with a $65 million opening, was Sony's (SNE) 2012 disaster spectacle. No surprise there, although I didn't think the project would break $60 million. Coming in third was The Men Who Stare at Goats, from Liberty Capital Group's (LCAPA) Overture Films. After that, we have Lions Gate Entertainment's (LGF) Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. There's been a lot of buzz about this movie, and it will be interesting to see how it affects Lions Gate in future quarters.

Going back to Carol, I think Disney has a unique opportunity to generate some momentum with the property. Many high-profile tentpole pictures open strongly and fade quickly, but as several observers have mentioned, Disney may have a chance to leverage the burgeoning excitement people feel as Christmas approaches. Potential ticket buyers are hopefully waiting for the festive atmosphere to increase before taking in a screening of the famous tale of ghostly redemption.

Under no circumstances, however, do I change my opinion about what the weak opening of Carol implies. Management is kidding itself if it believes that spending $200 million and up on star-driven vehicles is a sustainable model for maximizing the value of content. It isn't. Mostly, it's a road that leads to disgruntled shareholders, like myself, bemoaning the fact that everyone else (i.e., producers, directors, etc.) seems to be getting rich using other people's equity. Disney took way too much risk with Carol, and it may never be adequately rewarded.

As for the stocks mentioned here, Disney looks compelling to me as a trade. Lions Gate is one I always watch. I'd love to see a quick move to the downside on that one, by a buck or more on heavy volume, before putting money to work in such a speculative situation. As always, be careful buying and selling these Hollywood heavyweights.

Disclosure: I own Disney; positions can change without notice.