It's another busy week with dozens of releases on this week's list (including four spotlight reviews).
As for the cream of the cop, there were a few interesting choices with two top contenders for DVD Pick of the Week: Volver - Buy from Amazon and The Lost Room - Buy from Amazon.
It was a close call, but the supreme cool of The Lost Room helped it win out in the end.
ttp://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2003/MTRX2.php>Matrix Reloaded made its sensational debut in May, no one could really tell how far THIS rabbit hole would go.
But it soon became clear that Reloaded was a big thing, Critics say it has dropped off to quickly in the US. Nonsense,
reloaded has stuck in the top ten for 40 days. Thats a Long time for any flick to stay in that reigon, and its takings offshores are still strong despite the same stiff competition that knocked it off the US top rolling out across the world. But reloaded is set to stop at around 720-740 Million, depending on US performance in the months to come. "2 Fast 2 Furious" furiously smashed in at number one in the uk after extensive advertising. It took $2.7 Million($4.5 Million) for its first weekend, but Reloaded only took 660k. But with a healthy $30 Million ($50.5 Million) from the UK alone in its bank, And no sign of slipping to let the nearest rival, Identity, overtake it, Reloaded should stay in the top three for a few weeks yet.
But Identity has started out strong, knocking Anger Management down to fourth. The movie has opened to brilliant reviews and good buzz, being likened to intellegent hits like "The Usual Suspects" it did take a fairly healthy $51 Million in the us, enough to cover its budget.
But the main competition for all, sure to crush the other grosses, its the mega-hyped and Uber advertised "Bruce Almighty" which hits cinemas this friday in the UK. With three weeks of pre-release advertising under its belt, Bruce is sure to demolish the box office competition, In previews alone in limited theartres this weekend, it took an astonishing $1.8 Million($2.9 Million).
The hit comedy looks like its legs will be challenged too, with Charlies Angels 2 making its debut the week after Bruce's release, it will just show how Mighty he is. One things a dead cert, 2 Fast wont be Furious enough to fight of Bruce and The Angels, its expected to drop to fourth when Bruce is released. Reloaded could make big dropoffs, but due to a surprisingly strong UK support base, its likely to fluctuate between 2-4th positions for a while.
Elsewhere on the UK Charts, Igby Goes Down, the "Indie-Teen Movie Of The Year" rose a place, knocking X-2 down to 11th while it nestled into the top ten. And John Travolta's "Basic" debuted with an embarrasing £248k ($412k) Weekend, while a good figure for UK, the number was much lower than the millions expected, but the critics trashed the return of travolta, "Connie Nielsen is like a walking acting folio, she morphs her accent more than she blinks, and Travolta is totally outshone by Jackson"
Bringing Down The House slipped three places in the charts. The Queen Latifah hit had not mirrored the huge success it enjoyed in the US, it is expected to close in the UK at around $5 Million.($8.3 Million)
British Classical Diva, Charlotte Church's acting debut, "I'll Be There" is also opening soon, but reviews have been mixed, one speaking on Church-"Is worse than Madonna and makes you realise Britney wasnt that bad in Crossroads" and another on the same subject "Church is up to the role, it was written with her personality in mind, so the acting wasnt challenging, and it shows"
It was a slow week as only one movie opened wide, but this is just the calm before the storm that is Matrix Reloaded. Compared to last year, the summer is falling further behind and needs Matrix Reloaded to open huge on Wednesday.
No surprise which movie came in first. X-Men 2 lost a lot in its second weekend, but not as much as some had predicted. Also not as much as X-Men dropped in its second week, so better legs could push the final box office higher than the original predictions and into the Top 20 All Time. Down 53.2% to $40.0 million for a total of nearly $150 million, just $10 million shy of the original’s total box office.
In second place was Daddy Dare Care with $27.6 million. This continues a trend for Eddie Murphy whose only big hits recently seem aimed at a decidedly younger audience. Reviews were very bad with only 29% positive, include only 19% from the cream of the crop reviewers. So that could hurt Daddy Day Care’s longevity at the theatres, and with a cost of $60 million to make and $30 million to advertise Sony and Revolution studios will probably have to wait for the home market to see a profit.
On Friday I predicted that The Lizzie McGuire Movie would have the lowest drop-off in the top five, as it turned out it had the highest dropping 58% to $7.2 million. This is very surprising considering the younger target audience, which usually means better legs at the theatre. This could be an anomaly due to Mother’s Day, or it could a sign of the Fanboy Effect, or should I say Fangirl Effect. Even with a much greater drop-off The Lizzie McGuire Movie should get the little more than $40 million needed to be profitable during its domestic run.
Holding up better than most horror / suspense films is Identity, which was down only 31% for its third. The weekend figure of $6.5 million was good enough for fourth place and brought its total to nearly $40 million. Identity should continue in the top ten for a few more weeks and surpass its combined budget before its domestic run is finished.
In its fifth week and in fifth place was Anger Management with $5.7 million for a total of $122 million. The movie is shedding theatres fast but should still put in one or two more appearances in the top ten.
Two movies with limited distribution made the top ten this week. A Mighty Wind expanded into 765 theatres and moved from 14th last weekend to 7th this weekend. The mockumentary look at folk music needs about $20 million to make a profit during its domestic run, and that is definitely in sight. The second limited release film was Bend It Like Beckham. A small increase in theatres to 555 and an actual increase in per theatre average helped the British film land in 9th spot after 9 weeks in release. Already profitable from its international run Bend It Like Beckham is getting extra exposure by finishing in the top ten, so it could still climb a spot or two in the coming weeks.
movie opens wide, Daddy Day Care, but it does open in almost 3400 theatres. Will that be enough to unseat X-Men as box office champ? In a word, no.
X-Men 2 earned so much on its opening weekend that a 50% drop is almost assumed. Before X-Men 2, more than half the movies with previous top ten opening weekends suffered a 50% drop on their second weekend. Weekday tracking, original movie’s performance, fanboy effect all suggest this trend will continue. Still, even a 60% drop would be enough to win this weekend.
Eddie Murphy’s career has been hit and miss recently, misses like I Spy and Pluto Nash are offset by hits like Dr. Doolittle and The Nutty Professor. But where does Daddy Day Care fit in? Reviews, which are poor, suggest a box office similar to Showtime. But the target audience suggests closer to Dr. Doolittle. Split the difference for a $20 million box office.
The rest of the top five will be made up last weeks 2 through 4, in the same order. The Lizzie McGuire Movie will probably have the lowers drop off in the top five, and should finish comfortably in third place with $10 million. That would make its total box office more than its total budget in less than 2 weeks. We will be seeing a lot more of Hilary Duff after this.
Identity will drop to fourth place, with a little more than $6 million. Identity’s total box office could reach $40 million by this weekend on its way to a $55 million total box office. Not bad for a movie that cost about half that to make.
Anger Management is really shedding theatres, while Holes is still picking some up. So we could see Holes overtake it to stay in top five for one more week. Either way, the fifth place finished should grab an additional $5 million.
Two additional notes for this weekend: A Mighty Wind is expanding into 765 theatres and should end up in the top ten. Also, The In-Laws is having a preview in 800 theatres on Saturday; it opens wide on May 23rd.
The first weekend of summer started a little weaker than last year, but it is still very strong. Of course, it wasn’t long ago when summer didn’t start till Memorial Day.
X-Men 2 easily won with $85.6 million, on the high end of the estimates. Better reviews, and a better internal multiplier than the first movie, suggest X-Men 2 should have better legs. However, the sequel will have stronger competition when The Matrix Reloaded opens in just 10 days. Even with this increased competition, $250 million should be an easily obtainable goal.
Opening in second place was The Lizzie McGuire Movie at $17.3 million, $2 million more than it cost to make. It will still take quite a bit more at the box office till the studios share pays for production and advertising, but it’s well on its way to profitability. The opening for Lizzie McGuire is better than fellow Tween movies Agent Cody Banks, What a Girl Wants and Holes. Factoring in the lower production budget and advertising budgets than any of those, Buena Vista should be very happy. Poor reviews could mean weak legs, but it will take a week or two to determine that.
In third was Identity with $9.4 million. While a drop of 41.9% would normally be considered quite bad, the genre mixed with the extreme competition makes this a better than expected result. Fourth place went to Anger Management which dropped 44% to $8.4 million. Holes came in fifth with just shy of $7 million and now has a total of over $45 million in just three weeks.
On an interesting note, Bend It Like Beckham made it’s first appearance in the top ten in its eighth week of release. The British film made $1.5 million in just 484 theatres to bring its total past the $10 million mark. Not bad for a movie that cost about half that to make.
Note: CinemaScores went to a subscription service, so I an no longer be able to use it in my analysis. Sorry for the inconvenience and I am looking for a replacement.
This week marks the official start of the Summer Box Office season. And while there are two wide releases, it seems only one is talked about by the press.
X-Men 2 is the first big release of the summer, and will be used to judge all other blockbusters to come. Fox was able to get X-Men 2 the largest release domestically, (opening in 3,741 theaters, 59 more than the previous record) and worldwide, (opening in 93 markets in just 3 days.) And with excellent reviews this movie should open huge, and it must with a production budget of $125 million and Print & Advertising budget estimated at $50 million. If X-Men doesn’t place in the top 5 biggest weekend (about $75 million) it will be seen as a disappointment. Second place is a real possibility ($90+ million), but beating Spider-Man is doubtful at best.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie is the second wide release in 2,825 theatres, a little more than initial predictions. With a production budget smaller than X-Men 2’s Print budget alone, The Lizzie McGuire movie isn’t in the same class. However, with the popularity of its star, Hilary Duff, it could have a more profitable box office on its opening weekend. Reviews are weak, but on par with other movies with such a narrow target audience. Look for The Lizzie McGuire movie to match its production budget ($15 million) opening weekend, and have a profitable run.
Last week's 1-2-3 will finish this week 3-4-5, probably in the same order, all with $7 million - $9 million box offices. Anger Management could surpass Identity depending on which movie the X-Men overflow decides to see instead. After this weekend, only its third in release, Holes’ box office will be higher than its total budget. Something that is rarely seen these days.
The last week in Spring is usually a time when studios dump movies before the summer season officially starts, and it’s usually the slowest pre-summer weekend of the year. This year was no exception. It was better than the same weekend last year, but that could be the result of twice as many movies opening this year.
Picked by most to finish second, or even third, Identity managed to grab first spot with an impressive $16.2 million. Also impressive was its reviews at 64%, but its CinemaScores was just average at B. That, the genre, and X-Men 2 opening next week suggests Identity won’t have great legs at the box office, but with a budget of only $28 million, it won’t matter.
In second was Anger Management, which dropped another 40% to $15 million and crossed the $100 million mark. Even with much stronger legs than predicted, this film is still well behind Big Daddy for Adam Sandler’s largest box office, despite having a larger opening weekend.
Third with the smallest week to week drop in the top ten was Holes. Its more than $12.5 million represents only a 23% drop, and after two weeks its total box office is just a few million shy of its production and P&A budgets combined. After figuring in the theatre’s share of the box office, Holes should finish its domestic run just shy of profitability. But at this point, even a disappointing international box office will push this film into the black.
Malibu’s Most Wanted dropped a spot to fourth, but its box office dropped little less than 42% to $7.3 million. This was a little better than most expects predicted. With a production budget of only $15 million, and a total box office of nearly $25 million, look for more films like this to follow.
Opening in fifth place was Confidence at only $4.6 million, in line with most predictions. Excellent reviews couldn’t overcome the small advertising push. Word of mouth might help this movie receive a larger audience for the home market, but that’s a best case scenario at this point.
To say It Runs in the Family opened wide would be a bit of a stretch. At only 1200 theatres, it wasn’t in the top ten for theatre count, but it did finish 9th at the box office. Still its $2.8 million box office is a disappointment, but probably better than its bad reviews and weak CinemaScores would suggest.
It tenth place, proving that the movie going public does have taste was The Real Cancun. This movie bombed, earning $2.1 million in more than 2200 theatres. That’s a per theatre average of less than $1000 per theatre, second worse in the top twenty. Bad reviews are one thing, but the real story here is the CinemaScores. Their target audience (males under 21) gave the movie a C-, with movie goers over 35 gave it an F. Hopefully this will give the other studios contemplating Reality TV Movies something to think about.
The last weekend before the unofficial start of the summer season sees four movies opening wide, or at least sort of wide-ish.
Identity, which has been described as a mixture of Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians and The Usual Suspects, is opening the widest at over 2,700 theaters. This comes as a bit of a surprise as early estimates put the theatre count at only 2,300. And the push for more theaters seems to be justified by the good reviews. So far Identity has been able to maintain the 60% needed for an overall fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes. This could give it the edge in this week's race and allow it to open in first place.
The second widest opening is for The Real Cancun, with 2,261 theatres. The reviews are surprisingly good, but that doesn't mean they are actually good. 32% positive is still really bad, but it is much better than expected. However, with a small theater count and a advertising push that was sub-par outside MTV, don’t expect The Real Cancun to do that much business. Top five this week, out of the top ten two weeks later, and three months after that the DVD release will advertise, "Includes all the stuff too hot for the theatre."
Confidence is the next on the list of largest openings this week at less than 1,900 theatres. Originally scheduled to open in December for an Oscar bid, the movie was pushed all the way back until now. This is usually a bad sign, but the reviews have been excellent> Its nearly 80% Rotten Tomatoes score is head and shoulders above the rest of the wide releases. Without the theaters, it won't compete for first place, but a place in the top five and some strong legs could be in store.
The last movie to open wide, if you call it wide, is It Runs in the Family. It opens in only 1,207 theaters, which is two less than Chicago in its 18th week. This movie has been bounced around a few times, and unlike Confidence, the reviews confirm this is a bad sign. Its 28% is even lower than The Real Cancun, although it did receive significantly better reviews from the Cream of the Crop reviewers. Still, it might have trouble making the top ten.
Two notable holdovers, Anger Management and Holes, will battle Identity for first place. For Anger Management, expect another drop of 40% or more at the box office, on its way to a $100 million total this weekend. A smaller than expected drop will mean a third straight first place finish, a greater than expected drop could leave it in third place. Holes has held up surprisingly well mid-week, especially for a movie aimed at kids. Usually kids movies suffer mid-week then bounce back for a very low week-to-week drop. The strong mid-week performance could lead to Holes maintaining most of its first week box-office and stealing first place.
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
City of Ghosts
Current Content: Nothing new since I last reviewed it. Movie clips are still marked coming soon.
Confidence
Current Content: For a movie that promises a lot of style, the website was a little tame. It hit all the right notes, (synopsis, trailer, cast and crew bios) but it didn’t have the pizzazz I was hoping for. Some of the extras include wallpapers, screensavers and a game.
A Decade Under the Influence
Current Content: The film is a documentary about the influences in American cinema during the 70s. This site focuses on biographical information of both the interviewers and the interviewees, but the usual synopsis and trailer are there. My favorite feature is the very extensive timeline of the 70s. The way they put together the image gallery is also very well done. It is an excellent mixture of style and substance.
Dumb and Dumberer
Current Content: A new button was added that’s marked do not press. When you do you hear a clip from the movie. It’s the same clip every time you press, so there’s no need to press it more than once. Hopefully, there will be more clips added as the release date nears.
Identity
Current Content: Easily the best atmosphere for a site this week, perhaps the best atmosphere for any site I’ve reviewed. It’s very had to describe, no description would really give it justice. You just have to check it out for yourself.
The In-Laws
Current Content: Just a little bit new this week. In the downloads section there’s a new screensaver, and the song list for the soundtrack is available. Unfortunately, only the one song is available to listen to.
It Runs in the Family
Current Content: A good site that focuses on the family members and the actors that play them. Not only is there text, but there are audio and video clips for each character. Excellent information that is probably destined for a feature packed DVD section. There is also synopsis, trailer, wallpapers, etc.
Jeepers Creepers 2
Current Content: This week the trailer and some background music were added. The background music is creepy, but a little short to be effective.
The League
Current Content: The name has been shortened from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to just The League to coincide with the launch of the new website. While the site does contain the usual synopsis and trailer, the heart of the site are the vast character bios. Each of the 7 characters in The League have their own section complete with an introduction, why there were chosen, wallpaper and AIM Icons to download, Image Gallery and an E-Card. And there is more marked coming soon. The background music is effective, but not particularly noteworthy. Overall an excellent site.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Current Content: The first 5 days of Lizzie’s Diary have been added to the site.
Manic
Current Content: The interactive character bios that make up the heart of this site are very well done, very intriguing. There is good use of sound and music throughout the site. There is plenty of multimedia including a trailer, movie clips and interviews with the director. Written information includes cast and crew bios, and production notes.
Mondays in the Sun
Current Content: This website has almost as much information on the director and the producer than it does on the film itself. The synopsis and character bios are joined by bios of and interviews with the director and the producer. There is also a few storyboard pictures and some information on the music that plays in the background of the site. There’s an extensive list of the cast and crew, but none have bios except the two mentioned above.
The Real Cancun
Current Content: This site spends most of its time on introducing the participants, cause there’s really nothing else to talk about. There’s your usual synopsis, trailer, and clips, lot of clips. But unless you’re already psyched to see this movie, the website does little to persuade you.
Respiro
Current Content: A very unusual style to this website. The content scrolls continuously past, first the synopsis, then a biography of the director and then a statement from him. Next is a biography of the lead actress, Valeria Golino, then an image gallery and the poster. The final section is for the trailer, which is not available at this time. The unique and engaging way this site was put together is definitely worth checking put.
Rugrats Go Wild
Current Content: Starts with you helping Spike find the lost kids, which should keep the kids entertained. The site also has a synopsis, the teaser trailer and the Rugrat kids’ character bios, but most of the rest is marked coming soon. There are some jungle sounds for the background, but the loop is far too short and repetitive.
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
Current Content: Not a lot of content, but the movie doesn’t open for another 2 months. So far there is just the synopsis, character bios and a create your own wallpaper. But a trailer is marked coming soon.
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights, plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
Alex and Emma
Current Content: Just the synopsis, trailer and a single photo. This design has been used on many Warner Bros. sites, but usually just till the full site is up a running.
American Wedding
Current Content: Just the synopsis, but it’s early and there should be plenty more added in the nearly four months till the release date.
Anger Management
Current Content: A lot of things to watch and, hear and play. Behind the scene clips, relaxing nature mp3s, some screensavers / wallpapers, and even a couple of games based on some SNES games. You can even evaluate a friend to see if they need therapy.
L'Auberge Espagnole
Current Content: Just the synopsis and the cast and crew list. But Fox Searchlight isn’t known for skimping on their sites, so look for more later on.
Better Luck Tomorrow
Current Content: Lots of information on this site, not only for the movie, but for the behind the scenes documentary, BLT Genesis. Synopsis, Trailer and Cast and Crew Bios, Images, and a lot of press. And I mean a lot of press. There are dozens of articles, several reviews and even more news and awards.
Daddy Day Care
Current Content: Flash site containing a few features beyond the usual synopsis, trailer and cast and crew bios. Wallpaper, images and instant messenger icons as well as character bios for the children. There are also two games to play, and several features marked coming soon.
Ghosts of the Abyss
Current Content: Not much new since I last reviewed it. However, there is a new ‘Bot Challenge Game to play.
House of 1000 Corpses
Current Content: This site is quite gruesome, but not as much as you’d expect given the nature of the movie. Besides the trailer, synopsis and cast bios, there are lots of images.
Identity
Current Content: It is so hard to tell if there’s new content on this site, cause it is so non-linear. (Which is what makes it stand out so much.) However, this week I’m sure there’s something new since I last reviewed it. Not quite enough for it to win the weekly award, but almost.
The Italian Job
Current Content: Just the trailer and characters (no bios, yet.) I like how the Mini Cooper is in the character list. Hopefully there will be more as the release date nears.
Pulse
Current Content: For most sites sound feels like an afterthought, if it’s there at all. For this site, it’s the main focus. Which makes perfect sense with the subject matter. Along with the usual synopsis and trailer, are extensive performer bios, two minute long slips from the soundtrack and three interactive sound sections in the Sound Lab. Including Beat Chaser, which is sort of like the old Simon game, but you have to match the sound and the tempo. Teacher’s have a section for lesson plans, educational links, etc. The impressive use of sound alone would be enough to win the Indescribable Weekly Website Award, but the overall package is excellent.
Thirteen
Current Content: Like the other Fox Searchlight sites released this week, this one has just the synopsis and the cast and crew, no bios.
Uptown Girls
Current Content: Just the synopsis and the trailer but this film isn’t scheduled to be released till late summer, so there’s plenty of time for updates.
XX/XY
Current Content: The only new additions are some images from the movie and the premiere.
the-numbers.com/people/JOHNC.html>John Cusack is in talks to join Nicole Kidman in the remake of the 1975 thriller, The Stepford Wives. The original was a minor hit when it first came out, but as since achieved cult classic status for being campy and over-the-top. Its story line is considered quite dated by many people, so it remains to be seen if audiences will accept the remake, or whether changes must be made.
Also in talks to star in The Stepford Wives is Joan Cusack. If talks go ahead as planned, this will be the seventh time the brother and sister pair has been in a movie together.
John Cusack can next be seen in the suspense thriller Identity, opening April 25th. Nicole Kidman’s next picture is The Human Stain opening either in the Spring or later in the year during Oscar season.
k promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here’s a list of highlights. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Current Content: Synopsis, Trailer and Clips, Images, Character Bios and Theatre Listings.
Dreamcatcher
Current Content: Synopsis, Trailer, Photo Gallery, Behind the Scenes photos, clips and journal, Cast and Crew Bios, Description of Native Dreamcatchers, and a Flash Site with is a little slow to navigate at times. Still, it wins the prestigious Weekly Web Site Award.
r. Octopus and Lizard still not decided for The Amazing Spider-man, rumors are Jake Gyllenhaal (The Good Girl and Donnie Darko) will star in Spider-man 3 as Kletus Kasady a.k.a. Carnage. Both he and Eddie Brock (who was mentioned but not seen in Spider-man) should have cameos in The Amazing Spider-man.
Also mentioned but not seen in Spider-man was Dr. Conner, a.k.a. Lizard who is rumored to be one of the main villains in The Amazing Spider-man. The other villain was confirmed by Stan Lee and will be Dr. Octopus. Reports, or rumors, are saying Alfred Molina has been offered the role. Alfred Molina was last seen in Frida and will next be seen in Identity.
Amazing Spider-man is planned for a May 7th, 2004 release. More information will be coming as we near closer to that date.
.the-numbers.com/people/GPALT.html">Gwyneth Paltrow's latest flick, A View from the Top was supposed to open this weekend, however its release date has changed, again. Originally planned for an April 19th, 2002 release, Miramax pushed that back four times. Its new and hopefully final release date is March 21st, 2003. A View from the Top is now opening against Piglet’s Big Movie, Identity and another movie that was pushed back due to real world events Phone Booth.
This bit of rescheduling leaves Darkness Falls as the only wide release for the January 24th weekend.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
