Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:16PM - By Damon Houx
Oh hey, it’s Oscar weekend. That’s not going to stop movies from coming out, mind you, but it’s that time of year when the film industry congratulates itself for still making movies. Since the industry has changed dramatically over the last couple years, the films that are doing the most business right now aren’t the nominees, with only The Descendents currently in more than a thousand theaters. And I don’t see The Weinstein’s yet expanding The Artist. What’s up with that?
Continue Reading
Thursday, February 9, 2012 12:18PM - By Damon Houx
Last weekend, we saw two new picture do much more business than expected on a Super Bowl weekend. This weekend we’re looking at four pictures that could all do over $20 Million. Safe House, The Vow, The Phantom Menace 3-D, and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island all have name players, and target audience appeal. Who wins? Take a look…
Continue Reading
Thursday, February 2, 2012 4:36PM - By Damon Houx
When you look at a list of the lowest grossing box office weekends of all time, you’ll find that the two months that pop up the most are January and September (and it’s often the last weekend of January, specifically). The reason for this is simple: The Superbowl. And it’s for film fans too – years ago, people would have just fast-forwarded through the commercials, now there are people who fast forward through the game. Last weekend The Grey trumped all, but now there are three new pictures to contend with it. Let’s see how it might shake out…
Continue Reading
Thursday, January 19, 2012 3:40PM - By Damon Houx
This weekend you can watch a lot of women kick butt. Not only is there Kate Beckinsale in Underworld: Awakening, Gina Carano makes her acting debut in Steven Soderbergh‘s Haywire. And then there’s George Lucas‘s Red Tails, which highlights the African American pilots who fought and flew in World War II. And for those looking for something more heartwarming, you can watch Tom Hanks die on 9/11 in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Something for everyone. Who wins? Find out…
Continue Reading
Thursday, January 12, 2012 1:28PM - By Damon Houx
After last weekend‘s surprising show from The Devil Inside, what may be most interesting this weekend is to see how steep the decline is on the film. 70% seems likely, but it’s possible the film could fall even further. January is not the bad movie dumping ground it once was, so it will be interesting to see how well Beauty and the Beast and Contraband fare against Joyful Noise. Let’s start guessing, shall we?
Continue Reading
Thursday, January 5, 2012 5:34PM - By Damon Houx
Ooh, scary. This is the first full weekend of the New Year, and like all new years, that means that the studios would rather you see their big pictures that just came out (or are expanding) than see much new. That’s because January is still considered a weak season. Yeah, you get your Taken‘s and such, but none of these pictures are thought to be blockbusters. Enter The Devil Inside.
Continue Reading
Thursday, December 29, 2011 11:15AM - By Damon Houx
It’s New Year’s Eve on Saturday, which means 2012 starts Sunday and we’ll be getting a non-stop stream of Mayan apocalypse jokes about everything. For the cinemas there are two movies opening: Pariah (12/28) on four screens and The Iron Lady (12/30) on another four screens. These are qualifying runs, and it’s likely that Meryl Streep will get a nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. Shame about the movie, though. Let’s talk numbers, shall we?
Continue Reading
Thursday, December 8, 2011 1:47PM - By Damon Houx
This Fall has been modest in comparison to many other recent years, in terms of major film releases. On paper there were a number of films that could have been $100 Million plus titles, but only Breaking Dawn has done blockbuster business, and has remained on top of the box office for three weeks. That’s going to change with the release of New Year’s Eve. Still, it’s been a slow, slow Fall.
Continue Reading
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 11:15AM - By Damon Houx
Last weekend Breaking Dawn made a ton of cash, which was a surprise to no one. But not everyone who wants to see the latest blockbuster sequel goes opening weekend, and so though the fall off should be heavy (over 50%, possibly over 60%, and just as likely near 70%) it may be able to fend off the newcomers, which will probably hurt each other and let Twilight win. What must have happened is that no one blinked about this weekend, as there’s three films aimed at parents and children hitting theaters: The Muppets, Arthur Christmas and Hugo. On top of a week-old Happy Feet Two. It’s a Children’s film blood bath is what it is.
Continue Reading
