The follow excerpts are a 2010 Summer Box Office wrap-up covering receipts, trends, etc. The story that these excerpts were taken from was published in the NY Times. The reporter is Brooks Barnes.
--Hollywood’s summer may have been tepid — movie theater attendance was the lowest in over a decade — but the big-budget, big-risk stretch delivered an unusually robust array of tea leaves for studios to read as they make decisions for the seasons ahead.
--First, the numbers. Attendance from the first weekend in May through Labor Day is projected to total about 552 million, the lowest tally since 1997, when 540 million people turned up in the same period, according to Hollywood.com, which compiles box office data. Revenue for the period — which typically accounts for 40 percent of the industry’s annual ticket sales — totaled $4.35 billion, a 2 percent increase from last year.
--Sharply higher prices for tickets across the board, but especially for 3-D presentations, drove the increase. The worry, as seen in poor results for recent 3-D releases like “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” is that theater chains and studios have overreached on pricing. “We suspect some consumers are choosing 2-D movies solely to reduce the cost of their movie-going experience,” wrote Richard Greenfield, an analyst at the financial services company BTIG, in an Aug. 23 research note.
--So studios are starting to think more carefully about which titles make sense to release in 3-D and which do not. Part of the challenge in a post-“Avatar” Hollywood, however, is that presenting a film in 3-D is one way to build a release into a must-see event — a crucial part of movie marketing in the age of 50-inch flat-screen televisions.
Some studios were burned over the summer by pushing too hard to “eventize” movies. Walt Disney Studios, for instance, trumpeted May 28 in enormous red lettering on virtually every piece of advertising for “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” The goal was to blast the film’s opening date into the minds of consumers, but instead the tactic drove expectations so high that “Prince” was quickly branded a bomb despite selling $330 million in tickets at the global box office.
--“You can hype up a movie like crazy, but consumers are smart and can smell a con job,” said Phil Contrino, editor of BoxOffice.com. “It has to be substance over style.”
--No one would accuse Mr. Nolan of soft-pedaling substance. His “Inception,” backed by Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures, was the breakout blockbuster of the summer, racking up about $660 million in ticket sales. “Everybody looked at us and said, ‘Why are you releasing a movie this smart in the middle of July?’ ” said Dan Fellman, Warner’s president for distribution. “Guess what? The summer isn’t just for dopes.”
--Stars received a sharply mixed reception, which has been the case lately. It was certainly a good summer for Leonardo DiCaprio, who starred in “Inception” as an invader of people’s dreams. Also faring well were Angelina Jolie, who turned an old-fashioned spy caper (“Salt”) into a hit, and Adam Sandler, who powered an ensemble comedy (“Grown Ups”) into the stratosphere.
--Flopping this summer were Nicolas Cage, whose “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” died on arrival, and Michael Cera, whose quirky “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” won positive reviews but failed to draw a mainstream audience. Mr. Cera badly needed a hit: “Pilgrim” was his fifth big-screen dud in a row. Also disappointing were Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, who fizzled in the action comedy “Knight and Day,” and Zac Efron, whose weepy “Charlie St. Cloud” landed with a thud.
--The No. 1 movie of the summer had no stars, at least on screen: “Toy Story 3” topped the North American box office with over $405 million and had a global total of over $1 billion. “Iron Man 2” was second, with $312 million ($622 million total), and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” was third, with $298 million ($655 million total).
It was a quiet summer for specialty films, with no picture managing to cross over to a mainstream audience. “The Kids Are All Right” came the closest with about $19 million. (The threshold for a crossover hit is typically in the vicinity of $30 million.)
--[It was] an uncharacteristically soft summer for Warner [Brothers]. The success of “Inception” was counterbalanced by a disastrous result for “Jonah Hex,”which sold just $10.5 million in tickets and cooled off Megan Fox’s career. The critically reviled “Sex and the City 2” was also a substantial disappointment; ticket sales lagged behind the first installment by 30 percent.
--[Universal's] “Despicable Me” was a runaway hit, selling over $237 million in tickets ; but “Get Him to the Greek” and “Robin Hood” both misfired.
--Of the major studios Fox had the worst summer. None of its titles cracked the Top 10, as “The A-Team,” “Marmaduke” and “Knight and Day” all went down in flames.
--Paramount Pictures was the most successful by volume; for the summer its releases racked up over $770 million at the domestic box office. “The Last Airbender” and “Dinner for Schmucks” and “Shrek Forever After,” [led the way for the studio].
--Sony’s modestly budgeted remake of “The Karate Kid” was one of the summer’s biggest surprises, rocketing to $176 million in North America. Although “Eat Pray Love” was soft, the studio also scored with “Grown Ups,” “Salt” and “The Other Guys.” (By Brooks Barnes, NY Times 05 Sept. 2010)
*So, not a stellar summer for 2010. I personally believe that Hollywood's trend of remaking films to "updated" versions is beginning to backfire. This is likely most true amongst the over 35 year old theater goers who are just getting tired of remakes that generally end up being worse than the classic original. Looking ahead, the movie landscape looks fairly bleak through the end of the year.
Aside from the next Chronicles of Narnia installment, Clint Eastwood's "Hereafter," "Mega-Mind," the little known SciFi flick "Skyline," the next (oh, Kill me now!) book of "Harry Potter," the much hyped "Tron: Legacy," and the inexplicable remake of "True Grit," the box office does not look to be kind to Hollywood. Let's all hope that 2011 brings better, original material; and tosses aside the lazy screenwriters who are too untalented to draft new, fresh storylines.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Review: The Expendables
My review of Sylvester Stallone's action flick The Expendables, will be another short one because there really isn't much to say about this campy, fun and bloody movie.
I didn't go see this film because it was going to be a cinematic masterpiece. No, I saw The Expendables because it promised to be a fun ride; and I wasn't disappointed.
The script constantly pokes fun at the action genre, as well as at the films and careers of the stars themselves. The one-liners are hilarious, and the subtle jokes are perfect. The dry, wry humor utilized throughout only made the humor better than anything forced would have done.
Stallone did a good job with this high-powered film. The stunts are nearly full-time, and the carnage is so over the top that it starts being funny.
The cast was great! Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Cotoure and Terry Crews were all having a ball. Backed up by Eric Roberts, David Zayas, Mickey Rourke, Steve Austin, Charisma Carpenter and Giselle Itie; along with brief cameos by Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarznegger, the entire cast played along with this truly self-skewering portait of action films coming out of Hollywood over the last twenty five years.
You don't go see this film because of its socially redeeming qualities, or because its a serious movie. You go see this because you just want to have fun, and enjoy the inside jokes that any true action-phile will surely understand.
I may or may not see this again; and I will probably include The Expendables on my very short list of Guilty Pleasure films. Will I buy it? Yeah. But only because it was just too damned fun!
I didn't go see this film because it was going to be a cinematic masterpiece. No, I saw The Expendables because it promised to be a fun ride; and I wasn't disappointed.
The script constantly pokes fun at the action genre, as well as at the films and careers of the stars themselves. The one-liners are hilarious, and the subtle jokes are perfect. The dry, wry humor utilized throughout only made the humor better than anything forced would have done.
Stallone did a good job with this high-powered film. The stunts are nearly full-time, and the carnage is so over the top that it starts being funny.
The cast was great! Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Cotoure and Terry Crews were all having a ball. Backed up by Eric Roberts, David Zayas, Mickey Rourke, Steve Austin, Charisma Carpenter and Giselle Itie; along with brief cameos by Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarznegger, the entire cast played along with this truly self-skewering portait of action films coming out of Hollywood over the last twenty five years.
You don't go see this film because of its socially redeeming qualities, or because its a serious movie. You go see this because you just want to have fun, and enjoy the inside jokes that any true action-phile will surely understand.
I may or may not see this again; and I will probably include The Expendables on my very short list of Guilty Pleasure films. Will I buy it? Yeah. But only because it was just too damned fun!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Review: Salt
Salt is not a great movie by any standards.
It is a formula movie in just about every sense of the word. You know that the title character will win; you know that all the bad guys will die; and you know that it will be a fun, mindless ride all the way.
Directed by Phillip Noyce, the man behind films such as The Bone Collector, The Saint, Clear and Present Danger, and Patriot Games, is obviously comfortable with the action genre. The movie is a fast moving, high octane ride that definitely stretches credibility; but you are glued to your seat nonetheless.
Angelina Jolie is great as the titular character. She was well-trained for this physically demanding role, and she looks very comfortable and at ease throughout. Being an action film, there wasn't a whole lot of acting to do; but the dramatic parts Jolie had were done quite well.
The main supporting cast of Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor were both convincing in their respective roles.
The conclusion undoubtedly leaves the door open for sequels. I'd definitely go see them, assuming the cast and production crews were the same.
Again, Salt is by no means a great movie, but it is absolutely worth seeing at least once.
I'll go see this again, and will probably end up buying it when it is released.
It is a formula movie in just about every sense of the word. You know that the title character will win; you know that all the bad guys will die; and you know that it will be a fun, mindless ride all the way.
Directed by Phillip Noyce, the man behind films such as The Bone Collector, The Saint, Clear and Present Danger, and Patriot Games, is obviously comfortable with the action genre. The movie is a fast moving, high octane ride that definitely stretches credibility; but you are glued to your seat nonetheless.
Angelina Jolie is great as the titular character. She was well-trained for this physically demanding role, and she looks very comfortable and at ease throughout. Being an action film, there wasn't a whole lot of acting to do; but the dramatic parts Jolie had were done quite well.
The main supporting cast of Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor were both convincing in their respective roles.
The conclusion undoubtedly leaves the door open for sequels. I'd definitely go see them, assuming the cast and production crews were the same.
Again, Salt is by no means a great movie, but it is absolutely worth seeing at least once.
I'll go see this again, and will probably end up buying it when it is released.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Review: Inception
Baffling. Mind-bending. Complex.
These three words pretty much sum up the experience of watching Inception.
Without giving anything away, let me just say that as you're watching this film, you'll be saying to yourself, "What the...?" only to be answered sometime later in the film.
The main cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy and Tom Berenger are all outstanding in their respective roles. Christopher Nolan directs this seemingly impossible-to-make film with precision. His working with DiCaprio helped to eliminate the usual 'that's just Leo doing his usual acting;' instead replaced by an older, better Leonardo on the screen.
My praise to the script supervisor and the editors for maintaining the look, feel and movement of such a complicated production.
While not a great movie, it is good. The story will keep you in your seat, while the special effects will have you gasping at the complexity involved. I heard a LOT of 'Wows!' in the theater throughout the film.
I don't really know what else to say. This movie has to be viewed at least once. After that, it will chew on your mind, and drive you crazy thinking about it. There's definitely something to be said for an average film if it does that to the viewers who have witnessed Inception.
I may or may not see Inception again. I have to think about it more.
These three words pretty much sum up the experience of watching Inception.
Without giving anything away, let me just say that as you're watching this film, you'll be saying to yourself, "What the...?" only to be answered sometime later in the film.
The main cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy and Tom Berenger are all outstanding in their respective roles. Christopher Nolan directs this seemingly impossible-to-make film with precision. His working with DiCaprio helped to eliminate the usual 'that's just Leo doing his usual acting;' instead replaced by an older, better Leonardo on the screen.
My praise to the script supervisor and the editors for maintaining the look, feel and movement of such a complicated production.
While not a great movie, it is good. The story will keep you in your seat, while the special effects will have you gasping at the complexity involved. I heard a LOT of 'Wows!' in the theater throughout the film.
I don't really know what else to say. This movie has to be viewed at least once. After that, it will chew on your mind, and drive you crazy thinking about it. There's definitely something to be said for an average film if it does that to the viewers who have witnessed Inception.
I may or may not see Inception again. I have to think about it more.
Review: Despicable Me
There is a viable reason Despicable Me has made a lot of money.
That would be simply that this film is as fun as advertised! From beginning to end, young and old alike will be smiling and laughing right through most of the credits.
Steve Carell and the rest of the cast keep their lines fresh, entertaining, engaging and fun. The animation is wonderful, the storyline completely ludicrous (as it should be!), the music was perfect for the film, and the little yellow minions are as adorable as they are fun!
Go see this movie, and have a fun time!
Despicable Me is absolutely a buyer when it's released on DVD.
That would be simply that this film is as fun as advertised! From beginning to end, young and old alike will be smiling and laughing right through most of the credits.
Steve Carell and the rest of the cast keep their lines fresh, entertaining, engaging and fun. The animation is wonderful, the storyline completely ludicrous (as it should be!), the music was perfect for the film, and the little yellow minions are as adorable as they are fun!
Go see this movie, and have a fun time!
Despicable Me is absolutely a buyer when it's released on DVD.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Review: The Last Airbender
Ever since first seeing the teaser trailer [last Fall] showing a horizon full of ships firing on a temple, I've been looking forward to seeing The Last Airbender.
The latest (and non-original) work by M. Night Shyamalan is not a great movie, but it is a fun, satisfying and visually appealing film. About the only thing holding this movie back from being great is some bad acting, as well as a few moments of awkward emotions that are never really explained.
Having never read the series, or seen any anime of this storyline, I take the movie for what it is; on its own merits. The movie is a first chapter of a series, and is clearly the introductory, or set-up, of the remaining films. As such, there is a lot of backstory fill-in, but it is done deftly as it is nicely interwoven with the developing story. I was never lost as to what was happening, or where things were going.
Shyamalan's directing was a terrific as ever. He not only directs The Last Airbender, but he also produced and wrote the screenplay. Being that heavily involved certainly showed as scenes flowed easily, logically, and with little stumbling.
The young actors are mostly good. Noah Ringer as Aang, the Last Airbender, is a bit stilted, but his overall performance really carries the film. He obviously trained hard for the martial arts required; and his skill and grace in his execution of the arts was outstanding. Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Seychelle Gabriel, Dev Patel, Shaun Toub and Aasif Mandvi comprise the most prominent of the supporting cast. Overall, they are all good in their roles; though Peltz suffers the most from her obvious inexperience in her craft.
The Special Effects, by Industrial Light and Magic, are phenomenal. Not much else to say about it. The Music, by James Newton Howard, is a wonderful match to the films. It is both rousing and delicate, as the moments require. The rest of the production was exactly what we have come to expect from an M. Night Shyamalan film.
As to those critics and viewers who are saying what a terrible film this is--don't believe them. Remember, critics hate just about everything; and viewers who rip a good movie are usually doing so because it fails to live up to their personal expectations or mental images that they think it should follow.
Go see The Last Airbender expecting a fun, visually appealing and satisfying film. Again, while it's not a great film, it is certainly worth the price of admission. I really enjoyed the movie...and so will you. In fact, I look forward to the next chapter in the series. In the mean time, I'll see this again, and will buy The Last Airbender when it is released on DVD.
The latest (and non-original) work by M. Night Shyamalan is not a great movie, but it is a fun, satisfying and visually appealing film. About the only thing holding this movie back from being great is some bad acting, as well as a few moments of awkward emotions that are never really explained.
Having never read the series, or seen any anime of this storyline, I take the movie for what it is; on its own merits. The movie is a first chapter of a series, and is clearly the introductory, or set-up, of the remaining films. As such, there is a lot of backstory fill-in, but it is done deftly as it is nicely interwoven with the developing story. I was never lost as to what was happening, or where things were going.
Shyamalan's directing was a terrific as ever. He not only directs The Last Airbender, but he also produced and wrote the screenplay. Being that heavily involved certainly showed as scenes flowed easily, logically, and with little stumbling.
The young actors are mostly good. Noah Ringer as Aang, the Last Airbender, is a bit stilted, but his overall performance really carries the film. He obviously trained hard for the martial arts required; and his skill and grace in his execution of the arts was outstanding. Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Seychelle Gabriel, Dev Patel, Shaun Toub and Aasif Mandvi comprise the most prominent of the supporting cast. Overall, they are all good in their roles; though Peltz suffers the most from her obvious inexperience in her craft.
The Special Effects, by Industrial Light and Magic, are phenomenal. Not much else to say about it. The Music, by James Newton Howard, is a wonderful match to the films. It is both rousing and delicate, as the moments require. The rest of the production was exactly what we have come to expect from an M. Night Shyamalan film.
As to those critics and viewers who are saying what a terrible film this is--don't believe them. Remember, critics hate just about everything; and viewers who rip a good movie are usually doing so because it fails to live up to their personal expectations or mental images that they think it should follow.
Go see The Last Airbender expecting a fun, visually appealing and satisfying film. Again, while it's not a great film, it is certainly worth the price of admission. I really enjoyed the movie...and so will you. In fact, I look forward to the next chapter in the series. In the mean time, I'll see this again, and will buy The Last Airbender when it is released on DVD.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Review: Twilight Saga--Eclipse
Today's review is not from me, but from my wife and daughter, as well as a family friend. (I don't watch the Twilight films. No need to explain...) They all went to see the movie last Friday, and came back yapping almost non-stop.
Basically, here are their comments:
-Wonderful scenery! (Filmed in the Vancouver BC area now, instead of Western Washington.)
-Great at following the storyline!
-The fight scenes were awesome!
-There is some wonderful humor!
-The acting was as good as ever!
That's all I know about the film. (And really all I want to know about it.)
If you're looking for a better, longer review, you won't get it here. I watched the first Twilight movie on DVD, and was thoroughly bored with it. The second I have seen only sections of it on DVD...and really don't want to see any more.
I'm assuming Eclipse must be decent because it made a boatload of money on opening weekend. Either that, or the theaters were packed with crazed Edward, Bella or Jacob fans.
In any event, that's my review.
Now. on to the next film...
Basically, here are their comments:
-Wonderful scenery! (Filmed in the Vancouver BC area now, instead of Western Washington.)
-Great at following the storyline!
-The fight scenes were awesome!
-There is some wonderful humor!
-The acting was as good as ever!
That's all I know about the film. (And really all I want to know about it.)
If you're looking for a better, longer review, you won't get it here. I watched the first Twilight movie on DVD, and was thoroughly bored with it. The second I have seen only sections of it on DVD...and really don't want to see any more.
I'm assuming Eclipse must be decent because it made a boatload of money on opening weekend. Either that, or the theaters were packed with crazed Edward, Bella or Jacob fans.
In any event, that's my review.
Now. on to the next film...
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