Archive

LIMITED RELEASE: “The Double Hour,” “Incendies” & “Cave of Forgotten Dreams”

Posted May 4, 2011 by Mitch Salem

> Plot spoilers are even more problematic when it comes to limited releases, because by definition they’re only being seen by a few people in certain selected locations, and–if they’re good–will ideally be discovered by audiences over time.  Which is a roundabout way of saying that I strongly recommend, but can reveal almost nothing about, […]

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WEEKLY BOX OFFICE ACTUALS & YEAR TO DATE Oct 29-Nov 4

Posted November 5, 2012 by Mitch Metcalf

The Past Week: Total Box Office Volume All films in wide release playing between October 29 and November 4 grossed a solid $163 million, up 6% from the four-year average for the week and up 18% from the same week last year.    The past six weeks are now 9% above the four-year average box […]

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FRIDAY 12.5.2014 Box Office Report

Posted December 6, 2014 by Mitch Metcalf

Based on Friday’s grosses, weekend #49 of 2014 looks like $69 million for the top 12 films Friday-Sunday, down 11% the norm for this weekend ($78 million) and down 20% from the same weekend last year.   Opening at a mere 589 theaters, The Pyramid from 20th Century Fox is on track for a $1.0 million opening three-day […]

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Weekend Box Office Predictions 11.21-23.2014

Posted November 19, 2014 by Mitch Metcalf

Weekend #47 of 2014 is looking like $227 million for the top 12 films this weekend, up 22% from the norm for this weekend and similar to this weekend last year (which also featured the opening of a Hunger Games installment). Opening at over 4,000 theaters Friday (well above the 2,886 average theater count for […]

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“The Hunger Games” and Theatre Counts (Pop Culture Apocalypose Minus 2)

Posted March 21, 2012 by Mitch Salem

> With the exception of some whose hearts are set on 12:01AM screenings tomorrow night, no one should have to complain that they weren’t able to see THE HUNGER GAMES because there weren’t any seats to be had.  According to Deadline, the movie is scheduled to play in 4137 theatres in the US and Canada, […]

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Jackie Robinson & Branch Rickey: Thoughts on 42 from a Lifelong Dodger Fan

Posted April 11, 2013 by Mitch Metcalf

In the movie 42, Jackie Robinson (played by Chadwick Boseman) repeatedly asks Branch Rickey why he is breaking baseball’s unwritten whites-only rule.  Rickey (played by Harrison Ford) gives very vague, unsatisfying responses each time.  What a blown dramatic opportunity.  In Ken Burns’ nine-part documentary masterpiece “Baseball,” an aged Red Barber (the Dodgers’ radio broadcaster) describes the […]

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ShowBuzzDaily SUMMER MOVIE DRAFT July 25 Update

Posted July 25, 2011 by Mitch Metcalf

>Through Sunday, Team Metcalf has a $52 million lead in the ShowBuzzDaily Summer Movie Draft.  Metcalf’s Captain America outpaced Salem’s Harry Potter weekend two, and Salem’s Friends with Benefits opening was cancelled out by Metcalf’s Transformers and Horrible Bosses.  Next weekend Metcalf’s final two films open.  Salem has three films in August, which collectively should […]

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WEEKEND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS MAY 6-8: Thor Will Be Big But Enough to Propel Another Up Weekend?

Posted May 5, 2011 by Mitch Metcalf

>Thor appears to be headed for a solid opening but not enough to push the weekend up versus last year (when Iron Man 2 opened huge).  Two other openers, both romantic comedies, should have minimal impact. Opening at over 3,500 theaters, Thor should average a very good $19,000 per theater (for $67 million total).  Although […]

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