What makes it crazier still is that the vast majority of films make a very small percentage of their total takings on box office anyway (around 15-20%), DVD accounts for a much bigger chunk just because it's comparatively much more profitable to the studio.

And in the case of Spidey 3 for instance, the huge box office was much more a result of a) it's frikkin' Spidey ! b) a great trailer and c) 'Spider-man 2' being so good rather than anything to do with the third one since reviews were/are decidedly (and deservedly IMO) mixed - likewise, Pirates of the Caribbean 2. So, since opening box office generally has very little to do with the merits of the film, why emphasise it so much ? Seems like just the cinematic equivalent of TV network short-sightedness.

Saje | May 10, 16:43 CET

Saje -- Spidey took something like $100m in it's opening day. That's why studios obsess over it so much.

Of course, do I agree with it? No. Studios are becoming so risk adverse, it's being a cancer of the industry -- both movies AND tv.

In truth, it's very hard to launch a film now and not make money from it. Serenity will have made Universal money in total, yet people sight it as a flop. In my world, a movie which makes coin is not a flop. In the world of Hollywood, that's not the case.

gossi | May 10, 17:36 CET

16 ways of crazy. I know this tune well.

Madhatter | May 10, 19:06 CET

Double post.

[ edited by Madhatter on 2007-05-10 16:11 ]

Madhatter | May 10, 19:10 CET

Rampant speculation - I'll be very happy to see Goners make bank on its opening weekend - some sweet someday. Then maybe Serenity will be recast in proper perspective.

(Added - I certainly meant 'recast' vis-a-vis change of perceptions, not with new actors in the familiar roles. I hope that is obvious to all.)

[ edited by napua on 2007-05-10 19:06 ]

napua | May 10, 20:07 CET

Bless your heart, napua.

Madhatter | May 10, 20:50 CET

Seems like movies are treated like television nowadays--if they don't make mad money the first weekend, they're dumped. I remember when I was younger it was a joke to say a movie only laster a few weeks in the theaters. It seems like movies are lucky now to last that long, even if they are a success.

flakbait | May 10, 22:11 CET

Interesting post.

The Guardian seems to have a bit of a thing for Whedon, don't they?

Resolute | May 11, 03:14 CET