I had to look this up, because the paper version of the magazine has it not in the Top 10 for London at all and I thought that couldn't be right.

Also, even though Time Out gave it an excellent 4 star review last week, it didn't appear in the "Critics' choice" list in the magazine then or this week, although a couple of this week's 3 star reviews did. This is because the reviews are the opinions on the individual reviewer, whereas the "Critics' choice" is based on the opninons of all their staff critics. I seem to recall following the world preview at Edinburgh there was one rather negative on-line review from a Time Out reviewer - even though when the magazine reviewed the whole film festival, they praised Serenity and I think listed it as one of the highlights - so there's probably just one reviewer who didn't like it bringing the overall score down.

Kiddo | October 13, 12:41 CET

Serenity got the highest gross per screen on worldwide release in the UK, for info. I still expect it to take #2 or #3 this weekend, with a low drop off.

gossi | October 13, 12:44 CET

So despite all these wonderful Tube promotional posters, the film only opened on 12 screens in London for its opening weekend? That makes not a lot of sense.

Simon | October 13, 13:27 CET

Well London is like a different market. And I don't think it counts cinemas in Greater London These are the main London cinemas. A lot of people who use the tube live in areas where Serenity is showing. Like Me.

[ edited by Andy Dufresne on 2005-10-13 11:30 ]

Andy Dufresne | October 13, 13:29 CET

I believe Andy is correct. Or at least, I hope he is.

By the way, there's a great big Serenity feature in this weeks "Now" magazine (a girly gossip mag) with a 5 star review. None of this nerdyness - if you wonder why Serenity is crossing over the UK, this is why.

gossi | October 13, 13:45 CET

This must be the case, I think. Quite clearly 'Serenity' was shown in more than twelve London cinemas, so presumably this relates to those cinemas in Central London only. I would imagine the big West End cinemas appeal primarily to tourists. There are also a number of much smaller specialist cinemas, which might explain the large number of cinemas showing the David Cronenberg film. Gossi will probably be able to confirm or correct this supposition (I might be way off the mark here).

I suspect the widespread excellent reviews 'Serenity' received here in the UK probably didn't make a huge impact, simply because this is a sci-fi film and comes with a lot of baggage for that very reason. In all honesty, based on the advertising, magazine articles and reviews I would not have gone near this film had it not been for the Joss Whedon connection. I'm not saying I would not have believed the reviews. It's simply that I am not really a fan of post-'Star Wars' sci-fi. The same kind of thinking could be applied to a lot of people I know.

Having said that, I do think 'Serenity' deserved a wider Central London release. The box office figures would seem to support this.

(I've just spotted gossi's message, posted as I was writing this.)

[ edited by dashboardprophet on 2005-10-13 11:57 ]

alien lanes | October 13, 13:56 CET

Well, the Metro (daily free London paper) has it listed at Number 2 and they're pretty good with the London cinema listings. It is on at waaaay more than 12 screens in London, believe me.

Check this: http://www.londonnet.co.uk/films/index.html

That's an alphabetical list of all the movies on in London right now. Scroll down to Serenity and click.

See? More than 12.

They probably do just mean Central London/the West End. That could be it since it's not on at the big "premiere" cinemas in Leicester Square (neither of the Odeons, the Empire, etc). It's on pretty much everywhere else, but not there.

That fact alone (not being on at Leicester Square) has probably lost it quite a lot of money. (What with Leicester Square being the prime destination for movie-goers/tourists in the Central/West End/Soho-ish area.. and the place where they generally hold all the big premieres and such.) So, yes, THAT is a shame.

Bad Kitty | October 13, 14:24 CET

Uh. The movie premiered at Odeon in Leicester Square. They didn't actually screen it there?! We got them LOADS of publicity - got it on MTV and everything.

gossi | October 13, 15:01 CET

Well there's the cinemas in Leicester Square and ummmmm Old Kent Road and Mayfair.

Simon | October 13, 15:17 CET

Yeah I was watching it last Sunday at Leicester Square, and I couldn't figure out why the odeons were not playing it, then I went to the Veu cinemas and saw it there, packed out.


Should get a wider release!

SeanValen | October 13, 15:53 CET

It's getting an equal release this weekend in the UK, although cinemas are moving it to smaller screens for Wallace and Grommit. If it managed to hold good this weekend (it'll be hard, but doable) I can see it possibly getting more screens..

gossi | October 13, 16:01 CET

Yes, they do of course mean Central London screens. It would be nicer if it was shown in more of them, but at least the Vue West End had it in their largest - and most expensive - screen. Haven't checked whether they are keeping it in that screen or not for next week.

On the other hand, most of my colleagues who ever go to the cinema go to their locals, rather than the West End, so I guess it is more important for it to have a wide local release.

Kiddo | October 13, 16:53 CET

I saw it at the preview in the Vue Leicester Square, but I assume it was in one of their smaller theatres, seating for 126 I noticed on the way out. Well, 126 plus Summer and Joss at the front...

Again who knows the planning/negotiation/decisions that went on? Did they want to open on fewer screens and get the "packed house/best take per screen" word of mouth? Or open in more screens and risk half empty theatres? Judging by these figures they could have donw with maybe a few more screens, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing.

zz9 | October 13, 17:10 CET

The preview advanced screenings all had the smallest screens to ensure they sold out, for information.

gossi | October 13, 17:16 CET

Not to mention Whitechapel, Pall Mall, and Regent Street. And the Electric Company of course . . .

SoddingNancyTribe | October 13, 18:35 CET

You owe me £28 in rent btw.

Simon | October 13, 18:46 CET

I've always hated this game. ;)

SoddingNancyTribe | October 13, 18:49 CET

I don't know if it's interesting enough to have a front page thread, but UIP Oz have published their first 2 weeks statistical analysis:

http://www.serenitymovie.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=1457

They are basically almost 100% in line with the US statistics.

gossi | October 13, 18:54 CET

SNT/Simon - please both go to prison immediately.

miranda | October 13, 20:51 CET

I'd just like to point out to Simon and SNT that I have a hotel on Park Lane.

Gill | October 13, 21:17 CET

Am I picking it up right that these are references to a London version of Monopoly? If so, I didn't know there was one, but it makes sense. I saw some new version in the toy store a while ago. I am assuming the London version would be old enough to be a classic. Are there versions for a major city in each country that might be an interested market? Germany? Netherlands? Brazil? Japan? Sweden? Other countries represented on this board?

What can I say? Truly silly things catch my attention.

Edited to say I found info on the London version here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly_(game) It looks like it came out at the same time (more or less as the original (Atlantic City) version. Cool. I don't have time to do further research, but it does not look like it goes into as much detail with other countries' versions though.

[ edited by newcj on 2005-10-13 21:21 ]

newcj | October 13, 23:13 CET

Well there was a special , with up to date landmarks , edition released for Dublin Ireland recently.

garda39 | October 13, 23:32 CET

Yeah, newcj, the London version of Monopoly is as well-known and held in the same esteem as the Atlantic City version is in the US. It's not one of the new "collector's items" versions of Monpoly that have cropped up in the last few years.

XanFan32 | October 14, 01:05 CET

There are people who go to London with a Monopoly board specifically to travel round the board using the Underground and buses. There has been a New Zealand version for at least 20 years, but to me, London has always been the classic game.

vera | October 14, 01:43 CET