Whedonesque : Comments on 8515 : Serenity's third US Box Office weekend performance.

"The Fog" and "Elizabethtown" made opening weekend numbers similar to our BDM, but there's no campaign on the net saying their opening numbers were disappointing. And Elizabethtown cost $45 million to produce! *grumbles*

Ronald_SF | October 16, 21:11 CET

Most movies appeared to have a drop off as well. I don't see this as being too bad. But then again, numbers don't mean that much to me...since I can't really decide what is good or not good.

MySerenity | October 16, 21:15 CET

The Fog cost $18M.

Paramount has a strong chance of making back Elizabethtown's production budget (and then some) overseas, what with the A list cast.

Bad reviews (or buzz) don't matter as much overseas, for example The Island and The Matrix Revolutions both did incredibly well.

Not trying to be a downer, but those are the facts.

With Serenity, things tend to be a lot harder to predict.

[ edited by VJP666 on 2005-10-16 19:24 ]

VJP666 | October 16, 21:20 CET

True, VJP666, but it's getting truly horrendous reviews. I haven't come across a good one yet.

MySerenity | October 16, 21:21 CET

Paramount has a strong chance of making back Elizabethtown's production budget (and then some) overseas, what with the A list cast.

Well, then again, that same A list cast was supposed to make it a big hit in the US as well and it sure hasn't done that. It's opening to similar number as our tiny, no-name, niche, 'based-on-a-tv-show' movie.

And the fact that 'Kingdom of Heaven' for example, did better overseas than in the US may not have had so much to do with Orlando, who is just as popular here. Other countries were less turned off by the hiostorical subject matter. In the US, period pieces general fare badly. (Same with Troy)

And 'Elizabethtown' indeed cost more than our BDM, without any FX to speak of. Mostly actor's wages I imagine. That's really gotten quite ridiculous in the last years. Any way you cut it, this has to be a dissapointing opening for that movie.

[ edited by EdDantes on 2005-10-16 20:00 ]

EdDantes | October 16, 21:38 CET

The fact you'll see Serenity's performance ripped apart whilst you won't see that with Accessible Chick Flick is because Serenity has been highly visible online. Lots of people talking it up, so if people get chance to tear it down they'll go for that option. Sad, but I suspect true.

It's very easy to piss on other peoples work, especially if you know it'll get a reaction. Websites online tend to earn money from advertising, which is generated by hits.

gossi | October 16, 21:45 CET

It's very easy to piss on other peoples work, especially if you know it'll get a reaction. Websites online tend to earn money from advertising, which is generated by hits.

Too true. And most don't care *how* the hits come about, do they? *COUGHCHUDCOUGH*...ahem, excuse me. Something in my throat....

EdDantes | October 16, 22:00 CET

Heh, EdDantes. Exactly.

electricspacegirl | October 16, 22:59 CET

Heh, yep, EdDantes, right on the money there.

*hands EdDantes some cough syrup*

GVH | October 16, 23:59 CET

I doubt the fans of Elizabethtown are hoping for a sequel.

ringworm | October 17, 00:14 CET

Romantic comedies usually have less of a dropoff than action and genre films, however as bad as the reviews are for this one that might not happen. It looks like Serenity will finish around 26-28 million in the U.S.

rockchalkwatcher | October 17, 00:32 CET

Hmm, yes, I see Elizabethtown is getting some very bad reviews. Strange, seemed like it was going to be a good enough movie, and the two reviews that I'd already read were positive. Seems like they were the exception.

Still, reviews don't say everything. I liked 'Alexander' well enough, for instance, despite some flaws in the structure of the narative, but it got totally axed in reviews (15% at rottentomatoes, and it was like 7% during it's theatrical release), being rated lower than pretty much every other movie out there, including comparable movies like 'Troy', 'King Arthur' and 'Kingdom of Heaven', which were, all three of them, worse movies in my opinion. Then again, my opinion doesn't seem to be quite the norm in this case.

That having been said, the positive reviews in the case of Serenity do mean something, obviously ;-)

GVH | October 17, 01:08 CET

I doubt E-town will get ripped apart online, but if it's any consolation, it'll probably be tagged in the actual press as a b.o. disappointment. It has big stars, Cameron Crowe and Orlando Bloom once again proving that he's unable to open a movie big on his charisma alone.

If that's any consolation. The good thing is that while ppl online have ripped into the fandom for the poor numbers, very few have challenged the fact that it's a good movie. Even the most grudging reviews have been decent. While E-town is getting savaged by most everyone.

dottikin | October 17, 01:10 CET

That Serenity does it worse than Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is simply shocking.

Koos | October 17, 01:46 CET

Heh, EdDantes. Exactly.

Heh, yep, EdDantes, right on the money there.

Don't know whatcher on about. Just clearing my throat;-)

Orlando Bloom once again proving that he's unable to open a movie big on his charisma alone.

Yeah I remember they said about Kingdom of Heaven already that it was a test for his ability to carry a movie as a leading man. I guess neither of these movies have really helped him in that department.

That Serenity does it worse than Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is simply shocking.

Hm, actually that didn't surprise me. It doesn't look all that great to me personally, but it is a kiddie thing, which means all the families will come out to see it and instead of 1-2 tickets like singles or couples, they buy 3-5 tickets, which is why families as a demographic are just so darn popular.

EdDantes | October 17, 02:26 CET

That Serenity does it worse than Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is simply shocking.

I don't know what the situation is in the US but Wallace and Gromit have a following in the UK that dwarfs most genre shows.

They deserve it too. The film is excellent. I wish them the very best. I just wish Serenity could take some of the box office away from the crap out there, not the good stuff.

technovamp | October 17, 03:09 CET

More bad news (thankfully I haven't had to post it all recently!): Serenity comes lowest of the per screen grosses (in terms of films above it), and that's after being withdrawn from 400+ screens on Friday.

I very much doubt this will be most US theatres on Friday. It'll get dropped very quickly over there.

[ edited by gossi on 2005-10-17 02:19 ]

gossi | October 17, 04:16 CET

Gossi, I think that DOOM opens this week. . . and I think that'll mean a swift end to our BDM. Because, after all, replacing a neat sci-fi flick with wit and verve with a crummy sci-fi flick with chainsaws and The Rock will, sadly, end up being a good business decision for the theaters.

GrrrAargh | October 17, 05:10 CET

Ok everyone, no more knockin' the Rock!

Sure, he's a big lunk that does action-y movies where he beats people up and cracks wise, but I just love him! At least he doesn't take himself too seriously like a certain Governor who did/does the exact same thing. I think The Rundown was the most fun I've had in a theater 'till Serenity showed up.

The Rock for Governor!

Yes, I'm kidding...;) but I do like the guy.

Willowy | October 17, 05:33 CET

"I doubt E-town will get ripped apart online"

Can't say I agree:

"http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/elizabethtown/

MySerenity | October 17, 05:47 CET

Willowy: Am with you when it comes to The Rock. I'm not a fan of the films he's done so far necessarily, but he seems like an intelligent and pretty sweet guy who came from wrestling and realised that action roles would clearly be his bread and butter in Hollywood. In the one or two roles I've seen him where actual acting was required, I've been impressed. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Southland Tales too. That said, I'm not remotely looking forward to Doom, which I'm sure will do well at the box office regardless.

Impossible | October 17, 05:57 CET

I'm looking forward to seeing him in Southland Tales too (along with SMG too of course) and also think he seems like a really sweet guy in real life. Not going to see Doom 'cause that just ain't my kind of movie.

Firefly Flanatic | October 17, 05:59 CET

Impossible, yes, that's exactly my impression of him as well. Thought I was alone in the Rock appreciation... the bread and butter remark was also right on the money. To me, he's like the epitome of the "celebrity" moniker. What the heck else could the guy ever do? Sell cars? Accountant? Just LOOK at him. He was born for the hollywood machine, and good thing that he knows it because its done him pretty ok for a wrestling guy. Of course he had to become famous. I wish him the best and am glad that he's at least got a bit of savvy and a healthy dose of humor to see him through.

Also not looking forward to Doom, and sad that it undeniably will knock out Serenity. That sucks. I wish that the mistaken ticket machine discussed earlier was in all theaters. Can you imagine? All tickets sold say Serenity? Think of the b.o. receipts! Universal would have a heart attack.

Willowy | October 17, 06:20 CET

mistaken ticket machine?

eddy | October 17, 07:53 CET

Yes, someone posted (it could have been in another thread) that a friend went to see Domino, yet their ticket said "Serenity".

Here's to human error! Huzzah!

Willowy | October 17, 08:25 CET

Oh, I misunderstood that and thought the person meant they deliberately bought a "Serenity" ticket even though they were going to see "Domino". I can't remember who posted it and in what thread (sorry about that) but maybe they can clarify? I've heard people on other boards suggesting people do that or stated that they've done that to help with "Serenity" ticket sales.

[ edited by Firefly Flanatic on 2005-10-17 06:49 ]

Firefly Flanatic | October 17, 08:47 CET

*deep sigh*

sasja | October 17, 13:02 CET

It was optional, as Firefly Flanatic says (it was my friend Morna). We don't have no ticket machines in the UK.

I've never seen The Rock in anything.. So can't really comment.

I tend to like down to earth actors, though. Nathan Fillion at the UK afterparty for Serenity, he was having a wee drink with us, partying, having fun but was completely cool. He's a really nice, down to earth, excitable bloke. Joss, too: in a room full of 150 media people, there are 4 of us nerd fans who have somehow ended up in this party. And what does Joss do all night? Comes and dances with us, and has a drink, and talks about movies. Both Joss and Nathan deserve huge things in the future.

It's very easy to get taken in by fame. And I can safely say JW's idea of good time is kicking back with us. And that makes me a smiley person, more glad of people in this world.

gossi | October 17, 15:45 CET

gossi, you are so lucky to get to dance with Joss. Is he a good dancer? I too love the Joss and the cast for being so personable and down-to-earth. What great people. I hope someday to meet them, although I doubt I'd ever have the chance to party with them. They do deserve great things, and great things will come, no doubt about it.

electricspacegirl | October 17, 18:46 CET

I too love the Joss and the cast

Heh. 'The' Joss. :-)

GVH | October 17, 18:49 CET

Heh, GVH, that was an editing mishap, but yay for happy accidents. :)

electricspacegirl | October 17, 19:04 CET

Joss is a dancing demon. I spent a good few minutes at the bar, stood there, going "Hang on. Is that Joss Whedon dancing? No, seriously."

gossi | October 17, 19:42 CET

What style of dancing was it? I could totally see him swing dancing.

electricspacegirl | October 17, 20:17 CET

Well gossi - of course he can dance! How do you think he got that crucial part of Numfar? By doing the dance of joy of course!
Man - I am in awe at your ability to slip inside of these events. You are everpresent!
I am not unhappy with all these numbers. I think the movie will not just break even but make some money eventually. Of course I wish it had ripped through the industry like the next Star Wars but it didn't and that's life. It got made, it got GREAT reviews and if Joss has even MORE gumption, I bet someday another little BDM will get made by him. He's quite the talker and he will talk someone into financing another project.

ruthless1 | October 17, 20:27 CET

This movie won't hurt Joss' career. Critically well received, on time, on budget yadadadada. It won't hurt the actors careers, either. Visually, for the budget, it also looks fantastic, so Jack Green is owed some serious kudos. (That Beaumonde landing? Oh my).

electricspacegirl - Imagine Joss, swivling around, legs everywhere, dancing to Love Shack, with no shoes on, bottle in hand, and you have it. "Dancing is an artform. Dancing whilst drunk is a higher artform" - Joss.

gossi | October 17, 20:43 CET

electricspacegirl - Imagine Joss, swivling around, legs everywhere, dancing to Love Shack, with no shoes on, bottle in hand, and you have it. "Dancing is an artform. Dancing whilst drunk is a higher artform" - Joss.

Sigh. They should film that and show it every Christmas.

[ edited by electricspacegirl on 2005-10-17 18:55 ]

electricspacegirl | October 17, 20:52 CET

Thanks for that Joss snapshot, gossi. Knowing Joss loves the Grateful Dead, I've had previous thoughts of him jukin' out to them when I put them on at home. "Love Shack", though, is a perfect dance song, and I can picture the whole thing in my mind down to the flapping shirttail and the probably half-lit, goofy grin. What an amazing memory for you! It must have been as surreal as it was exhileratingly (and sweatily) fun.

Our local theaters are still carrying the movie at all the same showtimes, so maybe it's holding its own here? I've run into several people during the past week (acquaintances, not Browncoats) who saw it. All had very favorable responses. I can't help but think it's going to do killer business on DVD, which hopefully will help make the possibility of another one being made somewhere down the road more feasible.

Wiseblood | October 17, 23:35 CET

October 16 2005