Wednesday, November 3, 2010
'Saw' Sharpens with ''Final Chapter''
by Brandon Gray
October 31, 2010
On Halloween weekend, the Saw franchise saved some face with its supposedly "final chapter" after the disappointment of the last movie, but it didn't restore its former gory glory. Among holdovers, Paranormal Activity 2 and others dissipated, while Red and others conserved. Overall business was up three percent over the same weekend last year when Michael Jackson's This Is It led. Saw 3D notched an estimated $22.5 million on over 3,500 screens at 2,808 locations. Add in its Thursday night previews, and its gross came to $24.2 million. That improved upon the $14.1 million launch of the last movie, Saw VI, but it was a far cry from Saw II through Saw V, which averaged nearly $32 million (or over $37 million adjusted for ticket price inflation). In terms of estimated attendance, Saw 3D's start ranked second-lowest, behind the first movie. Approximately three quarters of Saw 3D's screens presented the picture in the 3D illusion, and they accounted for 92 percent of business. Distributor Lionsgate's exit polling indicated that 56 percent of Saw 3D's audience was male and 53 percent was under 25 years old, skewing more male and older than Paranormal Activity 2 did. While the Saw franchise's recent marketing has rested on its laurels (which contributed to Saw VI's drubbing), Lionsgate's advertising tried to distinguish Saw 3D through 3D and by promising that it was the final Saw. The movie's ads were like the ones for Lionsgate's My Bloody Valentine 3D, featuring the traps popping out of the screen at an audience, but they again neglected any storytelling, ultimately relegating Saw 3D to a fans-only affair. Saw 3D was originally scheduled to open Oct. 22, but flinched in a game of chicken after Paranormal Activity 2 muscled in on that date. While the box office gap between the horror sequels won't be as extreme as the first Paranormal Activity and Saw VI last year, the Paranormal Activity franchise still won the second round by a wide margin. Paranormal Activity 2 suffered a 59 percent drop from last weekend, claiming an estimated $16.5 million. Due to Halloween landing on Sunday, its fall was a bit better than The Ring Two and The Grudge 2 at the same point. The first Paranormal Activity was a slow roll-out phenomenon, so there was no direct comparison, but it made $16.4 million at fewer locations on Halloween weekend last year. Paranormal Activity 2's total rose to a strong $65.7 million in ten days. Red held its ground again, easing 28 percent to an estimated $10.8 million for a $58.9 million haul in 17 days. Jackass 3-D again fell harder than its predecessors, tumbling 60 percent to an estimated $8.4 million, but it has grossed much more and crossed the $100 million mark on its 17th day. Hereafter collapsed by 47 percent in its second weekend of nationwide release, despite jumping from 2,181 locations to 2,424, and its total climbed to a tepid $22.2 million. Secretariat posted another small decline, slowing 28 percent to an estimated $5.1 million for a $44.8 million purse in 24 days. The Social Network stuck to its pattern, dipping 35 percent to an estimated $4.7 million for a $79.7 million tally in 31 days. Life as We Know It and The Town also held well again. Meanwhile, Conviction leapt to 565 locations, up from 55 last week, but continued its low-key run. The drama largely inspired indifference with its estimated $1.8 million. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest racked up an estimated $915,000 at 153 locations, which was a relatively worse start than predecessor The Girl Who Played with Fire, which opened to nearly as much at 108 locations. More Analysis:
? Weekend Briefing: Dulled 'Saw' Makes ''Final'' Cut
Last Weekend:
? 'Paranormal Activity 2' Spikes to Horror High This Timeframe in Past Years:
? 2009 - 'Michael Jackson' Strikes Top Spot
? 2008 - 'Zack & Miri,' 'Changeling' Contribute to Bleak Halloween
? 2007 - 'American Gangster' No. 1 with a Bullet
? 2006 - 'Borat' Bombards the Top Spot
? 2005 - Welcome to the Cluck: 'Chicken,' 'Jarhead' Top Weekend
? 2004 - 'Ray,' 'Saw' See Robust Starts Related Charts
? Weekend Box Office Results
? 'Saw' Franchise
? 2010 Grosses
October 31, 2010
On Halloween weekend, the Saw franchise saved some face with its supposedly "final chapter" after the disappointment of the last movie, but it didn't restore its former gory glory. Among holdovers, Paranormal Activity 2 and others dissipated, while Red and others conserved. Overall business was up three percent over the same weekend last year when Michael Jackson's This Is It led. Saw 3D notched an estimated $22.5 million on over 3,500 screens at 2,808 locations. Add in its Thursday night previews, and its gross came to $24.2 million. That improved upon the $14.1 million launch of the last movie, Saw VI, but it was a far cry from Saw II through Saw V, which averaged nearly $32 million (or over $37 million adjusted for ticket price inflation). In terms of estimated attendance, Saw 3D's start ranked second-lowest, behind the first movie. Approximately three quarters of Saw 3D's screens presented the picture in the 3D illusion, and they accounted for 92 percent of business. Distributor Lionsgate's exit polling indicated that 56 percent of Saw 3D's audience was male and 53 percent was under 25 years old, skewing more male and older than Paranormal Activity 2 did. While the Saw franchise's recent marketing has rested on its laurels (which contributed to Saw VI's drubbing), Lionsgate's advertising tried to distinguish Saw 3D through 3D and by promising that it was the final Saw. The movie's ads were like the ones for Lionsgate's My Bloody Valentine 3D, featuring the traps popping out of the screen at an audience, but they again neglected any storytelling, ultimately relegating Saw 3D to a fans-only affair. Saw 3D was originally scheduled to open Oct. 22, but flinched in a game of chicken after Paranormal Activity 2 muscled in on that date. While the box office gap between the horror sequels won't be as extreme as the first Paranormal Activity and Saw VI last year, the Paranormal Activity franchise still won the second round by a wide margin. Paranormal Activity 2 suffered a 59 percent drop from last weekend, claiming an estimated $16.5 million. Due to Halloween landing on Sunday, its fall was a bit better than The Ring Two and The Grudge 2 at the same point. The first Paranormal Activity was a slow roll-out phenomenon, so there was no direct comparison, but it made $16.4 million at fewer locations on Halloween weekend last year. Paranormal Activity 2's total rose to a strong $65.7 million in ten days. Red held its ground again, easing 28 percent to an estimated $10.8 million for a $58.9 million haul in 17 days. Jackass 3-D again fell harder than its predecessors, tumbling 60 percent to an estimated $8.4 million, but it has grossed much more and crossed the $100 million mark on its 17th day. Hereafter collapsed by 47 percent in its second weekend of nationwide release, despite jumping from 2,181 locations to 2,424, and its total climbed to a tepid $22.2 million. Secretariat posted another small decline, slowing 28 percent to an estimated $5.1 million for a $44.8 million purse in 24 days. The Social Network stuck to its pattern, dipping 35 percent to an estimated $4.7 million for a $79.7 million tally in 31 days. Life as We Know It and The Town also held well again. Meanwhile, Conviction leapt to 565 locations, up from 55 last week, but continued its low-key run. The drama largely inspired indifference with its estimated $1.8 million. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest racked up an estimated $915,000 at 153 locations, which was a relatively worse start than predecessor The Girl Who Played with Fire, which opened to nearly as much at 108 locations. More Analysis:
? Weekend Briefing: Dulled 'Saw' Makes ''Final'' Cut
Last Weekend:
? 'Paranormal Activity 2' Spikes to Horror High This Timeframe in Past Years:
? 2009 - 'Michael Jackson' Strikes Top Spot
? 2008 - 'Zack & Miri,' 'Changeling' Contribute to Bleak Halloween
? 2007 - 'American Gangster' No. 1 with a Bullet
? 2006 - 'Borat' Bombards the Top Spot
? 2005 - Welcome to the Cluck: 'Chicken,' 'Jarhead' Top Weekend
? 2004 - 'Ray,' 'Saw' See Robust Starts Related Charts
? Weekend Box Office Results
? 'Saw' Franchise
? 2010 Grosses
New on DVD - October 26, 2010 - Sex and the City 2 and Winter's Bone
Chris Barsanti has been a Filmcritic reviewer since 2002. So there.From the girls-going-wild-in-the-Middle East vibe of Sex and the City 2 to the downbeat grit of the acclaimed Ozarks noir Winter's Bone, we'll take a look at the good, the bad, and the nearly unmentionable coming out this week on DVD and Blu-ray. Sex and the City 2
The onetime darlings of HBO get together for another big-screen romp, which takes them far away from Manhattan's glitter and drops them into a luxury Middle Eastern resort where nothing terribly interesting happens. Our critic bemoans the existence of a movie that "can't seem to find time for any genuine emotion or a compelling story line" in its overlong 150-minute length.
Winter's Bone
Debra Granik, director of the highly acclaimed Down to the Bone, returns with this audacious thriller set in the wooded hills of southern Missouri. A teenage girl sets out to find her bail-skipping father in a landscape of poverty, crime, and drug addiction. Our writer had a few quibbles with the film but found it to be "something of a minor miracle" for those who worried that American indie filmmaking was limited to "awkward romantic comedies, bleeding-heart documentaries, and stiff, monotonous dramas."
The second film in the adaptations of Stieg Larsson's mystery trilogy finds the near-genius computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) on the run after she's been framed for a murder. At the same time, her partner in muckraking, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), is writing an exposé of sex trafficking that stands to upset many in positions of power. We thought it a poor follow-up to the impressive first film. Having trimmed away so much of the novel's background and subplots, "what's left is little more than a mundane mystery with two characters who don't like to smile."
Forbidden Lie$
In this documentary that makes a sport of second- and triple-guessing the truth, viewers are introduced to Norma Khouri, a Chicago-based scam artist who may or may not have been witness to the brutal victimization of women in Jordan. Our writer thought that this fascinating and "nervy" film twisted reality "into an infinitely receding hall of mirrors."
Wild Grass
In this oddball French melodrama from Alain Resnais (Hiroshima mon amour), a woman loses her pocketbook and is relentlessly stalked by a curious wealthy older gentleman who falls in love with her and seems to want to punish her for it. Our critic enjoyed Resnais's gorgeous visuals, which almost made up for a "loose-limbed and frustrating story, too much of which hinges on a hackneyed plot that doesn't do these actors much justice."
Rock & Rule
An oddity of oddities when it first (briefly) hit theaters back in the eighties, this animated cult curio (now getting a 25th-anniversary rerelease) is a kind of postapocalyptic rock-and-roll fantasia where all the characters are mutated anthropomorphic animals (rats, dogs, cats). Oh, and Cheap Trick does most of the music, while Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Debbie Harry provide some of the voicework. Our critic thought the unsung classic a "masterpiece of outré animation and wildly ambitious vision [that] remains a triumph in animated feature film."
Hush
A "nimble little B-thriller synthesized from a rote plot," Hush follows what happens when a man's girlfriend goes missing and he becomes convinced that she was kidnapped by a psychopath driving a semitruck. "Much like Taken," our critic said, the film is a "B-movie mixer with just-add-water structure that nonetheless is directed and filmed with a high amount of urgency."
Paths of Glory
One of Stanley Kubrick's early masterpieces featured a passionate performance by Kirk Douglas as a French soldier during World War I who takes it upon himself to battle the vile and immoral stupidity of his commanding officers, which is sending so many of his men to their graves. Now available in a Criterion special edition.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday Report: 'Paranormal Activity 2' Hits Supernatural High
by Brandon Gray
October 23, 2010
On Friday, Paranormal Activity 2 delivered the highest-grossing opening day for a supernatural horror movie on record, while the other new supernaturally-themed entry, Hereafter, had a relatively quieter launch. Overall business was up from the same Friday last year, when the first Paranormal Activity led. Paranormal Activity 2 drew an estimated $20.1 million on approximately 4,500 screens at 3,216 locations, topping The Ring Two's $14.8 million for supernatural supremacy in terms of first day gross. Its Friday gross included a $6.3 million midnight debut at around 1,800 locations, which not only broke Jackass 3-D's October midnight record ($2.5 million) but also the R-rated midnight record, formerly held by Watchmen ($4.55 million). The horror sequel displayed better staying power than the Blair Witch movies: in a single day, its retention percentage of its predecessor's gross matched Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2's total retention of The Blair Witch Project. The first Paranormal Activity opened nearly 13 months ago but had a slow roll-out into nationwide release. It peaked at 2,712 locations and its biggest single day was $8.6 million, leading up to a $107.9 million final tally. After a week of limited play, Hereafter expanded nationwide to close to 2,500 screens at 2,181 locations and grossed an estimated $4.1 million. Among comparable titles, that was less than The Lovely Bones' $5.7 million but greater than Changeling. True to its content, Jackass 3-D fell on its face in its second Friday, but, since its grosses have been at a high level, that still meant a solid estimated $7.6 million. It was down 66 percent Friday-to-Friday, while the first Jackass dropped 56 percent and Jackass: Number Two tumbled 61 percent at the same point. Jackass 3-D's sum climbed to $73.1 million in eight days, passing Number Two to become the highest grosser of the franchise (though it still has a ways to go to be tops in attendance). Red held well in its second Friday, off 38 percent to an estimated $4.5 million. The action comedy has posted $33 million in eight days, increasing its lead on Cop Out through the same point among similar titles. Holdovers in general had small drops. The Social Network showed more staying power, easing 32 percent to an estimated $2.3 million for a $67.9 million tally in 22 days. Life as We Know It dipped 34 percent to an estimated $2.005 million for a $33.5 million sum in 15 days, while Secretariat was right on its heels with an estimated $2.003 million for a $32.4 million 15-day purse, slowing 30 percent. Related Chart
? Daily Grosses for Friday, Oct. 22
October 23, 2010
On Friday, Paranormal Activity 2 delivered the highest-grossing opening day for a supernatural horror movie on record, while the other new supernaturally-themed entry, Hereafter, had a relatively quieter launch. Overall business was up from the same Friday last year, when the first Paranormal Activity led. Paranormal Activity 2 drew an estimated $20.1 million on approximately 4,500 screens at 3,216 locations, topping The Ring Two's $14.8 million for supernatural supremacy in terms of first day gross. Its Friday gross included a $6.3 million midnight debut at around 1,800 locations, which not only broke Jackass 3-D's October midnight record ($2.5 million) but also the R-rated midnight record, formerly held by Watchmen ($4.55 million). The horror sequel displayed better staying power than the Blair Witch movies: in a single day, its retention percentage of its predecessor's gross matched Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2's total retention of The Blair Witch Project. The first Paranormal Activity opened nearly 13 months ago but had a slow roll-out into nationwide release. It peaked at 2,712 locations and its biggest single day was $8.6 million, leading up to a $107.9 million final tally. After a week of limited play, Hereafter expanded nationwide to close to 2,500 screens at 2,181 locations and grossed an estimated $4.1 million. Among comparable titles, that was less than The Lovely Bones' $5.7 million but greater than Changeling. True to its content, Jackass 3-D fell on its face in its second Friday, but, since its grosses have been at a high level, that still meant a solid estimated $7.6 million. It was down 66 percent Friday-to-Friday, while the first Jackass dropped 56 percent and Jackass: Number Two tumbled 61 percent at the same point. Jackass 3-D's sum climbed to $73.1 million in eight days, passing Number Two to become the highest grosser of the franchise (though it still has a ways to go to be tops in attendance). Red held well in its second Friday, off 38 percent to an estimated $4.5 million. The action comedy has posted $33 million in eight days, increasing its lead on Cop Out through the same point among similar titles. Holdovers in general had small drops. The Social Network showed more staying power, easing 32 percent to an estimated $2.3 million for a $67.9 million tally in 22 days. Life as We Know It dipped 34 percent to an estimated $2.005 million for a $33.5 million sum in 15 days, while Secretariat was right on its heels with an estimated $2.003 million for a $32.4 million 15-day purse, slowing 30 percent. Related Chart
? Daily Grosses for Friday, Oct. 22
'Conan 3D,' '21 Jump Street,' 'Bourne Legacy' and Many More Stake Out Dates...
by Brandon Gray
October 29, 2010
A flurry of new release dates were announced today, including such high profile titles as Conan 3D, The Bourne Legacy, The Dark Tower and 21 Jump Street. Conan 3D will be unsheathed on Aug. 19, 2011, the same date as two other movies sporting the 3D illusion, the Fright Night remake and Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World. Conan 3D is essentially a remake of Conan the Barbarian from 1982 and features Jason Momoa (Baywatch, Stargate: Atlantis) as Conan and Stephen Lang (Avatar) as the villain. It's being directed by Marcus Nispel, who covered similar territory in Pathfinder but is better known for horror remakes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th (2009). Redoing a 1980s adventure in 3D recalls Clash of the Titans (2010) from earlier this year, which racked up $163.2 million. The original Clash of the Titans and Conan the Barbarian had comparable popularity back in the day. Distributor Lionsgate emphasized that Conan 3D is from the producers of The Expendables, explaining Conan 3D's comparable release date. 21 Jump Street, Sony Pictures' big screen adaptation of the 1987-1991 television series that featured Johnny Depp, will go undercover on Mar. 16, 2012. It's being directed by Phil Lord (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) and co-written by Jonah Hill, who also co-stars. Sony also set The Vow for Feb. 12, 2012, a fitting date for the romantic drama starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. From 20th Century Fox, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (in 3D) staked out June 22, 2012. It's currently the only movie scheduled for that date, and it's being directed and produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and produced by Tim Burton (the two previously produced 9 together). Universal Pictures was the busiest bee of the day, announcing nine releases. The Bourne Legacy has been scheduled for Aug. 3, 2012, or exactly five years after The Bourne Ultimatum. Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy will also open exactly five years after Knocked Up on June 1, 2012. The Dark Tower, a Ron Howard-directed adaptation of the Stephen King novel, marks the third movie to be officially scheduled for 2013, after Reboot Ralph and Iron Man 3. It will strike May 17, 2013, or the same time of year as Mr. Howard's The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. The other Universal titles were: Tom Hanks' comedy-drama Larry Crowne on July 1, 2011 (opposite Transformers 3 with similar timing to Forrest Gump), Safe House, a thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, on Feb. 10, 2012 (opposite The Vow), Mark Wahlberg thriller Contraband on Mar. 16, 2012 (opposite 21 Jump Street), Hasbro's latest adaptation, Ouija, on Nov. 9, 2012, 47 Ronin, a period action drama starring Keanu Reeves, on Nov. 21, 2012, and Snow White and the Huntsman on Dec. 21, marking the first Christmas 2012 release on the schedule. Related Chart
? Release Schedule: New Dates & Changes
Recent Release Date News
? 'Iron Man 3' to Launch Summer 2013
? Disney Shuffles 2011 Schedule, Removes Miramax Movies
? 'The Tourist' Vacations in December
? Disney Shifts 'Monsters Inc. 2,' Drops Two Others
? 'Breaking Dawn' Officially Split in Two, 'Part Two' Nabs Date
? 'Red Riding Hood,' Steve Carell Comedy Make Spring 2011 Shift
? 'Fighter' Set to Enter Ring This December
? 'Footloose' Remake Dances to Date
? New 'Thing' Flings Into 2011
? 'The Muppets' Return Christmas 2011
? 'Sherlock Holmes 2' to Face-Off with 'Mission: Impossible 4' and 'Chipmunks 3'
? 3D 'Three Musketeers' Swings Into April 2011
October 29, 2010
A flurry of new release dates were announced today, including such high profile titles as Conan 3D, The Bourne Legacy, The Dark Tower and 21 Jump Street. Conan 3D will be unsheathed on Aug. 19, 2011, the same date as two other movies sporting the 3D illusion, the Fright Night remake and Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World. Conan 3D is essentially a remake of Conan the Barbarian from 1982 and features Jason Momoa (Baywatch, Stargate: Atlantis) as Conan and Stephen Lang (Avatar) as the villain. It's being directed by Marcus Nispel, who covered similar territory in Pathfinder but is better known for horror remakes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th (2009). Redoing a 1980s adventure in 3D recalls Clash of the Titans (2010) from earlier this year, which racked up $163.2 million. The original Clash of the Titans and Conan the Barbarian had comparable popularity back in the day. Distributor Lionsgate emphasized that Conan 3D is from the producers of The Expendables, explaining Conan 3D's comparable release date. 21 Jump Street, Sony Pictures' big screen adaptation of the 1987-1991 television series that featured Johnny Depp, will go undercover on Mar. 16, 2012. It's being directed by Phil Lord (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) and co-written by Jonah Hill, who also co-stars. Sony also set The Vow for Feb. 12, 2012, a fitting date for the romantic drama starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. From 20th Century Fox, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (in 3D) staked out June 22, 2012. It's currently the only movie scheduled for that date, and it's being directed and produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and produced by Tim Burton (the two previously produced 9 together). Universal Pictures was the busiest bee of the day, announcing nine releases. The Bourne Legacy has been scheduled for Aug. 3, 2012, or exactly five years after The Bourne Ultimatum. Untitled Judd Apatow Comedy will also open exactly five years after Knocked Up on June 1, 2012. The Dark Tower, a Ron Howard-directed adaptation of the Stephen King novel, marks the third movie to be officially scheduled for 2013, after Reboot Ralph and Iron Man 3. It will strike May 17, 2013, or the same time of year as Mr. Howard's The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. The other Universal titles were: Tom Hanks' comedy-drama Larry Crowne on July 1, 2011 (opposite Transformers 3 with similar timing to Forrest Gump), Safe House, a thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, on Feb. 10, 2012 (opposite The Vow), Mark Wahlberg thriller Contraband on Mar. 16, 2012 (opposite 21 Jump Street), Hasbro's latest adaptation, Ouija, on Nov. 9, 2012, 47 Ronin, a period action drama starring Keanu Reeves, on Nov. 21, 2012, and Snow White and the Huntsman on Dec. 21, marking the first Christmas 2012 release on the schedule. Related Chart
? Release Schedule: New Dates & Changes
Recent Release Date News
? 'Iron Man 3' to Launch Summer 2013
? Disney Shuffles 2011 Schedule, Removes Miramax Movies
? 'The Tourist' Vacations in December
? Disney Shifts 'Monsters Inc. 2,' Drops Two Others
? 'Breaking Dawn' Officially Split in Two, 'Part Two' Nabs Date
? 'Red Riding Hood,' Steve Carell Comedy Make Spring 2011 Shift
? 'Fighter' Set to Enter Ring This December
? 'Footloose' Remake Dances to Date
? New 'Thing' Flings Into 2011
? 'The Muppets' Return Christmas 2011
? 'Sherlock Holmes 2' to Face-Off with 'Mission: Impossible 4' and 'Chipmunks 3'
? 3D 'Three Musketeers' Swings Into April 2011
'Paranormal Activity 2' Spikes to Horror High
by Brandon Gray
October 25, 2010
Paranormal Activity 2 delivered the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for a supernatural horror movie, while the other new supernaturally-themed entry, Hereafter, had a quieter launch. Overall business was up nearly 12 percent from the same weekend last year, when the first Paranormal Activity led. Haunting approximately 4,500 screens at 3,216 locations, Paranormal Activity 2 drew $40.7 million, topping The Grudge's $39.1 million for supernatural supremacy in first weekend gross (though it ranked seventh in estimated attendance). The first Paranormal Activity opened nearly 13 months ago but had a slow roll-out into nationwide release. Its biggest single weekend was its fifth, generating $21.1 million at 1,945 locations. Paranormal Activity 2 displayed better staying power than the oft-compared Blair Witch movies: it's already retained 38 percent of its predecessor's $107.9 million gross, while Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2's total retention of The Blair Witch Project was a mere 19 percent. It's also better off than The Grudge 2 versus the first Grudge. In its marketing, the Paranormal sequel stayed true to its predecessor's "found footage" format (which Blair Witch abandoned for its sequel), a style that's worked with recent titles like Cloverfield, Quarantine and The Last Exorcism. With its Friday gross accounting for 49 percent of its weekend gross, Paranormal Activity 2 had the most Friday-loaded opening weekend on record for a horror movie. Nearly all other horror movies with similar Friday shares failed to double their opening weekend grosses in their final tallies, suggesting that Paranormal Activity 2 will have a quick flame-out and make less than its predecessor. Given the checkered history of supernatural horror sequels, though, simply retaining most of the first movie's audience would put Paranormal Activity 2 firmly in the win column. The movie's Friday included $6.3 million from its heavily-promoted midnight debut at around 1,800 locations, which not only broke Jackass 3-D's October midnight record ($2.5 million) but the R-rated midnight record formerly held by Watchmen ($4.55 million). Paranormal Activity 2 also played at 151 IMAX venues, which contributed an estimated $2.5 million to the weekend tally. Distributor Paramount Pictures' exit polling indicated that 54 percent of the audience was female and 61 percent was under 25 years old. After a week of limited play, Hereafter expanded nationwide, showing on close to 2,500 screens at 2,181 locations, and grossed a not-so-sweet $12 million. Among comparable titles, that was less than The Lovely Bones' $17 million but greater than Changeling and Stir of Echoes. Hereafter's marketing relied mostly on shots of a tsunami and the name recognition of director Clint Eastwood and actor Matt Damon, but the ads did not reveal a story, instead striking a somber tone with a vague reference to Damon as a mystic reassuring people about the afterlife. According to distributor Warner Bros., 58 percent of the audience was female and 80 percent was over 30 years old. True to its content, Jackass 3-D fell on its face in its second weekend, but, since its grosses have been at a high level, that still meant a solid $21.3 million. It was down 58 percent, while the first Jackass dropped 44 percent, and Jackass: Number Two tumbled 50 percent at the same point. Jackass 3-D's sum climbed to $86.9 million in ten days, flying past Number Two's $72.8 million to become the highest grosser of the franchise (though it has a ways to go to be tops in attendance). Again, 3D presentations accounted for around 90 percent of Jackass 3-D's business. Red held well, off 31 percent to $15 million. The action comedy has posted $43.5 million in ten days, and it will soon surpass Cop Out's $44.9 million final total among similar titles. Holdovers in general saw small drops. The Social Network showed more staying power, slowing 29 percent to $7.3 million for a $72.9 million tally in 24 days. Secretariat eased 25 percent to $7 million for a $37.4 million purse in 17 days, while Life as We Know It was close behind with $6.1 million for a $37.6 million 17-day sum, down 31 percent. Last Weekend:
? 'Jackass' Crashes Into Fall Record This Timeframe in Past Years:
? 2009 - 'Paranormal' Rages, 'Saw' Dulls
? 2008 - 'High School Musical' Cuts Footloose with 'Saw'
? 2007 - 'Saw IV' Loses Little Blood
? 2006 - 'Saw' Sharp in Third Outing
? 2005 - 'Saw II' Gores 'Zorro'
? 2004 - 'Grudge' Grabs Top Spot Related Charts
? Weekend Box Office Results
? Supernatural Horror Opening Weekends
? All Time October Opening Weekends
? 2010 Grosses
October 25, 2010
Paranormal Activity 2 delivered the highest-grossing opening weekend ever for a supernatural horror movie, while the other new supernaturally-themed entry, Hereafter, had a quieter launch. Overall business was up nearly 12 percent from the same weekend last year, when the first Paranormal Activity led. Haunting approximately 4,500 screens at 3,216 locations, Paranormal Activity 2 drew $40.7 million, topping The Grudge's $39.1 million for supernatural supremacy in first weekend gross (though it ranked seventh in estimated attendance). The first Paranormal Activity opened nearly 13 months ago but had a slow roll-out into nationwide release. Its biggest single weekend was its fifth, generating $21.1 million at 1,945 locations. Paranormal Activity 2 displayed better staying power than the oft-compared Blair Witch movies: it's already retained 38 percent of its predecessor's $107.9 million gross, while Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2's total retention of The Blair Witch Project was a mere 19 percent. It's also better off than The Grudge 2 versus the first Grudge. In its marketing, the Paranormal sequel stayed true to its predecessor's "found footage" format (which Blair Witch abandoned for its sequel), a style that's worked with recent titles like Cloverfield, Quarantine and The Last Exorcism. With its Friday gross accounting for 49 percent of its weekend gross, Paranormal Activity 2 had the most Friday-loaded opening weekend on record for a horror movie. Nearly all other horror movies with similar Friday shares failed to double their opening weekend grosses in their final tallies, suggesting that Paranormal Activity 2 will have a quick flame-out and make less than its predecessor. Given the checkered history of supernatural horror sequels, though, simply retaining most of the first movie's audience would put Paranormal Activity 2 firmly in the win column. The movie's Friday included $6.3 million from its heavily-promoted midnight debut at around 1,800 locations, which not only broke Jackass 3-D's October midnight record ($2.5 million) but the R-rated midnight record formerly held by Watchmen ($4.55 million). Paranormal Activity 2 also played at 151 IMAX venues, which contributed an estimated $2.5 million to the weekend tally. Distributor Paramount Pictures' exit polling indicated that 54 percent of the audience was female and 61 percent was under 25 years old. After a week of limited play, Hereafter expanded nationwide, showing on close to 2,500 screens at 2,181 locations, and grossed a not-so-sweet $12 million. Among comparable titles, that was less than The Lovely Bones' $17 million but greater than Changeling and Stir of Echoes. Hereafter's marketing relied mostly on shots of a tsunami and the name recognition of director Clint Eastwood and actor Matt Damon, but the ads did not reveal a story, instead striking a somber tone with a vague reference to Damon as a mystic reassuring people about the afterlife. According to distributor Warner Bros., 58 percent of the audience was female and 80 percent was over 30 years old. True to its content, Jackass 3-D fell on its face in its second weekend, but, since its grosses have been at a high level, that still meant a solid $21.3 million. It was down 58 percent, while the first Jackass dropped 44 percent, and Jackass: Number Two tumbled 50 percent at the same point. Jackass 3-D's sum climbed to $86.9 million in ten days, flying past Number Two's $72.8 million to become the highest grosser of the franchise (though it has a ways to go to be tops in attendance). Again, 3D presentations accounted for around 90 percent of Jackass 3-D's business. Red held well, off 31 percent to $15 million. The action comedy has posted $43.5 million in ten days, and it will soon surpass Cop Out's $44.9 million final total among similar titles. Holdovers in general saw small drops. The Social Network showed more staying power, slowing 29 percent to $7.3 million for a $72.9 million tally in 24 days. Secretariat eased 25 percent to $7 million for a $37.4 million purse in 17 days, while Life as We Know It was close behind with $6.1 million for a $37.6 million 17-day sum, down 31 percent. Last Weekend:
? 'Jackass' Crashes Into Fall Record This Timeframe in Past Years:
? 2009 - 'Paranormal' Rages, 'Saw' Dulls
? 2008 - 'High School Musical' Cuts Footloose with 'Saw'
? 2007 - 'Saw IV' Loses Little Blood
? 2006 - 'Saw' Sharp in Third Outing
? 2005 - 'Saw II' Gores 'Zorro'
? 2004 - 'Grudge' Grabs Top Spot Related Charts
? Weekend Box Office Results
? Supernatural Horror Opening Weekends
? All Time October Opening Weekends
? 2010 Grosses
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