Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.

Paramount's "Paranormal Activity" expanded from 863 theaters to 1,945
this weekend and sold a studio-estimated $22 million, making it No. 1
for the first time since it opened more than four weeks ago. The
horror flick, which was produced for $15,000 and Paramount acquired
for $300,000, has grossed an astounding total of $62.5 million.

Paramount plans to add as many as 500 locations Friday. In theaters
where it played last weekend, "Paranormal Activity" was down a mild
33%. If current trends continue, the movie will almost certainly end
up collecting more than $100 million.

Perhaps more impressive, it vanquished one of Hollywood's most
successful horror series. "Saw VI" opened to a disappointing $14.8
million, obviously damaged in large part by "Paranormal." That's the
lowest debut for any film in the annual series, even the original in
2004, which started with $18.3 million. All the other "Saw" films have
debuted to more than $30 million.

The movie was better received by horror fans than "Saw V," however.
Last year's poorly regarded entry got an average grade of C from
moviegoers, according to market research firm CinemaScore, but the new
movie got a B. Although "Saw VI" will almost certainly end up as the
lowest-grossing entry in the series, Lionsgate is hopeful that it will
benefit from solid word of mouth, particularly among horror fans who
chose "Paranormal" this weekend.

The good news for Lionsgate is that "Saw VI" cost a modest $11 million
to produce, meaning it shouldn't be a big money loser and could even
eke out a profit.

The same can't be said for the weekend's other new movies, all of
which cost more and opened far worse.

"Astro Boy," which animation studio Imagi Entertainment produced at a
cost of $65 million, opened to a dismal $7 million. Summit
Entertainment distributed the movie, which drew a very modest family
crowd and will be a tough blow for Hong Kong-based Imagi, which was
financing its own movie for the first time.

The news was equally bad for lead financier Ted Waitt, co-founder of
computer company Gateway Inc., and Fox Searchlight: Their "Amelia"
opened to a very weak $4 million. The movie cost $40 million and
received largely negative reviews, which probably turned off its
target adult audience.

 "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" was aimed at tween girls
and boys, but didn't do much better, opening to just $6.3 million.
Universal Pictures and Relativity Media split the $40-million
production budget.

There was some good news among holdovers. "Law Abiding Citizen" fell
only 40% on its second weekend, and "Couples Retreat" continues to
play well, dropping only 36% on its third weekend. But "Where the Wild
Things Are" played more like a big-budget event film and less like a
family movie with good buzz on its second weekend, dropping a sizable
56%.

Total box-office receipts fell more than 9% this weekend, according to
Hollywood.com. They will probably be soft next weekend as well,
because Halloween is on a Saturday and the only new movie will be the
Michael Jackson flick "This Is It," which debuts Tuesday night.

Overseas, Fox opened "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" in author Roald Dahl's
native land of Britain to a disappointing $2.5 million.

In limited release, IFC opened the new Lars von Trier film
"Antichrist" to a decent $70,000 at six locations.

The well-reviewed "An Education" continues to play well as Sony
Pictures Classics expanded it to 31 theaters. It grossed a solid
$408,002, bringing its total to almost $1 million.

Here are the top 10 films at the domestic box office, according to
studio estimates and Hollywood.com:

1. "Paranormal Activity" (Paramount): $22 million on its fifth
weekend, bringing its total to $62.5 million.

2. "Saw VI" (Lionsgate): Opened to $14.8 million.

3. "Where the Wild Things Are" (Warner Bros./Village Roadshow/
Legendary): Dropped 56% on its second weekend to $14.4 million. Total
U.S. and Canadian ticket sales: $54 million.

4. "Law Abiding Citizen" (Overture/Film Department): Declined 40% to
$12.7 million on its second weekend. Domestic total: $40.3 million.

5. "Couples Retreat" (Universal/Relativity): Down a modest 36% on its
third weekend to $11.1 million, bringing cumulative domestic ticket
sales to $78.2 million. Overseas it has grossed $17.2 million in seven
countries.

6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.

7. "The Stepfather" (Sony Screen Gems): Fell 44% on its second weekend
to $6.5 million. Domestic total: $20.4 million.

8. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" (Universal/Relativity):
Launched to $6.3 million.

9. "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (Sony): $5.6 million, down 30%
on its sixth weekend, bringing its total ticket sales to $115.2
million.

10. "Zombieland" (Sony/Relativity): Declined 44% to $4.3 million.
Domestic total: $67.3 million.

-- Ben Fritz

Top photo: Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat in "Paranormal Activity."
Credit: Paramount Pictures.
[KJIH]

Bottom photo: John C. Reilly and Chris Massoglia in "Cirque du Freak:
The Vampire's Assistant." Credit: David
Lee / Universal Pictures.[KJIH]

Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.


6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.

On Oct 25, 5:06 pm, Taylor <lukebenw... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:
Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.


6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.


You could tell something was wrong. The ads for it were subdued and
few on TV from what I could see and it looked like a piece of crap.
Some heads will be chopped off for this one.

Depends on how it does in its real market, Asia.

"Astro Boy," which animation studio Imagi Entertainment produced at a
cost of $65 million, opened to a dismal $7 million. Summit
Entertainment distributed the movie, which drew a very modest family
crowd and will be a tough blow for Hong Kong-based Imagi, which was
financing its own movie for the first time.

David said:
But as far "Astro Boy" goes, based on the trailers I saw, my main
reaction was, "What were they thinking?"  

--
Pat K.

In article
c85438db-81bc-4020-8d3f-e1b9e2658... at (no spam) e34g2000vbm.googlegroups.com>,



RichA <rander3... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:
On Oct 25, 5:06 pm, Taylor <lukebenw... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:
Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.

6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.

You could tell something was wrong. The ads for it were subdued and
few on TV from what I could see and it looked like a piece of crap.
Some heads will be chopped off for this one.

Depends on how it does in its real market, Asia.

--
Chris Mack        *quote under construction*
'Invid Fan'

lukebenw... at (no spam) gmail.com wrote:
"Astro Boy," which animation studio Imagi Entertainment produced at a
cost of $65 million, opened to a dismal $7 million. Summit
Entertainment distributed the movie, which drew a very modest family
crowd and will be a tough blow for Hong Kong-based Imagi, which was
financing its own movie for the first time.

I fail to see the reasoning behind making a theatrical movie based on
that cartoon. There certainly is no demand for it in the 'States.

--
It is simply breathtaking to watch the glee and abandon with which
the liberal media and the Angry Left have been attempting to turn
our military victory in Iraq into a second Vietnam quagmire. Too bad
for them, it's failing.

"Amelia"s total obviously has something to do with theater counts. It
had the third-best per-screen average.

On Oct 25, 5:06 pm, Taylor <lukebenw... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:
Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 | 1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.


6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.


You could tell something was wrong. The ads for it were subdued and
few on TV from what I could see and it looked like a piece of crap.
Some heads will be chopped off for this one.

Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.

Paramount's "Paranormal Activity" expanded from 863 theaters to 1,945
this weekend and sold a studio-estimated $22 million, making it No. 1
for the first time since it opened more than four weeks ago. The
horror flick, which was produced for $15,000 and Paramount acquired
for $300,000, has grossed an astounding total of $62.5 million.

Paramount plans to add as many as 500 locations Friday. In theaters
where it played last weekend, "Paranormal Activity" was down a mild
33%. If current trends continue, the movie will almost certainly end
up collecting more than $100 million.

Perhaps more impressive, it vanquished one of Hollywood's most
successful horror series. "Saw VI" opened to a disappointing $14.8
million, obviously damaged in large part by "Paranormal." That's the
lowest debut for any film in the annual series, even the original in
2004, which started with $18.3 million. All the other "Saw" films have
debuted to more than $30 million.

The movie was better received by horror fans than "Saw V," however.
Last year's poorly regarded entry got an average grade of C from
moviegoers, according to market research firm CinemaScore, but the new
movie got a B. Although "Saw VI" will almost certainly end up as the
lowest-grossing entry in the series, Lionsgate is hopeful that it will
benefit from solid word of mouth, particularly among horror fans who
chose "Paranormal" this weekend.

The good news for Lionsgate is that "Saw VI" cost a modest $11 million
to produce, meaning it shouldn't be a big money loser and could even
eke out a profit.

The same can't be said for the weekend's other new movies, all of
which cost more and opened far worse.

"Astro Boy," which animation studio Imagi Entertainment produced at a
cost of $65 million, opened to a dismal $7 million. Summit
Entertainment distributed the movie, which drew a very modest family
crowd and will be a tough blow for Hong Kong-based Imagi, which was
financing its own movie for the first time.

The news was equally bad for lead financier Ted Waitt, co-founder of
computer company Gateway Inc., and Fox Searchlight: Their "Amelia"
opened to a very weak $4 million. The movie cost $40 million and
received largely negative reviews, which probably turned off its
target adult audience.

 "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" was aimed at tween girls
and boys, but didn't do much better, opening to just $6.3 million.
Universal Pictures and Relativity Media split the $40-million
production budget.

There was some good news among holdovers. "Law Abiding Citizen" fell
only 40% on its second weekend, and "Couples Retreat" continues to
play well, dropping only 36% on its third weekend. But "Where the Wild
Things Are" played more like a big-budget event film and less like a
family movie with good buzz on its second weekend, dropping a sizable
56%.

Total box-office receipts fell more than 9% this weekend, according to
Hollywood.com. They will probably be soft next weekend as well,
because Halloween is on a Saturday and the only new movie will be the
Michael Jackson flick "This Is It," which debuts Tuesday night.

Overseas, Fox opened "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" in author Roald Dahl's
native land of Britain to a disappointing $2.5 million.

In limited release, IFC opened the new Lars von Trier film
"Antichrist" to a decent $70,000 at six locations.

The well-reviewed "An Education" continues to play well as Sony
Pictures Classics expanded it to 31 theaters. It grossed a solid
$408,002, bringing its total to almost $1 million.

Here are the top 10 films at the domestic box office, according to
studio estimates and Hollywood.com:

1. "Paranormal Activity" (Paramount): $22 million on its fifth
weekend, bringing its total to $62.5 million.

2. "Saw VI" (Lionsgate): Opened to $14.8 million.

3. "Where the Wild Things Are" (Warner Bros./Village Roadshow/
Legendary): Dropped 56% on its second weekend to $14.4 million. Total
U.S. and Canadian ticket sales: $54 million.

4. "Law Abiding Citizen" (Overture/Film Department): Declined 40% to
$12.7 million on its second weekend. Domestic total: $40.3 million.

5. "Couples Retreat" (Universal/Relativity): Down a modest 36% on its
third weekend to $11.1 million, bringing cumulative domestic ticket
sales to $78.2 million. Overseas it has grossed $17.2 million in seven
countries.

6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.

7. "The Stepfather" (Sony Screen Gems): Fell 44% on its second weekend
to $6.5 million. Domestic total: $20.4 million.

8. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" (Universal/Relativity):
Launched to $6.3 million.

9. "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (Sony): $5.6 million, down 30%
on its sixth weekend, bringing its total ticket sales to $115.2
million.

10. "Zombieland" (Sony/Relativity): Declined 44% to $4.3 million.
Domestic total: $67.3 million.

-- Ben Fritz

Top photo: Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat in "Paranormal Activity."
Credit: Paramount Pictures.
[KJIH]

Bottom photo: John C. Reilly and Chris Massoglia in "Cirque du Freak:
The Vampire's Assistant." Credit: David
Lee / Universal Pictures.[KJIH]

"Astro Boy," which animation studio Imagi Entertainment produced at a
cost of $65 million, opened to a dismal $7 million. Summit
Entertainment distributed the movie, which drew a very modest family
crowd and will be a tough blow for Hong Kong-based Imagi, which was
financing its own movie for the first time.

RichA wrote:
On Oct 25, 5:06 pm, Taylor <lukebenw... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:
Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.

6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.

You could tell something was wrong. The ads for it were subdued and
few on TV from what I could see and it looked like a piece of crap.
Some heads will be chopped off for this one.

Hopefully at your house.

On Oct 25, 5:06 pm, Taylor <lukebenw... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:



Company Town
The business behind the show

'Paranormal' continues to impress as the overall box office loses its
mojo
October 25, 2009 |  1:09 pm
LA Times, KJIH-TV Media (tinyurl.com/kjihtv)

Four movies with combined production budgets of more than $100 million
opened this weekend, but none of them managed to beat a movie that
cost $15,000.

Paramount's "Paranormal Activity" expanded from 863 theaters to 1,945
this weekend and sold a studio-estimated $22 million, making it No. 1
for the first time since it opened more than four weeks ago. The
horror flick, which was produced for $15,000 and Paramount acquired
for $300,000, has grossed an astounding total of $62.5 million.

Paramount plans to add as many as 500 locations Friday. In theaters
where it played last weekend, "Paranormal Activity" was down a mild
33%. If current trends continue, the movie will almost certainly end
up collecting more than $100 million.

Perhaps more impressive, it vanquished one of Hollywood's most
successful horror series. "Saw VI" opened to a disappointing $14.8
million, obviously damaged in large part by "Paranormal." That's the
lowest debut for any film in the annual series, even the original in
2004, which started with $18.3 million. All the other "Saw" films have
debuted to more than $30 million.

The movie was better received by horror fans than "Saw V," however.
Last year's poorly regarded entry got an average grade of C from
moviegoers, according to market research firm CinemaScore, but the new
movie got a B. Although "Saw VI" will almost certainly end up as the
lowest-grossing entry in the series, Lionsgate is hopeful that it will
benefit from solid word of mouth, particularly among horror fans who
chose "Paranormal" this weekend.

The good news for Lionsgate is that "Saw VI" cost a modest $11 million
to produce, meaning it shouldn't be a big money loser and could even
eke out a profit.

The same can't be said for the weekend's other new movies, all of
which cost more and opened far worse.

"Astro Boy," which animation studio Imagi Entertainment produced at a
cost of $65 million, opened to a dismal $7 million. Summit
Entertainment distributed the movie, which drew a very modest family
crowd and will be a tough blow for Hong Kong-based Imagi, which was
financing its own movie for the first time.

The news was equally bad for lead financier Ted Waitt, co-founder of
computer company Gateway Inc., and Fox Searchlight: Their "Amelia"
opened to a very weak $4 million. The movie cost $40 million and
received largely negative reviews, which probably turned off its
target adult audience.

 "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" was aimed at tween girls
and boys, but didn't do much better, opening to just $6.3 million.
Universal Pictures and Relativity Media split the $40-million
production budget.

There was some good news among holdovers. "Law Abiding Citizen" fell
only 40% on its second weekend, and "Couples Retreat" continues to
play well, dropping only 36% on its third weekend. But "Where the Wild
Things Are" played more like a big-budget event film and less like a
family movie with good buzz on its second weekend, dropping a sizable
56%.

Total box-office receipts fell more than 9% this weekend, according to
Hollywood.com. They will probably be soft next weekend as well,
because Halloween is on a Saturday and the only new movie will be the
Michael Jackson flick "This Is It," which debuts Tuesday night.

Overseas, Fox opened "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" in author Roald Dahl's
native land of Britain to a disappointing $2.5 million.

In limited release, IFC opened the new Lars von Trier film
"Antichrist" to a decent $70,000 at six locations.

The well-reviewed "An Education" continues to play well as Sony
Pictures Classics expanded it to 31 theaters. It grossed a solid
$408,002, bringing its total to almost $1 million.

Here are the top 10 films at the domestic box office, according to
studio estimates and Hollywood.com:

1. "Paranormal Activity" (Paramount): $22 million on its fifth
weekend, bringing its total to $62.5 million.

2. "Saw VI" (Lionsgate): Opened to $14.8 million.

3. "Where the Wild Things Are" (Warner Bros./Village Roadshow/
Legendary): Dropped 56% on its second weekend to $14.4 million. Total
U.S. and Canadian ticket sales: $54 million.

4. "Law Abiding Citizen" (Overture/Film Department): Declined 40% to
$12.7 million on its second weekend. Domestic total: $40.3 million.

5. "Couples Retreat" (Universal/Relativity): Down a modest 36% on its
third weekend to $11.1 million, bringing cumulative domestic ticket
sales to $78.2 million. Overseas it has grossed $17.2 million in seven
countries.

6. "Astro Boy" (Summit/Imagi): Debuted to $7 million.

7. "The Stepfather" (Sony Screen Gems): Fell 44% on its second weekend
to $6.5 million. Domestic total: $20.4 million.

8. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" (Universal/Relativity):
Launched to $6.3 million.

9. "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (Sony): $5.6 million, down 30%
on its sixth weekend, bringing its total ticket sales to $115.2
million.

10. "Zombieland" (Sony/Relativity): Declined 44% to $4.3 million.
Domestic total: $67.3 million.

-- Ben Fritz

Top photo: Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat in "Paranormal Activity."
Credit: Paramount Pictures.
[KJIH]

Bottom photo: John C. Reilly and Chris Massoglia in "Cirque du Freak:
The Vampire's Assistant." Credit: David
Lee / Universal Pictures.[KJIH]

Go, Speedracer. Go, Speedracer. Go, Speedracer. Go, go, go.

Stop making films out of retro cartoons! Didn't the 'The Flintstones'
movie teach you *anything*?! Before that, the ill-conceived 'The
Jetsons' movie.