Batman' on top as box office decline hits record

CNN ^ | June 26, 2005 | Associated Press

[Fog Nozzle]

"Batman Begins" took in $26.8 million to remain the top movie for the second straight weekend, but it could not keep Hollywood from sinking to its longest modern box-office slump.

[Fog Nozzle]

Even though US theater receipts are only part of the income for Hollywood movies, this has to hurt. So sad, too bad.

[boofus]

Cry me a river. Those Hollyweirdos can stand to take a pay cut. Kerry's 'heart and soul of America' can see what it's like to be an ordinary citizen.

[DTogo]

I thought it was a great movie: worth buying the DVD when it comes out.

[ProudVet77]

It's not nice to PO your audience Hollywood.
Maybe you ought to do more positive PR like they used to in the past. Being America bashers is a one way ticket to low box office receipts.

[Admin Moderator]

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[Lexington Green]

I'd go see a movie featuring a patriotic actor who enlisted after 9-11.... Never mind.

[Charles Henrickson]

I saw "Batman Begins" on Thursday. I thought it was excellent, very well done. I only go to a few movies a year, and this one was worth it.

[xrp]

Not only that but movies are so expensive! $6.50 for matinee in southern metro Kansas City. So 2 people + beverages and popcorn = $30! I can't imagine what it would be for a family. If movies cost 1/3 less and refreshments were 50% less, I'd go see twice the # of movies I do now.

[Viking2002]

And somehow, this will be Bush's fault.

[who knows what evil?]

I saw "Batman Begins" on Thursday. I thought it was excellent, very well done. I only go to a few movies a year, and this one was worth it.

Ditto. My wife and I went to see it tonight (to avoid weekend crowds). Director Nolan NAILED the character...I'm embarrassed to admit I even saw the previous four. This interpretation was head and shoulders above the rest. The focuis of this movie was 'fear', which is an integral part of the 'Batman' mythos. Flawless. I hope the cast stays intact for the sequel (who will play the Joker? I still think Ray Liotta could pull it off, after his performance in 'Turbulence'.)

[Hawkeye's Girl]

I only go to a few movies a year, and this one was worth it.

Same here. The mix of drama and action was perfect.

I loved the symbolism and the emphasis on the legacy of Batman's father.

[Bosco]

I saw the film at a Saturday matinee and it was me and 20 people in a large theatre. The thought process of the villain was a classic left-winger: "We know what's best and will do what we need to do to accomplish it for your own good."

Batman's response was classic liberal (in the dictionary sense, not the popular sense, look it up): "There's a problem, it needs fixed but using the Rule of Law and due process."

I hope that the Batman franchise builds on this installment, but I also want Hollyweird to take a big pay cut because a high percentage of their films just stink. The 15 minutes worth of previews before "Batman Begins" drove that conclusion home for me. Just absolute trash. Let the market decide, and right now it's voting with its wallet/pocketbook.

[AlbertWang]

I also want Hollyweird to take a big pay cut because a high percentage of their films just stink.

Hollywood is out of ideas, look at what is being served up- remakes and films like the current Starwars and Batman. Not an original idea in the lot of them. I predict we will soon see remakes of:

Smokey and the Bandit

Cannon Ball Run

Knight Rider

and Magnum, PI

[Bosco]

You're right, they are out of ideas. I had the same thought this morning as I was getting ready for work.

One of the previews at Batman Begins was for the new Dukes of Hazzard movie. The DoH TV series was tongue in cheek humor but from the trailer I saw it's been trashified by Hollyweird. They are hard at work.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Batman Begins is great. It is a fresh start that finally got the comic right! I could not believe that this film came from hollywood. This film really resonates and captures what comic readres have known all along. Its taken over twenty years for this film to be made. All those other movies were not the character I know thats for sure.

I also feel that the film parallels the US war on terror. wether intentional or not. Facing fear, keeping resolve, keeping ideals intact, the villian is a zealotous terrorist with dedicated followers afterall. Even the new batsymbol resembles the US eagle symbol with the wings outstreched upwards. The batmobile a combat vehicle that looks like something real our military would use. The card at the end reminds of the deck of 52 in Iraq. I am curious if anyone else agrees with this?

Either way, the movie has captured the true Batman from the comic, And finally non-comic reading people will see the character for the very first time.

[who knows what evil?]

The batmobile a combat vehicle that looks like something real our military would use.

That 'chase scene' was one hell of a ride, wasn't it?

[Sam the Sham]

I just thought of something today.

Is it possible that the reason there is a box office slump this year is because there is no Mel Gibson movie ?