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Hollywood Slow Despite $47M 'Batman' Debut
Associated Press ^ | 6/20/2005 | David Germain

Posted on 06/20/2005 7:10:06 AM PDT by Syco

Batman was powerful enough to rule the box office, but the superhero was unable to pull Hollywood out of its worst slump in 20 years.

"Batman Begins" debuted as the top movie with $46.9 million, while overall movie revenues skidded for the 17th-straight weekend, tying a slide in 1985 that had been the longest box-office decline since analysts began keeping detailed records on movie grosses.

The top 12 movies took in $128.5 million, down 1.6 percent from the same weekend in 2004, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The slump may be a sign that more people are seeing movies at home. An Associated Press-AOL poll last week found that 73 percent of adults prefer watching movies on DVD, videotape or pay-per-view rather than going to the theater.

Studio executives blame the downturn on a comparatively weak lineup of movies this year and say it will take more time to determine if DVDs and other home-entertainment options are eroding theater business.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: culture; hollyweird; movies
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

21 posted on 06/20/2005 7:57:04 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: bigsigh

100% agreement from this corner. Well acted, beautifully scripted, and properly gritty. I'm really hoping for a comparable sequel.


22 posted on 06/20/2005 7:59:45 AM PDT by leoncaruthers
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To: leoncaruthers
They'll need a worthy villian.

I'm looking forward to another Superman. Maybe a holigraphic image flying off the screen over the audience.

23 posted on 06/20/2005 8:02:20 AM PDT by bigsigh
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To: who knows what evil?

It's worth seeing in the theaters. Possibly twice. It had a really good, moral message to it. I like this Batman! (Both movie and character).

And Alfred rather steals the show.


24 posted on 06/20/2005 8:04:25 AM PDT by JenB
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Ugh. Gawd, that thing's ugly. Give me any of the old sleeker modules. Maybe they couldn't stop artillery shells, but they had style (and loads of gadgets).


25 posted on 06/20/2005 8:05:14 AM PDT by Tanniker Smith (I didn't know she was a liberal when I married her.)
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To: Syco
Dear Hollywood: We hate you. We staying home. Good-bye.
26 posted on 06/20/2005 8:07:20 AM PDT by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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To: Syco

Who needs a movie theater?

27 posted on 06/20/2005 8:10:07 AM PDT by bmwcyle (Washington DC RINO Hunting Guide)
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To: Syco
...tying a slide in 1985 that had been the longest box-office decline since analysts began keeping detailed records on movie grosses.

Great news but...

The slump may be a sign that more people are seeing movies at home.

I'm afraid that's true.

28 posted on 06/20/2005 8:10:15 AM PDT by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: bigsigh

They set it up to bring in the Joker. And they were smart and didn't kill the villain, if they keep that up they can bring back anybody they want.


29 posted on 06/20/2005 8:23:57 AM PDT by discostu (The dude abides)
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To: JenB
It was really good! Like some of the other recent superhero movies.

A reviewer I respect gave Batman Begins an A, so... I wanted to know if the movie would be appropriate for two kids, 7 & 10, and where the PG-13 rating came from.

30 posted on 06/20/2005 8:40:00 AM PDT by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: Aquinasfan

7 is too young. It was quite violent and very intense. The scene where his parents are killed...

However, I can't remember a single profanity, there was no nudity or inappropriate moral behavior, and Batman didn't kill anyone. But there was a lot of violence.

10 years old might be ok. I would recommend waiting until it's on DVD and renting it, after you preview it; it'll be much less intense for a kid at home.


31 posted on 06/20/2005 8:42:28 AM PDT by JenB
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To: JenB
It was quite violent and very intense. The scene where his parents are killed...

Yeah, that wouldn't go over well. I wasn't planning on seeing it, but now I'm interested.

32 posted on 06/20/2005 8:45:28 AM PDT by Aquinasfan (Isaiah 22:22, Rev 3:7, Mat 16:19)
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To: Aquinasfan

It was a very interesting look. I'm not a huge comic book geek - I like the stories but don't read the comics - but this was very good. There's a definite moral dimension that you don't often get in action movies. Probably because it is a superhero movie.

Go to a matinee some afternoon and have some overbuttered popcorn, it's a fun and in some ways moving movie. Even if I wanted to smack the girl at the end of it.


33 posted on 06/20/2005 8:49:48 AM PDT by JenB
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To: Tanniker Smith
Ugh. Gawd, that thing's ugly. Give me any of the old sleeker modules. Maybe they couldn't stop artillery shells, but they had style (and loads of gadgets).

Like with most things in life, I don't care how ugly it is, I just want to see how it performs. If it's up to the task and exceeds expectations, I say go for it!

34 posted on 06/20/2005 10:55:02 AM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (This post wasn't cleared by the Fresno Mafia, so I expect a personal attack any moment.)
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs
Kids took me to see it for Father's Day; It rocks!

The new 'batmobile' is great; Morgan Freeman is great; Michael Caine is great; Christian Bale absolutely sells the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman.

This is Batman. You'll love it.

35 posted on 06/20/2005 11:07:11 AM PDT by MrNatural (..".You want the truth?!"...)
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Christian Bale is very cool. I thought the entire cast of the movie carried the day despite a contrived plot.


36 posted on 06/20/2005 11:18:32 AM PDT by rockthecasbah
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To: Syco

Batman Begins is definitely not for the under ten crowd.


37 posted on 06/20/2005 11:19:49 AM PDT by rockthecasbah
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To: KarlInOhio
You said it. The movie plexes are pricing themselves out of business. Despite recent blockbusters like Star Wars, it seems like the traffic at my local plex is really light.
38 posted on 06/20/2005 11:23:03 AM PDT by rockthecasbah
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To: RoseofTexas

Definitely a good movie to see on the big screen.


39 posted on 06/20/2005 11:24:50 AM PDT by rockthecasbah
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To: Aquinasfan
The movie is for ten and over. Depends on your kids, but there is some intense imagery involving weaponized hallucinogens.
40 posted on 06/20/2005 11:28:07 AM PDT by rockthecasbah
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