That said, Hollywood seems loathe to make the type of films the buying public wants to see. If they could ever bring themselves to release just a handful of well-made "G"-rated movies during the summer, the box office cash flow would skyrocket, IMO.
Posted on 07/04/2005 11:58:27 AM PDT by zzen01
"War of the Worlds" conquered the box office as easily as the movie's aliens overpowered Earth, but it did not have enough firepower to overcome Hollywood's prolongued box office slump.
Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise's sci-fi tale took in $77.6 million over the long Fourth of July weekend, lifting its total since debuting Wednesday to $113.3 million, according to studio estimates Monday.
That fell well short of the all-time high held by "Spider-Man 2," whose $180.1 million haul in its first six days led Hollywood to a record Fourth of July weekend last year.
The top 12 movies took in $160.1 million, off 25 percent from that 2004 record weekend.
It was the 19th straight weekend that domestic revenues were down compared with last year's, extending the longest slump since analysts began tracking detailed box-office figures. The worst downturn previously recorded was 17 weekends in 1985.
For the year, revenues are down about 7 percent, while factoring in higher ticket prices, admissions are off 10 percent. The longer the slump drags on, the harder it gets for Hollywood to dig itself out of that revenue hole, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
"There's a spotlight on the slump and people's dissatisfaction about going to the movies. That negative perception can create a negative reality," Dergarabedian said. "It also gives people the opportunity to vent all the reasons they don't like going to movies, whether it's high ticket prices or the costs at the concession stand. So they feel validated in that by the slump."
"War of the Worlds," Spielberg and Cruise's update on H.G. Wells' classic about space invaders laying siege to Earth, had the second-best four-day opening over Fourth of July, behind the $115.8 million for "Spider-Man 2."
"Anybody disappointed with the second-biggest opening ever on Fourth of July weekend should really sort of seek help," said Rob Friedman, vice chairman for motion pictures at Paramount, which handled domestic distribution for "War of the Worlds."
The studio hopes "War of the Worlds" will have a long shelf life at theaters, since Spielberg and Cruise's audiences tend to skew older than crowds that rush out over opening weekend for such comic-book adaptations as "Spider-Man 2," Friedman said.
"This is not a sequel. It's not based on a comic book and a young fan-based property. This is based on a 100-year-old literary property," Friedman said. Spielberg and Cruise's "movies tend to play longer, stay in the marketplace longer, so I think as it relates to 'Spider-Man 2,' we'll have to wait and see what the long haul brings."
Opening in 78 countries last week, "War of the Worlds" took in an additional $102.5 million overseas from Wednesday to Sunday, putting its worldwide total at well over $200 million. Paramount did not yet have figures on how much the movie took in internationally on Monday.
"War of the Worlds" bumped "Batman Begins" to second place after two weekends in the top box-office slot. "Batman Begins" hauled in $18.7 million over the four-day weekend to raise its three-week domestic total to $154.1 million.
The weekend's other new wide release, the Martin Lawrence basketball comedy "Rebound," fouled out with just $6 million from Friday to Monday, coming in at No. 7.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Monday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Tuesday.
1. "War of the Worlds," $77.6 million.
2. "Batman Begins," $18.7 million.
3. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," $12.7 million.
4. "Bewitched," $10.8 million.
5. "Herbie: Fully Loaded," $10.5 million.
6. "Madagascar," $7 million.
7. "Rebound," $6 million.
8. "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," $5 million.
9. "The Longest Yard," $3.5 million.
10. "George Romero's Land of the Dead," $3.2 million.
or refusing to support whackos like Tom Cruise or the other liberal idiots that occupy hollywood
To date there hasn't been a single reason to go see anything produced by Hollyweird.
= 
Hollyweird uses the profits from family movies to make filth and violence that degrade our culture.
Spielberg could have used any actor in Hollywood and the result would have been the same. It's the concept and the timing.
That said, Hollywood seems loathe to make the type of films the buying public wants to see. If they could ever bring themselves to release just a handful of well-made "G"-rated movies during the summer, the box office cash flow would skyrocket, IMO.
I they would make one, just ONE where average Americans
kick terrorist ass, it would out sell them all.
holy smokes, I just looked at the top ten list and realized than seven of them were remakes.
I thought hollywood big-wigs were so much more creative than the rest of us....Gimme a couple hundred million and I'll do my own remake ....
Yet no article ever mentions the serious left wing tilt of the writing bias of these movies.
The hollyweird types are incapable of seing their leftist bias.
If anything perhaps theaters should start seeking out more "conservative" oriented movies and bypass the studio distributions.
Took The Lovely Wife to see "War of the Worlds" last evening.
Absolutely outstanding; a superbly made movie. Kudos to Spielberg, and Cruise (think what you will of him) was perfect for the role. Helluva job of acting and movie crafting.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, even though the movie is ultra-intense. Highly recommend it.
Not a movie for adults in the whole lot.
Paramount spokesman making far too many excuses. I speak to someone with close connections to Viacom quite often...a few weeks ago they were boasting that this would easily surpass Revenge of the Sith. A week ago they expected $145 million by today. After it opened on Wednesday they were thinking that it would hit $125-130 million by today. Clearly the word of mouth isn't working given its $113 million tally so far.
I'd be shocked it it hits $300mm. Barring some wild surge, it will only hit $170-175 million by this coming Sunday, then will hit $210-ish by July 17. It will probably finish in the $270-290 million range.
It's been out less than a week and the theatre was only about two-thirds full. (Maybe everyone else went to see War of the Worlds.)
See Cinderella Man! I loved this movie, my husband loved this movie, my 17-yr. old daughter loved this movie. It is, simply, a great movie.
I have been really disappointed that it hasn't done better; but, I think a lot of women veto it because they think its a "boxing" movie. Yes, there are boxing scenes, he was a boxer. But, it is also a wonderful movie about a strong marriage and a decent man who loves his family.
If you haven't seen it, do so. Don't let Russell Crowe's personal antics prevent you from seeing a wonderful movie.
To quote my late, beloved father, "that's a crock."
I gave up on the "we're so creative" b.s. after looking at the Emmy nominations year after year. I swear, they simply copy the same list every year. If something goes off the air, then you can have someone new on the list, otherwise, same ole, same ole.
C'mon, I mean don't these shows every have an "off" year? Are these same shows, actors and actresses giving riveting performances year after year?
There is no creativity in Hollywood, and personally, I believe that the lack of writing skills by the people doing movie and t.v. work now is showing in the poor quality of most films.
I feel your angst. I once had to rough up some teens sitting behind me. The whole theater cheered. And to be honest I had given them enough prior warning. (I hate paying cash money for a film only to have some crazies start yapping ...and screaming ....and laughing ....and calling out to other sillies sitting several rows away from them and stuff). Oh, and don't get me started on when they sit behind you and start pushing your seatback with their legs. That is actually what got me jumping behind my seat at them.
I think the problem is they are trying to put out what they think we want to see, and are too scared to try anything different, that's why we get all the remakes and "popcorn" movies they assume will do better with name recognition and cool special effects instead of a good original story.
I really liked War of the Worlds though.
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