Posted on 09/11/2005 1:35:47 PM PDT by Mr. Blonde
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" bedeviled its competition in its box-office debut this weekend, hauling in $30.2 million with its mix of courtroom drama and classic horror.
The film, inspired by true events, follows a Catholic priest on trial for negligent homicide following the death of a satanically possessed 19-year-old.
Its PG-13 rating and cast, including Oscar nominees Tom Wilkinson, Laura Linney and Shohreh Aghdashloo, helped give it wide appeal, bumping last week's newcomer, "Transporter 2," from the No. 1 spot, according to studio estimates.
Overall revenue for this weekend's top 12 films was up 16 percent from the same period last year, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
"Transporter 2" fell to third place with three-day estimated ticket sales of $7.2 million. The action sequel dropped below "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," which held on to the No. 2 spot in its fourth week with $7.9 million, boosting its total domestic gross to $82.3 million.
The critically panned "The Man," a buddy comedy that throws together federal agent Samuel L. Jackson and dental supply salesman Eugene Levy to solve a murder, opened in sixth place with $4.0 million.
"An Unfinished Life," which stars Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez in the story of a rancher reluctantly reunited with his estranged daughter-in-law, opened well in limited release, with $1.0 million and a per theater average of $7,264.
Meanwhile, "The Constant Gardener," starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz and based on a John le Carre novel, moved to fourth place in its second week. The film took in $4.8 million, bringing its total to $19.1 million, while playing on fewer than half the number of screens given to "The Exorcism of Emily Rose."
Dergarabedian attributed the popularity of "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," to its genre-bending style.
"It has a lot of very interesting elements that make it not your typical horror movie," he said.
The film's debut marks the third biggest September opener, behind "Sweet Home Alabama" and the first "Rush Hour."
Rory Bruer, president of distribution for Sony Pictures, called the opening "phenomenal."
"The movie cost us less than $20 million to make. We would have been very happy had the picture opened to $15 million," he said.
Raunchy summer comedies like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "The Wedding Crashers" also continue to boost the sagging box office.
Still, overall revenues for the year are down about 6 percent and attendance is down about 9 percent.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," $30.2 million.
2. "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," $7.9 million.
3. "Transporter 2," $7.2 million.
4. "The Constant Gardener," $4.8 million.
5. "Red Eye," $4.6 million.
6. "The Man," $4.0 million.
7. "The Brothers Grimm," $3.3 million.
8. "Wedding Crashers," $3.2 million.
9. "Four Brothers," $2.9 million.
10. "March of the Penguins," $2.5 million.
11. "The Skeleton Key," $1.6 million.
12. "The Cave," $1.3 million.
You are right.
Same with CD sales.
I thought The Exorcism of Emily Rose was pretty scary. And it is a pretty interesting way to tell a horror story.
If any Freepers have seen the "Exorcism of Emily Rose" please post your own reviews...
I'm curious but cheap....want to know whether it's worth it..
NeverGore :^)
If any Freepers have seen the "Exorcism of Emily Rose" please post your own reviews...
I'm curious but cheap....want to know whether it's worth it..
NeverGore :^)
See my post 4. If you like scary movies you will probably like it.
Thanks...To all..sorry about my double post...may computer is "possessed"....
NeverGore :^)
I've yet to see it but the fact that a 'horror' movie has succeeded thus and is aimed at adults is quite a positive development. If I never see another slasher movie aimed at Paris Hilton fans it will be too soon.
If you want to see a scary movie, see "Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer"
I am a horror film fan and that is by far the scariest I have ever ever ever ever seen, including Texas Chainsaw and Exorcist.
"The Ring" was scary.
The Ring creeped me out too. Especially since I watch a lot of movies.
"The Grudge". The second time I saw it and still had to squint, eventhough I knew what was coming.
I saw it last night and thought it was very good. It's well filmed, very authentic looking faces, places, and atmosphere, and the acting was quite good, although I didn't recognize any of the actors.
It was scary but not too hideously gruesome. It had many courtroom parts that were very interesting and brought up some really important issues about faith, evil, and the modern attitude towards these things.
What surprised me was that the audience consisted mainly of college kids (I live in a college town) who had probably come because they thought it was a horror movie only - but they were absolutely silent and attentive during the parts where the attorney (herself an agnostic) asks the movie's crucial questions about belief, about the unseen world, about evil, etc.
It's not preachy, but very thought-provoking. On the way out, I heard several of the kids commenting on the fact that they really liked it, and one even said, "it kinda made you think." So I'd recommend it highly.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!
I saw it in NYC this weekend. I thought it was very good. Normally in NY audiences are distracted and racing out to get popcorn or checking their cellphones, but at the show I attended, the audience was very attentive and rapt. It's a creepy movie. I kept looking behind me in the theater to make sure there weren't any spooks behind me.
I would recommend it.
Yes, "Henry Portrait of A Serial Killer" is about the scariest movie I've seen. However, there is one that is scarier: the European version of "The Vanishing." (NOT the American version with Jeff Bridges)That last scene will haunt me for the rest of my life.
See my post #16. Looks like it's having the same effect on audiences around the country.
However, I thought "The Grudge" was weak...
I liked it a lot. The director is a Christian, and to me, the movie imparted a Christian message.
The fact that Satan exists is just proof that God, inherently, then, must also exist.
Ed
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