2012 - Holiday Gift Guide - Part I

November 23rd, 2012

This weekend is Thanksgiving and as always that means Black Friday and Cyber Monday plus 48 hours of shopping in-between. Unlike most years, I'm only halfway done with my Christmas shopping. So what recent, and not so recent releases are prime candidates for the perfect gift this year? Over the next month, we will go over several dozen possibilities with our annual Holiday Gift Guide, which is divided into into four sections. This week we start with Major Movie Releases. These are first run releases, franchise box sets, etc. However, before we get into the individual titles, we will start with an update on... More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for October 23rd, 2012

October 23rd, 2012

There are not a lot of major releases on this week's list. The biggest box office hit was Magic Mike, which did cross $100 million, but I'm not sure its target audience is going to support it on DVD and especially not on Blu-ray Combo Pack. According to Amazon.com, Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings is the best selling new release, and the DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack, and 3D Combo Pack are selling very well. However, while that film is absolutely worth picking up, the Pick of the Week goes to The Invisible War on DVD. It could be an Oscar winner next year. More...

DVD Releases for March 11, 2008

March 11th, 2008

A rather slow week for new releases, which is good because three DVDs arrived late last week and I was able to get caught up on spotlight reviews. (Actually, I'm not completely caught up as at least one failed to show up in time for this week.) As for the DVD Pick of the Week, the obvious choice would seem to be No Country for Old Men, but the lackluster DVD just screams double-dip and in the end I went with Stargate - Ark of Truth - Buy from Amazon instead. More...

Oscar Nominations Sidestep Box Office Giants

January 25th, 2005

The Oscar Nominations were announced this morning and at first glance it appears that most of the nominations went to films with smaller budgets and box office results. Box office hits were nearly shut out of the major nominations. More...

DVD Releases for December 14, 2004

December 13th, 2004

Every week films get a second chance at success from the home market; or, in some cases, a first chance at success. Here is a list of wide releases, limited releases and a few from the growing TV on DVD section, including the winners of the DVD Pick of the Week, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King - Platinum Series Special Extended Edition and Star Trek: The Original Series - The Complete Third Season - Buy from Amazon. More...

Dwarves Tower Above All

November 10th, 2004

It's a rare feat for a non-Hollywood film to top the international charts, but that's just what the German spoof, Seven Dwarfs, did this week. Playing in just three markets the film took in $10.6 million on under 1,000 screens. In its home market of Germany the film eased just 19% to $9.2 million; the result was not quite as good in Austria where it dropped a respectable 30% to $915,000, but it was in Switzerland where it shined - increasing 4% to $500,000. Overall the film has now made $29.0 million so far but the real test comes with increased competition from holiday fare and the ability to find an audience in non-German speaking markets. More...

Sharks 4 - Dwarves 7

November 3rd, 2004

Holidays throughout Europe, and a $1.5 million, first place finish in Russia helped Shark Tale remain in top spot for the fourth straight week, although it was a much closer contest this week. Highlights include $4.3 million in the U.K., off just 24% compared to its sophomore weekend, $4.0 million in France, which was up 47% from last weekend for a $15.5 million in 4,300 theatres in 27 markets weekend. Its international running total topped $100 million, the 13th film to do so this year, and now sits at $109.6 million. More...

Sharks Sink but Still Stay on Top

October 27th, 2004

Despite a 45% drop in its weekend haul, Shark Tale was able easily able to earn it third first place finish on the international charts. Still early in its run, the film took home $16.2 million in 4,368 theatres in 24 markets pushing its total to $80.3 million internationally. Without any openings the film relied on strong holdovers like in the U.K. where it drop 39%, in France it was off 32% and 35% in Germany. More...

Sharks do a Double-Take

October 20th, 2004

Thanks to mostly unopposed openings several more markets, Shark Tale was able to repeat as the international box office champ this week. Not only that, but its $29.6 million more than doubled its international tally prior to the start of the weekend as the film now sits at $56.2 million. The best opening of the weekend, and most likely of its international run, was in the U.K. where the film managed to take in $9.1 million, ($13.6 million if you include last week's previews.) In France the result was strong with $4.2 million but in the face of local competition, it could only manage $3.4 million in Germany. More...

Shark Attack

October 13th, 2004

With openings in nearly a dozen new markets, Shark Tale was able to take top spot on the international charts with $9.4 million in 16 markets, pushing its early total to $19.2 million internationally and over $100 million worldwide. Highlights include $4.4 million in the U.K., (including previews) and $2.05 million in Mexico. How happy the studio is with these results depends on their expectations. Compared to the average film, Shark Tale is a massive hit. But compared to Dreamworks previous digitally animated film, Shrek 2, it is a large drop. More...

Collateral Climbs to the Top

October 6th, 2004

Collateral finished first on the international charts breaking The Village's five week run on top. Although, with a weekly take of only $9.4 million in 28 markets, it has as much to do with the weakness of the competition as it does with the strength of the film itself. The largest chunk of that box office came from France, where the film earned $3.8 million. More...

Village's Population Grows

September 29th, 2004

For the fifth week in a row The Village finished in first place with $14.0 million on 4000 screens in 38 markets. The biggest opening of the week was $5.2 million in Spain, but suffered another collapse in Mexico dropping 55% during its second weekend there. Its international total hit $100 million over the weekend, the fifth Disney film to do so this year, and the 17th overall. More...

Spider Swings into Italy but Can't Top Village

September 21st, 2004

The Village once again top took spot on the international scene, but by a very narrow margin. Still being plagued by sharp drop-offs, the film earned $11.2 million on 3,500 screens in 34 markets. So far the film has taken it $117 million internationally, higher than its $113 million it earned domestically. Although, it is much lower than M. Night Shyamalan's previous movie Signs. More...

Village's Population Grows

September 14th, 2004

The Village again was the weekend champ in the international box office with $15.3 million on nearly 3,500 screens in 31 markets. Highlights for the weekend include and impressive debut in Germany at $5.5 million and a less spectacular $3.1 million in Japan. The film also suffered a 55% drop-off in its second weekend in Australia while it held up much better in Brazil. So far the film has earned $63.2 million internationally and is well on its way to matching its $112 million domestic total. More...

Stuck in Neutral

September 8th, 2004

The weekend on the international scene was very much the same as last weekend, just a little bit slower. The Village was again the champ, thanks to seven openings in mostly mid-ranged markets. A $2.2 million debut in Australia was the top money earner as the film took in $9 million in 23 markets. It's international total is now $45 million and should be headed to $100 million before it is done. More...

Arthur, King of the International Box Office

August 24th, 2004

A trio of new openings pushed King Arthur into first place this week with $13 million in 33 markets. The film now sits at $88 million internationally, and should break $100 million by next weekend. Worldwide it looks headed for $200 million. More...

Robot Takes Gold

August 17th, 2004

It's a little early to say what effect the 2004 Summer Olympics will have on the box office, but the early indication is that Eurocup 2004 had a larger effect. I, Robot hit its first international milestone topping the $100 million mark and now sits at $107.7 million. It accomplished this feat by taking in $18.8 million on more than 5,300 screens in 34 markets over the weekend. With Japan and Italy still ahead, $300 million worldwide is almost guaranteed while $200 million internationally is not out of the question. More...

Robot Tops Very Light Competition

August 10th, 2004

With the summer juggernauts mostly wrapping up their runs, and very little in the way of new competition, I, Robot easily finished first on the international box office charts. Its weekend earnings of $31.3 million on more than 6,000 screens in 29 markets was nearly triple what the nearest competitor could take in. The film opened number one in the U.K. (8.7 million), Germany ($5.3 million) and Russia ($2.4 million) as well as strong holdovers in France ($2.6 million) and other nations. The film has already earned $71.2 million internationally, and should top its domestic numbers within a few weeks. More...

I, Number One

August 3rd, 2004

I, Robot first major expansion into the international markets proved very profitable for 20th Century Fox. Big openings Europe, $5 million in France and $4.7 million in Spain; Asia, $2.5 million in South Korea, $1.8 million in Taiwan; and in $1.9 million in Mexico help it earn $20.5 million over the weekend. Still early in its run, the Sci-Fi action film has earned $29.6 million in just 17 markets so far. More...

The Village Has a Thrilling Start

August 2nd, 2004

This weekend was another lesson in how hype can overcome bad reviews. It was also another lesson in how good reviews plus poor marketing results in a disappointing box office. Overall, the box office was again relatively flat from last weekend with just a 2.11% increase. It was up by 7.95% from last year; however, this weekend last year was the first weekend in August, so the 2003 to 2004 comparisons are not an accurate indicator. Year-to-date, 2004 continues to outpace 2003 by 6%, $5.63 billion to $5.33 billion. More...

Will There be a Surprise Twist at the Box Office?

July 30th, 2004

We have an absolutely overloaded weekend when in comes to new releases. Four of them are opening, and at least one, and probably more, will be squeezed out. More...

Spider-Man Stuck on Top

July 27th, 2004

Despite a severe, nearly 50% drop at the box office, Spider-man 2 remained on top with $31.6 million, including a record $1.6 million in India, the biggest opening for a Hollywood film in that market. However, the news isn't all good as big drop-offs continue to plague the Marvel web-slinger, 56% in France, 50% in the U.K. and 59% in Spain. But it is still earning immense figures thanks to record-breaking openings and should cross $600 million worldwide early in the mid-week and $300 million internationally during next weekend. More...

Bourne Becomes Supreme

July 26th, 2004

The weekend results were much better than expected, at least overall. Both new films took in more than expected, while all but one the holdovers beat our prediction. Even so, the week-to-week change was again very flat with a miniscule 0.37% drop from last weekend, but was 3.57% smaller than the same weekend last year. More...

Supreme Odds

July 23rd, 2004

Just two wide releases this week, but unfortunately they share a lot of the same target audience. This could result in ticket splitting making both films suffer at the box office. But it is more likely that one film will simply crush the other. With the sheer contrast between their critical reception, one of them certainly deserves to crush the other. More...

Gracing the Per Theatre Charts

July 21st, 2004

Only two films topped $10,000 per theatre this weekend, and they were at opposite ends of the release spectrum. Coming in first was Maria Full of Grace with a weekend take of $139,066 in just 7 theatres for an average of $19,867. Next was the overall box office champ, I, Robot with a $15,257 average in 3,420 theatres. More...

Spider-Man Two ... Hundred Million

July 20th, 2004

Another 11 openings, mostly in European markets, helped Spider-man 2 swing to new heights this week on the international charts. This week it earned $62.3 million on roughly 9,400 screens in 61 markets, which pushed it international total to $200.1 million and in just 19 days. Highlights include $15.7 million in the U.K., $11.6 million in France and $7.7 million in Spain. The news was less impressive in Northern Europe where a heat wave hurt the industry as a whole; specifically, this lead to smaller than expected openings in Belgium and Holland and a steep drop in Germany. Worldwide the film has topped $500 million, just the fifth film to do so this year, and the 35th all-time. With Italy the only remaining major opening left, and it doesn't open there till mid-September, the weekly numbers have most likely peaked. However, it should still quickly climb the charts. More...

Bullseye

July 19th, 2004

The number one movie this week was right on target with moviegoers, beating almost all predictions, but it may have come at the expense of others films. This kept the box office relatively flat both from last week (up 3.13%) and last year (up 1.95%). Year-to-date still has 2004 up by 6% over 2003, $5.16 billion to $4.86 billion. More...

Eyeing Top Place

July 16th, 2004

Just two wide releases this week, but together they make almost the perfect duo, the potential blockbuster and the counter-programming smaller film. Hopefully, this will result in both films maximizing their box office. However, with neither film likely to win many awards their maximized profits are unlikely to be particularly impressive. More...

Movie Websites Launches for July 9 - July 15

July 15th, 2004

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here the list of this week's releases, a couple of new sites and few updates including the winner for the week, Garden State - Official Site . If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

Movie Websites Launches for July 2 - July 8

July 8th, 2004

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here the list of this week's releases, a couple of new sites and few updates including the winner for the week, The Bourne Supremacy - Official Site. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

2004 Summer Preview - Part 4: July

June 30th, 2004

June couldn't maintain the momentum built up at the end of May with only a few films able to match expectations. And that makes July's prospects a little less bright. Without the free advertising monster hits bring in, the industry as a whole tends to suffer. July only has one sure-fire hit, and I've already talked about it in another preview. However, there are a few others that should hit the $100 million club and maybe even one or two that will make it to $200 million. More...

Movie Websites Launches for June 4 - June 10

June 10th, 2004

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here the list of this week's releases, a couple of new sites and few updates including the winner for the week, Garfield - Official Site. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

Movie Websites Launches for May 7 - May 13

May 13th, 2004

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here the list of this week's releases, a couple of new sites and few updates including the winner for the week, The Chronicles of Riddick - Official Site . If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

Movie Websites Launches for Aril 16 - April 22

April 23rd, 2004

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here the list of this week's releases, a couple of new sites and few updates including the winner for the week, Van Helsing - Official Site. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

Movie Websites Launches for February 27 - March 4

March 4th, 2004

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here the list of this week's releases, a couple of new sites and few updates including the winner for the week, The Prince & Me - Official Site . If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

Movie Websites Launches for December 12 - December 18

December 18th, 2003

During the past week promotional websites for several movies were launched and some older ones added additional content. Here is a list of highlights, (including this week's winner Lord of the Rings: Return of the King - Official Site plus one last look at websites for films opening this week. If you know of any new movie websites not on this list feel free to e-mail me with the details. More...

Movie Websites Launches for December 5 - December 11

December 11th, 2003

Territory	Release Date	Opening Weekend	Opening Weekend Screens	Maximum Screens	Theatrical Engagements	Total Box Office	Report Date
Australia	7/22/2004	$3,298,817	346	346	1894	$9,404,975	4/8/2020
North America	7/16/2004	$52,179,887	3,420	3,494	21,471	$144,801,023	12/3/2014
Rest of World						$194,423,587
Worldwide Total						$348,629,585	4/8/2020