Posted on 12/09/2006 3:38:57 AM PST by Mel Gibson
Call it a Hollywood shocker: Mel's Apocalypto will have a bigger weekend opening than his Braveheart. Despite scandal, an R-rating, subtitles because of an ancient dialect, no stars, and direct competition from movieland AAA-listers Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz, Gibson's Mayan epic won Friday's matinees and evenings, I'm told. At first, box office gurus were warning me that the weekend victor among three very competitive films all opening against each other would be too close to call. cameron_jude.jpgBut now I've learned it looks certain that Apocalypto will win the weekend -- bearing out my reporting back on December 1st when I was told that early tracking showed Mel's movie (playing in 2,465 theaters) would edge ahead. Tonight, I'm told Mel's movie took in nearly $6 million Friday for what's expected to be at least a $15 mil, and possibly $16 mil, weekend total -- exceeding Disney's hopes for the box office gross. That easily beats Mel's Braveheart, which made $9.9 mil for Fri-Sat-Sun when it opened in 2,037 theaters during Memorial Weekend back in 1995 ($12.9 mil for the four-day holiday) and went on to make $75.6 mil in the U.S. and $210.4 mil worldwide, helped by winning the Best Picture Oscar. Based on today's matinees, the No. 2 spot went to Sony's The Holiday (in 2,610 playdates), a date movie from director-writer Nancy Meyer, known for capturing that man-woman zeitgeist. The studio's hard work to deftly market this PG-13 debut (also starring Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law) obviously paid off because the movie earned $4.5 mil Friday despite all the rivalry. In 3rd place was Warner Bros' Blood Diamond (in 1,910 theaters), an African-set action-adventure pic. Important to note that this film is playing in 500-to-700 less theaters than the other two films...
(Excerpt) Read more at deadlinehollywooddaily.com ...
"My life would be complete if I could squeeze..."
Crazy like a fox is more like it. Gratz once again.
Having a big box office doesn't prove anything. I still think he's nuts. Hope you enjoyed the movie.
Haven't seen it. Has anyone ever said that Tarentino was nuts?
My 18yo daughter saw it last night. She really liked it, gave it 4 stars out of 5. She goes to all of the movies, like most of her generation, so she doesn't hand out high marks like that very much. It doesn't really appeal to me right now, but maybe I'll see it when it comes out on DVD.
he ain't gettin my money!!!
Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" - It's No Bloody Good
Posted by TaraP
On General/Chat 12/08/2006 9:26:29 AM PST · 24 replies · 561+ views
Crosswalk ^ | Dec 8th, 2006 | Christian Hamaker
Mel Gibson Finds Eternal GORY in 'Apocalypto' Movie
Posted by Dr. Scarpetta
On News/Activism 12/08/2006 4:56:23 AM PST · 91 replies · 1,808+ views
New York Daily News ^ | 12/8/06
SACRIFICE [Professors say Gibson's Apocalypto is biased against Mayan bloodletting]
Posted by freedomdefender
On News/Activism 12/05/2006 11:45:28 PM PST · 142 replies · 2,274+ views
Newsweek ^ | December 5, 2006 | Newsweek
'Apocalypto': Bloody lessons
Posted by Lorianne
On General/Chat 12/08/2006 1:21:21 PM PST · 19 replies · 320+ views
Toronto Star ^ | Dec. 8, 2006 | GEOFF PEVERE
First, the Jews; Now Gibson Angers the Maya
Posted by paudio
On News/Activism 12/07/2006 7:11:02 PM PST · 101 replies · 1,518+ views
IMDB.com ^ | 7 December 2006
Goes with the territory, MM.
Technical expertise doesn't prove sanity. Neither does artistic skill.
Tarantino I have always thought disturbed. I just haven't seen his name in a story lately, while Gibson's came up this week.
Both men are exhibiting an unhealthy obsession with violence, as far as I am concerned. I realize a lot of people don't agree with me, and that's ok.
Mark my words, though. Gibson one day will act so nutty even his staunchest defenders will finally realize that he's gone round the bend.
“Apocalypto” is a Rorschach inkblot test for Mel. Here he is with several hundred million dollars in the bank, complete artistic, funding, and production freedom, and this is the very first thing he comes out with.
The 'test results' are very revealing indeed. Mel needs help.
It was a terrific film.
Mel Gibson has tapped into a money making genre.
Braveheart, Passion, Apocalypto has made him a very rich man.
All that creativity would make a normal man drink, IMO.
However much money Mel makes from his movies, I still think he is nuts.
There you have it.
========================
I understand your sentiment, but I also understand that violence is a part of life. Just ask our men in Iraq, or the deer I shot a few weeks ago.
Matthew 11:12
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
I am so glad Mel has another hit on his hands. Good on ya mate!
Mel is one very disturbed man.
Just because a movie makes money, it doesn't mean it is worthy. It just means that people are attracted to this violence as the Romans were to the gladiators. Nto saying much about our society is it?
An 18 yr old girl likes it? Yeesh.
"Has anyone ever said that Tarentino was nuts?"
DING DING!
Good for him. Crazy like a fox. I guess all those people still angry about his Jesus flick will have to deal with him a while longer.
I guess we'll never have movie stories which compare number of tickets sold instead of dollars. When movies are years apart, box office income is difficult to compare.
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