Posted on 04/27/2011 8:11:46 PM PDT by raccoonradio
We’re either looking at one of the most obvious cases of media bias ever, or he’s done a complete 180 in less than 24 hours. Check out this LA Times story:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2711421/posts
Whoops, typo! ‘Atlas Shrugged.’ Apologies.
I think April 15th was an odd time to bring out this film this year, and here's why. Yeah, I know April 15th is tax day and all, but there were some logistical reasons why this wasn't a great release date.
Atlas opened on 300 screens nationwide. There's a small portion of the population that was very dedicated to seeing it. These are the folks that drove 100 miles to the nearest theater, these are the people that Fandangoed the movie a week or two before it came out. Most of these people saw the movie on the opening weekend, and the per screen take during the first weekend was quite strong. I, for instance, drove across the Tappan Zee bridge on a Friday night to see it. Only 15 miles, but it took an hour (and I knew it would).
In the second weekend, AS expands to about 425 theaters. However, most of the dedicated have seen it by now (only those that lived really far from one of the 300 theaters haven't). Then there's another wrinkle. The April 22nd weekend is Easter weekend. Not the type of movie you can really go see with extended family. So the per screen rates tumbled.
I wish I had some way to tell this producer that his second weekend drop was because it was Easter. I sure wish it would show someplace near me.
is it anything like the book???
I plan to buy 5 Bluray copies and hand them out. And I haven’t bought a DVD in way over 5 years.
Ping
Box Office does have its merits, but if the film breaks even, it is a winner. It means that every one got paid and all the investors made their cash back. This movie could do it which means doing it again a worthwhile venture. Here is the article I read that had a different view on this movie.
On the other hand, I'll bet you were a big fan of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. All the critics swooned over it. Yowser, that was a terrible movie.
Yes, a Readers Digest condensed version in a way but it gets the plot points out and is entertaining, and sends a message in an effective way. Needless to say come Part 3, the Galt speech—3.5 hours in the audiobook version (not kidding)—will be streamlined to only the basics. But it’s the movies. Still, entertaining.
It has already spurred a lot of interest in the book and Ayn.
Went to see the movie again last night. I’m more critical the 2nd time. What is missing from the movie? Causality... All the props are there, but without the “why?” it feels flat. Drama is created by causality. In the 2nd/3rd movies, take the time to develop the ideas.
Started to read the book again today, would suggest to people who see the movie (and not read the book), go ahead and read the book now.
Screw the theaters, get the DVDs out! Many of us will not go to the theater but will buy this in a heartbeat.
For me the closest screen is in Madistan, WI...and if you think I’m going to park in a theater lot that’s showing Atlas Shrugged while the liberal loons key my truck, you’re nuts!
It does help to have read the book and things like Hank Rearden’s struggle to develop the metal, and story of his life, needed to be said. It probably would have worked better in this way to have been a TV mini-series. Still, I’ll take it.
I’m guessing cost factor kept pt 1 at about 1 hr 40 minutes. Could have easily done 2hr 15 min at least but maybe they figure people have short attention spans? Or they fit more showings in this way. Some kids’ movies do well because they’re only an hour and a half long and—despite lower ticket prices for kids—they manage to fit more showings in.
While the reviews are certainly liberal BS, the box office receipts are pretty clear that the movie is struggling.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=atlasshrugged.htm
Some of you might get mp3 players and there’s an offer to join audible.com...you get one (or two) free audiobooks and if you decide to stay pay $15/mo and can quit when you want; anyway, if you’ve been meaning to hear the A.S. audiobook this is a good way.
I wound up getting Fountainhead audiobook free from audible and then got A.S. for sale, $10...I think about 45 hrs long and 64 hours long respectively? Got my money’s worth.
Exactly like the book!
Can’t wait for the next installments. I thought the film was excellent. The next films should have more flashy, cinematic scenes if I remember the book correctly.
That was the first week, which looked good for a limited release. But, it was a bubble. Second week, Returns dropped 30-50% compared to the same day week previous. That says Atlas Flopped.
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=atlasshrugged.htm
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