SUNDAY AM: Sony and Fox dominated a modest weekend box office populated by mostly mediocre movies. The Friday-through Sunday domestic gross crowned Sony/Screen Gems' horror flick Prom Night as the box office king with $22.7 million from 2,700 theaters. That's exactly what rival studios thought the pic would earn, even though Sony execs were trying to lower expectations to high teens. The PG-13 young-skewing slasher film, a contemorry remake of a cult classic, cost a dirt cheap $20M and was critic proof. For 47% of females under age 25, Prom Night was their first choice. "That's who drives those PG-13 horror movies. Plus, it's prom season," noted a rival studio marketing maven who praised the P&A campaign orchestrated by Screen Gems' head of marketing Mark Weinstock for such a disgusting film. The marketing campaign included interactive in-theater promotional standees that were so novel, they were the subject of a feature in The New York Times.
That other newcomer, Fox Searchlight's Street Kings, based on the James Ellroy dirty cop story/script, was a distant #2 with $12 million this weekend from 2,467 venues, even though the R-rated drama starred Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie. But they were wasted in this poorly reviewed film (only 31% positive on Rotten Tomatoes). Its gross was decidedly less than the mid-to-high teens my box office gurus had predicted.
A three-week holdover, Sony's casino caper pic 21 is showing some legs by clinging to 3rd place with $11 million this weekend from 2,736 sites. Its new cume totals $62.2 mil.
Fox's week-old family fare Nim's Island grabbed No. 4 with $9 million this weekend from 3,518 plays, only down 32% without yet taking into account big Saturday kid matinees. Its cume is $25.2M.
Still stumbling is Universal's Leatherheads, starring George Clooney who fumbled this screwball comedy's direction and script with moviegoers. It mustered only #5, after a week in theaters, earning a paltry $6.2 million its second weekend in release in 2,771 runs (down 51% from its lackluster opening). Its new cume totals $21.9. Time to punt.
Fox's Horton Hears A Who! clinched #6 starting its 5th week in release, earning $6 mil this weekend from 3,209 runs for a hefty new cume of nearly $139.6M.
That little Sundance movie Smart People was put in limited release by Miramax in 1,106 theaters because of a good cast consisting of Dennis Quaid (unfortunately, with a beard), Ellen Page and Sarah Jessica Parker in a so-so reviewed dark comedy. It made $4.2 mil this weekend from 1,106 dates.
Rounding out the Top 10, DreamWorks' thriller The Ruins was 8th ($3.3M for the weekend, cume of $13.5M), The Weinstein Co's spoof Superhero Movie was 9th ($3.1M for the weekend, cume of $21.2M), and Paramount's Judd Apatow-produced comedy Drillbit Taylor ($2M for the weekend, cume of $28.4M)) took 10th.
(FYI: Comments on this website are monitored. If you left a comment and it didn't post immediately, it's likely that NF is away from the computer. Please be patient. Also, DHD wants to cut down on redundant box office comments. So be original.)
PG-13 Horror genre, still going strong.
R-rated Action, still suffers from teens having to sneak in.
The only kid movie still holds very well on it’s 2nd wkd.
Clooney’s bomb still continues to bomb.
Quick! Everybody act surprised.
Comment by As usual — April 12, 2008 @ 3:42 am
For all you blue staters who hate us red state folks, when WE decide not to pay 10 bucks a pop for a limo liberal like Clooney, his movies bomb.
Learn to love your country first and watch your pockets get deeper and depper.
Comment by Josh — April 12, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Well said Josh!
Comment by rtm — April 12, 2008 @ 10:39 am
I agree 100% with Josh. These people in Hollywood don’t get it that we won’t see their movies because of their constant bashing of our country either here or abroad.
Comment by judy — April 12, 2008 @ 10:48 am
Yeah dude, “Prom Night” is pretty patriotic. It doesn’t get more American than stalking underage women and killing indiscriminately.
Comment by Alexander — April 12, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Liberals like Clooney are losing touch.
Comment by Steven Rinehart — April 12, 2008 @ 10:55 am
when uninformed liberals pontificate they pay the price. this is the end of self loving clooney. he won’t be missed.
Comment by jnicky — April 12, 2008 @ 10:58 am
I don’t go to the movies anymore. Everytime there is a movie out and it stars one of the America bashing liberals, I simply cannot but think about their anti-American “give your money to the governemnt but not mine” desparaging attitude, so I spend my money in other way. Also, all the nepothism in Hollywood is creating a lot of no-talents who think too much of their uneducated unsofisticated selfs. I am amazed when they start preaching to America about politics, sience, etc. Most of these people don’t have a college degree and some did not finish high school. Gimme a break.
Comment by Johanna — April 12, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I’ve read in a number of places that Street Kings is based on an Ellroy novel. What novel? I believe he came up with the story and wrote the first passes on the screenplay, which was originally titled The Night Watchman.
Comment by roger — April 12, 2008 @ 11:01 am
I saw Leatherheads in a weekday matinee, and it was surprisingly full - especially with older folks.
I wonder if this is one of those movies that will have legs with the 40+ crowd, even if it bombs in the opening weekend numbers.
Comment by renton — April 12, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Oh hey, Drudge linked again. Time for the DHD comments to become Fox News again.
Comment by 40yearoldstitzer — April 12, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Yeah, Josh, that makes sense. Goodness knows the “red states” are where the majority of the population lives.
Good job on turning the hillbilly thugs out to go see “Prom Night,” a sure-fire bet after the tractor-pull and the pig wrestling.
Comment by Rich — April 12, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Must be linked to Drudge — understimulated mouthbreathers like “Josh” come out of the woodwork.
Yeah Josh, I’m sure Clooney hates America. That’s why he’s not conservative like you. You nailed it.
Comment by Sam — April 12, 2008 @ 11:21 am
I’m with Josh. I’m tired of all the filth. There has to be good comedies, good action packed films and good mysteries without the filth and with actors who don’t have political agendas. I’ll be back in theaters when that happens
Comment by Grammiep — April 12, 2008 @ 11:50 am
“For all you blue staters who hate us red state folks, when WE decide not to pay 10 bucks a pop for a limo liberal like Clooney, his movies bomb.
Learn to love your country first and watch your pockets get deeper and depper.”
….they must give them internet access at the weekend.
and, by the way, nice spelling.
Comment by simon — April 12, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
I think Clooney was a liberal when Oceans 11, 12 and 13 came out too, and somehow those made money. Perfect Storm was a perfectly fine hit too. I don’t think Leatherheads is being generally ignored because of Clooney’s politics. I think it’s because most people do not have respect or interest in quality, well made entertainment. They would rather see slasher films or relatively mindless “fast food” films. Clooney has proven with his three directorial efforts that he is not overly concerned with box office, but is consistent in his search for quality and originality.
Comment by Crash11578 — April 12, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
@Josh
No one hates you Josh, and yet you sound pretty angry. I hop everything works out for you. Make sure to turn the channel when O’ Brother Where Art Thou comes on CMT - Clooney’s in that too.
Comment by Sue Ann Wooldridge — April 12, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Agreed, Josh. The contempt Hollywood (i.e.: liberals) show for middle America is breathtaking. And their excuses for America-bashing films — or films starring America-haters like Clooney — that tank are hysterical. Keep it up Hollywood, and watch your house of cards fall.
Comment by Jimmyshine — April 12, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Right Josh….It’s always about what your TV and AM radio buddies say and you parrot it back. You’re a real good free thinking American. Maybe its much simpler and the movie is no good?
Comment by Dano — April 12, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Hey Josh -
So you red staters will pay to see a bunch of teenagers have sex and then get carved up with a knife, but you won’t see a movie because you don’t like the lead actor’s politics?
Comment by Matheo — April 12, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Hey, Josh - yes politics really kept red staters away from Oceans 11, 12, 13, perfect storm, michael clayton, etc etc…it was the film, Josh, it fell between too many demographics so no-one was quite sure what it was…
And, by the way, we liberals don’t hate like you, Josh, Ever heard of a liberal lynchmob stringing up a black or a jew? Or a liberal bookburning? Or a liberal dragging a queer behind his Prius?
Just dont happen, bud.
Comment by john — April 12, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Actors need to learn to stay away from prolitics, it only makes us want someone else to watch.
Comment by de — April 12, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Josh, I’m not sure what it is you’re saying. Do I, as a liberal, have a vested interest in seeing Clooney successful? Not really. I’m interested in seeing good movies, that’s all. I didn’t realize my political stance had anything to do with that one way or another.
Comment by Sam — April 12, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
are there any posters who are literate and do not depend on the Fox News Channel for information?
Comment by fkd — April 12, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
george clooney should expect no less for his movie..
he has lost his appeal to me since he felt that it was his god-given right to publicly demean Hillary Clinton…every woman friend i know is boycotting his movie and with good reason! oops there goes another one…his appeal is to women and yet he has the arrogance to openly display his unabashed mysogyny..i call that plain stupidity!
Comment by christeen — April 12, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
There must have been a mistake .. No Stop-Loss, no Michael Moore , Al gore science fiction, , No America bashing , depressing lecture of the evils of humanity?
Comment by jackfish — April 12, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Red state conservatives (e.g. Josh) are too simple-minded to enjoy anything beyond the tired special effects action movie genre. I’m sure forgettable movies like Cloverfield flourished in your part of the country.
Stick to debating with your friends over how many Oscars Armageddon and its cast should’ve won.
Comment by Amerikkka — April 12, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
gotta love the results on “Knuckleheads”….Ha Ha!
Comment by Dave — April 12, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Nobody wants to blame Leatherheads on the guy from the Office? He also made that horrible marriage film with Robin Williams
Comment by Corey — April 12, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
Josh,
You should learn how to spell before posting anything on the internet. After that feat, gather an intelligent thought (or borrow one if need be) and post it.
Thx!
JH
Comment by Josh Hater — April 12, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Again Hollywood fails to grasp the idea that family movies make money while America haters don’t. What a shock. Anyone who thinks Hollywood is strictly about profit just isn’t paying attention. They don’t try to sell movies to the public. They sell movies to other Hollywood America haters because those are the people actually deciding what gets produced and who gets to act in it. They couldn’t care less what the public thinks. They care about what fellow Hollywood liberals think because that’s how the game is played. John Q. doesn’t hire anyone to make movies. Other Hollywood types do that.
Comment by Jeff — April 12, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
You can love your country and hate the person in charge of it, Josh. I bet you felt that way yourself in the Clinton era.
Comment by Dale — April 12, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Go Red States! Don’t pay that 10. Then you can get back to beating your wives and teaching your sons not to be queer and shaming your daughters with that “Eve” story. Git’er done!
Comment by Bremerton — April 12, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Oh, so that’s why Clooney has a lifetime movie gross of over 1 billion and has been the star of 5 movies that have grossed over 100 million each. But thanks again for not letting pesky facts get in the way of your opinion Josh.
Comment by nick — April 12, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Is this a Far Right Hollywood Movie blog?
Now that’s hilarious.
Comment by Maybelle C. — April 12, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Wacky liberal movies turn me off. How about some more animated movies that i can take my post 13 years to go see.
Comment by John — April 12, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
DUMBLY SAID, JOSH. How pathetic are you (and those who can’t tell you didn’t spell “deeper” right the second time) that you have to spew you rapidly dying hill-billy-influenced, uneducated nonsense on a website dedicated to movies and reviews. Are you THAT afraid that neo-Nazi-esque conservatism has so little a place left to voice itself that you have to hock it in whatever corner you can in whatever pathetic way. You really do come off as unintelligent. TRULY.
George Clooney’s movie didn’t do well because it didn’t even look appealing in the trailer. A period piece comedy about the early days of football was a poor property to buy. It would have flopped with a star even a right-winger nutcase would have supported.
I suppose “Prom Night” “succeeded” because of Middle Americans with their Christian values ablaze, went to see people get horrifically murdered? Nice Try!
Comment by Carly — April 12, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
“Kill the teenagers” horror flicks have always been a winner with me. I can’t stop laughing when I see one. This is the one genre where Hollywood excells. I avoid all of the rest of their left-wing garbage.
Comment by Patrick C. — April 12, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
…or vote Republican and watch your pockets get smaller.
Comment by Herb — April 12, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
the decline of good movies began years ago when the GOOD writers were considered too old and the young hip so called writers were hired. since then we have junk on the screen. they attempt to make a movie out of a past hit years ago and they bomb. the actors and actresses now are out of a cookie cutter they have as large part no talent.
Comment by al — April 12, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Yes, yes, good one Joshy-boy!
Box office really is all about red vs. blue anyway isn’t it? Right and Wrong. Good and Evil. White and Black. Rich and Poor. American and all the other non-entities.
“pockets getting deeper and deeper” because of blind patriotism is actually a very deeply ignorant notion.
People are not going to films because they have NO MONEY! The recession is the result of your precious red state (and blue state for that matter) greed and foolishness. We are on a sinking ship here folks, and we’re blaming each other, while the corporate ruling class is globally blindly wrecking the entirety of life on earth.
but no, it really is a crips vs. bloods, red vs. blue, poor people vs. poor people sort of thing isn’t it?
Well said Josh!
Comment by Disney — April 12, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Oh spare me the political hypocrisy. George’s movie flopped because it flopped. Spare me the color-coded analysis of how people think coming from someone who obviously objects to analytical thinking. Just please use your gun to shoot you computer.
Comment by Emma — April 12, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Yup. I won’t spend money on movies whose stars talk smack about the country. I also don’t want to be preached to.
Everytime some actor mouths off, I am thankful because I will just save that much more money when their movie comes out.
Comment by Karla — April 12, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Well us Blue Staters, who are indifferent towards you Red Stater…Many of us could care less about George Clooney also. Putting politics and state color aside, Most Americans want to be entertained and we are turned off by Celebs who think we care about what they think.
by the way, Drop the whole red state/blue state thing. The pundits and media use the whole thing to keep us from working together. You might even like me if you tried a little.
Comment by just a guy — April 12, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Another Red/Blue state smackdown. For the folks on the conservative side, why don’t you ask Rush,Sean,Billo etc… to get some of their wealthy friends to finance movies that are to your liking? As for the Iraq War, it just doesn’t fit the “Dirty Dozen” or “Sands of Iwo Jima” type of film. If the success of the film industry depends on actors pledging undying loyalty to the President, then let it sink to the bottom of the sea. Then we can all go back to reading books!
Comment by tman — April 12, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
I kinda miss all the nutjob right wing crazies going off on how they know why movies fail and about those damn liberals in Hollywood, followed by their love and devotion for all things GW Bush.
Where are they? Protesting an evolution conference or something?
Comment by Greg — April 12, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
How about you forget about stupid party lines (which should never be brought into consideration, political parties are a form of dividing people ad increasing ignorance on issues) and reword your statement as:
Movie prices are ridiculous and very over priced, we should work together to boycott this absurdity and show that consumers do indeed control the market
ALSO
We could control the quality of movies that are released, which have been very very poor and getting worse over these past 10 years.
They sell you crap, raise the prices and you basically tell them “give me more”
Comment by Dude — April 12, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
I was wondering when the “backlash” would hit Clooney…he acts as if he is weatherproof…but to get a hit he needs others to carry the “ball.” Don’t worry George, the other USA haters are behind you all the way.
Comment by Fred Habacht — April 12, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
Well Clooney, your constant hype did your movie in. The 24 hr. a day radio spots that had no funny lines in them and then the constant reminder that YOU directed it brought this movie down. What marketing genius came up with that plan? I mean who gives a rip if you directed it? As much as you’d like to believe it matters, none of the movie going public cares about your directing acumen. You’re not Wells or Scorsese.
Comment by Biffula — April 12, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
Poor George…he can’t help it, he was born with a Hollywood Ego in his mouth.
Comment by TiminPhx — April 12, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
good lord you people are daft.
Comment by whatdeheck — April 12, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
wow, I saw prom night today and it sucked horribly. And hey, this is a movie website. Not an internet blog.
And for those of you who are asking yourselves why American culture is so terrible? Well, here you have it. We are all becoming too selfish to realize that there is a difference between opinion and fact.
Comment by name — April 12, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
I stopped attending movies long ago. Liberals don’t get it and only represent 50% of the country in their movies. The stories are just awful and depend too much on special effects. Also, the scripts and acting is horrible. Clooney is an idiot. With the rise of the internet, you can find better use of your time.
Comment by starforce — April 12, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Anyone who likes intelligent movies that don’t have a leftist slant should check out “Smart People.” Ellen Page’s character is a young Republican and surprisingly isn’t portrayed as any kind of villain. It’s one of those movies that’s refreshingly human and in no way political.
Comment by chaz — April 12, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Clooney has proven in the past that when coupled with the right material and marketing he’s eminently bankable…unfortunately he just seems to have a nasty propensity for getting involved with humdrum stuff that audiences generally could take or leave. To be frank I’m not sure how to explain the lack of first run success with Michael Clayton though which was outstanding and should’ve caught on like wildfire with intelligent adult audiences who always whine about the paucity of movies of this ilk being in the release pipeline. Oh, and excuse the language but it’s fucking depressing that Prom Night is going to make more in its opening weekend than The Mist did in domestic totality.
Comment by Gerald — April 12, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
Now would be a perfect time for Hollywood to do non-PC remakes of movies like “Fighting Back” (1982), “The Delta Force” (1986), “Wanted: Dead or Alive” (1987) and do some variation on “Red Dawn” (1984) with an Arab-Islamic threat added to the Communist threat. There should also be more films that celebrate the courage of the American soldier such as “We Were Soldiers” (a terrific film). The right of center audience has gone from being underserved in movies to not being served at all.
Comment by chaz — April 12, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
I’m a red state (Kentucky) conservative who would never let an actor’s politics get in the way of seeing a good movie. This country is in dire need of critical thinking.
Josh, if you found out your local fire chief was a liberal, would you let your house burn down in lieu of calling 9-1-1?
Comment by Jamie — April 12, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
For all you Democrats and Republican, US Box Office is no longer relevant. Long live the International Box Office!
Comment by Barack McCain — April 12, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
looking forward to many more screwball comedies from Clooney!
he’s hilarious. A box office star like Heston and Stallone.
Comment by med — April 12, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
It is so funny to me that people just don’t understand that there is an entire half of this country who will not EVER see a movie (good or bad) that stars Clooney, Penn, Robbins, Sarandon, etc etc etc etc. We just won’t. They have every right to market themselves in this incredible free system, but we have every right to boycott them when they BASH the very system that enabled them to become who they are. Sad, but kinda funny. This country is at war to allow them to make whatever movie they want. It is about FREEDOM. Go make your movie in 2003 Iraq. Let me know how it goes! It just really bugs me when people take freedom for granted. When the whole world is free, wars will end. That, to me, is worth fighting for. Freedom allows you to post anything you want on this site, and that is a beautiful thing. I did not serve for nothing. I want my kids and grandkids to all be free. It is all about FREEDOM.
Comment by dane — April 12, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
What a bunch of dittohead conservative dunces. Just because liberals have the guts to criticize what is wrong with this country does not mean that we don’t love all that is right with it. Mindless Limbaugh robots are just like parents who allow their kids to run wild then wonder why no one likes them, no clue whatsoever. Liberals love this country enough to try to fix what is wrong, conservatives don’t have the backbone to even acknowledge it much less to fight to fix it. Merely mindless blind followers. I guess it really is easier to let rich blowhards like Limbaugh do their thinking for them, even allow the plebian puppets the “privilege” of fattening their wallets, than to admit that not all is Utopian, that there just might be problems. And IQ-challenged conservatives are gullible enough to complain about limo liberals…. Laughable.
Comment by Susan — April 12, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
Adam Carolla’s “The Hammer” is better than most of the top 10. Baffled as to why it is stil only in limited release.
Comment by Tyrone Washington — April 12, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
We seem to have two conversations going on here. Box office scores and movie quality.
As far a box office scores go, an actor who actively pisses off his potential audience is going to show lower scores. In the case of George Clooney, his big score films were all ensemble efforts where the effect is muted. In films where he is the lead, audience opinion of him good, bad or indifferent holds sway.
As far a quality goes, his films are well made, but as to whether they are “insightful” depends on whether one accepts his premises. And from the attendance numbers many do not.
Happily, this is America, if George can get angels to back his productions and they and he find the resulting box office scores acceptable. Nothing more need be said.
Kieron
Comment by Kieron — April 12, 2008 @ 11:46 pm
The preponderance of comments are almost neatly split between the sides, with only a rare offering that avoids castigating and insulting. The rage seems split, too, even-Steven, so no one group holds the monopoly. It seems unfortunate that this not-very-inspiring film gets more than 5 dozen people to vituperate and generalize –mostly unfairly, and mostly to the embarrassment of the scold posting the rancid comment. Are people commenting on a fine film at a rate commensurate with this (lacklustre) offering?
Comment by paul a. ticks — April 13, 2008 @ 1:58 am
Well I haven’t been to the movie theatre since The Princess Diaries came out in 2001. I started boycotting liberal hollywood even before that. That was my choice. I was tired of the know-nothings-about-me telling the world what a horrible person I am because I don’t think like they do politically. No radio personality told me what to think. I actually did this all by myself! I am 53 years old and not a hillbilly either. I am well traveled. Grew up in the East, lived almost 12 years in the Midwest and now live in the South and have traveled all over Europe. You give me more great movies with great actors who act and not criticize me for my beliefs, then maybe I will return to the theatre. Until then…I don’t care if anyone goes to a clooney movie or any of the others that sprew their hatred for me and my country just because they think it’s cool.
Comment by jillhill — April 13, 2008 @ 4:17 am
Clooney says recession-weary Americans ready for more light-hearted, 20’s-style screwball comedies.
I say “just what the doctor ordered! Iron Man, Iron Schman!”
Comment by jon — April 13, 2008 @ 4:45 am
clooney bashes America and half of its population don’t show up to see his film.It shows me that this liberals can’t do math either. The same thing happened to Sean Penn.
When are these people going to learn not to open their mouths in a negative way towards their own country. If their smart, they should keep their politics to themselves. I use to like like Clooney a lot but not anymore. I don’t mind knowing an actors idealogy as long as they keep it to themselves.
Comment by Phil O. — April 13, 2008 @ 5:15 am
Excellent. They’re back.
For the right wing nutters. Do you honestly think that your opinion matters one iota when it comes to movie marketting? No. Want to know why? Then I’ll tell you: Because you idiots don’t go to movies! Do you honestly believe that their is a strong correlation between Matt Drudge listeners/readers and moviegoers? Absolutely not. Maybe Youtube subscribers or Myspace addicts, but not Drudge readers. Those people like boat shows, tractor pulls, Clan rallies, things like that. They are not movie goers between the ages of 15 and 25.
Wise up you fools. Most of you are 20 years past your movie going prime, and I bet not more than 3% of you sees more than 5 movies in theaters a year. And haven’t in at least a decade. So get off your high horses because you don’t know squat about the business. Stick to screaming at your computer and blaming our problems on liberals, even while you collect you social security check which you didn’t earn.
See you at the movies.
Comment by Greg — April 13, 2008 @ 6:09 am
Politics aside, George Clooney is a below average talent whose acting is barely watchable. Maybe he uses his political views to suck up to the major producers of movies who do have an agenda. I didn’t like his acting when he was in ER, and I don’t see much improvement since then.
Comment by Phil C — April 13, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Gee, do you think Leatherheads failed because it wasn’t very good?
Comment by occam — April 13, 2008 @ 7:36 am
OK, I HAVE to say something. I am mostly conservative. I am sick and tired of people using box office numbers to make a political point. (It gives people with conservative leanings a bad name, and it’s silly!)
I don’t care if Clooney is a socialist! I also don’t care if Tom Cruise believes we all descended for a purple snuffle-uffle-gusses, or if Angelina Jolie likes to wear a vial of Brad Pitt’s nose-hairs around her neck!
I watch movies based on whether I think they will be entertaining. Period.
Personally, I would like to see more montages, and use of lesser-known talents. However, that has nothing to do with the political viewpoints or personal lives of stars. I would just like more options. I also tend to go for mostly Indie films, so go figure.
Comment by Mashiara — April 13, 2008 @ 7:38 am
As usual, here we go:
“Conservatives” thrash about over Hollywood being “out of touch.”
“Liberals” respond with tired “hillbilly” and “Fox News viewer” retorts.
Both sides end up being boring, typical, and predictable.
Most of you simply can’t seem to grasp the obvious: You are both right.
“Hollywood” has a proven knack for seemingly going out of its way to needlessly offend a huge number of ticket buyers, which leads to a wanton loss of millions of dollars in profits.
A simple example that L.A. executives in tailored suits and high-end expense accounts would respond to with glassy-eyed apathy: the almost incessant use of the name “Jesus Christ” as a pejorative or curse, up to the bizarrely crass use of the “f” word between the words “Jesus” and “Christ.”
How outrageously (and needlessly) offensive that is to so many potential moviegoers. Why? Can any producer, director, screenwriter, etc., give even one example of such a piece of dialogue being necessary or even having a point in any of the myriad of films such an ugly statement has been utilized?
What does it say about the filmmakers and how “out of touch” they at least seem to be when utilizing such an ugly slur?
(My favorite example: In what was an otherwise exemplary film, Bill Paxton’s “Frailty,” in which the main character, having received what he believed to be direct communications from God — and wanting to follow Him — peppers his dialogue with “gd’s.” Bill, are you that clueless not just as a sensible, intelligent observer of society, but also as a character-creating director of Brent Hanley’s screenplay?)
It just makes one scratch his/her head.
But then there’s the other side, who seem to be completely confident in their belief that all of “Hollywood” is filled with clueless, liberal, America-hating pagans.
They are just as idiotic as the ones they claim to despise. They put forth endless charges of the worst kind of stereotypes and cliches. (As a writer, that’s what annoys me the most.)
They disregard any and all worthy charitable efforts by these “elitists” as self-serving. They poo-poo any film that doesn’t simply embrace the United States with blind jingoism. (Wow, I just typed the words “poo-poo” in a sentence. Yeah, I’m an intellectual. See my doctoral thesis later on the impact of “The Beverly Hillbillies” on post-Eisenhower social and cultural mores. LOL)
A dose of reality to those in the “America: Love It Or Leave It” camp: The United States DOES have a history of some truly ugly conduct. Its laundry list of deceit, geo-political meddling, murder (yes, murder), corruption, arrogance, and general misconduct is staggering in its volume.
That doesn’t make the United States evil; it makes those that chose to partake in such awful conduct evil, or at least moral failures. A country is made up of individuals, not land (since the land was in place long before it was named). And like in most countries, there are people on one side who yearn to do good, those on another side who yearn to do evil (or gain in power, money, what-have-you), and the big middle — those who simply want to live their lives in peace, love and be loved, have a family, and be left alone. We’re no different here than anywhere else. It’s the human condition.
So, while it would be nice for both “sides” of this dopey argument to step back and reflect on themselves in a less combative frame of mind, this realist knows that such a thing will never take place because seemingly everybody needs a boogeyman, an enemy, a side to stand on. And most will continue to feed off of their arrogance or fear or combination of both.
That, too, is the human condition. A pity.
Comment by Rain — April 13, 2008 @ 7:49 am
I will rent most movies, but not spend big bucks in a theater where the seats are broken and filthy and the sound so loud you cannot think, the other morons talking too loud and rustling their candy wrappers for 20 minutes. Leatherheads looks ok to me. Clooney’s politics are not in most movies. Those that are can suffer, like that idiot Sean Penn.
Comment by camel jockey — April 13, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Here’s some free advice to Hollywood people: apply the Fairness Doctrine to Hollywood movies and make something right-wing for every left-wing movie you make. A few new genuninely rugged leading men in the John Wayne, Charles Bronson vein wouldn’t hurt either. One of the main problems today is that most Hollywood movies have become soooooooooooo boring because they all come from the same predictable leftist perspective.
Comment by chaz — April 13, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I dont get people who wont see a movie because of the actors politics. I am a conservative but inspite of that I will not allow my poitics to dictate my entertainment. Its like saying you wont root for a football team because the quaterback is a liberal. Get oer yourself, politics have no bearing on acting talent or entertainment level. If something is good then let it be good, quit letting liberal politics tell you what you wont do or see. If you do, you’re just letting “them” get the better of you because whether you want to accept it or not, hollywood will still make millions with or without middle america and red states, why deprive yourself of some good films in the process?
Comment by terrence — April 13, 2008 @ 8:30 am
Susan, part of the problem is that liberals only focus on the negative aspects of America. If so much needs to be fixed, why are you still here? Hollywood’s sympathy for our sworn enemies (who would gladly cut off my head and yours) also disgusts a lot of Americans. Osama bin Laden and the Islamic extremists declared war on us first. And do you think those same Islamic extremists would let Hollywood make the kind of movies it makes today if they ever took over? I think not.
Comment by chaz — April 13, 2008 @ 8:39 am
I have not been in a theater since 1983. Crap, crap, crap. Once in a long while a really good film comes along and I rent it. Often for .99 to 1.99.
So, do you really think I would rent anything by algore?
Ha!
Comment by Georgia Arget — April 13, 2008 @ 9:15 am
once again a website is messed up by the radical right throwing politics into everything. isn’t this supposed to be about the MOVIE ?
Comment by jeff — April 13, 2008 @ 9:24 am
I believe those in tinseltown should look at the economic facts that towns are losing cinema houses. Over two years ago Vicksburg Ms lost thier only cinema,Penmberton 4,formally owned Regel Entertainment Group but sold to Village Entertainment of Valipariso,Indiana. A few broke out between Village and CBL Associates who owned the mall. Since Village didn’t want to pay the high rent,the community lost its cinema at Christmas time. As a result of this and this is happening all across the united states I might add. Less mumber of Cinemas,less the box office draw. One more thing both Regel and Village discrimated with the white market by showing more black films over current releases. Also they ran trailers to films that never opened. Also some people don’t want to pay hight ticket costs at all.
Studio execs really honestly cared about thier customers they should chide those in the Cinema industry. For closing some cinemas and not inhancing the current marketplace.
Comment by chuck — April 13, 2008 @ 9:31 am
Several entries now have defended Clooney by pointing to his other film “successes.” I rue the fact that the purpose of this site is to discuss movies and not politics, nor to bash the lack of intelligence or insight of one American to another. However, in response from those defending GC’s choices, I must offer the following story from this very website in the wake of the “Michael Clayton” release:
“SUNDAY AM: Everyone knew Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married would do well at the box office this weekend. But certainly not $21.5 million, well enough to double the gross receipts of Triple-A List star George Clooney’s adult legal drama Michael Clayton. How abundantly clear that Clooney’s domestic popularity as an actor isn’t what the media or Hollywood thinks it is. After all, his Warner movie is one of the best reviewed this early fall (90% on Rotten Tomatoes). But except for his ensemble movies — the franchise Ocean’s 11, 12 & 13 or A Perfect Storm or Batman & Robin– not one George Clooney-starring movie has ever opened big at the domestic box office despite plenty of hype. But he keeps getting hired as the top salaried star of pics especially at Warner because he’s considered a big name. Such is the decision making of Hollywood.
Jim
Comment by Jim — April 13, 2008 @ 10:15 am
Whatever josh or any of the Libs are saying is nonsense. The movies are bombing because of Hollywoods politics. And to put down middle America as a bunch of hillbillies only sees prom movies goes to show how low these Libs are. Josh darling.. the reason the prom movies works is because teens go to them and teens do not care about anything but the little ball they live in for a few years. So to say it is hillbillies who go to prom movies is ridiculous, Unless those hillbilly teens I see lined up outside LA move theaters in Los Angles all came from a red state.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO BOYCOTT HOLLYWOOD WHICH IS RUN BY CORPORATIONS.. OH YEAH IT’S THE CONSERVATIVES WHO OWN ALL THE CORPS.. THE BIGEST LIES GOES VERY FAR. WELL YOU LIBS THINK THEY DO. DREAM ON
Comment by dico — April 13, 2008 @ 10:39 am
I would never go or not go to a movie based on the political position(s) taken by any or all of the cast or crew. I will avoid seeing movies that support some political or social stance I do not aggree with but it is based on movie content alone.
I go to the movies to be entertained. If Leatherheads is doing poorly my guess is that it is not that great a film.
Comment by Ron — April 13, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Pardon me, I don’t mean to offend anyone….George Clooney is a handsome, well”dressed” male. When he opens his mouth, moves his body and hands, his voice tone? He just doesn’t cut it for a ” macho man” role …too feminine for me.
Comment by Penelope K — April 13, 2008 @ 11:00 am
To all you liberalites,
Face it plain and simple. Clooney and others like him are losing their appeal. When all companies of Hollywood make the theaters charge exuberant fees, it fuels the already contentious attitudes of “normal American’s”. Why should any of these arrogant SOBs think we are going to throw away our hard earned money to watch and listen to possible propaganda shite? And with today’s day and age, more and more people are realizing none of us have to go to the movies anymore. Period.
So, if Clooney and crew want to get us back, start acting like decent human beings, force the movie companies to lower their strangleholds, and just simply charge less. Laws of cost and demand. Simple. As prices goes up, costs come down. Oh, wait, that won’t offset their carbon footprint tax, environmental tax, green tax, well, you get the picture.
Drown in your own spew of your creation liberalites.
Comment by Erik M — April 13, 2008 @ 11:12 am
WOW people. It is just a movie. Nothing at all to do with politics.
Clooney hating America? Where did that come from??
Reading all the above comments that have nothing to do with actual film or demographics make me realize what is truly wrong with the state of America. Too many angry people trying to force their ways on others. Nothing more American than that, right people.
Comment by Palmour — April 13, 2008 @ 11:13 am
How petty these political debates are..on both sides. Angry Internet shut-ins taking their frustrations out on each other through insults and half-truths-don’t you have anything better to do?
As for the actual topic at hand, movies, here’s my take. Hollywood lacks bonafide stars. Look at the endless list of B-list personalities on the Academy Awards telecast this year (a dying concept with decreasing ratings, like the Miss America pageant). Most of the nominated movies were stocked with good, but not great talent, and most Americans just didn’t care to see those movies that a flagging industry seemed so enamored with. What seems to be missing, are the stars, replaced with cheap celebrities with little drawing power.
Secondly, and unfortunately, Hollywood has remade many great and beloved movies from the past, to miserable results. They have also recycled too many baby-boom era t.v. shows, to equally dismal results, only rarely exceeding the fun and entertainment value of the originals. There is a boring trend of recycling (Oceans 13, 14, 15, ad nauseum) and people today have many other entertainment choices that did not exist in Hollywood’s heyday, now long gone. and they choose to exercise those choices.
Finally, American society has become coarser and less sophisticated. As a result, many audience members are less likely to attend films with themes and messages that might threaten their belief systems, or that they don’t relate to personally, or simply do not understand. Major cities today have dropout rates that guarantee that almost half or more of the younger population is semi-literate, or worse. Don’t expect them to attend films that are not dumbed-down or based on graphic violence.
Sorry to disappoint those who see everything in political or religious terms on this blog, but some of us out there just love movies and think Hollywood can do better. There are plenty of us out there with disposable income who are just waiting to be entertained by quality films. But today’s stars hold little or no fascination for us. Unfortunately, Hollywood’s best, DeNiro, Nicholson, Hoffman, Pacino, etc., are aging, and the Clooneys and Pitts and Cruises and their ilk are just no match.
Save the political b.s. for the elections. They’re a hell of a lot more important than a self-indulgent industry that seems to have lost touch with what intelligent Americans want. OK, you angry ideologues can go back to insulting each other now.
Comment by greble — April 13, 2008 @ 11:17 am
After watching the trailer I can understand why it wasn’t a big hit over the weekend. Booooooooring. I can enjoy a old time sports movie like the next person, but Leatherheads didn’t make me rush out to pay $10 for a mediocre movie. Don’t think it has anything to do about political stance, just what people are looking for. I personally am a Conservative and don’t care to much for Hollywood trying to use their star power to push their political agendas. But then again if I was hounded by a camera 24 hours a day and my every word was televised it would look like I was pushing my conservative values as well. Actions speak louder then words. Do something about it!!
Comment by Nick — April 13, 2008 @ 11:52 am
I wouldn’t count Leatherheads as a bomb. It’s still earning millions of dollars and I can guarantee that the picture will make a profit.
I’m surprised with the condescending attitude towards box office receipts. As far as I know, to have your film in the top ten is a great thing to happen. No matter what the earnings. There’s this thing called Home Video that trumps box office earnings every year and let us not forget that films are on a five year return schedule to recoup their costs.
Can we simply regain our sanity when it comes to box office. In LA they can’t even afford to keep art and music programs in their public schools. So who’s warped and who’s priorities are out of whack?
Comment by levelheaded — April 13, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Funny thing is, I’ve heard Leatherheads is actually pretty entertaining. But, Clooney’s role does make it harder for me to go see it as he is an America-hater. Simply not interested in dumb horror movies, they add no intellectual or entertainment value.
Back to Clooney — he’s just a big lib and everyone knows it. If he’s the only star people will tend to drift away.
Comment by Kansan — April 13, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Odd how on a movie blog there’s comments along the lines of, “I haven’t been to the movies since the Carter Administration!” and “Well, I haven’t been since they added widescreen! Beat that!”
We all know that you’re trying to show how in the groove and rebellious you are by ignoring Hollywood drivel. But seriously, it just makes you look ignorant.
Helpful hint: If you want people (of a different ideological persuasion) to listen to you, show that you’ve done your homework.
Comment by Alexander — April 13, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
More free advice for Hollywood: In addition to preachy left-wing politics, here’s a list of things absolutely wrong with today’s movies: trendy, but poor filmmaking techniques which include irritiating cameras that never stop shaking and editing where no shot lasts longer than 2 seconds; CGI overkill. CGI usually makes things look more fake, not less fake; perpetuating outright politically-correct lies where minorities will inevitably be the heroes or victims, while whites, conservatives, cops, the U.S. military or the USA itself will inevitably be the villains; too many unnecessary, dumbed-down remakes; torture porn; comedies that rely on increasingly vulgar shock value and a high hipness factor rather than old-fashioned wit; too many comic-book and video-game movies; bland and boring young “stars” nobody wants to pay to see; chatty moviegoers; moviegoers talking on cell phones or text messaging (phone glows) during movies; too many films shot in HD, which never looks as good as film; dirty theaters; and not to mention higher ticket prices for what’s too often subpar projection and sound.
Comment by chaz — April 13, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
To all Drudge Report-reading Republican cavemen, remember this:
1) On his worst day, George Clooney makes more money than you do in a year.
2) On his worst day, George Clooney ****s better-looking women than you will in your entire life.
Have a Nice Day!
Comment by Limousine Liberal — April 13, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
All of you people have it wrong here. All you Liberals, all you Conservatives, Tree-Huggers, Warmongers…. whatever. It’s not the political views of the actors or the studios making films that is the problem here.
It’s the simple fact that a large popcorn and soda costs me $14 bucks. Now that’s a freakin conspiracy.
Comment by Taternuggets — April 13, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Being a European, this talk about liberals/America-haters never fails to amaze me. In this context, it should also be noted that Clooney’s perceiced liberal agenda goes down quite well with the rest of the world.
Comment by Manuel — April 14, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Silly Rabbits - Movies Are For Kids! Red State/Blue State means nothing to kids. NOBODY OVER 28 GOES TO THE MOVIES! Kids don’t wanna see a period-set football comedy. They wanna see COMEDIES and SCARY MOVIES and movies WHERE KIDS GET TO BE INDEPENDENT and GLAMOROUS.
Adjust your development slate accordingly.
Comment by T.J. — April 14, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
A handful of really good movies still get made (like “No Country for Old Men”), but it almost seems by accident. Movies in general have been becoming increasingly dumbed-down in the last 20 years. With every subsequent year, there’s less and less I want to see.
Comment by chaz — April 15, 2008 @ 11:38 am