February 20th, 2007
It's not a great week for DVD releases.
While there are plenty worth talking about, few combine a high quality movie with top-notch extras.
Because of this, it was hard to pick a DVD Pick of the Week.
Sure, the two spotlight films on this week's list, Shut Up and Sing - Buy from Amazon and The Prestige - Buy from Amazon, are great, but the DVDs leave a lot to be desired.
So were the two Canadian entries, Trailer Park Boys - Buy from Amazon.ca and C.R.A.Z.Y. - Buy from Amazon.
In many ways Gandhi - Two-Disc Special Edition - Buy from Amazon was the best choice on this week's list, but I'm going with Trailer Park Boys - Buy from Amazon.ca (and I also recommend the massive box set as well).
You may call this is a result of a pro-Canada bias, and you would be right.
But at least I'm up front about it.
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December 19th, 2006
Dreamgirls set a new record per theater average for a live action film over the weekend by pulling in $380,000 in three movie houses for an average of $126,317.
While this is significantly ahead of the previous record holder, Brokeback Mountain, it is important to note that tickets for Dreamgirls were $25, meaning there were 5,000 tickets sold per theater compared to 10,000 for Brokeback.
On a tickets-per-theater average the film is more in line with Sideways or In Good Company, which is still a very good result.
The only other film to crack $10,000 was The Good German at $15,363.
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December 5th, 2006
Not a single new release was able to top $10,000 on the per theater chart this week; in fact, none even came close.
But two holdovers were able to accomplish that feat.
Leading the way was Volver with an average of $12,675 in 30 theaters, while The History Boys managed $10,359 in 8.
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November 29th, 2006
As always, Award Season officially begins with the announcing of the
Independent Spirit Award nominations. While this is the first major awards to announce their nominations, they are one of the last to hand them out so the nominees have a long wait ahead of them.
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November 28th, 2006
Volver returned to the top of the per theater charts for the third time in its four week run.
Over the 3-day portion of the weekend it earned an average of $17,071 in its 30 theaters and the movie is on pace to top Talk to Her as the biggest grossing film in Pedro Almodovar's career.
Second place went to Dhoom 2: Back in Action with a very impressive average of $15,540 in 63 theaters.
Even if the film sees the usual step drop-off for niche market films, the distributor has to be happy with its run. The History Boys didn't make history, but they did earn $100,000 in 7 theaters over the weekend for an average of $14,400.
The final film to make it into the $10,000 club was Two or Three Things I Know About Her with $10,764 in its lone theater.
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November 21st, 2006
Bobby finished on top of the Per Theater Chart this weekend after taking in nearly $70,000 in two theaters for an average of $34,520.
That was more than $10,000 above its nearest competition, Volver, which pulled in an average of $24,095 during its third week of release.
For Your Consideration placed third on the charts with an average of $16,174, which is a really good start, but still well below the average opening for Christopher Guest's previous mockumentaries.
In fourth was the first of two wide release to top $10,000 as Casino Royale scored a very impressive $11,891 in 3,434 theaters.
The re-release of Two or Three Things I Know About Her earned $11,214 in its lone theater, while Flannel Pajamas brought in $11,069, also in one theater.
Finally we have the overall box office champ, Happy Feet, with an average of $10,918.
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November 18th, 2006
A lot of trailers on this week's list of websites. Not only were there a lot of site with just trailers, there were a few trailers without sites. On the other hand, there were also a few contenders for the Weekly Website Award. In the end it was
The Children of Men -
Official Site that took home that prestigious award.
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November 17th, 2006
Looking at this particular weekend weeks back, I noticed three films that seemed destined for mainstream success as well as critical glory: Bobby, Fast Food Nation, and For Your Consideration. However, not one managed to live up to expectations with the critics and that doesn't bode very well for the weekend as a whole.
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November 1st, 2006
Note: Article updated 11/18/2006 with correct budget for Harsh Times
It's that time of the month again, a time to look forward, but it is also a time to look back.
October was a stronger month than expected and, while there are a lot of reasons for that, I think one must pay particular attention to the play of Taylor Pyatt.
The departure of Anson Carter to free agency over the summer was troublesome and many felt finding a right winger for the Sedin twins was a key in maintaining or even improving upon last year's numbers.
Without good chemistry, Daniel and Henrik might have taken a step back this year.
However, with a team leading 6 goals, Taylor Pyatt is more than proving he can play with the speedy Swedes. ...
What?
Oh right, movies.
It was a pretty good month for movies as well.
November sees the beginning of the most important time of year for the movie industry.
Not only do the holidays start with Thanksgiving, but this is also the time of year that award season really heats up.
This means there is an excellent mix of blockbusters, especially family films, and critically acclaimed films hoping that first impressions are lasting impressions.
It also means there are several limited releases that could expand wide later in their run; these include Fur, Bobby, For Your Consideration and others.
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October 14th, 2006
With more and more Oscar contenders getting ready to start their theatrical runs, it is fitting that a satire of such films,
For Your Consideration -
Official Site, takes home the Weekly Website Award.
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