International Box Office: Aquaman Tops Competition by $100 million

December 19th, 2018

Aquaman expanded worldwide at the weekend, earning $131.3 million on 44,134 screens in 43 markets for a two-week total of $266.4 million on the international market. It debuted in over 40 markets, but China was still the dominant force, as it pulled in $54.24 million on 24,528 screens there over the weekend for a two-week total of $189.30 million. A 42% drop-off is amazing for China, which is know for sharp sophomore declines, and the film is already the fourth-biggest super hero film in that market. On the other hand, the film’s biggest opening came in Mexico, where it earned $6.62 million over the weekend for a total opening of $8.00 million there. This is significantly below the openings of both Wonder Woman and Justice League. Overall, Aquaman beat those films more often then not, sometimes by rather large margins. For example, it earned $7.8 million on 3,110 screens in Russia, which was more than double Wonder Woman’s opening in that market. However, at this point, we can safely say China will contribute a disproportionate share of its international box office. More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for June 25th, 2013

June 24th, 2013

It's summer time. Long time readers know what that means for the home market. It's bad news. There are a couple of first-run releases to come out: The Call and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. The former was a solid midlevel hit earning more than $50 million on a $13 million budget. The latter bombed. Neither one is a contender for Pick of the Week. There are a couple limited releases that might rise to that level, but I think the best release is Todd & the Book of Pure Evil: The Complete Second Season on DVD. Unfortunately, the screener arrived late so I haven't had a chance to review it, and I hate handing out that honor when till after I give the screener a full review. Fortunately, there is a screener that arrived late that is worth that honor: My Neighbor Totoro on Blu-ray. More...

Featured Blu-ray Review: Hayao Miyazaki Double-Shot

June 19th, 2013

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best animators working today, if not they best. He's created a number of masterpieces and even his weaker efforts are worth watching again and again. Recently two of his films were released on Blu-ray, Howl's Moving Castle and My Neighbor Totoro. The screeners arrived a little late, but I finally got to the reviews this week. Where do they fit in Hayao Miyazaki's filmography? And are they worth picking up? More...

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for May 21st, 2013

May 23rd, 2013

It's an abridged list of DVD and Blu-ray releases report this week due to technical difficulties. The best selling new release of the week is True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season on Blu-ray Combo Pack, which is certainly worth owning for fans. However, the best releases are the Hayao Miyazaki Double-Shot, Howl's Moving Castle on Blu-ray Combo Pack and My Neighbor Totoro on Blu-ray Combo Pack. Most prefer the former, but I prefer the latter. More...