Strong B.O.

Did anyone expect FOUR BROTHERS to open so big? In a year when I’ve bought completely into the hype of falling ticket sales, all three major new releases did about double what I was expecting. It makes me wonder if CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, WEDDING CRASHERS and to a lesser extent MARCH OF THE PENGUINS have made going to the movies fun again.












CHARLIE (which is a mixed box of chocolates indeed) had a built in appeal and audiences didn’t want to see the eye candy crammed into the small box of their home television. CRASHERS has created a Wedding Reception vibe with its audience. Everyone gathers and has a good time laughing together. (Even if, like a real reception, the party goes on longer than it needs to.)

So now, like reunited lovers, people returned to the theatres with renewed optimism where they are greeted with FOUR BROTHERS, THE SKELETON KEY, DEUCE BIGALOW: EUROPEAN GIGOLO and THE DUKES OF HAZZARD.

Suckers.

And, for all its bitching and moaning, Hollywood’s bank account is doing just fine.

THE LONGEST YARD, at $157 million is only a few million behind Sandler’s two biggest hits THE WATERBOY ($161.5) and BIG DADDY ($163.5).

MADAGASCAR, widely considered one of the worst CGI Animated movies made, trampled up $190 million, with another $238 million coming from overseas.

MR. & MRS. SMITH ($182.5) is less than a million away from passing OCEAN’S 11 as Brad Pitt’s biggest success. (Worldwide, SMITH’s $375 million is impressive, but still $120 million behind TROY.)

While nobody was paying attention, modest films like SKY HIGH and MUST LOVE DOGS and THE DEVIL’S REJECTS have turned modest profits. Hell, THE BAD NEWS BEARS is only a few million short of breaking even.

I expect the current upswing to continue next week with the release of RED EYE and THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN. Both films are generating a fairly strong “want to see” buzz. (They also have two of the year’s best posters.)