Post by chatter on Feb 19, 2006 23:17:31 GMT -5
movie decline continues (05/09/2005)
now hollywood is starting to get worried.
the poor box-office performance last weekend of the first major film of the summer, "kingdom of heaven," released by 20th century fox, made for 11 weeks in a row of declining movie attendance and revenue compared with last year, adding up to the longest slump since 2000 and raising an uncomfortable question:
are people turning away from lackluster movies, or turning their backs on the whole business of going to theaters?
the historical epic about the crusades, which stars orlando bloom and was directed by ridley scott, took in just $20 million at the domestic box office, a puny opening for a film that cost about $130 million to make and was supported by a major marketing push. the film was helped by a stronger performance abroad, where it took in $56 million in 93 territories.
some of hollywood's most seasoned executives insist that this year's problem is a simpler one: the movies have not been good enough. usually, they said, a sleeper hit comes along in late winter or early spring to wake up the box office, like last year's "mean girls" or "starsky & hutch" - or the crucifixion blockbuster "the passion of the christ."
are people turning away from lackluster movies, or turning their backs on the whole business of going to theaters?
now hollywood is starting to get worried.
the poor box-office performance last weekend of the first major film of the summer, "kingdom of heaven," released by 20th century fox, made for 11 weeks in a row of declining movie attendance and revenue compared with last year, adding up to the longest slump since 2000 and raising an uncomfortable question:
are people turning away from lackluster movies, or turning their backs on the whole business of going to theaters?
the historical epic about the crusades, which stars orlando bloom and was directed by ridley scott, took in just $20 million at the domestic box office, a puny opening for a film that cost about $130 million to make and was supported by a major marketing push. the film was helped by a stronger performance abroad, where it took in $56 million in 93 territories.
some of hollywood's most seasoned executives insist that this year's problem is a simpler one: the movies have not been good enough. usually, they said, a sleeper hit comes along in late winter or early spring to wake up the box office, like last year's "mean girls" or "starsky & hutch" - or the crucifixion blockbuster "the passion of the christ."
are people turning away from lackluster movies, or turning their backs on the whole business of going to theaters?