question of the day: Do you pay any attention to the Monday-morning box office reports?On Sunday come the estimates, then on Monday the actuals: box office numbers for the just-concluded weekend. Industry watchers and insiders can live and die by these numbers, in our era of the blockbuster and the all-important opening weekend. But how much do ordinary moviegoers or even die-hard movie fans care about them? Do you pay any attention to the Monday-morning box office reports? Even if just out of curiosity about the horse-race aspect of the blockbuster culture? I do, of course -- I’ve been covering the North American box office for quite a while now, and recently I began watching the U.K. box office. I wish Hollywood weren’t so focused on these numbers, but this is the reality of the industry at the moment. I’d like to think, though, that talking about those numbers with a bit of awareness toward how to change that focus is a first step toward changing the blockbuster culture. I haven’t quit figured out yet how even changing the focus can happen, never mind anything beyond that, but I’m thinking about it. (If you have a suggestion for a QOTD, feel free to email me.) share
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Mon Jan 26 09, 10:39AM join the conversation: 7 pre-Disqus comments Disqus comments posted in: talk amongst yourselves by MaryAnn Johanson read morerelated· question of the day: What movie event of 2012 will have the biggest impact in years to come? · question of the day: Why is Skyfall resonating so powerfully with British audiences? · question of the day: Is the *idea* of movies now more important than the movies themselves in entertainment media? · question of the day: Are midnight Thursday movie openings here to stay? · question of the day: Are classic pulp novels too dated to make faithful transfers to the big screen? · question of the day: With so many expensive movies sinking this year, will Hollywood step back from the blockbuster? · question of the day: Are superhero films popular because our real leaders have failed us? · question of the day: How big can a movie get? (Or: How huge will Avengers open in North America?) · question of the day: Are the Oscars an ever clearer indication that Hollywood *knows* it makes crap? · question of the day: Would a coupon deal get you to a multiplex to see a movie you wouldn’t otherwise see? bloggyprevious post: DVDs and screeners received: ‘Dennis Potter: 3 to Remember,’ ‘Holly,’ more next post: trailer break: ‘The Uninvited’ |










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posted by Bill (Mon Jan 26 09, 12:12PM)
What report(s) do you read on Monday?
Thanks.
posted by Ryan (Mon Jan 26 09, 12:45PM)
Yes. But I'm pretty much addicted to this kind of stuff.
Sometimes I even find myself hanging out in the Box Office Mojo forums just to talk about the daily weekday numbers.
posted by Ken (Mon Jan 26 09, 12:52PM)
The only time I bother is when I'm uncertain as to how popular a movie might be. Usually when something seems like it has a niche audience. Serenity is a good past example. I'm equally curious as to how Watchmen will do, whether it will appeal to more than just the geek audience, as Spider-man and Dark Knight did.
posted by markyd (Mon Jan 26 09, 1:34PM)
Yup. I've been checking Boxofficeguru.com for years. I check every Thursday for predictions, and Monday for weekend figures.
It's mainly curiosity, but I do like to see if movies I like are well-received monetarily. I actually find myself getting upset if they are not. Same thing if some crappy movie makes a gob of money. I shake my head for America.
posted by C. David Dent (Mon Jan 26 09, 1:57PM)
I check them because I play HSX and they affect my portfolio, although most of the adjustments are done on Sunday evening.
posted by joey (Mon Jan 26 09, 4:50PM)
No, I don't. I really don't care whatsoever.
posted by Lythea (Mon Jan 26 09, 6:17PM)
I don't care enough look. Though if some numbers do catch my attention, I'm happy if movies I like are doing well, and vice versa. Just because it must affect future similar things.