50% drop for Iron Man isn't too bad since it made so much last weekend. Ouch for Speed Racer, but it didn't really look that good either.
Looks like it will be the first bomb of the summer most places had it making at least 30 million this week.
Dane Marvin
05-10-08, 02:11 PM
I enjoyed Speed Racer to a degree (I did get to see it at an IMAX, which was my very first time in an IMAX theater, so that may have upped the ante for me) but agree with Jamie Rich's review that is was about 30 minutes too long. However, heartily disagree with it being the worst movie of the year so far. Did that jerk actually watch 10,000 BC or was he just pretending? Has he seen some of the horror movies that have already come out this year? Jeez, at least Speed Racer had some heart and dazzling visuals and audio. Everything about 10,000 BC wreaked to high heaven, even the limited and limp-dicked action sequences.
Very shocked that Speed didn't top What Happens In Vegas in ticket sales yesterday, but I am not shocked that Iron Man still has a ton of momentum. What a great flick that was.
PopcornTreeCt
05-10-08, 02:35 PM
Good job for Iron Man. I thought Speed Racer looked decent but certainly not something I'd see in the theatre. It bombing is not really surprising as it really had no appeal at all.
sauce07
05-10-08, 02:39 PM
wow, huge bomb. This thing is going to get crushed even more next weekend with Narnia. this thing could leave theaters with less then 40 million.
superdeluxe
05-10-08, 02:46 PM
Man Speed Racer won't even make 20 million jesus. that is bombing.
While Iron man is looking at between 49-54 million for the weekend, which is heading towards a 50% drop, which is fantastic.
tonymontana313
05-10-08, 02:48 PM
I've seen a 250mil to 300mil thrown around as a budget and marketing figure for Speed Racer. I'm sure heads are going to roll at WB for this blunder.
Mr. Cinema
05-10-08, 02:49 PM
wow, huge bomb. This thing is going to get crushed even more next weekend with Narnia. this thing could leave theaters with less then 40 million.
Another Warner Brothers Summer disaster. Probably not as bad as Poseidon or The Invasion, but it's close. I believe the "production" budget was $100 million. Prints and ads will increase that total as well.
KillerCannibal
05-10-08, 03:26 PM
Wow. SR just got totally pwned... but an Ashton Kutcher film. I can't believe <i>that's</i> doing better than SR. This is a HUGE bomb considering the production and marketing costs involved. No surprise with Iron Man. Glad to see it's got some legs. I'm guessing it leaves theaters with about $250m-ish.
fitprod
05-10-08, 03:46 PM
I've seen a 250mil to 300mil thrown around as a budget and marketing figure for Speed Racer. I'm sure heads are going to roll at WB for this blunder.
Well, this might take care of Lana (formally, Larry) and Andy's careers...
fitprod
Brack
05-10-08, 04:48 PM
Klady has reported Iron Man to be more around $12.5, but that's still a good hold.
GatorDeb
05-10-08, 05:08 PM
Me personally I enjoyed Speed Racer more, and want to watch it again on Imax. Will also get the HVD. I enjoyed IM but not as much, and will probably skip the HVD.
While I was watching SR one thought kept popping up: This movie is FUN.
Mr. Cinema
05-10-08, 05:39 PM
Klady has reported Iron Man to be more around $12.5, but that's still a good hold.
Who?
Seantn
05-10-08, 05:39 PM
Well, this might take care of Lana (formally, Larry) and Andy's careers...
fitprod
Oh please. They created the Matrix trilogy. Worldwide that made over 1.6 BILLION dollars in theaters alone, not even counting DVD or merchandise sales. One bomb (even a big one) will not end them. Now if this Speed Racer film were their first movie, then I'd probably agree that their careers would be hurt very badly.
Brack
05-10-08, 05:46 PM
Who?
Leonard Klady. There's more than just boxofficemojo out there.
Nesbit
05-10-08, 06:34 PM
Oh please. They created the Matrix trilogy. Worldwide that made over 1.6 BILLION dollars in theaters alone, not even counting DVD or merchandise sales. One bomb (even a big one) will not end them. Now if this Speed Racer film were their first movie, then I'd probably agree that their careers would be hurt very badly.
That's one way to look at it. Another is
Bounce - 36 million box office in the US - 35 million production budget
Matrix - 171 million box office in the US - 63 million production budget
Matrix Reloaded - 281 million box office in the US - 150 million production budget
Matrix Revolutions - 139 million box office in the US - 150 million production budget
Speed Racer - Projected to make 50 million or so in the US - production budget unknown (lets say 150 million which seems about right)
Added up = 677 million in US revenue vs. 548 production costs
I understand that I didn't include worldwide box office or dvd sales but I also didn't include the marketing budgets. They have had one small film, two box office hits, and two box office bombs which were their last flicks. This might not be the end of their career but I doubt they'll get another big budget film until they make a profit with lesser films.
TallGuyMe
05-10-08, 06:40 PM
Um, I think you meant "Bound", not "Bounce" :) TOTALLY different movies.
Brent L
05-10-08, 06:44 PM
I said this in a thread last week:
I think that even most of those of you saying no are giving Speed Racer too much credit.
I think it's going to be the biggest dud of the year. It won’t quite be as low or as badly received as, say, Thunderbirds, but it'll be a huge disappointment. I'll be shocked, truly shocked, if I'm wrong on this.
Iron Man will still be #1, and it'll likely make twice as much as what Speed Race brings in, if not even more than that. I'm not even convinced that Speed Racer will be #2. It will be lucky to be able to even reach that high.
I'm still shocked that people thought it would be anything close to a hit. That trailer, wow, it just the stink of a bomb all over it.
Brack
05-10-08, 06:45 PM
This might not be the end of their career but I doubt they'll get another big budget film until they make a profit with lesser films.
The last I checked the Wachowskis didn't market this movie.
Nesbit
05-10-08, 06:47 PM
Um, I think you meant "Bound", not "Bounce" :) TOTALLY different movies.
Doh! No production budget listed for bound but it made 3.8 million
Nesbit
05-10-08, 06:48 PM
The last I checked the Wachowskis didn't market this movie.
Don't get your point. Not trying to be rude, I just have no clue what that has to do with what I was saying.
Brack
05-10-08, 06:56 PM
Don't get your point. Not trying to be rude, I just have no clue what that has to do with what I was saying.
The opening of the movie had zero to do with the Wachowskis or the quality of the movie and everything to do with how well this film was marketed. The marketing department failed to connect with kids. I think they thought a lot of teens and fanboys would come out to see it, and it looks like they were wrong.
Ronnie Dobbs
05-10-08, 07:05 PM
Well, this might take care of Lana (formally, Larry) and Andy's careers...
fitprod
I'm really sick of hearing this urban legend so...
No Sex Change for 'Matrix' Director Larry Wachowski
Thursday, September 06, 2007
By Roger Friedman
'Matrix' Director: No Sex Change, Thanks
Larry Wachowski is still a man.
The co-director of the "Matrix" movies was rumored to have had a sex-change operation recently. Internet sites started buzzing recently that Larry was now called Lana. Someone even edited his Wikipedia entry to that effect. The Wachowski Brothers, they said, were about to become the Donny and Marie of filmmaking.
I must say, returning from a two week trip to Africa, I found this news rather startling.
Of course, Larry Wachowski — who’s reportedly into a lot of wild, tough stuff — has encouraged this kind of speculation among his fans and the press. He dates a dominatrix and publicizes it.
He let his wife’s vague angry language in their divorce filing make it seem as though as he was on the verge of a huge announcement. Either he was becoming a woman or turning into a pygmy.
Either way, Larry Wachowski’s purported sex change is right up there with "Paul Is Dead" and the "Beaver Died in Vietnam."
And it’s not true.
On Wednesday, I had lovely chats with people at the sound studio in Germany where the Wachowskis have been making the live action version of the Japanese cartoon "Speed Racer." The folks I spoke to got quite a kick out of the whole thing.
I asked one man in building operations, "Have you seen Larry lately? Does he have breasts now, as rumored? Is he wearing a dress, wondering if it’s making him look fat?"
Laughter. “He looked like a man to me,” was the response.
And what about this Lana business? Said one woman who worked in the "Speed Racer" office: “On the call sheets, it still says Larry. There’s no Lana.” She laughed too.
Rats! Where is the gossip when you need it? An assistant to one of the producers got on the phone.
“None of it is true,” he said. We spent several minutes rehashing all the stories that were floating around out there.
Finally, I did speak with Joel Silver, who executive produces the W Brothers' movies.
“It’s all untrue,” he reconfirmed for me. “They just don’t do interviews, so people make things up.”
Disappointed? I know. I am too.
But I think Larry, er Lana, has gotten the last laugh, at least for now.
Nesbit
05-10-08, 07:14 PM
The opening of the movie had zero to do with the Wachowskis or the quality of the movie and everything to do with how well this film was marketed. The marketing department failed to connect with kids. I think they thought a lot of teens and fanboys would come out to see it, and it looks like they were wrong.
What does that have to do with anything when it comes to Hollywood?
Their last two movies were bombs. My point was that they won't be getting another big budget project until they turn a profit on smaller films. Do you think studios will give them another 100 million dollar film despite their last film losing tons of money because the "Marketing department failed to connect"?
Brack
05-10-08, 07:41 PM
What does that have to do with anything when it comes to Hollywood?
Nothing, if only to say that Hollywood is ran by morons who don't understand the truth behind the disappointing box office. They'd rather blame the movie than the people who's job it is to get to the audience that needed to know about it, and to sell it in a meaningful way. It just wasn't done. And it had a terrible release date to boot.
Their last two movies were bombs. My point was that they won't be getting another big budget project until they turn a profit on smaller films. Do you think studios will give them another 100 million dollar film despite their last film losing tons of money because the "Marketing department failed to connect"?
Maybe not, I was never disputing that, but it's too early to call Speed Racer a bomb just yet. It doesn't look good though. International box office will no doubt be better.
And Revolutions didn't "bomb," it just didn't have the interest that Reloaded did because a lot of people felt jipped by Reloaded for whatever reason. Call it Back to the Future 2 syndrome.
MoviePage
05-10-08, 07:54 PM
I'm really sick of hearing this urban legend so...
No Sex Change for 'Matrix' Director Larry Wachowski
Thursday, September 06, 2007
By Roger Friedman
Hell, I don't know if it's true or not that he got an actual operation, nor do I care. I'm just sayin'...
Matthew Chmiel
05-10-08, 08:05 PM
For those who think their last two movies were bombs, you're out of your right frickin' mind. Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow footed the bill for all three Matrix films and released the flicks themselves internationally, not like say New Line who sells the international rights of their films to other companies.
The Matrix
Production Budget: $60 million
Domestic: $171 million
International: $289 million
The Matrix Reloaded
Budget: $150 million
Domestic: $282 million
International: $457 million
The Matrix Revolutions
Budget: $150 million
Domestic: $139 million
International: $286 million
The Matrix made over $200 million on just DVD sales ALONE. Add in the cost of rentals (on VHS and DVD) as well as the sale of television rights, you're looking at another $100 million.
The sequels made over $200 million (combined total) on DVD sales ALONE. In addition to the rentals, television rights, and video game licensing one is looking at almost another quick $100 million.
Warner made bank off the entire trilogy. One could not classify them as a bomb. If anything, Matrix Reloaded put Warner in the black for the production AND promotional budgets of the two sequels right then and there.
Speed Racer might be DOA here in the States, but there's no accounting for how it's going to do internationally. Both Poseidon and Troy which massively underperformed in the US did a lot better overseas. Speed Racer might appeal to more audiences worldwide, especially in Asia. Also, don't forget the video sales as well.
Warner will break even on the film once all is said and done six months from now, but if it'll turn a profit, who knows.
GizmoDVD
05-10-08, 09:11 PM
Me personally I enjoyed Speed Racer more, and want to watch it again on Imax. Will also get the HVD. I enjoyed IM but not as much, and will probably skip the HVD.
While I was watching SR one thought kept popping up: This movie is FUN.
Whats HVD?
Brack
05-10-08, 09:14 PM
I think Gator meant to say HPV. j/k.
GatorDeb
05-10-08, 09:15 PM
HVD = HDM + DVD. I coined the term :D
fitprod
05-10-08, 09:20 PM
Speed Racer might be DOA here in the States, but there's no accounting for how it's going to do internationally. Both Poseidon and Troy which massively underperformed in the US did a lot better overseas. Speed Racer might appeal to more audiences worldwide, especially in Asia. Also, don't forget the video sales as well.
Warner will break even on the film once all is said and done six months from now, but if it'll turn a profit, who knows.
Well, the early numbers are creeping in internationally, and it's not doing well. # 6 in the UK & # 9 in Germany.
See the following:
'Speed Racer' Crashes & Burns To Become First Summer Bomb: 'Iron Man' Still No. 1 (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/speed-racer-crashes-burns-to-become-first-summer-bomb-iron-man-still-strong-no-1/)
fitprod
Seantn
05-10-08, 09:28 PM
I'm interested in seeing how it does in Japan, but it doesn't come out there until July.
Cardiac161
05-10-08, 09:44 PM
I was hoping Speed Racer would do better. Just saw it and thought it was quite entertaining (though a bit long though).
I'm sure this'll do well on Bluray.
NitroJMS
05-10-08, 10:15 PM
I'm not surprised this isn't connecting with kids. Every Speed Racer toy display I've seen at stores still looks like it has just been set, whereas the Iron Man ones look extremely picked over, even before that came out. This film just didn't seem to connect to kids, and I don't think the fact that it doesn't look overly unique helps that out since it has that same overly colorful/shiny/cartoony look that was all the rage five years ago with kids ala Spy Kids. Interesting that Rodriguez could pull off similar effects for $20 million and it takes the Wachowskis $100+.
gotrice487
05-10-08, 10:18 PM
I didn't expect Speed Racer to be third and I also thought it would pull in more
Brack
05-10-08, 11:42 PM
I guess SR never had a chance. I wonder if Warner Bros was hoping Iron Man wasn't going to have the opening that it did. Doesn't help that there were no real stars in the movie to sell to the older crowd.
wm lopez
05-11-08, 12:07 AM
Well, here in Chicago they ran a lot of color ads in the newspapers.
I've never seen anything like it. 3 little 4/c ads spread over the newspaper.
Goat3001
05-11-08, 12:09 AM
For those who think their last two movies were bombs, you're out of your right frickin' mind. Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow footed the bill for all three Matrix films and released the flicks themselves internationally, not like say New Line who sells the international rights of their films to other companies......
Thank you. Anyone that thinks that this bomb will end the Wachowski's is crazy. The execs at Warner should still be giving them handjobs for giving them the Matrix trilogy. Why is that people are just looking at domestic box office anyway?
Let's also not forget that they produced V For Vendetta. While it wasn't a box office smash it did make a nice profit and was generally well received by critics.
Looking at this weeks B.O, I'm not surprised to see SR bomb but I am surprised that When In Vegas did well. I guess it works well as a date movie compared to Iron Man and SR.
Glad to see that Forgetting Sarah Marshall is still doing well. It didn't have the legs that Superbad or Knocked Up had but its doing well in its own right.
mdc3000
05-11-08, 11:19 AM
Interesting that Rodriguez could pull off similar effects for $20 million and it takes the Wachowskis $100+.
I loved the first two Spy Kids, but the effects in Speed Racer are WAY BETTER - if you see the flick in a theatre, the difference is pretty apparent...this is a movie where you can see the money on screen.
I really think people here cheering the 'bombing' of Speed Racer need to give the movie a chance. I'm pretty sure it'll surprise the hell out of you...it sure did for me.
Mr. Cinema
05-11-08, 11:53 AM
The last I checked the Wachowskis didn't market this movie.
So the marketing department is to blame for all the bad reviews.
Mr. Cinema
05-11-08, 12:02 PM
The opening of the movie had zero to do with the Wachowskis or the quality of the movie and everything to do with how well this film was marketed. The marketing department failed to connect with kids. I think they thought a lot of teens and fanboys would come out to see it, and it looks like they were wrong.
yeah, right.
This film was promoted to death. Most people who saw the trailers said to themselves "no way in hell am I going to watch that", which explains the very weak Friday opening.
Dr Mabuse
05-11-08, 01:13 PM
everything i saw about this film... on the networks, on the 'news entertainment' stuff like CNN, the trailers... it all screamed "SUCKS!!!" at me...
i was sure i was in no way interested in that crap right off... i probably will never see the film... lame-ass looking 'race' sequences... and some dime store plot crammed into a cheesy cartoon?... please...
i'm not surprised it has bombed...
RichC2
05-11-08, 02:39 PM
TW LW Title (click to view) Studio Weekend Gross % Change Theater Count / Change Average Total Gross Budget* Week #
1 1 Iron Man Par. $50,500,000 -48.8% 4,111 +6 $12,284 $177,134,000 $140 2
2 N Speed Racer WB $20,210,000 - 3,606 - $5,604 $20,210,000 - 1
3 N What Happens in Vegas Fox $20,000,000 - 3,215 +2,915 $6,220 $20,000,000 $35 1
4 2 Made of Honor Sony $7,600,000 -48.5% 2,734 +5 $2,779 $26,275,000 $40 2
5 3 Baby Mama Uni. $5,766,000 -42.7% 2,627 +79 $2,194 $40,377,000 $30 3
6 5 Forgetting Sarah Marshall Uni. $3,778,000 -37.7% 2,376 -496 $1,590 $50,772,000 $30 4
7 4 Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay NL $3,155,000 -48.4% 2,264 -281 $1,393 $30,716,000 $12 3
8 6 The Forbidden Kingdom LGF $1,900,000 -54.6% 1,724 -1,236 $1,102 $48,261,000 - 4
9 7 Nim's Island Fox $1,325,000 -50.5% 1,601 -877 $827 $44,257,000 $37 6
10 41 Redbelt SPC $1,140,000 +1,699.2% 1,379 +1,373 $826 $1,237,000 - 2
11 8 Prom Night (2008) SGem $1,050,000 -56.3% 1,465 -969 $716 $42,822,000 $20 5
12 9 21 Sony $835,000 -58.3% 978 -1,264 $853 $80,418,000 $35 7
Good chance of Speed coming in 3rd when all is said and done. Red Belt did really really poorly.
riotinmyskull
05-11-08, 02:46 PM
glad to see forgetting sarah marshall cross the $50 million mark
Dean Kousoulas
05-11-08, 03:15 PM
Looks like we have Bomb #1...who will be next?
Brack
05-11-08, 03:19 PM
yeah, right.
This film was promoted to death. Most people who saw the trailers said to themselves "no way in hell am I going to watch that", which explains the very weak Friday opening.
yeah, you bold-faced only what you wanted to and forgot to see I wrote "failed to connect to kids."
That's fine if that's what people felt, but they're pretty limited in their entertainment options if you ask me.
Brack
05-11-08, 03:22 PM
So the marketing department is to blame for all the bad reviews.
You're talking about two separate issues. And sorry, I'm not a sheep and just listen to what the critics have to say. I read the reviews and their complaints didn't seem to make much sense, coming off mostly as fuddy duddies who couldn't appreciate what the filmmakers were doing, and simply ignored that there was a story, and while not necessarily compelling to some, it had everything to do with why the characters do what they do, and it was told in a fun and sometimes in an exciting manner.
You seem to be singling me out. Did you actually see the movie?
chanster
05-11-08, 03:25 PM
Thank you. Anyone that thinks that this bomb will end the Wachowski's is crazy. The execs at Warner should still be giving them handjobs for giving them the Matrix trilogy. Why is that people are just looking at domestic box office anyway?
Let's also not forget that they produced V For Vendetta. While it wasn't a box office smash it did make a nice profit and was generally well received by critics.
Looking at this weeks B.O, I'm not surprised to see SR bomb but I am surprised that When In Vegas did well. I guess it works well as a date movie compared to Iron Man and SR.
Glad to see that Forgetting Sarah Marshall is still doing well. It didn't have the legs that Superbad or Knocked Up had but its doing well in its own right.
Actually, one bad "bomb" like Speed Racer can end somebody's ability to play with big toys of Hollywood. What somebody did 10 years ago doesn't buy you endless amounts of forgiving, especially with the Wachowski Bros. who seem to demand their own fiefdom when they make a movie.
Hacks like McG, Anderson thrive in the system because honestly I don't think they give a damn about any of the material they use, so they are always open to the suits' suggestions. I hardly doubt that is the case with the Wachowski Bros.
Mr. Cinema
05-11-08, 03:59 PM
Will Speed Racer end up grossing more than Prom Night?
Son of Odin
05-11-08, 05:31 PM
I just can't see how it managed only $20m. I thought $35m was reachable. next week will be very bad for SR. maybe $11m. Prince Caspian should do $65-70. with Iron Man still doing very well at perhaps $34M.
mcfly
05-11-08, 05:42 PM
Looks like we have Bomb #1...who will be next?My money is either on Sex and the City or Get Smart.
RichC2
05-11-08, 06:13 PM
Sex and the City is apparently tracking very strongly with its key demo.
N The Fall RAtt. $80,200 - 9 - $8,911 $80,200 - 1
For those interested in how The Fall did.
BigDaddy
05-11-08, 07:24 PM
My money is either on Sex and the City or Get Smart.
Yea right. Every woman that I have talked to is going to see the move. I am sure my wife is going to drag me along.
Mr. Cinema
05-11-08, 07:29 PM
My money is either on Sex and the City or Get Smart.
I think both of those will do well.
Based on the unfunny trailer, I'd choose Step Brothers as a possible flop. Based on his last few films, I'd also choose M. Night's The Happening as a possible candidate.
Doctor Gonzo
05-11-08, 07:32 PM
From Deadline Hollywood Daily...
WHAT A DISASTER! 'Speed Racer' $20M Weekend Half What Warner Bros Hoped; Rival Studios Accuse WB Of Inflating #s
SUNDAY AM: Showing just how fiercely competitive the summer box office is right now, rival Hollywood movie studios are complaining to me they don't believe Warner Bros' domestic gross numbers released today claiming its disastrous Speed Racer came in 2nd behind Marvel's Iron Man in the weekend's Top 10 contest. All the other majors -- Fox, Sony, Paramount, Universal, Disney, and MGM -- have the anime actioner opening only 3rd. And they dispute WB's reporting that Speed Racer made $20.2 million for Fri-Sat-Sun because its projected Sunday number isn't seen as possible. "That's a very aggressive Sunday estimate to try and claim 2nd," one studio's top marketing and distribution mogul complained to me this morning, echoing the disbelief of most of his colleagues. "Warners is hoping moms want to go to Speed Racer for Mothers Day." (To give Warner Bros the benefit of the doubt, it's true that family pics do well on Mothers Day.) But all the other studios have Fox's romantic comedy What Happens In Vegas in 2nd place with $20 million, and Speed Racer only 3rd with $19.7 million. And the rival execs say that, since Speed Racer's gross was even softer than anyone thought, up only 18% on Saturday because of kiddie matinees compared to Friday, the Warner Bros film couldn't possibly get to $20 million for the weekend barring a box office miracle on Sunday. "Their estimate is utterly laughable!," a top exec at a rival major told me this AM. "That being said, from what I've heard, they are not trying to dress up the pig. They're resigned to it being a disaster... just not enough to stop them from fabricating a number to jump Fox for the #2 position." These kind of controversies don't develop often in Hollywood, but when they do, they can be ugly. That's because there is a certain code of honor among thieves, if you will -- a tacit agreement that every Hollywood studio will try to report weekend box office numbers as accurately as possible, even though there's a significant PR advantage to artifically moving a disappointing film up a slot in the Top 10 by inflating numbers. The irony is that these controversies get settled quickly, as soon as tomorrow when the actual theater by theater grosses for Sunday come in Monday and then determine the "actual" figures as opposed to the Sunday "estimates"...
Nobody is disputing distributor Paramount's figures that Marvel's summer blockbuster Iron Man made a platinum $15 million on Friday from 4,111 venues, and $21.6 million on Saturday, giving it an estimated FSS total of $50.5 million, or more than double the domestic box office gross of its nearest weekend competitor, to stay No. 1 again. Its new cume is a monster $177.1M. But Warner Bros' Speed Racer, whether its weekend total is $19.7 million or $20.2 million from 3,606 plays, made only half what the studio hoped, even with lowered expectations because of bad buzz and poor tracking. Not only is the anime actioner this summer's first summer bomb, but it's also doing dismally in key areas of its 30+ day and date opening foreign territories. The pic has gone bust in many international markets, with some disastrous openings in Europe in particular. Besides a too-long running time and a too-small audience of younger boys, the Wachowski siblings spent at least $160M making the pic, whereas Fox's What Happens in Vegas cost only $35 million. Hollywood is convinced Warner Bros has a major writedown on its hands. Vegas took in $7.1 million Friday and $7.5 million Saturday from 3,215 runs for a $20 million weekend. For much more analysis, see my 'Speed Racer' Crashes & Burns To Become First Summer Bomb and Weekend Prediction.
fumanstan
05-11-08, 08:06 PM
Yeah it won't matter how bad Sex and the City is, the women are going to flock to it.
I think Get Smart is going to be a modest hit too.
The Bus
05-11-08, 08:06 PM
What's funny is that Speed Racer has gotten (for me) the best word of mouth of any 2008 release. I had two people give it high recommendations by Friday evening.
Ronnie Dobbs
05-11-08, 09:10 PM
I think X-Files 2 will be a bomb. Its been so long since the series went off the air. Step Brothers will be a hit. It looks hilarious.
SomethingMore
05-11-08, 09:21 PM
Yeah it won't matter how bad Sex and the City is, the women are going to flock to it.
Could it be the "Titanic" of 2008?
Either it sinks... like the real Titanic.
Or
Women (like my girlfriend) go see it 8 or 9 times to make it more profitable than Star Wars.
Brack
05-11-08, 10:17 PM
Could it be the "Titanic" of 2008?
Either it sinks... like the real Titanic.
Or
Women (like my girlfriend) go see it 8 or 9 times to make it more profitable than Star Wars.
LOL, I'm picking "other."
GizmoDVD
05-11-08, 11:49 PM
I have 0 intentions of watching Speed Racer. All the commercials make me thing its a Wii video game or some sort of Anime. I hope the damn thing bombs as its not going to make any money in the next few weeks against Indy, Sex and the City or Narnia.
B5Erik
05-12-08, 12:38 AM
Why do so many people assume Sex and the City will be a hit?
It's a cult show from a pay cable channel that has a relatively small audience. It's not that different from Firefly going to the big screen, and we all know how that went at the box office.
I'm not saying it's going to bomb, necessarily, because the budget is relatively small, but it's not going to be some runaway hit. The audience for the show wasn't all that big, and I don't see the movie suddenly converting a couple million new fans.
It should do respectable business considering that it is a movie based on a pay cable TV show, but I can't see it making more than $50 million at most at the box office (someone flag this post to bring it up later if the movie hits $100+ million, and then make fun of my "predictions" ;) ).
kstublen
05-12-08, 12:44 AM
I don't know why people always assume only women are fans of Sex and the City. I'm a guy and I love the show. I am eagerly anticipating it and will be there the day it opens.
And I HIGHLY doubt Step Brothers will flop. All of Apatow's films seem to do pretty well.
invisiblegt
05-12-08, 12:52 AM
Why do so many people assume Sex and the City will be a hit?
It's a cult show from a pay cable channel that has a relatively small audience. It's not that different from Firefly going to the big screen, and we all know how that went at the box office.
I'm not saying it's going to bomb, necessarily, because the budget is relatively small, but it's not going to be some runaway hit. The audience for the show wasn't all that big, and I don't see the movie suddenly converting a couple million new fans.
It should do respectable business considering that it is a movie based on a pay cable TV show, but I can't see it making more than $50 million at most at the box office (someone flag this post to bring it up later if the movie hits $100+ million, and then make fun of my "predictions" ;) ).
I have to disagree with the "Firefly" comparison. Nearly no one beyond fans of the show had ever heard of it, and, even after the movie was made, it did little to boost the recognition of that.
However, "Sex and the City" is known to nearly all, regardless of whether people had ever seen the show. My mother has never seen the show, nor does she hang around people who have and even she knows the basic premise and cast.
Hell, I was out at a bar Friday night, and on one of the TV's was a local FOX station which, at midnight or so, began airing an episode of "Sex and the City." One of the girls mentioned the show, and thus launched a nearly ten minute conversation about it, with both the men and the women at the table taking part in it.
I'm not certain how well it will do, because regardless of the name appeal, it's core audience is still a fairly niche market. That having been said, I see it doing fairly big business.
(And, should any of the preceding text not make sense, let's all chalk it up to the fact that I haven't slept in nearly 48 hours...)
kstublen
05-12-08, 12:57 AM
On another note...I wanted to see Iron Man, but chose to see Speed Racer over it. I'm pleased with my decision (and Iron Man is one of my favourite superheroes). Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of all these superhero movies coming out one after another. I feel oversaturated with comic book movies.
Ronnie Dobbs
05-12-08, 01:41 AM
Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of all these superhero movies coming out one after another. I feel oversaturated with comic book movies.
I'm just sick of the bad comic book movies Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Elektra, Catwoman, 30 Days of Night.
If you have a good superhero movie with a good comic book with a good story e.g. Sin City, Iron Man, Ghost World, X-Men, Hellboy and he upcoming Watchmen then BRING IT ON PLEASE.
30 Days of Night could've been awesome too.
kstublen
05-12-08, 01:52 AM
I'm looking forward to Hellboy, Watchmen, and Sin City 2. Other than that, I'm not excited about much else in the way of comic books/graphic novels.
elengineer
05-12-08, 03:24 AM
I saw the previews and thought that it would suck, bad. There was something about the ads and stuff that really made me queasy.
I went to see it in IMAX (hedging my bets because I figured in the worst case scenario, at least the "look" of the movie on a big IMAX screen would be worth it).
I agree with GatorDeb. This flick was FUN!
Yes, it did drag in spots, but, IMHO the original cartoon did as well.
This, for me, WAS the original cartoon...just done in live action.
Was it incredibly profound and thought provoking? Well, it was faithful to the source material, so you can draw your own conclusions.
To any doubters, go see it in IMAX. I can almost guarantee that even if you don't like it as a movie, as an IMAX experience, it will knock your socks off! Slightly off topic, but I do bet it is going to be a reference quality Blu-Ray.
This most likely is going to be a big commercial dud...which IMHO will be a bit of a shame. IMHO, it is a cult classic in the making.
Out of curiosity, does anyone have box office figures for the IMAX version?
For the curious, when I saw it, there was about 15 folks in the the theater.
GatorDeb
05-12-08, 05:38 AM
I have 0 intentions of watching Speed Racer. All the commercials make me thing its a Wii video game or some sort of Anime. I hope the damn thing bombs as its not going to make any money in the next few weeks against Indy, Sex and the City or Narnia.
This is what I don't get. Why are people rooting for it to bomb?! :hscratch: Don't want to watch it, don't! But why are people cheering for a film to bomb?
wm lopez
05-12-08, 06:45 AM
Looks like we have Bomb #1...who will be next?
I betting SEX & THE CITY.
That movie should have been released in the fall.
riotinmyskull
05-12-08, 07:06 AM
This is what I don't get. Why are people rooting for it to bomb?! :hscratch: Don't want to watch it, don't! But why are people cheering for a film to bomb?
did you see the matrix sequels? that's why.
greg9x
05-12-08, 07:22 AM
:lol: at those thinking Sex and the City will bomb..... no, it won't be THE blockbuster of the summer, but if you think it will do badly then you don't know many women ! (and hint, the demographic for it won't be posting here.....so you won't get much 'buzz' on it)
Oh, and I am one of the ones who cringed when the trailer came out.... but of course my gf was giddy.
Jackskeleton
05-12-08, 07:42 AM
On another note...I wanted to see Iron Man, but chose to see Speed Racer over it. I'm pleased with my decision (and Iron Man is one of my favourite superheroes). Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of all these superhero movies coming out one after another. I feel oversaturated with comic book movies.
I agree. Next, what's up with these Comedies that are like.. romantic? And enough already Dramas that pander to the Oscar voting crowd! We don't need entertainment of that nature!
Jericho
05-12-08, 07:47 AM
I betting SEX & THE CITY.
That movie should have been released in the fall.You do realize that the last two summers have seen the following movies released:
Hairspray $118,871,849
The Devil Wears Prada $124,740,460
You can make money not appealing to pure action or comedy
Damed
05-12-08, 08:39 AM
:lol: at those thinking Sex and the City will bomb..... no, it won't be THE blockbuster of the summer, but if you think it will do badly then you don't know many women ! (and hint, the demographic for it won't be posting here.....so you won't get much 'buzz' on it)
Oh, and I am one of the ones who cringed when the trailer came out.... but of course my gf was giddy.
I know plenty of women.
I only know 1 who watched S&TC, and she's think's it's been too long since the series was over for the movie. She's lost interest in the characters.
Daytripper
05-12-08, 08:46 AM
Why do so many people assume Sex and the City will be a hit?
It's a cult show from a pay cable channel that has a relatively small audience. It's not that different from Firefly going to the big screen, and we all know how that went at the box office.
I'm not saying it's going to bomb, necessarily, because the budget is relatively small, but it's not going to be some runaway hit. The audience for the show wasn't all that big, and I don't see the movie suddenly converting a couple million new fans.
It should do respectable business considering that it is a movie based on a pay cable TV show, but I can't see it making more than $50 million at most at the box office (someone flag this post to bring it up later if the movie hits $100+ million, and then make fun of my "predictions" ;) ).
Relatively small audience!? It ran on HBO for six seasons. Their second highest rated series, second only to "The Sopranos". Has been in sydication for over two years now. The DVD rentals and sales have done quite well. I think you are underestimating it's "cult". Now, do you think a "Sopranos" movie when it's made will do just respectable business too?
chanster
05-12-08, 08:49 AM
Sex and the City will do great box office.
chanster
05-12-08, 08:52 AM
This is what I don't get. Why are people rooting for it to bomb?! :hscratch: Don't want to watch it, don't! But why are people cheering for a film to bomb?
I'm glad it bombed because it just looked ridiculously stupid. Any movie that looks stupid in my book, I'm hoping it bombs so studios decide to produce quality summer flicks like Iron Man instead of garbage in my eyes.
RichC2
05-12-08, 08:56 AM
I have 0 intentions of watching Speed Racer. All the commercials make me thing its a Wii video game or some sort of Anime. I hope the damn thing bombs as its not going to make any money in the next few weeks against Indy, Sex and the City or Narnia.
This is what I don't get. Why are people rooting for it to bomb?! :hscratch: Don't want to watch it, don't! But why are people cheering for a film to bomb?
Give GizmoDVD a break, he has a valid point. Why should we root for movies that go off the beaten path to do well? It doesn't make sense. Hollywood should be putting it's money into tried and trues, like The Day After Tomorrow, Matrix, Fast and the Furious franchises, Prom Night, Made of Honor, etc; type movies. None of this creative shit. ;)
Plus, you should know by now:
Family movies = bad.
Creative movies = bad.
Different = bad.
stingermck
05-12-08, 09:32 AM
This is what I don't get. Why are people rooting for it to bomb?! :hscratch: Don't want to watch it, don't! But why are people cheering for a film to bomb?
Maybe cause WB could have used the money to make a Green Lantern or Flash movie. At least thats my answer :)
Like others the trailer turned me off. The idea for a movie is interesting, but Speed Racer to me is some crappy cartoon that played late nights on M-TV in my early teens. I don't think the audience is there anymore, (or current children weren't familiar with it) and if they were, trailers finished it.
GatorDeb
05-12-08, 10:30 AM
did you see the matrix sequels? that's why.
Yes, I did, and I loved both of them. I don't mind philosophy and unanswered questions in my movies.
IF I hadn't liked them, the Bros don't owe me anything. If I don't like them, I just won't watch them again! If a director keeps putting out movies *I* don't like, I might skip future ones, but it would be silly to wish their movies do badly.
Chanster, did you watch Speed Racer?
Groucho
05-12-08, 10:36 AM
Yes, the reason people hated the Matrix sequels was because of the philosophy and unanswered questions. :lol:
chris_sc77
05-12-08, 11:02 AM
I know I have said that this movie looks visually horrendous and predicted that it would bomb but I am stating to actually feel bad for the film.
THE FILM IS NOW AN INTERNATIONAL DISASTER!
From comingsoon.net : "Iron Man dominated the international box office this weekend, adding $39 million from 7,500 theaters in its second weekend, while What Happens in Vegas earned $23 million from 3,902 locations and Speed Racer made just $12.8 million from 3,940 theaters overseas. "
SO let me get this correct. What happens In Las Vegas did better overseas than Speed Racer even though it was on less screens and had to overcome the myth that most comedies dont translate well overseas....
WOW. That is horrible. Is this one of the biggest disasters ever?
RichC2
05-12-08, 11:18 AM
Depends on what the budget was. Since none is available (just speculation which seems way blown up in a "competing studio" way to me), we won't know for a while.
That said, not quite yet. It is entirely dependent on what areas it was released in, as it has a very good chance of making bank in South Korea and Japan (keeping in perspective, the highest grossing film in South Korea's history was The Host (about $65m usd), and in Japan was Spirited Away ($229,607,870 usd)) We'll see.
Brack
05-12-08, 11:21 AM
To the people who consider Sex and the City to be the equivalent of Firefly, you don't have a clue as to how popular and how much the show became part of our culture. Not to mention the DVDs have been huge, and they're still on TBS and syndicated. I don't know if it will be HUGE, but it will make some real money, much, much more than Serenity.
DRG
05-12-08, 11:26 AM
Maybe cause WB could have used the money to make a Green Lantern or Flash movie. At least thats my answer :)
But using that logic, once Speed Racer has already been made you should be cheering for it to succeed because now WB will be even *less* likely to invest in a pricey Green Lantern or Flash movie. :)
I saw Speed Racer on Friday and kind of enjoyed it in a strange way, but even while watching it I knew it was in trouble at the box office (not even counting the mostly empty theater, which could have been blamed on our freakish May snowstorm). It tries too hard to appeal to both the nostalgic adult fans and the little kids, and probably alienates many people in both audiences. I mean, a two-hour, 15-minute movie filled with goofy scenes that only appeal to *really* young kids... I'm not sure what they were thinking.
Daytripper
05-12-08, 11:27 AM
To the people who consider Sex and the City to be the equivalent of Firefly, you don't have a clue as to how popular and how much the show became part of our culture. Not to mention the DVDs have been huge, and they're still on TBS and syndicated. I don't know if it will be HUGE, but it will make some real money, much, much more than Serenity.
Exactly. Which is what I was trying to say above. Hell, do the film makers expect it to make more than 50-75 million? That's what most romcoms do anyway. Given it's a huge and much loved show, I could see it easily making around 100M. Give or take a few Cosmos.
kstublen
05-12-08, 11:32 AM
I agree. Next, what's up with these Comedies that are like.. romantic? And enough already Dramas that pander to the Oscar voting crowd! We don't need entertainment of that nature!
Your sarcasm is appreciated. But I think you are missing the point. All the superhero movies are essentially the same film. Good guy triumphs over evil. Good guy struggles dealing with powers. I'm not saying I don't enjoy them, but I really feel that perhaps they could do more with them? I see nothing revolutionary in these comic book flicks, but I did see something of that caliber in Speed Racer. The graphics and colours were amazing. And for those complaining about a lack of story or interesting characters, I'm wondering if they realize the same could be said for some of these heralded comic book films.
And I guess I'm one of the few looking forward to Sex and the City...I think it'll do modestly well at the box office.
RichC2
05-12-08, 11:38 AM
Plus, when on HBO, the series finale drew upwards of 10.6m viewers. This on a subscription channel. This is before it was neutered and put on TBS and then syndicated out to every channel known to man. It also doesn't account for DVD sales and rentals.
Per comparison, Firefly's most watched episode attracted 5.50m viewers on Fox (it averaged around 4.6m viewers, the 5.50m was the second episode, people decided to not stick around). But that doesn't account for its DVD sales.
I'm not rooting for the movie per se, but I think it's stupid to write it off.
Charlie Goose
05-12-08, 12:19 PM
Exactly. Which is what I was trying to say above. Hell, do the film makers expect it to make more than 50-75 million? That's what most romcoms do anyway. Given it's a huge and much loved show, I could see it easily making around 100M. Give or take a few Cosmos.
I think SATC will pass 100 million. Get Smart, not so much. That one will have a tough time getting past 40.
stingermck
05-12-08, 12:29 PM
But using that logic, once Speed Racer has already been made you should be cheering for it to succeed because now WB will be even *less* likely to invest in a pricey Green Lantern or Flash movie. :)
True, I did go see Transformers just so it would bank and GI Joe would get made. It worked!
GizmoDVD
05-12-08, 01:18 PM
Give GizmoDVD a break, he has a valid point. Why should we root for movies that go off the beaten path to do well? It doesn't make sense. Hollywood should be putting it's money into tried and trues, like The Day After Tomorrow, Matrix, Fast and the Furious franchises, Prom Night, Made of Honor, etc; type movies. None of this creative shit. ;)
Plus, you should know by now:
Family movies = bad.
Creative movies = bad.
Different = bad.
Speed Racer...creative? Yeah, in the same sense Master of Disguise was too, right? The movie just just looks bad. It bombed and rightfully so. Even Prom Night looked somewhat decent, at least a rental, this film looks like something I will avoid even if given to me for free. Don't worry guys, it will be available on DVD and Blu-ray in 6-8 weeks to recoup as much as possible.
RichC2
05-12-08, 01:30 PM
No, creative as in it's something that hasn't been done a million times over, and pulls it off quite successfully, well sold or not. Master of Disguise? Where the hell did you pull that abortion out of?
It's annoying to read comments like yours because it's got an arrogant/whiny "It doesn't appeal to me, I don't like it, don't do it again!" tone and is based entirely off a preview. That's all.
Oh, and how is the hell does Prom Night even look decent? Was that sarcasm? I don't get it...
PixyJunket
05-12-08, 01:32 PM
It's annoying to read comments like yours because it's got an arrogant/whiny "It doesn't appeal to me, I don't like it, don't do it again!" tone and is based entirely off a preview. That's all.Seconded. Times ten.
Suprmallet
05-12-08, 02:01 PM
Your sarcasm is appreciated. But I think you are missing the point. All the superhero movies are essentially the same film. Good guy triumphs over evil.
And what was the plot of Speed Racer again? ;)
GizmoDVD
05-12-08, 02:02 PM
No, creative as in it's something that hasn't been done a million times over, and pulls it off quite successfully, well sold or not. Master of Disguise? Where the hell did you pull that abortion out of?
It's annoying to read comments like yours because it's got an arrogant/whiny "It doesn't appeal to me, I don't like it, don't do it again!" tone and is based entirely off a preview. That's all.
Oh, and how is the hell does Prom Night even look decent? Was that sarcasm? I don't get it...
I'm sorry. Lets all go see Speed Racer! Its obviously doing very well at the box office so that 'creativity' really worked out well. I hope we see more movies like it in the future.
Sorry you don't like my opinion, but apparently I'm not alone considering it bombed.
RichC2
05-12-08, 02:13 PM
Bombing is one thing, hoping for it because it doesn't cater to your taste is another thing altogether.
Brack
05-12-08, 02:14 PM
RichC2, your words are wasted on Gizmo, who somehow believes that box office and creativity are somehow one of the same.
RichC2
05-12-08, 02:15 PM
I figured that out a while ago, I'm just kind of bored this afternoon :).
DarkestPhoenix
05-12-08, 03:50 PM
I've seen a 250mil to 300mil thrown around as a budget and marketing figure for Speed Racer. I'm sure heads are going to roll at WB for this blunder.
Hopefully the same bastards that pulled out of HD DVD.
DarkestPhoenix
05-12-08, 04:27 PM
On another note...I wanted to see Iron Man, but chose to see Speed Racer over it. I'm pleased with my decision (and Iron Man is one of my favourite superheroes). Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of all these superhero movies coming out one after another. I feel oversaturated with comic book movies.
If Iron Man truly was one of your favoUrite superheroes, you would have seen it.
From the way it sounds, you hate superheroes.
Even though they're becoming their own niche genre, like horror or something, but with more mainstream appeal.
Get used to them...Marvel ensured they're here to stay.
DarkestPhoenix
05-12-08, 04:37 PM
All the superhero movies are essentially the same film. Good guy triumphs over evil. Good guy struggles dealing with powers.
WOW. Just WOW.
Breaking it down, you can say that about any of one certain type of movie.
I hate how romantic comedies always have this guy and this girl who are together and then the audience wants them to hook up at the end.
Gimme a break. Individual movies should be based on their individual merit. There are NO new plots in Hollywood.
Go see Iron Man and then come back here and even TRY to make the argument that it was worse than Speed Racer.
Brack
05-12-08, 04:53 PM
I thought both movies were good. Speed Racer definitely has more heart.
BravesMG
05-12-08, 04:55 PM
WOW. Just WOW.
Breaking it down, you can say that about any of one certain type of movie.
I hate how romantic comedies always have this guy and this girl who are together and then the audience wants them to hook up at the end.
Gimme a break. Individual movies should be based on their individual merit. There are NO new plots in Hollywood.
Go see Iron Man and then come back here and even TRY to make the argument that it was worse than Speed Racer.Have you seen Speed Racer?
Daytripper
05-12-08, 05:06 PM
Whoah! "Speed Racer" made only 18.5M this weekend. Actuals:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/
Seantn
05-12-08, 05:08 PM
Ouch. I hope it doesn't completely drop off the map in the coming weeks. It currently has $31 million worldwide.
mdc3000
05-12-08, 05:47 PM
Go see Iron Man and then come back here and even TRY to make the argument that it was worse than Speed Racer.
Dude, I saw Iron Man 3 times last weekend...and I thought Speed Racer was actually more entertaining and more fun than Iron Man...
and Gizmo - glancing at your HD/BD collection, we have a lot of similar movies - I thought SR looked like shit and ended up loving it - give the BD a rent...I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
GatorDeb
05-12-08, 05:57 PM
I don't think anyone who has not seen a movie should comment on its quality or creativity, or anything about the movie for that matter.
I saw both Iron Man and Speed Racer. I saw Iron Man first and thought only Dark Knight could top it. It was an amazing film. Then I saw Speed Racer and I thought it was going to suck because of all the negative word of mouth here and I ended up liking it more than IM. That doesn't diminish IM any - it is still an amazing film, RDJ was perfect, they got the suit and characters right, it was an awesome ride - but for me SR was still better. It was fun, they got the characters right on (JG WAS Pops), I loved the Car-Fu, and will be watching it on IMAX.
Superboy
05-12-08, 06:36 PM
Iron Man was a very hard movie to get wrong though. It's an extremely simple concept and the character has very little depth. It's the kind of comic book movie that didn't even need to be based on a comic book to succeed.
GatorDeb
05-12-08, 06:45 PM
Also, saying that one movie is better than another one doesn't mean the movie the person liked less sucked (i.e. DarkestPhoenix). I am pumped out for this summer as the first two major movies I've seen have ruled. I cannot wait for the rest. I already know TDK will rule. I'm sure they'll get the new Hulk right and can't wait for that one also (I happen to like the old one). No one is saying IM sucked. And you can definitely say SR sucked - IF you've SEEN it.
Sierra Disc
05-12-08, 07:00 PM
This is pretty bogus of Warners - basically trying to get the ink Sunday that they were #2 when in fact they were a dismal #3 - jeez!
TOLDJA! 'Speed Racer' Finishes Only 3rd; Facts Show Warner Bros Inflated Figures
Shame on the trades and mainstream media for not covering this angle of the box office story Sunday, although I did. (Or, is that the reason? See my previous, Rival Studios Accuse WB Of Inflating #s). It's now clear that Warner Bros wildly exaggerated its domestic gross claims for its disastrous Speed Racer. The WB-inflated tally of $20.2M put its anime actioner 2nd and Fox's What Happens In Vegas only 3rd with $20M, when every other studio had the ranking the other way around and Speed Racer's tally around $19.7M. Those rival studio execs told me Sunday there was no way WB's kiddie pic would suddenly have a huge Sunday. And, remember, there's primo PR value in these Top 10 ranking which get reported in newspapers and on TV and the Internet. But now the official figures have been reported Monday, and everyone can see how fudged WB's figures really are. Speed Racer made only $18.5M for the weekend, while Fox's Vegas totalled $20.1M. That's a difference of more than $1.6M. Jeez. As I noted yesterday, these kind of controversies don't develop often in Hollywood, but when they do, they can be ugly. That's because there is a certain code of honor among thieves, if you will -- a tacit agreement that every Hollywood studio will try to report weekend box office numbers as accurately as possible. Now it's shame on WB.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/
kstublen
05-12-08, 07:07 PM
If Iron Man truly was one of your favoUrite superheroes, you would have seen it.
From the way it sounds, you hate superheroes.
Even though they're becoming their own niche genre, like horror or something, but with more mainstream appeal.
Get used to them...Marvel ensured they're here to stay.
I think you are taking this all a little too personally. I happen to really enjoy superheroes. Human Torch, Silver Surfer, Nightcrawler, Collosus, Deadpool, The Flash, Batman, and yes, Iron Man. I don't see how you can speak on what I would or would not do when you don't even know me. I like Iron Man a lot (except for when he championed the Superhuman Registration Act), but I like Speed Racer more (and I had a free ticket). Thus why I decided to see Speed Racer over Iron Man. So maybe you need to get off your high horse like you know me based on a few posts. And it's not even like I'm saying Iron Man sucked (because I haven't seen it), but I'm just saying based on the previews I decided I'd rather see Speed Racer. If you'd rather see Iron Man, that is your decision, but I don't see a need for you to get all worked up because I preferred a different movie to the one that you do. Lighten up, this is a message board after all.
And as far as the superhero movies all being the same...I don't care if other genres do that, it gets old no matter what we are talking about. All I know is, every other month I hear about a new superhero movie and I'd just rather have them change the format up a little bit. That's why I like the Batman franchise because it is something different to me. I will see Iron Man, but it isn't a top priority for me. So really, you just need to relax.
Oh, and I spelled favourite with a 'u' so get over it already.
Mr. Cinema
05-12-08, 07:22 PM
Well, after Speed Racer's total shrunk to $18 million, now I think it will earn less than Prom Night. Prince Caspian and Iron Man leftovers will wipe out whatever audience is left for it.
Ronnie Dobbs
05-12-08, 07:23 PM
why do people take others opinions of movies so personally? i mean Speed Racer could make 300 billion dollars at the box office and I'm never going to see a dime of it. they'll just keep milking the series until it sucks (e.g. lethal weapon, star wars, jaws, and apparently indiana jones from early reviews)
RichC2
05-12-08, 07:25 PM
This is pretty bogus of Warners - basically trying to get the ink Sunday that they were #2 when in fact they were a dismal #3 - jeez!
TOLDJA! 'Speed Racer' Finishes Only 3rd; Facts Show Warner Bros Inflated Figures
Shame on the trades and mainstream media for not covering this angle of the box office story Sunday, although I did. (Or, is that the reason? See my previous, Rival Studios Accuse WB Of Inflating #s). It's now clear that Warner Bros wildly exaggerated its domestic gross claims for its disastrous Speed Racer. The WB-inflated tally of $20.2M put its anime actioner 2nd and Fox's What Happens In Vegas only 3rd with $20M, when every other studio had the ranking the other way around and Speed Racer's tally around $19.7M. Those rival studio execs told me Sunday there was no way WB's kiddie pic would suddenly have a huge Sunday. And, remember, there's primo PR value in these Top 10 ranking which get reported in newspapers and on TV and the Internet. But now the official figures have been reported Monday, and everyone can see how fudged WB's figures really are. Speed Racer made only $18.5M for the weekend, while Fox's Vegas totalled $20.1M. That's a difference of more than $1.6M. Jeez. As I noted yesterday, these kind of controversies don't develop often in Hollywood, but when they do, they can be ugly. That's because there is a certain code of honor among thieves, if you will -- a tacit agreement that every Hollywood studio will try to report weekend box office numbers as accurately as possible. Now it's shame on WB.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/
Eh, they'll still be able to advertise it as the #1 Family Movie in America.
GizmoDVD
05-12-08, 07:37 PM
Dude, I saw Iron Man 3 times last weekend...and I thought Speed Racer was actually more entertaining and more fun than Iron Man...
and Gizmo - glancing at your HD/BD collection, we have a lot of similar movies - I thought SR looked like shit and ended up loving it - give the BD a rent...I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Speed Racer will never be seen by me unless its forced on me to review it. It looks as bad as Battlefield Earth or Gigli. No thanks :lol:
sye46
05-12-08, 08:23 PM
saw both Iron Man and Speed Racer. Speed Racer was difinitely more fun, original, and entertaining compared to Iron Man. People who haven't seen a movie shouldn't have an opinion at all.
Peep
05-12-08, 08:25 PM
What's more embarassing? Your first tent-pole movie of the summer tanking at 20 million? Or being caught lying about the BO of the year's first stinking turd?
BravesMG
05-12-08, 08:44 PM
What's the big deal with the box office stuff? This happens all the time. It happened in April with the movie "Prom Night". They announced that it made 22 million and it really made 20 million on opening weekend.
In 1997, Miramax said that Scream 2 made $39 million on opening weekend -- turns out that it only made $33 million. That's far bigger than what Speed Racer said.
It was a difference of $2 million. It's not a big deal.
The Wachowskis have nothing to be embarrased about. They made a really fun film. Turns out that not many people saw it. That doesn't change the film's quality at all. I was not at all impressed by the Speed Racer trailers, and I ended up loving the film.That's too logical and not dramatic enough. We need to bury everyone possible because they didn't make a movie that appealed to everyone.
I propose that we get RDJ to get into full Iron Man costume and shoot each of the Wachowskis in the head with the bullets engraved to read "$18,500,000". Then everyone who was horrifically treated to the mere trailer for Speed Racer getting to piss in the open skull wounds.
GizmoDVD
05-12-08, 08:53 PM
What's the big deal with the box office stuff? This happens all the time. It happened in April with the movie "Prom Night". They announced that it made 22 million and it really made 20 million on opening weekend.
In 1997, Miramax said that Scream 2 made $39 million on opening weekend -- turns out that it only made $33 million. That's far bigger than what Speed Racer said.
It was a difference of $2 million. It's not a big deal.
The Wachowskis have nothing to be embarrased about. They made a really fun film. Turns out that not many people saw it. That doesn't change the film's quality at all. I was not at all impressed by the Speed Racer trailers, and I ended up loving the film.
By doing so Warner pushed Speed Racer to the #2 slot when it should have been in #3. Big difference between announcing they made X amount and saying they made X amount and beat out another movie for a certain place.
Seantn
05-12-08, 09:25 PM
That's too logical and not dramatic enough. We need to bury everyone possible because they didn't make a movie that appealed to everyone.
I propose that we get RDJ to get into full Iron Man costume and shoot each of the Wachowskis in the head with the bullets engraved to read "$18,500,000". Then everyone who was horrifically treated to the mere trailer for Speed Racer getting to piss in the open skull wounds.
Finally, someone is speaking some logic!
Ronnie Dobbs
05-12-08, 11:04 PM
Fuck Speed Racer bring on The Dark Knight. I'm sure WB will make plenty of money when that comes out.
Seantn
05-12-08, 11:09 PM
It will if the WB (aka the evil LIARS when it comes to box office) lies. My guess? Batman Begins was a HUGE box office bomb, but Warner Bros. just told everyone that it grossed a ton of money. It really didn't make that much, maybe $30 million total.
GatorDeb
05-12-08, 11:48 PM
It will if the WB (aka the evil LIARS when it comes to box office) lies. My guess? Batman Begins was a HUGE box office bomb, but Warner Bros. just told everyone that it grossed a ton of money. It really didn't make that much, maybe $30 million total.
Man, people just make up numbers left and right.
Batman Begins:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batmanbegins.htm
Domestic:
$205,343,774
Foreign:
$166,510,009
Total: $371,853,783
Opening weekend:
$48,745,440
anyanka323
05-13-08, 12:26 AM
Sex and the City will do great box office.
I wasn't a fan of the show, but its May release is a good date. It seems to be a rarity - a well written and directed romantic comedy. Plus, it is probably the most high profile release of the summer to appeal to women primarily. That audience was the core audience for Knocked Up, Prada, and Hairspray.
Unlike other TV to film adaptations, SATC was a mainstream hit. That will also help its total BO.
Brack
05-13-08, 12:57 AM
Man, people just make up numbers left and right.
Batman Begins:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batmanbegins.htm
Domestic:
$205,343,774
Foreign:
$166,510,009
Total: $371,853,783
Opening weekend:
$48,745,440
Seantn was being sarcastic, obviously.
GatorDeb
05-13-08, 01:55 AM
Seantn was being sarcastic, obviously.
:blush: With the way people are talking on this thread, some here might say something like that seriously.
wm lopez
05-13-08, 06:29 AM
You do realize that the last two summers have seen the following movies released:
Hairspray $118,871,849
The Devil Wears Prada $124,740,460
You can make money not appealing to pure action or comedy
That's for the heads up reminder.
But those 2 films were aimed at women 24 and under.
SEX & CITY is for like over 40.
Jericho
05-13-08, 07:43 AM
That's for the heads up reminder.
But those 2 films were aimed at women 24 and under.
SEX & CITY is for like over 40.
That's excessive. I mean Hairspray, a retro comedy musical is acceptable to 24 years olds, but Sex and the City isn't? I'd think the city life from a female perspective would appeal to twenty somethings. Not to mention, the chracters on the show are generally meant to be in their 30s (except I suppose Samantha?). Why only the appeal to 40 plus women?
Ronnie Dobbs
05-13-08, 08:22 AM
That's for the heads up reminder.
But those 2 films were aimed at women 24 and under.
SEX & CITY is for like over 40.
Ha, my 17 year old sister watches Sex And The City on TBS all the time.
TomOpus
05-13-08, 08:28 AM
Saw on the news this morning that fans are upset that they held the Sex and the City premiere in London rather than NYC. Does seem like an odd thing to do.
rexinnih
05-13-08, 09:24 AM
Saw on the news this morning that fans are upset that they held the Sex and the City premiere in London rather than NYC. Does seem like an odd thing to do.
Really? Interesting, I thought a NYC premier was a no brainer.
mdc3000
05-13-08, 09:41 AM
I just read that Sex and the City is 142 minutes long...holy shit, that's a long rom/com.
TallGuyMe
05-13-08, 09:51 AM
heard an ad on the TV this morning..
"See Speed Racer! America's #1 family movie!"
:)
Patman
05-13-08, 10:44 AM
I just read that Sex and the City is 142 minutes long...holy shit, that's a long rom/com.
That's like half a season on TV.
Brack
05-13-08, 10:48 AM
if you Google search Sex and the City, it says the running time is 135 minutes.
Daytripper
05-13-08, 11:42 AM
That's for the heads up reminder.
But those 2 films were aimed at women 24 and under.
SEX & CITY is for like over 40.
What!? Says who? What a ridiculous thing to say. Women of all ages
love "SATC". And "Hairspray" and "Prada" wasn't geared towards the
under 24 crowd.
Mr. Cinema
05-13-08, 06:06 PM
That's for the heads up reminder.
But those 2 films were aimed at women 24 and under.
SEX & CITY is for like over 40.
Meryl Streep doesn't appeal to women over 40?
GatorDeb
05-13-08, 06:47 PM
I used to watch it all the time a few years ago, when I was around 25. The only reason I haven't seen all eps is lack of time, I love the show, and once I get done with The X-Files it's on my To Do List.
Mom likes it also (60s), so it appeals to a wide range of ages. A bunch of 30-something year olds where I work are hooked on it (30, 33, 35).
chanster
05-13-08, 09:02 PM
Yes, I did, and I loved both of them. I don't mind philosophy and unanswered questions in my movies.
IF I hadn't liked them, the Bros don't owe me anything. If I don't like them, I just won't watch them again! If a director keeps putting out movies *I* don't like, I might skip future ones, but it would be silly to wish their movies do badly.
Chanster, did you watch Speed Racer?
No I didn't and if I had come into a Speed Racer thread and starting talking shit about, I am the ass. This is a box office figure thread, and I actively root for shit movies to bomb. And I say Speed Racer looks like shit to me, because it doesn't appeal to me at all, and it looks like CGI nirvana, and yes honestly I hate CGI fests and actively root for them to fail so good movies can be produced.
A true bomb is pretty rare nowadays because the marketing people can suck enough idiots into the theaters to recoup most of their investment. Not with this clunker though, good job Warner....
And please don't go around harping on "International Box Office" will not make it a bomb. Its a bomb.
wm lopez
05-14-08, 06:10 AM
Don't accuse wm lopez of not knowing what he's talking about! He obviously has done deep studies and market research to find out who watches what. If you look at his posting history you'll know that he never says something that doesn't make sense.
Don't you think the young women went to see the young actress not Streep?
DarkestPhoenix
05-14-08, 10:41 PM
Have you seen Speed Racer?
Yes. It sucks.
No way in hell it's better than Iron Man, and I hate the comic Iron Man, so it takes a lot to make me happy with a movie like that.
DarkestPhoenix
05-14-08, 10:50 PM
Here's a thought...over two hours of this shit is way too much, and the swirling colors at the beginning and end make you want to puke.
Secondly, cut out 90% of the Spritle shit, because he sucks, his character sucks and they're annoying. The part where they're in the hallway? Annoying as hell, probably only in there to break up the bad guy soliloquy that was long as fuck, also could have been trimmed. The cartoon fight scene...? Cut all that crap and boom, under 2 hours.
The movie is called Speed Racer, but it's pretty obvious the best character in the movie is Racer X. The guy is a badass, so focus on him, considering he is WHY Speed races. Don't be stupid and focus on a lot of side stories that ultimately add nothing to the plot.
Thanks, I sat through the movie once, you don't have to replay it for another five minutes at the end like this is a sequel and maybe I didn't see it, but the movie is so long, they could have filmed a sequel and played it right after this movie ended.
The Wachowski brothers are pompous and arrogant to think they didn't need anyone's input to cut this mammoth down to size. The only people who enjoy it are those who get the little references, which they'll enjoy just as much as bonus features on a DVD or Blu-Ray disc, but most people don't want to see a fat kid smash candy into his fat face. When people assume they're shit doesn't stink and they're perfect, I expect some dung loads on the screen like this one.
mdc3000
05-14-08, 10:54 PM
if you Google search Sex and the City, it says the running time is 135 minutes.
My theatre's website lists 142...so we'll have to wait and see who's right!
kstublen
05-14-08, 11:09 PM
Concerning Spritle, I really think people are missing the point of his character. Him and Chim-Chim always ate lots of candy in the original cartoon, and were always sneaking into places they did not belong. Eventually, this leads to them helping out Speed. This took place nearly EVERY episode in the original series, and while the duo could be annoying, they were always good for a laugh and some comic relief. Same thing in the movie.
Another thing worth noting, is that pretty much all of the original Speed Racer episodes occurred in pairs (Part 1 and Part 2). If you were to watch both together, this made for one cohesive story, and an unusually long cartoon. Usually, there was extensive dialogue in the first part, followed by a race. Also, the constant flashbacks and repeating parts that have already happened in the movie, is the same thing that was done in the cartoon. Flashbacks and rehashing of the previous episode was constantly taking place.
And while Racer X was a main character, he was not the focal point of the show (nor should he have been in the movie)...instead, the entire family (Pops, Mom, Rex/X, Speed, Spritle, Chim-Chim, Trixie, and Sparky) were all equally involved and focused upon. This was also present in the movie.
I don't care if people like it or not, but I feel it is worth pointing out some of the ways in which this is by and far the best film adaptation that I have ever seen.
Brack
05-15-08, 01:05 AM
this thread is hilarious.
Suprmallet
05-15-08, 01:42 AM
Here's a thought...over two hours of this shit is way too much, and the swirling colors at the beginning and end make you want to puke.
Secondly, cut out 90% of the Spritle shit, because he sucks, his character sucks and they're annoying. The part where they're in the hallway? Annoying as hell, probably only in there to break up the bad guy soliloquy that was long as fuck, also could have been trimmed. The cartoon fight scene...? Cut all that crap and boom, under 2 hours.
The movie is called Speed Racer, but it's pretty obvious the best character in the movie is Racer X. The guy is a badass, so focus on him, considering he is WHY Speed races. Don't be stupid and focus on a lot of side stories that ultimately add nothing to the plot.
Thanks, I sat through the movie once, you don't have to replay it for another five minutes at the end like this is a sequel and maybe I didn't see it, but the movie is so long, they could have filmed a sequel and played it right after this movie ended.
The Wachowski brothers are pompous and arrogant to think they didn't need anyone's input to cut this mammoth down to size. The only people who enjoy it are those who get the little references, which they'll enjoy just as much as bonus features on a DVD or Blu-Ray disc, but most people don't want to see a fat kid smash candy into his fat face. When people assume they're shit doesn't stink and they're perfect, I expect some dung loads on the screen like this one.
Honestly, the only criticism I agree with here is that the Spritle/Chim-Chim rampage through the hallway set to "Freebird" scene should have been cut.
DarkestPhoenix
05-15-08, 03:44 AM
Him and Chim-Chim always ate lots of candy in the original cartoon, and were always sneaking into places they did not belong. Eventually, this leads to them helping out Speed...I don't care if people like it or not, but I feel it is worth pointing out some of the ways in which this is by and far the best film adaptation that I have ever seen.
Yawn.
The only problem with this argument is that CARTOONS DO NOT TRANSLATE TO FILM.
Oh, yeah, right, Transformers would have been AWESOME if Starscream and Megatron were sitting there filling oil into Energon Cubes. Like that even makes sense. Or if, in the final battle, Megatron transformed into a big gun.
The reason why Transformers kicked ass and Speed Racer sucked is because one of these movies made the transitions necessary to translate realistically as possible onto the big screen. One of them didn't.
I don't want a 'perfect' adaptation dedicated to source material. Otherwise, I'd still be bitching that X-Men didn't have authentic costumes.
Brack
05-15-08, 03:57 AM
Yawn.
The only problem with this argument is that CARTOONS DO NOT TRANSLATE TO FILM.
Oh, yeah, right, Transformers would have been AWESOME if Starscream and Megatron were sitting there filling oil into Energon Cubes. Like that even makes sense. Or if, in the final battle, Megatron transformed into a big gun.
The reason why Transformers kicked ass and Speed Racer sucked is because one of these movies made the transitions necessary to translate realistically as possible onto the big screen. One of them didn't.
I don't want a 'perfect' adaptation dedicated to source material. Otherwise, I'd still be bitching that X-Men didn't have authentic costumes.
you go from saying cartoons don't translate to film to saying that the cartoon does translate to film, but that it's something you don't want. I can feel your inner conflict.
GatorDeb
05-15-08, 04:02 AM
Don't you think the young women went to see the young actress not Streep?
I'm 29 and I'd rather see Meryl Streep over 98% of young actresses, she kicks ass. She's my favorite actress along with Diane Lane, who's in her 40s.
DarkestPhoenix
05-15-08, 04:57 AM
you go from saying cartoons don't translate to film to saying that the cartoon does translate to film, but that it's something you don't want. I can feel your inner conflict.
What I'm saying is that cartoons don't adapt exactly as they are to film.
You have to make changes to make them work.
Speed Racer made no changes, which is the reason for teh suck.
wm lopez
05-15-08, 06:13 AM
You guys think maybe a different cast would have made SPEED RACER a hit?
I mean TRANSFORMERS was a hit last year.
bloopbleep
05-15-08, 07:57 AM
You guys think maybe a different cast would have made SPEED RACER a hit?
I mean TRANSFORMERS was a hit last year.
no the cast was allright its was the Wachowski Brothers who suck ass, this picture was one of the most boring pictures I have ever seen. it makes Eddie Murphy`s Norbit look like a oscar winner.Wachowski Brothers pulled a
Ang Lee 2003 Hulk and made it too artsy farsty. this was one bad movie, I feel sorry for Speed Racer fans as the cartoon of the 1960`s was actually good. I will never see a Wachowski Brothers movie again. Avoid at all costs. I brought my sons to this and the younger one kept asking me when is it going to end and the older son fell asleep thru it.
bloopbleep
05-15-08, 08:04 AM
For those who think their last two movies were bombs, you're out of your right frickin' mind. Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow footed the bill for all three Matrix films and released the flicks themselves internationally, not like say New Line who sells the international rights of their films to other companies.
The Matrix
Production Budget: $60 million
Domestic: $171 million
International: $289 million
The Matrix Reloaded
Budget: $150 million
Domestic: $282 million
International: $457 million
The Matrix Revolutions
Budget: $150 million
Domestic: $139 million
International: $286 million
The Matrix made over $200 million on just DVD sales ALONE. Add in the cost of rentals (on VHS and DVD) as well as the sale of television rights, you're looking at another $100 million.
The sequels made over $200 million (combined total) on DVD sales ALONE. In addition to the rentals, television rights, and video game licensing one is looking at almost another quick $100 million.
Warner made bank off the entire trilogy. One could not classify them as a bomb. If anything, Matrix Reloaded put Warner in the black for the production AND promotional budgets of the two sequels right then and there.
Speed Racer might be DOA here in the States, but there's no accounting for how it's going to do internationally. Both Poseidon and Troy which massively underperformed in the US did a lot better overseas. Speed Racer might appeal to more audiences worldwide, especially in Asia. Also, don't forget the video sales as well.
Warner will break even on the film once all is said and done six months from now, but if it'll turn a profit, who knows.
I don`t care how much the Matrix movies made, It still didn`t make Speed Racer a good movie, Speed Racer totally sucked and was one of the worst movies I have seen of all time not just 2008. now that I remember correctly Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions both sucked also and made money because of hype.
kstublen
05-15-08, 09:22 AM
Yawn.
The only problem with this argument is that CARTOONS DO NOT TRANSLATE TO FILM.
Oh, yeah, right, Transformers would have been AWESOME if Starscream and Megatron were sitting there filling oil into Energon Cubes. Like that even makes sense. Or if, in the final battle, Megatron transformed into a big gun.
The reason why Transformers kicked ass and Speed Racer sucked is because one of these movies made the transitions necessary to translate realistically as possible onto the big screen. One of them didn't.
I don't want a 'perfect' adaptation dedicated to source material. Otherwise, I'd still be bitching that X-Men didn't have authentic costumes.
Transformers toys...sucked. Transformers cartoon...sucked. Transformers movie...sucked. Some of the worst acting I have seen in a long time; the characters were not believable or sympathetic, and the dialogue was immensely corny. And I wasn't THAT impressed by the computer graphics either. Terrible, terrible movie.
RichC2
05-15-08, 09:43 AM
Transformers toys...sucked. Transformers cartoon...sucked. Transformers movie...sucked. Some of the worst acting I have seen in a long time; the characters were not believable or sympathetic, and the dialogue was immensely corny. And I wasn't THAT impressed by the computer graphics either. Terrible, terrible movie.
The proper reply to this will be somebody posting how much money Transformers made as evidence it's a better movie.
You know it's coming.
But yeah, I tend to agree, Transformers wasn't a particularly good movie, series, or line of toys -- but they sure were cool looking.
notkevinbacon
05-15-08, 09:56 AM
OK, I hate most CGI fests... like for example, last year's 300 which was just awful.
I am not a Wachowski fan... the Matrix sequels are just plain bad, Bound is not really as good as most make it out too be, same with the original Matrix. Their work in V did not help to elevate that movie above shit, either.
I was never what you would call a SR fan... of course, I've seen the cartoon. That's about it
I <b>loved</b> Speed Racer the movie. It's flawed, but damnit, I loved it.
I'd say anyone on the fence just go and give it a chance. The first 30-40 minutes drag somewhat, but by the end I didn't care... if anything I wanted a little bit more. I cannot understand how this bombed this hard... but I can see why it turned off some people. It's not for everyone, but it is most certainly for some... and I think it will click really well for those people. On paper I probably should have hated this film just judging by my personal tastes.
The first movie I thought to compare it to was Transformers and it's better than that film... by a nice margin. I was a huge Transformers kid, the movie was alright, but certainly lacking. If you could accept some of the ridiculous happenings in Transformers I don't see what's hard to take about the "comic relief" in SR. I rolled my eyes harder at the Autobots hiding in Shia's lawn than at anything in SR. Though, this is the flaw of the SR... I just don't know if the Wachowski brothers can do a kids movie. The movie has it's heart in the right spot... it doesn't feel like a cash in. It felt like a labor of love. I think it's got cult status written all over it.
Just my opinion. It's easy to see where it didn't click for some (most), but I think it's worth a shot to see if it works for you.
Gerry P.
05-15-08, 06:13 PM
The first movie I thought to compare it to was Transformers and it's better than that film... by a nice margin.What isn't better than Transformers?
Seantn
05-15-08, 06:37 PM
Probably Transformers 2 :)
bloopbleep
05-16-08, 12:18 PM
The first 30-40 minutes drag somewhat, but by the end I didn't care... if anything I wanted a little bit more. I cannot understand how this bombed this hard...
thats one main reason not to go see this movie as you say first 30-40 minutes drag, a good movie that people love will keep them on the edge of thier seats from beginning to end. with Wachowski brothers Speed Racer movie I kept checking the time on my cell phone to see when it would be over, there were 10 people in the whole theatre and half of the people didn`t have the patience I had and walked out. it felt like a chore going to see this movie and when I go to a movie, I like to have fun, example is Ironman made me laugh, was exciting and made me care about the characters. this Speed Racer was boring. I even seen the new Nancy Drew and Rush Hour 3 movies and they were much better then this. this would have to be the biggest bomb of the decade! never has a movie made me feel ripped off like this. I always try to find something positive in a movie. the only positive I could find in the Wachowski brothers Speed Racer movie is if your having trouble sleeping, then go see Speed Racer and you will get a couple of hours sleep. better than a tranquilizer.
hapgilmore
05-16-08, 01:51 PM
thats one main reason not to go see this movie as you say first 30-40 minutes drag, a good movie that people love will keep them on the edge of thier seats from beginning to end. with Wachowski brothers Speed Racer movie I kept checking the time on my cell phone to see when it would be over, there were 10 people in the whole theatre and half of the people didn`t have the patience I had and walked out. it felt like a chore going to see this movie and when I go to a movie, I like to have fun, example is Ironman made me laugh, was exciting and made me care about the characters. this Speed Racer was boring. I even seen the new Nancy Drew and Rush Hour 3 movies and they were much better then this. this would have to be the biggest bomb of the decade! never has a movie made me feel ripped off like this. I always try to find something positive in a movie. the only positive I could find in the Wachowski brothers Speed Racer movie is if your having trouble sleeping, then go see Speed Racer and you will get a couple of hours sleep. better than a tranquilizer.
There was absoultely nothing good about RH3. Speed Racer beats it visually alone.
bloopbleep
05-16-08, 02:56 PM
There was absoultely nothing good about RH3. Speed Racer beats it visually alone.
RUSH HOUR 3 made me laugh my ass off and was not boring like this Speed Racer Wachowski brothers turd and I hope there will be a RUSH HOUR 4, that can`t be said for no Speed Racer 2 no Speed Racer 2 no Speed Racer 2 no or even better
no more Wachowski brothers films no more Wachowski brothers films no more Wachowski brothers films no .
mdc3000
05-16-08, 03:56 PM
If anyone thought Speed Racer was boring, I DARE YOU to go see Prince Caspian this weekend...talk about snoozefest!
RichC2
05-16-08, 03:58 PM
OMG people have varying opinions? Nooooooooooo!!
I bet somebody out there actually liked The One and Highland End Game too.
bloopbleep
05-16-08, 05:01 PM
the best news is with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull coming out next week Speed Racer will fade into obscurity.
notkevinbacon
05-16-08, 05:18 PM
thats one main reason not to go see this movie as you say first 30-40 minutes drag, a good movie that people love will keep them on the edge of thier seats from beginning to end.
I won't lie, I too was thinking this was going to be a train wreck during the first 10 minutes. The kid who plays young speed is awful, that is something I can't deny.
And then movie really came together for me and I began to just love the characters brought to life, the visual style and the heart. This film just has so much heart. It feels like a labor of love, not a cash in... I believe the Wachowski's have real affection for the material.
... a good movie that people love will keep them on the edge of thier seats from beginning to end.
This is something I don't 100% agree with you on. There are lots of times that I see a film(or read a book) and the first and second act don't work for me... but then when the movie concludes I'm blown away. Somethings are better when you have all the pieces, there is new suspense where there was none before in the beginning of the film, there's new insight and motives. You really begin to see things... some movies just require those extra looks to get everything from them.
<i>Usually</i>, this doesn't/shouldn't apply to a "Summer blockbuster" that exists to entertain above everything else.
In the case of Speed Racer, I just feel in love with the characters... so now, that beginning that I felt lingered on somewhat is something I will enjoy when I see it again (IMAX BABY!) because I like the universe the movie exists in and I just want to hang out there.
Again, I realize why people are not digging this flick. I can see where it missteps and I rolled my eyes a few times. The only thing I recommend is giving the movie a chance. It's certainly not as terrible as some have presumed. I wouldn't ever argue it's a flawless movie, but I would argue for some it will certainly feel like it.
As for Transformers, I think the movies are very comparable and the popular opinion seems to be Transformers was in the spectrum of alright to pretty good...
...it really wasn't. :D
Brack
05-17-08, 12:16 AM
It takes a lot for me to be bored at the theater. I'd say the only movies that really bored me last year were Stardust and 30 Days of Night.
Zen Peckinpah
05-17-08, 12:28 AM
As I may have mentioned in other threads, I work at Radio Shack. Today, during an unbearably slow 11-hour shift a guy came in asking if we had ZipZap cars (mini RC guys) for Speed Racer, to which I quipped we didn't and after the box office receipts last weekend we probably wouldn't be. :D He was extremely polite about it (as was I, just joking around), although I feel badly for Joel Silver, a true character in Hollywood who's had his hands in some great movies in the past. Haven't seen this yet, maybe I will eventually.
P.S.: I've seen Transformers a LOT at work (it's been running on Cinemax and its sister stations every three hours it seems), and I still stand by my gut reaction that it was better than it had any right to be. Yes, Michael Bay isn't a good director, and yes, it's a movie about giant fucking robots, but it's dumb fun and (to me) it doesn't feel bastardized. And the hate for Shia LaBeouf is overblown, those nerds don't remember the vastly underrated Holes, arguably the best kids' movie this decade. It was The Shawshank Redemption for kids, dammit!
jeffkjoe
05-18-08, 03:43 AM
THere's no way Speed Racer can make up any ground
wm lopez
05-18-08, 05:13 AM
I went to see it and walked out after Speed won the race.
The movie didn't deserve the $20 million opening it was a bad movie.
mdc3000
05-18-08, 10:48 AM
^The final race? There is literally 2 minutes left, so it's not really like you 'walked out' - you just left a bit early... 'walking out' implies leaving half way or less through a movie out of disgust.
The Cow
05-18-08, 01:12 PM
^The final race? There is literally 2 minutes left, so it's not really like you 'walked out' - you just left a bit early... 'walking out' implies leaving half way or less through a movie out of disgust.
Seeing who wrote that, I doubt he saw it. He's a baiter.
wm lopez
05-19-08, 06:13 AM
Seeing who wrote that, I doubt he saw it. He's a baiter. Well, I have a mind of my own and I can't find it in me to agree with one side all the time. Or listen to a group of people telling me to ignore others who express their views. That's 4th grade behavior or Rosie O'Donnell behavior where insulting the person with another view and talking loud makes your point of view correct. Yes, that does work on some people not me.
I'm not liberal, sorry. :shrug:
majorjoe23
05-19-08, 01:36 PM
Of course he's not a baiter, if he was he would do something silly like inject politics into the discussion of Speed Racer's box office performance.
The Bus
05-19-08, 01:56 PM
He's off my ignore list simply because his posts have crossed the border and are now firmly in the land of the absurd. It's hilarious.
Speed Racer was an OK movie and it does slightly bother me when it makes under $50MM and stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks makes much more. It's not Catwoman or Hudson Hawk, but I can't continually defend it since it had a lot of flaws.
wm lopez
05-19-08, 06:31 PM
Since the SPEED RACER movie failed what happens to the toys at the stores?
Is there a slash in prices like half off?
Anybody remember what stores do with movie toys that don't sell?
Patman
05-19-08, 06:39 PM
Since the SPEED RACER movie failed what happens to the toys at the stores?
Is there a slash in prices like half off?
Anybody remember what stores do with movie toys that don't sell?
Don't they end up at "Big Lots" stores, or other thrifty stores of the same ilk? :)
kstublen
05-19-08, 07:59 PM
I can give a partial answer, based on personal experience. I work at Walgreens during my summers off from school, and we marked the Speed Racer Toys 75% off. I really enjoyed the movie, so I promptly purchased all 10 Hot Wheels Cars that were released for $0.74, plus a 15% discount for being an employee.
I dunno if all Walgreens are doing that, but I would imagine most of them are putting any and everything Speed Racer on clearance/sale.
chris_sc77
05-19-08, 09:40 PM
My girlfriend works at Toys R US in Columbus. She said she hasn't seen one Speed Racer thing sell at her register but the Batman toys are already flying off the shelf. Of course Joker is no where to be seen anymore in her store.
wm lopez
05-20-08, 06:06 AM
That's some real sad news that even the SPEED RACER toys don't sell.
I remember as a kid all boys liked cool cars to play with.
I wonder how many of those SPEED RACER helmets sold which looked kind dumb.
Mopower
05-20-08, 08:41 AM
My girlfriend works at Toys R US in Columbus. She said she hasn't seen one Speed Racer thing sell at her register but the Batman toys are already flying off the shelf. Of course Joker is no where to be seen anymore in her store.
That's because kids don't know what Speed Racer is.
jeditalk
05-21-08, 12:06 PM
I can't wait for the new Sex in the City Movie its sounds like its going to be soo good. Jennifer Hudson is in it, so now it has real star power behind it. I entered this contest to see if I could go to the premiere
I love that movie, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun it had helenhunt and the lead actor was so HOT.
BravesMG
05-21-08, 12:19 PM
...www.urlremovedduetospam.com...:lol: I never noticed that before.
Giantrobo
05-21-08, 01:28 PM
My girlfriend works at Toys R US in Columbus. She said she hasn't seen one Speed Racer thing sell at her register but the Batman toys are already flying off the shelf. Of course Joker is no where to be seen anymore in her store.
That's too bad because I was in Kmart the other day looking at toys and the Mach 5 and Mach 6 toys are kickass, especially the large scale versions.
But I agree that kids today don't really know who Speed Racer is. But then again based on what I've seen over the years it seems kids aren't the ones buying this stuff it's Older Fanboys and the like. I'll bet adults are buying the Batman stuff too.
DarkestPhoenix
05-21-08, 01:41 PM
Speed Racer was an OK movie and it does slightly bother me when it makes under $50MM and stuff like Alvin and the Chipmunks makes much more.
That's because of little kids. Little kids can understand the concept of talking rodents. They can't understand the concept of over two hours of talking, dead brothers, flashbacks, qualifying race, big losing race, race this race you're not supposed to race, race the final race, over. Also, it's Japanese, whereas Chipmunks was in the US, at least.
Hence, Chipmunks success, Speed epic fail.
chris_sc77
05-21-08, 03:26 PM
ALso i was talking to my girlfriend again last night and I guess they are giving away free Speed Racer t-shirts at Toys R US with the purchase of $25 worth of Speed Racer toys.
This might be a YMMV sort of thing so if anyone is interested you definitely wanna call first or whatever before heading out.
The Bus
05-21-08, 03:39 PM
That's because kids don't know what Speed Racer is.
I gave my brother (he was ~8 at the time) the Vol. 1 set for the series a few years ago and he half-watched one episode. He probably thought it was too old-fashioned or whatnot. But recently I had him start to record Top Gear and he caught an episode of Speed Racer on TV. I thought since then he'd seen the DVD set completely but when the movie began he told me seen each episode at least 4 times.
He liked the movie but not as much as Transformers or Cloverfield.
The Bus
05-21-08, 03:40 PM
That's because of little kids. Little kids can understand the concept of talking rodents. They can't understand the concept of over two hours of talking, dead brothers, flashbacks, qualifying race, big losing race, race this race you're not supposed to race, race the final race, over.
I'm sure they can understand. We're talking about Speed Racer, not Syriana.
RichC2
05-21-08, 03:42 PM
I can't wait for the Dora the Explorer version of Syriana though, they may get Clooney to reprise his role.
Figured I'd (try to) take this thread in that direction.
Seantn
06-02-08, 03:27 AM
Why do so many people assume Sex and the City will be a hit?
It's a cult show from a pay cable channel that has a relatively small audience. It's not that different from Firefly going to the big screen, and we all know how that went at the box office.
I'm not saying it's going to bomb, necessarily, because the budget is relatively small, but it's not going to be some runaway hit. The audience for the show wasn't all that big, and I don't see the movie suddenly converting a couple million new fans.
It should do respectable business considering that it is a movie based on a pay cable TV show, but I can't see it making more than $50 million at most at the box office (someone flag this post to bring it up later if the movie hits $100+ million, and then make fun of my "predictions" ;) ).
Just doing as you asked :)
B5Erik
06-02-08, 09:10 AM
Just doing as you asked :)
Thanks!
(I noted on the box office thread for this weekend that I just don't get the appeal of SATC. I'm still surprised that a pay cable TV show turned out such a big opening weekend. Of course, it hasn't hit $100 million yet.... ;) )
Buy: