Monday Morning Quarterback Part II

By BOP Staff

March 22, 2011

Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

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Doom! DOOM!

Kim Hollis: We have been shying away from this story thus far, since the discussion is warped by Avatar, but box office is down year-over-year almost every weekend in 2011. Are you troubled by this, or do you think it's coincidence rather than a pattern?

Josh Spiegel: Since January 1st, I have seen a grand total of one 2011 release in theaters (and, due to me being on vacation until today, that movie isn't Paul, but I'll be seeing that soon). I'm kind of curious about Rango, and...other than that, I'm waiting for the summer, and movies like Super 8. I'm only troubled by this news in that it speaks to how crappy the movies coming out in the first three months of the year are. If the studios want to make more money year-round, start making better movies. Rango and Just Go With It are going to end up being the first $100 million grossers of 2011, but as of March 20th, they haven't even gotten there yet. I'm sure we can chalk some of the low numbers up to coincidence (or at least to there not being an Avatar-esque film out there), but it's not all happenstance.

Brett Beach: I have seen a few more than Josh, but mostly leftovers from last year's collection. I am inclined to agree with his assessments, but want to put it in personal terms (and since I have ranted and raved at length in previous weeks about my over all dissatisfaction with this year's calendar of major studio releases, I'll try a new tack): Excepting April 8th, where I am actually excited for three out of the four new releases, there are only 10-15 out of the 100 films between now and the end of the year that I would consider paying full price to see in the theater. Even allowing for trailers or more info that would allow some of those 85 to become more appealing, I find that to be a ridiculously discouraging figure. And I don't lay the blame at cynicism, or even my changing tastes as I get older (although that is a factor), simply that this year's crop appears at first (and second and third) glance to be ridiculously underwhelming. The summer blockbusters may be counted on once again to save the day, but if the bodies aren't in the theaters now to see those trailers, then there may be trouble ahead.




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Reagen Sulewski: I wouldn't place it all on the absence of an Avatar, though it certainly had a large hand in the gap both directly and indirectly. Audiences were still yet to be burned by the 3D phenomenon, and made Alice and Wonderland a bafflingly large hit, and were throwing crazy opening weekend figures at things like Legion, Cop Out, Dear John and Valentine's Day. So even though 2011's slate has been underwhelming in quality, it's not like 2010 was throwing out Ghostbusters and Honey I Shrunk the Kids every weekend at this point.

Shalimar Sahota: I think the lack of an Avatar-like film is a possibility. It brought 3D in a big way with a must-see movie. Like Reagen says, audiences were burned out, since now there are many films using 3D (or cheapo conversions). People simply want a good quality film to draw them out of their homes. I don't see another behemoth on the horizon until the release of Pirates of the Caribbean. I've only seen four films so far this year, and two of those were 2010 releases. Having the time certainly plays a factor, but Like Brett, there isn't a lot out there that I'm wanting to pay full whack to go and see. Also, films I may have been on two sides about are suddenly dropped once the reviews come in (I Am Number Four, Drive Angry 3D, Battle: LA). Then there's the usual - the shortening gap as films make it to DVD/Blu-Ray and ticket prices getting higher. Some people are happier with their home theater experience.


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