Boffo sales put Fahrenheit 9/11 in running for No. 1 spot (huge opening!)

[Democat]

After weeks of debate and media coverage, "Fahrenheit 9/11" opened today far better than expected.

An estimate of just how well it could do is difficult to make, but as of 3 p.m. on the West CoastCoast, it looks as if Michael MooreMichael Moore's docdoc could sell between $6 million and $8 million worth of tickets on its first day.

Playing at 868 theaters, the pic would have an amazing one-day theater average of $6,912 at the low end of that range.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907062?categoryId=13&cs=1

This is great news! They were predicting only 10 million for the whole weekend earlier this week and it will do 6 to 8 million on Friday alone!

[DeepModem Mom]

1. Whooooo, doggies!

[yorgatron]

2. kick ass!!!

i bet it goes over $25 million.

[TahitiNut]

6. 6+10+6 would make it $22 million. That would be a record ...

... for a documentary. It'd be in the very top rank of all films.

[Eloriel]

3. Beautiful!!

And in case anyone hasn't seen it yet, you've GOT to read new DUer cease_fire's amazing review of it:

Fahrenheit 9/11. A Review. There are things in this film.... (Long)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1854244#

[qwertyMike]

53. From the review

"If you’d like to continue, blissfully unaware of just how much trouble your way of life is in, then don’t see this film.

On the other hand, if you need just a little push…

You know, just a little incentive to start a march on Washington…"

[calimary]

4. We had to order tickets for Sunday night in Century City.

No gettin' in there tonight, that's for sure. Completely sold out. All shows. As much as I wanted to go on opening night, I am DEEELIGHTED to see this.

[Manix]

5. ..bring it on!!

[gratuitous]

7. Money talks and Cheney walks

It will discomfit the imperial class no end, but when there's a chunk of money to be made, theater owners and distributors will run the movie regardless of how the media rant.

Mercy sakes, good buddies, looks like we got us a pheenomenon.

[Bolo Boffin]

8. It will be a short lived one, but...

Short-lived because of a certain wallcrawler that's opening on Wednesday.

But this is fantastic news. Nashville sold out all Friday shows by 1 PM. I'm sure there's a clamor for tickets on Sat and Sunday too.

[NJCher]

9. 12 N showing in Long Island was 95 per cent capacity

Huge, huge theatre.


Cher

[Skittles]

10. may I thank the FREEPER IDIOTS

whose protests and attempts at squashing dissent brought SO MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS MOVIE. :thumbsup:

[truthisfreedom]

11. yes, you may, and i SECOND the opinion. these f*ckwads will launch Kerry

right into the WhiteHouse, and we can recover some of our former dignity, before the abusive child-in-a-grownups-body brought his terrifying imaginary cloud-being into power and wreaked havoc all over the world. he should have stayed a wet drunk instead of a dry one... the world would have been much better off if the shrub had simply wilted somewhere over endless shots of cheap bourbon.

[Cocoa]

12. those whores are freaking out!

all those millions of people now know what a fraud they are! And they're going to tell their friends! :bounce:

[Geo55]

45. And they're going to tell their friends!......ZACKLY !!!!!! n/t

[jbutsz]

13. I have the urge...

...to print all of these "better than expected!!", "amazing ticket sales!!" etc. type stories and go up to the Regal theater in Natchez, MS and laugh at them for being such dumbasses for not showing F9/11, then turn around and bitch at them for refusing one of the most anticipated films of the year.

And it's not because their 'slate' is overrun with award-winners they couldn't bare to interrupt; F9/11's competition here is Shrek 2, Dodgeball, and White Chicks.

But of course, I'm in the uninformed, dumbass, redneck, Fox-News'-base part of the country/state, and didn't expect them to show it anyways..

Hope the DVD isn't too expensive when it comes out.

[1monster]

15. I talked to the Regal theatre manager in my town, and he told me that

he had no control over whether or not F 9/11 would be shown in his theatre. He said the decision was made by Regal Corporate Headquarters in Kentucky...

The guy was not happy about it either. Apparently, there have been other movies he wanted played in his theatre and they would not allow him to show them either.

[jbutsz]

16. That sucks..

..maybe Regal will let it be shown in these markets after it's 'proven' that a majority want to see it, but even then I doubt it, especially for areas like mine.

[TexasBushwhacker]

17. That's correct - booking is done at the corporate level

That being said, it is showing at dozens of Regal/Edwards theaters in other states, so I don't know why it isn't showing in your town.

[MasonJar]

19. I am not sure that he was truthful. I do not know what is going on

in other parts of Kt., but here in Louisville the movie is showing at four major theaters. We have started (from the meet-ups) a Kentucky for Kerry grass roots project. It is growing daily. We started with a few and are now over 400 and we are coordinating with other Ky. groups like Ky. Women for Kerry. It is quite rewarding. We are not throwing in the towel and conceding Ky.

[1monster]

20. He told me to talk to corporate... I doubt that he would do that and give

me the e-mail addy if he were not telling me the truth.

[NashVegas]

25. They Go By Demographics of Geography

there are several Regals in my town. the one that's showing F9/11 is in BoBo (Bohemian Bourgeois)central.

[Soup Bean]

31. Regal in Knoxville showed the movie.

:)

[Kenneth ken]

14. good turnout

at the showing I went to. I went to a 2:00 PM showing, and typically those will have 6-40 people attending, depending on the film.

For F 9/11 the theater was about 80-85 percent full, probably 200 or more people?

No disrupters at all.

[Politicub]

33. I saw it tonight in Atlanta

At an AMC in Phipps Plaza. I bought my ticket in advance and thought it would be playing on only one screen there.

After I got my ticket I learned that it was being played on 3 screens simultaneously. This was for the 7:40 showing. It looked sold out to me, at least in the theater I was sitting in.

I was thinking about disrupters before the movie began. After the movie had been going on I realized this movie was virtually disrupter proof.

A disrupter would be so booed down, so humiliated, that it wouldn't be worth it for them to try and disrupt it. How can you protest the truth that's being presented, with documentation to back it up?

This is certainly a powerful film. I think it's going to get people taking about it that otherwise wouldn't think about these issues. The people sitting next to me, for example, kept whispering amongst each other, "I didn't know that... did you know that? What the??"

This post is a ramble, but my mind is racing right now about what I witnessed in the film.

[MGKrebs]

37. I am right there with you Polit.

I was a Phipps too. I want to go back tomorrow and see if they will let me register voters there!

We were handing out the buttons shown below. Hope you got one!

(PS- I gave Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor one of these Wednesday night. He pinned it on immediately and said 'I love it!"

[Politicub]

38. No, I didn't get one of the buttons

though I wish I had.

I left in a daze, actually. I'm still processing what I saw.

I think registering voters there, especially as they leave the movie, is a fabulous idea.

[TrueAmerican]

18. PM the full story to me

I don't subscribe to variety.

Thanks.

[Upfront]

21. Big Croud

I saw it today and it was in rethug land. Near full house who clapped and cheered at the end. It was good and I learned a few things I did not know.

[mike1963]

23. Thanks...would you care to narrow it down to ...at least the state? If not

no problem just wondering.
;-)

[Arugula Latte]

22. YES!

I'm going tomorrow afternoon. I cannot wait! Then ... on to a Kerry fundraising party. What a day.

[mountainvue]

24. I went to the early show this evening.

the theater is showing it on 2 screens. When we came out the lin for F9/11 was OUT THE DOOR!

[antonialee839]

28. Same here

in Philadelphia, the theater was packed and as we were leaving the line was out the door. They had a lot of heavy security too. We heard one of the officers say there had been some threats.

[mountainvue]

29. I did notice

the police presence at my theater as well.

[LiberalUprising]

30. Same here in Dallas.

We just got back from the 4 oclock showing at a new theater, the Angelica, about 10 seats empty for that show. Long line for 6 oclock showing. We were met by a local news station and a radio station leaving the theater asking people their reactions, no disrupters or protesters in sight.

An awsome experience!

Was told ticket sales were brisk and they had to add 2 screens to accomadate everyone.

Going in people were laughing and talking, coming out... stone cold silence..
The faces were of people leaving were angry looking or teary eyed. Amazing. I went with 3 friends, we were speechless all the way to the car.

Very emotional movie, a rollercoaster of laughs and tears. Moore is a frikin genius!

[nannah]

26. i went in Olympia, wa at 4:30; all shows were sold out all day.

the evening show was sold out before 3:30. it was powerful and done with restraint and credibility.

[rocketdem]

27. not showing here

I called a couple of theater companies and was told that Moore's movie was classified as a "documentary or foreign film." Therefore, it would only be opened in places where documentaries traditionally do well and not in places like, for example, Huntsville, Alabama.

When I suggested that this particular documentary wasn't your ordinary documentary, I was told that the management does not take any position regarding the content of a documentary.

I told these people that it wasn't a matter of content, it was a matter of sales, that this might very well be and most viewed documentary in mainstream theater history.

The reply was that a documentary was a documentary and that if I wanted to see it I would have to travel to Mobile, Alabama or Nashville, Tennessee.

So y'all buy lots of tickets, see it a couple of times, and maybe, just maybe, they'll start showing it truly across the country as opposed to just in select places.

[11bravo1986]

32. Not showing here

Lakeland, FL...
Had to go to Tampa where it is only showing in 4 theaters and unfortunately for me all shows are sold out. I will try again tomorrow.

[westhollywooddem]

35. Yippee!

The Rethugs have tried every technique to discredit Michael
Moore and made the entire movie an enormous controversy. 
Controversy + money equals big bucks.  I have to go to an
early movie in the morning and plan to take my 13 year old son
because it is sold out in Los Angeles tonight.

[catzies]

36. Hi, westhollywooddem!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Zhade]

43. Welcome to DU from Santa Monica!

:toast:

[tlcandie]

34. Watched it tonight at the Westshore Plaza in Tampa...!

The 7:45pm show was sold out and there was a huge line upon leaving the theater for the late show! Policemen were there as well...two, but not sure if that is normal as we usually do not have to travel over an hour to see a movie.

The very first few scenes of the documentary showing the BLACK representatives stating their objections to the Supreme Court's decision and stating that there were no senators to be found to validate their objections brought it home to me.

I had not seen this ever! It made me cry and I knew that this was truly the sad and mournful day that America died and the true veil over Lady Liberty had been drawn. To me, it was THE defining moment when not even one of the over 500 senators would object to the ruling..NOT ONE! I knew then that we had been sold down the river and the rest was nothing more than a mop up at the expensive of what this regime considers mere cannon fodder.

Cannon fodder: on the backs of these people is how this country and other countries are enabled to develop a heirarchy that eventually turns and renders its own host.

Throughout the movie there were claps at points well made and boos at some, most especially Condilies Rice. Afterwards, there was loud applause and at the end someone shouted now vote! Then everyone was shouting back and saying impeach now! It was emotional and it wasn't quiet out the door either. I ALMOST shouted to those waiting something that would stir them before they ever entered, but I didn't know what that would be and walked away silent. :cry:

Moving, disturbing, confirming, maddening, saddening, shocking, and even laughing make this something that will stay etched in my mind forever. It has the power to meet that critical mass!

Here's to hoping for the best and preparing for the worst! If this regime gets another four years, I will see you all in the jails awaiting those who object to this government and are unpatriotic or considered terrorists!

Here's to Bush out or Dem Asses out on the streets in numbers that will boggle the mind!

Go get em!

[daleo]

44. A small quibble

I thought that there were only 100 senators. Not that the lower number excuses their refusal to support the objections to the disenfranchisement of voters, who were disproportionately black.

[lojasmo]

52. What was Paul Wellstone thinking?

Jesus! I was a huge supporter of Paul. I was disappointed by his vote for the DOMA, somewhat disappointed by his decision to run a second term, devastated when he died.

Why didn't he sign one? He should have signed every one. If there's a heaven, I bet he's sorry up there.

[Nevernose]

39. Go see it again next week

Make sure the movie has legs, otherwise theater owners and movie critics may consdier the movie to be a bust, no matter how well it does on opening weekend.

And bring your conservative brother-in-law.

[HuskerDem]

40. Good turn out in a Republican State

I went to the 7:30 Showing and even though this is a very Republican state, there was a full house. On the way out I noticed a rather large line. I over heard a few of them some knew more than others about the film but they were all eager to see it.

This is a must see for anyone. Note - You may want to bring Kleenex's.

[MetaTrope]

41. All the Americans who stopped spending after the Junta took office

can now use that money wisely in seeing the movie.

[jackstraw45]

42. Remember...White Chicks on 2500 screens... F 9/11 on 850 screens

Remember that when you hear Drudge tout box office numbers on Sunday.

F 9/11 is a HIT.

Congrats Michael Moore and thank you!

[dArKeR]

46. I think MoveOn should organize some people to hold signs outside F911

theater saying, 'Please donate to Kerry before June 30 cutoff'.

This is a good idea and I hope someone with connections could quickly contact them!

[Danieljay]

47. Saw the first showing today in Portland

The theater was full for the 11:10 AM showing. The movie is awesome, the crowd cheered and applauded at the end. I laughed, cried, was shocked and horrified. It was even better than I had imagined. After the show, someone was handing out Nader fliers IN THE THEATER and posted Nader fliers on all the cars in the parking lot. I refused the flier in the theater, and wadded the one up on my truck (and recycled of course). Its been said that the Republicans are behind the Nader support here in Oregon to draw votes from Kerry. The guy handing out the Nadar fliers struck me as a right-winger for some reason or another.

Go see this movie!

Daniel

[Danieljay]

48. ps..about the Nader fliers...

They were paper copies..not "official" literature of any sort. Just went and got it from my truck..says

"Kerry and Bush BOTH suport more troops, pre-emptive war, and "staying the course". Ralph Nader will bring our troops home.

"Help put Ralph Nader on the Oregon ballot."

(its going to the recycle bin now)

[Tight_rope]

49. Just got back from seeing 9/11...and mad as hell!

I feel like gathering the Bushco and having a town hanging.

[llmart]

50. Saw it yesterday at the 1:40 showing....

theater was about 95% full. A woman stood at the entrance to the theater passing out Kerry for President bumper stickers and almost everyone took one. I didn't take one because I already have several and display them proudly! At the end of the movie everyone clapped, whistled and cheered. No disrupters at all. BTW, I live in Michigan.

[mainer]

51. Anyone surprised there were no anti-Moore protesters?

We went expecting to see at least one or two. Nary a one. (Well, maybe because there were thunderstorms at the 7:15 showing.) My 19-year-old son was almost disappointed not to see any protesters. He was hoping for a juicy confrontation. Instead, all we saw were like-minded, committed anti-Bushies, many of gray-haired, standing in line. We may be middle-aged, but if a Freeper had shown up, we would've been all over him like mad dogs.