Incendiary 'Fahrenheit' Is No Box Office Bomb - WaPo

[WillyT]

<snip>

Initially, Hollywood analysts predicted only a modest $10 million opening for the Moore film. The documentary was dumped by Disney, its distributor, despite winning the top award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. But as the pro and con buzz built, $15 million was the sum bandied about. After the movie had sold-out premieres at two theaters in Manhattan on Wednesday, upward of $20 million was considered likely.

By Friday morning, many evening showings around the country were already sold out. Checking his computer that morning, Jeff Kaufman, vice president of Memphis-based Malco Theatres, reported sellouts for both early evening shows at the one of his local theaters, which generally plays high-end commercial and art films, but had sold only five advance tickets at a multiplex in suburban Memphis. However, he said, "I don't think this movie is going to play like a documentary. I think it's going to play a little bit more broad-based. I think the film has a tremendous amount of want-to-see. . . . It's getting probably more publicity than any other documentary in history, both paid and media."

By Friday evening, officials at Lions Gate Films Releasing and IFC Entertainment -- which had collaborated with producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein's newly created Fellowship Adventure Group to get the film distributed following Disney's bow-out -- knew the record book was being rewritten.

By yesterday morning they were ecstatic.

Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate, joined Moore on the conference call. "The film played brilliantly this weekend in the 'red states' and the 'blue states,' and the big towns and the small towns," he said. "We played in Peoria. We literally sold out Peoria, Illinois."

<snip>

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles//A10772-2004Jun27.html

I'm so fucking giddy, I can't stand myself right now, LOL!!!

:wow::silly::crazy::silly::wow:

[Straight Shooter]

1. Meanwhile, here in "Podunk" small-town Oregon, I wait patiently

3 hour drive to Spokane is the closest theater. Time to round up some friends and share the cost of gas :)

[Tellurian]

3. Wait- It will be by a theater near you by this weekend..

betcha!

[WillyT]

5. I'm Bettin That Way Too !!!

Too much money to be made to pass up.

What's the line about how the Capitalist will sell ya the rope to hang him with, LOL???

:bounce:

[Tellurian]

6. This is a Big breakthrough... critical mass have been achieved..

wait until THOP follows up with the whos, wheres and whys...

[whirlygigspin]

2. lol

giddy giddy giddy

[Submariner]

4. I can hardly wait for the next round of nationwide polls

(post F-911 premiere) to see how many repubes switch to Kerry. Maybe in a week or so we will see the beginnings of a landslide for Kerry.

[Spazito]

7. Wow, it is great to see this in a major media piece!

I can't wait till it comes here in my small town or the DVD comes out.

[AussieInCA]

8. Wonder how those disney shareholders feel now - bad call eh

I guess Disney management forgot who they are responsible too...their shareholders..not bushco.

[WillyT]

10. I Hear That !!! - Except For That Saudi\Euro-Disney Connection !!!

The Disney creeps must have seen the film and realized that there own Saudi funding in Europe might evaporate!!!

Just a hunch here.

:hi:

[Eric J in MN]

9. best part of the article is the ending which says the movie will

The best part of the article is the ending, which says the movie will be in more theaters next weekend, and even more the weekend after that.