Chicago- What Happened?

[pheneix]

This is not a thread made out to cut down the film Chicago, as it's artistic merits are already well noted (I've not actually seen the film anyway). It's box office success also seems fairly well secured, since it had a $50 million+ cushion to fall back on thanks to it's tremendous success in limited release.

That being said, the film did go into wide release this weekend, and it begs to be asked. What the hell happened? (The very same thing could also be asked about Shanghai Knights, which had a pretty dissapointing weekend for a Jackie Chan sequel).

1. How to Lose a Guy; $23,774,850; 2,923 theaters; $8,133 per theater

2. Shanghai Knights; $19,603,630; 2,753 theaters; $7,120 per theater

3. Chicago; $10,786,533; 1,841 theaters; $5,859 per theater

Obviously, Chicago definitely had a dissapointing per theater average, not even beating the quasi-flopping Shanghai Knights nor the surprising How to Lose a Guy. Once again, Chicago's box office success already has a nice cushion to fall back on thanks to it's blockbuster limited run last month, but has the "genius" plan of giving the public a little at the time caused the public to lose their appetite? Keep in mind that Chicago's per theater average last weekend was a cool $11,321.

My source and the entire list for this weekend can be found here:

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weeken...tm&PHPSESSID=0aa29a7c184681b376c96046b427d558

BTW, something that was kind of funny in a "sheesh" way was that My Big Fat Greek Wedding is now ranking higher than Gangs of New York. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is only in it's 43 week of release, and will soon be hitting home video.

 

[Bob O]

I have read that they were doing a small limited release to hopefully get good worth of mouth and build on oscar buzz and then stay around for a long time like my greek wedding, rather than a big opening and a short box office run.
From the coming attractions ive seen i think little of the movie and wouldnt waste time or money to see it(or greek wedding for that matter)but im looking forward to seeing and buying Gangs of NY which was a excellant movie IMHO.

 

[eeyore0062]

I think what happened is that most people who wanted to see "Chicago" went to the theatres during the limited run. I know that is what we did, and it was only showing in one theatre within a 100 mile radius.

We thought it was an extrodinary movie, one worth a second viewing while still in the theatres, and a great return of the movie musical to the big screen. I hope this is a sign of things to come!

 

[pheneix]

Considering the unbelievable amount of hype and marketing put into this (not to mention the fact that a nice chunk of the nation still hasn't seen this film), 7 to 8 grand per theater should have been easy for the film, especially since it's "wide" opening is not really that wide after all.

Then again, it still should get a nice boost from Oscar season kicking in to high gear.

 

[eeyore0062]

thedscoop, I know that you said you would rather see a live musical as opposed to a movie musical, and most of the time, I would agree with you. However, I have seen "Chicago" in both the theatre version (Broadway touring company) and the movie... and the movie honestly was better done, and was much easier to follow. I urge you to give it a try... you may also be very happily surprised! BTW, Renee Zellweiger did a bang up job!!!