Why is "Chicago"....

[KNWVIKING]

only playing in 500 or so theaters ? I'm not much of a movie buff but due to this board I have been watching the progress of Disney products on Box Office Mojo and find it odd the movie has never been in a lot of theaters.

 

[SnackyStacky]

It probably has a lot to do with how poorly contemporary movie musicals have done.

Well, standard off-the-Broadway-stage (otherwise known as traditional book musicals) have done poorly while things like Moulin Rouge do well. (Not knocking it...I LOVE Moulin Rouge)

So I think they're testing the waters.

 

[KNWVIKING]

It did well at the Golden Globes last nite,wonder if that will make a difference.

 

[HB2K]

I've been wondering the same about Chicago & Jack Schmitt. Both got RAVE reviews, but it seems like they're not playing anywhere based on the box offices....

 

[Bob O]

My guess would be its part of a strategy to go slowat first like Greek Wedding did and then add screens once the good word of mouth/buzz comes out and hope for a extended stay rather than a couple of big weeks and then die off.

 

[disneywy]

It was the plan all along to have 'Chicago' open in limited release and then go to full release later. I believe that it will be opening everywhere in the next week or two, I am not sure of the exact date. The limited release can protect them incase it does not look like it will do well, but can also help build excitement for when it finially does come out everywhere. One reason for it being realeased on Christmas Day was to make it eligible for 2002 awards. People are saying that with this and last years success of Moulin Rouge that it is the return of the movie musical. By the way, I saw 'Chicago' Saturday night and it is great!! The visuals, the music, and especially Catherine Zeta Jones are all amazing!

 

[WDWHound]

I just saw Chicago on Saturday. All I can say is run, don't walk, to your local theater as soon as this opens near you! The talent and creativity that went into this movie is amazing. Jones and Zellweger turn in some of the best work of their careers and there are some musical numbers (including one very unusual tango) that are just plain fun to watch. This movie truly deserved all the attention it got at the Golden Globes.

 

[KNWVIKING]

...this thread was originally posted on "news and rumor". I don't mind it being moved, but why the UK Com Board ?

 

[lrodk]

I mistakenly moved it to the UK Community instead of the regular Community Board. My apolgies. I'm working with that moderator to try and get it moved over there.

luis

 

[KNWVIKING]

I just thought it odd. Thanx.

 

[WDWfan uk]

.....after a brief spell across the Atlantic, the thread has come home !!!

 

[Lanshark]

It was a very unusual movie that I did not expect to like too much but actually found very endearing. If you don't like musicals you won't like it but I thought it was fun. DH definitely would not have liked it because nothing got morphed or blown up

 

[SuiteDisney]

Chicago blew me away. I'm going to see it again tonight or tomorrow!

 

[FairyGF]

Sharing your frustration KNWVIKING! I had to wait two long weeks after it's release and drive an hour from home to see "Chicago". But LOVED it, hoping to see it again very soon. Other movies that got GG nominations aren't here yet either. {"Adaptation" and "The Hours"} Hope you get to see the movie soon, and all that jazz!

 

[snoopy]

Chicago opened here about a month ago. We're lucky in that when they stagger the openings, D.C. is usually one of the first cities to have it in theatres.

I've seen it twice, and plan to go back and see it this weekend. Its easily one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time.

I do so hope that what with Moulin Rouge (another great movie, imo) and Chicago, that the musical will make a comeback.

 

[SPAGo 98]

Chicago doesn't go into wide release until this Friday the 24th. Expect to see it in a lot more theaters this weekend.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Movies that they expect to do well in the Oscars they release at the very end of the year, in limited theaters. Then they promote them heavily and open them across the country in January. They want these movies to be freshest in everyone's minds for all the awards shows.