National Treasure - 7:30pm
About a 350 seater - SOLD OUT
The other two screens were also sold out including the +500 seat giant screen. I have not seen that one sold out since the Matrix Reloaded, although I did not go to the theater on opening weekend for Shrek 2, ROTK, Spider-man 2, or Harry Potter 3. Compared to the movies I have seen there opening day, it was better then I, Robot, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Incredibles. Bourne and I, Robot were also on 3 screens, and were selling out, however, those screens were smaller and they did not include the giant screen. The Incredibles was on 4 screens, but again they were smaller on average, and it wasn't entirely selling out. Rather, it was about 75% full on average.
I went to see the size of the audiences for Spongebob. It was also playing on 3 screens, but they were smaller then National Treasure's. It was about 70% full on average.
If I were to project the grosses based just on the audiences at this theater and what I've seen from other movies there in the past, I'd say 22m for National Treasure, and 12m for Spongebob. Of course, this assumes the entire country is like this theater, which is likely not the case. 
In terms of the demographics, Spongebob was probably over 70% families. National Treasure on the other hand had very few families or teens for that matter. It was an older audience; probably about 75% of it was over 25.
Trailers:
The Pacifier - Looks horrible to me, but it got a good reaction. Many laughs. I get the feeling it will be a hit.
Son of the Mask - Doesn't look good either, but I think the cartoonish mayhem and the concept will attract kids. Probably next year's Kangaroo Jack.
Elektra - WOW! This trailer blew me away! It has a very different look then DareDevil, and that is a very good thing. The special effects look amazing and the style reminds me of Hero in a good way.  I've only been blown away by advertising 3 times this year, the other two were TV commercials for The Butterfly Effect and I, Robot. I have to increase my predictions for this one. I'd rank it among the top 3 trailers I've ever seen.
Ocean's Twelve - Another very poor trailer. This continues to remind me of Analyze That with all the inept marketing. I will not be surprised if it bombs badly.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Well, I'm a fanboy, but I do think the teaser is effective. No reaction though.
Chicken Little - Some laughs, although one guy commented that it's the stupidest thing he has ever seen. Still, I think it looks promising.
The movie - It was a very entertaining popcorn flick. In fact, I'd rank it even with Pirates of the Caribbean as the best adventure film I have ever seen. It's better then The Mummy, or any of the Indiana Jones films IMO. It won't be in my top ten for this year, but it was the most fun I've had all year watching a movie.
|
)