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Movies => Press Releases and Film News => Topic started by: trekgeezer on April 11, 2007, 07:23:58 AM



Title: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: trekgeezer on April 11, 2007, 07:23:58 AM
Harvey Weinstein is talking about replacing the missing reels and releasing the two films separately. Grindhouse only took in $12 million over the weekend.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/grindhouse-didnt-gun-friday-ticket-sales/

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/what-went-so-wrong-with-grindhouse/


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on April 11, 2007, 08:01:43 AM
12 million!?  Seriously?

I think their main problem was that they opened the film on Easter weekend.  Sure, it's a holiday weekend but it's not one that you normally associate with going to see a horror film.

I think if they had held it until June/July then this one would have been a huge success.  I'm very surprised it didn't do better.....the early reviews were that the film was great.  It seems to be getting great reviews from the audiences as well.

I'm surprised the fans didn't carry this one to #1 on the opening weekend.

Oh well.  I will have to wait to see the film on DVD as it's only playing at a theater two hours away.   :bluesad:


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Him on April 11, 2007, 08:34:44 AM
Well I imagine on holiday weekends, people want to see movies they can take their kids to. Also, if a movie is made to be "bad" on purpose, people will just wait for the DVD. Just look at the failure of Snakes on a plane.


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Jordan on April 11, 2007, 12:48:09 PM
 :bluesad: Tis a sad day when an amazingly cool movie tanks at the box office.... of course, I'm not entirely surprised. "Slither" suffered from below average ticket sales and I thought that was a cool flick, as did most cult movie fans that I spoke with. I guess the timing wasn't right with Grindhouse's release, but truthfully, once it came out, the commercials for it have seemingly all but dried up and its only playing on one screen at the big theatre chains around here. (As opposed to the two or three screens that Blades of Glory is hogging right now.... grrr.....). I think they shoud've pushed the movie more and maybe handed out some freebies to people who buy a ticket for the film, like... lobby cards!

But in the end, I'm going to put all the blame on the Weinsteins, who I sincerely dislike. These guys should be booted out of the movie biz entirely so that they can't buy up and re-edit awesome martial arts flicks (like "Tom Yum Goong" a.k.a. "The Protector") and completely botch the promotion of cool films like "Grindhouse." Hearing that they are going to put the "missing reels back in and release each film seperately" really worries me. Will Grindhouse's double feature remain on one DVD? Or will they be greedy and release both films seperately?! All I know is I'm getting my arse out the door now to see the full untainted glory of the 3 hour cut NOW! Catch ya later everyone!


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: KYGOTC on April 11, 2007, 01:15:51 PM
seperating the films would defeat the purppose of making it a grindhouse movie! THE FOOLS!  :hatred: :hatred: :hatred:


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: TheSinisterQuinn on April 11, 2007, 01:48:43 PM
seperating the films would defeat the purppose of making it a grindhouse movie! THE FOOLS!  :hatred: :hatred: :hatred:



UUGH! EXACTLY!!!!


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Fausto on April 11, 2007, 02:50:25 PM
Art and commerce are incompatable, hence, the Wienstiens will do whatever it takes to protect their investment (greedy SOB's), even if they have to destroy perfection to do it.


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Raffine on April 11, 2007, 03:58:35 PM
I know I'm in the minority here, but I think the idea of a big budget, state-of-the-art special effects laden, major studio-produced intentional 'Grindhouse' experience was doomed to be a failure from its inception. It's sort of like trying to make organic gourmet corndogs for yuppies.  :smile:

To me it goes against the very nature of true grindhouse movies. Most of the movies we celebrate here were not intended to be any thing more than a fast, cheap, and exploitve way to put money in some shadowy producer's pocket at the barest minimum cost. What they often managed to come up with is what makes these films so entertaining and addictive. I've always thought respected directors and major studios intentionally trying to make a B-picture/Cult film is harder (if not impossible!) than them trying to make a 'artsy' Oscar darlin' film.

Al Adamson and A.I.P. could have make a heck of a cheap rip-off version of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.  :thumbup:



Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Jordan on April 11, 2007, 07:58:21 PM
I just got back from seeing Grindhouse (total of 9 people in the audience, including myself and three friends) and I freakin' loved it! "Planet Terror" rocked but I have to say that I want to punch Tarantino in the face for "Death Proof." The movie had so much promise and Kurt Russell was awesome in it. Sadly, instead of focusing on car chases, and Stuntman Mike, Tarantino focuses on two groups of girls that talk.... a lot. The last half hour was almost worth it, but what the hell was up with that terrible ending? Grrrr.....

Despite not really liking "Death Proof" a lot, I think the overall experience was great and I really hope that A) more people go to see it (I believe I may sink another 7 bucks into a ticket myself) and B) that the horrifyingly greedy Weinstein's don't seperate the films.

All I have left to say is that everyone who has three hours and some spare cash should go see this movie!  :teddyr:

Oh yeah, before I wander off aimlessly and watch a flick (after seeing Planet Terror, I have to say that "Nightmare City" is looking pretty tasty right now) I would like to comment on what you said Raffine. I completely understand where you're coming from BUT, don't be so quick to judge the double feature we all have been chatting about. There is very little CGI (and all of that's in Planet Terror) and most of the effects are practical. (Greg Nicotero and KNB FX must have had a field day!) Heck, Tarantino even managed to sneak a snide remark about CGI into some dialogue between Kurt Russell and Rose McGowan in "Death Proof." While I agree that big studios trying to make big-budget "B-Films" is total B.S., remember that the directors involved here are two huge film geeks that like to toss in everything but the kitchen sink into their movies. Give "Grindhouse" a chance, its definitely worth a look.  :wink:


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Scott on April 11, 2007, 08:27:58 PM
Jordan, if you go to see GRINDHOUSE again will you sit through DEATH PROOF again? :smile:


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: KYGOTC on April 11, 2007, 10:00:48 PM
The last half hour was almost worth it, but what the hell was up with that terrible ending? Grrrr.....


I agree. That was a REALLY lame ending, but the overall movie and experience was tops. :thumbup: I wanna go see it again, and PRAY that weinstein doesnt do something that will dissipoint thousands of b-movie fanz.


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Torgo on April 11, 2007, 10:31:09 PM
I saw Grindhouse this past Saturday and loved it.  I gave it a 9 out of 10.

I think that the timing in terms of releasing it Easter weekend was a very small part of it's somewhat small box office take.

Also, a lot of people that I know think that I'm retarded for liking/going to see the movie due to the whole "chick with the machine gun leg" parts in the ad on TV.

This was a release that was only going to appeal to a very niche audience and the 12 million dollar take was about what I was expecting.

While I'm looking forward to all of the extra footage that'll be put back in the movies, I don't think splitting it up this close to the original theatrical release date is going to do Weinstein any favors money wise.


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: RCMerchant on April 11, 2007, 10:48:22 PM
I know I'm in the minority here, but I think the idea of a big budget, state-of-the-art special effects laden, major studio-produced intentional 'Grindhouse' experience was doomed to be a failure from its inception. It's sort of like trying to make organic gourmet corndogs for yuppies.  :smile:

To me it goes against the very nature of true grindhouse movies. Most of the movies we celebrate here were not intended to be any thing more than a fast, cheap, and exploitve way to put money in some shadowy producer's pocket at the barest minimum cost. What they often managed to come up with is what makes these films so entertaining and addictive. I've always thought respected directors and major studios intentionally trying to make a B-picture/Cult film is harder (if not impossible!) than them trying to make a 'artsy' Oscar darlin' film.

Al Adamson and A.I.P. could have make a heck of a cheap rip-off version of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.  :thumbup:




Sad...but ultimley true. Still,kudos to the filmakers for trying someting a little different and (gasp!) ORIGINAL,instead of the same old bullsh!t. Let's face it...the day of B-Movies on a big screen are history...the new drive ins and grindhouses are found on direct to video,or over seas filmmakers. Like comic books on newsprint, baseball cards with bubble gum sticks, and penny candy. :bluesad:


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Raffine on April 11, 2007, 11:33:33 PM
I do want to see this.

 As a matter of fact I was trying to come up with some way to explain a three hour late lunch tomorrow.  :tongueout:

Quote
This was a release that was only going to appeal to a very niche audience and the 12 million dollar take was about what I was expecting.

My point exactly, finacial wise. If the late great Don Dohler had made this, he'd be a 11.5 millionaire right now.  :bouncegiggle:

EDIT: Uh... if he wasn't dead right now.


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Mofo Rising on April 12, 2007, 12:06:53 AM
The last half hour was almost worth it, but what the hell was up with that terrible ending? Grrrr.....


I agree. That was a REALLY lame ending, but the overall movie and experience was tops. :thumbup: I wanna go see it again, and PRAY that weinstein doesnt do something that will dissipoint thousands of b-movie fanz.

I disagree.  I'm not defending the endless dialogue of Death Proof, but the ending was one of the funnier things about it and definitely keeping in tone with the rest.  It got a big laugh out of the crowd I was with.

Of course, Edgar Wright beat the joke to the punch with Don't, but what can you do?


Title: Re: Grindhouse tanks on the first weekend, may get split
Post by: Jordan on April 12, 2007, 12:23:42 PM
Oh no, the ending was funny as hell. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!)



My buddies and I (and the other 5 people in the theater) were in stitches when Kurt Russell's character got his ass kicked at the end of the movie, especially while he sat there in his wrecked car, screeching in pain. After thinking about it, I think the ending was sort of cool as the prey becomes the predator so to speak, but damn it, I wanted Stuntman Mike to come out on top. Maybe if he buckled up.......  :wink: