Regional hits?

[Vermin Boy]

I was just rewatching Boondock Saints, and I had a thought. I live in Massachusetts, so the movie's a pretty big deal up here; nearly everyone I know can quote it, and it's almost always on the "Top 20" DVD racks in all the record stores. But the more I think about it, it doesn't seem like a "big" movie-- It's even reviewed on The Unknown Movies! So my question is, Is Boondock Saints as much of a cult hit anywhere else, or is it strictly a regional thing, seeing as how it's one of the few major "Boston" movies I can think of? Anyone know of any other movies that are only big in certain places?

[Ash]

I live in Iowa and I have never heard of the Boondock Saints...

It must be a regional thing.

[Evil Matt]

It's a pretty big deal here in VA.  The first time I saw it, no one had even heard of it, but now it seems that EVERYONE I know has seen it.  Apparently they're making a sequel to it.  I don't know that that's such a good idea.

[Lee]

I haven't seen Boondock Saints myself but I know lots of people who have. I don't think it's just a regional thing because even people around here have heard of it , so if this movie was really that rare you'd get nothing but blank stares around here when it's mentioned.

[Bgrade]

I live in wisconsin and I've never heard of it.

I guess the mid west is out of touch.

At least we'll be invaded by zombies in a week.

[jmc]

I think I've heard of it, but don't know anything about it.   And I'm an Okie now living in California.  

Back home anytime they shot a movie in Tulsa or in the surrounding area it would be a regional hit, especially if the filmmakers were local.  I remember having to watch WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS over and over again as a kid.

[Brock]

I'm from WI and I know a lot of people who love it.

Also, "Donnie Darko" was inexplicably big at my high school last year.  Like, *huge*.

[Lee]

Whoa jmc, didn't know you were from Oklahoma. Geesh, learn something knew everyday. My Dad's from Tulsa(Helluva town if ya ask me).

[Mr_Vindictive]

Vermin Boy,

Boondock Saints isn't just a regional thing.  I own a copy of it and it's actually pretty big here.  Actually heard of it from some friends.  Bought it sight unseen.  One of my favorite movies.

[jmc]

I miss Tulsa sometimes...definitely the best place to live in Oklahoma.  I'm not too crazy about the Bay Area so far, but that's mainly because I'm unemployed.

[eeeee5]

.  .  .  .  They just aired it on USA at 11:00am.  Heard of it, but I live near the East Coast.

[Brian Ringler]

I live in south dakota, and i've heard of boondock saints but have not seen it yet, my friends keep telling me to but I never get around to it

[Yaddo42]

I heard of it mostly from the internet. It doesn't seem to have caught on where I live (North Alabama), Never could find it in any of the local video stores, finally bought a copy at Best Buy for $8.99. My local BB has around 50 copies on the shelves at any one time, between the ones in the main video section and all the copies they have stocked with the "last minute cheap videos" at the check out lanes. Not that my opinion of the film matters to the overall discussion - but now that I've seen "Boondock Saints", color me unimpressed. Although I was surprised to see it turn up on USA during the day, didn't watch it once I got over the surprise. Considering the language, they must have cut or altered most of the brothers' dumbass Mob underling sidekick's dialogue.

I guess regional hits still happen, but they were probably more common before "four waller" (open almost everywhere at once) releasing strategies became the norm and when the drive-ins still flourished. From what I've read the original "Walking Tall" was a huge regional hit in the South and in rural areas with drive-ins. Buford Pusser was a minor folk hero in parts of the South before the movies came out. Then again I live only a couple of hours drive from where the events that were the basis for the film took place.

While it was a big hit nationwide, I'd bet "Smokey and the Bandit" was a much bigger hit in the South as well.

[Mr_Vindictive]

Yaddo, I'm curious as to why you were unimpressed by Boondock Saints?

As for it being cut, yes it is actually heavily cut.  There is actually an uncut Japanese DVD floating around somewhere.  Hows that for regional?