Box Office: Antonio Ascends Again
Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 4:42PM Puss in Boots is officially a big deal. The seductive cat dropped only 3% in his second weekend which is as miraculous as having nine lives, since 40% drops are far more common. That indicates amazing word of mouth (though Shrek-like totals might be hard to come by since it grossed do much less than those films on opening weekend). Even if Shrek totals are out of reach the orange tabby has successfully managed a spin-off franchise and could be heading for an Oscar nomination.
Antonio Banderas and Friends
Box Office (U.S.) Top Ten -Estimates
01 PUSS IN BOOTS $33 (cum. $75.5)
02 TOWER HEIST new $25.1
03 A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS new $13.1
04 PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 $8.5 (cum. $95.3)
05 IN TIME $7.4 (cum. $24.2)
06 FOOTLOOSE $4.5 (cum. $44.8)
07 REAL STEEL $3.4 (cum. $78.8)
08 THE RUM DIARY $3 (cum. $10.4)
09 IDES OF MARCH [capsule] $2 (cum. $36.8)
10 MONEYBALL [review] $1.9 (cum $70.3)
Talking Points
• In limited release, according to IndieWire, Like Crazy is tracking slightly ahead of Martha Marcy May Marlene at a similar juncture in its limited release but both films have essentially made good on their Sundance promise with solid starts in movie theaters. Martha, which just crossed the million mark, gets a major expansion next weekend, opening in 45 additional markets. "Do not miss it," commandeth Nathaniel!
• The Skin I Live In also just crossed the magic million mark making this a very good weekend for Puss himself Antonio Banderas, whether in Boots with sword or in lab coat with scalpels. Banderas has always had a way with sharp instruments (See also: Zorro).
WHAT DID YOU SEE THIS WEEKEND?
Reader Comments (16)
Is the weekly Q+A coming soon?
I caught a bunch of Morelia Film Fest films in Mexico City in the last week or so. Here's what I saw:
La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I Live In): Loved it!!! It's a very different Almodóvar film, but still very much Almodóvar with his vibrant red in almost every frame and I am now convinced that there are very few directors with as much guts as Pedro Almodóvar (plus, Antonio Banderas is fantastic in it). Nat, by the way, ever heard the brilliant Joaquín Sabina song "Yo Quiero Ser una Chica Almodóvar (I Want to Be an Almodóvar Girl)". If you understand Spanish, you should look up that song, because it encapsulates everything I know you love about the man. Plus, the lyrics are just brilliant (I saw him in concert yesterday singing that song, it felt like I was watching an Almodóvar film).
We Need to Talk About Kevin: I was very uncomfortable while watching this film and yet I can't stop thinking about it. Tilda Swinton is fantastic and Ezra Miller gave me chills. I can't figure out if I liked this film or not because it was very effective.
The Guard: Brendan Gleeson is always a pleasure to watch, whether he's Mad-Eye Moody or a gangster hiding out in some medieval city in Belgium, and in this movie he was definitely a treat. Plus, he and Don Cheadle make a great team, and I loved the Irish flavor that surropunds the movie.
Trust: This one was another parents' worst nightmare scenario, but I feel this was somewhat less effective mainly because it resorted to cheap melodrama a few too many times. Clive Owen is fantastic (particularly in his final scene, I've never seen this guy that vulnerable except maybe in Children of Men), and Liana Liberato gives a stunning performance (even though she screams too much in certain scenes) and I am impressed with David Schwimmer taking on this subject (I have very fond memories of him from Friends), but the script needed a polish. It was another film I felt uncomfortable watching.
Take Shelter: This one really impressed me, particularly Michael Shannon's performance. This is a performance that builds up throughout the movie, gaining intensity as it goes along until it explodes in the film's final moments. The imagery is also very effective, and I can definitely see what the big deal is about Jessica Chastain (with this, The Tree of Life and being the best thing about The Help (which I believe is the most overrated movie of the year) she definitely has something special). I especially loved that ending. I love the conversations that the ending provokes and I love that even though it's very ambiguous, I found it very satisfying.
That's been my week at the movies and I found it very satisfying overall!!!
Melancholia -- Too emphatic for my taste but I loved the opening scene, the depiction of clinical depression and Udo Kier's character.
Le gamin au vélo -- How do they get me so involved with what's going on the screen with so little? Beautiful movie
The Help -- Huge disappointment. As manipulative and shallow as The Blind Side.
Saw my two favorite films of the year again on Saturday:
Martha Marcy May Marlene (Second viewing): It loses a bit of its power on another viewing (which is no fault of its own because the discovery of any movie is the best part) and some parts feel slower than others but overall, it's still well-done. Also, some parts of the film became clearer to me, which is always good. B+
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (Fifth viewing; first in 3D): There's a great film within this one but it needed an extra twenty minutes or so to reach that potential. Still, what's there is really good and possibly the best film of the series. As for the 3D, it gives depth to certain scenes but after an hour or so, it becomes useless. B+
"Puss in Boots" great box office is more to do with opening on a dud weekend like Halloween. Parents decided to go on the second weekend rather than over Halloween when they had more stuff to do.
I have my life back and money to spend again, so I will be seeing The Skin I Live In and this week and maybe even Moneyball or The Ides of March. I'm sure Martha... is expanding into one of my two local multiplexes next week and the same for Like Crazy if that expands. The one is fantastic with getting indies and the other is one of the ten busiest AMC markets in the country.
Only new film I saw this wknd was Starbuck (re: TIFF runner-up). Very funny!
Was tempted to see Tower Heist, but just couldn't do it...
I saw Meeks Cutoff. I am always so glad not to be a pioneer. In some ways, I liked the DVD extra of the making of the film a little better, because the machinery of civilization was always in sight alongside the empty dry countryside. The film's ending doesn't pander to quick fixes, and I felt a bit like a Philistine to want one. Although it really isn't an actor's showcase, I wonder why there isn't more talk about Bruce Greenwood in Supporting. He's a journeyman actor who has worked with everyone. Greenwood was on my mind when Barry Pepper unexpectedly won an Emmy for playing RFK on the Kennedys. It makes you think who the best actor playing JFK was- and that would be Greenwood.
Saw Take Shelter yesterday, which was very good if not excellent. Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain were great, though. I predicted the ending, but that didn't take away from how well-done the film was as a whole.
Was going to make another trip today, but ended up staying in and watching The Prince and The Showgirl on TCM instead (in preparation for My Week With Marilyn). I found it kind of charming, if not exactly good. It was between Anonymous, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and Tower Heist (I know, I know) if I went today. I found it very interesting that Martha... was actually playing at a couple of cineplexes in the area, and not just at the art houses. I was grateful that an independent release like that was in a mainstream theater, and I hope that means it will stick around for a while.
I saw Like Crazy and Martha Marcy May Marlene earlier this week in a double feature. I loved 4M, but reallllly disliked Like Crazy. I actually have no clue what that film was going for. The characters were so extraordinarily unlikeable and exhausting that it had no chance of succeeding as a typical love story. Guy Lodge seems to think it was meant to depict two lovers who make bad decision after bad decision, but I don't think that's supported by the marketing or the general tone of the film.
the Mini-est of Spoilers:
Going into the movie, I figured that Felicity's character didn't realize what she was doing when she overstayed her visa. When I heard her mom warning her not to miss the flight and she did it anyway, I completely lost all respect and sympathy for her.
At least Jennifer Lawrence was good in the cameo-iest of cameos.
I finally say Skin I Live In--al I have to say is OMG! I did not see that twist coming! It shocked the hell out of me...but what a beautiful film. The minimalist style was off-the-charts.
Evan -- i liked the film better than you but also really appreciated Jennifer Lawrence. She's got thte goods for sure.
Bia -- right?! Almodóvar is like the king of twists. they never feel cheap but organically shocking.
Denny -- i need to watch that again (Prince & Showgirl) for the same reason
I saw The Skin I Live In on Friday. Maybe 30 people in the theater. Median age approximately 65. I was the youngest person there by at least thirty years. Anyway, I thought it was great - easily my favorite Almodovar since Talk To Her. Thrilling, beautiful, unsettling in the extreme - really nice to see Pedro exercising his freak muscles for the first time in a long time. HOWEVER, man did this movie not go over well with the rest of the crowd. At the first mention of the word (SPOILER!) vaginoplasty three oldies behind me got up and BOLTED for the door - I mean RAN for the nearest exit sign, clucking and fussing all the way. By the end of the screening at least half the audience had left. Which just makes me love it all the more.
Saturday I stayed home, watched Steamboat Bill Jr and Sam Fuller's Park Row - both great (duh).
Anyway, it was a nice weekend, movie-wise.
I saw "Take Shelter" on Friday night. Rocked my fucking world. Michael Shannon, people!
I saw Martha... and really liked it. Kind of loved it, actually. It didn't build steadily to a climax in a conventional way, it was ups and downs and back and forths. Olsen was great, as was the rest of the cast, and that ending! Oh my god that ending! The whole audience (the theater was packed) had an audible, easily felt reaction. At first I hated it, then a minute later I thought it was genius.
I also saw The Prince and the Showgirl to prep for My Week with Marilyn. Not great, but charming. Loved her, of course.
I have liked Antonio Bandera’s since I first seen Desperado. I thought that was one of his greatest movies that ever came out. I took the kids to go see Puss in Boots. The kids really enjoyed this movie and I thought it was great. We also use the Blockbuster Movie Pass to enjoy and max out on all the greatest movies around. You also have access to all the TV shows avail and games. My kids definitely take advantage of renting games. This is a great value for only $10.00 per month. You can sign up like I did with DISH Network where I work, and Enhance your TV today.