True, but the essence of this story is what I was saying the other day about what bothers me: movies being labeled "blockbuster" before they even hit the theatre. We all know this film will do well, and I understand the studio needs to make major bank. But i'm more concerned about whether films are *good* than if they're going to make good box office. "Transformers 2"--the over long, over loud, frankly racist-tinged mess --is a great example. It made a lot of bank, everyone predicted it would do so, and yet it is roundly felt as being horrible.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Kelwyn" <ravena...@yahoo.com> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, April 9, 2010 6:25:26 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Can 'Iron Man 2' beat 'The Dark Knight'? http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/04/iron-man-2-downey-dark-knight-box-office.html Exactly one month from Wednesday, Tony Stark, Pepper Potts and the other personalities of "Iron Man" will return to make witty mayhem in the superhero sequel. And exactly three days after that, we could have a new domestic box-office record. Stark himself, never lacking in suave self-confidence, probably wouldn't make such a bold boast. But it's entirely feasible. According to just-released tracking surveys, director Jon Favreau's second installment in the Marvel franchise is showing astonishing levels of interest and awareness well ahead of its three-day opening next month. There are enough statistical indications to think that the first-weekend gross could top the $158.4-million haul for "Dark Knight", the current record-holder for the biggest (non inflation-adjusted) opening weekend and the gold standard for movie debuts.
