Monday Morning Quarterback Part I
By BOP Staff
November 30, 2009
Jim Van Nest: The answer here depends highly on the wording of your question. For the STUDIO, which is what you asked, I'm with Tim. For a family film released over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. Disney had to be expecting more from it. From MY point of view, I'm surprised it made as much as it did. I have kids and I'm down with all of the stupid family films that studios churn out. The dog hotel thing with Don Cheadle - saw it. Daddy Day Care AND Daddy Day Camp - saw 'em. So, I know my family crap...and even I don't plan to sit through this one.
Jason Lee: Totally agree with Tim. This was never going to be another Wild Hogs (and thank god for that) but still, Disney had to think that this film would be their feel-good, live-action comedy for the Thanksgiving-through-Christmas period. Disney had better hope that The Princess and the Frog does well otherwise it will NOT be a merry Christmas at the mouse house.
Reagen Sulewski: This is the kind of result that leaves no one truly happy. It's not big enough to really consider a hit, but the angry mob that would like to see its cast and crew dragged into the street for public mocking are left unsatisfied as well. While it's clear that the abysmal reviews knocked this down some (and viewers' own eyes - though I often don't give them credit for ferreting out crap like this) I think this ultimately becomes a forgettable and regrettable footnote to both Williams' and Travolta's careers.
Kim Hollis: It's not an out and out disaster, exactly. Considering the horrible reviews and lack of any real high profile marketing, it's pretty clear that Disney didn't have a lot invested in this one. It's going to do fine on DVD, and frankly, that's what they're going to care about in this case. The movie's release serves as an extended commercial for when people see it in the video store and say, ooh, Robin Williams! Let's rent it!
Max Braden: I think they must have been seeing Wild Hogs dollar signs all during production, so this must be a disappointment. Old Dogs did seem like the no brainer (apropos) choice for the whole family in the midst of turkey coma bliss. And despite the quality difference, three weeks ago based on trailers alone I still would have guessed Old Dogs would beat The Blind Side this weekend. Back in the summer of 1997 when Robin Williams did the similarly themed Fathers' Day with Billy Crystal, the movie was second place its opening weekend against The Fifth Element. This opening beats anything Williams has had a significant role in since Patch Adams, so he can thank Travolta for that much, I guess.
He's a ninja named Rain, people! How can you not want to see this?Kim Hollis: Ninja Assassin, Warner Bros' attempt to remind people that ninjas are so much cooler than vampires, earned $21.2 million over the five-day holiday period. What do you make of this performance?
Josh Spiegel: It seems like the idea of the ninja is much more popular than a ninja movie. I would imagine that Warner Bros. isn't thrilled with this result, considering how much money the overall weekend brought in from other movies; however, considering that the film's star, Rain, is a massive superstar back in Asia, the international gross will probably be all this movie needs to make some serious buck. Just too bad that ninja movies seem to get any mainstream recognition.
Tom Macy: How much can you really expect much from a film with the second unit director of Attack of the Clones and the Matrix Sequels at the helm? This result is pretty decent, I'd say. I never thought this would amount to much. When Jackie Chan and slapstick aren't involved, martial arts films usually don't climb too high. The Mummy 3 nearly doubled Jet Li's previously highest grossing film. This looked more suited for the first weekend of September rather than a holiday. And you gotta think Warner is reasonably pleased with this outcome in the face of so many other heavy hitters.
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