New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Bruce Hall: The African American community in particular values films that speak to a particular set of cultural values, and the effect of word of mouth might be a little stronger than most demographics. I rip on Tyler Perry a lot, but there is a real hunger in the black community for culturally themed material and the reason Perry is successful is because he fills that in ways that resonate with his core audience. The Best Man isn't the kind of movie that most people in general are likely to remember well but among African-American audiences there's a perception that Hollywood does not cater often, so when it does, and it's pretty good, make a note of it. So Spike Lee produced (and his cousin directed) a pretty decent (by some people's standards, anyway) romantic comedy a few years back, and now look! Here's a sequel! Hollywood makes movies like this as often as they make westerns, so I'd better check it out while I can!

CHA-CHING! $30 million. Nothing but net. It's all about knowing your audience.

Kim Hollis: I know people probably won't believe me, but I expected to see this kind of result from The Best Man Holiday. When the first movie came out, its numbers were actually lauded as something special. Sure, the sequel was several years later, but it brings together a lot of actors and actresses who might not be draws on their own, but in totality they can attract a significant audience.I'm not really of the belief that "if you build it they will come" is the right analysis for films targeted to the African-American demographic, because the people who are hungering for good, quality product like this are discerning and don't just run out and support a movie just because it's there. But I do believe that Think Like a Man and The Best Man Holiday were pretty apparent in their appeal and the studio did a fabulous job marketing them both.

David Mumpower: The one aspect of the discussion where I disagree is the notion that the movie would have done just as well had it been a standalone release. Yes, the gorgeous, talented cast would provide a lot of appeal but it would not lead to this type of opening weekend. The example I use to demonstrate that the branding helped is with Friday. The 1995 title opened to $6.6 million (hey, it was the mid-90s) on its way to a domestic tally of $27.5 million. Five full years later, Next Friday debuted to $16.9 million before ending with a dazzling $57.2 million worth of North American box office. What occurred was five years of consumers discovering a solid hit that proven to be an even better movie. The Best Man is the same way. Plus, the casting director of that film should still be getting paychecks of gratitude for being prescient enough to cast so many actors who would become successful. The Best Man was a career starter for a lot of talented people, and this weekend's sequel was given an appropriate victory lap as a thank you.

Continued:       1       2       3       4