The big news this week has been Grindhouse's HUGE flop at the US box-office with a paltry $11 million! While reviews were very positive amongst critics and fans, a number of reasons are now being suggested for its failure to woo mass audiences...
Was it too long? Did audiences resent having to sit through two films? Were the general public just not sold on the "grindhouse" aesthetic? Why was there no internet publicity, like 300 had in spades? Just whose idea was it to release an R-rated violent film over the Easter holidays, traditionally a time for family-friendly stuff?
It was probably a mixture of all these factors. The sad thing is, desperate plans are afoot to limit the financial damage for Miramax. It seems likely that the double-bill will be split, so people can choose to see Planet Terror or Death Proof separately. If this happens, it could become the template for how Grindhouse is sold internationally.
Shame, as I was looking forward to a double-whammy, personally...
US TOP 10
1. Blades Of Glory $22.5m
2. Meet The Robinsons £16.7m
3. Are We Done Yet? $14.3m
4. Grindhouse $11.6m
5. The Reaping $10m
6. 300 $8.37m
7. Wild Hogs $6.64m
8. Shooter $5.86m
9. TMNT $4.83m
10. Firehouse Dog $3.84m
UK TOP 10
1. Mr Bean's Holiday £2.4m
2. Blades Of Glory £1.023m
3. 300 £1.023m
4. Sunshine £1.021m
5. Meet The Robinsons £421k
6. The Messengers £262k
7. Premonition £216k
8. TMNT £214k
9. The Hills Have Eyes II £210k
10. Amazing Grace £181k
UK RELEASE THIS WEEK
THE LIVES OF OTHERSGerman drama about East Germany's secret police before the fall of the Berlin Wall. This year's Best Foreign Film at the Oscars.
WILD HOGSFour middle-aged men take to the road on motorbike, looking for adventure. Road trip comedy with John Travolta and Tim Allen.
PERFECT STRANGERA businesswoman goes undercover as a temp to ferret out her best friend's killer. Thriller starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis.
SHOOTERA marksman living in exile is coaxed out of retirement when the President's life is put in danger. Action thriller with Mark Wahlberg.
