MEGA BOX OFFICE REPORT – MID SUMMER REVIEW
'Wild Wild West' Provides Box Office Fireworks
By Dean Goodman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - With box office sparkler Will Smith aboard, ``Wild Wild West'' outshone all other movies to claim the No. 1 spot for the U.S. Independence Day holiday weekend.
The sci-fi Western, based on the 1960s TV series, earned $36.8 million for the Friday-to-Monday period, according to estimates provided by distributor Warner Bros.
Since opening Wednesday, the movie has earned about $50.1 million, just squeaking past the studio's six-day target of $50 million. But the estimate is based on a bullish prediction that the film will earn $9 million Monday if its core audience of youngsters continues to throng the multiplexes, said Dan Fellman, the studio's president of distribution.
Given that the $180 million project was critically panned for its weak attempt at humor among other faults, box office observers warned it could sink quickly as bad word of mouth spreads.
However Fellman said the film showed no signs of audience erosion as the weekend progressed, indicating that it could last the distance. ``Wild Wild West'' played ``very, very well'' to the under-18 crowd, he said.
``They like the gadgets and they love Will Smith and the (Smith-sung) theme song is big on the charts,'' Fellman added.
The film's Friday-to-Sunday earnings were $27.7 million, which pale against the results for the last three July 4 box office titans. Last year, ``Armageddon'' opened to $36.1 million for the equivalent three-day period. In 1997 ``Men in Black,'' starring Smith, earned $51.1 million. In 1996, Smith's ''Independence Day'' pulled in $50.2 million.
According to Exhibitor Relations, which collects the studios' data, the top 12 films this weekend grossed $116.5 million, up 16 percent from the same weekend last year, but down eight percent from last weekend.
``Wild Wild West'' was one of three new releases in the top 10. ``South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut'' (Paramount) opened at No. 4 with $14.8 million for the four days, and ``Summer of Sam'' (Touchstone) at No. 8 with $7.8 million.
Based on the 2-year-old ``South Park'' cable TV series, the film version is a low-tech cartoon about a group of foul-mouthed tykes who cause a war between the U.S. and Canada. Along the way, the R-rated film pokes fun at censorship and manages to put Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in bed with a gay Satan.
Directed by Spike Lee, ``Summer of Sam'' offers a fictional take on events in 1977 when New Yorkers were being terrorized by the serial killer known as Son of Sam. Despite being Lee's first work to feature a largely nonblack cast, headed by John Leguizamo and Mira Sorvino, the movie played mostly to urban audiences, the studio said.
``In a marketplace as diverse as this, it's a good opening,'' said Chuck Viane, president of Buena Vista Pictures, the Walt Disney Co. unit that distributed the film.
Last weekend's box office champ, the Adam Sandler comedy ''Big Daddy'' (Columbia), fell to No. 2 with $26.4 million, bringing its 11-day haul to $90.1 million.
``Tarzan'' (Walt Disney Pictures) also fell one place, to No. 3, with $19.2 million. The cartoon passed the $100 million mark Saturday, its 17th day of release, and its total now stands at $111.0 million.
The John Travolta drama ``The General's Daughter'' (Paramount) grabbed the No. 5 slot, down one, with $14.6 million, bringing its 26-day total to $67.8 million. A studio spokesman predicted the movie would end up in the $90 million dollar area.
Rounding out the top 10 were Fox's ``Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace'' at No. 6 with $11.7 million (48-day total $371.6 million); New Line's ``Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,'' at No. 7 with $10.8 million (26-day total $170.1 million); Universal's ``Notting Hill'' at No. 9 with $5.1 million (39-day total $97.9 million); and Miramax's ``An Ideal Husband'' at No. 10 with $3.4 million (18-day total $5.5 million).
Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are units of Time Warner Inc. Columbia Pictures is a unit of Sony Corp. Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films are units of Walt Disney Co. Paramount Pictures is a unit of Viacom Inc. Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of News Corp. Universal Pictures is a unit of Seagram Co. Ltd.
JOHN L.: Lot's to cover this week. Wild Wild West and South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut will get full reviews. We will be looking at the status of the Summer movies, and a preview of what we have to look forward to for the rest of the season.
Big Willie Weekend has struck again for the third time in 3 years, with 1998 being the exception since last year was Big Brucy Weekend. Wild Wild West (WWW) has been the most critically panned movie of the Summer except for critic proof fare like Big Daddy and General's Daughter. Personally, I enjoyed the film for what it gave me, but it is obvious to me that the general public has problems with it that will become more evident if WWW's box office next week is off by more than 40%. Let's go through the criticisms together and see if something can be salvaged.
Criticism #1: A Black (African-Native-American Indian) as a U.S. Marshall in 1869? Shehhh right:
People do not like to talk about race, so let's get this one out first. Hollywood is at a lost to come up with original stories, so they look to old tv shows from the 60s to make movies from such as Beverly Hillbillies and Star Trek. Wild Wild West was a somewhat popular show that looked like a perfect flick to update with better special effect because the original series had special effects in a time when that sort of stuff did not occur. So, Hollywood needed a big name actor to star in their summer blockbuster. The most popular actor in the last few years durning mid summer has been either Jeff Goldblum or Will Smith. Since Goldblum sucks and stutters, Will Smith was given the job to play James West, super agent of the 1860s. When Smith was approached to do the part, he too had to acknowledge that he is a black man who would be playing a role of power against bad white people. That violates everything that is right in traditional America. Smith could maybe star as a sidekick ex slave who helps out West and Artemus Gordon, but to play the part originally played by a white man is unthinkable. Fortunately, Hollywood has matured to the point to be a bit colorblind in its casting, and Smith is a crossover hit liked by all races. Smith can play cocky and overcome any racial stereotype put upon him. Most people can say, okay I accept Smith as a U.S. Marshall in 1869, afterall it is a "fantasy." It may be a fantasy with 80 foot mechanical spiders, but the reality is that a Black Man in 1869 did not get a lot of law enforcement work especially in the South. But, WWW is a action/comedy so the race issue cannot be addressed graphically. The makers had 2 choices, ignore it, or mention it. To ignore it would have made the movie look more silly than it is, and to address it makes people uncomfortable. I believe the movie did it correctly. The characters addressed his obvious pigmentation, but Smith never let that hold him back since he presented himself as intelligent and forceful and not dumb and subservient. Loveless is a disgruntled ex-slave owner and Rebel army veteran seeking revenge on a country that betrayed him. Smith represents all that he sees as wrong in society. He has to act the way he does, and they never degenerate the dialogue to the infamous "n" word everybody is so afraid of. I would say that WWW is a homage to Cleavon Little's character in Blazing Saddles. He was confronted with racism, but overcame it by his wits. Also, there were Blacks in the Buffalo Soldiers regiment, army and various cowboy type things. Racism held them back of course, but in this fantasy world of WWW, let's see what would have happened if there was a James West like Will Smith. Casting a black person is not outrageous, casting Will Smith may be a debatable topic, but that's another section.
Criticism #2: Will Smith plays himself in every movie
This is my main criticism of Smith as an actor. He does not seem to be acting. His delivery is that same highstrung Fresh Prince circa 1993 attitude his fans love so much.
The character should have been shown how he was educated , and how Loveless wiped out his family driving him to become a U.S. Agent. Smith hinted at creating a character, but he was still Uncle Phil’s crazy nephew.
Criticism #3: Action sequences were weak and contrived.
Yes, they were, but it is a July 4th special effects spectacular. It is expected. Admittedly the action was pretty by the book. No one action sequence stands out. The sight of the 80 foot tarantuala is cool, but the preview showed it a million times. The story kept moving and was never that slow. The spinning blades and the snipers in the paintings were silly, but I did enjoy Loveless’s attack on the train.
Critiscim #3: Underused characters or poor characters
I thought Kevin Kline was good in his dual roles. He turned out to be a better choice than George Clooney who was originally set to play Artemus Gordon. His chemistry with Smith was not that great, but it was good enough to help you accept the character. I did not like the invention of the saline implant segment. Too weird. The magnetic blades in the crotch bit worked a little better. Salma Hayek was wasted and she tried too hard to lessen her accent. Her screen time is maybe a little more than Darth Maul’s in Phantom Menace. Kenneth B. as Loveless was the over the top villain, but some are put off by him being a Southern racist and amputee. The racist part is too stereotypical for southerners, however it is appropriate to the character because he wants revenge over the Civil War. The amputee jokes were used to have Smith put down the racial slurs and to goof on the villain which is standard. Just because he has no legs doesn’t mean you can’t call him a son of a bitch.
Criticism #4: The music video is better than the movie
This is somewhat true, but the video is a ripoff of the Men In Black style. I used to love the old school Smith rapper, but now he is just a pop artist trying to rip off the Puff Daddy "let’s sample every record we do" age of singer. It sucks.
Final analysis: The movie is okay. No where near being the worst ever. Independence Day was a weaker film, but better received due the concept and its trailer. Younger people will like for the action, but the 25 to 35 year olds will criticize it for falling short. The over 35 will say its okay but somewhat mindless. Wait for video. I liked it personally, but it does have too many faults to recommend it outright to the general public. Matinee is also a good choice. Go rent Men in Black or Bad Boys which is my favorite W.S movie. 2 ½ stars, 6 out of 10, C+, thumbs up for me, thumbs down to most.
SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER, & UNCUT was some funny fucking, asslicking, cocksucking, fag bashing, blacks barrier, vomit, farting, where is your God now, Satan just wants to be loved, oh my God they killed Kenny, bastardizing, v-chip sucking, shock treatment, big boned, la resistance, no Jew candy, ass on fire, uncah fuckin, m’kayin, poopy, big angel breasteses, Saddam strapon, Trey is a nutcase, Matt is a hanger on, Canada sucking, German porn watching, Boitano better than Hamilton skating, cardboard cutout animating, Kyle eating a rat at the end, MPAA are a bunch of ball sniffing, Dylan & Klebold can eat Satan’s dingleberry’s off of Saddam’s dildo, ping pong balls out the pussy flying, fucking bitch moms, superpower cursing, NC-17 shoulda been, checking ID’s of little kids, fragilizing little minds, Comedy Central won’t have SP to kick around much more, never to air edited on PBS, Howard Stern still doesn’t get, can’t wait for the sequel, shit.
SP:BL&U rules the world. It is by far one of the most hard core movies in terms of just dialogue I have ever seen. It is extremely hilarious. However, it is not perfect. The cursing of the kids gets old about a half hour into it. Fortunately we get to see Saddam Hussein berate Satan. There are too many songs and no Chef song. Fortunately most of the songs are great, and Chef sets up the big Jar Jar gag. Offends too many people. Fortunately no one was left out so it cancels out the protests. South Park has many fans under the age of 17 who cannot get into the movie. Fortunately there is video and DVD, and cable. Congress is cracking down on Hollywood filth. Fortunately we live in the United States of Goddamerica and you can say "fuck you, Congress." If you are a fan of the tv series and thought it has been lacking of late or has had too many reruns, check out the film. You are guaranteed to laugh out loud several times. If you are easily offended, see it anyway. You might learn something. If you don’t give a damn, go see the Red Violin with Samuel L. Jackson, I hear it has a good story and is touching. However, I did think Austin Powers 2 was the better movie. Heather Graham is a goddess.
Now that the main events have been analyzed, lets look at the rest of the list. One sentence each starting from the top. WWW, okay, but just sort of blah for a big summer movie. Big Daddy shows that Adam Sandler is the most popular actor out right now. Tarzan is another Disney movie where the heroes parents get killed, which totally sucks. South Park opens in 4th place showing that the theatres are checking those IDs. I hear there is a brutal rape in General’s Daughter, hmm, I guess that’s okay since John Travolta is on the case. Phantom Menace is now 4th on the list of all time box office champs soon to become 3rd when it beats that dinosaur booty. Austin 2 drops pretty far, but its made all of its money back, so who cares, Mini me rulz. Summer of Sam should send an S.O.S. out to the guys who keep financing Spike Lee movies. Here is a clue Hollywood: Serial killer movies about fake killers make money (SOTL), but serial killer movies about real life serial killers make good TV movies, but no one likes to pay to see that stuff. Fiction always outgrosses fact. Oh what about Titanic? The fiction love story of that movie is why it got $600 million, not the sinking of the boat since that had been done a hundred times before. People hate to watch real life as entertaiment. The fantasy is the the safety factor for the public. TV, as I said plays real life stories better. Notting Hill shows that Julia Roberts is just like Will Smith in that she too can only play herself in movies. Someday Rupert Everett will make some man an ideal husband, maybe it will be Andy Dick.
MIDSUMMER REVIEW OF THE TOP FILMS AT THE BOX OFFICE:
Its interesting to note that summer did not officially start until June 21 or so, but we are dealing on a Hollywood fiscal year I guess, so the Summer season started in mid Spring at the beginning of May with the Mummy. Mummy did exceptiionally well with a take of $148.2 million so far. Brendan Fraser has his biggest hit to date and is on his way to becoming a bigger star. Great career move, but he still needs the right movie, his name cannot open a picture on its own. I did not see Entrapment, but Catherine Zeta-Jones is superhot and her laser bends rule the universe. Thumbs up from me just for the preview. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace has made $373,166,970 so far. Not titanic numbers, but due to the overall mixed reviews from the public, it did better than expected. It is on its way to crossing $400 million easily, but still fall short of the Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope. Don’t cry for Mr. Lucas, he will survive, Mesa don’t thinka he be dyin’. Notting Hill will has made $98.2 million and should squeak past the $110 million mark when its all over. Julia Roberts can get a movie to get $80 to $120 million, but when they are paying her $20 million just to screech and show those huge teeth, more people need to be putting their milk money down to see her fall in love. Runaway Bride, hell a runaway hit would be nice. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is the best movie of the summer so far. Highly entertaining from beginning to end, and has established Mike Myers as a real star and has shown me the true loveliness of Miss Heather Graham and the comedic talents of Verne Troyer as Mini-Me the break out star/character of the year. I will be standing in line for Austin 2 like it was Star Wars Episode 9 starring Denise Richards as Leia and Han’s daughter. Austin 2 has made $171 million so far and may just hit that $200 million mark. Now if Heather would dump that loser Ed Burns, life would be perfect. I have not seen Tarzan, General’s Daughter or Big Daddy so eff them. South Park has made about $23 million since it opened which is pretty good considering its raunchiness, and the lesser popularity of the series. Its on track to make about $60 million I think. Word of mouth may help it do better and its DVD and VHS should be very popular. Wild Wild West in a 1997 world would have made about $80 million in its first weekend, but it barely hit $50 million. If word of mouth is like its pre buzz, then WWW may barely hit $120 million. Look for it to do Batman and Robin like numbers. It will be considered a disappointment, but no where near the bomb Smith’s next movie will be in which he plays Cassisus Clay. We will see. Here is the list of the top 10 movies box office wise this summer and their current totals:
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace $373,166,970
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me $171,355,489
The Mummy $148,270,815
Tarzan $111,097,897
Notting Hill $98,270,315
Big Daddy $90,505,344
Entrapment $84,425,156
The General’s Daughter $67,368,160
Wild Wild West $49,705,055 (final actual tally)
Instinct $32,230,446 (wtf?)
Here is a link to take you to a list of the top 86 movies out in release as of the July 2-4 weekeend in 1999.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/movies/boxoffice/rank.html
Here is a quick preview of about ten movies to look forward to for the second half of the summer. Not a lot of high profile films, but the previews have been playing a lot and some of the dates may change.
American Pie – high interest factor, R rated and underage attractive, pie holes, flute dildoes, scrambled porn, is that Willow I see, internet voyeurs, dating, prom, sex.
The Haunting – Catherine Zeta-Jones in a movie I might actually go see. Preview gets better every time I see it.
Eyes Wide Shut – Last film of Stanley Kubrick who was da man. Cruise and Kidman suck on screen anytime they are together, but with all of the nudity and sex, and with Kubrick’s wacky style, it just might be interesting. That Bad bad thing jam by Chris Issacs is pretty cool. I hope they cube out Cruises ass and privates in the final cut. Not necessary.
Ruanaway Bride – Pretty Woman cast reunion. I wonder if Roberts will be using another body double in this movie. Showing her legs and bare back are just too risque for a star of her level.
Bowfinger – preview of Murphy and Martin flick looks weak, but my girl Heather Graham is in it, so it cannot be all bad.
Inspector Gadget – bomb written all over it. Matthew Broderick has been great in some movies (Ferris, anyone) but lately he is box office death (see Godzilla or Election). Rupert Everett still sucks. (Just because he’s gay, no because he is gay and he hangs out with hot chicks and Madonna. Stick with your own kind RE.) However, I do think Joley Fisher is very attractive and her kissing and hugging scenes with Ellen D. peaked my interest in naughty ways, so I may give it a chance. Also IG was one of the last cartoons I really watched as a young man that I really enjoyed. Theme ruled, and Don Adams is great as cartoon voices (Tennessee Tuxedo).
Mystery Men – Bill Macy is okay and so is Ben Stiller. Jaeneane Garafolo I like, but is a little too I am the greatest but I suck sometimes because I am not as hot looking as Uma Thurman in pumps. Greg Kinnear has Will Smith disease since it looks like he too is playing his Talk Soup smirky self again (Dear God). If it is good, it will be a sleeper hit, but I see bomb because the preview is too Real World Hawaii.
Lake Placid and Deep Blue Sea – one has an alligator and one has a shark and I’ll be damned if I can remember which is which.
Muppets in Space – any movie where Andie McDowell gets punched out by Miss Piggy is a hit with me. Where does the line start?
Blair Witch Project – best buzz on the AICN internet buzz bin. Ask 100 people on the street if they are looking forward to BWP and they will have no idea what you are talking about. Psuedo documentaries only work when they are comedies (Spinal Tap). I dig that type of crap though, so looks like another one I may check out.
Here is the link to the other movies coming out this summer:
http://www.mrshowbiz.go.com/reviews/moviereviews/preview/summerpreview99/movieindex.html
Okay, that’s it for this mega mega box office report and review. It has taken me 3 days to write this thing. I hope it was fun for you and informative. More fun at the box office next week as we see if American Pie can become the next There’s Something About Mary so that next year we can call a film the next American Pie. I see a big box office slide for the rest of the summer. So far the first 8 weeks or so have earned Hollywood about $1 billion dollars. Even Dr. Evil realizes that that is a lot of moolah. Bye for now, finally.
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