Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 13
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
How you can win free movies for a year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How would you like to be the proud owner of movie passes that would let you see one free movie a week for the next 52 weeks?
In conjunction with the opening of the new AMC Avenue Forsyth 12 in Cumming, the theater chain is holding a contest with 100 winners of the free movie passes.
The first 100 guests who show up dressed as their favorite celebrity or movie character for the theater’s grand opening on Friday will each win an envelope containing 52 passes for free admission to the Avenue Forsyth 12 good until May 16, 2009.
Costumed winners must be at least 18 and have a photo I.D. Starting at 4 p.m. Friday, guests can line the theater’s red carpet and will walk in at 6 p.m.
The theater is located at the southwest corner of Ga. 400 and Peachtree Parkway (Highway 141).
Need some ideas for a costume? I’d suggest Batman or Shrek. Iron Giant would be cool. Charlie Chaplin. The Little Mermaid. Or maybe you should fashion yourself into Nick Nolte’s mug shot.
Who or what would you dress up as?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Truth be told: ‘Speed Racer’ finished 3rd
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What’s the latest game in Hollywood? Manipulating your box office estimates so things won’t appear as bad as they are.
Take “Speed Racer,” for example. Last Saturday I was hootin’ and hollerin’ at home when I called up Friday box office figures and saw that not only was “Iron Man” trouncing “Speed,” but that the Ashton Kutcher-Cameron Diaz disgrace known as “What Happens in Vegas” was at No. 2, slightly ahead of “Speed.”
By Sunday of course, that had all seemed to change as three-day estimates were that “Speed” finished at $20.2 million to “Vegas’” $20 million.
But … and it’s a really big but … Warner Bros.’ Sunday estimate for “Speed” was a little too generous and off by about $1.6 million.
The final box office return: 1. “Iron Man” with $51.2 million (about $700,000 above Paramount’s three-day estimate), 2. “What Happens In Vegas” with $20.2 million (up $200,000 from Fox’s estimate) and 3. “Speed Racer” with $18.6 million (down $1.6 million from Warner Bros.’ estimate).
How does this happen? Well, so that Hollywood can tout its millions at the box office on Monday, studios provide only estimates for Sunday’s take. Those estimates are determined Sunday morning in Hollywood.
It is embarrassing for the weekend’s main new movie to underperform, so some industry watchers claim studios will cushion some films to make them appear stronger.
Why? Generally, the public knows only the estimated results. All day Monday all they hear is that, in this case, “Speed Racer” is No. 2. Few realize later that “Speed,” when final tallies are in on Monday, actually finished at No. 3.
This same result happened in March with another loser of a movie — Universal’s “Leatherheads.” George Clooney’s comedy had an estimated finish at No. 2. In reality, it was a sinker at No. 3 its opening weekend.
Are you surprised that “Speed Racer” fell short? If you didn’t go see this movie, why?
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Alan Smithee
