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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
Comments
By Hellbent
May 13, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Come on people! This wasn’t meant to be Schindler’s List for crying out loud. It’s a piece of fluff. I took my 5 year old to see this and we had a ball. He loved it, as do all the other children who’ve seen it. Don’t worry about the critics (as if they matter), just take your kids and enjoy the ride. And what a ride it is! Visually, this is a stunning film.
By Viewer
May 13, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
I use to watch the cartoon on TV. I am surprised they let it view since it showed the other drivers dying in car wrecks, so kids could watch. When the movie came out the TV ads were rotton, flash—-flash then close-ups. It is a poor mix of cartoon and real life. My grandsons not going to see it.
By jct
May 13, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Gas is way to high to spend it driving to a movie that has poor reviews. I love going to the movies. I used to go every weekend. Now, I wait until there is something of substance. Iron Man was worth every penny of gas spent to get to the theater. That and 21 are the only movies I have been to this year.
Hollywood needs people like me. Put out better movies or I won’t go.
By Hellbent
May 13, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Um, “Viewer”; Maybe you should work with your grandson on his English, then maybe you could write a review which is coherent. Did you even read that thing before you sent it in? You need to learn the difference between present and past tense (use vs. used). Punctuation is also a good thing.
By ESR
May 13, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Nothing about the previews that I have seen so far makes me want to go see Speed Racer and not wait for pay per view. Ironman was cool. Nothing we haven’t seen before but still it was entertaining.
By Elizabeth
May 13, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Hellbent: Why are you so nasty, personally attacking Viewer? Come on, there’s no need for that on this blog; it’s supposed to be about a movie, not about you being a bully.
By Hellbent
May 13, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Elizabeth, you’re right. I’m sorry. I just get torqued up when I see people use such poor grammar. I can’t believe that in this day and age, with all the technology that is presented to us, that people are so poorly equipped to communicate in an effective manner. Doesn’t say much for our educational system does it?
By Lissa
May 13, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
I simply refuse to see this movie, let alone spend a dime on it. My husband wants to see it, as he’s less picky about his entertainment. For me, personally, I’d rather avoid the “bright” and “glossy” visuals of the movie. Just the thought of it gives me a headache! Not to mention that I hate the Japanese animation that the film is based upon.
I’d rather see Vegas than Speed Racer any day. Then again, I also would rather see Iron Man again.
By Shannon, M.Div.
May 13, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Hey, I was dragged to see Speed Racer Saturday with my family. My husband and I, my parents, my two uncles, one of my cousins, and my grandmother all went to see it. The reason: my younger uncle had been a HUGE fan of the show way back when (he’s in his 40s). I was ambivalent about the movie, but I was willing to go for the sake of family harmony. I hate movies with gender inequity (which is admittedly most of ‘em), and I think NASCAR is dumb.
This movie was stunning. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I did roll my eyes that violence was all through the darn thing but there had to be a warning for a relatively chaste kiss, and yes, everyone was fairly stereotypical… but with that said, the special effects and use of color were faboo.
I was surprised to enjoy it as much as I did—even the race scenes. They were beautiful.
By Mrs. SmartyPants
May 13, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
speed racer is a very good movie i went to see it saturday with my parents i dont like the cartoon show but the movie was good oh nobody better not attack me on my punctaion and grammer i am at school and have to do other things than watch my grammer i am the number 1 top student in my literature and language arts class. i am on a third year college reading level and i am only 15 years old .
By ohmygosh
May 13, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Well, you must go to one of those fine government schools. Good luck with those college essays.
By ohmygosh
May 13, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Well, you must go to one of those fine government schools. Good luck with those college essays.
By OMFG
May 13, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
For “Mrs. SmartyPants”; You’re 15 and already married? Isn’t school where you’re supposed to be paying attention to “punctaion and grammer”? If you’re the “number 1 top student” in your class, that’s not saying much. Holy Cow!
By TC
May 13, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Wow! I’m reading the blogs and seeing attacks every which way. Back to the movie. I grew up watching Speed Racer and felt they should have just brought the cartoon back to the big screen point blank. Seeing the making of the movie did nothing for me to go spend my monies and burn gas. Bring back the cartoon!
By cochise
May 13, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
They made a lame movie based on a very lame cartoon. Not surprising. Next up, the Dudley Do Right live-action movie
By West Cobb Dad
May 13, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Cochise, there is a Dudley Do Right live-action and it had Branden Fraser in it. THAT was a good Saturday flick. I was a huge Speed Racer fan back in the day, but this was way too wtf. Sorry, but my mind shut down after the first 20 minutes from all the pretty lights. It would have been a HUGE hit back in the 70’s with those ‘fun’ meds that the baby boomers took for relaxation.
By Ann
May 13, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
My family saw it at a Sunday matinee to help with the cost somewhat. We have two sons ages 4 and 19 and they both enjoyed it very much. Our 4 year old loved the racing scenes and Chim-Chim. Our 19 year old liked the relationship between Trixie and Speed, the emotional scenes between the brothers and between Speed and Pops. The racing scenes were incredible and the colors were brillant. We loved the fact that Speed wanted a big glass of milk after winning his race - thats not something you see these days.
By Ann
May 13, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
My family saw it at a Sunday matinee to help with the cost somewhat. We have two sons ages 4 and 19 and they both enjoyed it very much. Our 4 year old loved the racing scenes and Chim-Chim. Our 19 year old liked the relationship between Trixie and Speed, the emotional scenes between the brothers and between Speed and Pops. The racing scenes were incredible and the colors were brillant. We loved the fact that Speed wanted a big glass of milk after winning his race - thats not something you see these days.
By Robert
May 13, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I’ll go see Speed Racer when I can find some primo Owlsley acid to take first.
By J
May 14, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Ann- Yes it may have been nice to see Milk in Victory Lane but that is a racing thing. It comes from IRL and the Indy 500. After the Indy 500 the driver traditionally has Milk in the winner’s circle. Far as the movie goes, I took my two sons to see it also. They are 5 and 9. None of us were pleased with this train wreck of a movie.