Well, it looks like I'm going to be making that 35-mile trek down to New Rochelle after all. George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead has taken in $225,000 in 42 theaters over it's opening limited-release weekend. That breaks down to a minimally respectable $5,357.14 per-screen average. Not too bad for a small-budget horror film, but keep in mind that's about $300 per screening, which isn't all that great, either. Especially for a movie by a cult favorite director like Romero. The bottom line is that it doesn't appear as though the film will be getting that wide release after all.So why didn't enough of you get out there to support this flick in the towns in which it was released? I guess one of the reasons may be Land of the Dead's tepid reception in the fan community. There's also the DVD factor--a lot of people out there just aren't motivated enough to see a movie like this in the theater. That leads me to draw the sad conclusion that there may not be enough died-in-the-wool Romero supporters left out there to make a theatrical release worthwhile. I guess everyone's saving up their dough for Saw XXVII. Too bad.
As for me, I'll be hopping in the Solomobile Thursday night for the big trip to Westchester. Wish me luck!
I was kind of disappointed that the movie would only be released selectively, and my friend said that just because of the limited release he would not see the movie at all.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it turned a lot of people off that Romero wasn't catering to his whole fanbase?
Not catering to his whole fan base how? Because it was such a limited release? I'm sure he had nothing to do with that. That was a hesitant studio move, to see if the movie was financially viable enough to release wider. And unfortunately, the answer would be "No."
ReplyDeleteAh, yeah I guess you're right.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a pretty foolish reason not to see the movie, but it was his idea.
On even a sadder note, this movie made just as much as Paris Hilton's The Hottie & The Nottie. LOL - now that is sad!
ReplyDeleteActually, Paris' disaster did far worse, taking in only $25,000 in its opening weekend--and it played in almost three times as many theaters as Diary of the Dead! So I guess there is a little hope for the human race. Not much, but some.
ReplyDeleteI got a chance to see it, and was disappointed to say the least. Not entirely surprised it won't be getting a bigger release. I loved Land though, so take that for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear that, CG. I'll have to go in with lowered expectations. I'm now planning to get out to see it Friday night.
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