Two Box Office Lists, One "A Separation" Inspired
Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 3:36PM It was a big weekend for spoofing familiar concepts with 21 Jump Street filling movie houses and the only other top ten newbie Casa De Mi Padre, doing a parodic riff on Mexican movies starring Will Ferrell and everyone's favorite Mexican tag team: Gael García Bernal & Diego Luna. Would love to hear from anyone who saw the latter in the comments since this one slipped me by and GGB is an old favorite. (My review of 21 Jump Street will be up tomorrow evening.)
TOP TEN (Estimates)
01 21 JUMP STREET $35 new in wide release
02 THE LORAX $22.8 (cum. $158.4)
03 JOHN CARTER $13.5 (cum. $53.1) [Review and Taylor Kitsch Beefcake]
04 PROJECT X $4 (cum. $48.1)
05 A THOUSAND WORDS $3.7 (cum. $12.1)
06 ACT OF VALOR $3.6 (cum. $62.3)
07 SAFE HOUSE $2.8 (cum. $120.2)
08 JOURNEY 2 THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND $2.4 (cum. $95)
09 CASA DE MI PADRE $2.2 new in limited release
10 THIS MEANS WAR $2.1 (cum. $50.5)
Another Milestone for A Separation
Asgar Farhadi's Oscar winner A Separation (our favorite of 2011) continues its incredible theatrical run passing the 5 million mark. Five million for an Iranian family drama at the US box office? Unheard of. Every once in a blue moon the nation's box office gives us good news for quality cinema. While we're here why not a look back at the biggest foreign hits from the past year?
TOP TWENTY SUBTITLED HITS RELEASED IN THE US IN 2011
Disclaimer: I didn't count The Artist. Though it's foreign, it's silent so we're excluding it but you'll understand that if we did it'd be number one with an incredible $42 million. Don't believe those naysayers that call it a box office disappointment. Black and white + no stars + silent + foreign = $42 million is big big numbers.
Kristin Scott Thomas continues to be a draw ... at least when subtitled.
The ones that got a lot of people talking...
01 SARAH'S KEY [France] $7.6
02 A SEPARATION [Iran] $5.6 and still playing
The Oscar winner this year which we like writing about.
03 BIUTIFUL [Mexico] $5.1 Technically a 2010 picture since it had a one week qualifying run before being pulled until the nominations were announced. But we'll count it for comparison's sake.
04 OF GODS AND MEN [France] $3.9 It was held back to 2011 to capitalize on a presumed Oscar, but the nomination didn't even come. Did very well for itself in 2011 anyway which is not the usual case for that sort of "wait for the Oscar" trick.
other successes
05 DON 2 [India] $3.6
06 THE SKIN I LIVE IN [Spain] $3.1
"Success" being relative. This didn't do Pedro Almodóvar's usual numbers though I'm unsure as to why.
07 ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA [India] $3.1
08 PINA [Germany] $3.0 and still playing The Oscar nominated dance documentary... in 3D.
09 RA ONE [India] $2.5
10 INCENDIES [Canada] $2.0 Another Oscar nominee from last year
POTICHE was such fun. Arthouse audiences (mostly) agreed.
minor hits... but still hits
11 BODYGUARD [India] $1.8
12 POTICHE [France] $1.6
13 DELHI BELLY [India] $1.5
14 THE DOUBLE HOUR [Italy] $1.5
15 SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ [Mexico] $1.4
16 CERTIFIED COPY [France| Italy | Belgium ] $1.3
17 NO ERES TU, SO YO [Mexico] $1.3
18 DESI BOYZ [India] $1.0
19 IN A BETTER WORLD [Denmark] $1.0 The Foreign Film Oscar winner last year
20 READY [India] $.9
ol' faithfuls French cinema and Bollywood continue to have the most reliable ticket buyers in the US arthouses. Bollywood movies don't need any press attention at all to find audiences. Even if you follow the movies religiously chances are you haven't heard of their annual hits if you're not out there looking for them. France is a different story in that way, getting and needing the media push.
Hrithik Roshan & Shah Rukh Khan are superstars of Bollywood. So is the male physique.
And also: What is it with Bollywood and über muscley male superstars? Bollywood men are way more objectified than their Hollywood counterparts.
Jeon Do Yeon, our favorite Korean actressjust outside the list Japan's ultra violent epic 13 Assassins got some attention and press but didn't quite cross the million mark.
sad observation Though South Korea is where it's at right now for regional cinema heat (as opposed to heat tied to specific filmmakers) the country's cinema has yet to catch on with arthouse moviegoers here in the States. Despite huge acclaim Mother, Thirst and Poetry, three of the most interesting films of the past few years, didn't totally catch on. None of them crossed the magic million dollar mark and only one of them passed ½ a million. The Housemaid and Secret Sunshine were also not true breakthroughs despite the exciting lead actressing of Jeon Do-Yeon.
Answer me these questions three
- Which of the top 20 foreign hits did you see?
- What did you see this weekend?
- Any theories as to why The Skin I Live In wasn't up to Pedro's usual numbers or why Bollywood worships male flesh?
Reader Comments (27)
I think it's worth noting that a significant percentage of Sarah's Key is in English. It is also worth noting that it's a pretty bad movie.
I saw the following, listed in approximate order of most to least favorite:
A Separation
Potiche
The Double Hour
The Skin I Live In
Of Gods and Men
In a Better World
Sarah's Key
I also saw Le Havre. I'm a little surprised that it didn't even crack the top twenty.
I'm not sure about The Skin I Live In's underperformance. Maybe people heard via reviews or word of mouth that it was fairly strange stuff (although not if you're familiar with his early career) and decided to stay away?
Thanks for your recommendation of Potiche. I saw it when it came out on Netflix Instant, and, as you said, it was thoroughly delightful.
My list (also in aproximate order of preference)
A Separation
Pina
Of Gods and Men
Certified Copy
Biutiful
In a Better World
The Skin I Live In
Incendies
Potiche
PS Go see The Kid with a Bike. It's lovely.
I saw Sarah's Key, A Separation, Incendies, Potiche, Certified Copy, and The Skin I Live In amongst those, and I tend to think that without at least a little Oscar heat, only the core Pedro worshipers were going to hit The Skin I Live In. That being said, I'm still bummed I didn't get to The Housemaid in theaters, and will be hitting that soon on my Netflix list.
As for Bollywood's fascination with the male physique-I'm not sure what's causing it, but I'm just thankful.
I had no idea Bollywood sought out such porny looking dudes for their leading men.
I have seen A Separation, and Potiche. Like both of them. I also watch most of the Bollywood films. The truth about Bollywood is objectifies both men and women. I guess you noticed it because physique and looks bar for men in Hollywood is so low - because they are serious actors and all - barf, barf! That is why I am looking forward to Magic Mike.
More over, the recent hits in Bollywood are by women directors who have no qualms about objectifying both men and women. Which in turn has led to copy cats by other film makers and we now have a trend.
Since we're off-Oscar season, could we have a South Korea month? So MANY great movies lately!
I think the reason why The Skin I Live In didn't work that well is a combo of things. First, it's probably one of his most "normal" movies in the way it's generic. Or better, the more faithful to the genre, the less Almodovarian. And it's one of the most faithful to its genre works he has done. I don't know if that makes any sense.
It was also almost out of any conversation from the very beginning. I don't even remember if you liked or not. No one talked about it, undeservedly. And even though Almodóvar has his own loyal fandom, that other part of his viewership - the I want to see foreign films, please. I don't mind the name or the country viewership- needs to have some information on foreign films, if only because they aren't as accesible as blockbusters and you have to make an effort to go to see a given movie. And if you have no reference about that movie, would you still make that effort?
Finally, and probably more important. I think Banderas has been an all audiences star for too long (Spy Kids, Zorro, Shrek...) and people don't want to see him as the villain. Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down was too long ago for people to remember he can play other parts. And also, no Penélope.
From the top 20, in order of preference:
OF GODS AND MEN
A SEPARATION
SARAH'S KEY
BIUTIFUL
IN A BETTER WORLD
CERTIFIED COPY
Don't know Bollywood or what it fetishizes. See the Korean movies. Peggy Sue, I'm looking forward to THE KID WITH A BIKE. Looks good.
I think The Skin I Live In just made a lot of people - particularly older viewers - uncomfortable. At the screening I attended audience members started bolting the minute Antonio Banderas started talking about vaginoplasties and so forth. A good 35-40% of the audience bailed within minutes of that scene. Soft word of mouth, "edgier" content, soft reviews will kill a movie every time - happened to Bad Education too. They would've been better off putting it in more theaters up front and advertising it as a pure thriller. But that's not how Sony Pictures Classics do.
But bottom line is: people tend to only *really* like Almodovar in this country when he plays nice.
I'd also like to say that, though I'm a couple weeks behind on new releases, I'm really happy with how 2012 is going thus far. A lot of great options at the art houses complemented with a handful of surprisingly strong studio films, and some drool worthy titles coming up in May and especially June. Starting to feel some of that old time (movie) religion again for the first time in a while...
All I've seen so far are Skin and Potiche (loved that). I have a lot of catching up to do. Even though it was the first Almodovar movie I've watched in a long time that I actively disliked, I'm also surprised it didn't do better. I think what iggy notes above might be part of it - I definitely get the "normal", not-Almodovarian (apart from the basic subject matter) description of it.
The reviews for The Skin I Lived in were so quiet, so mixed, that it's relative underperformance didn't surprise me. I suspect that it's going to be a cult classic from Almodovar's ouevre, though. I think it might be my favourite Almodovar.
Saw A Separation and Certified Copy as well as Le Havre, Uncle Boonmee (barely 200 grand? That sucks), How I Ended this Sumnmer (8 grand), Tuesday After Christmas (27), The Human Resources Manager, and Leap Year.
re: Korean movies
It doesn't help if you wait three years to release them (Secret Sunshine) - anyone interested has already downloaded the movie, imported it from the UK, or moved on. Or not release them at all (Oasis). I mean, as impressive as A Separation's five million haul is, I think that it could've doubled that with a better release. I mean, it was Roger Ebert's number one movie of the year for crissakes! This isn't an Abbas Kairostami camera-in-a-car movie.
I saw My Week With Marilyn (not as bad as I feared, but not great by any means) and Coriolanus (great first hour, weak second - basically the play) this weekend.
Again - have any of you seen Hrithik Roshan in a movie? You are all imbeciles if you have not. Go see ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA and you will see a romantic, exciting, emotional and long movie about friendship and life changes. It is a glorious movie that has made me cry all 3 times I've seen it - twice in the movie theatre and once at home. And Hrithik Roshan is a GOD. He is quite handsome, has a great body (although he's beefing up to much lately) but he is also a gentle, generous, emotional actor who holds the screen with immense charisma. I am so impressed with the range Bollywood actors are expected to demonstrate in role after role after role. Really - you owe it to yourself to see one of his movies. Probably the best was Jodha Akbar which is available through NetFlix. And to see the 2 biggest male stars in Bollywood right now - Hrithik and Shah Rukh Kahn when they were younger - rent KABBI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM (talk about your tear jerkers - omg, it's like an old weepy out of Hollywood but extended so there are at least 6 points when you'll cry if you have half a heart). I know - all these big emotions are not popular in the U.S. but believe me these actors know how to milk them with style and courage. Yes - Hrithik Roshan was the lead in KITES which had a US version released in 2010, I believe. The Indian version was a better movie. Anyway - this guy is real magic.
I saw THE SKIN I LIVE IN (which didn't do well because it was stupid and lost track of itself and it was all for shock value and nothing really meaningful or heartfelt), ZINDAGI, RA ONE (which was pretty awful), and DEHLI BELLY (which was FANTASTIC - not at all typical of Bollywood - it was gritty and kinda lewd and rough and really, really funny - the lead in that - Imran Kahn is a real cutie and so charming you won't believe it).
You owe it to yourselves to see Hrithik and then fight to have him do an American film. Then so many of our uptight, posturing American actors will see what a truly courageous, vulnerable, heartfelt, romantic actor truly is.
Billybil -- i like Hrithik too. but mostly as eye candy and for his amazing dancing. But hadn't heard of this Zindaga movie. Jodhaa Akbar is on netflix instant watch. is that one any good? anyone?
I'm so glad to hear such good news for A SEPARATION. That movie deserves to keep on winning fans (and prizes) abroad till 2013. Can't Ashgar Farhadi be like Claire Danes or Kate Winslet or «The King's Speech» and keep on winning stuff forever? I won't grow tired of it, I swear.
I've seen all the non-Indian titles in the top-10. I can't stand Bollywood cinema. I also second the 'The Kid with a Bike' recommendation. It's a delightful film, full of feeling. Not the Dardennes' best but still very good. And Cécile de France is (after sailing through Hereafter relatively unbruised) marvelous.
based on reactions from folks around me who saw it, The Skin I Live In's plot twist had a 'gross' factor that turned quite a few people off, and hurt its 'willingness to recommend' factor with those who did like it. Almodovar movies have been fading in popularity anyways, haven't they?
In order of preference:
A separation
Incendies
Certified Copy
Of Gods and Men
Pina
The Skin I Live In
Biutiful
In A Better World
-
-
Potiche
-
-
-
-
-
-
Saving Private Perez
No Eres Tu, Soy Yo
(I also watched 13 Assassins, Mother, Thirst, Poetry & The Housemaid)
"Jodhaa Akbar" is definitely worth watching. Hrithik Roshan is indeed one of the best actors from India. There are few actors (not just in India, but anywhere) who can emote like THAT with just their eyes. But I guess his physique is more.. uhh.. eye catching. "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" is a good movie as well. Kind of like a Spain travelogue. A more accessible comedy for the foreign audience would be "Delhi Belly". Delhi Belly is also in the English language.
I've only seen Certified Copy and Of Gods And Men. I'm really surprised Of Gods And Men wasn't nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. I'll probably watch Incendies soon. This weekend I watched A Better Life for the first time (great performance by Demian Bichir) and rewatched Withnail & I (my new favorite movie).
A Separation is at a "local" theater right now (albeit a couple of towns over - and no transit to it, so I'll have to beg a ride), so I'm hoping to catch it before it disappears.
I saw The Skin I Live in and I think its problem was its moral ambiguity. No good vs. evil, no hero to root for or a villain that was fun to root against, just complicated, flawed, crazy people. I think Banderas and the film overall left people cold.
Also saw:
A Separation
Pina
Both were excellent.
Ceritified Copy and Potiche are the two I saw at the Cinema. I have A Seperation on dvd but not gotten around to watching it yet (shockingly enough). Also saw Poetry which is probably my favourite film from all of last year.
To be honest, I haven't even considered The Skin I Live In kinkiness as one of the reasons for its underperformance. Not when you've got anal rapes at the multiplexes. The things that could be gross are treated in the most cold, medical way. There's nothing treated morbidly. And if you go to see an Almodóvar film you can expect some weird stuff anyway. Maybe it's that coldness what left people cold, but I'm with Arkaan, I think it'll be better appreciated in the future.
Anyway, looking forward to his comeback to comedy.
Listen to Nikhil. He knows what he's talking about.
JODHAA AKBAR is like a long, romantic epic with some battle scenes thrown in. The 2 leads are gloriously beautiful and carry their scenes well.
I really think you'd enjoy it Nate - it may seem a little long to you - a little drawn out - but it is so romantic. Really - think old 50's epics and you'll have the idea.
And Nikhil is right - Hrithik's eyes are incredibly effective. God what a spirit in a gorgeous package.
as an iranian and as a big fan of a separation i came here to say happy new year to asghar farhadi and his movie cast and crew
yes less than 10 hours is left to iranian tradinianal new year (norooz)
wishing next year be again a god one for every body , iranian cinema and specialy asghar farhadi.
i like the hunger games and they shuould update there list becuse that was the exact list on toshibas website and its changed since then. Any HUNGER GAMES is a alwsome movie.
Hunger games is a alwsome list !!!!!! They should update there list because they had that exact list on toshibas website like 2 weeks ago and the list has changed!!!! Anyway HUNGER GAMES ROCKS