LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Payback for the Sith has meant a real payday at the box office.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" beat two strong newcomers to remain the top movie with $70.75 million over the long Memorial Day weekend, though Hollywood again failed to climb out of a prolonged revenue decline.
Debuting in second place was the animated adventure "Madagascar" with $61 million, while Adam Sandler's football remake, "The Longest Yard," opened a close third with $60 million, according to studio estimates Monday.
Despite the two big debuts and a strong hold for "Revenge of the Sith" in its second weekend, theatrical receipts overall were down for the 14th straight weekend compared with last year.
The top 12 movies grossed $225.5 million, an impressive four-day haul but still 5.5 percent behind last year's record Memorial Day weekend, when "Shrek 2" and "The Day After Tomorrow" alone combined for $181 million in grosses between them.
"On the one hand, yeah, 14 weeks, that's a terrible slump," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "But I'm optimistic, because this weekend proves you can still get a heck of a lot of people in theaters with the right movies.
"It takes a lot more to excite people today, and the crop of movies this year other than 'Star Wars' and the movies that opened this weekend haven't inspired audiences to make that step and go to the theaters."
The final installment of George Lucas' "Star Wars" saga grossed $271.2 million domestically in its first 12 days, putting it on pace to soar beyond the $310 million total for its predecessor, "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones."
"Revenge of the Sith" may be on track to approach the $431 million domestic haul of "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox, which released the "Star Wars" films.
As with "Titanic," the modern box-office champ that brought young girls back to the theater to see it again and again, "Revenge of the Sith" is drawing strong repeat business among young males.
"We've got a lot of kids who already have this picture four and five times," Snyder said.
Worldwide through Sunday, "Revenge of the Sith" had taken in $504.4 million since its almost simultaneous debut in most countries beginning May 18.
May 31, 2005
May 24, 2005
'Star Wars' Grosses $108.4M in Second Biggest Three-Day Weekend
The force was with the final "Star Wars" movie last weekend when it raked in $ 108.4 million in North America, the second- biggest three-day box office haul ever, figures showed Monday.
George Lucas' classic sci-fi saga generated a whopping $ 158.4 million in its first four days on US and Canadian screens, a record for a four-day period, box office trackers Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc said.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" also set a single-day record, raking in more than $ 50 million on its opening day on Thursday, shattering "Shrek 2's" single-day record of nearly $ 44.8 million .
But the film failed to smash the critical three-day record set three years ago by the weekend opening of "Spider-Man," which notched up $ 114.8 million in ticket sales, Exhibitor Relations said.
George Lucas' classic sci-fi saga generated a whopping $ 158.4 million in its first four days on US and Canadian screens, a record for a four-day period, box office trackers Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc said.
"Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" also set a single-day record, raking in more than $ 50 million on its opening day on Thursday, shattering "Shrek 2's" single-day record of nearly $ 44.8 million .
But the film failed to smash the critical three-day record set three years ago by the weekend opening of "Spider-Man," which notched up $ 114.8 million in ticket sales, Exhibitor Relations said.
May 20, 2005
'Star Wars' Grosses $50M in Single Day
LOS ANGELES(AP) The last of the "Star Wars" movies has done what no movie in history has ever accomplished _ sold $50 million worth of tickets in a single day.
"Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith" grossed $50,013,859 from showings at 3,661 theaters and more than 9,000 screens around the country Thursday, including special midnight shows, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
That beat the one-day record set in May 2004 by "Shrek 2," which sold $44.8 million on a single Saturday _ its fourth day in theaters.
The George Lucas film, which features the transformation of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into the evil Darth Vader, also beat the opening day record held by "Spider-Man 2," which grossed $40.4 million when it opened on a Wednesday last June.
"Fifty million is a good opening weekend, let alone a single day," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations. "This is the box-office equivalent of a 100-year flood."
It is almost assured the film will push well past the $100 million mark for its opening weekend.
The only question is _ how far?
"The sky's the limit on how well this film could do," Dergarabedian said.
"Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith" grossed $50,013,859 from showings at 3,661 theaters and more than 9,000 screens around the country Thursday, including special midnight shows, according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
That beat the one-day record set in May 2004 by "Shrek 2," which sold $44.8 million on a single Saturday _ its fourth day in theaters.
The George Lucas film, which features the transformation of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into the evil Darth Vader, also beat the opening day record held by "Spider-Man 2," which grossed $40.4 million when it opened on a Wednesday last June.
"Fifty million is a good opening weekend, let alone a single day," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Exhibitor Relations. "This is the box-office equivalent of a 100-year flood."
It is almost assured the film will push well past the $100 million mark for its opening weekend.
The only question is _ how far?
"The sky's the limit on how well this film could do," Dergarabedian said.
May 18, 2005
Pulling an all-nighter!!!
Since I'm going to see the midnight showing of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, I'm staying up as late as I can today! There's no way I'm going to miss this! I've been watching all of my Star Wars DVD's I have all day.
Also, thought as long as I'm up (and hopped-up on caffeine), I thought I'd catch everyone up on what's going on in my world. Later this evening, my niece is going to be graduating from preschool and of course I'm going to her graduation. I wouldn't miss that for the world. After that, I'm meeting up with my wife and some friends to see STAR WARS!
As of May 4th, I no longer work for Time Warner Cable. My doctor gave me a permission to return to work slip on April 4th. Well, I called work and was told I need to re-apply for my job, so I did. They said it was company policy to re-apply after being on long term disability and I needed to find a position in the company by May 4th. Well, I applied for my old job and didn't hear anything. After no calls for about a week I called back and asked if I should apply for other jobs in the company and was told to do so. I applied for just about every position that was open. Well, May 4th came, no calls for an interview for ANY of the positions. I received a letter in the mail soon after stating I was no longer employed with the company. All of this because of the cancer on my back. So now I am in the ranks of the unemployed and have been looking for a job for 3 weeks now. I have 2 really good prospects. We'll see what happens.
I applied for unemployment as soon as I heard I was no longer with the company. I just received a letter in the mail today stating that Time Warner Cable feels like they don't have to pay for my unemployment and I need to speak to my local unemployment office, via phone interview, on Thursday the 19th. Boy, are they going to get to hear about this. I'm pulling no punches and we'll see what happens with that as well.
As you probably can figure out I finished my radiation treatments and the doctor just wants me to come in and get an x-ray every 6 months for the next 2 years to make sure nothing pops up again. It's a relief, but I still kind of wish I was going to get a catscan evey 6 months for 5 years, like I was told before. That just seems a little more accurate to me than an x-ray. I'm relieved a little, but not a day goes by that I think of what I went threw and pray it doesn't happen again!
I read the rest of Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests and it was an o.k. read. I felt it was lacking a bit though.
Also, thought as long as I'm up (and hopped-up on caffeine), I thought I'd catch everyone up on what's going on in my world. Later this evening, my niece is going to be graduating from preschool and of course I'm going to her graduation. I wouldn't miss that for the world. After that, I'm meeting up with my wife and some friends to see STAR WARS!
As of May 4th, I no longer work for Time Warner Cable. My doctor gave me a permission to return to work slip on April 4th. Well, I called work and was told I need to re-apply for my job, so I did. They said it was company policy to re-apply after being on long term disability and I needed to find a position in the company by May 4th. Well, I applied for my old job and didn't hear anything. After no calls for about a week I called back and asked if I should apply for other jobs in the company and was told to do so. I applied for just about every position that was open. Well, May 4th came, no calls for an interview for ANY of the positions. I received a letter in the mail soon after stating I was no longer employed with the company. All of this because of the cancer on my back. So now I am in the ranks of the unemployed and have been looking for a job for 3 weeks now. I have 2 really good prospects. We'll see what happens.
I applied for unemployment as soon as I heard I was no longer with the company. I just received a letter in the mail today stating that Time Warner Cable feels like they don't have to pay for my unemployment and I need to speak to my local unemployment office, via phone interview, on Thursday the 19th. Boy, are they going to get to hear about this. I'm pulling no punches and we'll see what happens with that as well.
As you probably can figure out I finished my radiation treatments and the doctor just wants me to come in and get an x-ray every 6 months for the next 2 years to make sure nothing pops up again. It's a relief, but I still kind of wish I was going to get a catscan evey 6 months for 5 years, like I was told before. That just seems a little more accurate to me than an x-ray. I'm relieved a little, but not a day goes by that I think of what I went threw and pray it doesn't happen again!
I read the rest of Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests and it was an o.k. read. I felt it was lacking a bit though.
Well, this is a pretty big post and I'd better end it here! I'll try to post more often.
Seacrest OUT!!!
May 16, 2005
Who needs tickets Star Wars Episode III in Kansas City area?!
I have 7 tickets available...Star Wars Episode III : Revenge of the Sith
The tickets are for the Thursday, May 19, 2005
12:01 am showing
Located at AMC Barrywoods 24 Theatres
8101 Roanridge Rd. Kansas City, MO 64151
I-29 and Barry Road
Selling tickets at regular price, $8.50 a ticket.
The tickets are for the Thursday, May 19, 2005
12:01 am showing
Located at AMC Barrywoods 24 Theatres
8101 Roanridge Rd. Kansas City, MO 64151
I-29 and Barry Road
Selling tickets at regular price, $8.50 a ticket.
May 13, 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire trailer
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is coming! Book is out in July (I already have it pre-ordered) and movie comes out in November!
May 7, 2005
CNN.com - Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing - May 5, 2005
CNN.com - Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing - May 5, 2005: "Mother, stepfather charged in 'Precious Doe' killing"
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