News flash: People like to watch stuff blow up. Michael Bay knows this. So does Roland Emmerich. Were they ever to co-direct a movie, the world might actually end because of some ginormous special effects-laden fireball-crash-implosion stunt gone awry. Thankfully, I don't see that happening. They're both doing well enough on their own, with Transformers 2 placing third on this year's list of the highest-grossing films on the planet, and 2012 already landing in the #17 spot on that same list (and of course easily winning the U.S. box-office battle) after its $65 million domestic and $160 million overseas haul.
Yep, in destroying its competition, 2012 displayed the same grace and ease with which the USS John F. Kennedy rolled over the White House (in the film, of course). A Christmas Carol, in second place, earned approximately $43 million less. However, it should be noted that ACC didn't suffer a big drop-off in ticket sales its second week — figures dipped only 26%, which is considered pretty impressive. (I bet that makes Locke very happy.)
There was also a huge gap between the second and third-place films — as huge as the tsunami that is staring that poor monk in the face in the poster above. While Jim Carrey helped Disney's reimagined Dickens classic rake in another $22.3 million, Clooney and his Men Who Stare at Goats chewed up just $6.2 million.
I felt a bit of déjà vu reading about Precious' huge triumph in the number four spot with $6 million — as we mentioned last weekend, this much buzzed about indie is breaking all sorts of records… and hearts. I can't bring myself to see it in the theater because I know I'm going to bawl my head off. But that doesn't mean I won't be rooting for it and its cast come Oscar nomination announcement time.
And finally, in fifth place we have Michael Jackson's This Is It with $5 million — its worldwide gross to date is just shy of $200 million. Shamon!
Where did the weekend's other new release, Pirate Radio, float off to? Ah, there it is, anchored down at #11 with $2.8 million. (Though, mind you, it was only in 886 theaters as opposed to 2012's 3,404.)
Looking ahead… you guys know I don't like to make predictions because I'm usually always wrong, but sometimes there are certain circumstances that boost my confidence. Like, um, when a Twilight movie opens. So I think it goes without saying that New Moon is going to be name of the game when we post our box-office report a week from now. And yes, I will be reviewing this one (I totally had to fight James and Locke for it… kidding) so check back Friday morning for my totally unbiased take. (OK, I will be biased, because I do love me some RPattz and hate me some KStew. Don't all female Twilight fans, though?)
Posted on November 16, 2009 at 10:28 am
I thought 2012 was great. Yes, I love stuff that blows up! Who needs a bunch of dialogue when you can scream and run. C’Mon! Emmerich’s SFX get better each movie. That plane flight had me on the edge of my seat! The only thing that would make it better is shirtless vampires and werewolves……….. NOT!
Posted on November 16, 2009 at 7:10 pm
This film 2012 has vampires and werewolves like the Twilight Saga, OMG-what the heck I’m still want to see this movie. I’ll be seeing this soon or in the theatre if I get a chance to with my family, I’m just wonderin’ is this coming to the Redbox in five months or so because Redbox does great on getting the new releases on every Tuesday.
What is this film exactly about? I only saw the theatrical trailer a few times. LOL!
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 11:17 am
My Wife and I sat down and enjoyed 2012 for the most part. I’m slightly tone deaf in both ears and probablly more now. Disaster films are OK, but I enjoy a more subdued drama type film. We attend a few movies per year and this is a good movie for those of you who like a lot of destruction and mayhem. There is a pretty good story line and some belivable possibilities in the film. The plot slows to a crawl as the movie makers try to put together some belivable end to the total destruction of earth. Some of the airplane sequences are just not believable and many who should not have survived, did. I’m not so sure about the alignment of all planets being a sequence for disaster but Sci/fi is anything you can make people believe. Not a critic but this is a two on a scale of 1 to 10. Wife enjoyed it a little more and gave it a four.
A couple of 50somthing….
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 11:34 am
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but will. I give kuddos to the people that made the movie happen as I am sure they were inspired by God to get this out, just as the Passion was.. to get peoples attention that God is in control and He will end the world as He states in Revelation, and the movies seems to be just what that book describes. Again, kuddos for doing this film, maybe more will come to God, as He is the truth!
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 1:28 pm
hahaha, pat! i hope this was tongue-in-cheek cause you just cracked me up!!
sandyh
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 4:13 pm
The movie should have been better, not could, but should have been better.
Though many people went in to see things blow up, I went in to see some science behind the movie.
I will definitely get the DVD once its released, as atleast that might have some facts behind this film.
What all me and my friends expected, the Mayan calendar, the christian Revelation, Nostradamus, Chineese calendar end.
It was nothing.
Just some S**t blew up and a family running here and there to avoid it.
Come on!!!
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 4:27 pm
2012? “Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Me thinks the Bard saw our day and immediately bent over his desk with quill in hand and wrote “Much Ado About Nothing.” I shall await the Red Box reprise and try to endure the blather until then.
Now, if James Cameron’s Avatar is anything like his other flicks, masterpieces all, I shall don my hiking boots and attend the local theater. Why boots you ask? Simply: they do not come off when traversing sticky theater floors. Afterwards, I will doff them at the door of my garage. Like so many other things found in the theater, who wants that mess in one’s home?
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Wow, 3 hours I’m never getting back! I literally said after 2 hours, “When is this going to end?” It just wasn’t believable. If you like to see action (not believable action but still action) you will love this. It wasn’t original at all- remake of Poisiden Adventere, Titantic, and I think something out of James Bond. But it has to be seen on the big screen if you’re going to see it.
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 5:16 pm
As a big fan of the TV show LOST.
The 2012 predictions and the legends of a common world civilization in 10,000BC have both come into play as possible back-stories behind the tale of Lost.
Both are very interesting and exciting in the true telling of them, and great movies could be made of both legends. History Channel had dealt with both in interesting ways.
Unfortunately, these producers have mangled both into stupid, dim witted, bad CGI fests, like they did Godzilla. Now no-one will make a good version of these anytime soon. What a shame!
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 5:34 pm
A four star from Tom Allen, now I know I won’t being going to the theatre to see it, I’ll rather let my family spend $1.05 at the Redbox for the movie to watch it not sixty dollars at the movie theatre if it’s okay movie.
This is quite something there’s been bad reviews about this film 2012, my friend wanted to see this film and now I have to tell her about the bad reviews, no offense to those ladies and gentlemen who saw it in the theatre.
This film seems cheesy, also and I read in People Magazine three reasons to skip ths film 2012, it’s generic, etc. The article is great, it tells you why you skip this film so I’m waiting for rent and my family is too!
My family and I are waiting for rent! :)
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 7:29 pm
2012 was awesome. As a fan of disaster movies, you cannot go in expecting a history lesson – you can go in expecting that the dog will live, the kids will find their parents, and the hero will get the girl and be proven right even though everyone thought he was crazy in the first scene. From a disaster movie standpoint, I was sweating bullets the whole time- and I’ve seen every disaster movie! Absolutely great- I’d even go see it again. People- just compare it to other disaster movies. Don’t compare it to Twilight or the History Channel. Compare it to The Towering Inferno. If you liked that- you’ll love 2012.
Posted on November 17, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I saw the movie at 1205am day 1. I was very excited to see the movie. I had Amit more expectations. I thought for sure with all the money and time they spent putti g together this world disaster, that there would b more then just entertainment. I guess it does show the greed and kindness between us all. But as far as so
e real insite to those who don’t believe or understand what lays ahead. They have helped no one. Good grafix and yes if u do see it miles well check it out on the big scree. I’d give it a six. Wish I could have paid 6 bux instead of 11!
Posted on November 18, 2009 at 1:27 pm
it sucks for all the money movie makers have, you would think as hard as times r you,d get a free pop corn with a 10 dollar ticket , o well some pepole lifethere life through some thing else, just like sports fans, said if you were broke down and a real sport person happend to se n remeber you from game you just left from wouldnt stop r help you one bit, but would sign your next thing you bought from there game if it made them more money.people r money thats all, in this real world, maybe things will be better after 2012 hopefully ,ron
Posted on November 18, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I have a ?. what is d relationship btween d mayas event that will end the earth, in 2012? n todays modern socirty evevnts that confirms what d mayas saw in the future? any body ?
Posted on November 19, 2009 at 6:19 am
IS THERE ANY USING JESUS OR GOD’S NAME IN VEIN IN THIS SHOW? I need to know to determine if I go see 2012 or not.
Thanks!
Stephanie
Posted on December 1, 2009 at 3:53 am
Dosen’t any body go to the movies just for fun anymore? Sure it isn’t realalistic but then it wasn’t meant to be-that,s why we call it Sci-Fi!!! Your suppose to think anything is possible in a sci-fi movie and just have fun! My husband and I thourghly enjoyed it for the entertainment value and a night out together without all the seriousness of life. Isn’t that why we go to the movies?