Friday Numbers (The Vow: 15.4M; Safe House: 13.8M; Star Wars 3D: 8.7M; Journey 2: 6.6M)

[rockNrollaDIM]

I didn't sense any major hype for Safe House or the Vow.How about you guys?

The Vow- YesSafe House- Hell noIt's shocking, just like Contraband. Thought both looked like terribly loud, generic thrillers, but audiences are coming out big time for them. It's the stars, I guess.

[CJohn]

Star Wars just sold out a 4 PM show at my theater

Just amazing.

[CJohn]

Hey look at that, Reynolds has a hit. Good for him, he needed that. People apparently really love Denzel as a bad guy.

I would say badass (remember The Book of Eli?), not exactly bad.

[kayumanggi]

I don't think theaters have lowered their prices. Not one of them in my area has.

Interesting because BOM lowered their number from $7.90 last week to $7.83 this week.

[Caboose]

Correction: Denzel as a badass shady guy.

[Poseidon]

How is that? I would think Journey 2 would be.

Well, kids should be at school, shouldn't they?I would believe, that the best movies for friday matinees are movies appealing to older people and Safe House looks like such a movie to me.

[Letsuseournoggin]

This channeling Training Day maybe? People interested in the similar tandem? Afterall, Training Day has a huge following after its DVD release.Ethan Hawke as good guy, Denzel as badass shady guy.Reynolds as good guy, Denzel as badass shady guy?

[John Marston]

Denzel as a badass is what got asses in seats for Safe House. Not Reynolds. Hell, the TV Spots I saw downplayed his involvement. This is a win for Universal and Denzel, but doesn't do anything for Reynolds (Green Lantern and The Change-Up flopping are still both looming over him)

Also the Phantom Menace $33 million just goes to show you the general public doesn't hate that movie or George Lucas like the Internet and fandom claims they do.

Remember 99% of showings of Phantom Menace are in 3D so it's not like it is selling a large amount of tickets

[kyky]

I read some comments that may be true on why RR doesn`t work as the leading man - too goofy-faced to make a convincing action hero, too buff to endear as a comedian.

I don't think it's the "goofy face". Shia Labeauf has a somewhat goofy face and he is good in action films. RR doesn't work in action. He doesn't have the presence, gravitas, no swagger.

[Letsuseournoggin]

Remember 99% of showings of Phantom Menace are in 3D so it's not like it is selling a large amount of tickets

I think the point still stands. Most of the hate for TPM is overhype on the internet vs what's going on with the masses.

[ecstasy]

Well, kids should be at school, shouldn't they?I would believe, that the best movies for friday matinees are movies appealing to older people and Safe House looks like such a movie to me.

Ah Got it. Never mind me.

[The Dark Rock]

Late too join...but seriously this wtf number for Safe House..never saw that coming

[Biggestgeekever]

I bet these go even higher tonight. C'MON 2012!!!

[RichWS]

I think the point still stands. Most of the hate for TPM is overhype on the internet vs what's going on with the masses.

I don't think anybody thought this wouldn't make any money.

[John Marston]

I think the point still stands. Most of the hate for TPM is overhype on the internet vs what's going on with the masses.

But without 3D it probably wouldn't have opened as high

[ecstasy]

It's all just a dream.No way could there be 3-30m+ openers in one dry February weekend.

[Chrestomanci]

Interesting because BOM lowered their number from $7.90 last week to $7.83 this week.

I don't doubt that they're right, but I don't think it's because theaters are lowering overall ticket prices, although they might be offering more special deals than they used to. It could also be a number of other factors, the biggest and most likely of which is fewer 3D ticket sales. Fewer IMAX ticket sales could contribute too, though I have no reason to suspect it. More kids tickets being sold would be a possibility, but with so few recent kids movies that seems less likely. And then there's the question of whether for some reason recent movies have done better in the regions of the country with lower ticket prices compared to, say, NYC and LA.

[CJohn]

But without 3D it probably wouldn't have opened as high

You don't say? Edited February 10, 2012 by CJohn

[kayumanggi]

THE DEVIL INSIDECONTRABANDTHE GREYCHRONICLESAFE HOUSE............JOHN CARTER!

[CJohn]

It's all just a dream.No way could there be 3-30m+ openers in one dry February weekend.

Star Wars may not do it. It is just a shame that we won't have 4 20M+ openers. Journey 2 tanked badly.