Dark Knight Rises ...... and falls

[marmar]

USA Today, via Detroit Free Press:


"The Dark Knight Rises" is sinking -- fast.

Despite an easy No. 1 over weak competition this weekend at theaters, the third chapter of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is fading faster than analysts expected, still overshadowed by last week's slaying of 12 people at a theater in Aurora, Colo.

The film did $64.1 million, bringing the final chapter's 10-day haul to $289.1 million, according to studio estimates from Hollywood.com.

While the haul is sizable, analysts say the movie is unlikely to come near the grosses of 2008's "The Dark Knight," which did $533 million. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20120730/ENT01/120730017/-Dark-Knight-Rises-sinks-after-tragedy?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

[cbdo2007]

1. I asked my wife to go see it this weekend. She said she didn't want to because she was too scared.

Wonder if that is playing a part?? I actually do want to see it, particularly in IMAX 3D or whatever to get the full experience, but I think this shooting has spooked a lot of people out there.

[boxman15]

2. If you get a chance to see it in IMAX, do it.

It's an incredible experience on those gigantic screens, especially the scenes shot with an IMAX camera.

That being said, I can understand why people would be afraid to go, fearing a "copycat" attack. I'd say we need to stop living in fear and just carry on, but I can see why some would be a little hesitant to go to the movies to see Batman right now.

[AsahinaKimi]

11. I think you may be right...

I went to go see it, and there were like four other people in the theater. (Which is fine by me, because a large crowded place makes things rather uncomfortable for me.) I know several people who were excited about seeing this movie, up and until the shootings took place. Now, their hearts are just not into it. In fact, many of them have decided to skip going to the movies for a while, at least until, as they said, "Things calm down."

This has unnerved a lot of people. By the way, I really enjoyed the movie.

[railsback]

3. The shooting has little to do with it

Americans are complacent. The events in Aurora wouldn't sway anyone to not see the film. I just think people are getting burned out on it. Wouldn't be the first time a trilogy has lost its way. Star Wars 4 - really good, 5 - excellent, 6- meh. Superman 1 - really good, 2 - great, 3 - bleh. Shrek 1 - really good, 2 - excellent, 3 - dull. Same here. So-so third installment. 3 movies about trying to blow up Gotham that looks like Chicago. Gets repetitive.

[cbdo2007]

4. You contradicted my response above.....I specifically asked wife to go with me Sunday afternoon

cause it was a rare occasion where the kids were at their grandparents and she specifically said she wouldn't go because she was too scared. She said lets just wait and see it on DVD.

Besides that I've heard this one is just as good (some people have even said better) than the others in the series.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

7. Just put the IBA on under her shirt and put a gas mask in her purse.

No, but seriously... I might wear some IBA if I go see this movie.

[cbdo2007]

9. Cool, so we're at the point where we can joke about it now. That should go over well here.

Good luck!

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. That really wasn't a joke.

I have IBA. Occasionally I'll wear it wear it while running personal errands.
The gas mask reference was totally tounge-in-cheek though. I've never worn my mask home.

Aside from the point, to further address yours... Dane Cook broke the joke-barrier a few days ago.

[cbdo2007]

12. And his joke was just as dumb as yours. At least think of a good one if you're going

to dance on people's graves.

[Mutiny In Heaven]

8. Not so sure.

It is tracking ahead of The Dark Knight overseas and while it's not as good as its immediate predecessor, it's undeniably far superior to any of the other conclusions you've listed.

The shootings will have played a part, takings slumped across the board. Air travel took almost three years to recover after 9/11 so it certainly isn't out of the question to suspect that this tragedy might put a dampener on cinema attendance for a few weeks. Fear is a potent force, usually irrational but very effective.

[Larkspur]

5. I enjoyed the "Dark Knight Rises"

Saw it last week and there was a sizable crowd on a Wednesday night watching it with me.

I'll probably see it a few more times. It's a fast paced movie, so it needs repeated visits.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

6. It's now competing against the Olympics...

I suspect this film will have a "slow burn" at the box office, remaining in the top five throughout the month of August, but never posting big numbers.

[ChazII]

13. Saw DKR for the 2nd time. n/t