Red-Hot 'Fahrenheit 9/11' a No. 1 Hit Across America :$21.8 million

[G_j]

I searched for this title, hope its not a dupe..

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0627-01.htm

Published on Sunday, June 27, 2004 by Reuters

Red-Hot 'Fahrenheit 9/11' a No. 1 Hit Across America
by Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES - Bush-bashing became the nation's favorite spectator sport over the weekend as Michael Moore's red-hot documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" earned more in its first three days of release across North America than his previous record-breaking movie did in its entire run.

According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, "Fahrenheit 9/11," in which Moore takes aim at President Bush, and the war in Iraq, opened at No. 1 after selling about $21.8 million worth of tickets in the United States and Canada since June 25.

All told, the movie's total stands at $21.96 million, because it got a head-start on Wednesday in two Manhattan theaters to help build more media buzz before expanding to a relatively modest 868 theaters two days later. (By contrast, most of the other movies in the top five were playing in more than 2,500 theaters each.)

Moore's previous movie, "Bowling for Columbine," which nabbed the Academy Award for best documentary last year, grossed about $21.5 million during its nine-month run, peaking at about 250 theaters, according to Moore. That haul was a record for a documentary in regular movie theaters.

..more..

[Scout]

1. I did my part

just got back from seeing it with 4 others, at 8.75 each.

Well worth the money!

[G_j]

15. I finally get to go tomorrow

there are three matinee and three evenings shows!

[Not Me]

2. According to Seattle PI, 2000 screens by next weekend

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/179734_box28.html

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Moore's anti-Bush "Fahrenheit 9/11" became the highest-grossing documentary of all time on its first weekend in release, taking in $21.8 million as it packed theaters across the country this weekend.

(snip)

Theater owners in large cities and smaller towns reported sellout crowds during the weekend, with numerous theaters declaring house records.

The phenomenal opening represented a decisive victory for Moore and for the Miramax movie executives Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who released the film independently after it was rejected by Miramax's corporate parent, the Walt Disney Co., as too political.

"We sold out in Fayetteville, home of Fort Bragg," in North Carolina, Moore said yesterday. "We sold out in Army-base towns. We set house records in some of these places."

Harvey Weinstein said: "It's beyond anybody's expectations. I'd have to say the sky's the limit on this movie. Who knows what territory we're in."

Weinstein predicted that "Fahrenheit 9/11" would certainly take in $50 million, and possibly $100 million. He said he expected the film to expand to twice as many theaters next week, and ultimately to up to 2,000 screens.

[Eloriel]

4. Holy Moly!

Expand to 2000 theaters? Whoa, look out America. The TRUTH is on the march. Woohooo!

[tridim]

6. I wish I had the opportunity to invest in Michael Moore's work

I think the return would be a bit better than gambling on Bush's stock market. I'm glad the Weinsteins are cashing in on this phenom.. They're heroes too.

[pitt71]

3. So...

now that Michael Moore is filthy rich, will he lose his credibility with the rich-people-hating farleft leaners?

[Spazito]

7. ROFL!

You know, sour grapes are called sour for a reason, they leave a bitter taste in one's mouth, don't they! Moore, unlike the bush pioneers, EARNED his money the hard way. I don't know anyone who begrudges someone making good, the people I know begrudge the rich being given a free ride, via tax breaks, be it in the US or elsewhere.

[Naughtius Maximus]

8. Where have you been?

He was filthy rich after Bowling for Columbine...as most Academy Award Winning film makers are. Not to mention books that sit at #1 in the selling charts for months. This may have been a valid concern a coupla years ago but you'r a little behind the times. ;)

[Carolina]

11. never, because he's a 'regular Joe'

at heart. After seeing F9/11 twice this weekend, my husband and I sat down to watch Moore's first film -- Roger and Me about GM and Flint, MI, about the devastation of a company town when the company pulls up stakes for the cheap, non-union labor of Mexico, about the haves and the have-nots, about the idle rich (partying and playing golf) while blaming the newly poor former GM workers for their predicament ("they're lazy") and using "stars" (like Anita Bryant) to tell them to turn to God! :puke:

Anyway in it, Moore refers to himself as a regular Joe and I believe he will always be true to his roots. Despite his wealth, he will never devolve into types like GM's Roger Smith or other such rich corporate guys.

[nostamj]

12. HA!

you pathetic fool!

Moore didn't inherit his money from his POPPY.

he EARNED it and he puts his $ where his passion is.

eat excrement and expire.

[scarletwoman]

13. We don't hate rich people, we hate FASCISTS.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. Sour Grapes

:cry:

:P

Why don't you go and see the movie, then come back here and tell us what you think?

[WillyT]

16. THAT'S All You Got !?!?!

Dude...

That's like walkin into my bar and challenging me to a thumb-wrestle!!!

We've chewed up and spit out better trolls than you!

Man... you're given me the vapors.

:scared::evilgrin::scared:

[SoCalDem]

19. Not any more than the filthy (and I do mean FILTHY) rich Bush clan

I thought you folks liked Capitalism:)

[kiahzero]

20. What a surprise!

Logical fallacy from someone attacking "farleft leaners." Really, it was unexpected.

It was a "Straw Man" fallacy, in case you actually care about logic or reason.

[MidwestMomma]

5. The news makes me feel as giddy as a schoolgirl...

Guess the jokes on Disney!

[cliss]

9. Wow. This is such good news.

I still can't believe it. I was planning to go, just to show my support for Moore. Little did I know, the theaters in Portland are sold out....you can't even get a seat.

And here's the best part......every ticket sold is a vote AGAINST Bush.

There is a God, after all.

[soggy]

10. i'd just like to pat myself on the back

for calling this one. some "documentary expert" guy tried to argue with me on here that it would be amazing if it took in 5 mil the first weekend. i wish i'd have taken him up on his bet...

[Enraged_Ape]

17. I'll be seeing it for the second time this Friday

How many documentaries have you EVER wanted to see more than once in the space of a week? (Okay, I must confess: I saw Bowling for Columbine three times).

It's just a great, entertaining, though-provoking film. I cannot express how much I appreciate this movie. I will probably see it three times in the theater, then buy at least four copies of the DVD for myself and for Republican friends and family.

[jonnyblitz]

18. i went yesterday and i went today

and i will go again and again and bring different people with me each time. It was just as good the second time...