Last month, I prescribed a bad September box office on a summer hangover. What do you call an October that might have been just as bad? Slow doesn't begin to describe it. Like my last "Month in Review," this too is going to be a short article. Still, there are a few bright spots to report on for the box office releases from the last month. Hopefully the big hitters of November (most notably James Bond, Abraham Lincoln, Twilight, and Disney's newest) give us something more to talk about. Here are your box office winners and losers for the month of October in 2012:
OCTOBER 2012 BOX OFFICE WINNERS
Taken 2-- This most high-profile release of the month delivered on its money-making promise. This Liam Neeson sequel did so well, topping the $100 million threshold far faster than its predecessor, that a third movie is in the works. Better find some new kidnappers.
Hotel Transylvania-- The only other movie during the month to top $100 million was this carryover kid's hit from late September. Just this past weekend, still in its fifth week, it was #3 (and nearly #2) at the weekend box office.
Argo-- While its overall gross might not be nine figures, battling with stellar reviews and exceptional word-of-mouth to ascend to #1 at the box office in your third week shows Argo's staying power. Expect this one to keep winning people over and have an outside shot at approaching $100 million. (my full review)
Sinister-- While this movie's grosses are under Paranormal Activity 4's tally, this Ethan Hawke horror/thriller only cost $3 million to make. Sinister got a nice start overseas before opening here in the States and taking in over $39 million. That's a tidy profit for a well-timed movie.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower-- Like many fall independent movies, it doesn't take much to make up a small budget and be a hit. Last month, I listed The Perks of Being a Wallflower with the "Everyone Else" losers and I have to take it back. Of all of the indie choices, this one has done the most consistent business, peeking its way into a few weekend Top 10's and making $11.3 million after a slow start. That's a pretty good compared to the measly $15 million and change made by the far more widely promoted The Master. (my full review)
Pitch Perfect-- Like the last film, I deemed this one a loser last month too, but I have to retract my previous statement once again. This little one had legs Much like the easy money made by the Step Up series, singing and dancing still sells and costs very little to produce. With a budget of $17 million and a gross so far above $50 million, Anna Kendrick and crew can call this one a modest winner.
SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE
Paranormal Activity 4-- This horror entry did what it was supposed to do and scared up decent Halloween time business, to the tun of $42.5 million and counting. While that was enough to make this micro-budget film a success and earn a fifth movie next year, it's is 50% behind Paranormal Activity 3, the series's high water mark.
Seven Psychopaths-- By the time this movie is finished (which won't be long), it will likely match its $15 million budget in grosses. That's an even split between winner and loser. It can hang its hat on good reviews and a future cult audience on video.
Fun Size-- As a movie even I hadn't heard of, I was surprised to see this movie make this past weekend's box office Top 10. The feature film debut of TV producing star Josh Schwartz (The O.C., Gossip Girl, and Chuck), this teen comedy scored a nice little $4.1 million debut. Let's see if it can spread its wings.
SEPTEMBER 2012 BOX OFFICE LOSERS
Cloud Atlas-- While its $110+ million budget was half that of notable earlier 2012 flops John Carter and Battleship, at least those two movies opened far higher than $10 million before tumbling. In a not-so-modest surprise, the star-studded time-spanning epic starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry lost to a three-week old Argo and finished #2 in its debut week at about $9.6 million. That's extremely low for a movie this size. It cost $15 million alone just for Warner Bros. to buy the film rights to make and adapt David Mitchell's book. It didn't even make THAT money back. Ouch.
Here Comes the Boom-- In a sad excuse at Warrior-lite, Kevin James and Co. couldn't make back this movie's $45+ million budget, finishing the month with $30.3 million so far. Home video sales and rentals will boost the bottom line, but this one is in the red at this point.
Alex Cross-- Normally box office Midas, Tyler Perry couldn't extend his audience and his appeal to a high profile role and franchise reboot. While I didn't mind the film and the effort, his fans didn't follow him out of his Madea outfit to revamp the old Morgan Freeman character. Under $20 million in two weeks is unacceptable to a guy who can dress in drag and make double that in one week. (my full review)
Silent Hill: Revelation-- Even with a 3D uptick in ticket revenue, too few people saw the first one and even fewer saw the second one to warrant the need for this horror sequel. Trounced by Paranormal Activity 4, it finished a distant single-digit fifth place in its debut weekend.
Chasing Mavericks-- Following up a month where Won't Back Down set a box office record for the lowest debuting widest release in history, Chasing Mavericks wasn't far behind in that dubious feat. Opening on over 2000 screens, it opened in 13th place with just over $2 million. That's very low for something that widely distributed.
Once again, that's the best I can report, everyone. The awards season contenders of November and December can't get here soon enough. Stay tuned soon for my "Month Ahead" article covering November's release schedule and box office predictions. Most of these aforementioned movies are still hanging around in your local west side Chicago theaters. Head over to Fandango or MovieTickets.com for advance ticketing. Happy Halloween!
