Sweeney "Bait & Switch" May Hurt Film In The Long Run- Page 2

[roseaddams]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 6:38pm

I think there's another major bait-and-switch going on, and it's not the fact that it's a musical.

There's one particular thirty-second spot with very pleasant music, inviting viewers into "the fantastic (or some other such descriptor) world of Tim Burton", which is heavy on the brightened footage for what I assume is the "By the Sea" scene, and eventually segues into the happy, lilting melody of "A Little Priest". It's portraying the movie as a happy Christmastime comedy, and the fact that the movie is rated R is only very briefly mentioned at the end in much lower volume than the rest of the audio. I find that commercial to be much more misleading than the non-emphasis on the film's being a musical.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 6:50pm

Bring the underage brats! THAT'S what they deserve for Christmas. Friendly, misunderstood Edward Razorhands choppin' their throats out!

[artscallion]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 6:54pm

"Lazare's contention might make sense if SWEENEY was opening wide its first weekend"

It is opening wide its first weekend.

[roquat]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 10:38pm

No it isn't, it doesn't open wide until January 11th--it's only opening in "select cities" from Dec. 21st until then.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 10:52pm

^ Thats what I heard too. Paramount is releasing Sweeney in 750 theatres on the 21st.

[Jilani]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 10:55pm

The original plan was to release it limited on December 21st and wide on January 11th, but that has since been revised - it's now wide on December 21st:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117970978.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1

[mateo]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 11:04pm

It was said on IMDB (so who knows) that Paramount Progress exhibitor relations website lists Sweeney as opening in 750 theatres on December 21, which is considered wide by the studio.

ETA - According to Wiki 600+ screens is considered wide.

Updated On: 12/11/07 at 11:04 PM

[roquat]

Posted: 12/11/07 at 11:28pm

I don't believe the movie is being marketed to subliterate slasher-film deadheads. There's very little bloodletting shown in the trailers, and it's obvious that it's a period movie--the average SAW/HOSTEL fan would be put off by that "Masterpiece Theatre" vibe. And who cares about slasher fans anyway? The movie and/or Depp is bound to get awards chatter going, which will keep box office steady at least through January (this is also what pushed CHICAGO to its success.)

[mateo]

Posted: 12/12/07 at 12:22pm

The latest TV spot clearly calls Sweeney a MUSICAL. The studio may have been pressured to do so.