"Mamma Mia" opens with "stunning" B.O. numbers- Page 2

[winston89]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 11:28pm

I think that if we were to look only at the opening weekend numbers as to how much of a success the Mamma Mia film would be I would say that it wouldn't look good. It is after all up against The Dark Knight. In one of the other threads on the movie SNAFU had said that he felt that they were opening it up on the same day as The Dark Knight because if the movie in fact does bad at the box office on its own merits or otherwise they can use the fact that they opened on the same day as the dark knight as their excuse. I think on a business end it is smart because as good as they might be movie musicals as a genere aren't really popular. I don't know if this will be as successful as Hairspray. I think that as a movie musical Hairspray was the best crafted right next to Chicago.

I am not sure if that is saying much because just look at the crop of movie musicals that came out after Chicago. After Chicago got movie studios to realize that movie musicals can be profitable and they started making them again.

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 11:30pm

Okay, this does take the cake for most inane thread and comments as others have noted. So, I'll add to the inanity.

There is no question but that Dark Knight will outgross Mamma Mia, probably world wide. Dark Knight might even be a "better" movie, but that doesn't mean anything. They are separate movies - and need to be judged as successes or failures on their own. But, Mamma Mia only needs to gross about 100M to be come profitable. Dark Knight probably has to hit 200M before it becomes profitable.

Mamma Mia is fun fluff that can be seen and enjoyed again and again. I haven't seen Dark Knight, but I watched Batman Begins only once - and I am a huge Batman fan - I have an original Marshall Rogers pastel/marker poster size picture of Batman from 78 when Rogers was the hot artist on Batman. I'll watch Dark Knight, but probably only once. I'm likely to watch Mamma Mia 3 times in the theatre.

Enjoy both for what they are.

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 11:46pm

"While I think "The Dark Knight" will have a great first weekend, "Mamma Mia" has a more world-wide appeal."

You are deluded. In what UNIVERSE is Mama Mia! more iconic and popular worldwide than Batman?

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:09am

Updated On: 7/15/08 at 12:09 AM

[titleofusername]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:15am

FOAnatic, there's no need to be rude.

I was just trying to justify myself by saying that as someone who studies film and reactions to certain films, I know what I'm talking about. I've researched this kind of thing before. I wasn't belitting anyone on this board.

I find YOUR comment insulting to me, but whatever. I'm done with this thread. I thought I was simply having a discussion.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:16am

Did I say iconic?

Nope.

That's you putting words into someone else's mouth.

I did say it has more worldwide appeal because ABBA's following in Europe and many other continents makes any following they have in the US look like nothing.

So, yes, I stand by my non-deluded words. Do your research.

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:24am

I am aware of Abba's following. I don't understand it by any means, but I'm aware of it.

HOWEVER, you said "worldwide." Movies DO get exported to non-English-speaking countries, and do you know what English films do the best in those countries?

Action movies.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:31am

Yes, I did say worldwide. And, while you may be under the impression that action movies do the best overseas...any information I've come across shows otherwise.

However, you may choose to believe what you wish. I will not stoop to a level of name calling to belittle what you think.

I stand by my belief that "Mamma Mia" will do quite well overseas and might even come close or even exceed what "Dark Knight" grosses. Now, I'm talking movie grosses only. Not total grosses. Because "Dark Knight" has far more possibilities for merchandising and other venues.

[JP2]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 12:38am

I have no doubt Mamma Mia will be successful overseas.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 5:33am

Gobstopper, no, FOA is not deluded ! Both Batman and ABBA have huge followings worldwide and comparing their audiences is a big discussion that will never end ! But their followings are completely different !! By your posts, it seems to me that you are completely ignoring WOMEN who account for about 51% of the world population ! You are also ignoring people from 35 and upwards ! Batman's appeal can't be beat on the young male demographic, but I don't personally know ANY woman big into Batman, while I know plenty who love ABBA ! Maybe the TOTAL world number is bigger for Batman, but ABBA is not as lower as you think, ESPECIALLY outside the US ! I dare to say that in Europe, Japan, Australia, ABBA's following IS bigger than Batman's and that, somehow, counter-balances the HUGE appeal Batman has in the US !
Updated On: 7/15/08 at 05:33 AM

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 6:32am

Hopefully my final comment on this board:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire vs. RENT.

How'd that work out again?

(And Rent had an advantage of appealing to young people, which MM doesn't really have).

[zooxanthellae]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 8:00am

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire vs. RENT.

Mamma Mia! and the Dark Knight are two totally different animals...


I don't really understand why this is such a big deal. I don't think anyone is contesting The Dark Knight's success, but as broadway fans can't we hope Mamma Mia! will do well too? (and "well" will be different for each film, no one expects Mamma Mia! to gross more than TDK).

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 8:17am

I'm a die hard MAMMA MIA! fan.

I am also very excited for THE DARK KNIGHT.

I am also a realist: Batman will dance all over Donna and the Dynamos...

Updated On: 7/15/08 at 08:17 AM

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 8:44am

You compare RENT to MAMMA MIA ??????????? RENT ????? I love RENT, but first, it was a sad-themed movie executed BAD and second, in the general population, who, outside of US, has even heard of RENT ???
And there's no VS. !!! The vs. was created by all you DK obsessed ones ! NO MM fan says this is a competition, but you all stubbornly refuse to listen ! DK will be waaaay bigger, WE KNOW THAT ! So what, we should cancel ALL other movies this summer and show ONLY DK everywhere ? Would that make you happy ?Gee, I think that the DK die-hards are like the WICKED ones ! They don't listen to what others are saying, they turn everything to a competition and they repeat over and over the same tired arguments !
I loved MM and I am sure I will love DK ! I know that DK will be a huge smash hit and I HOPE that MM will be a hit, so that MORE movie musicals are produced ! I'm sorry, but what are you guys doing on a Broadway board if you don't wish success for a MUSICAL movie ??? Wouldn't you be happier on the DC Comics board ? This is getting nowhere ...

Updated On: 7/15/08 at 08:44 AM

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 9:24am

Now now now JP2 two can play at that game . . . .
On TDK:
“This movie is grim and jammed together. The narrative isn't shaped coherently to bring out contrasts and build toward a satisfying climax.”
New Yorker

“This movie is too in love with itself to make you love it.”
Star Magazine

“The Dark Knight is noisy, jumbled, and sadistic.”
New York Magazine


on Mama Mia:
“Incredibly, Mamma Mia! looks set for a whole new lease on life.”
Boxoffice Magazine

“A film that actually earns the exclamation mark that adorns its title, thanks to the exuberance that Streep and her co-stars bring to the job of reviving the rituals of the movie musical.”
Daily Harold

“The most fun to be had at the movies this or any other recent summer.”
Hollywood Reporter


See one can quote any review and make a movie sound good or bad. . .

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:05am

It doe amaze me that the studios are relesing the 2 films at the same time.

Mamma Mia is doing well everywhere else as the competition for the top spot is not so heavy (with the exception of the brilliant Wall -e)

It's insane to open Mamma Mia against Batman, the hype for Batman means that more than just the regular superhero/action fans will go and see that film.Mamma Mia will suffer

However MM reviews here in the UK are nothing short of Raves

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:32am

Gobstopper, were you kidding with that "Rent" vs. "Harry Potter" comparison?

I hope you were because, if you were serious, you just destroyed ALL of your credibility.

In 5 short years MAMMA MIA! has made more money worldwide than RENT has in 10 years.

The "Rent" movie had no big stars in it, nor did it have 1/4 of the following that both ABBA and Meryl Streep have. It basically appealed to only the young market and pretty much just the theatre fans.

"Mamma Mia" boasts Meryl Streep (who is a HUGE box office draw), plus the music of a band that has a hardcore older fan base plus a young market it has begun to capture. This movie will pretty much dominate the "Sex and the City" crowd plus the fans of ABBA to boot.

Your arguement holds about as much water as a pasta strainer.

Updated On: 7/15/08 at 10:32 AM

[JP2]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:44am

"Now now now JP2 two can play at that game . . . . "

Aw, but you quoted the ONLY 3 negative reviews for TDK.
(Though I must say, is calling TDK sadistic and grimm really negative? I mean thats like a negative review for Hairspray saying "This film is just too happy! Booo". )

As it stands TDK has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Mamma Mia! keeps getting closer and closer to being considered rotten and is now at a 67% Fresh rating.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:47am

JP2, who cares?

The only Top Critic rewiew on Mamma Mia's RottenTomatoes page is a rave. And that's really all that matters.

We'll see what happens when the other official reviews come out from the other top critics.

I'll take the Hollywood Reporter's word over Cinema Crazed any day.

Updated On: 7/15/08 at 10:47 AM

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 10:56am

this thread and this argument is pointless. Nothing this year will be able to compare to the money that TDK is going to bring in, so I don't why we're trying to convince ourselves otherwise.

what I can guess is this: TDK is going to do huge (duh) in the first two weekends, and then trickle down from there, staying in the top ten for about 5 weeks, maybe six. the reason is becuase the demographic for this movie, boys 16 - late twenties will come out in droves to be the first to see the film. And as happens with action flicks, it will die down. Most action flicks have a significant drop on the second weekend, but due to the huge hype for the film, it won't drop off hugely till the third weekend.

Mamma Mia, on the other hand is shooting for the "Sex and the city Demographic", middle aged women who get together in groups and go see films together, usually NEVER on the first weekend. they take their time and see the film when they want too, usually on the second or third weekend. "SATC" was an exception to this rule, becuase the ladies LOVE Carrie and the girls, and the hype for that movie was huge among them. The "Lifetime" demographic will come, but they will be more evenly spread out across the next month than Batman will.


Summary: TDK will outgross Mia! by far. it will break records for opening weekend takes, but Mamma Mia! will have a much longer shelf life, slowly making money up to that $100 million dollar mark, and then some.

Slow and steady will not win the race, but it will make a respectable finish.

[LindaTNo1]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:04am

I love musicals on the "silver screen". Julie Andrews is an ICON! Mama Mia will do fine at the box offices. I can't wait to see it! The studio and producers are doing great with the publicity on Mama Mia. Alot of commercials!

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:13am

So, now the name of the game is "cherrypicking"?

That blade cuts both ways. Some critics adore "Mamma Mia"; others loathed it.

"The most fun to be had at the movies this or any other recent summer."

"No, you've not gone to heaven. Don't exaggerate. You've ONLY just seen Mamma Mia!" The sheer zestful force of this movie will blast anyone with an ounce of fun into the aisles for an impromptu bout of Abba karaoke
his huge-heart of a movie will make money, money, money!"


"It’s really a no-brainer. The movie version of the mega-hit stage show is bound to follow its predecessor around the globe and impel audiences to dance in the aisles to the ABBA beat."

"A film that actually earns the exclamation mark that adorns its title, thanks to the exuberance that Streep and her co-stars bring to the job of reviving the rituals of the movie musical... ."


And some loathed it but since we're dragging out the reviews that make our case, here are a few less than ovationary reviews of "The Dark Knight".

"This movie is grim and jammed together. The narrative isn't shaped coherently to bring out contrasts and build toward a satisfying climax."

"The Dark Knight is constant climax; it's always in a frenzy, and it goes on forever."

"This movie is too in love with itself to make you love it."

"The Dark Knight is noisy, jumbled, and sadistic. Even its most wondrous vision—Batman’s plunges from skyscrapers, bat-wings snapping open
as he glides through the night like a human kite—can’t keep the movie airborne. There’s an anvil attached to that cape."

"...where some films can weather extraneous or padded scenes, The Dark Knight has some distracting bloat to it which keeps it out of masterpiece territory."

The critics aren't going to decide how much either of these movies make.
It will be the people all around the world.

If some critics had their way "Lawrence of Arabia" would have never seen the light of day and "Mamma Mia" would have closed at intermission.

You still seem unable to wrap your arms around the fact that ABBA is a trans-cultural phenomenon whose music is still packing theaters thirty years after the Beattles and Presley last had a record on the charts.

This is the critical variable you're leaving out of your equation. As I said, "The Dark Knight" will probably jump out to a quick lead but if you imagine that "Mamma Mia"
will sell than twice the tickets "The Devil Wpre Prada" sold ypu're missing the big picture. That would put "Mamma Mia" close to the $250m mark.

...And TDN is going to do three times that?

That's making sense?

I guess you haven't gotten around to taking the obligatory "Financing and Accounting for the Film Industry" course yet.

A final caveat: Not everything can be counted and everything that is counted doesn't
necessarily count."

[Eagleman]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:21am

The film will be cute and nice to look at and then you will forget all about it five minutes after THE END.

Right. And social scientists at Berkley are going to be doing peer-reviewed papers on TDN as if it was a proposition by Lichtenstein.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:24am

I agree with those that feel "Mamma Mia!" will gross well in the long run.

"The Dark Knight" is the most anticipated film of the year and clearly will DOMINATE box offices this weekend. But after this weekend, the two films have very little competition and "Mamma Mia!" will be able to gross steady numbers alongside dreck like the new X-Files and Mummy movies.

It may not be a box office smash as "The Dark Knight" is bound to be, but I'm sure it will match "Hairspray"'s box office success at the very least, and gross over $100,000,000 domestically by the time the movie leaves theatres.

[Kev14]

Posted: 7/15/08 at 11:27am

I think Mamma Mia is going to get pummeled by Batman. I mean heck, I want to see Batman more than Mamma Mia