Rent ranked #5 in America's Box Office- Page 6

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:26pm

Over the Moon got unfairly trashed. I thought it was pretty funny, especially the nice touch of her singing her own backup.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:33pm

I wish they had used the version of OTM from the soundtrack. The humor of it sort of fell flat for me overall in the film.

[enjolrasissex]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:35pm

I wish they had used the version of OTM from the soundtrack. The humor of it sort of fell flat for me overall in the film

Same here. Nobody in my theatre (which was about 90% full) laughed during OTM. I looked around and people just had really confused looks on their faces.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:35pm

Oh wow you really think so MrMidwest?

I was hysterical the whole time...I think in the movie she portrayed a lot of the humor that could not come across on the soundtrack without sounding bad, if that makes anysense. That really was one of my favorite scenes...the way they did it was priceless for me!

[loridunn]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:36pm

I loved the TV's in the background. I was expecting to be laughing at her performance, just her, but actually it was the entire scene that got me going. Yes she was funny, and we all have her sucking faces stuck in our mind, but the entire song was just funny and I think she did very well with it.

[RobbO]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:38pm

actually it is a huge mistake to call this film a flop. it opened a notch above, or just equal to, industry expectations. comparing rent to blockbusters or other high budget films shows a lack of knowledge on behalf of the person doing the comparison.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:44pm

people were laughing actually, during the song, especially when she was sucking the milk...
:)

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:45pm

I'm glad you liked it, greenegirl. It wasn't bad, but the version on the soundtrack actually makes me laugh out loud.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 6:52pm

I think I may just laugh out loud any time I hear any version of that song. I love everything about it, the complete absurdity cracks me up.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 7:31pm

I think that the film had a good and respectable opening. It has all the potential to reach a final tally of $45 -$50 million in the U.S. Add to that, maybe about $50 million when the DVD comes out and maybe around $40 million from the rest of the world and it can reach around $140 million total which is very good for a musical ! I know, I know I may be an optimistic speculation, but it is not an unattainable goal, is it ?

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 8:40pm

Wow! Such HEATED discussion here. And some of it even has to do with the thread topic.

I don't think Jon would be upset by this thread. I think he'd get a huge kick out of all the "passion" being displayed here. He might even laugh and shake his head, but I think he'd appreciate it, to be honest.

I'm still puzzled why people are trying to peg this as a "flop." I've been among the first to say that the numbers are disappointing for the 5-day holiday weekend... but there's a difference between "disappointing" and "flop." "Rent" is performing below Sony's and Revolution's expectations, but not by much. The coming weeks will help decide its fate domestically. Early predictors are pointing to the noticeable fall-off in attendance after the opening night of "devoted fans" queued up for it. That was a very nice showing for a Wednesday. The rest of the weekend was a disappointment (not a tragedy).

We'll know more in the coming weeks.

[JenD512]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 8:58pm

If it makes anyone feel better, I saw it again at 1:15 this afternoon in NJ, it was about 90% full, and everyone applauded at the end. Again.

I also found a group of kids heading into 'Harry Potter' in costume...and I laughed when I realized they also have legion of fans decked out in stripey scarves.

#5 works for me...it's a holiday weekend with a lot of family films out there, and it held up pretty well. If it was #14, I'd worry.

Like I've posted before, it's not like any of this money shows up at my house, so I don't really concern myself too much with box office results. Reading word-of-mouth on the boards (I loved reading that anecdote thread), it's going to hold up fine in the long run.

All movies are eventually profitible--box office receipts in general are down for the year for many reasons. Movies are really making their money now in DVD sales and video rentals.

And if you're going to trash people for liking the movie when you didn't...get a life.

I was a Renthead 8 years ago, I saw the show more times than I care to count, in 3 different cities. I made friends then that I'm still friends with today. I haven't seen the show in years, or listened to the CD in a long time. I never thought there would be a movie (much less one with the OBC), and when I saw it on Wednesday, it was totally surreal, and I spent most of it thinking "PLEASE don't screw this up!!" But I liked it, so it was OK.

I was little more relaxed when I saw it today, and I have to say, I really loved the movie. It wasn't perfect, but the show was never perfect either. Being away from all of it for so long made me forget how much "Rent" meant to me the first time around, so I'm glad the movie was made to remind me.

I happen to be a Lord of the Rings fan and a Harry Potter fan...and whenever I noticed something from the books was missing in the movies, I just assumed that it did happen...it just happened offscreen.

But seriously, guys...just enjoy the movie. And if you didn't, that's fine. Go see something else. Don't go stressing over the box office totals.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 9:45pm

It seems to me that most of the things we RENT fans missed in the movie are things that you don't miss unless you knew they were there in the first place. For instance, the second half of "Goodbye Love" adds a lot of character depth for Roger. I missed that during the movie, but at the same time during the movie I felt like I got to be closer to Roger than it would be possible to be while watching the stage show. Seeing him (and all the characters) react with each other brought an amazing level of intimacy to the movie. I try to have the attitude of "you win some you lose some." We really didn't even lose anything. The stage show is still there for us. The movie is also there to provide a different look at the characters.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 10:51pm

Speaking of Utz and Idina.... did she look hot in the movie, or what ???!!!!

[Luscious]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 12:10am

Should be avalable on DVD in time for Christmas.

[zzannahk]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 12:17am

is it really all about making money>

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 12:20am

Nope. It's not about making money. But the numbers do show a bit about how many people this show is reaching, does it not? Isn't the goal to have the message of this piece out there?

[zzannahk]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 12:24am

i think that the message of the film is far reaching. i dont think anyone can complain with 5th.

[collins]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 1:41am

So far, I've seen Rent twice, and I might try to see it a few more times before it leaves my theatre, where, by the way, there were only about 10 people when I was there. (Darn culturally void nowhere place!) My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I want to do my part to help it do well at the box office.

I have never been fortunate enough to see the show on stage, but overall I thought the movie was wonderful. It was wierd hearing lines spoken that you're used to hearing sung, but it worked out very nicely. There were some things that I would have done differently, but someone else wouldn't have liked my changes. Show me a movie that everyone in the entire world loves!

I really appreciate that Rent involved most of the original cast, and Rosario and Tracie were as good, if not better than the originals. I waited an eternity for the Phantom movie only to have an otherwise beautiful movie ruined by the talented yet unwisely chosen Phantom and Christine actors.

Funny you guys mention the scarf...I was thinking when I went on the 23rd that I wish I had a Mark scarf; it would have matched my outfit nicely.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 1:43am

Anthony -

Thank you for taking the time to post your honest feelings and responses on the board. It is a rare treat to actually hear what an artist thinks directly from the source, and your writing is nothing short of amazing. I am looking forward to buying you book.

As to the topic of this thread, evenyone needs to take a deep breath. People are entitled to love and hate this film. But, to question or attempt to invalidate someone's view simply because they differ with what any one person thinks is not OK. Did I love this film? No. Was I slightly disappointed in the final product, yes. Was it worth seeing to me? Yes. Will I buy the DVD - definately. Might others love it, sure - that is for them to decide.

I have a feeling that seeing this movie would be something like having sex for the first time - rarely able to live up to the anticipation or the hype. The live show was so amazing, that it would be very difficult for any film to capture that experience (at least for me). So, this film already started with a handicap of trying to live up to almost mythic expectations. But, I am glad I saw it. And, I may see it again in a week or two to see if my perspective changes at all the second time around.

Critcially, the film has been subject to decidedly mixed reviews. But financially, it is too soon to call it a hit, a flop, or something in between.

The one thing I know for sure is that Art2's braying about the film was clearly erroneous and evidence of ignorance in abundance.

Anyway, those are my 4 cents, because the post is far too long to only cost me 2.

[Whiteboy Spice]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:10am

Hey all --

I should be sleeping now, but I can't resist rooting around the web to try to get a sense of the public's response to our film.

For an interesting read, check out the yahoo film site, and read some of the users' reviews. It really is filled with a large majority of A and A+ reviews -- and not just from Rentheads -- but that isn't the reason I'm suggesting you read it.

Every once in a while someone posts a D- or F, and most of these reviews are filled with incredibly homophobic remarks. A few of these negative reviews also dislike artistic issues, but there is by and large a strong current of anti-gay rhetoric out there.

So again, I say to the critics who don't at the very least acknowledge the political reality of our country -- and the attempt this film is making to tell a story that could open people's eyes up to alternative ways of living (whether the film succeeds or fails on an artistic level is a different matter, and not relevant to the point I'm making now) -- I say to them that I consider their ignorance of this fact to be more than a little naive, irresponsible, and cynical on their part.

For your reading pleasure and/or dismay, the link to the reviews page is

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808405627/user

You can then isolate the good, the bad, the most recent, etc.

Again, this raises a separate issue from the artistic merits of the film. I don't think intentions should exempt films from criticism. I just think they should be taken into account, and seen in their proper context.

[DG]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:17am

Anthony - I absolutely think you have a valid point, but in all seriousness, the Yahoo sites are notorious for that kind of perspective. I still think your point should be considered, though.

And congratulations, by-the-way. In todays 'culture', getting something presented that has even a whiff of artistic integrity is amazing - and that is something I hope no one tries to say doesn't exist in your project. Bravo.

[Violet Tree]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:29am

Anthony,

I am more than happy to say that the mass majority of the people I am friends with and I associate with online and such really enjoyed the film. This includes my roommate who is extremely homophobic and I would never expect to like a film like this. I have been a fan of the show since 97 and I am happy that this film will let the legacy RENT and Jonathan's message live on. It was nice to actually get to see each character more deeply, which you can do in a film. I know that I refuse to ever go by reviews. Most of the reviewers don't even know how to open their eyes to reality and the now. I think this will definitely open peoples eyes and hopefully increase the audience for the stage show. I know personally I will be taking more and more people to see it to expose them to such a beautiful piece of work. And by the way, you were incredible. I think you are a wonderful actor and it was nice to see you in a larger role in a movie again. I have always been a fan of Adventures in Babysitting and Dazed and Confused. Thank you for continuing the legacy for us who love this show.

[collins]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:42am

Anthony,
Seriously, don't let a bunch of 12 year olds hoo kant spel upset you. The majority of them sounded like they haven't even seen the movie anyway.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:48am

What's truly sad, collins, is that many of those 12yos who can't spell are actually 20somethings or 30somethings or 40somethings who can't spell and are about as smart or cultured as a 12yo.

Wait--that's an insult to 12yos!! I take it back! :)