Originally Posted By DlandJB If it doesn't play well in the closest similar country why is that? Subject matter? Content? Humour?>> Maybe there were not enough male cars in women's clothing. British humor seems rife with that. Just a joke, doncha know
Originally Posted By DlandJB OK, forgive me for posting that before I saw how intense the discussion got following it. But in the end, whether one likes or dislikes a movie is OPINION and is informed by a great many things in their lives, including the surrounding culture, interests, etc... I loved the movie "Brazil" but after I showed it to my sister she wouldn't speak to me for two weeks, she hated it so much. Different opinions. This idea that the opening weekend box office is the be all and end all of a movie is one that was manufactured by Hollywood and has come back to bite it on the bum. Numbers can be manipulated in just about any way. You can always find a way for a film to be #1 at something. It is too soon to tell how Cars is going to do overall at the box office in the UK. It seems to be a film that has "legs" rather than just wheels. Time will tell. But let's put this thing in perspective, shall we? XXXOOO
Originally Posted By DlandJB One last thought -- there are any number of classic films that tanked at the box office. Whether or not a film does well is not the final arbiter of its staying power.
Originally Posted By irishfan >>As for Over the Hedge, Lee, you might not have noticed because you spend much of your time abroad, but virtually every advert break, on every channel, for weeks, advertised Over the Hedge. Although I have seen a lot of posters for Cars, I've only seen 2 ads.<< That was a similar thought I had regarding the promotion of Cars here in Australia. I dont recall seeing a single television advert, unlike "over the hedge", which was heavily advertised on the box. So far there is just over a $1million difference between the two, with Cars having the edge, but it looks likely that Over the Hedge will pass Cars pretty soon.
Originally Posted By basil fan I really think the opening scenes of Cars are too NASCAR-involved for non-NASCAR fans. Probably one reason I found that section too long. It seemed like they were trying to hit every aspect of NASCARism. I figured out what most of the stuff was, & knew that some characters were celebrity spoofs, but it didn't make me like it. This may affect international filmgoers, too. However, I don't think the Route 66 thing will cause any problems. Even if you never heard the famous name before, it's just a small town bypassed by big roads. No in-jokes, no celebrity impressions, easy to get without having to wonder about it. Just my opinion. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? <a href="http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/glitch/sdglitch.html" target="_blank">http://www.whatsitsgalore.com/ glitch/sdglitch.html</a>
Originally Posted By fkurucz As someone who has lived outside the US, I do think that Cars was very US centric. Not only is Nascar not popular outside the US, most people have probably never heard of it. The car culture (our fascination with old classic cars) is also not shared beyond our borders. I was even asked by a Spaniard why we Americans were so entralled with "classic" cars. He couldn't understand why someone would want an antiquated machine.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^ Germany will be more of a litmus test as they are also more car obsessed ( although not NASCAR) - also many collectors their of older models
Originally Posted By u k fan I haven't seen Cars yet as I've been away at DLP, but had I been around I probably would have done by now. As I've been catching up with this thread I've come up with several points that I thought I would post, but then the red ink came out and I don't think I can be bothered to participate. It seems like more hassle than it's worth!!!
Originally Posted By DlandJB Suit yourself. As far as NASCAR goes - I have less than no interest in it, and understand it even less. But that seemed to be a small matter to the story, which is more about "family" and belonging. Pixar seems to have a particular take on those subjects and perhaps it resonates more with families with kids than with singles? Incredibles, for example, I think struck more funny chords to me as a mom (especially the kids' fight around the dinner table). Maybe they just aren't all things to all people.
Originally Posted By irishfan >>I haven't seen Cars yet as I've been away at DLP,<< How was your trip?
Originally Posted By u k fan It was very good, thanks for asking! I'll try and get a trip report up sometime soon!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan After saying that I ddn't want to chime in on this I will say this one thing. I was talking to my Brother earlier who works in the finance department for what is probably the largest cinema chain in the UK and I asked him about Cars' opening. He said that as far as he was aware it was the lowest Pixar opening ever (not sure about this though) in the UK, certainly not up to the recent Pixar releases BO take and that as far as they were concerned Cars opening was considered a disappointment. I'm just reporting what I've been told so don't shoot the messenger!!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss There is no arguing that it opening relatively modestly... but it was still the #1 movie in the U.K. in its opening week, knocking Pirates from that spot.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Just goes to show how much cinema takings are down in the UK right now. I couldn't believe how quiet the cinema was the other day. However, not all Cinemas have air con and we have been in a heat wave.
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo I just want to add as Dave said not all cinemas are air con in the UK and I'll bet those with it because of the heat wave are not working. In the nice sun what are a family more likely to do go to the coast or spend time in there garden or go to a hot smelly cinema. I think that that is the major factor were as POTC and other films would have had more (not saying cars had none) teen viewers that just go out with out parents. As a Brit without Nascar knowledge I loved the film, I think any movie that can keep a 3 year old transfixed all the way through (those of you who have met Mikey will know that he does not sit still easily)has to be good.
Originally Posted By u k fan I'll be attempting to take my nephew Connor sometime soon. He makes Mikey look like Snoopy!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan Seriously, I know that Mikey was more of a handful last time we met at Warwick, but I wouldn't even have considered taking Connor!!!
