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Do you decide on a movie based on box office? | Sir Critic on Cinema

Sir Critic on Cinema

About Sir Critic on Cinema

Sir Critic, alias Eric Robinette, reviews movies — both blockbusters and arty stuff — comments on theaters and opines about everything else cinematic.

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November 2008

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Do you decide on a movie based on box office?

By Eric Robinette | Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:26 PM

Many people have debated the wisdom of treating box office figures as news stories. They decry the notion that a movie’s quality should be based on how much money it makes. In a time when Meet the Spartans can be promoted as “The Number 1 Movie in America!,” they have a point.

But I wonder - why do people want to know the box office? I want to know largely because box office can and does very often affect what kinds of movies might show up down the line. I’m interested in that part of the Hollywood game, which is why I check out sites like Box Office Guru and Box Office Prophets.

But then, I’m a movie nut. What about the more casual fan? What good are box office figures to them?

I can think of only one time I saw a movie based on how much money it made, and I got burned. The ads and reviews for The Fast and the Furious hadn’t told me it was worth seeing, so I skipped it. Then I remember being surprised at how well it opened, and some of the reviews were very positive so I decided to see what the buzz was all about. I then realized the movie was neither Fast nor Furious.

So let me ask you: Did you ever decide to see a movie because it made a lot of money at the box office? And did your decision pay off?

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Ask the Audience

Comments

By Kim

November 13, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

I will look at box office figures if I happpen to see them - but I don’t seek them out and they have no affect on what movies I see. Sometimes I may pay attention when it’s a series that I like so I can see what the odds are of a potential sequel or something - but that’s about it. It’s just a matter of curious semi-interest to me.

By SRCputt

November 12, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Have reviews caused me to go to a film? Yes. Has a friend’s comment? Yes. Box office is a fun game, but it doesn’t get me in the theater.

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