Comments (37)

• Looks like the Hollywood establishment succeeded in killing “Miracle At Saint Anna.” Why they found it so difficult to rally around an important film for African-American and why Shia LaBeouf and his garbage- pail acting to get a free pass,I guess will never no.I guess Spike Lee will learn his lesson and not step out of line again and dare to question the Hollywood “Elite.”By the way,both of Eastwood’s WWII films were poorly directed,souless sacks of you know what,yet that didn’t stop the across the board praise from critics,did it?

  Comment by Kyle — September 27, 2008 @ 12:33 am  Reply to this post

• Rodanthe is good news for fans of Mr Gere in France. If the movie comes to our town we’ll see it and anyway we’ll buy the DVD for sure. And I’m not in the “Older female Quadrant”… (laughs)

  Good news indeed, I felt rather sorry for him about that commercial where he drives from Hollywood to Tibet faster than you can say “Beam me up, Scotty” (do I here a voice screaming “It’s poetic licence, stupid”?) But Richard Gere is a true Hollywood Star, in the classic sense of the word, not one of these walking tragedies for special editions of E! True Hollywood Story.

  Comment by Thierry Attard — September 27, 2008 @ 2:28 am  Reply to this post

• Kyle,

  I’m sorry, but “elite” Hollywood did not “kill” Miracle at Saint Anna. Everyone has known that movie would bomb for months and months.

  And as for Clint Eastwood: I agree that Flags of Our Fathers was a miss, but Letters from Iwo Jima is a masterpiece.

  Comment by Dan — September 27, 2008 @ 3:05 am  Reply to this post

• Shia LaBoeuf, what’s the story with this guy. He seems like a nice enough kid, but am I supposed to believe he’s the reason ‘Transformers’ and ‘Indie 4′ were successful? I’m not trying to rip his ability as an actor, but he doesn’t come off as a big box office draw to me.

  Comment by Rael — September 27, 2008 @ 3:18 am  Reply to this post

• Um, Kyle, Eagle Eye got horrible reviews. I don’t think it got a “free pass”, people just opted to see it. As for Miracle at St. Anna, you sound silly trying to act like the Hollywood elite are responsible for its failure. The film is being released by Disney man. It was made by the Hollywood elite, of which Spike is included. I doubt most critics care about the personal feelings of either Clint Eastwood or Spike Lee either. The reviews are his own fault for trying to cram so much into one film, and its financial failure was almost assured by the subject matter. Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, critical acclaim and all, were box office flops in the US, the latter making money thanks to Japan.

  Comment by CH — September 27, 2008 @ 3:22 am  Reply to this post

• Is Shia pigeon-holed now as an action star? Eem.. think can do better than just one genre. Am a fan so here’s hoping for more from him. Having said that, glad to see his new movie topping the B.O

  As for Spike’s new movie, well pity to see it tank at the B.O. So much for his big talk. Oh! Not a fan of Eastwood either so there, no favouritism here

  Comment by Armand — September 27, 2008 @ 3:27 am  Reply to this post

• Yea, it was the presidential debates which reduced the box office of “Eagle Eye”. It couldn’t possibly be the fact that LaBoeuf can’t act or that the film has been getting horrible reviews.

  Comment by David — September 27, 2008 @ 7:05 am  Reply to this post

• I wish the main stream media would expose Kirk Cameron
  for the dangerous nutjob that he is. He is a religious fanatic and bible fundamentalist with perhaps the scariest program on TV, WAY OF THE MASTER on CBN religious network. His partner Ray Comfort and himself damn viewers to hell for a half hr at a time and come across as two of the scariest people on the planet. The program is pure child abuse for any kid who watches it! I wouldn’t pay a dime to see a movie he’s in! I say this in all seriousness!

  Comment by entertainmenttodayandbeyond — September 27, 2008 @ 7:39 am  Reply to this post

• The Miracle Of St. Anne is a film I would otherwise look forward to seeing at the megaplex. However, I refuse to support anything with Spike Lee’s name attached—I am quite euphoric that it will be yet another bomb. I am hoping that Mr. Stone’s new project falls on the same indifference. Many of us will stay home.

  Comment by AaronSch — September 27, 2008 @ 7:41 am  Reply to this post

• Regarding the Valkerie trailer: Saw it last night with Eagle Eye, and I just can’t get past the notion that Cruise is the only person speaking without an accent. ANY accent. Apparently, German is too strong so some of the actors use the generic movie “Vaguely European” accent, but Cruise is 100% American, which is distracting. BTW, didn’t like Eagle Eye.

  And as for Spike Lee? Look, I LOVE Inside Man. But I resent him for this film. Because for all the “anger” he had at Eastwood, he juuuust happened to wait a few years after Eastwood’s war films came out to complain about the lack of black soldiers. And — wouldn’t you know it?? — he juuuust happens to have a black soldier movie coming out around the same time as this new “controversy.” It was a manufactured argument, and I lost a lot of respect for him.

  Comment by Steven — September 27, 2008 @ 8:41 am  Reply to this post

• Why, for at least the last two weeks, has race been injected into the boxoffice comments? If “Miracle at St. Anna” had looked compelling and distracting/entertaining for the majority of the Friday night audience – whether the actors/director were black or white or whatever – people would have seen it. The argument isn’t even relevant, and frankly, it’s annoying.

  Does “Kyle” understand that the majority of Americans are about to vote for an African-American as President of the United States? Please understand that this isn’t the 1950s anymore, we’re way beyond that. Heck, I would argue that based on the trailers, the reviews, and the length, that “Miracle” wouldn’t have done much better if it starred Brad Pitt or George Clooney or Tom Hanks. Totally irrelevant.

  Comment by MrCommonSense — September 27, 2008 @ 9:07 am  Reply to this post

• Since no one else will take on the rant against Kirk Cameron in an earlier post, I’ll bite. Kirk doesn’t need to be “exposed” – his religious beliefs are widely known and are his to hold. Like Tom Cruise and Madonna, Cameron is an avid cheerleader for his doctrine, but he doesn’t need to be silenced. If you don’t like what he says, here’s a novel approach – don’t watch his religious broadcast. Simple, huh?

  As for boycotting his movies, knock yourself out. But do you hold all actors, religious and non-religious, theist and atheist, to the same standard of outrage? Or is it just Christian actors who get you all stimulated? Inquiring minds would like to know . . .

  Comment by savvydude — September 27, 2008 @ 9:55 am  Reply to this post

• First, Spike blew it.

  I am black and I couldn’t believe that he picked a fight with Eastwood over something so trivial and then played the race card when Clint told him to “shut up.” Critics love war movies and they love Clint. What they hate are self-important filmmakers who try to manipulate the selling of a film with issues that have nothing to do with quality.

  Second, there is a disturbing trend in Hollywood when it comes to blacks. We are doing a lot of period pieces from eras when blacks had no rights or were struggling. “Talk to Me,” “Great Debaters,” Secret Life of Bees,” “Cadillac Records,” and Spike’s own “Miracle.” None of the one that have been released did anything at the box office. “Lakeview Terrace” is contemporary and it opens at #1.

  We are busy putting a black man in the White House but Hollywood is working hard to keep the images of black men in the past.

  Hey, Spike how about “Inside Man 2?”

  Comment by CinefileX — September 27, 2008 @ 10:27 am  Reply to this post

• St Anna has a few problems :
  the trailer doesnt make it clear – war movie? drama? mystery?

  the audience is not in the “war movie” mode – even the Eastwood films and the recent Iraq films didnt do great box office

  a lot of the audience just dont like Spike Lee and wont support his movies

  Comment by Marja — September 27, 2008 @ 11:03 am  Reply to this post

• Nikki, I’m not sure why you’re surprised that Nights In Rodanthe opened well. Movies based on Nicholas Sparks bestsellers tend to succeed (see The Notebook). Plus, add Gere and the likeable Lane to the mix, it was bound to open well.

  And Spike Lee’s latest flick didn’t bomb because of “those racist Jews in Hollywood” but rather because, left to his own devices, Lee can’t make a compelling film. The only reasons Inside Man did well were because he used actual stars and it was a for hire job for Lee. He didn’t have a damn thing to do with the story which has always been Lee’s weakest point.

  Comment by Crystal Diane Stevens — September 27, 2008 @ 11:27 am  Reply to this post

• Miracle at St Anna needed good reviews. It didn’t get them. I was looking forward to the film because even when Spike’s movies aren’t good there always interesting. However, I am not about to spend 10 bucks an watch a 3 hour war movie that I know will be mediocre. I will wait for video. Eagle Eye is hollywood trash that doesn’t need the reviews to succeed. It’s a glossy over plotted film made on the Hollywood assembly line. It goes down easy and people will go see it for the action.

  Comment by J — September 27, 2008 @ 11:47 am  Reply to this post

• CinefileX,

  How are those films a “Hollywood” trend? The films you mentioned were all fought for and made by African-Americans. I’m not sure how you can fault the establishment for that. (If there’s something to keep an eye on it’s that the black man as threat succeeds at the box office while inspirational African-American stories fail.)

  Comment by Kevin — September 27, 2008 @ 1:19 pm  Reply to this post

• Wow, I must be totally out of it. I had no chance to get to a theater this weekend, but I was thinking “St. Anna” looked interesting and would probably do well. Oh well . . .

  Comment by Reader — September 27, 2008 @ 1:32 pm  Reply to this post

• The fact that Barack Obama might be leading in the polls does not absolve Hollywood of it’s deep-seated racism.Besides he hasn’t won yet, has he. And what does that have to do with lack of casting of black women in major motion picture, the lack of people of any color behind the scenes working as directors,writers,or producers? Where are they MR.CommonSense? It is it a problem, face it.The fact that Lakeview Terrace opens number one featuring a menacing black man terrorizing a white man speaks volume of Hollywood’s disassociation with the black community at large.It’s no surpise that the producer of this drivel is none other than Will Smith,who would rather be cast with a white or hispanic love interest in his movies, who he rarely is allowed to touch or show any true moments of intimacy with, than risk the fact that “mainstream” movie audiences might be turned off by seeing an “urban” movie.In this case Will is as much to blame as anybody else.

  Comment by Kyle — September 27, 2008 @ 1:40 pm  Reply to this post

• I have to agree with Crystal Diane Stevens about Nights in Rodanthe. I’m not sure where your surprise comes from, Nikki. This is the kind of movie that appeals to older females, not the half-baked, unfunny The Women that you so tirelessly and blindly supported.

  Comment by anonymous — September 27, 2008 @ 1:46 pm  Reply to this post

• Can you tell us how the Duchess is doing Nikki?

  Comment by beezz — September 27, 2008 @ 2:57 pm  Reply to this post

• Kyle – Hollywood as a industry is probably the LEAST racist of any private sector business I can think of. On the subject of Obama, I’ve worked in this business for over 20 years, and with the exception of many teamsters (though not all), they’re about the most progressive anti-racist groups I’ve met. Most studios and film/TV productions try to hire as many qualified minorities as possible, not to NOT seem racist, but because they want to. The problem is there isn’t that huge of a pool of African-Americans seeking those jobs (ie attending film school, DGA trainee programs, etc.). There are many top TV shows run by, or directed by, or starring many African-Americans, from “The Shield” to “Grey’s Anatomy” to “The Unit.” The effort is there. I don’t see Spike Lee pursuing a TV series. I’m sure if he did and done well it would be well received. I just disagree with your premise and your evidence and, for what it’s worth, when I’m in a position to hire, I ALWAYS try and favor minorities or veterans or people who didn’t grow up with a silver spoon and graduate from USC or the Ivy League schools. There are many of us. If you are involved in the business then I suggest you work to do something about it as well. If you’re looking to break in, I don’t think you’ll have a problem. Good luck.

  Comment by MrCommonSense — September 27, 2008 @ 3:23 pm  Reply to this post

• Nikki –

  The SEC banned short selling on hundreds of financial companies and WaMu, Wachovia and several other smaller banks still went under this weekend.

  What’s your next expert solution to this crisis? We’re all waiting to hear.

  Comment by jdog — September 27, 2008 @ 4:40 pm  Reply to this post

• i’m sure transformers and indiana jones would have flopped without shia. ha.

  Comment by g — September 27, 2008 @ 4:57 pm  Reply to this post

• woah you don’t think the dark knight wil be in the top 10 anymore !
  not sure if thats a good or bad thing!

  Comment by ddog — September 27, 2008 @ 5:15 pm  Reply to this post

• Shia recently said that he knows he’s been lucky and said Indy and Transformers obviously would have been just as successful without him.

  If Spike Lee’s film is great, people will see it. Truly great films usually find an audience. Sadly, shit films too often make money, but that’s Hollywood for you. But if a great film is made, people will come.

  Comment by john — September 27, 2008 @ 6:20 pm  Reply to this post

• Yes ddog, this is very bad for The Dark Knight and it is now a huge bomb.

  Comment by Sandy — September 27, 2008 @ 9:22 pm  Reply to this post

• When the country is at war, movies about any kind of war don’t fare well. It’s not like it was during WWII and the Korean war when the war movies were made to inspire patriotism. I’m surprised anyone is greenlighting any kind of film dealing with the subject. With all that’s going on, the public wants to escape when they go to the movies. That’s why mindless fare such as Eagle Eye does well. Hopefully Spike’s next “pure entertainment” project will be more successful.

  Comment by Rod — September 27, 2008 @ 10:21 pm  Reply to this post

• I like Kirk Cameron and I plan on seeing his movie.
  I am not religious but am not SCARED to go see a religious movie..It had almost no press ( I didn’t know it was out till yesterday)
  But to slam Kirk Cameron because he is religious serves no purpose but to show how small minded some people are. I am glad it did well.
  I also agree that Nicholas Sparks novel Nights In Rodanthe helped get people into the theater.
  Since the reviews of the movie were horrible.
  I don’t think the debates hurt boxoffice since most people have the ability to tape the shows on TV they want to see.
  ps Hollywood has a HISTORY of being racist and as far as Gays they would not have to be in the closest if they were not afraid of not getting jobs by the people in power who give money to liberal causes so as to give them cover. Hollywood is a sexist town and always will be.

  Comment by Jane — September 28, 2008 @ 9:06 am  Reply to this post

• Conservative/liberal, Christian/agnostic – whatever. Making movies is a business and for a business to succeeed you have to budget intelligently and market strategically. Last week, I never heard of Fireproof and saw a few dozen trailers for Eagle Eye. But Fireproof cost a half a million and made six and a half million. Eagle Eye cost 80 million and made 25 million. As a business person that makes me stand up and take notice – and as a movie goer it makes me want to take a look. And if some people are supposed to ignore what Bill Mahar and Tim Robbins and Spike Lee say and go see their movies anyway, the same should go for Cameron – when you sell a movie, Christian dollars are as good as anyone else’s, right?

  Comment by Marja — September 28, 2008 @ 10:36 am  Reply to this post

• Re: the performance of MIRACLE AT ST ANNA at the box office. If you consider

  1) It is an R-rated film & therefore available to be seen by a smaller audience.
  2) At two hours and forty minutes, theatres could show less screenings of the film per day. Spike has a problem editing himself, in public and on the screen, but this was still shorter than other war epics like Schindler’s List & Saving Private Ryan and only a few minutes longer than Flags of Our Father.
  3) Miracle was shown on less than half of the screens compared to all of the other films in the TOP TEN (with the exception of FIREPROOF, which is the true winner for the week) and still came in at #9.

  While Eagle Eye, since it is an action thriller, will be expected do well internationally, it is left to be seen if overseas audiences will support a film about black WWII soldiers in Europe and how it will perform (if at all). But at $45 million, Miracle cost less than half of the money Eagle Eye was made for & had much less P&A. All things being equal, when you can pump multiple screenings of a 2 hour or less film onto 2400-3500 screens, you have greater chances for a higher box office compared to a two & a half hour, R-rated film on 1100 screens.

  Rather than be gleeful at Miracle’s success or failure, the real story is FIREPROOF, a film made for less than a million dollars (half a million according to some reports!) than was able to make over $6 million a little more than 800 screens. Forget the Hollywood elite, Jewish versus Black. It’s the oft ignored Christian audience who showing they can drive the box office. Let’s be honest, in the hands of any other producer FIREPROOF would have been a tv movie on the Hallmark Channel. Instead it ends up in the Top 5, showing up the likes of Spike Lee, Al Pacino, & Robert De Niro & out-performing films with 100+ times its budget per screen!

  Comment by WawaLisa — September 28, 2008 @ 10:37 am  Reply to this post

• People associate Spike Lee with “downer” movies. Right now, with the economic crisis, America is already in a bad mood. They’re not going to waste $10 on a preachy Spike Lee movie. ( I haven’t seen Miracle, but aren’t all Spike Lee movies preachy?)- I admit I’m not a fan of Spike Lee, and I certainly have no experience in the movies, but here’s my advice for Spike: he should make an uplifting/”happy” film for his next movie. And for Pete’s sake, don’t pick a fight with a Hollywood icon like Clint Eastwood b4 the release!

  Kyle- are you kidding me with the Hollywood is racist theme? Barbra Streisand just headlined a million dollar campaign event for him. David Geffen kneecapped the Clintons in primary season in favor of Obama. Come on!

  Comment by Fiestagal — September 28, 2008 @ 11:10 am  Reply to this post

• “Will Smith,who would rather be cast with a white or hispanic love interest in his movies”

  Maybe Smith is just trying to act with the best actresses or those who fit their roles the best. It’s called color-blind casting. had smith been cast with only African-American costars, that would be racism.

  Comment by Anonymous — September 28, 2008 @ 3:09 pm  Reply to this post

• Maybe Eagle Eye’s number were down because it was announced on Tuesday Sept 23rd that the film will be released on DvD and Blu-ray on December 16, 2008. That’s why I sat home instead of going to see Eagle Eye. It’s coming out in 2 and a half months. Why spend $10-25 now when in 2 months I can spend the same and watch it in the comfort of my home, and without the teenagers talking on their cell phones the entire movie

  Comment by Anonymous — September 28, 2008 @ 6:00 pm  Reply to this post

• Next time we complain that Hollywood doesn’t make enough good mid-budget movies, and keeps swinging for the fences with crap, please direct yourself to the box office of “Ghost Town.” Despite good reviews, it is out of the top ten it was barely in after only a week.

  Maybe the problem isn’t so much Hollywood as it is us.*

  *us = you personally

  Comment by Todd Toronto — September 28, 2008 @ 6:16 pm  Reply to this post

• Wow Mrcommonsense, you actually would rather hire someone based on ethnicity and not experience. THAT is why Hollywood is going right into the toilet folks. You heard it here first, “I ALWAYS try to favor minorities and veterans, blah, blah, blah.” Did you just throw in that part about the veterans so the reast of us would chastise you?

  Comment by tired and weary — September 29, 2008 @ 9:31 am  Reply to this post

• Oops (so the rest of us wouldn’t chastise you)

  Comment by tired and weary — September 29, 2008 @ 3:33 pm  Reply to this post