After $212-Million in 12 days, The Passion of the Christ is a bonafide blockbuster. There has already been merchandising associated with the film — necklaces and other kinds of trinkets — but I’m waiting for the Jesus, Pontius Pilate and Caiphas action figures. Now kids in the privacy of their own homes can flay a little Jesus. Of course, they won’t be satisfied unless huge chunks of fake blood and skin fly off with every crack of the whip.
Obviously the power I hold with this forum is far less than I anticipated because while Mel’s opus stayed strong making nearly $100-Million over the course of the week and over $50-Million through the weekend, Club Dread fell right out of the top 10. In fact, a friend of mine went to go see Club Dread at the UA 14 at Union Square on Friday, and when he couldn’t find his theatre. After searching for a few minutes, he went to the customer service desk where the guy behind the counter said to him, “Oh, you’re the one.” Apparently, the reason he couldn’t find the theatre is that it no longer existed. My friend had been the only person to buy a ticket, so the UA had decided to not screen Club Dread and to instead add a screen for Starsky & Hutch which was sold out on all the other screens.
Both Starsky & Hutch and Hidalgo did relatively well, with the former bringin in over $29-Million and the latter taking in nearly $20-Million. The phenomenon that is Jesus continues as it has for the last couple thousand years. I suppose we should try this again, though. So this week, take your choice … buy a ticket for the red Torino or the mustang Hidalgo, and then walk around lost until you realize that your movie has subtitles.
Out of Focus 