August 27th, 2002

My Big Fat Greek Success Story

It may have been the worst weekend for this particular weekend in box office history since four years ago, but there was a lot to smile about for one movie. But in first, defeating a little Vin Diesel picture, Signs took the top spot with 14.2 million thwarting XXX's chances of being the only movie this summer to be first three weekends in a row (it's now the second and only other film to be first for two weeks. BTW, "XXX" made 13.2 this weekend). Spy Kids 2: The Island Of Lost Dreams is still banging out the money with 7.5 million.

Still, if there has been one major summer hit, it's My Big Fat Greek Wedding. This is a fine example of a great word-of-mouth movie with legs, somehow rising up the charts rather than going down and doubling its intake almost. This week, it expanded to a few more theaters and brought in a wonderful 7.2 million. Quite simply, the five million dollar film has a chance of breaking 100 million. It's definently this year's "Blair Witch" story, and quite deservingly so. You can't get a better crowdpleaser than this movie, and there's no finer publicity than all this word of mouth. I wouldn't be surprised if the film rose to number one in the next few weeks... and hey, the film is set to make a mint after international grosses and video/DVD sales. It's nice to see a film that doesn't have a huge opening weekend and then plummets into the oblivion, as all these summer movies have more or less.

Blue Crush, despite the raves and solid marketing, only made 6.5 million. Maybe the film won't be that sleeper hit, but video sounds like a place where it could gain an audience. The weekend wasn't kind to all the major new releases either, such as Serving Sara with a pathetic 5.7 million.

Austin Powers In Goldmember brought in 5.5 million and should cross 200 million shortly, and in all likelyhood, outgrossing its first sequel. Newcomers Undisputed and Simone bombed with meager 4.5 and 3.8 takes (I saw "Simone" - decent but uneven and overall disappointing satire). Finally, Blood Work took in 2.8 million more.

So as summer dwindles to a close, all that I can say is bring on the fall movie season. Lots of biggies coming up there...

-Zach B.