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Hunger Games Ticket Sales Set Record by Brooks Barnes
"It proves that distributors don't have to wait until the summer or the holiday season to release tent poles," said Phil Contrino, editor of Boxoffice.com, using Hollywood slang for broad event films. "If a movie looks intriguing, customers will show up, no matter what the calendar reads." Read full article.
A Year of Disappointment at the Movie Box Office by Brooks Barnes
"As bad as the economy is for adults, it's worse for teenagers," said Phil Contrino, editor of BoxOffice.com, by way of an explanation. "Because they have less disposable income and because they are more plugged in to audience reaction on Facebook and Twitter, the teenage audience is becoming picky," he added. "That's a nightmare for studios that are used to pushing lowest-common-denominator films." Read full article.
Also from The New York Times:
Neither Smurf Nor Wizard Could Save Summer Movie Attendance
Retooled Car Series Revives Summer Box Office Hopes
Hunger Games Haul Sets Hollywood Searching For Heroines by Christopher Palmeri
People were hungry for something like this," Contrino said in an interview. "Now everyone will be looking for the next ‘Hunger Games' instead of every male-driven, Will Smith action film," he said, referring to the star of "Independence Day" and "Men in Black." Read full article.
Walt Disney's Costly John Carter Fights Film Critics Along With Martians by Michael White and Christopher Palmeri
"This is a movie that should be hitting the sweet spot of males age 18 to 34," says Phil Contrino, editor of the site. "It better make a killing internationally." Read full article.
No friends at the box office? by Breeanna Hare
Yet, Contrino added, Aniston has never been really reliable to open a movie on her own, and she was the bigger star in "Bounty." Gerard Butler, her co-star, is gaining prominence but doesn't have the years of recognition that Aniston has. Read full article.
Also from CNN:
Tyler Perry's latest: For 'Colored Girls' only?
From Moviegoers and Critics, A Thousand Words Gets Zero by Jason Evans
Murphy did get good reviews for his supporting work in "Tower Heist" last Thanksgiving and Phil Contrino of Boxoffice Magazine says adult roles like that are probably his best choice at this point. "Murphy needs to go back to R-rated stuff. The family- skewing material is killing him." Read full article.
Taylor Lautner's Post-Twilight Career: What's Next? by Kara Warner
Boxoffice.com's Phil Contrino suggested that Lautner focus on more grown-up projects with big-name, respected directors.
"He can, and most likely will, rebound. The key to his success will be picking the right directors to work with," Contrino said. "He needs to stay away from teen-skewing flicks and go for adult, like Robert Pattinson is doing by working with David Cronenberg." Read full article.
Also from MTV:
Did The Hunger Games Eat Up Harry Potter and Twilight at Midnight by Joal Ryan. Read full article.
Breaking Dawn Tickets Going Fast, So Why Isn't Harry Potter Worried? by Joal Ryan
The early box-office forecast for the vampire saga's fourth installment is just as impressive. Boxoffice.com editor Phil Contrino said, as of now, his tracking site was calling for a $155 million opening weekend. Read full article.
Also from E!:
Will Harry Potter Fail To Live Up To Record Hype?
Are George Lucas and James Cameron 3-D Rip-Off Artists?
The Hunger Games smashes US box office records by Dominic Rushe
Phil Contrino, editor of industry tracking company Boxoffice.com, said The Hunger Games looked set to become a "billion-dollar franchise".
"Usually it takes several movies to build up this kind of audience," said Contrino. "This is a crazy opening." Read full article.
