'R' WE ALL ADULT ENOUGH?Byline: Greg Hernandez Staff Writer The $134.3 million earned by ``The Matrix Reloaded'' during its first four days in theaters not only set some impressive box-office records, but it also set a new standard for how big an R-rated film can open these days. During its Friday through Sunday showings alone, ``Reloaded'' earned a whopping $91.8 million. This total easily set a record for the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated film, surpassing ``Hannibal'' which opened with a gross of $58 million more than two years ago. ``Reloaded'' is now on the fast track to becoming the most successful R- rated film ever released. It needs to earn at least $234.8 million to catch up with the current champ, ``Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. Cop.'' ``I think it will easily do over $300 million,'' predicted box-office analyst Robert Bucksbaum, president of ReelSource Inc. ``This is like a rating-proof movie.'' Bucksbaum and other box-office experts said Monday that ``Reloaded'' served as an important R-rated barometer for the movie industry, which last year saw 19 of the top-20-grossing films rated PG-13 and below. With such blockbusters as ``Spider-Man,'' ``Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones,'' and ``The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' pulling in the crowds, some wondered if this signaled the death of the R-rated blockbuster block·bust·er n. 1. Something, such as a film or book, that sustains widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales. 2. A high-explosive bomb used for demolition purposes. 3. . ``The most amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. thing about this ('Reloaded') gross is the notion of an R-rating and what it can do in terms of affecting box office,'' said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co. ``You had a lot of families going to see this film. Mom, Dad and the teens couldn't wait to experience 'The Matrix.''' Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) ., which released the movie, said the film's audience was evenly split between those over and under the age of 25. Males were the strongest demographic, making up 62 percent of the audience while 38 percent was female. ``The R-rating on this film has had no effect on its performance,'' said Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. president of distribution. After making an estimated $5 million during Wednesday night previews then about $38 million on Thursday, ``Reloaded'' continued to draw huge audiences through the weekend. Other R-rated movies that have opened to big numbers have typically suffered a huge drop by the second week. Last year, ``8 Mile'' had a stellar $51.2 million opening then quickly dropped off and finished its run with a gross of $116.7 million. But ``Reloaded'' is expected to buck that trend and continue to have strong momentum for several weeks to come. ``Reloaded'' is the middle film in a trilogy A company founded in 1979 by Gene Amdahl to commercialize wafer scale integration and build supercomputers. It raised a quarter of a billion dollars, the largest startup funding in history, but could not create its 2.5" superchip. that began with 1999's ``The Matrix'' and will conclude with November's ``The Matrix Revolutions.'' All three films are rated R, but analysts said there is little to separate the movie from many PG-13 releases. ``Since the first film was rated R, in order to keep the integrity of the franchise in the minds of fans, you have to keep the rating consistent throughout the series,'' Dergarabedian said. Added Bucksbaum: `` 'X2: X-Men United' is almost as violent and graphic as 'The Matrix Reloaded.' If a film is well-done and marketed right, then it is not going to affect the conservative moviegoers in Middle America Middle America 1 A region of southern North America comprising Mexico, Central America, and sometimes the West Indies. Middle American adj. & n. , the Bible belt Bible belt n. Those sections of the United States, especially in the South and Middle West, where Protestant fundamentalism is widely practiced. Bible belt where people aren't going to go for R-rated movies.'' Meanwhile, the demand for tickets to opening day and to first-weekend showings of ``Reloaded'' resulted in a windfall windfall An unexpected profit or gain. An investor holding a stock that increases greatly in price because of an unexpected takeover offer receives a windfall. for the online ticket industry. Major players Fandango fandango (făndăng`gō), ancient Spanish dance, probably of Moorish origin, that came into Europe in the 17th cent. It is in triple time and is danced by a single couple to the accompaniment of castanets, guitar, and songs sung by the Inc. and MovieTickets.com began selling tickets to ``Reloaded'' a full two weeks before the movie's May 15 debut and on Monday reported record advance sales. Fandango sold a record $8 million in tickets, representing about 6 percent of the film's total gross so far. This total was enough to soar SOAR - 1. State, Operator And Result. A general problem-solving production system architecture, intended as a model of human intelligence. Developed by A. Newell in the early 1980s. SOAR was originally implemented in Lisp and OPS5 and is currently implemented in Common Lisp. past ``Two Towers'' to become the best-selling best·sell·er also best seller n. A product, such as a book, that is among those sold in the largest numbers. best film in Fandango's history. MovieTickets.com reported $7.1 million in advance sales, and ``Matrix'' is on pace to become the service's all-time biggest seller. Greg Hernandez, (818) 713-3758 greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) ``The Matrix Reloaded'' scored the highest three-day opening gross for an R-rated movie in film history Box: R IS FOR REVENUE Source: Exhibitor Relations Jon Gerung/Staff Artist |
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