This is topic Serenity box office: $25.7 mil so far in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
To-date grosses, including worldwide, are $25,7 mil.

If you haven't seen it yet, don't wait for the DVD. See it now!

If you have seen it, go again!

[ October 17, 2005, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Arg, we've got to get it up to #1. Flightplan shouldn't beat it in it's second week. Drat.

I'm going to see it twice today.
 

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Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
 
Was gonna go see it again on Monday -- prefer not to be around weekend crowds -- but I'll shift forward to today or tomorrow, just to say "JossWhedon did a great job." Even though I've never*gone to see any movie in a theater more than once.
Yep, Serenity is that good. GO SEE IT NOW

* Except for revival showings of cult or classic movies many years later.

[ October 01, 2005, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
 

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Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
how much did it cost to make? anyone know?
 

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Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
 
$40million
 

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Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
oh dear...
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
It will suck if this great movie doesn't do better at the box office than that.

Not to belabor the obvious, but...
 

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Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
 
It was only at 2200 theaters, isn't that a bit low? Maybe that's part of it. I thought maybe it would take off with a bang but maybe it's going to build slowly. The excellent reviews it is getting should really help...
 

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Posted by Oliver Dale (Member # 8398) on :
 
Have we learned NOTHING from the past? Some exec will get antsy and pull it from theaters, and then it will sell a bazillion DVDs, prompting a sequel. I don't understand what all the anxiety is about....

jk.

I'm going to see it this afternoon. Twice. And I'm going to drag people in off the street.
 

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Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
 
Push for an $80million box office. Universal has already said they'll back Whedon again if Serenity hits that mark.
 

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Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
 
It should win an oscar or something. My only problem is that it wasn't quite deep enough to stick with me. It was played too casually, or simply, in other words, I didn't learn anything. I am the same guy before as I am after, and that's not quite right. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

I just think that a great movie should have some more staying power in my soul. WHen Serenity was done, I wanted to see more because I liked the characters, I didn't want to see more out of some sense of duty. This is one of those movies that, while arresting, did not lead my soul to wisdom.

[ October 01, 2005, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: Irami Osei-Frimpong ]
 

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Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
 
I haven't seen it, but the review in the paper this morning thought it was fun and would make a cute TV show.
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Are you serious? Were they joking?
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
I'm going to go see it tonight hopefully.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by digging_holes:
I haven't seen it, but the review in the paper this morning thought it was fun and would make a cute TV show.

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Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
 
Teshi : yes I'm serious, and yes, he was joking. It was quite an amusing review, in fact, and I think I shall have to go see what all the fuss is about one of these days.
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
#1. Movies do better on Saturday and Sunday.
#2. A $15-17 million weekend opening ain't bad for this time of year.
#3. I don't know if this movie will drop the 2nd week as much as most movies do. I suspect Serenity will have legs.
 

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Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :
 
Long sexy legs or short flabby legs?
 

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Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :
 
I'm going to see it again today.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
I think Serenity will do ok. Even if Universal only breaks even at the box office, the DVD sales should be incredible this Christmas.

Besides, there aren't that many good movies out there right now. The field is pretty thin.

That doesn't mean I'm not going to watch it for the third time this weekend, just to make sure.

I've lost Firefly and Freaks & Geeks. I'm not losing this darn it!
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
Well, our theater was pretty full last night at 10pm. And we live, I admit, in the boonies. So that was pretty good.
 

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Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Just came back from seeing it with seven other people. As in there were seven other people in the theatre, not with me. I got there early to avoid massive lineups to find that the lineup consisted of me. I almost thought I'd get a private screening; it was 5 minutes before the show started before anyone else came in. So not looking good here. But then, it *is* a small city. Maybe absolutely everyone in town went last night and it was jam-packed then...?
 

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Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
 
Seeing it in a couple hours
 

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Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
 
The theater was only about 1/5 or 1/4 full when I saw it.
 

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Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
 
My wife and I are taking two people with us tomorrow. Doing our best here!
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 

quote:

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Long sexy legs or short flabby legs?

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What about short sexy legs?
 

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Posted by babager (Member # 6700) on :
 
Gonna go see it again today
 

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Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
 
I saw it in a theatre with 13 other people. Darn, I thought my city would have the poorest showing!
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I saw the 4:05 showing on a Friday so not the fullest- it was about half full. I assume the later evening showings were fuller.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
I saw the 12:30 showing early early this morning. It was me and my 5 friends, and then another group of maybe 9 people.

I wonder what the 8pm showing looked like.
 

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Posted by Magson (Member # 2300) on :
 
I went to an 11:30 am showing yesterday, and the theater was about half full, I think. One woman came in when there were still only about 10 people there and her jaw hit the floor and she commented to the person she was with "I can't believe it's so *crowded.*"

I couldn't believe she reacted that way when only 10 people were in the theater at the time. . . .
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Posted by Joss Whedon on the movie site:

quote:

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So, it starts. We've all heard the good and bad about the B.O., but what does it all mean? 3.9, not huge on the richter scale, but it's the aftershocks that count. I talked to the Uni execs and they were very cool. This is less than projected, but they understand (as I've been saying since before I made the thing) that this is about slow growth. Word of mouth. We got some crazy sweet reviews, but more importantly, people are having fun. I saw it with some family last night: the crowd was not big at all, but they really enjoyed themselves and that's what matters. Remember what I said about holding? That's how it's done. (Oh, and people like you all, dragging your friends and seeing it multiple times -- don't think I've forgotten your crazy love.) Normal drop-off for a film is 40% in the second weekend. I really think we can beat that. There's nothing normal about this one, guys, which is why Uni gets such props for taking it on and hanging with it. Remember, "Rome" wasn't filmed in a day. (I'm not sure if that means anything, but it giggles me.) We'll see if we can push Saturday a little harder, maybe even muster up a little Sunday brawn. Then let people get to school, the office, let them talk about it. We've got a long way to go, and it would have been very relaxing to have smashed through to destined success on opening night. But we're not a bunch known for relaxing. You guys have been in the fight for so long, I expect you know that resting everything on opening night is exactly the paradigm this movie is trying to unravel.

Remember, we're still too pretty to die, although I am jowly enough to be mortally wounded. Thanks, my peeps, for always remembering the first rule of flying. I'll check in soon. -j.

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I saw it with a PACKED theater at 7:45 last night. I plan for the theater to be packed again when I go see it at 6:15 and 9:10 this evening. (I can't let the anecdotes of empty theaters depress me.) Gotta stay chipper!!!!
 

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Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
 
Saw it at a 4 PM showing today that was 2/3 full. Nice to see it with a good crowd and hear the laughs and "Oh no!" exclamations.
 

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Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
There were a fair number of people at the Winchester this morning at 11:30 am, but no where NEAR full or even half full.

The movie was fantastic though. There's gotta be a sequel!
 

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Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
 
$4 million for a Friday? This year, that has to be a pretty strong showing.

He said in furious denial of anything else.
 

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Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
 
Our showing tonight was pretty sad as far as attendance, but then again it was the late set.

I think it'll have a good long run. It should drop off after only a week or two. This is a movie that is gonna benefit really well by word of mouth, especially with non-Firefly-fans.
 

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Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
I went to the 10:15 showing. There were enough people in the theatre that the people I went with and I didn't get to have that one empty seat as a buffer between us and the people next to us, but it wasn't full.

However, they still had those barricade line-up things and signs out for the 7pm showing, so apparently they expected a lot of people for it.

-pH
 

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Posted by Foust (Member # 3043) on :
 
*weeps*

I'm in South Korea and won't be able to see Serenity for maybe 2 months...
 

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Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
 
I'm hoping to see it Thursday and hoping it stays for a second week in my town so I can see it next weekend, as well. Thursday is my payday, and also the end of the movie theater week, so if it doesn't stay a second week, at least I'll get to see it once.

I'm going to have to make arrangements at work, though, to do this - I work Monday through Friday. (Trying to picture my immediate supervisor's face when I explain that I'm planning to go to a movie at 4:30 in the afternoon. But, it's got to be done - just in case the movie doesn't play a second week here. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I missed seeing too many movies because they only played one week here. (Okay, or two weeks, but played longer elsewhree.)
 

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Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
We're aiming for next weekend.
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Isn't this interesting? The Firefly DVD set is currently #3 in DVD sales at Amazon.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
I went to the 7.20 showing at the theater near me and it was pretty near full. I ended up convincing two extra friends to come along with the original group of three. I also ran into some friends who had seen the 3.00 showing and they said it was also pretty full. On the doors of the theater they had written SERENITY in giant white letters. I was pleased.
 

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Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
 
Chris,

I had completely missed the Firefly fanfare, so I am one of those that blindly but with no doubts, ordered Firelfy from Amazon a few days before Serenity came out.

BTW the film was awesome! I will see it again soon!
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I saw it twice yesterday with a very respectable crowd both times. (You know how the really large theater seeting is? The majority of the seating is stadium style with some more level seating on the floor? Well, at both of my showings, the stadium seats were mostly full.)

The gross for yesterday wasn't very encouraging though. 3.7 million and it slipped to #3 behind Flightplan and Corpse bride. Why why WHY is Flightplan doing so well?!
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
This site is helping give me an idea of how Serenity's doing.

EDIT: But I know more people are being introduced to Firefly (and thus, Serenity) as we speak.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
http://www.showbizdata.com/index.cfm

That's my site. It actually calculates daily gross (as good as it can.) I think you have to register though, but it's free and not a pain in the butt.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
"Why why WHY is Flightplan doing so well?!"

Mass hallucinations? Who knows. Maybe it's a morbid fascination, everyone wanted to know what the love child of Air Force One and Panic Room would look like.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
No no no! It's the child of Air Force One and the Forgotten. We all saw the Forgotten. She gets the kid back at the end. Does that satisfy everyone's morbid desire?
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Maybe I should get a big sign and stand outside the cinema:

"Don't see Flightplan. See Serenity. It's better."

I'm not sure if that's allowed, though.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Hey, we're all entitled to Free Speech.
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Saturday estimates: $3.7 mil. Not good; it's less than Friday (although the fan base prolly showed up in force the first night). This leaves a projected opening weekend of about 10 million, which ain't peanuts but it ain't great.

If you were on the fence about going, might be a good day today...
 

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Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
 
Ouch. I realize that there's a whole order of magnitude of difference between DVD sales and ticket sales, but I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that Firefly has sold so well on DVD, but the movie's opening weekend is pretty poor.

I'm really hoping it pulls a Napoleon Dynamite, though.
 

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Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
Out of curiosity, when did you guys start seeing trailers for Serenity on tv and things?

They waited a long time to start showing them here, it seems.

I'm just saying...Flightplan got a whole lot more support and publicity.

-pH
 

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Posted by ambyr (Member # 7616) on :
 
I'm going to see it a second time today.

I wonder how the demographics of a movie affect its box office numbers? If the primary audience is college students, senior citizens, or anyone else who gets a decent ticket discount, does that hurt its ability to compete with movies drawing more from the 30 to 60 crowd?
 

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Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
 
The demographics thing is really seen with kid movies. The balance with kid movies is that they usually have high-attendance to balance the discounted prices. But a high-attended adult movie is always preferred.

I don't think demographics will really be a problem for Serenity. The percentage of discounted ticket holders to regular priced attendees isn't as drastic as it is with kid movies. The 23-65 year-old age bracket allows for more viewers so the students and senior won't be the biggest percentage of the audience.
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
None of the theatres I go to have student discount...
 

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Posted by the_Somalian (Member # 6688) on :
 
There is no doubt in my mind that "Serenity" will ultimately earn a profit, even in theaters, if we count the foriegn market. My hope here is that when it gets released on DVD the general movie audiences discovers it and it sells like crazy and we get another sequel. =D
 

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Posted by beatnix19 (Member # 5836) on :
 
Rottentomatoes.com has the box office at 10.1 million so far.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
I'm sure this has been mentioned here before, but I just noticed that Chris had posted excellent reviews of the Serenity novelization on Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com. Nice going Chris!
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I told you. He's ubiquitous.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Reuters just posted the weekend gross. Serenity landed in the #2 slot with 10.1 million. I think that's great news considering that Serenity was released on less screens than any of the other movies in the top 5.

Now we get to start over for next weekend. Whew!
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Not bad, not bad at all!
 

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Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :
 
I'm still waiting for the day we see "Tickets sold" instead of "Box office take."
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
New post by Joss on the movie site, under the subject "Worst. Movie. Ever."

quote:

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was probably "Summer Holiday" with Mickey Rooney. Can you believe that kid was the biggest star in the world? Funny world.

Meanwhile, I'm just rounding out the weekend with a little praise for my dear peeps. Considering everything we've had to overcome, this is an extraordinary achievment. And you guys have been in the front lines. I lurk, I know all. So thanks. Some of you might know that this flick means more than a little to me.

Yes, the second weekend will tell all, as we've always known. I'm not here to push you guys -- you push yourselves way harder than I could anyway. I'm just trying to figure out how to get the message out to the guys that aren't you, that don't know any of you, and that don't run into someone who saw the film. I'll be hounding the extremely patient Uni execs on that very subject. Like the lady said, "People have to know".

It's not that there HAS to be a sequel. It's just that I've got so many IDEAS...

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quote:

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Reuters just posted the weekend gross. Serenity landed in the #2 slot with 10.1 million. I think that's great news considering that Serenity was released on less screens than any of the other movies in the top 5.

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I wouldn't call it great. It only beat Corpse Bride by $300,000, and it's already been out for a week. And History of Violence was only in half as many theaters, which Serenity beat by 2.5 million.

Is the 10 million dollar figure domestic or does that include international? Or has it not been released internationally yet?

I think this is, just like the series, is a word of mouth movie more than your publicized blockbuster. Next week, this week's viewers will have a week to tell their friends and make them go see it. However, I think the fact that many feel they have to see the series first will give some pause in going to see it right away. I don't know what to tell people when they ask me about it, I honestly think they need to see the series first to fully appreciate it, but at the same time I still tell them it was worth seeing.

I think Serenity is more of a marathon runner than a sprinter. It'll do well over the long haul, Flight Plan will start to die the death it deserves very soon.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Teshi, he's not just a leaf on the wind. He's a gorram forrest.
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 

quote:

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I think Serenity is more of a marathon runner than a sprinter.

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quote:

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Teshi, he's not just a leaf on the wind. He's a gorram forrest.

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How true!
 

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Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
 
The previews I've seen (other than the ones on FX) have been pretty disappointing. They were concentrating on the fact that it has a huge cult following--rather than telling anybody what the movie was about.

Why can't they do a big flashy Sci-Fi trailer like other big movies? Or at least... I know they do them... maybe they could start airing them on the networks.
 

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Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
I have seen a few movies this past six months. I also watch a fair amount of TV--mostly Simpons and News.

I have YET to see a trailer on TV or in the theaters. I have yet to hear it on the news.

There should be a lot of commercials after this first week. Once word of mouth gets out, and there are sufficient good reviews, they need to let the populace know about this movie.

Seriously, if it were not for Hatrack, I would have never known they made a movie. Heck, I never would have heard of Firefly.
 

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Posted by the_Somalian (Member # 6688) on :
 
Katarain, because what did they have to work with? They didn't have any big stars or super fancy special effects or a simplistic hook like Flightplan (omg just what happened to her daughter?!!?). Imagine if you were someone not particuarly interested in science fiction and you saw a trailer for a film with no big name actors with production values that you remind of that show with Kevin Sorbo. Would you want to see it? I think by focusing on the quirkiness and highlighting the fact that it had a cult following they were trying to overcome those irrelevant (but important in marketing) factors. I don't think "Serenity/Firefly" can be "sold." It has to be discovered--and that's just what'll happen once the DVD comes out. Hopefully, anyway...
 

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Posted by camus (Member # 8052) on :
 
All the attention that Serenity/Firefly is getting here at Hatrack has finally roused my curiosity. I like watching movies but rarely get excited about specific movies. Serenity never even appeared on the radar, that is, until Hatrack. After reading OSC's review and skimming some of the reviews here, I'm thinking about maybe looking into possibly watching this movie. -- I don't like to commit to watching specific movies


Since I am clueless about the premise of the movie and the characters, I briefly (about 15 seconds) entertained the notion of renting the TV series DVD but decided that right now I don't have enough time or desire to spend on such a pursuit. So my question is this...Is Serenity still an excellent movie on its own, or would it be better to try to watch the series first and then watch Serenity later?
 

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Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
I think it's fine on its own. I saw it beforehand, but the person I went with hadn't and she completely loved it.
 

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Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :
 

quote:

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Is the 10 million dollar figure domestic or does that include international? Or has it not been released internationally yet?

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quote:

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Violent, ruthless, unpredictable... and those are the good guys.

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Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
 
I'm pretty sure there was a Serenity trailer attached to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Don't quote me on that, though.
 

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Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 

quote:

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I'm pretty sure there was a Serenity trailer attached to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Don't quote me on that, though.

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quote:

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I don't think "Serenity/Firefly" can be "sold." It has to be discovered--and that's just what'll happen once the DVD comes out. Hopefully, anyway...

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quote:

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Why should I, or all the people like me, want to see Serenity?

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So I now know why Serenity isn't doing so great at the box office... No one even knows what the heck it's about!

I've tried to convince two of my friends to see it. The first is a fairly big sci-fi fan, like myself. In spite of knowing all the buzz about it, he's uninterested because he "hates Westerns". Hell, so do I, and I told him that, but he's unconvinced.

But as ignorant as he is about Firefly/Serenity, he's still more into sci-fi than the general population. So what happened when I tried to convince my other friend who's a more casual sci-fi viewer that she should give it a chance? Here's the conversation as best as I can remember it:

Me: So, have you heard of the movie "Serenity"? I saw it on the weekend.

Friend: I heard it's really bad...

Me: ...Um, no. In fact it's really good!

Friend: But I heard it got bad reviews.

Me: I don't think so. (actually last I checked the reviews are 80% fresh at rottentomatoes.com, but I didn't bother saying this).

Friend: Isn't it like Tomb Raider in space, with some action heroine chick named Serenity?

Me: Um, no... maybe you're thinking of some other movie.

Friend: (shrugs). Well I know I heard that it didn't even come in first at the box office this weekend.

Me: Well, yeah. That's true... Let me tell you the story behind this movie. A few years ago there was this show called "Firefly". It was created by the guy who made Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel...

Friend: Oh, that's cool. I liked Buffy. Never really liked Angel though...

Me: Yeah... well anyway, it was on Fox, but it was in a crappy timeslot where nothing ever does well. Consequently, it got cancelled after 11 episodes.

Friend: That's too bad.

Me: But the thing is, it was a really good show. When it was released on DVD it sold like crazy! It developed quite a dedicated fan base, so they made it into a movie.

Friend: So what is it about? There are some people on a ship or something, right?

Me: Yeah, well you see, they're kind of like criminals. They rob and smuggle and stuff...

Friend: So they're the bad guys?

Me: No, they're not...

Friend: So they do it to help the poor or something?

Me: No... Um, they do it to help themselves, but...

Friend: So they're bad guys.

Me: No. It's not like they kill innocent people or anything. They're like Han Solo in Star Wars. He was a smuggler, but he was really a good guy.

Friend: (sceptical look)

Me: Anyway, so there's this girl who's a psychic. The Alliance (the big bad government people) were doing all these experiments and stuff on her, but her brother rescued her. They eventually end up on the ship of criminals, and they're on the run.

Friend: So the girl is Serenity?

Me: No, the ship is Serenity.

Friend: Um, maybe I'll download it.

Me: No. You should go see it. I want it to make more money so that the franchise won't die!

At this point she was giving me one of those weird, "right... let's talk about something else now because I think you're slightly crazy" looks. So I ended by emphasizing it's good movie, then I gave up.

This is what the public thinks of Serenity, people.

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quote:

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I'd guess that most big studio movies have at least another million dollars in advertising costs.

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This guess is way, way, way low.

From Edward Jay Epstein:

"Last year, studios spent an average of $39 million per film on advertising and prints in America but only recovered $20.6 million per film from the theaters."

This, of course, is an average, but for a $40 million movie, it would be at least $10 million for advertising -- most likely more.

By the way, Epstein's Web site is a great source for perspective on Hollywood economics.
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
neo-dragon, I read your post and it made me sad. Between your experiences and my own, I think a lot of the people in our lives are just ... idiots, wanting some pre-digested pablum or pre-packaged "deep" entertainment.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
A polling agency checked people at random theaters around the country, and found that half those who went to see Serenity were fans of Firefly, the other half had never seen it.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
Though there are people out there like that neo, when I mentioned I was going to see it to a friend, she said hey that looked interesting. And then she ended up coming with me and some other friends to see it. I also convinced an additional friend that she wanted to see it as well.

I have to say they were both pleased with the decision.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
At least the Canadian ads are pretty awesome.
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
Wow. Your friends are way cooler than mine.
 

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Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
 

quote:

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quote:
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I'd guess that most big studio movies have at least another million dollars in advertising costs.
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This guess is way, way, way low.

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Yeah, I kind of figured it was. For the point I was trying to make I figured it was better to guess on the low side than to overestimate it.

On the subject of the unitiated, most of the people I'd talked to about Serenity after seeing it thursday night either had never heard of it, and a few said "It looks like a typical summer movie." *sigh*

--Enigmatic
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
I saw a trailer for serenity with "Batman Begins". I had already promised a friend I'd go see it with him, but I began to be interested when I saw the trailer.

All this just o say that there was a trailer and that, in my case, it was effective. My friend backed out, claiming he couldn't afford to go see it.

I'm paying for both of us because I want to see it... we're going next saturday.
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Everyone I've talked to has been fairly open with hearing about it. No one's dismissed it outright, at least, although perhaps they're just being polite.

I tried to get a review into the college newspaper, but the editor said they had had four people ask to do Serenity. She said she'd heard of people getting together to see the movie ( ) and she thought this was "hardcore". I think it has a bit of a geeky or obsessive reputation (gee, I wonder why?)

I told her there are a lot of people who want to see the movie succeed because it's so amazing. I'm hoping she bites or at least tells people about it. She certainly knows about it now!

Most of my friends have expressed some interest. I'm really reaching out here though, fitting it into every conversation with someone who I think might be interested. If you know people who have siblings or other-halves who might like to see it suggest they recommend the film to the better target- or even that they take their other half.

I really want this film to succeed because it deserves to.

EDIT: I'm also steering clear of the "space western" description. I call it a very funny, very smart, super intense sci-fi action adventure.

It makes it sound more mainstreamly obscure.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
My college newspaper only gave it 2 stars.

*searching for link*

http://www.cornellsun.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/03/434088ad26a1d
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Argh. What a wet dishrag. If the person who gets their review in is negative I'll... squish them.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
"So many characters populate the movie that it’s hard to truly have a sense for their personalities or why they’re important to the story."

That's a fair criticism. Book, Inara, Wash, and Zoe were pretty much one-dimensional characters. But what do you expect out of a two hour movie?

"It takes a true devotee to get past the ridiculous dialogue and hammy acting to see what great what fun a space-opera can be."

This part is dead wrong. Whedon's dialogue is always interesting, frequently funny, and on some occasions, even poetic. The acting is a bit hammy at times, but it fits well into the the tone of the movie.

Here's a rave review from two Salt Lake City DJs who have never seen the series before.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I saw the Serenity trailer before Batman Begins too Jim-me (both times).

I also saw short trailers on TV during episodes 1 and 2 of the 2nd season of Lost. That made me happy.
 

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Posted by neo-dragon (Member # 7168) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Olivet:
neo-dragon, I read your post and it made me sad. Between your experiences and my own, I think a lot of the people in our lives are just ... idiots, wanting some pre-digested pablum or pre-packaged "deep" entertainment.

---

But my friends are usually pretty receptive to sci-fi. Hell, all of my close friends are geeks on some level. I don't know why they have such weird misconceptions about Serenity...
I'll definitely be seeing it again in theatres, and I'll do my best to drag people with me. I know they'll like it if they give it a chance.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Wow. That's harsh.

quote:

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At the end of this weekend, I wish the Browncoats would take a moment from their finger pointing and take a long hard look at themselves and ask if their in-your-face evangelizing didn’t hurt this film more than it helped. I believe there is a huge awareness of this movie, and I believe there are many people who are predisposed to seeing scifi films who stayed home this weekend. The question has to be, “Why?” I think that more and more the actions of small, hardcore fanbases – like Trekkies and the increasingly marginalized Star Wars fruitcakes – are becoming distasteful to the more mainstream genre audience.

Chud

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quote:

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So I was flouncing (that's lurking but fancier) about WHEDONESQUE (for which I have forgotten my password yet again) and I couldn't help but see the little CHUD.com hate-bomb that Devin wrote. I don't mind that he doesn't love the film, but things like "It failed in a big way" and "It's over" are about as charming -- and journalistic -- as "I was right." I am being totally realistic when I say the weekend grosses did not meet expectations -- but those expectations were based on models that don't apply to this situation because, seriously, nothing does. The industry is not calling this a failure, just a slightly soft version of a normal opening in a generally weak weekend.

Now I did meet Devin, and he's not a dumb guy. But he seems to have a real animus against you Browncoats, and that's the thing I wanted to comment on, 'cause that doesn't sit well with me. He actually blames you guys for making sci-fi fans stay away from the movie. Says you should be ashamed for having adopted a name, that you will start finger-pointing and bickering now that you've 'caused' the 'failure' of your film. He blames other things as well -- the title, the ads -- but that's fine. If one --ONE -- of you guys reads that column and takes it to heart I'll not sleep. You guys did an amazing thing this weekend -- and the exit polls showed how much you guys were out there, and how much business you dragged in with you. Not to mention everything you did for the months - sorry, YEARS -- before it opened. I'm crazy proud of you. Yes, there is an exclusionary element to some fandom that is inevitable, but this group has fought that as well or better as any, and maybe I'm a nerd, but being compared to a Trekker (or even a TrekkIE) doesn't offend me a bit.

We all know this remains an uphill battle. We all know that next weekend is crucial -- and a lot of it will rest on us. A lot will rest on the studio reaching people we can't. And factors we can't see coming. But I don't especially appreciate people calling Time of Death while I'm still operating. I don't like smug defeatism. And nobody disses the 'coats without me wading in. That's all.

The question remains: Did Early die out there in space, or did some passing ship show up at the last second? There's no answer yet, but I sure as hell know how I'd write it.

-j.

---

That was followed on chud.com by this reply to Joss.
 

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Posted by the_Somalian (Member # 6688) on :
 
Guys, I'm starting to like Joss Whedon as a person now. =(
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Firefly DVDs now at #2 in the Amazon's DVD top sellers.
 

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Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
 
Yeah, between the interviews and the posts, I really like him. It took a very long time for me to see anything of his, since I resisted Buffy and Angel for years. But I'm impressed.
 

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Posted by Art Vandelay (Member # 8690) on :
 
I'm still resisting Buffy and Angel.

I just don't like Sarah Michelle Gellar.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Thanks for posting that Shmuel. Not that we Browncoats need any defending, but it is still shiny that he made the gesture.

Art, although Buffy is Whedon's signature character, SMG is by no means the best actress in the Whedonverse. I really don't care for her either, that's why I watched Angel first and only started watching Buffy just to catch up on the background stuff.

The great thing about Whedon's work is that it doesn't really rely on any one character to "pull it off." He has said in interviews that when he is casting a part, he is looking more for a connection than acting ability.

This results in ensemble casts with tremendous chemistry and sense of family. And nowhere is that more evident than on Serenity/Firefly.

Don't let a single actress turn you off.
 

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Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
I never watched Buffy because the original Kristy Swanson movie was my favourite movie when it came out (I was little), and I thought the new series took the characters and world and ideas and ruined them entirely. I always felt bad for the original movie folks whose film was never a big hit and who had to watch this bastardized spinoff of their work do so well. Of course, then I found out it was the same person behind both.

Still, Buffy never did it for me either in the few episodes I saw. (I mean, other than the musical one of course, because that was awesome.) I watched the first scene of the Firefly pilot with Wash, however, and I was hooked. So you may still like it, Art, despite Buffy.
 

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Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
 
Were you hooked? I seem to recall you sleeping through it and having to try again.
 

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Posted by Astaril (Member # 7440) on :
 
Had to come in here and ruin my shining fandom record, didn't you?

Okay, so I fell asleep the first time. That's why I said "the first scene" instead of "the first episode". But wasn't that when I'd just arrived after 36 or so solid hours of red-eye flights and delays and travelling to get home from the High Arctic where I'd been working hard outside every day in total wilderness for 3 weeks? That's what I thought. Totally valid excuse for exhaustion. I did like the dinosaur scene I caught at least, which made me ask to borrow it as soon as I could. I would never have fallen asleep on a normal basis. (And just you hush about all those other examples you have up your sleeve, BtL. They weren't Firefly!)
 

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Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
 
*shrug*

I find Buffy pretty much intolerable. Angel I can stand in small doses. I don't think there's any rule that says Firefly fans have to like all or even most of Joss' work.
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
Buffy made me laugh, fairly consistently. I more or less hung with it. The angsty Buffy/Angel storyline wore my nerves a bit.

Angel... I slogged through the first 8 or 9 episodes out of a sense of duty, then I gave up. Partly because the WB comes in badly with rabbit ears, and the show was so dark I couldn't see much through the snow. And partly because I just didn't give a rat's nether regions about any of the other characters after Doyle... went away.

But I DID really like Firefly.
 

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Posted by spygurl121 (Member # 8699) on :
 
How freaking awesome is it that my favorite author on the planet thinks that my current favorite movie on the planet, made by my favorite genius geek on the planet, is the best sci-fi movie ever made? No words can describe how awesome that is.
 

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Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
 
*whew* I feel much better now because I tried, I gave it a good effort, I starting from the pilot and marched forth, and I could not find anything attractive about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I did adore Firefly.
 

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Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
 
Told ya so.
 

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Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
 
The only reason I liked Buffy is because I started on the 5th season. My friend tried showing me the first season and I thought it was awful, but then on a whim we checked out the fifth season and I was hooked!
 

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Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 

quote:

---

How freaking awesome is it that my favorite author on the planet thinks that my current favorite movie on the planet, made by my favorite genius geek on the planet, is the best sci-fi movie ever made? No words can describe how awesome that is.

---

True DAT!!!
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
Serenity was tied yesterday with History of Violence, which I believe is playing on half as many screens.

That certainly isn't good.
 

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Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :
 
*****Spoilers for those just watching the Buffy show now*****


I can't stand Buffy or Angel, though I did see one episode of Buffy that ripped my heart out. (I've seen about 4 episodes total, I tried to give it a chance) I was flipping channels and just happened to stop upon the episode where Buffy's mom died. Oh, man was that powerful. Still don't like the show.
?
 

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Posted by Humean316 (Member # 8175) on :
 
I checked out Buffy for two reasons: I saw a few repeats on FX and got hooked, and I like SMG. Whats worse I guess, is that while there are those who tried to get me to enjoy firefly, I cant. I find it dull and fails where I think Buffy and Angel succeed.
 

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Posted by Brinestone (Member # 5755) on :
 
When we went to see it yesterday the theater was sold out and we had to go to a later showing. That's promising, right?
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I saw the Friday 1:20 showing and it was a small theatre about half full, but that's not bad for a middle of the day showing.
 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Diane and I just bought our tickets for a 4 pm showing. I noticed when I did a search for theaters there aren't all that many playing "Serenity" here in the Chicago area.

Fortunately for us, one of the ones that "Serenity" is at is near home.

I 'spect I'll be opening the spoiler thread(s?) tonight.
 

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Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
 
I'll be honest, the whole cult thing it a big turnoff. I'm a huge Sci fi fan bt the idea of becoming a "Browncoat" is a negative in my eyes. I have no doubt that the film will be huge in DVD. Maybe the next movie should just be a straight to DVD feature. Look how well the Family Guy movie did this week, coming in at number two in DVD sales.

quote:

---

Serenity doesn't fair so well in its second weekend as it falls a very hard 59.9% from last Friday. It's doubtful the weekend decline will go under 50%, so figure around $4.5 million for the Joss Whedon film.

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quote:

---

I'll be honest, the whole cult thing it a big turnoff. I'm a huge Sci fi fan bt the idea of becoming a "Browncoat" is a negative in my eyes.

---

Have you seen the film?
Look. Serenity is, hands-down, one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Orson Scott Card and I agree on this. Just about the only other things we've ever agreed on were nationalized health care and the fact that Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell deserved the Hugo.

Neither of us are Browncoats. We're both highly discerning and reflexively critical people. And we both liked this film.

If you haven't seen it, see it. And then complain about all the weird Browncoats.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I've just spent the last 8 hours with a bunch of high school students. I'm totally exhausted.

But, I'm going to drag my butt out to see this movie tonight (for the 4th time in less than a week!) because a) I'm one of the fans that turns wowbagger off, b) being such a fan makes me want the movie to succeed. I want it BADLY. and c) the movie is damn good. I'll never get sick of it.

So, to echo Tom, go see it.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
People outside the crazed fan community are in general turned off by cult followings. Trekkies have a bad rep, as do rabid Star Wars fans, and now apparently Browncoats. And I'm all three.

Personally I don't understand why a huge fan base is a turn off. You'd think if 4 million people were that excited about something, that maybe, just MAYBE, there might be something to it. Something that popular should be a reason to look into something, not to ignore it. It was a great film, though I still think everyone who sees it needs to see the show before going to see the movie. They'll see a much better movie if they do.
 

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 

quote:

---

And I'm all three.

Personally I don't understand why a huge fan base is a turn off.

---

Well, yeah, of course you wouldn't.

------

quote:

---

You'd think if 4 million people were that excited about something, that maybe, just MAYBE, there might be something to it.

---

quote:

---

Well, yeah, of course you wouldn't

---

quote:

---

The thing is, at least four million people were really, really excited about the Dukes of Hazzard. *shudder* I don't like living in this reality, but I think we need to face it.

---

quote:

---

What do you mean?

---

Only that being a Trekkie, a Browncoat, and a rabid Star Wars fan might make you less able to understand why someone might be horrified by large, rabid fan bases. Or, looked at from the other direction, people who are horrified by large, rabid fan bases are unlikely to be Trekkies, Browncoats, or rabid Star Wars fans. Mainly, it was a joke. *grin*
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
True enough.

It must only be a sci-fi phenomenon though. I'm also a rabid Tolkien fan, but the giant underground Tolkien fandom never turned off or scared away anyone from those movies, which is made obvious by the giant box office earnings.

I think Narnia will turn out much the same way.
 

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Narnia is in addition to being a geek movie a "Christian" and a "kids" movie. Unless it blows chunks, it should do very well.

"Serenity" is a geek movie that a) requires some basic intelligence from its audience and b) has a name that doesn't suggest that it's about cowboys in space.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 

quote:

---

requires some basic intelligence from its audience

---

It does? When?
 

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Well, for one thing, apparently not everyone was able pick up on the fact that Zoe and Wash were married, or that Simon and Kaylee liked each other a lot.

Now, that said, it's also the case that anyone with basic intelligence also probably stopped to wonder why someone able to transfer full-motion video over a comm wouldn't also be able to broadcast data, but we'll overlook that one. *grin*
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
lol.

I just assumed they didn't have the right hookup for it. Like maybe they left their A/V cables on a planet somewhere.

Edit to add:

You've seen the DVDs of Firefly before right Tom?
 

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
Only the pilot, which Karen forced on me once.
 

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Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
 
I remember that day, Tom. I wasn't impressed with the pilot then, although the series has grown on me since I started watching it on the sci fi channel. Loved the movie too.
 

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Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
 
I am sad to say that I was not able to contribute to the Gate for the movie, it was not out in Europe while I was on leave, and even worse I will be seeking a Bootleg copy at the Haji shop as soon as I get back, thus undermining the whole thing.

I am sorry but I cannot wait to watch it, maybe I can send one of you the price of a ticket and you can go see it again for me? I will make it two because I would surely see it twice!

BC
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I'll make that sacrifice for you BC. I'll email you my address. (kidding!)
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
http://www.showbizdata.com/dailybox.cfm

Shows Serenity at #7. It pulled in $2.3 million yesterday to make $16.6 million total.

Not bad I suppose. If we could hit $20 million by the end of today or even Thursday, that would be pretty good.

In other good news, the Serenity soundtrack is #1 on Amazon's soundtrack sellers and #16 in general. The Firefly DVDs have been holding steady in the top 5 sellers for over a week now.

[ October 09, 2005, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Narnia ]
 

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Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :
 
BC, I'll be seeing it enough for 20 people, don't worry!
I have tickets for time #5 waiting for me when I fly back from Alabama today. (I'm at the airport now)

 

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Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
I actually know a handful of people who intend to see it soon but are working through the DVD set first. I keep trying to tell them to see it NOW, but they're confident that the movie will keep.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Well, it will keep if all of the new DVD owners go see it in the next couple weeks.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
People have a couple weeks to go see it. Let them watch the DVDs first.
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Couldn't manage to see it again today - Wallace and Gromit called -- but I bought two tickets anyway
 

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Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
 
So, I get to the theater at 7:18 for a 7:20 showing. It takes me five minutes to get my tickets, and I get into the theater after the trailers have already started.

And I'm the only one there.

Whole theater. All to myself. After all the trailers, as the opening sequence is starting, two groups of 3 walk in.

So, total population in the theater was 7. Total of $66.50 made on that screening.

I absolutely loved it, but that's a pretty poor draw regardless.
 

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Posted by Blackthorne (Member # 8295) on :
 
There is only one theater near me that plays Serenity at any kind of decent times. I have gone twice (both with different sets of people), but I have had a hard time convincing more people to go. This weekend I'm trying for at least 36 people from my school in one group showing (18 guys with dates )
 

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Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
 
That's a shame, FlyingCow. Did you consider dragging in folks from other films?
 

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Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
 
Man this stinks.... I doubt they'll do another after this, which really stinks.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
Depends. Over the next three months it will be released in like three dozen countries. It cost 40 million to make, and I can easily see it hitting 80 million worldwide, to say nothing of the millions they will make off of the DVD.

40 million dollar profits and multimillion dollar DVD sales are nothing to shake a stick at. I think they will heavily consider a second movie.

Further, some of what hurts it as a movie, considering the genre, is that unlike Star Wars or Star Trek, it isn't marketable to children at all, which ruins a key demographic, and eliminated any real chance of selling millions of dollars in merchandizing. It isn't a BIG factor, but I'm sure it has occurred to the movie execs.
 

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Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
 
That's too bad. I'd still buy a River action figure. Or even a River Barbie doll, if it comes to that.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
I'm off to see my last showing this weekend.
 

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Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
 
Lucky.

I'll see it twice more tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
 
Chris, you're definitely the resident Serenity expert. Do you know if there is a time frame within which they have to hit the $60 or $80 million mark (I can't remember which is the correct figure) in order for a sequel to be made?
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Serenity opened at #1 in the UK and Ireland this weekend. Great news.
 

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Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
 
Is it not overseas much at all yet?

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=serenity.htm

Doesn't look good....
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I think this weekend also lost out in Canada because it was Thanksgiving and most people were at home eating turkey instead of going out to see films...
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Haven't heard anything definite. The number previously touted was $80 million but I don't know how much of that had to come from box office (as opposed to DVD sales) before a sequel would be considered.

I suspect it'll do very well on DVD but that might not guarantee a theatrical sequel. And I don't think if that was the case that they'd pony up enough budget to make a stright-to-DVD version workable, although it's certainly a possibility.

What I'm curious about is what the merchandising sales will do. The novelization has been hitting various best-seller lists, the Firefly DVD set has stayed in the top of Amazon's DVD sales, and the movie soundtrack is #15 in music sales and #1 in soundtrack sales at Amazon. What kind of muscle, if any, will this add?

And what happens if Whedon's star keeps rising? He's slated to do two more movies soon, either of which could make some serious bank. Will that give him enough pull to bring back his baby? It worked for Vin Diesel who used his (then) star power to make a sequel ("The Chronicles of Riddick") to a movie that didn't do very well. Who knows?

I'm happy we got the movie. If nothing else we got a closer for the series. And there's at least two original Firefly books coming out next year. It ain't over...
 

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Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
 
i'm seeing it this wensday, I'm going to try to get others to see it with me.
 

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Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
I went to see it yesterday. I would never have gone to see it had it not been for Hatrack, but oh man...it was SO GOOD. I just kinda sat there afterward with my mouth hanging open. I want to see it again, because I know I missed a lot. As I've never seen the Firefly series, I was just getting to know the characters through most of it.

I especially appreciated that there was absolutely nothing offensive about it at all. Yeah, it's violent, but not graphically so, there's no swearing, and no nudity. So I could just enjoy the story as it was presented without getting shoved out by gratuitous language. Which is not to say I don't appreciate it if it's part of the story. It just didn't add anything objectionable for no particularly good reason.

And the theater was not packed, but it wasn't empty either. About a third full.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Yay jeniwren! If you want to borrow my DVDs, jsut holler and I'll send them up to you.
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
jeniwren, just so you know...there's nudity in Firefly. Some swearing, too, but mostly in Chinese. Still, if you enjoyed the movie, you'll probably fall in love with the series, too. It's well worth getting to know those characters better.
 

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Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
 
Most of the nudity is handsome muscular guys, so it's all good.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
The nudity is mostly on Nathan. But he's pretty, so it's ok.
 

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Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
*mild spoiler, if it can be called a spoiler*

Yeah, I love the episode that starts with him sitting alone in the middle of the desert, buck naked, saying, "Well, that went well!"
 

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Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
Pretty naked men?

Count me in.

Oh, and I love Richard B. Riddick. So there.

-pH
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
So do I, Beverly. I like the end of that episode too.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Yeah, we know which end you're looking at.
 

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Posted by accio (Member # 3040) on :
 
SciFi channel showed that episode “Trash” on last Friday. I loved the ending too.

Mal: Yeah, that went well.
Inara: You call this going well?
Mal: We got the loot didn't we?
Inara: Yes, but...
Mal: Then I call it a win. What's the problem?
Inara: Should I start with the part where you're stranded in the middle of nowhere or the part where you have no clothes?
 

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Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
Narnia, that's incredibly generous, thank you!! I may take you up on it if Santa falls through on me. (now there's a visual image...)

Shig, I appreciate that warning. I actually don't have a problem with nudity. Or language, really. As long as it's not gratuitous or distracting from the story. I especially don't have a problem with nudity when it's used apart from sex. I like the idea that people can be nude without it being about sex, a concept not often featured in the media.

I may not be able to wait for Santa.
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
Er...some of it is during sex scenes. If you want to skip those, I'm sure someone can tell you exactly when to fast-forward. But some of the nudity is just part of the plot.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Just zip me your address to cecilyjeanne at gmail dot com.

I don't have any problem sending them up to you because a) my sister has her own copy if I get a hankering and b) I know you're extremely considerate and you'll send them back.
 

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Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
 
Believe it or not... I can't get any of my kids to agree to go see Serenity with me! (my kids are the only ones that go watch movies with me). I thought they would be begging for it since they loved Firefly when it was on TV -- but they don't seem at all interested in Serenity.

So I haven't seen it yet....
 

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Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
Narnia...I'm so embarrassed and flattered, though I would definitely send them back to you if I still needed to borrow them. BUT... I couldn't stand thinking about NOT having my own copy, so I went to Amazon and just ordered the series (and A Feast For Crows, which I had to have). And it turns out it won't cost me anything, because I had a gift certificate on my account I'd forgotten about. So it's all good, and if I can EVER do anything for you, please let me know. I am very touched by your offer.
 

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Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
 
I finally went to see it on Sunday, and I loved it! I will definitely be going back again soon!
 

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Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
 
Chris, What other movies is Whedon slated to do?
 

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Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
 
I saw it Saturday, and the theatre was absolutely packed. It was a fairly small theatre, but it was difficult to find seats. So that's good.

I'd probably see it again. I've only seen a few episodes, so all the backstory is slightly over my head, but I'd still go. With the right people.
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
"Wonder Woman" and something of his own called "Goner."
 

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Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lupus:
What other movies is Whedon slated to do?

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quote:

---

"It's the story of a young woman's journey that involves a great deal of horror and some heroics," he said. "It's certainly darker than 'Serenity,' and there are a lot of left turns along the way. It is something I had in mind for a while, and it just poured out of me when I finished my film."

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See this article for a bit more.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
at jeniwren. You'll be glad to have your own copy and I'm glad it didn't cost you anything! That's great news!! Thanks for your offer too, you're a sweetie.
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
My friend with the short term memory problem called recently and said we had to go out again. This time, it is my turn to pick the movie.

Heh, heh.

So, I told her I really wanted to see Serenity, and told her a bit about it.

Today she called me and said she couldn't find a movie listing for "Fantasia". O_O

I cleared it up, and wr may be going thiis weekend.
 

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Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
 
I saw the film first, and had ordered the DVDs from amazon. I received them on Friday, and finished watching them yesterday. I was left very sad that this series ended up finished before it really had a chance to tell its story...

The film was incredible, though. I think I rambled on aimlessly about it in this thread already.

I caught myself thinking many times in the film that I had wished George Lucas had had the gumption to make Star Wars as intelligent and as alluring as Serenity is. Instead, we got another trilogy that was watered down for the kids.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
Anyone know where I can get reports on international movie gross?

I'm told it debuted at number one in England, but I don't know where to get British movie sales info from.
 

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Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
 
Serenity international Box Office
 

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Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
Alucard, the first thing I said after the credits started rolling when we went to see Serenity was "That was the movie Star Wars wished it could have been."
 

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Posted by Audeo (Member # 5130) on :
 
I happened to be home for the weekend on Serenity's opening weekend, and I decided that it would be fun to go see a movie. I really wanted to see Lord of War, but since my 8 year old brother had to come, that movie was ruled out. So we decided on Serenity, because it was only pg-13 and it looked like it had an action plot. I'd never seen the show, but I really liked the movie. I was surprised to see that the theater was nearly empty, but the movie was just good. There was an excellent mix of comedy and drama, the action sequences were believable, and there was actually a great deal of depth to the story. It greatly exceeded my initial expectations. I'd go see it again except a) I'm a poor college student and b) I don't have a convenient way to get to a theater where it is playing.
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
Guy buys $2500 dollars worth of Serenity tickets and gives them away outside the theater.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I think I'm going to go see it again today.
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
I'm going this weekend, no question. I've only seen it once, so I'm really not pulling my weight.

Maybe I'll buy two tickets.
 

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Posted by KPhysicsGeek (Member # 8655) on :
 
Going to see it again this weekend, I'm dragging 7 friends with me (6 of who are Firefly Virgins). I've thought of just buying a bunch of tickets, but I'm a poor high school teacher.
 

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Posted by Dread Pendragon (Member # 7239) on :
 
My wife and I saw it last night. Like someone mentioned before, we got into the theatre a couple of minutes late to find we were the only ones there.

Three other people came in just after the previews. It was a Wednesday night movie in a smallish town, so it isn't that surprising.

I think there is good character development when you kind of like, or at least grudgingly respect, the bad guy. The assassin was a great character. Instead of going off to end himself on his sword (there is no shame in that!) he should have joined the crew. To make it believable he would have had to see his role as actively making the universe a better place. It may have put people off to have him join the crew because of the dark thing he had done, but sparing their lives at the end showed him to be more of principle than darkness. I could have accepted him joining the crew, and he would be a good person to have in a sequel.

We really enjoyed the movie.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 

quote:

---

Alucard, the first thing I said after the credits started rolling when we went to see Serenity was "That was the movie Star Wars wished it could have been."

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::sigh:: Other than the fact that the prequels and Serenity are both arguably sci fi, they aren't really comparable. And either way, the original Star Wars series is still far better than Serenity.
 

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Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
I hope it's still playing tomorrow. We have podunk theaters here, and poor performers leave quickly.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Lyrhawn, you're one of the few people I've seen who believes that. S'ok. To each his own (meaning, opinions aren't fact. Thank goodness.)

Dag, you'll just have to DRIVE a few hours! It's totally worth it, I promise.
 

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Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
Lyrhawn, they seemed rather comparable to me. It was genuinely my first thought.

But as Narnia so gracefully put it, to each his own. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan. Perhaps it might have been more comparable to say that it's what Star Trek wished it could have been.
 

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Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
Well, they've got the Empire, the group of scrappy ragtags...

But they're missing the whiny, two-dimensional characters! That's, like, half the appeal!

Also, I hardly ever gagged at the dialogue in Serenity. Almost snorted when Mal asked Buddha for a pony...

Also, no Harrison Ford. Though Jayne and Mal cover well.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
I like Serenity better than Star Wars, but the original three (eps IV, V, VI) are classic.

Before I saw the movie with my dad, he asked me if the dialogue in Serenity was wooden like that in Star Wars. After seeing it, he was definately pleased with Whedon's script.
 

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Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
And the plastic rocket! Don't forget the plastic rocket!
 

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Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
 
Loved the movie... it lived up to all my expectations, and then some!

"Serenity" is, without a doubt, better than all three Star Wars prequels combined. Hell, its shooting script alone is probably more entertaining than all three prequels combined. I'd put it way ahead of "Return of the Jedi" as well, even discounting the annoying furballs.

I can't possibly compare it to the first two Star Wars movies in any coherent fashion, though. My feelings about those two movies are inextricably linked to the period of my life when I saw them, so that I wouldn't even know how to start analyzing them in any rational manner. However, if I could, I suspect that "Serenity" would get the edge... it's as dark as "Empire," as rollicking an adventure as "Star Wars," and adds sparkling dialogue, hilarious jokes, and well-drawn, three-dimensional characters played by fantastic actors.

The Star Wars movies do get the advantage for their scores... albeit only because I wish the composer for "Firefly" could've come on board for "Serenity" as well. Which isn't to say that the actual composer for "Serenity" didn't do a bang-up job!

Edit: I posted a much longer, and much SPOILERY-er set of thoughts on my Livejournal, going through everything from the plot to the score to the transition from small screen to silver screen in ludicrously nerdy detail.

[ October 14, 2005, 05:56 AM: Message edited by: Tarrsk ]
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I can't take Star Wars seriously. I watched it in French and honestly, you missed nothing. You just had to watch Chewy and he'd give you all the dialogue you needed to follow the story.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
So Dag, did you get to see it??

Tarrsk, I just friended you over on LJ and invited you to join my cheesy but fun fan community.

I think it's rather pointless to compare Serenity to Star Wars because they accomplished such different things in the Sci Fi movie genre. Star Wars was unprecedented. Amazing and mind-blowing. Like Tarrsk said, it filled a spot in people's lives that Serenity probably won't...while Serenity hit the spot for me in a way that Star Wars just can't. They're different, they set out to do different things and thank heavens we're lucky enough to have them both.
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
*curses*

I just figured out why my friend with the short term memory issues has been on me to see a movie with her.

"Elizabethtown" is opening this weekend. She always drags me to see Orlando Bloom movies, so she can lust openly and not have to worry about her husband finding out. Which is funny, since I'm sure Ron and I dish on each other's Objects of Lust all the time. But whatever.

She's goiung to let me drag her to Serenity so she can drag me to Elizabethtown with a clean conscience.

I lived in Elizabethtown, when my dad was stationed at Fort Knox, so I'm anticipating a painfully inaccurate depiction of some stereotypical 'hick town' and soooo not looking forward to it.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
That I can agree with Narnia.

I'll retract what I said, because I don't even want to try to compare them until a full Firefly trilogy of movies is released, IF it is released. The scope of the movies has to be defined before I could ever try to define them as a series.
 

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Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 

quote:

---

So Dag, did you get to see it??

---

We're leaving in 10 minutes.
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
Okay, so this is kind of good...

Serenity at top of UK Box Office

Yes, Pride and Prejudice had been there for four weeks, blah blah blah. But it's nice to see Serenity, even if it's called, in typically weirded-out tones "sci fi film", at the top.

And it's in the news, which is also good.
 

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Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
 
It isn't playing at my local theatre anymore. I was going to see it again with a friend this weekend.
 

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Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
 

quote:

---

Alucard, the first thing I said after the credits started rolling when we went to see Serenity was "That was the movie Star Wars wished it could have been."

---

quote:

---

::sigh:: Other than the fact that the prequels and Serenity are both arguably sci fi, they aren't really comparable. And either way, the original Star Wars series is still far better than Serenity.

---

Sorry Lyrhawn, I couldn't agree less.

So let us take a quick look at how Star Wars and Serenity/Firefly are extremely comparable :

SW: Han Solo
Serenity: Malcolm Reynolds

SW: Millenium Falcon
Serenity: Well, Serenity

SW: The evil Empire
Serenity: The evil Alliance

SW: The Rebels face hopeless odds against the Empire and are forced into hiding.
Serenity: The Browncoats have scattered and hide in the face of the ever-present Alliance dangers, living on the fringe of the galaxy.

SW: Cantina/barfights and showdowns
Serenity: Barfights and more barfights

Lyrhawn, I am not saying that the stories are even remotely similar. Star Wars is my favorite series of all time, and very dear to me. To hear it be labeled a Space Opera always seemed a bit low in its estimation because I always thought of it as so much more.

Just the same, Serenity could be called a Space Western, but I believe that labelling it as such would also be selling the film short because it was so much more. And in Joss Whedon's defense (although he needs none) I would never hope to compare Star Wars and Serenity in a way that implies that Serenity ripped off George Lucas' vision, because (and this is what I believe Lyrhawn might be eluding to???) the plots are nothing at all similar...

After watching Serenity, I felt like as a rabid Star Wars fan, that this was the film that I had been waiting to see since Return of the Jedi let me down. Serenity is the film that I had grown up to watch. When I look back at the Star Wars films, they seem like the films I enjoyed as a kid, and now that I am labeled as a grown up, I feel like I have graduated to Firefly and Serenity.

After reflecting back on both works, the biggest similarity for me is The Millenium Falcon and Serenity. I have had this pipe dream of getting a personalized license plate for my car, but the M Falcon just sounded silly and the full name is way too long to fit on a plate so I never bothered. Not since Serenity have I even entertained such a thought again...
 

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Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
 
My 9-year-old son said to me last night as we watched the Firefly episode, "Out Of Gas" that it was very sad that they [Fox] cancelled this show because it's really good.

I must say, the kid has taste. And for that matter, everytime I think of no more Firefly, I get teary-eyed...
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Here is the color version of the full page add that appeared on the back page of Variety yesterday.

I love the fireflies at the bottom.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Absolutely wonderful.

I love the soft glow emanating from Serenity's dining room.

Narnia, do you hang out at Whdonesque like I do?
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Yeah, I have it fed to my LJ friends list.
 

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Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
 
It never even occurred to me to compare Star Wars and Serenity until I read this thread. Does that make me some kind of weird mutant?
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Nope. Same here.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
Narnia, I'm going to friend you on LJ. My username is kvin. =)
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
Yeah, I have it fed to my LJ friends list.

Great, now I don't feel like such a freak for checking boxofficemojo every five minutes.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
*interested* Does that feed to LJ? Just kidding.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
Hey Alucard. You kinda skipped over a key element of what I said.

quote:

---

Other than the fact that the prequels and Serenity are both arguably sci fi, they aren't really comparable.

---

You did a nice job of pulling together a lot of the similarities between the original series and Serenity, which I agree with, and I never said a single thing about Serenity stealing from Star Wars. So no, that wasn't what I was alluding to. A few commonalities could be chalked up to coincidence, or general Sci Fi ness.

Other than that, the prequels are almost the opposite of Serenity.

Prequels: Rise of an evil empire
Serenity: Fall of an evil empire.

Prequels: Centers around headstrong youth with incredible powers who tries to be a law enforcement officer but becomes genocidal murderer.
Serenity: Centers around morally ambiguous middle aged man running a smuggling ship that ventures off onto a quest to discover the origins of a crazy girl's psychosis.

Prequels: Third party enemy is an army of clones
Serenity: Third party enemy is a fleet of ships run by crazed psychotic cannibals.

So on and so forth.

Edit to add: Part of what you said, about "graduating" to Serenity is a key point of why they should never be compared to each other. They were made for different audiences. Serenity isn't even slightly geared towards children, it is entirely for a mature audience. It's much darker much more mature, not because Joss is a more mature filmmaker (and for the love of God, please don't let that be the only point that gets argued against, it's the smallest point I'm trying to make), but because Joss from the get go was trying to make a different kind of movie.

Star Wars could have been darker, they could have shown Luke slicing off limbs left and right, and chopping up Jabba into little snack sized pieces, but his goal was to make it more fun and adventurous, minus the choppy sarcastic Serenity styled humor. You can compare them until the end of time, but the comparisons will always sound hollow to me, they really shouldn't be compared.

And all the people who feel they HAVE to bring Lucas into a conversation when talking about Serenity should really make Lucas feel better, not worse. It means Lucas is the man to beat.
 

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Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
 
So, I took my friend with the short term memory problem to see Serenity yesterday. I know she only did it so I'll have to go see Elizabethtown with her nexttime, but she really enjoyed it.

The theater was even mostly full, which is intersting for a Sunday matinee of a movie that has been out several weeks. We were all laughing and cheering and sniveling together. It was nice.
 

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Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
 
The only problem with it was the believability of the Reavers being able to operate starships.

Otherwise, this was the best science fiction movie I've ever seen. I cannot recommend it enough.

EDIT: Incidentally, I'd love to see an explanation of how they operate their ships. Perhaps they're led by Over-reavers-- bloodthirsty, but intelligent low level telepaths that command the Reavers entire.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Narnia:
*interested* Does that feed to LJ? Just kidding.

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code:

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<script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"
src="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/data/js/moviegross.php?id=serenity.htm&shortgross=0">
</script>

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BTW, are you going to contribute to the Browncoat Book?

[ October 17, 2005, 12:30 PM: Message edited by: Beren One Hand ]
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 

quote:

---

Perhaps it might have been more comparable to say that it's what Star Trek wished it could have been.

---

quote:

---

Domestic Total as of Oct. 16, 2005: $22,144,000 (Estimate)
...
Overseas Total as of Oct. 10, 2005: $3,605,439

---

So, an estimate of almost $26 million currently. I've seen it twice, and I made a new friend today (neighbor locked out of her car) that I'm going to try to drag to it, too. As for me, I just adore it.
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I'm going home this weekend. If I can convince my parents to see it, although I'm not actually all that sure they'll like it, I'll babysit my squisters so they can go.


 

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Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
 
What's a squister?

More importantly, will they be missed if you eat them?

What if I eat them?
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Beren, that yearbook looks like so much fun. We'll definitely have to get something together for that.

I've just contributed our site to the forum/discussion board section of the Big Damn Board, so we'll be famous soon.
 

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Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
 
I would never eat my squisters. And you're not allowed to either. I would miss them very much.

Although, I'm sure they're very tasty.
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 
You have my vote as soon as they put it up.

Way to make the signal go futher Narn.
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
Did we get a final count on this?

Chris?
 

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Posted by Aerto (Member # 8810) on :
 
Domestic Total: $24,877,825
Overseas Total: $9,971,849

As of October 31. The movie may open in a few more countries (though Israel just dropped it), but it is essentially out of US theatres as of this weekend. A disappointing final total.

Source: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=serenity.htm
 

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Posted by KPhysicsGeek (Member # 8655) on :
 
That's so sad. How could a movie that good do that poorly?
 

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Posted by GaalD (Member # 6222) on :
 
So no sequel?
 

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Posted by Aerto (Member # 8810) on :
 
Common logic would dictate that a movie that hasn't made its production budget of $39 million back (not including promotion, prints, etc.) won't get a sequel. Of course, logic dictated that a TV show that was canceled after 11 weeks wouldn't get a movie made either. Hope can keep flying, I suppose.

Moral of the story: Buy lots of Serenity DVDs in December. Give them away as stocking stuffers.
 

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Posted by GaalD (Member # 6222) on :
 
About $45 million worth of DVD sales?
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
I don't buy into the "You have to make $80 million to get a sequel" crap. If this was the LAST movie that Joss was ever going to write or direct, I'd believe it. But Joss is moving up in the world. His next two projects (Wonder Woman and Goner) will doubtless garner him even MORE recognition and it's my hope that he'll soon have the clout to make any movie he wants! Screw the $80 million!

But that's just my oh so humble opinion.
 

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Posted by Aerto (Member # 8810) on :
 
Thats a good thought, but I don't think it will be happening anytime soon. Whedon's work has never attracted vast audiences and while Wonder Woman will have a certain built in audience, I don't think it will be as big as Spiderman, Superman, Batman, or even X-Men. Also, the business that Wonder Woman does do will probably not be attributed to Whedon, but to the fact that it was a comic book movie with a built in audience.

Very few filmmakers can make any movie they want and those that have achieved that status (Spielberg, Lucas, Scorcese) have a proven track record of turning out either box office hits or critically acclaimed/awarded movies. Whedon will not fit into those categories because his projects aren't as public friendly as Spielberg and Lucas.

I'm not sure I buy into Serenity having to have made $80 mil to get a sequel, but I'm pretty sure no studio will pony up the dough for a sequel to a movie that was not profitable.

But if people want an example of a movie that did little business in the theatre but exploded on DVD and resulted in a big franchise, Austin Powers is the best example.
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
The best chance might be if Joss parlay's his next direction jobs into a successful production company, then that production company finances the Serenity sequel. It seems unlikely though.

I think the alternative marketing plan was a pretty big failure. I spoke to a lot of "regular" people who go to a lot of movies, and almost none of them had even heard of the movie.

I submit that the conventional method of TV ads, billboards, trailers, etc. is the best way to market a movie. I understand that in this case the expense wouldn't have been warranted, but I've seen a lot of tripe get hyped into being successful (this applies to music as well).
 

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Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
 
Sci fi movie without big name stars. As much as I loved it, it was destined not to be a blockbuster.
 

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Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
 
Oh, I don't know--the original Star Wars fits that bill, and it did fairly well.
 

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Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
 
*snicker*
 

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Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
I agree with JT -- I saw one trailer for Serenity, before Batman Begins, and other than that I only heard about it here. I saw no conventional advertising, and no one I talked to about it who was not already part of the on-line fanbase had ever heard of it before, including after it opened. I can't see how it could have done well with mainstream audiences if they didn't even know about it. *shrug*
 

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Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
 
I saw Serenity last week and I liked it from the get go - so you know where I'm coming from it reminded me of Buffy, which I loved (Angel was a bit cold for me), I was brought up on Star Trek. I hated the later Star Wars movies because the scripts were so incredibly appalling. I had only seen a couple of Firefly episodes, three years ago, so I barely remembered if I had liked the show.

I think the moment I realised that this was so much better than the usual was at the moment that, well not to spoil, but a certain character died violently. I was really shocked. I haven't felt that sad about a movie death since Boromir! I'm not easily moved by onscreen deaths.

So basically, even for someone who wasn't a fan before, this is a movie which can make you care a lot about a character who doesn't even get all that much screen time, in just two hours. And afterwards, the more I thought about it, the more I felt.

So now I need to catch up on Firefly, I guess.

Anyway, ramble over. I just wanted to say that I think Serenity is something special.
 

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