I'm glad there's a May 2009 opening.

[darkshadow0001]

Personally, I'm happy Abrams decided on a May 2009 opening for this movie. We had a terrible winter this year... we had so much ice around Christmas time it was hard to get out of our streets. If I almost had to call off work during that time, I don't know how I would of made it to the theatre to see Star Trek. We've hadn't had a winter this bad in ages. Anyone else live in the midwest and got all this snow?

Praise Abrams for making this a spring/summer showing because of our weather

 

[MisterPL]

I don't think it was Abrams' decision. It was the studio's and had more to do with the lack of movies in the 2009 schedule due to the writers' strike.

May's gonna be a tough month between Trek, Wolverine, and Terminator. You're right, though; much better weather for it!

 

[Jax]

With Wolverine, one week before it and Terminator one week after it...I think Star Trek is in big trouble . Worldwide results should not be affected too much but US will be and it will struggle to make the $300 million that Paramount seems they want.

my guess...

$100-120 US and $120-140 worldwide.

 

[MisterPL]

Terminator has Bale but fans aren't exactly happy with McG as a director. General audiences weren't real thrilled with the last movie, even with Schwarzenegger. The trailer looks good to me so I'll give it a try.

Thanks to some reshoots going on right now, fans of Wolverine are concerned. Reports are coming in that these aren't just pick-ups. Fox had Hugh Jackman e-mail AICN.com to try and quell fears and explain that the shooting was due to earlier scheduling conflicts, not because anyone was unhappy with what they'd already shot. We'll see. The last X-Men movie did very well at the box office even though fans criticized it for being too action-oriented and featuring too many characters for one film. That word of mouth didn't keep it from being the top-grossing X-movie of the franchise or spawning a spinoff.

Star Trek is done. Paramount has had more than enough time to ask for reshoots but hasn't so they're apparently happy with the final result. (Which means nothing to me since they were thrilled with Nemesis.) We know how divided the fan base is. What matters more is how general audiences will react. There's no "Maid in Manhattan" sequel opening on the same weekend so that's a good thing. I'm hoping good word of mouth will get non-Trekkies into theatres but don't really expect it to do any better than the Batman reboot which also faced an uphill battle of misconception. It's the next movie that will make a billion dollars.

 

[ST-One]

I'm hoping good word of mouth will get non-Trekkies into theatres but don't really expect it to do any better than the Batman reboot which also faced an uphill battle of misconception. It's the next movie that will make a billion dollars.

Now, that is the kind of optimism Gene Roddenberry would get behind.

 

[darkshadow0001]

I don't think it was Abrams' decision. It was the studio's and had more to do with the lack of movies in the 2009 schedule due to the writers' strike.

May's gonna be a tough month between Trek, Wolverine, and Terminator. You're right, though; much better weather for it!

Well who's ever decision it was, it was worth it. I haven't seen winters this bad since I was a kid. Is there going to be a midnight showing? If so, I'm probably gonna be there.

 

[Therin of Andor]

With Wolverine, one week before it and Terminator one week after it...I think Star Trek is in big trouble . Worldwide results should not be affected too much but US will be and it will struggle to make the $300 million that Paramount seems they want.

American movie goers only see one blockbuster movie per season?

 

[ManOnTheWave]

No, and I for one am looking forward to three straight weeks of going to the movies.

 

[MisterPL]

American movie goers only see one blockbuster movie per season?

Depends on the economy.

 

[The Wormhole]

Personally, I don't think it should have been delayed. But then, a Christmas Day release would have raped my childhood. It should have been released November of year 8. Having to wait until May 9th of year 9 is idiotic.

 

[Borgminister]

American movie goers only see one blockbuster movie per season?

Depends on the economy.

I remember reading somewhere that movies are recession-proof; provide a temporary escape at a reasonable cost.

 

[MisterPL]

I remember reading somewhere that movies are recession-proof; provide a temporary escape at a reasonable cost.

Back when movies were a "reasonable cost," sure. Between ticket prices and the cost of concessions, audiences are being choosier. No doubt folks will seek out escapism through movies but there are a few more venues available now than there used to be. I know I'm more likely to take a chance on a $15 DVD for the kids than blow $50 taking them to the theatre. And this is coming from a guy who LOVES the movie-going experience.

 

[Borgminister]

I remember reading somewhere that movies are recession-proof; provide a temporary escape at a reasonable cost.

Back when movies were a "reasonable cost," sure. Between ticket prices and the cost of concessions, audiences are being choosier. No doubt folks will seek out escapism through movies but there are a few more venues available now than there used to be. I know I'm more likely to take a chance on a $15 DVD for the kids than blow $50 taking them to the theatre. And this is coming from a guy who LOVES the movie-going experience.

Good points, but...

Two (of many potential) answers: Go to the matinee (*cough, cough, I'm sick today boss*) or purchase CostCo tickets.

Movies still provide lots of bang for the buck. Concessionary sales may fall off, but that has no bearing on butts in seats.

I'm more concerned about marketing, advance buzz, a massive first weekend or two, and word of mouth legs thereafter...

 

[MisterPL]

No CostCo stores in my neck of the woods. Do you have to be a member to take advantage of the savings?

And matinees are still $5.50 each. I grew up going to movies so I'm not going to deny my three kids the experience but with so much marketed toward them, we're not hitting every flick that advertises itself as a "blockbuster" before it even hits theatres.

I do share your concerns, though. So far, the reaction to the trailer in theatres has been pretty neutral. No groaning like I heard with the first Batman Begins trailer so that's good. Hopefully the Super Bowl spot will grab viewers by the balls (pun totally intended) and get people out to see it.

 

[Therin of Andor]

American movie goers only see one blockbuster movie per season?

Depends on the economy.

It's often said that, in times of recession, cinema attendances go up, since it still works out as excellent value-for-money escapist and family entertainment, especially when people bring their own snacks.

Australian box office had record takings last year, it was announced last week - despite predictions of adverse reaction to economic downturns, rising unemployment and increasing presence of DVD and Blu-Ray and plasma and digital TVs.

 

[MisterPL]

I know it's become customary for movie studios to promote upcoming releases as "blockbusters" but a movie isn't a blockbuster until AFTER it's proven to be commercially successful. And a movie won't be commercially successful until audiences spend the money to see it.

I know Hollywood managed to make another increase in ticket sales in 2008. I've read about movies being recession proof. (As a stock holder in Marvel, I'm banking on it.) All I'm saying is that given the economic environment coupled with the availability of movies in venues other than theatres, it wouldn't surprise me if the old adage becomes obsolete.

Either way, it depends on the economy, good or bad.

I'm more concerned about the May schedule. I really don't want to see Star Trek become the Speed Racer of 2009 just because it's sandwiched between Wolverine and Terminator. Fortunately Trek will have two weeks 'til Terminator hits. There's not a lot of genre competition until then.

 

[Nardpuncher]

It looks like a tough time for Star Trek to come out. I certainly don't see it being a big hit this summer.

 

[Borgminister]

Dude, ANY time is a tough time for a Star Trek movie to come out; let's just hope for good word of mouth.

 

[Devon]

If "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" can have a $40 Million Opening Weekend, then anything is possible. Nuff said.

 

[DeafPoet]

If "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" can have a $40 Million Opening Weekend, then anything is possible. Nuff said.

True, but that's apples and oranges to a certain degree. That movie would get smoked like a cheap cigar if it were released in May. Let's hope Star Trek is the kind of movie that would be doing the smoking.