Michael Moore vs. Bruce Willis on June 29?

[marmar]

Weinsteins set 'SiCKO' release date


Moore film to rollout June 29

By Ian Mohr / Variety

The Weinstein Co. has pegged a June 29 rollout for Michael Moore's Cannes-bound docu "SiCKO" and brought in Lionsgate to partner on releasing the documaker's first pic since "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Division of labor will see Lionsgate booking theaters on "SiCKO" in the U.S. while TWC handles all marketing and publicity duties and puts up all P&A costs.

TWC is also handling international rights and is offering the doc -- a critical look at the U.S. health care system -- in Cannes after its world preem.

People close to the pic's domestic partnership said that TWC was attracted to Lionsgate because of Lionsgate's exclusive pay TV pact with Showtime for docus.

Pact reteams Bob and Harvey Weinstein with Lionsgate three years after the movie-mogul sibs picked the indie studio to help roll out "Fahrenheit 9/11."

"Lionsgate was very helpful the last time, and this time we're happy to have them involved again," Harvey Weinstein said. He added that he sees "SiCKO" as a less controversial film than "Fahrenheit."

"I've seen this movie with Republicans and Democrats, and this is one time Michael has sort of unified everyone," he said. "The health care industry might not have a very good July Fourth."

Lionsgate's Tom Ortenberg added that he sees the June 29 date as a prime pick for the docu.

"That will be six weeks from the film's Cannes presentation for us to open," he said. "With July 4 coming on a Wednesday, we see that entire week as virtually seven straight Saturdays."

"Fahrenheit" brought in $222.4 million in worldwide B.O. and won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

June release date pits "SiCKO" against Disney's computer-animated "Ratatouille" and Fox actioner "Live Free or Die Hard," as well as specialty fare including Focus drama "Evening" and MGM's "Death at a Funeral."

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9773

[fazoolius_2006]

1. Wow!

Not sure it is the best thing for Michael Moore to go up against John Mclane! Any thoughts why they picked that date?

[marmar]

3. Maybe it's the counter-programming logic....

Open something completely different than the summer popcorn flick to draw in the thinking audience who want no part of Die Hard IV.

[Chemical Bill]

6. Go see one...

friday night, and one saturday night.

Bill

[porphyrian]

2. It's not like people can't see more than one two hour long movie in a weekend...

...and most people don't see movies the day they open any more anyway.

[Lautremont]

4. I don't think a way-belated fourth entry in an at best fair action

series, and a PG-13 one yet (all previous Die Hards were R), whose best moments are obviously all in the trailer and that was directed by a known hack (has anyone seen those Underworld movies? Stink, stank, stunk!) should cause Moore too many sleepless nights or box-office dollars. Not to mention, as has been pointed out, that a Venn diagram of the respective audiences for these two movies would look like two circles about twenty miles apart.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. To be fair, the first Die Hard was outstanding

and the 2nd was pretty good. The third had a couple moments, but those moments were not enough to keep it from killing the franchise.

They're trying to ressurrect a corpse, here, and the prognosis is not good.

But it is real counter-programming - a big actioneer, a kid's flick, and then something for the grownups.

[RedStateShame]

5. Does anybody else get the feeling that "Sicko" could also be called "Live Free or Die Hard?"

Seems like a good statement about the health care industry.