Michael Moore's movie will only be shown in 500 theaters?

[Lou_C]

If this is true then we need to organize a massive call in to theaters to request that they show the movie.

Anyone up to organizing a massive call in to request the movie at our local theaters?

[Fear]

1. Resource link please

[Dookus]

2. That's a big number for a documentary

Super Size Me, the current top documentary, is now playing on 197 screens.

on edit: Bowling for Columbine played on 248 screens at its peak.

[Democat]

3. Variety says 1000 screens in the United States

Palme d'Or winner will be released June 25 on close to 1,000 U.S. screens, through a joint venture of Lions GateLions Gate Films, IFC Films and Harvey and Bob WeinsteinBob Weinstein's Fellowship Adventure Group.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117905818?categoryid=1237&cs=1

1000 screens in the U.S. is pretty good with this short of a lead time.

Passion of Christ opened on 3000+ screens.

Bowling for Columbine opened on 8 screens.

[huellewig]

4. That's about 3 million$ in prints.

It's opening so early the prints will trickle to the smaller markets around election time. That could be the plan. 2nd run theaters in swing states get prints around October. Just in time for the election. A limited release could be bad for Bush. A total guess on my part.

</A projectionist for 3 years>

[LosinIt]

5. Perhaps the long lines at the theaters that do show it

will make it even 'hotter'. Pun intended.

[LynneSin]

6. That's a good number to start with

The best way to keep a movie in the theaters is start it out slowly and let it develop good "word of mouth". "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" grossed over $200million and played for months but never really expanded much beyond 1000 theaters.

We don't want this in 3000 theaters because then everyone will see it, the theaters will start to empty and the movie will peter out. Believe me, this is a good distribution. I'm sure most major urban centers will get the movie!

[Lou_C]

7. Your right I didn't think of that

I am worried about the Southern States not being able to see it.

I am in Kentucky with all of the freepers and I want to see the movie without having to make a trip to Chicago or New York.

[supernova]

10. We'll see it in NC

believe me. }(

[Lou_C]

12. I hope

I have family in NC and they would want to see it as well.

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. For a documentary/independent film,

That's not a bad distribution at all.

[Loonman]

9. True

The full potential exposure of the film will be aftermarket sales and rentals.

"Bowling..." was huge when it came out on DVD/video.

[LynneSin]

11. BTW - this will surely be out on DVD before the Nov elections

Let this movie run it's course through September and then late in October get this movie released on DVD so it can make the rounds again on the News

[Lou_C]

13. I love it LOL

I can't wait!

[Lisa]

14. "slamming" the box office the first weekend may help ...

Back when MM's message board up, a member who was involved with film distribution told us that companies would frequently decide whether or not to show new movies in the smaller cities, based on box office returns from the first couple of days. So people in the places where "Bowling" was showing made arrangements to go as soon as the picture opened, and bring friends if possible. This was in hopes that the film would be shown more widely due to public interest.

I was surprised when they picked my city as one of the first places in Canada to see "Bowling" -- found out later that it had been a bit of a gamble on the cinema's part, and they were gratified when the house was sold out for the first 3 days. Since then they've brought "The Corporation" and "Super-Size Me" to town, fairly quickly -- perhaps if a town gets a reputation for being a good market, it encourages the distributors to bring in more such movies.