The Black Box Office Report – November 16, 2009 – numbers update!

Two things happened this weekend at the mainstream box office.

1: Most people who DID go to the movies, went to see 2012. and 2: an AWFUL lot of the rest of them went to see “Precious”.

The final count is in, and “Precious” is the #3 movie in the country this past weekend, bringing in an incredible $8,699,180 out of 174 theaters. That’s an increase of 156 theaters and a per theater average of $33,762! Keep in mind that the film had a production budget of $10 million and still hasn’t been shown at a thousand theaters yet. Here’s an independent film based on a popular book that is sparking intellectual discussion (and in some cases, honest dialogue), AND it’s making money. To clear up all confusion…this is what we mean by “a successful film”. This movie has resonated with people and folks have responded in an unprecedented way at the box office!

By comparison, the 3404 theaters playing “2012″ brought in an average of $19,165 per theater for showing this movie. No small feat, especially this weekend, but a theater owner COULD say “it did well, but it’s no ‘Precious’”!

Here’s the official box office rundown:

1 2012 Sony $65,237,614
2 A Christmas Carol Disney $22,308,913
3 Precious Lionsgate $5,874,628
4 The Men Who Stare At Goats Overture $5,861,753
5 Michael Jackson’s This Is It Sony $5,078,920
6 The Fourth Kind Universal $4,605,365
7 Couples Retreat Universal $4,164,940
8 Paranormal Activity Paramount $4,043,417
9 Law Abiding Citizen Overture $3,796,327
10 The Box Warner Bros. $3,158,368
–
Pirate Radio Focus $2,904,380
Where The Wild Things Are Warner Bros. $2,418,140

…by now you’ve noticed that we’ve expanding our numbers coverage.

As of last week, you can expect a new report every Thursday, of video rentals and video sales. This data is always available and up to date on the home page, but we’ll package it special for you on Thursdays when it’s new.

One DVD we expect to see on that list this week is Star Trek. Whether it’s at Blockbuster or at the Red Box, folks are ready to see this film again, as is evidenced by some of the midnight events planned across the country tonight.

But beyond Hollywood, our spotlight is part of the African Diaspora Film Festival (ADFF) coming up in New York City next week!

On Sunday, November 29, join ADFF at Thalia Cinema for a day of screenings and discussions dedicated to the exploration and celebration of the world of painters of African descent. The cost is $25 for the all day program, which features:

Ava and Gabriel
This story takes place on the island of Curacao in the late forties. At the request of Father Fidelius, parish priest of St. Anna’s, the Surinam painter Gabriel Goedbloed arrives from Holland to paint a mural of the Virgin Mary in the church. The drama unfolds from different angles. First, the clergy and locals are confused by the fact that the painter is black, originating from Surinam, but resettled in The Hague, where he received a Fine Arts education. The close-knit Antillean society did not welcome strangers who would not conform to their colonial way of life in those days. Contributing factors arise when he chooses a young teacher, Miss Ava Recordina, who is of mixed origin, to be his model for the painting of the Virgin Mary. By Felix de Rooy, 1990, Holland/Curacao, 100mins, drama in Papiamento with English subtitles.

at 3pm, the New York Premiere of “Artists of the Bahamas”, a unique film that brings to light the rich artistic talent flourishing on these islands. The artists profiled are acknowledged amongst their peers as well as internationally. The camera follows them at work in their studios where we see their vibrant creations, as well as in their homes and communities. They speak of their early influences. Max Taylor remembers the powerful matriarchs who held his community together. Jackson Burnside, who wanted to be a doctor, was inspired by his art teacher to follow his artistic bent. Their works display a range of styles from the versatility of formally trained Brent Malone to the brilliantly simple paintings of Amos Ferguson, often referred to as “the grandfather of Bahamian art.” By Karen Arthur and Thomas Neuwirth, 2009, USA/Bahamas, 93mins, documentary in English. Q&A after the screening

at 5, another New York Premiere. “Deliverance – The Art of Ben Jones”, is a documentary video which accompanies the major retrospective of the work of visual artist Ben Jones at the Jersey City Museum, 2008 through 2009, featuring a complete survey of the artist’s work, dating from the mid-1970′s through his most recent paintings. Deliverance explores various aspects of Jones’ body of work, and delves further into his close relationship to religions of the African diaspora, travel, family, teaching, politics and spirituality. Produced, directed, and edited by Jane Steuerwald and Louis Libitz, 2008, 25min, documentary in English.

That film is showing with:

Mario Benjamen.
In Haiti, his country, Mario Benjamin is the leader of the Contemporary Art. Invited to take part in major events all over the world, he acquired an international stature. But who knows him apart from the small milieu of professionals? The Western media are ethnocentric like the market of art. This film explores his powerful, magical, and disturbing works. His house is a Baroque Installation; it recalls his artistic course and introduces us in to his inner world. Besides his singular talent, Mario Benjamin has another characteristic: Manic depression. During his fits, he reaches perceptions that some artists seek by the use of drugs. Around an exhibition which took place in Port-au-Prince in June 2008, this charismatic man shares his thoughts with us, on his work, the art and the difficulty in being an artist in a Third World country. By Irene Lichtenstein, 2008, 53min, documentary in Kreol and French with English subtitles.

Finally, at 7pm, A special panel discussion: “A Painting Journey”

featuring:
Ben Jones, Artist
Mario Benjamin, Artist
Jane Steuerwald, filmmaker
Irene Lichtenstein, filmmaker
Karen Arthur, filmmaker
Thomas Neuwirth, filmmaker

A truly unique day of film focused on art, November 27 in New York city. Visit NYADFF.ORG for more information!