Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Single Screen Dilemma 2007: Evan Almighty vs. Ratatouille

This is topic Single Screen Dilemma 2007: Evan Almighty vs. Ratatouille in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=001868

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-08-2007, 12:44 PM:

So here we go again. Two good movies opening one week apart, and only one screen... gotta play whichever one we choose for two weeks minimum... what to do? Suggestions welcome. (Just FYI, at this point I'm leaning toward Ratatouille.)

EVAN ALMIGHTY:
- Steve Carrell is hot right now
- Original was a big hit
- Cute animals
- Family friendly, rated PG

but....
- it's a sequel
- Steve Carrell isn't THAT hot

RATATOUILLE:
- It's a Pixar movie, duh!
- It's NOT a sequel
- Cute animals
- Family friendly, rated G

...but:
- People don't really seem buzzed about it (yet)
- Potentially confusing title
- No bankable star voices
- Rat character(s) might turn women off

[Confused]

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-08-2007, 01:07 PM:

As much as I enjoy Steve Carrell's humor, I just don't have big expectations for Evan Almighty. The premise for the original movie (Bruce Almighty) was more simple. The whole ark building thing seems like it could weigh down the script. And it looks like we'll see animal jokes we already saw in Doctor Doolittle sequels and such. But I don't know. I could be wrong. My gut feeling still says this is going to be a mediocre movie.

Ratatouille looks like the safer bet. Pixar has always pushed standards of 3D animation to ever higher levels. More important, they always deliver well developed stories. They're dependable on making us laugh and even touch our hearts. I thought Brad Bird did an incredible job with The Incredibles. This time he has comedian Patton Oswalt in the lead role.

I think an even bigger difference maker is the fact most Pixar movies appeal to an extremely broad audience. Ratatouille has received a G rating from the MPAA. There's hardly anything anyone would find offensive in their movies.

The comedy in Evan Almighty is certainly going to be a little more daring. It is rated PG. There's a shot some of the more "fundamentalistic" types may avoid this movie as if it were The Last Temptation of Christ.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-08-2007, 01:31 PM:

I don't know if I would really call Evan Almighty a sequel since the only thing in common with Bruce Almighty is the fact that God (Morgan Freeman) calls on someone else to help him out. I would go with this one, Evan Almighty, because I would think that it would do well on all shows where the Rat movie, that's what everyone will call it, will be mainly matinee business. I think that it will also pull in the people that might be interested in movies like Transformers. Of course it all depends on your demographics in your area.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 05-08-2007, 01:34 PM:

You need to build another screen!

That is such a difficult one to call. I'd go for Ratatouille if kids films do well for you. I'm looking forward to both, just a harmless laugh for two hours.

Did Ratatouille get pushed back because of Flushed Away? We had trailers for it almost a year ago.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-08-2007, 01:46 PM:

quote:
You need to build another screen!

Tell me about it! But, we're hemmed-in by other buildings on all sides, so just waiting for one of them to become vacant. (My theatre could probably be twinned in its existing space but that would ruin it, and I'm not willing to do that.)

Ratatouille didn't get pushed back, they just sent out advance trailers way ahead of time, like everyone is doing these days.

quote: Darryl Spicer
Of course it all depends on your demographics in your area.

That's the problem...both of these movies play right into our general-audience crowd. If one of these was an R-rated "300"-type movie it'd be a no-brainer.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-08-2007, 01:53 PM:

I'd stay with the family based movies at your little "ROXY". Then, when "Ratatouille" slows down a bit, bring in "EVAN" for the 9pm showing-so the rates be cheaper since you're playing it past the break.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 05-08-2007, 01:57 PM:

Ratatouille. Without question. Lots of people said no-one would go see a movie about cars either. What happened? Over $200 million AGAIN at the box office for Pixar. They have a track record that's unquestionable.

Evan Almighty? Sheeesh! really, who gives a (pardon the pun) rats about a sequel to a Jim Carey movie WITHOUT Jim Carey in it? I know Universal's spent a lot on it, but guess what? They won't be getting it back.

Book it Danno.

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 05-08-2007, 04:06 PM:

Evan Almighty. It will play to a very broad audience, similiar to Night at the Museum. Ratatouille will also do well, but Rats have a poor track record and the title, while fun to say, is confusing.

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 05-08-2007, 04:19 PM:

Ratatouille, no question here. There simply hasn't been a PIXAR flop- ever. The past two people have said "oh nobody wants a PG rated kids film" or "the subject is off" or "is the streak over"? But from a sheer butts-in-seats standpoint, you know you get the crowds with this one.

Evan Almighty is trickier- with Jim Carrey, it's a standalone, not a sequel. The buzz hasn't been great, it's WAY over budget (almost always a bad sign), and the star is known for a hard-R rated adult comedy (40 Year Old Virgin) and a racy Thursday night sitcom- not kiddie crowd material. And the buzz is that some of the religious community is planning to boycott the film, not because it's offensive but because it isn't a biblical retelling of a very biblical story.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-08-2007, 07:30 PM:

Actually Steve Carrell was connected to the Bruce Almighty film. He played the news anchor that Bruce (Jim Carrey) used his powers on. The problem with doing a split after two weeks is getting Disney to go for it. You may have to flip a coin. My thinking is that with Evan Almighty you will make money in the evening and loose a little in the Matinee. With the Rat movie you will make money in the matinee and loose a lot in the evening. But it is all a guessing game. Flip a coin and go for it.

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 05-08-2007, 08:46 PM:

Buena Vista is on a roll. Universal isn't. Go with the hot hand.

Posted by Geoff Jones (Member # 3668) on 05-08-2007, 09:35 PM:

Ratatouille is the only film I'm really looking forward to this summer (except for a chance to see Jaws this month as part of Regal's Flash-Back Series)

Pixar movies are more likely to garner repeat viewings, with all of their layered details. And don't "kid's movies" tend to sell more concessions?

Evan Almighty makes for a fun trailer. I doubt the movie has much more to offer.

As for the wacky title, didn't EEE-TEE seem weird before it came out back in 1982?*

quote: Mike Blakesley
(My theatre could probably be twinned in its existing space but that would ruin it, and I'm not willing to do that.)

You're a good man!

*I am not predicting Ratatouille will be as big as E.T.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 05-08-2007, 10:01 PM:

Mike,

I remember the dilemma you had with Casino Royale and Happy Feet. You chose Happy Feet and never looked back, so 'The Rat Movie' should do extremely well for you.

If you beat James Bond last time, Bruce/Evan/God should be simple math. [Big Grin]

PS. Hi John Wilson [Smile]

Will be in touch soon, no internet at home just yet...
PPS. I'd go and see 'The Rat Movie' over Evan in a heartbeat - it looks delightful and intelligent, a hallmark of any Brad Bird/Pixar movie!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-08-2007, 10:44 PM:

quote: Geoff Jones

Evan Almighty makes for a fun trailer. I doubt the movie has much more to offer.

That's one thing that bugs me about Evan - the damn trailer gives away all the major plot points (or appears to).

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-08-2007, 11:38 PM:

Mike,

Try this out of course all depends on what the film companies will allow but since you are a small independent you probably could get by with it.

If you are not getting Shrek 3
5-25-07 Pirates 3
6-13-07 Fantastic Four 2
6-29-07 Ratatouille
7-13-07 Harry Potter 5
7-27-07 The Simpsons Movie
8-10-07 Rush Hour 3

Just some suggestions for you.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-09-2007, 10:49 AM:

quote: Darryl Spicer
5-25-07 Pirates 3
6-13-07 Fantastic Four 2
6-29-07 Ratatouille
7-13-07 Harry Potter 5
7-27-07 The Simpsons Movie
8-10-07 Rush Hour 3

Actually that's just about exactly what we have penciled in, except I put "Shrek" where you have Fantastic 4. That way we could also play it for a week and then some adult-oriented movie ("Georgia Rule" maybe, if it does well) before the Rat kicks in. Simpsons depends on whether WB will go for 2 weeks on Potter. Thanks for the suggestions.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 05-09-2007, 12:37 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Tell me about it! But, we're hemmed-in by other buildings on all sides, so just waiting for one of them to become vacant. (My theatre could probably be twinned in its existing space but that would ruin it, and I'm not willing to do that.)

Good idea not to twin. You could always build down by digging out a basement cinema but that would cost a lot.

Definitely play Shrek 3 over Fantastic Four 2.

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 05-13-2007, 04:30 PM:

If you have any sort of late teen/young adult audience, don't overlook SUPERBAD on August 17th. All the signs point to a decent sleeper hit here, though it's a hard R. I'm gonna call it now, and there's not a lot going on in late August/early Sept, when RUSH HOUR plays out.

Also, if you're going to do SHREK in place of FANTASTIC 4 and you have said audience, add a late of KNOCKED UP if you can.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 05-13-2007, 07:32 PM:

Shrek 3 is opening this coming Friday. I thought Fantastic 4: The Rise of the Silver Surfer was opening in June.

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 05-13-2007, 07:38 PM:

In a single screen situation, you can't play Shrek on the break and Pirates on the break. The studios aren't going to let you play Shrek for only 1 week.

The only exception is maybe a single in New York or someplace that'll do a $50,000 gross in a week.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 05-18-2007, 12:56 AM:

When in doubt book the kid's film. It always packed them in in my last place. Of course, the fact that it was small town Iowa may have something to do with it.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 05-18-2007, 10:04 AM:

Well, there you go. BOTH of these are kids films.

Our booker is trying to steer me towards Evan. He ran down the list of things it's got (cute animals, PG rating, etc), and he said it probably WILL get bad reviews, but it's one of those movies that will be "critic proof" (like Wild Hogs). Of Ratatouille, he said "It's going to be good, it's a Disney, it's a Pixar, but it's no 'Cars.' It's a rat in a kitchen."

Also, I did a poll among my crew and they all say they're more excited to see Evan. And my wife polled all her co-workers at her job and THEY are all more excited for Evan too. I think it's all because it's Steve Carrell.

So now I'm really conflicted. We still have about 3 weeks before we have to decide. Ultimately both movies will do well, so it's really just a matter of how the surrounding schedule works out, I guess.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-18-2007, 10:47 AM:

How about this Mike.

5-25 Pirates 3
6-15 Shrek 3 (Mat.) Knocked up (eve)*
6-22 Evan Almighty
7-4 Evan Almighty (Mat.) Oceans 13 (eve)**
7-13 Harry Potter 5
8-3 Ratatouille (Mat.) Live Free or Die Hard or Transformers (Eve.)***
8-10 Rush Hour 3

*if film company will allow evening only shows
**if film company will allow Evan to go to (Mat.)
***if you can not open The Simpsons on 7-27

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 05-18-2007, 12:20 PM:

I'm really anticipating a feature film appearance for Patton Oswalt, in Ratatouille!

If not in stand up comedy, that man is destined for voice acting greatness.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 05-18-2007, 06:45 PM:

Do you have an email list for your regular customers? If so then you could send a message out asking which film they would prefer to see.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-11-2007, 02:09 AM:

Hey Mike

Saw the 9 minute preview of Ratatouille on the official site. Looks excellent..every bit of what's become expected of the quality of Pixar. Interestingly, it's framed 1.85 but the final prints are scope.

Take a look if you haven't already.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-11-2007, 02:52 AM:

Yes, we saw a 20min segment of "Ratatouille" down at Showest and right there, it's going to be a big hit for Disney/Pixar for this summer. Much as seen, I do believe it's going to contend with "Monster's INC" and "the Incredibles" as being the best PIXAR releases so far..

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 06-11-2007, 07:49 AM:

My booker is also high on Evan, but slightly worried about Ratatouille, saying that he can't put his finger on it, but it may be "too French".

I'm sure Ratatouille will be a fine movie, but its got a bad title and a somewhat hard to sell concept. Being made by Pixar does not guarantee box office (though it does help). Evan will appeal to a broader range of people.

Play Evan into Transformers if possible.

Transformers is going to be big, but one of those drop fast teenager movies. By playing Ratatouille, you will miss out on its big holiday opening. Play Rataoiulle after Transformers when the good reviews on Ratatouille have convinced more people to see a rat movie.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-11-2007, 10:16 AM:

We can't play Transformers on the break because it would crash in to Harry Potter, which we are going to play.

I think we're leaning towards doing Evan on the break with Ratatouille immediately following. My reasoning is: Evan is going to get trashed by critics, so we need to get it in and out while the advertising is working. Ratatouille, on the other hand, will probably get rave reviews but it's a harder sell due to the title and the unusual concept -- so we'll let the good press and media (and the trailer) for Ratatouille work while we're playing Evan. (Sounds like Matt and I have the same booker!)

The other reason is, with Rataouille openiung on the 29th and requiring 14 days, we'd have to miss the 7/11 opening of Harry Potter.

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 06-12-2007, 08:34 AM:

I forgot about Potter, playing it is a no-brainer. - Matt

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-12-2007, 12:38 PM:

Agree on the Harry Potter thing...Harry's the best of both worlds. Good for little kids and big kids alike.

Posted by Ky Boyd (Member # 23) on 06-18-2007, 02:50 AM:

Mike,

If Evan or Ratatoulle is the only choice, then I'd go for Ratatoulle. Evan will as you said get negative reviews. Did you read the Variety review? There are a couple of other options: Sicko and Evening - both solid adult appeal pictures. Of course Evening might be better as a one week lock later once the word of mouth is out. But don't count out the swelling buzz around Sicko. It's the one that the media will be all over.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-18-2007, 05:26 AM:

Only book "Evening" if you do good business with the blue-hair crowd. We had it at a recent film festival and the film wasn't that good, but it is tailor-made for the little-old-lady crowd.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-18-2007, 09:26 AM:

We are going with Ratatouille, it turns out.

Apparently large city bookings are taking an inordinate # of Evan prints, so there are not as many for small situations as they first thought.

I agree Sicko will be a media favorite. I'm wishing we had 2 screens A LOT this summer.

It's all good...we will do fine with Ratatouille and we can play Sicko and Evan in July after Potter, if they do well.

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 06-25-2007, 02:19 PM:

Looks like you didn't miss out on anything big with Evan. - Matt

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 06-25-2007, 03:37 PM:

What I love is that movie can gross 32mil in an actual weekend (Fri-Sun) and people say omg it bombed!! When the hell did 32mil mean BOMB!

Nobody thought this was going to make 100 mil opening weekend.

Anyway end of rant, and sorry to go off topic

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-25-2007, 05:02 PM:

quote:
When the hell did 32mil mean BOMB!

Well in this day and age, sequels are often expected to do as well or better than the original movie. This one, they figured would not do that well because Carrey wasn't in it, but they guesstimated it would do $40 million.

So it did $8 million less than predicted. Not really a bomb, more of a 'disappointment.' But it cost $175 mil to make, so it's going to have to do REALLY well in video to not be a loss.

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 06-27-2007, 11:32 PM:

The bad news (for Universal) is that the actual budget is supposed to be closer to $225-250 million. The $40 million projection was the scaled-down estimate from UI after seeing bad tracking- there's no way to spin it- when you invest that kind of money in a movie, and another $100 in marketing, you need to open with $60-80 mil.

This thing will be lucky to break $100 mil in the end, alas, that's a bomb.

But! Mike's in luck, because he's got the PIXAR film, and that looks like a winner.

The rest of the summer is actually looking good- TRANSFORMERS is getting good WOM, as is the Pixar film (not gonna try and spell it), POTTER will be huge, and SUPERBAD is tracking very nicely with the KNOCKED UP crowd, and will surprise. BOURNE looks good too. On the dark side, besides the obvious bombs in August, RUSH HOUR is showing some problems in early tracking, and LICENSE TO WED doesn't look like it'll deliver.

Don't take your eyes off of HAIRSPRAY, for your sleeper hit pleasure- the early critic's reactions have been outstanding, and this one may have legs if people can get past the bizarre stills of Travolta in drag...not exactly family material.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-28-2007, 03:55 AM:

Not exactly in drag...he's playing her mother...it was the only decent role DIVINE ever had. (in the '88 John Waters' version)

Posted by Anslem Rayburn (Member # 1267) on 06-30-2007, 05:05 AM:

"Hairspray" looks like a lot of fun, but a REALLY hard sell. Music, Travolta in drag, lots of camp. It should be fun as hell to watch, but it's going to be hard to get anyone to actually watch it. They'll rent the hell out of the DVD, but I don't think the general public will buy tickets to watch it. I have no intention of seeing it in a theater, even though I enjoy most of the cast and the premise. The show they put on at Showest was awesome, and I enjoyed every second of it. It won't make me buy a ticket to watch it in a theater, however.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 07-02-2007, 03:15 PM:

So Mike, how'd the weekend go for you with the little rat?

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 09-01-2007, 02:25 AM:

How'd everyone's predictions wind up? I'm pretty proud of mine...

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-01-2007, 10:31 AM:

Sorry for not reporting back!

Ratatouille did well for us. It followed the same trend as everywhere else...a good solid film but not a blockbuster. I think we did slightly less than we did with Cars on it.

David, your predictions held up great! I thought Rush Hour 3 would open better than it did, considering how well the second one did.

Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 09-01-2007, 12:16 PM:

We've had a disturbingly bad summer at our single screen Roxy Theater. Opened transformers on the break and it bombed for two weeks. Harry Potter 5 did less than half of what Harry Potter 4 did. Shrek the Third was really good. The really weird thing is that Knocked Up and Chuck and Larry were our second and third biggest grossers this summer. Go Figure, at least the rental terms were good on those. I echo Mike's sentiment that it would have been really nice to have two screens this summer so that we could have opened more films on the break.

steve

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 09-06-2007, 07:56 PM:

Yeah, it's been a bit of a rough summer for some. Up until this summer I programmed and ran a single-screen, and single-screens are always brutal. In the end you simply are always going to run into what I call the "Oh S**t Friday"- when you walk into the house at 730pm and see 18 people watching the previews, and you know you're screwed for the rest of the week (and maybe more, depending on the booking)

Posted by Steve Wilson (Member # 2411) on 09-11-2007, 08:14 PM:

Darryl, I didn't go this route, but, I wish I had saw your advice from earlier in the summer, it was a better route than the other schedule was.

Steve Wilson

1 screen only at the Holiday Drive IN

If you are not getting Shrek 3

5-25-07 Pirates 3

6-13-07 Fantastic Four 2

6-29-07 Ratatouille

7-13-07 Harry Potter 5

7-27-07 The Simpsons Movie

8-10-07 Rush Hour 3

Just some suggestions for

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 09-12-2007, 09:23 AM:

quote: David Graves
the "Oh S**t Friday"- when you walk into the house at 730pm and see 18 people watching the previews, and you know you're screwed for the rest of the week

It doesn't just apply to singles, though you're right, they ARE the worst case.

We had a quad, and had a number of those Fridays. Bookings, on the break, were always 2-weeks minimum. I'm still smarting over "Pluto Nash". On the bright side however, those rooms were really clean by the end of those runs.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 09-12-2007, 10:04 AM:

quote: Jack Ondracek
I'm still smarting over "Pluto Nash"

Yes, Eddie Murphy's the only one who didn't go South with THAT one. [thumbsdown]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 09-12-2007, 11:41 AM:

quote: Jack Ondracek
I'm still smarting over "Pluto Nash".

With me, the bottom of the barrel was "XXX2."

Luckily summer came along soon after that thing and rescued us.