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Author Topic: Single Screen Dilemma 2007: Evan Almighty vs. Ratatouille Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Bobby Henderson "Ask me about Trajan." Posts: 10973 From: Lawton, OK, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Darryl Spicer Film God Posts: 3250 From: Lexington, KY, USA Registered: Dec 2000 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Caleb Johnstone-Cowan Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 593 From: London, UK Registered: Mar 2006 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged John Wilson Film God Posts: 5438 From: Sydney, Australia. Registered: Dec 1999 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Matt Fields Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 545 From: Ohio, United States Registered: Jun 2005 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged David Graves Film Handler Posts: 38 From: Cocoa, FL Registered: Nov 2006 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Darryl Spicer Film God Posts: 3250 From: Lexington, KY, USA Registered: Dec 2000 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged John T. Hendrickson, Jr Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 889 From: Freehold, NJ, USA Registered: Apr 2001 posted 05-08-2007 08:46 PM                     Buena Vista is on a roll. Universal isn't. Go with the hot hand.  |  IP: Logged Geoff Jones Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 579 From: Broomfield, CO, USA Registered: Feb 2006 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Michael Barry Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 584 From: Sydney, NSW, Australia Registered: Nov 1999 posted 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. PS. Hi John Wilson 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!  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 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).  |  IP: Logged Darryl Spicer Film God Posts: 3250 From: Lexington, KY, USA Registered: Dec 2000 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged

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