Distinctly possible that the above video has more slivers of truth in it than the actual Mark Zuckerberg biopic, but that didn't stop The Social Network from winning its opening weekend in decisive fashion. David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin's straight-up brilliant (if not entirely fact-based) story of the genesis of Facebook came in first with an estimated $23 million. I don't have the final statistics in front of me, but I'm pretty sure that's the strongest opening for a David Fincher-directed dramatic retelling of the story of a supreme asshole who founded the world's largest social networking site of all time. So, hey, kudos!
While the above was certainly good news for a very good movie, another very good film, Let Me In, the Matt Reeves-directed remake of the cult-favorite Swedish vampire flick Let the Right One In, absolutely, positively tanked, drawing in a mere $5.3 million. Incidentally, that is almost the exact same amount as the miserable junk pile that was Case 39, the other horror flick to hit this weekend, and one that had been on the shelf since 2007 and was shoved out unceremoniously this weekend with little advertising or critical praise. The really sick thing? The estimates put Case 39 as doing just a hair bit better than Let Me In, further proving that general audiences will always choose overcooked schlock over thoughtful, atmospheric horror when given the chance. Not to mention the apparent message that is being sent to Hollywood regarding sparkly, idiotic vampires versus creepy, unsparkly vampires. Thanks American movie-going audiences, you've done our rep a real solid, here.
Not a great deal of significant news elsewhere. As we all suspected, Inception finally bid the top 10 list adieu, coming in 12th this weekend and making less than a million bucks for the first time in its entire run. Indies Catfish and Waiting for "Superman" continued to do solid returns as they expanded to additional theaters, though newcomers Freakonomics and Hatchet II didn't make much of an impact upon their debuts this weekend, despite opening wider than most limited release films.
Hit the link below to see the full top ten list for the weekend. And when you're done, be sure to post this story up on Facebook. Because, you know, it just makes sense.
Box Office Report: 10/01 - 10/03
 | 1. The Social Network $23 million / NEW |
 | 2. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole $10.9 million / $30 million |
 | 3. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps $10.1 million / $35.9 million |
 | 4. The Town $10 million / $64.3 million |
 | 5. Easy A $7 million / $42.4 million |
 | 6. You Again $5.6 million / $16.4 million |
 | 7. Case 39 $5.35 million / NEW |
 | 8. Let Me In $5.3 million / NEW |
 | 9. Devil $3.6 million / $27.4 million
|
 | 10. Alpha and Omega $3 million / $19 million |
Dropped Out: Inception, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Takers
Source: Box Office Mojo
It's always sad when good films don't do well, first Scott Pilgrim now Let Me In. It's probably because uninformed people are tired of vampires, and there's no way the Twilight crowd would see this.
Every Twilight fan should see this so they can see what REAL vampires are like. I can't wait to see that Supernatural episode. I don't know what's worse a Twilight parody that got number one in the box office, OR that Let Me In failed in the box office. I have not seen Let Me In yet but I want to.
Maybe I'll go see this movie and then see The Social Network right after to cheer myself up.
People like you annoy me.
That's the same date as Saw 3D is released, so I'm going to guess the dicks'll be in that screen instead.
Kind of a win/lose situation.
Most of America is fine with the shallow vampire crap we've been getting, so this movie won't appeal to them. The marketing on this movie kind of made it look like a horror-thriller type of deal, so may not have drawn in some of the thinking crowd they wanted.
And honestly, I am still a little peeved that anyone thought this film was necessary. A release of the original in American theaters wouldn't have done much worse than this per screen (although it wouldn't have been released wide because of subtitles). Although I don't count this as a reason not to see the movie if you haven't seen the Swedish version, I'm not sure there's a huge audience for people who would be interested in the dark tone of these movies, but haven't already seen the earlier version.
Anyway, sorry about the rant, I hate that those other movies on the list suck so bad too. But this seems like a strange time to get angry at the fact that America doesn't generally throw down money for smart entertainment. All those great critically acclaimed shows on the networks that get canceled, while Two and a Half Men charges on? That's just the way of commercial entertainment.
I know I have a problem. I'm working on it.
HOLY SHIT, VAMPIRES ARE REAL?! *runs for the hills*
The message this will send is not: "No more remakes!"...the message sent will be: "Don't spend money on interesting movies".
That said...who really wants to go see a movie that they've already seen regardless of the fact that they won't have to read this time?
I'm really interested to see Let Me In...but going to the cinema is expensive...and I already know most of what's gonna happen in that movie.
ooo that's good. I best grab the book quickly. I hate reading books after seeing the film.
That being said, I might have seen Let Me In this weekend if The Social Network hadn't opened at the same time.