Comments on: How Did Religulous Do at the Box Office?

By: blackskeptic

blackskeptic — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:26:57 +0000

well, i would def. go see it, but it’s not playing in my city. it’s playing two hours away, but i’m not driving that far to go see that. i hope it makes it in the top 10!

By: BC

BC — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:13:56 +0000

I saw Religulous in Memphis twice over the weekend with several local freethinkers — on the only screen at the only theater here showing it. The theater attendance was at near capacity, the laughter throughout was constant, and the applause at the end was a great sign for this bible-belt dump. Oh, and the movie was awesome, BTW.

An increase in the number of theaters for next weekend would be a wise decision for the producers (or for what/whom/whoever makes that decision).

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:51:12 +0000

We saw it in Oklahoma City Saturday night, and it was packed.

By: Matthew T.

Matthew T. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:51:32 +0000

I watched it Saturday in Concord, NH and the place was sold out! It was the only theatre in this little state to actually show the film. Although the film poked a lot of fun at religion, I thought Bill presented himself in an open-minded fashion, so I think that people that do subscribe to a particular brand of faith could see the film without getting incredibly offended.

By: martymankins

martymankins — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:36:21 +0000

I saw the movie on Sunday afternoon. All showings all weekend here in Salt Lake City were sold out or pretty close to selling out. Only 10 or so empty seats in the 5:20pm showing I went to.

Loved the movie, well done, funny and I will see it again and buy the DVD. Everyone, even those who belong to organized religion, should open their minds long enough to go see this film.

By: Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:08:22 +0000

No one is getting bent out of shape or anything…it has just become somewhat common to view the state of our nation, intellect, etc…by what we choose for entertainment. It is not a very accurate barometer is all we are saying.

By: Milena

Milena — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:43:31 +0000

Don’t be so defensive, you guys. Nobody is actually judging your country by the types of movies you watch. The intelligence quip was probably just a joke. Sort of a low blow, to be sure, but nothing to get so worked up about. Unless, of course, you were all part of BH Chihuahua’s audience this weekend, hmm.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:31:31 +0000

I hope that it doing so well with such a limited screening will move it to more screens. It isn’t playing anywhere near me. I want to see it but I will not drive 4 hours to see any movie when I know that I can get it on DVD soon enough.

By: Larry Huffman

Larry Huffman — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:41:06 +0000

Yes…I have to state that gauging our nations intellect by using movies is not valid. It is wrong to think that intelligent people do not like mindless humor or such from time to time. I do. I can watch some downright stupid, goofy stuff…and enjoy it. In fact, sometimes it is just what the doctor ordered.

On top of that…with the way things are going: serious economic problems, vital presidential election looming and our nation mired in an illegal and unwanted war…well, I cannot blame people for going to see check-your-brain-at-the-door movies.

We have not really used movies to educate, we use them primarily to entertain. Michael Moore and a few others have begun to bring education and critical thinking to the theaters…with success. This is another good step in that direction…but I doubt we will see in the near future a time when documentaries about serious issues that require thought and analysis replace mindless movies solely made to entertain.

Also…it is simple economics. I go to theaters to see those films which would be diminished by watching them on TV (such as the Harry potter movies…or other such action or fantasy type movies). I have 4 kids…so for 6 of us to see a movie, it is expensive. It is far more economic for me to wait when we can and purchase the DVD. For the same price as the tickets for 6 of us to see this movie in a theater, I can own the movie and treat my family to a nice dinner as well. I know it does not support the movie makers numbers the way they want…but the cost of movies is just outrageous anymore.

By: Asylum Seeker

Asylum Seeker — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:35:26 +0000

I second Desert Son/Robert. Might I also add that the reason why light-weight, fluffy films like Beverly Hills Chihuahua do so well isn’t necessarily due to the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the general populace, but because it is a family film, meaning that it has a broader audience and, by being among the few films at any given time that children of relatively young age can see, often get higher turnout among that demographic, due to the fact that they are generally confined in options. Factor in that parents would often be forced to attend along with a child interested in viewing it, even if they themselves were not compelled to watch it outside of the babysitting role, and it is easy to tell why it’s box office rank isn’t necessarily an indication of its appeal to the adult population.