Arthouse fare finds niche
Specialized pix solid over New Year's Day frame
Despite the staggering array of year-end releases competing for the attention of sophisticated moviegoers, several specialized newcomers -- including Lions Gate's "Affliction," October's "Hilary and Jackie" and Miramax's "Playing by Heart" -- did bang-up business in exclusive runs. At the same time, grosses for many specialized holdovers actually went up from the previous weekend -- as top commercial pics all trended downward.
"I think it reflects on the high quality of art product and the poor quality of some of the studio films," said Lions Gate co-president Tom Ortenberg.
Leading the pack was Miramax's Elizabethan-era romantic comedy "Shakespeare in Love." The Gwyneth Paltrow starrer jumped 23% to $3.2 million in 299 theaters for a lyrical $10,702 average. Cume is $9.4 million.
The minimajor will learn how well mainstream auds react to the period farce starting Friday when the film expands to 800 locations.
Crossing the 'Line'
Topping the exclusives charts is Phoenix and 20th Century Fox's "The Thin Red Line," which fired off $376,000 in seven theaters in New York and California. That gives the Terrence Malick-helmed war drama an explosive $53,761 average. Cume after 12 days is $1 million.
The nearly three-hour film, which continues to sell out even 11 p.m. shows on both coasts, marches into 10 new markets and expands its L.A. and Gotham runs Friday.
"A lot of people think you can't release a movie this way anymore," said Tom Sherak, 20th Domestic Film Group chairman, of the pic's gradual release pattern. "But this picture is taking on a life of it own. It bodes very well going forward."
Still, "Line's" toughest battle will begin Jan. 15, when the $53 million WWII pic marches into 1,200 theaters nationwide.
"Affliction," which Largo Entertainment produced and Lions Gate acquired, grossed a healthy $68,000 in three sites (two in New York and one in L.A.). The critically acclaimed drama, which stars James Coburn and Golden Globe nominee Nick Nolte as father and son, averaged $22,666 per screen.
Although "Affliction" played to capacity business in Gotham, Lions Gate plans a slow rollout for the film, hoping additional awards and nominations will build audience awareness in the rest of the country.
October's "Hilary and Jackie" picked up $96,700 in six concert halls -- three each in New York and L.A. -- for a solid $16,117 average.
Wide selection
"There's so much out there, the competition is insane," said Jack Foley, who recently joined October Films as head of distribution. "It's the toughest market I've seen."
While the vast majority of moviegoers were happy to fight the megaplex crowds to see "Patch Adams," "Stepmom" and "You've Got Mail" despite mixed reviews, a significant contingent clearly wanted something a little more challenging.
Miramax's contemporary romantic drama "Playing by Heart" (formerly titled "Dancing About Architecture") grossed $28,000 in a single Oscar-qualifying run at L.A.'s Royal. The film, which has cumed $38,000 since its Wednesday debut, expands on Jan. 22.
Also making a mark in the exclusive arena was Trimark's "Another Day in Paradise," which managed an estimated $16,000 three-day gross in a single L.A. run. "We're getting the audiences we're going after," distribution consultant Jay Peckos said. "Guys in their late teens and early '20s, usually with their girlfriends." Since its Wednesday opening, director Larry Clark's followup to "Kids" has cumed roughly $20,850.
Among holdovers, Fine Line's sophomore "Hurlyburly" saw an increase of 7% to $176,000 in 16 locations, or $10,996 per site. Cume is $472,464. While the pic saw drops in New York and L.A., smaller markets actually saw dramatic increases, according to Fine Line distribution prexy Steven Friedlancer.
Not every new specialized release was a winner, however. Gramercy's "The Hi-Lo Country" managed just $19,100 in three corrals, for a lackluster $6,363 per-screen average. Cume after five days is $25,100.
