The Circuit

Though two pickups have pricked up ears on the Croisette - Magnet got "Surveillance" (pictured) and IFC got "A Christmas Tale" - Pam McClintock has a sobering analysis of the specialty box office from the last Cannes crop.

Last fall, a dizzying number of specialty films vied for attention, but few succeeded, even with critical acclaim. Oscar best picture noms were ultimately able to drum up good business -- "Atonement" and "No Country for Old Men" performed nicely and "Juno" was a runaway hit -- but it was tough going otherwise.