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First Quarter '98 - The Winter of 1998.
Let's take a look back. Starting in late December and ending in early March. From Titanic to Man In The Iron Mask. Let's take a look back at the films from First Quarter ' 98.
Late December
On December 19th, 1998, history was made. Like in 1977 when Star
Wars was released, Titanic swept the world. It was huge. It
became #1 film in almost every record. It grossed more than any
other film, had more Oscar nominations that any other film, tied
for number of top spots over a weekend. It is still #1 and almost
3/4rs of North America has seen it. Titanic was not the only
talked about film to open late December. The Postman was
watercooler talk all over the nation for it's lack of success,
while Good Will Hunting and As Good As It Gets were for their
success.
December 19th
Titanic - Titanic swept the world. It was huge.
It became #1 film in almost every record. It grossed more than
any other film, had more Oscar nominations that any other film,
tied for number of top spots over a weekend. It is still #1 and
almost 3/4rs of North America has seen it.
Tomorrow Never Dies - A
big hit. While not really a critical favorite, it grossed more
than any other Bond film. Possibly thanks to the film's best
asset (and ass) Michelle Yeoh!
Mousehunt - Who would have thought. It was a
hit. A sleeper that grossed over 65 million dollars. It didn't
look good on it's opening but Word-of-mouth propelled it to
success. DreamWorks highest grossing picture.
December 25th
An American Werewolf in Paris - A critical pan,
however not without some cult fans. The numbers look identical to
those of the August films Mimic and Event Horizon.
The Postman - It bombed and everybody cheered.
Yuck!
As Good As It Gets - A sleeper hit. Made over
120 million dollars. Nominated for a multitude of Oscars and
winners of many other awards. Jack is Back!
Good Will Hunting - Another sleeper hit. Made
over 100 million and is nominated for a lot. The film was a
critical and financial success to Miramax.
Jackie Brown - Quentin Tarantino's follow up to
Pulp Fiction was disappointing financially and critically,
mostly.
Mr. Magoo - An awful kids comedy that insulted
all was insulted by our wallets.
January 9th
Wag the Dog - Critical success did well
financially because it mimicked Bill Clinton's recent mishaps.
Tee Hee!
Firestorm - Howie Long's action debut flopped
for Fox.
January 16th
Hard Rain - Got a lot of press, because of
Christian Slater's arrest but failed miserably in the wake of a
better water movie.
Fallen - Seemed like it had promise but did very
tepidly at the Box Office. Part 1 of the John Goodman film
festival. Denzel's demon-hunting captured little interest, but
more than Hard Rain.
Half Baked - This stoner comedy made more than
it should have opening weekend but the numbers fell fast.
Star Kid - Not even in the Top Ten. Ouch!
January 23rd
Spice World - Shake it to the left! The fab
five's fans flurried for their film. Spice World got a critical
spanking but really wasn't so bad. It did very well opening
weekend but then fell. It did not do THAT great but it was better
than industry expectations.
Phantoms - Super flop. Bad B-movie about big-ass
blob bombed.
January 30th
Great Expectations - Modern remake of Dickens
got Bad reviews, but it faired OK on the Box Office scale. It's
no Romeo and Juliet, though.
Deep Rising - Most critics hated it but some
looked past the schlock and found a funny, witty, entertaining
movie. I did but the public didn't. FLOP!
Desperate Measures - An awful movie that failed,
probably on account of it's forgettable title.
February 6th
Blue Brothers 2000 - One of my most surprising
flops of the year. I thought people would flock to it, however
few wanted to see Elwood and friends ride again. Part 2 of John
Goodman film festival.
The Replacement Killers - Chow Yun Fat's venture
into American cinema did not fare well with critics but it did OK
in the Box Office.
February 13th
The Borrowers - A sleeper kids hit that critics
and audiences loved. Based on the British book series. Part 3 of
John Goodman film festival.
The Wedding Singer - Adam Sandler struck a huge
hit with this sleeper. A wonderful goofy romantic spoof of 1980s
culture. Second highest grossing picture of '98 so far.
Sphere - A huge film with huge stars did
disappointingly, Wedding Singer beat it. It had a good opening
but numbers fell.
February 20th
Palmetto - Stylish film noir that nobody wanted
to see. Part 1 of stylish film noir festival '98. This one was
critically panned. Big Flop!
Senseless - Stupid looking comedy that most
critics disliked. So did most audiences. Small Flop!
February 27th
Krippendorf''s Tribe - Disney's ridiculous
comedy flopped critically and financially.
Kissing a Fool - Big screen sitcom didn't even
break the top ten.
Dark City - A great film. Critically hailed.
However it was too weird for mainstream audiences. Part 2 of
stylish film noir festival '98.
Caught Up - played on under 800 screens but
still broke the Top Ten. For it's size, it was a hit. An Jamaican
version of the film noir. Part 3 of stylish film noir festival
'98.
March 6th
US Marshals - Spin-off of The Fugitive almost
beat Titanic. It didn't, but it fared well.
The Big Lebowski - The Coen brothers' follow up
to Fargo got mixed reviews, but audiences seem to like it. Part 4
of the John Goodman film festival.
Hush - A mother-from-hell picture, the movie has
camp appeal but doesn't seem to have legs.
Twilight - Newman and Sarandon and a bunch of
other old people didn't make many turn up at the theaters. Part 4
of stylish film noir festival '98.
March 13th
The Man In The Iron Mask - Even two Leos
couldn't stop Titanic. The film almost beat the ship but fell .3
million away. Ouch. It still did exceptionally, but not
critically.
..and coming soon
Wild Things - A sexy, cool erotic thriller. It
looks like it can spark up some business. Part 5 of stylish film
noir festival '98.
Mr. Nice Guy - Australian Jackie Chan feature
looks like standard Chan.
Primary Colors - A Clinton-esque candidate rises
to power. Expect Wag The Dog numbers.
Spring '98
Expect Spring to be a goldmine. Lost
In Space opens soon and should be huge. Mercury
Rising looks like a flop. Godzilla is
this summers Independence Day. The Odd
Couple 2 might do well. The X-Files and
The Avengers are gambles but will probably do
fine.
Be sure to E-Mail Jeffery Sanders if you have any questions or comments!