website tracking
Search The Big Picture


« No 'Hangover' Hangover: Warners Orders a Sequel | Main | Three New 'Terminator Salvation' Commercials »
Sunday
05Apr2009

'Dragonball' Not Screening for Critics

DateSunday, April 5, 2009 at 8:51PM
It's not a major surprise, but Fox will not screen Dragonball Evolution for critics. UGO posted a story about it last week, and I think it's worth pointing out that it's the second time in three weeks Fox has dodged the press, not allowing anyone in to see 12 Rounds. That film tanked hard, which is what should happen in those cases, because usually, the only reason not to screen a film is because it's garbage.

As for Dragonball, it made our AP Preseason All-American Trainwrecks of 2009 list, placing right behind The Pink Panther 2, but Pink Panther actually wasn't that miserable. It was bad, but nowhere nearly as punishing as the first one in that series. So the door is wide open for Dragonball to swoop in and claim that crown early.

Fox has also pushed the release date back to April 10th, even though it was originally set for the 10th until the studio moved it to Wednesday the 8th a couple months ago. That's an awful lot of maneuvering for a movie that won't get a tremendous amount of publicity this Friday simply because they aren't screening it and they aren't advertising it.

I believe Fox is letting this one make its coin in the international markets, sacrificing it here at home. It has already made $22 million overseas, and the focus may be in the Asian territories, simply because it's an easier sell there.

Oh, and just because Fox isn't screening it for critics, that doesn't mean critics won't see it; we're planning another midnight show for Dragonball this Friday, meaning that we'll have a review for you pretty early that morning.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment4 Comments |

Reader Comments (4)

I dont understand why they wouldn't advertise in NA. And does this mean there will me 12am friday screenings in other theatres?

Sunday, April 5, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous Reader

I'm sure they're advertising it on some level, but Fox is pouring more into the DVD release of The Day the Earth Stood Still. I haven't seen a commercial for it on any of the major networks, but it might be on cable somewhere. I'm also not seeing any online ads for it.

Even though they're not publicized all the time, most major releases do have midnight showings now. I've been to five this year, none of which you'd think would need to have them - Underworld, Street Fighter, My Bloody Valentine, Knowing, and The Haunting in Connecticut, and I know that I Love You, Man had some as well.

If you're interested, I'd check a Fandango or a MovieTickets.com on Wednesday or something; they should have the info updated by then.

Monday, April 6, 2009 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

Dragonball commercials are all over Nickelodeon, by the way. But I wouldn't expect you to be aware of that. Do you think it can actually be worse than Street Fighter?

Monday, April 6, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMRPigg

Tough to say. Street Fighter was pretty grim.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>