The Dark Knight Rises Crosses $300m at the Domestic Box Office

Despite movie-goers fearing going to the cinemas as the fallout of the tragic Aurora shooting and the Olympic coverage this past weekend keeping people at home, The Dark Knight Rises is silently setting a couple of records. Yesterday it became the third fastest movie to cross $300 million at the domestic Box Office. I believe it has a shot at $400 million in a final tally at the domestic Box Office. That would put it exactly where I estimated it long before the movie's release. Around the world, it has already made near $600 million.

This would still be considered a lack-luster performance considering the hype that reached a fever pitch shortly before the movie was released. All it took was for one madman to suppress all that and inspire a lot of other idiots to spook the audiences in the days that followed the tragedy to scare movie-goers away.

The Dark Knight Rises Grosses Less Than Expected; 1 in 4 Movie Goers still hesitate about going this weekend

Well, its not surprise. Its just sad that the shooter is getting so much press time and is affecting many people's abilities to enjoy a trip to the movies.
-Andres
READ REPORT HERE

OP ED: Violence in America

Violence. That's the topic of discussion in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shooting rampage. Violence and the cause and effect thereof. At the moment, the internet is abuzz over gun laws "not being strict enough" or too "stringent." There's a lot of chatter over what seems to be acceptable as entertainment or downright bad taste. Movies are a national pastime. It’s a place to escape our world and visit times and places we've only read about in books or seen in our dreams. Sometimes, those stories are depictions of this day and age. No matter how real or how fake the images on screen are, we know it was "just a movie."  

Of course, there will always be those that try to imitate art. 

James Holmes, the madman behind the Aurora theatre shootings, claimed to be "The Joker" - Batman's nemesis. Naturally, that madman's claims have sparked an uproar against The Dark Knight Rises as being the sort of film that inspires such madness.  

TOLD YOU SO: Multiple Arrests at Theatres Over Incidents Following Aurora Shooting

The world has changed. I wrote over the weekend that the movie-going and social experience will never again be the same. Now these reports are people being arrested at theatres for threats and suspicious activity are coming in. This is only the beginning. So sad.
-Andres

MY OP ED: The Dark Knight Rises $163 million opening weekend; Shooting tragedy affected box office grosses.

READ STORIES HERE:
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Making Criminal Threats in Norwalk Movie Theater

'Dark Knight' showing halted in Bergen County because of unusual activity near emergency door

3 arrested in separate 'Dark Knight' incidents

Theater 'gunman' makes first court appearance, has reddish orange hair - NYPOST.com

READ STORY HERE

FILM REVIEW: The Dark Knight Rises (Review Date: July 22, 2012)

By popular demand and much peer pressure, here is my review on The Dark Knight Rises! In a throwback to my days on The Critic Corner, I have used my signature Newsletter template for the review. Its available as a PDF. I did this instead of doing it as a blog post because my review does have spoilers.

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REVIEW

***SPOILER ALERT***

Colorado shooting spree could have been worse; shooter’s gun jammed, official says - The Washington Post

REPORT: Sunday was a prayerful day of official and unofficial mourning in this shattered community. The president of the United States flew into town to console the families of those slain and wounded, thousands of residents gathered for an evening memorial service, and hundreds more huddled in the rain for a prayer vigil across the street from the site of Friday’s shooting rampage.

It now appears that the casualties could have been even more horrific. The gunman’s semiautomatic assault rifle jammed and prevented him from emptying a 100-round magazine of ammunition, according to a law enforcement source.

There also emerged a new twist in the narrative that indicates that the alleged shooter, identified by authorities as James Holmes, 24, did not immediately surrender to police and could have come close to eluding capture by slipping away in the guise of a SWAT team officer.

Holmes, being held without bond at the Arapahoe County Jail, will appear in court for the first time Monday.

“Aurora is strong” said one handwritten sign at a makeshift memorial site marked with 12 white crosses near the Century 16 movie complex, where the gunman burst into a midnight screening of the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises.”

READ STORY HERE

BATGIRL: 13-year-old's act of heroism in Aurora massacre - CBS News Video

READ REPORT HERE

OP ED: The Dark Knight Rises $163 million opening weekend; Shooting tragedy affected box office grosses

Thursday night I went to bed seeing a headline that read: "Shooting at Colorado theatre. Developing..." No details were available. In the morning, that's the news that was plastered everywhere. At least 12 dead and dozens were injured over the senseless, mindless, stupid killings by a crazed madman. The attack which occurred during a midnight showing at Aurora, Colorada undoubtedly affected the box office potential of The Dark Knight Rises which was tracking on par with Marvel's The Avengers. That no longer matters. The Dark Knight Rises will not set any records beyond the biggest superhero midnight opening. Its expected to make $163 million for the weekend, but because of the shooting tragedy, Warner Bros will not be releasing any box office numbers until Monday.

READ REPORT AND UPDATES HERE

July 20, 2012, will not be remembered for the massive box office opening the latest Batman film could have been. Instead, this date will be remembered in infamy for changing the entire movie experience altogether - for the worst. Parents and patrons will live in fear of possible copycats attempting to repeat the attacks. Theatre chains will beef up security and perhaps even install metal detectors. Don't rule out possible "TSA-like" security from being implemented at the theatres, shopping malls and other public places. The entire social experience that we knew and enjoyed has now been changed by the doings of a maniac that deserves the death penalty for the lives he's taken, and the families he's destroyed.

Aurora shooting suspect James Holmes jailed in solitary: ‘All the inmates were talking about killing him’ - NY Daily News

REPORT: MOVIE MASSACRE suspect James Holmes remained unapologetic and irrational Saturday in  a Colorado jail where his life was at risk from inmates bent on revenge.

Holmes, held under suicide watch in solitary confinement, remained in his murderous “Joker” persona after arriving at the Arapahoe Detention Center, a jailhouse worker told the Daily News.

“Let’s just say he hasn’t shown any remorse,” the employee said. “He thinks he’s acting in a movie.”

The man accused in the midnight theater massacre was still acting bizarrely a day after his rampage at a screening of “The Dark Night Rises” — the last film in the Batman trilogy.

“He was spitting at the door and spitting at the guards,” one released inmate told The News outside the jail. “He’s spitting at everything. Dude was acting crazy.”

Two other just-released inmates said the concerns of jail officials over Holmes’ survival were well-founded.

READ REPORT HERE

THE JOKER: 14 Dead In Colorado Theater Shooting During Midnight Showing Of New Batman Movie « CBS New York

REPORT: New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the gunman suspected of attacking a crowded movie theater in Aurora, Colorado resembled Batman’s arch-villain “The Joker” at the time of the shocking attack.

“It clearly looks like a deranged individual. He had his hair painted red, he said he was ‘The Joker,’ obviously the ‘enemy’ of Batman,” Kelly said about the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, at a news conference Friday.

A source also told the Associated Press the suspect is not cooperating and has asked for a lawyer.

READ REPORT HERE

BREITBART: Exclusive: Contra ABC News, Dark Knight Aurora, CO Shooting Suspect James Holmes Could Be Registered Democrat

REPORT: James Holmes, the suspect arrested in connection with the mass shootings at a screening of the new Batman movie early this morning in Aurora, CO, could be a registered Democrat, according to documents obtained by Breitbart News. Earlier, ABC News' Brian Ross and George Stephanopoulos speculated on Good Morning America that Holmes was a Tea Party member, based solely on a name appearing on a Tea Party website.

READ STORY HERE

Was the Batman movie shooting imitated from scene in 1986 comic? | WashingtonExaminer.com

WOW! I was thinking something similar to! So tragic . . .

-Andres

READ REPORT HERE

VIDEOS: Shooting in Aurora theatre during The Dark Knight Rises

13 Dead After Shooting During ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Movie | CBS Denver

REPORT: A terrifying shooting at an Aurora movie theater overnight left 13 people dead and about 38 people hurt.

The shooting happened at about 12:30 a.m. at the Town Center in Aurora at the Century 16 theater on East Alameda Avenue. Reports first came in that there were explosions in the theater showing the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises." Shots then rang out, and a frantic scene followed.

Police said a gunman with a gas mask on and dressed in black shot and killed dozens and dozens of people. Authorities say the suspect, James Holmes, 24, killed 10 people inside the theater complex and that three others died after they were taken from the scene. A three-month-old was among the dozens who were hurt, but the baby was treated and released from the hospital.

"Witnesses tell us he released some sort of canister. They heard a hissing sound and some gas emerged and the gunman opened fire," Chief Dan Oates said.

The midnight showing of the movie had just started when the violence began. Donovan Tate and his girlfriend escaped from the packed theater.

READ REPORT HERE:
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/07/20/aurora-colorado-mall-shooting-town-center-century-16/

-Andres
twitter.com/@thenewsreel

The Dark Knight Rises Trilogy Trailer

TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: My Coverage of The Dark Knight (2008)

There's less than 7 days until the debut of The Dark Knight Rises! Its been a 4 year wait that just flew by! Four years ago I still did my Critic Corner movie blog. So as a reminder of the hype that was for The Dark Knight, I want to share with all of our these links for a trip down memory lane:

The Dark Knight coverage 2008:

http://thecriticcorner.blogspot.com/search/label/tdk

Here's a link to my all of my recent posts regarding The Dark Knight Rises:

http://www.thenewsreel.info/search/label/TDKR

Enjoy!!

AGREED: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ has shot, but long road to beat ‘The Avengers’ record-breaking opening - NY Daily News

This is what I said before. =)
MY ORIGINAL POST
-Andres

REPORT: Box office speculators are wondering whether the star-studded cast of "The Dark Knight Rises" stands a fighting chance against the super squad in "The Avengers."


With an opening weekend gross of $200.3 million, Marvel Studios' latest entry into the superhero genre busted the previous record-holder "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2's" spellbinding opening haul of $169.2 million, but the third installment of director Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has an outside shot to reach similar numbers.


"I didn't even think $200 million was possible, and the Avengers had such mass appeal," says Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for hollywood.com, who added that he's shocked that the possibility even exists.


But with the colossal hype left over from the success of "The Dark Knight," which broke records in 2008 when it grossed $158.4 million its opening weekend, "The Dark Knight Rises" might just have what it takes to make the impossible possible.


A few obstacles do stand in the caped crusader's way, though. "The Avengers" had the benefit of being a 3D release, which allowed for higher ticket prices.


"3D was such a key figure for 'The Avengers,'" says Dergarabedian, "but if any film could do it it would be 'The Dark Knight Rises.'"


Another potential pitfall might be the lack of a draw like Heath Ledger, whose posthumous performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" came just a few months after his high-profile death.


But with the summer of 2012 already having been a boon season at the box-office, there is no reason to count "The Dark Knight Rises" out.


"I definitely don't want to underestimate this film, definitely not," says Dergarabedian.
-Michael Menna

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/dark-knight-rises-shot-long-road-beat-avengers-record-breaking-opening-article-1.1113242#ixzz20Xu6PbRc

AMC adds "Dark Knight Rises" midnight shows to meet demand - chicagotribune.com

This is what I call a summary post. Below my post are links to various stories covering the increased hype and expectations of The Dark Knight Rises. Its upon us! Less than 3 weeks left. With nearly a  month of pre-sale tickets, where does the movie stand?

These are figures released by AMC as reported by The Chicago Tribune:
- AMC adds more midnight shows to meet demand.
- AMC added 3:45am show times to the IMAX showings as overfill for the midnight premiere demand
- AMC sold well over 23,000 pre-sale tickets for its Batman marathon
- AMC sold more than 100,000 pre-sale tickets.

And these are just AMC's numbers. AMC is the 2nd largest theater chain.

READ REPORT HERE

For information about the film's tracking, check out these other links:
"DARK KNIGHT RISES" BOX OFFICE: BATMAN COULD BE BIGGER THAN "THE AVENGERS"
"DARK KNIGHT RISES" SET FOR MASSIVE OPENING, RUNNING SLIGHTLY BEHIND "AVENGERS"

Check out my own take on The Dark Knight Rises' box office potential by reading my past posts here.

THE HYPE RISES: 'Dark Knight Rises' set to cross 'Avengers' - ibnlive

I was waiting for a report like this. The pre-sale tickets for The Dark Knight Rises went on sale June 11. After  10 days of pre-sales, I was wondering where the film was tracking. The report below makes it seem that TDKR is out-performing The Avengers' pre-sales. Will it - can it be bigger than The Avengers? I want to say "yes" but these aren't apples and oranges here. The Avengers benefited from IMAX and 3D premium prices. At least 65% of the tickets sold for The Avengers were from premium ticket prices. TDKR does not have that advantage. Its relying on IMAX tickets to boost its sales numbers as no 3D rendering is involved. The Dark Knight had no problem setting the opening box office record 4 years ago without the added weight of premium ticket prices. All other movies that bested that opening weekend have benefited from the 3D premium prices. 

Can TDKR go above and beyond? $207 million in 3 days is a staggering mark to beat and at nearly an 3 hour estimate running time, TDKR can't cram in as many shows in a day unless it takes up most of the cinema screens. What's the bottom line? I don't think TDKR will break the box office record The Avengers set this past May. I do believe it will cross $400 million in domestic receipts. And I do expect this movie to be more than the less-than-stellar marketing campaign is making it to be.

But I wouldn't be at all surprised to see The Dark Knight Rises beat the box office "Bane!"

-Andres

REPORT: The pre-booking sales of Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Night Rises' has begun and they seem promising enough to take over 'The Avengers' as the highest grossing action hero film of all time. The tickets went on sale last week and the opening night was promptly sold out, reports ew.com. The tickets are being sold for $100 mostly, with an exception of the screening at Manhattan's Lincoln Square Theater selling them for $114. Meanwhile, tickets in Britain are being sold for 300 pounds.

READ REPORT HERE