LDS Films Weekend Box Office Report 11 April 2003

Home

Feature Films by LDS/Mormon Filmmakers and Actors Weekend Box Office Report (U.S. Domestic Box Office Gross) Weekend of April 11, 2003 [If table lines up improperly, use mono-spaced font, i.e. Courier]

Natl  Film Title                Weekend Gross
Rank  LDS/Mormon Filmmaker/Star   Total Gross Theaters Days
---  ----------------------------- -----------  -----  ----
 8   The Core                        3,306,820  3,019    17
     Aaron Eckhart (lead actor)     25,755,993

12   Piglet's Big Movie              1,420,979  1,859    24
     Ken Sansom (3rd-billed actor)  18,974,376

47   Final Destination 2                76,689     75    73
     A.J. Cook (2nd-billed actor)   46,568,403

53   The R.M.                           43,243     27    73
     Kurt Hale (writer/director)       809,727
     John E. Moyer (writer)
     Dave Hunter (producer)
     Cody Hale (composer)
     Ryan Little (cinematographer)
     Actors: Kirby Heyborne, Will Swenson,
        Britani Bateman, Tracy Ann Evans
        Merrill Dodge, Michael Birkeland,
        Maren Ord, Leroy Te'o, Curt Dousett
        Wally Joyner, etc.

67   Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure   18,080     10   794
     Scott Swofford (producer)      14,422,589
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)
     Sam Cardon (composer)
     Stephen L. Johnson (editor)

89   Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man    4,085      3  1073
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   15,142,562

94   Jack Weyland's Charly               2,337      7   199
     Adam Anderegg (director)          803,135
     Jack Weyland (book author)
     Janine Gilbert (screenwriter)
     Lance Williams (producer)
     Micah Merrill (producer, film editor)
     Tip Boxell (co-producer)
     Bengt Jan Jonsson (cinematographer)
     Aaron Merrill (composer)
     Actors: Heather Beers, Jeremy Elliott,
        Adam Johnson, Jackie Winterrose Fullmer,
        Diana Dunkley, Gary Neilson, Lisa McCammon,
        Randy King, Bernie Diamond, etc.

96   Handcart                            1,879      3   185
     Kels Goodman (director/DP)         96,097
     David Greenslaw Sapp (producer)
     Mark von Bowers (screenwriter)
     Eric M. Hanson (composer)
     Actor: Jaelan Petrie, Stephanie Albach
        Chris Kendrick, Shannon Skinner,
        Gretchen Condie

99   Galapagos                           1,412      4  1263
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)   13,987,295

104  China: The Panda Adventure            325      2   626
     Reed Smoot (cinematographer)    3,007,388

THE R.M. AND CHARLY PASS THE $800,000 MARK - Both "The R.M." and "Charly" passed the $800,000 mark this past week. "The R.M.", which has so far grossed $809,727, passed "Charly", at $803,135, to move into the fifth spot on the LDS Cinema Box Office Gross chart - probably for good, since although both films are still in theaters, but "Charly" has been in theaters more than twice as long as "The R.M." and has nearly finished its theatrical run. It still remains to be seen whether either film will pass "Brigham City" which grossed $905,073 and stands fourth among LDS-niche films in terms of box office gross.

BAPTISTS AT OUR BARBECUE LEAD CHARACTERS ANNOUNCED - A highly placed in the "Baptists at Our Barbecue" production camp has confirmed the names of the lead characters in the upcoming Latter-day Saint-themed feature film, an adaptation of Robert Farrell Smith's critically acclaimed hilarious novel.

The lead characters will be none other than Tartan Jones, a 29-year-old but scandalously-still-single Latter-day Saint forest ranger from Provo, Utah who moves to the small mountain town of Longfellow, U.S.A. The town is home to 528 people, equally divided between Latter-day Saints and Baptists. Tartan's arrival stirs up controversy and conflict because he tips the scales by one person in favor of the Latter-day Saints.

The other lead character is the lovely and incomparable Charity who... well, if you've read the book, you know what we mean. Published by Bookcraft, an imprint of Deseret Book, "Baptists at Our Barbecue" is the second LDS market novel to be adapted as a feature film. The first was Jack Weyland's "Charly," which was adapted as last year's hit movie titled "Jack Weyland's Charly," soon to be released on DVD/video on May 6.

CARMEN STILL ALIVE - Teenaged Latter-day Saint singing sensation Carmen Rasmusen is still in the game on "American Idol." Over 21 million people voted in the last round. Carmen, who was recently dubbed the "most commercial" singer in the remaining bunch by celebrated judge Simon Cowell, was not even in the bottom three on last Tuesday's show (8 April 2003). Her place in the bottom 2 on the previous show must have rallied her fans to vote for her. But then... on the 15 April 2003 episode Carmen, one of 7 remaining contestants, gave the performance of the evening that least impressed the judges. Every one of the 3 regular judges, as well as celebrity judge Smokey Robinson, strongly criticized her performance. Simon Cowell said that it sounded like going to a party and at the end of the party a kid gets up and sings a song. Simon said if he was the parent and she was the kid giving that performance he would tell her to "shut up." Ouch. Actually, I thought she was awesome. Anyway, it's the votes that count... so we'll see tomorrow if Carmen has enough fans to pull her through this.

SUDDENLY UNEXPECTED WEB SITE UPDATED - The "Suddenly Unexpected" official website has been updated extensively. There are new cast and crew bios with details about the backgrounds of the people who made the movie. The news section also features a series of questions and answers with the director and producer, Mark and Marjorie Potter. They discuss the casting of the movie, the LDS Cinema genre, when and how "Suddenly" will be released to theaters, the mix of LDS/non-LDS cast and crew, the financing of the movie, and what it was like to make a movie as a family. See http://www.suddenlyunexpected.com

NEWS ABOUT "HANDCART" DVD - The LDS-themed pioneer epic film "Handcart" will be released on video/DVD scene, complete with considerable revisions meant to enhance historical accuracy. The DVD will be the most extras-packed DVD in LDS Cinema history. Pre-sale in May. Thomson Productions will distribute "Handcart" in the LDS market.

UPDATE ON HEIMERDINGER MOVIE - Quoting from Chris Heimerdinger's latest online newsletter: Summer of the Nephite Update. I've concentrated mainly on writing the novel for "Summer of the Nephites" over the last month. We've even explored the idea of doing a comic book (excuse me, GRAPHIC NOVEL) on some of the characters. I'd love to have some feedback on this idea to see if it's something you'd like to see. Raising money for the movie is a pain in the ptush (yes, I said ptush). We have several big nibbles right now, but no one has as yet taken the hook. Hopefully we'll have great things to report on this subject next month. All you aspiring actors, hang in there and be patient. This film WILL be made. As I've always said, if I don't shoot it this summer, I'll shoot it using my own $$ next summer.

THE CROW SEQUEL TO FILM IN SLC - The fourth installment of movies about the "The Crow" will soon be filmed in Salt Lake city. "The Crow: Wicked Prayer" is the title. The first two movies were feature films, the third, also filmed in SLC, was direct-to-video. Edward Furlong will star in the new movie.

LABUTE'S "BASH" STAGED AT WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY - Weber State University in Ogden, Utah is presenting what it calls "the first Utah production" of "Bash," Neil LaBute's controversial trio of Latter-day Saint-themed plays, on May 1-3.

POSSIBLY UPCOMING FEATURE FILMS BY A FEW BYU FILM SCHOOL STUDENTS/GRADS - Ben Gourley is finishing the screenplay for a feature, working title "Gulag." D. Kohl Glass is finishing the screenplay for a feature, "The Strawberries of Aldritch." Glass' short film, "The Promethian," recently won accolades at BYU's Final Cut film festival. Wyatt Wooley is finishing the screenplay for a feature, working title "The Bishop's Daughter."

THE GENESIS PROJECT - an independent SAG feature film is being cast now, casting college age students for classroom scenes, campus, ect. ages 18-30. Male, Female, any ethnicity. Shooting Days: May 5 -9. SLC, Utah. If you fit the description and will be available those days, please mail your headshot and resume, include e-mail to the address below. This is for Extra and Featured parts. There is pay. Exec. Producer: David Parker. Producer/Director: Frank Johnson. Utah Casting Director / Extras Coordinator: Michelle K. Wright. Start Date: May 5, 2003. Location: Salt Lake City / Park City, Utah. Mail headshot/resume to:
"Genesis Project"
PO Box 163
Kaysville, UT 84037

Genesis Project Story Line: A group of college students are given an assignment by their professor to come up with a topic for the group to study and investigate. The group decides to study serial killers to see what turns a normal person into a cold hearted killer. But things go wrong and break loose and soon they find themselves caught in the middle of a bloody web of lies and deceit.

WAR IN HEAVEN UPDATE: From Stephen Groo, the director of "War In Heaven":
There are still about 30 spots left for female extras for the film. Ages can range from 17-65 years of age. I'm in need of 80 male actors still. I'm looking for experienced cinematographers. Camera and equipment is available. Story-board is finished. Just need someone who has had experience in film making with video productions. I'm looking for post production in music scoring. The music will be gothic based choir effects. Please email Stephen Groo at if you are interested. Please give resume, head shots (optional), and phone numbers to where you can be reached at. This is a non-paid volunteer film that will take place July 12th in Provo. Contracts issued June 1st, so get on the cast list now!