"MIddle of Nowhere" is somwhere at the indie box office.
It’s another weekend where things are quiet at the art house while busy at the multiplex. The best performer of the new releases was “The Middle of Nowhere,” directed by Ada DuVernay, averaged $13,005 at six theaters. It got an Oprah seal of approval, so that may have helped bring in some audience members. “Smashed” averaged $7,506 at four theaters, but probably should have done better considering the relative high profile of the cast (Aaron Paul, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Octavia Spencer) compared to other indies. Other than that, there wasn’t much to be excited about. “Simon and the Oaks” earned $10,377 at one theater. The Irish film “War of the Buttons” averaged only $914 from five locations. I have no idea if that movie is any good, but here’s a hint to a marketing department: if I haven’t even heard of it, you’re doing something really wrong. I actually feel bad for the filmmakers.
Holdovers–”The Paperboy” expanded into 49 total theaters and did poorly with just a $2,122 per screen average. Looks like that curiosity about Nicole Kidman peeing on Zac Efron reached its limits last weekend. “The House I Live In” upped to eight theaters, where it averaged $2,809.
On to next week! The biggest opener is “The Sessions,” the festival hit starring John Hawkes and Helen Hunt. Then we have the buzzed about doc “Brooklyn Castle” and a concert film, “Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day.” It’s been a long time since we rock and rolled.
