..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Kim Voynar
..Michael Wilmington

September 11, 2005 Weekend Estimates The Exorcism of Emily Rose definitely got audiences into their seats as it provided an initial scream count estimated at $31.2 million. It was a record response for an immediate post-Labor Day holiday debut and spearheaded the first double-digit boost from 2004 since everyone celebrated a birthday, more or less. Other debuting fare was less auspicious with a particularly disappointing bow for the action-comedy The Man of $4.1 million that slotted sixth in the lineup. The limited opening of An Unfinished Life netted about $1 million from 139 engagements. The oft-delayed release of the Robert Redford vehicle appeared to get a boost from sneak previews during the Labor Day holiday frame but that seeming potency failed to materialize in commercial release. Weekend business appeared headed for a tally of about $85 million that would represent an 11% boost from 2004 and an 8% decline from the 3-day portion of last weekend's holiday period. Sony acquired worldwide rights for Emily Rose and there was little question from tracking studies that the horror programmer would be number one choice in the domestic marketplace. However, its opening strength was expected to be no greater than $22 million. Conversely, while clearly a second option, The Man appeared to have greater appeal than ticket buyers demonstrated and many predicted a second place finish and a weekend gross in the neighborhood of $7.5 million. Holdover titles generally saw post-summer drops consistent with comparable historic titles with The Constant Gardener perhaps experiencing a little sharper downturn than expected. Clearly the difference in the marketplace was largely attributable to the power of this weekend's first choice. Had Emily Rose bowed to the $23 million of last year's Resident Evil: Apocalypse, business would have been flat. Distributors and exhibitors are nonetheless hoping current box office is a good omen for the rest of the season. Openers in niche and regional play were largely solid through short of spectacular. Bollywood's Salaam Namaste looked quite strong with a box office close to $500,000 from 63 locations. Similarly there were respectable returns of $52,600 for Mobsters and Mormons in Utah and an encouraging $49,000 response to the U.S. indie Green Street Hooligans from seven big city venues. - by Leonard Klady