{"id":2129,"date":"2017-10-08T17:48:14","date_gmt":"2017-10-08T17:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/commarts.pleather.us\/2017\/10\/08\/the-florida-project-scores-at-specialty-box-office-as-victoria-abdul-soars\/"},"modified":"2017-10-08T17:48:14","modified_gmt":"2017-10-08T17:48:14","slug":"the-florida-project-scores-at-specialty-box-office-as-victoria-abdul-soars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.valdosta.edu\/m2\/2017\/10\/08\/the-florida-project-scores-at-specialty-box-office-as-victoria-abdul-soars\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Florida Project\u2019 Scores at Specialty Box Office as \u2018Victoria & Abdul\u2019 Soars"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fresh off the New York Film Festival, Sean Baker’s acclaimed “The Florida Project<\/a>” (A24) sprinted ahead of the over-crowded fall specialty pack, as some 35 titles launched in limited runs this weekend. Backed by some of the best reviews of the year, the Cannes pickup marks Baker’s breakout following succ\u00e8s d’estime\u00a0<\/em>“Tangerine.”<\/p>\n

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“Victoria & Abdul<\/a>”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“Victoria & Abdul” (Focus) is setting the early pace for this awards season’s contenders, with Judi Dench showing yet again her strength as a draw.<\/p>\n

Most other openings appealed to niche audiences, with several documentaries competing to get review attention that might position them for later awards consideration. While another NYFF title, Agnes Varda and J.R.’s “Faces, Places” (Cohen), nabbed the best reviews, none did more than modest business.<\/p>\n

Opening<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Florida Project\u00a0<\/strong>(A24) – Metacritic: 94; Festivals include: Cannes, Toronto, New York 2017<\/p>\n

$152,622 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $38,156<\/p>\n

Sean Baker’s sixth feature follows his critical success “Tangerine” two years ago with a stellar New York\/Los Angeles debut that stands out among fall season releases so far. But the most impressive comparison is to a similar Southern and non-professional kids’ cast festival boosted title. Fox Searchlight’s “Beasts of the Southern Wild” in 2012 opened in four similar theaters to a slightly better $42,000 PTA on its way to a $12 million-plus total and four top Oscar nominations. It is far ahead of “Tangerine” ($15,000 PTA in four theaters its initial weekend).<\/p>\n

Whether “Florida” will reach the same heights as “Beasts” is yet to be determined, but with even better reviews so far and with “Moonlight” distributor A24 strategizing for the long haul, Baker’s humane portrait of Orlando’s poverty row is off to a strong start, even if it’s not as strong as the “Moonlight” opening ($100,000 PTA). “Florida” was the best grosser at all of its theaters other than “Blade Runner 2049” (also with strong reviews but more premium pricing) where both played.<\/p>\n

What comes next:<\/strong><\/em> An elevated national expansion starts this Friday.<\/p>\n

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“Dina”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Dina\u00a0<\/strong>(The Orchard)\u00a0– Metacritic: 78; Festivals include: Sundance, Seattle 2017<\/p>\n

$8,035 in 1 theater; PTA: $8,035<\/p>\n

The Sundance Documentary Grand Jury winner takes an unusual path — an actual theatrical opening, no Netflix, cable, PBS parallel dates — with its New York exclusive opening. Telling the story of a middle age women with Asperger’s and her similar fianc\u00e9 as they ponder the intimate details of marriage, this sensitive portrait of a couple has received decent reviews to help it get attention outside the usual social issue or celebrity\/creative world stories of non-fiction films. This is a decent initial response for a not overtly commercial documentary, which has its roots in “Best Boy,” the 1979 Oscar winner about an aging Down’s Syndrome man.<\/p>\n

What comes next:<\/strong><\/em> Los Angeles and Philadelphia open this Friday, with an ambitious 150 or more dates planned ahead.<\/p>\n

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“Una”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Una\u00a0<\/strong>(Swen)\u00a0– Metacritic: 61; Festivals include: Toronto,\u00a0 Telluride 2016<\/p>\n

$7,300 in 1 theater; PTA: $7,300<\/p>\n

Rooney Mara looks up the older man (Ben Mendelsohn) she ran off with as a minor 15 years ago. She and her costar have garnered upbeat reviews since the drama’s festival premiere over a year ago. Its initial theatrical release in Manhattan showed modest interest.<\/p>\n