So, Fox Searchlight's big summer release is obviously The Tree of Life, currently doing spectacular business in limited release, but they also have three other films on their summer slate.

I find these three interesting because they're smaller than a lot of other recent Searchlight releases. As a company, they often release the absolute biggest "indies"--ones with big stars and/or by famous directors. (Example: The Descendants with George Clooney, which they're releasing in the fall.) So, as a result, their films often gross more than releases by, say, Sony Pictures Classics or even Focus Features.

I'm eager to see how these smaller films fare with Searchlight's specialty-releasing muscle.

I voted for Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Being based on a bestselling novel certainly helps. If Mao's Last Dancer could gross 4 mil. with Samuel Goldwyn Films last summer/fall, I suspect this one could muster 10 mil., maybe a bit more. (This also has the biggest star in Hugh Jackman, though he's strangely not mentioned or glimpsed in the trailer. Even if it is a tiny supporting role, I'm surprised they wouldn't highlight it at all.)

I can't see The Art of Getting By doing much. Just seems SO generic. A lower profile It's Kind of a Funny Story (if possible) with less star power. The type of movie a niche teen audience will discover later on DVD, not during its run in art-houses. Maybe a 2-3 mil. finish.

Another Earth strikes me as a total wild card. The trailer is, IMO at least, great. Very compelling, odd, hypnotic, etc. I presume it's attached to The Tree of Life, which seems very natural.

I don't see any of them making much of an impact, though Snow Flower will likely do the best out of them. In a perfect world it would be Another Earth, which looks AMAZING. I still think there's a chance it could do the best of the three. Depends how hard Fox Searchlight pushes it. Really, really hope it will open here.

Oh shit, lol, I accidentally picked The Art of Getting By.

You can re-vote.

Another Earth seriously does seem amazing. Such a cool trailer. I'd love for it to do well.

I didn't notice that before.

I voted Another Earth. If it opens by me I will see it. Looks awesome. All they have to do is give it a big enough push for it to gross the most.

Yes. It would be awesome if it somehow manages to break into FoxS Top 10 films, along with The Tree of Life.

Apparently The Art of Getting By is supposed to open in 500 theaters or so next weekend. MTV has been airing ads for it like crazy. Still doubt it will do very well though. It's just not the type of movie that does.

Here's a TV spot:



Smart to mention (500) Days of Summer and Juno.

None of them will probably pass $10 million.

I give a shit. Mike, SolC9, and 2001 were part of the conversation, too.

I don't give a shit how Transformers 3 does, but it won't stop you and others from slobbering over its numbers.

So fuck off.

Well count me in the conversation list as well

Don't be harsh on Magnus, he does ignorant of platform releases

I think The Art of Getting By can do okish, nothing great but still under $10m.

"The Art of Getting By" is going to get many bad reviews from critics (just like what this film did at Sundance 2011), and it is why Fox Searchlight plan to open this film in 500 theaters instead of in platform release (which requires strong critical backing).

Arthouse distributors tend to open critically-lambasted niche films in around 100-600 theaters, and those films tends to do almost nothing at box office (ie, "The Lucky Ones", "The Informers", "Management", "I Want Your Money", "Go For It", etc....).

Still, some of critically-lambasted niche films could enjoy respectful box office results in similar release patterns, like "To Save A Life", "Chloe" and "From Prada to Nada".
Maybe "The Art of Getting By" can enjoy respectful box office result, too. (At least, "The Art of Getting By" has much more mainstream appeal than "Chloe" on surface)

Yeah, I remember The Art of Getting By was savaged at Sundance (when it was called Homework).

Even with good reviews most movies like this don't do well in limited release, so it's best to open it semi-wide right away.

This kind of film tend to do well in limited release if they receive strong critical support, like "(500) Days of Summer" and "Juno".

Fox Searchlight bought "The Art of Getting By" before the bad reviews came out at Sundance, and they might think that they had discovered "(500) Days of Summer" when they saw "The Art of Getting By". (Unluckily, critics' tastes are very hard to predict; even the Best Foreign Language Oscar winner "In a Better World" receives so-so critical response in US.)

When I saw Beginners and Submarine yesterday the theatre manager came down before each showing to whore this movie. "Next weekend we are offering The Art of Getting By, starring Alicia Silverstone, Emma Roberts, and Freddie Highmore. Go to our website to learn more."

In addition to other pleasantries ("we see many of you each weekend and are grateful your continued patronage," "please go into the lobby if you must use your cell phone," etc.), of course.

The Art of Getting By won't pass $5 million.

Couldn't they just stick the trailer before those movies?

I want to see The Art of Getting By. It looks like a nice little indie.

I agree. If it opens here I'll certainly see it. Reviews aren't even bad, just mixed so far. Doesn't mean it won't be an enjoyable flick though. I really like Emma Roberts too, and it's nice to see Alicia Silverstone in a movie again.

When did Highmore grow up though? I mean geez, he pulled a Josh Hutcherson on us.

They did.

Judging from the trailer, he could wind up being the worst part of the movie. He used to be cute, but it seems to have turned into low-rent smugness. I cringe when he says, "Everything seemed meaningless, including the assignment unfortunately."

I also heard there's a scene where, despite knowing the Highmore character is severely unstable and sensitive, the principal forces him to sit with his class at the high school graduation ceremony; if his name is called, he'll know he made it, but if not, he'll be the last one sitting. Sounds a bit ridiculous.

He used to be an ugly kid, and now he's become quite a sexy young man .