Easy on the name calling, Mr.R what the hells the matter with you!

Looks like someone missed out on their medication this morning.

Well, they're now putting the words out that "Avatar is getting too hot and needs to be cooled down some." The coverage from nation-owned newspapers is also turning negative, focusing on the film's relatively weaker aspects like story and saying there is nothing for Chinese directors to be afraid or feel bad about.

So far about 60% of the gross has come from the 600 some 3D + 11 IMAX screens, while the 1,800 2D screens accounted for 40%. But cutting off those 2D screens means some smaller cities will no longer have access to the film, or at least it becomes difficult.

Write me your real name and address, so that I could track you down and rip you apart. Good-buy.

I have a question, xiayun. China only allows 20 foreign films to be released during the year, so are films that are released towards the end of the year at a disadvantage of being selected, or how does the process work exactly?

100m should still happen right. it should play strong until next thursday everywhere and then imax/3d should take it above 100m?

Well maybe one day Chinese government will decide that it's time to free the movie market and allow more foreign movies.

$75m total by Saturday: http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2010/0 ... wn-by.html.

xiayun really good article. Just wanted to know the China markets more, would it be possible that people may see through what is happening(reducing screens for bigger local release) and start going heavily to the already limited access of Avatar theaters?

Also is there a possibility that if Confucius is a total bummer Avatar might get some of its screens back?

BEIJING -- The 2D version of "Avatar" is being pulled from more than 1,600 screens in China to make way for "Confucius," a patriotic, state-backed biopic of the philosopher, starring Hong Kong's Chow Yun-fat, which will bow Thursday.
This is standard practice in China, where the government will clear the screens of foreign fare in the run-up to major holidays -- in this case, Chinese New Year next month -- to help boost local movies.

The James Cameron blockbuster will continue to screen in 3D on nearly 900 screens.

"Avatar," distributed here by the China Film Group, opened on Jan. 4 after delays which denied it day-and-date release with the rest of the world. It took in nearly 550 million yuan ($80.6 million) in its first two weeks, making it the top grossing film ever in China.

Some reports have said that the movie was being pulled because of its theme, which deals with natives being forced to move from their homes -- a big issue in China where land grabs by unscrupulous real estate developers, aided by corrupt officials, are a national scandal.

Others see an analogy with the Tibetan independence movement, or the Uighur independence movement in Xinjiang, where the indigenous people complain their culture is being overwhelmed by Han Chinese culture steered from Beijing.

However, both reasons seem unlikely as "Avatar" will continue to screen in 3D, which is proving the most popular format by far.

On Monday, in one of Beijing's fast-growing multiplexes, there were lines to buy tickets for the 3D version of "Avatar" -- in English with subtitles to boot -- but none for the two regular cinemas showing the pic.

The Beijing Youth Daily quoted UME Intl. Cineplex assistant manager Liu Hui confirming the pullout while adding that it wouldn't affect the cinema's revenues.

"In UME, the 3D and Imax version make up 90% of our box-office income, so it won't affect the majority of viewers," she said.

By the end of last year, China had more than 4,700 screens, including nearly 800 3D screens, 1,800 digital screens and 22 Imax screens.

Chinese B.O. topped $880 million last year, a rise of over 40% on the previous year, and a record 450 films were made and screened on the Chinese mainland.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111801 ... id=19&cs=1

xia,
any trends for this week. someone from china at bom mentioned increased 3d showings which could lead to overall increase from last weekend. is that even a remote possibility?