UPDATE: It’s been pointed out to me that Fox Searchlight has separate distribution and marketing from “big” Fox. So “12 Years” looks like it’s going to have a big weekend. Stay tuned…
Earlier: You know that Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” is so important, so well made, so good, and one of the top 10 movies of this year or any year. But it’s having a little trouble in its launch. On Tuesday, every other movie in release posted big gains over Monday– Tuesday is typically a big night out for adults at the cinema. But not “12 Years a Slave.” It actually dipped 6%. Tuesday night serious filmgoers should have flocked to this film. Even some of what I’d call the second tier movies did well last night– Rush, Prisoners, even Runner Runner. “Rush” posted a 35% increase over Monday. But the McQueen movie isn’t translating well. Of course, come December there will be a slew of nominations. But Fox– currently overhauling its marketing departments–may have to rethink how it’s presenting “12 Years.” And if you’re reading this, get to a theater pronto. I said it before: this is the “Schindler’s List” of the black experience.
