Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Nice clip from the DVD + updates about european box offices

The DVD is soon going to be released in UK and US. So BVI/Disney has decided to show us some extracts from Grant Gee’s documentary "Don’t Crash" (which will be included on the 2 DVD set which will be released first in the UK)

Here is the clip published some days ago by H2G2.com about the whale : HERE

There should be another one soon (well it should be online already) but I won't be able to deal with it before next week (a few holidays at last!!)

First some good news from france. H2G2 is doing fine at the French box office. H2G2 has reached 240.000 viewers (with 25O prints) in one week which is quite good.

Sadly, we've got bad news from Italy. I thought that the movie will be released there in october, but I got a mail from Emilio, an Italian fan : "here in Italy was released on friday 12th of august! BUT the distribution was very bad. Only in 12 theater (all warner bros multiplexes) over the whole country :(( and no trailer on tv or before other movies in theaters. I think in Italy IS a flop :( but caused by the distribution. I can't understand why they have released it in mid-august...we can win the prize for worst earnings DNA's works are not very famous in Italy, this movie could be a very good starting point for new fans, but not with (no)promotion like this".

Saturday, August 20, 2005

News from the International box office (pic)

Good news from the international box office. As you all know, the H2G2 movie has not opened yet all over the world. The big release this week was obvioulsy France. We had a French avant Premiere the 5th August with Garth Jennings, Nick Goldsmith and Robbie Stamp. It was a wonderful evening. One thousand persons was there to see the movie on French biggest movie screen. The audience laughed and applauded the movie.

Below you can see Robbie (and his lovely wife Sue), Garth and Nick at the French Premiere.



The movie was finally released Wednesday the 17th. For its first day, H2G2 is second right behind the Island which opened in 491 theatres (249 for H2G2). Typical french behaviour : the fact that The Island is a failure in US makes the movie even more attractive for French people! Encouraging results anyway for H2G2 as Douglas Adams is almost unknown in France. There are currently a lot of debates of french movie forums about H2G2. People are quite surprised by such a movie. Some love it and others don't understand a word about this movie. H2G2 had also good reviews from the french press.
French box office for wednesday 17th August

1 - The Island 2 - H2G2 3 - La cloche a sonné (french comedy) 4 - Mr and Mrs Smith 5 - Charlie and the chocolate factory

In Finland, the movie has opened last week and is still first. It grossed 330.124 dollars in two weeks.
1- The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy 2- Valiant 3- Sin City 4 - Fantastic Four
In Norway, The Hitchhiker's movie has grossed $566,668 dollars in three weeks. I don't have the figures for Sweeden but according to Totta (webmaster of a sweedish website about Doulgas and H2G2), the movie was 2nd (with Batman begins 1st) when it opened at the begining of August.
We should notice too that the movie was a good success in Germany where it made $7,730,678 in seven weeks (better than Batman begins). While it was rather a failure in Netherlands (it opened only 5th in the box office at the begining of August and have only grossed $336,702 in two weeks which is rather weeks in The Netherlands).

According to boxofficemojo.com, The H2G2 movie has grossed 96,3 millions dollars already and has just been released or will be released in other countries in the next few weeks. The movie should reach the 100 millions dollars gross before the end of August.

The movie has also just been released in Belgium, French Switzerland and Argentina. It has yet to be released in Spain (2nd September) Japan (09th October), Italy (10th October)....

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

NEW informations about the upcoming H2G2 DVD !! England gets lucky once again (pic)

The DVD will be released in the UK on September 5th 2005. There is a UK exclusive, 2 disc edition (2nd disc only available if bought in the UK).

The Bonus 2nd disc is a making-of documentary called “Don’t Crash”, directed by Grant Gee. (it’s fantastic – I’ve seen it and it is like a film in itself!)

By the way, a reliable source has hinted that this 2nd disc won’t be available in the US for another 3 months…!!

There are 2 different packaged versions of the DVD going on sale:
1) Gift Pack version – This includes the 2 discs, the film edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy book and 6 art cards 2) 2 disc DVD only

Keep an eye on www.hitchhikersmovie.co.uk an extra DVD section has just gone live!
Here is a great pic of the gift pack we will all want to get (don't talk to me about the 2 disc DVD only or the US one DVD set!!) :



Here is the content of the 2 DVD disc UK edition :

Don't Crash – Bonus Disc:
UK exclusive featurette of the making of the film and documenting the journey from the initial green light to the galactic premiere
Extras on Disc One (the film is also on Disc One):
Making of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:
Behind the scenes with interviews from cast and crew
Additional Guide Entry:
Learn all about the mind-bogglingly useful Babel Fish
Deleted Scenes:
EARTH: MOSTLY HARMLESS
Having hitched a ride moments before its destruction, Arthur looks Earth’s Guide entry up
WE’RE GOING TO WIN
Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz motivates his bureaucrats
DELETED SCENE: IMPOSSIBLE FORCES
As the Vogons attack, Zaphod is re-acquainted with his vice-president
Really Deleted Scenes:
DO PANIC!
The Trillian rescue scene gets the full Hollywood treatment, but actors Martin Freeman and Mos Def have some concerns…
ARTHUR ESCAPES
Arthur realises Slartibartfast’s plans are wholly evil
Sing Along "So Long And Thanks for All the Fish":
The movie's musical opening number, sung by Earth's second-most intelligent species – and you!
Audio Commentaries:
Commentary by Director Garth Jennings, Producer Nick Goldsmith and actors Martin Freeman and Bill Nighy
Commentary by Executive Producer Robbie Stamp and Douglas Adams’ colleague Sean SollĂ©
Marvin's Hangman:
A simple word game with detachable results
Improbability Drive:
You never know where you’ll end up