The term blockbuster takes on a whole new meaning in the independent film world.
“Bottle Shock,” the spirited true story of an American winery standing up to the best wines France has to offer, has racked up $3.6 million in its first month of release.
That’s about how much “The Dark Knight” will make in the time it takes you to read this blog entry. But for independent film, it’s a very sweet sum.
Much sweeter, in fact, than other high-profile indies (”The Wackness,” “American Teen,” “Frozen River,” “Transsiberian” and “Henry Poole is Here” ) sold to distributors at the recent Sundance Film Festival.
Good for “Bottle Shock,” but it’s also a reminder the vast majority of independent films make precious little money during their theatrical runs.
(Photo: Rachael Taylor and Freddy Rodriguez toast to their good fortune in “Bottle Shock.”)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
James Frazier 09.18.08 at 7:24 am
This played at my local theater for a week. If I’d have known the time would be so short, I’d have caught it.
I heard a lot of comparisons to “Sideways,” though few films will win a popularity contest with me when compared to that one.
cftoto 09.18.08 at 12:58 pm
BS is no Sideways … not by a longshot. But there are some similarities, and Alan Rickman’s performance is worth the proverbial price of admission.
monkey 09.20.08 at 12:01 am
im really looking forward to catching this, after a recent trip to napa valley it was all the talk and got interested in the history of wine more so.
I love Alam Rickman, hes good in the majority of his role and is very under rated.