matrix japan, page-8

Officially Matrix was premiered in Japan on May 24th, and a number of cinemas have been showing it since then, albiet quietly. That is not to say, it was launched Nationally, so don't read into my words, or accuse me of saying things I did not.

Yes... I agree that launch was supposed to be 7th June and at that time it did open up to more cinemas across the nation, however, I was not wrong when I said that japanese have been seeing this film from 24th. Asia quite often has soft launches and prelaunch events, especially before big events are normally launched. In this case the soft launch coincided with a Japanese anime film called ANIMATRIX, and was the spring board for that dvd release.

Interestingly Matrix reloaded was in Thailand on DVD over a month ago, although illegally copied and of very poor quality, I have been told. Point is however it was there and it was being seen by lots of Thais, even though the Business Software Alliance and the Intellectual Property Courts were aware of the matter. It was not launched there at that time, but that is not the issue in this case.

Now whatever your concerns, comments or opinions, whether it was seen by Japanese now or 2 weeks ago, revenue will still be the same and it will not affect price earnings. My post will have no affect on the share price or earnings whatsoever.

Those of you buying this stock, because of the earnings of one movie, and then worry because of a post that goes against your idea of the norm, should rethink your investment strategies.

What is the point in calling me a liar? It just shows how little you understand the Asian market, and marks how little research you have actually done.
Don't vindicate your argument by throwing a US based weblink. It does not even reflect the Japanese market, nor provide details of Marketing strategies and prelaunch events in other countries.

The Asian market is not the Aussie market, nor the American market: it is a different ballgame. Marketing concepts are different and hence does not follow the conventional themes of PR and advertising.

I will stick to my claims that the 24th was a soft launch, and I will stick to my claims that in general Japanese movie goers have been stating that the story was not as good as they expected and that sfx were all it was about. There are obvious fans, and there are obviously others who are not.



LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "The Matrix Reloaded" filled its clip with a staggering $113.2 million from 62 countries in its second weekend, the first time in history a film has surpassed the century mark in that period.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" came the closest when it picked up $99.4 million last December.

The total overseas box office for "Reloaded" now stands at $154 million after 10 days, and when combined with its North American counterpart the picture has a worldwide gross of a sensational $363.5 million.

"Reloaded" added 49 countries this weekend after debuting in 13 a week ago, bringing the total to 62. That total does not include Japan, where "Reloaded" opens on June 7.

"It's an unbelievable thrill working on a film like this. We have never gone this wide this quickly," said Veronica Kwan-Rubinek, president of international distribution for Warner Bros.

As in North America, the picture's kid-restrictive rating hasn't impeded in a significant way the overall response at the box office.

"We are extremely pleased to see that the responses have been so positive that not even the film's restrictive rating in various markets has kept it from breaking records," added Kwan-Rubinek.

The top market for "Reloaded" was the United Kingdom, where it posted the fourth-biggest opening of all time with $19.8 million. In Germany, the picture generated $14.1 million, the sixth-largest debut ever in that country. Spain contributed a robust $7 million, the second-biggest opening in that market.

"Reloaded" raked in $6.7 million in Italy and had the biggest opening day of all time. The weekend take was the sixth-biggest debut in that market as well as the largest opening in May.

Scandinavia added $6.4 million to the mix, while Korea picked up $6 million. In Mexico "Reloaded" targeted $4.9 million on its opening frame -- the second-biggest ever, while Russia garnered $3.3 million and Brazil $2.8 million. The second weekend in France was $8.8 million, down 24% from its debut there, upping the local haul to $22.9 million.

"X2: X-Men United" was still drawing audiences into theaters on its fourth weekend as the Marvel comic book heroes grossed $8.3 million internationally from 70 countries, pushing the international total to $164.7 million, easily surpassing the original film's $140 million. The top markets were the United Kingdom, with $1.4 million, for a total of $29 million; France did $910,000, boosting the total there to $15.7 million; and Japan added $830,000, for an $11.4 million take.

After a strong worldwide run, "8 Mile" entered Japan, its final market, where the drama debuted in the top spot and picked up $2.3 million. The Eminem starrer has collected $113 million internationally.

In its seventh week of release, "Johnny English" sleuthed $2 million from 27 countries, taking its international total to a hearty $106 million. The comedy posted the third-biggest opening of all time in Indonesia with $170,000, behind "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "The Mummy Returns."

"Two Weeks Notice" debuted at No. 2 in Japan with $1.2 million, moving its international total to $102.7 million.

"Anger Management" managed $1.5 million from nine countries, lifting its foreign total to $17.3 million.