The "Melania" Box Office Dump

[PeterRS]

Someone decided that it might be an idea to make a movie about Melania Trump. The Donald perhaps? I have no idea how it will play in the USA after it opens on Thursday - pretty well in MAGA territory I expect - but in London sales are nowhere near box office jubilation. Melania opens on Friday later this week. Tim Richards, the Chief Executive of Vue one of the UK's leading cinema operators, has described the public reaction so far as "soft". Well, Mr. Richards, if the public reaction to Melania is "soft", what in your view is disastrous, I wonder?

At Vue's flagship cinema in London's Islington, precisely one ticket has been sold so far for the first showing and two for the second. But never fear, things are looking up for the cinemas in Wandsworth and Broughton where - wait for it - four and five tickets have been sold for the first showings. But then the five in Broughton are all the cheapest seats in the back row! Poor Richards. Totally on the back foot he spins, "We do not play judge and jury to censor films." No doubt that is true, but there are plenty of examples of movies which were first denied showings in cinemas. Why this one? Stupid question, I guess.

Ah! But then we should not forget. Amazon paid US$40 million for the rights to make the movie, a fair chunk of that no doubt going to its subject. Amazon is also spending US$35 million on a worldwide marketing push.

At least one potential reviewer has labelled the movie "Must Watch!" and tickets "Selling out Fast!". That can hardly be of much consolation to the subject of the movie as those predictions were made by - the Donald! No doubt he will be waiting expectedly for the announcement of next year's Oscar nominations!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/26/melania-trump-documentary-uk-cinemas-vue-soft-sales

[caeron]

 

Bezos has become a trump suck ass. I canceled my subscription to the Washington Post over the shit he pulled on it sucking up to Trump.