Jan. 22, 2007
 
AWARDS SEASON: 'We Are Marshall' Likely Shut Out For Awards Consideration
 
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) – The inspirational movie about Huntington and Marshall University’s football comeback from the ashes of a 1970 plane crash will likely not be among the films nominated in major categories when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences makes its annual announcement early Tuesday morning, Jan. 23, 2007.
 
Early speculation and/or buzz suggested that “We Are Marshall” MIGHT gain recognition in acting or supporting acting categories. However, those Tinsel Town tea leaf readers -- to whom I now must defer -- focus on a film’s track record among nominations and wins in the Golden Globes, Producer’s Guild, Director Guild, etc.
 
On Saturday night, January 20, “Little Miss Sunshine,” an offbeat comedy, took the top award from the Producers Guild of America. Marc Turtletaub, David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf, Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa received the Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year trophy. “Cars” won the award for best animated film.
 
Earlier, “Dreamgirls” won the best comedy/musical award at the Golden Globes and “Babel” walked away with best drama.
 
Since “We Are Marshall” has unfortunately not received top award nominations at any of these competitions, it would be against the grain for it to turn up among Oscar’s elite. However, the movie still could receive a “technical achievement award nom” i.e. art direction, costume design, original screenplay, etc.
 
Considered front-runners in the annual Oscar derby are: “Dreamgirls,” “The Departed,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Queen,” and “Babel.”
 
Meanwhile, in its fifth week on the national multiplex field of dreams, “We Are Marshall” finished #18, dropping three positions from last week, which would be anticipated considering its screen count dropped 364. Taking in an estimated $1.65 million, the film now stands at $41,261,000.
 
On this very sluggish weekend where only one new film, “The Hitcher” made a wide debut, moviegoers continued to favor previous picks. For instance, “The Good Shepherd” remained slightly ahead of “WAM” with a $2.1 million take and fellow feel-gooder “Pursuit of Happyness” banked another $6.7 million.
 
“Rocky Balboa” appears to have dropped from the Top 20, and, ironically, “WAM” this weekend passed “Rocky V” to become the #22 Sport Drama since 1976. (“Balboa” is now #10). “WAM” is now the #10 football flick, but will need to earn another $3 million to take the ninth position from “The Replacements.” Also, among 70s dramas, “WAM” sits in 9th place and likely to soon pass “Donnie Brasco,” since the two are only separated by approximately $700,000 in earnings.
 
“We Are Marshall” has not yet had an international release, which depending on Warner Bros. release patterns, could add additional millions to the gross.
 
Due to next Friday’s packed first run release schedule and the likely return of previously released “Best Picture” nominees to multiplex screens, the number of theaters retaining “WAM” for a sixth week will be marginal. In other words, the movie will be retained, but the screen totals may drop over 50%, meaning it will be more difficult for it to field top grossing numbers.
 
“Night at the Museum” continued with another $13 million weekend (a drop of 24% from its previous weekend) bringing its total gross since its Dec. 22 release to $205 million. “WAM” prior week drop percentage (31%) stayed in an area reserved for “sleeper” hits, but it’s also competing with “Happy Feet,” “Freedom Writers,” “Blood Diamond,” and “Happyness” which had higher opening numbers than “WAM.”
 
One interesting note, though, “Blood Diamond” opened Dec. 8 (two weeks prior to “WAM” ) and did not get off to a good start either. Despite relegation to limited screenings (i.e. one show daily) in smaller and medium markets in its last weeks and a small auditorium in larger cities, the Warner Bros. flick has eked its way to $50.7 million with a slim 24% drop at 955 screens.