Arthouse Audit: 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' Best Opening Since 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'

After last weekend's Olympics-be-damned slate of high pedigree new films, the second weekend provided only one with real expectations - Sundance Premiere section acquisition "Celeste and Jesse Forever." And despite overall mixed reviews, it achieved the best opening numbers of any new release since "Beasts of the Southern Wild," showing that there is room for more hits in this already upbeat specialized summer.

Opening

"Celeste and Jesse Forever" (Sony Pictures Classics) - Metacritc score: 57; Festivals include: Sundance 2012, Los Angeles 12

$112,011 in 4 theaters; PSA (per screen average): $28,003

With its solid opening weekend, indie rom-com "Celeste and Jesse" scored the best NY/LA grosses of recent indie millennial urban romances ("Lola Versus," "Take This Waltz" and "Ruby Sparks"), despite a range of divergent reviews. This is that rare 2012 indie opening sparked by a youth appeal.

Co-written by lead Rashida Jones (as "Ruby Sparks" was written by its lead actress Zoe Kazan), this LA divorce dramedy was a Sundance acquisition (a reported $2 million price for multiple international territories along with the US). It looks like a smart buy.

What it means:  TV-familiar Jones ("The Office") and co-star Andy Samberg ("SNL") advance their movie careers as the key elements in the film's appeal as it expands.

"360" (Magnolia) - Metacritic score: 42; Festivals include: Toronto 11, London 11; also available on video on demand

$12,600 in 2 theaters; PSA: $6,300

Six years ago, there were few directors hotter than Brazil's Fernando Meirelles after "City of God" and "The Constant Gardner." Since then, "Blindness" and now "360," both multi-storied meditations on contemporary life, have failed to build on his earlier momentum, with this latest getting weak reviews after tepid festival reaction.

"360" premiered at Toronto; it began its video on demand run weeks ago before only now nabbing a theatrical release.

What it means: The VOD availability and these grosses mean only minimal future theatrical exposure ahead.