Arthouse Audit: Sundance Fest Hits Theaters

What it means: Spanish-language films get elevated DVD and cable attention these days, so this opening should help this get more attention beyond its future theater openings.

"Detropia" (LF) - Metacritic score: 65; Festivals include: Sundance 12, Cleveland 12

$18,350 in 1 theater; PSA: $18,350

From Sundance's US Documentary section, this study of Detroit's decline performed surprisingly well at NY's IFC Center, which has been the city's hottest specialized theater in recent weeks.

What it means: This gross will get the attention of theaters around the country more than what its subject might have done otherwise.

Expanding/ongoing

"For a Good Time Call" (Focus) - Week 2

$212,000 in 56 theaters (+33); PSA: $3,786; Cumulative: $394,000

Falling far short of even what the underperforming "Ruby Sparks" did its second week (PSA of $6,186 in 64 theaters), this confirms what the first week indicated - audiences are resisting this raunchy female-centered sex comedy.

What it means: This likely won't reach the very disappointing $2.3 gross that "Ruby" ended up with.

"Sleepwalk With Me" (IFC) - Week 3; also available on Video on Demand

$343,000 in 73 theaters (+44); PSA: $4,699; Cumulative: $882,000

Parallel to its home viewing availablity, this comedy continues to add theatrical gross at a decent level as it expands in its third week.

What it means: DespiteVOD this expands to many more markets this weekend for what already looks like a win-win situation for IFC.

"Samsara" (Oscilloscope) - Week 3

$200,000 in 25 theaters (+16); PSA: $8,000; Cumulative: $488,000

Slowly expanding and continuing to show good results, this wordless documentary continues to benefit from word of mouth and its unique visual quality.

What it means: This likely will be around longer than other recent releases as it expands beyond the usual core specialized audience.

"Little White Lies" (MPI) - Week 3

$28,400 in  14 theaters (+2); PSA: $2,029; Cumulative: $125,000

Little response to this lengthy French drama, even with a strong ensemble cast led by Marion Cotillard.

What it means: "Rust and Bone" later this year will be a better indicator of whether Cotillard can repeat the domestic success of "La vie en rose," which won her a best actress Oscar.

"Robot and Frank" (IDP) - Week 4

$540,000 in 202 theaters (+58); PSA: $2,673; Cumulative: $2,049,000

Another good jump in the total gross for this Frank Langella-starring film, but the PSA fell almost in half with a modest jump in theater count, indicating that though this is clearly a success, it might not have the crossover possibilities suggested earlier.

What it means: This still, particularly with its older audience appeal, has done well enough to elevate Langella for awards as the season approaches.

"Chicken With Plums" (Sony Pictures Classics) - Week 4

$10,000 in 5 theaters (+2); PSA: $2,000; Cumulative: $116,100

Still failing to find any traction.

What it means: SPC will get this played off in most big cities, but this will be one of their lowest grossing recent films.

"Celeste and Jesse Forever" (Sony Pictures Classics) - Week 6

$400,000 in 441 theaters (-145); PSA: $907; Cumulative: $2,659,000

Falling from last week's surprisingly high theater count, this continues to be mostly low-grossing, with a sub-$1,000 PSA.

What it means: This still will end up with a higher gross than most of this summer's urban rom-coms, which will elevate its importance when available on DVD and cable.

"Searching for Sugar Man" (Sony Pictures Classics) - Week 7

$132,000 in 33 theaters (+1); PSA: $4,000; Cumulative: $910,000

The PSA fell only slightly, indicating ongoing positive reaction to this musical documentary.

What it means: Expect this film to possibly double its gross or more despite nearing the two month mark in release. It still has been very limited, and interest in it seems to be growing.

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" (Fox Searchlight) - Week 11

$370,000 in 269 theaters (+2); PSA: $1,375; Cumulative: $10,283,000

The steadiness of this acclaimed film over the last few weeks is impressive. Though no longer stand-out, sustained interest indicates continued appeal beyond the normal core audience.

What it means: The longer is stays around the better for its award chances, since it reminds those who vote that this broke out beyond art houses.

"Moonrise Kingdom" (Focus) - Week 16

$236,000 in 200 theaters (+3); PSA: $1,180; Cumulative: $44,635,000

The continued play on this film nearing its fifth month is impressive.

What it means: $45 million, here we come.

"Intouchables" (Weinstein) - Week 16

$318,000 in 194 theaters (+22); PSA: $1,639; Cumulative: $11,571,000

Jumping back up in theater count after a brief lag, and continuing to add to its impressive total.

What it means: What is great for Weinstein is that these grosses, week after week, are coming with minimal ad costs, meaning that most of their film rental take from this is profit.

"The Imposter" (Indomina) - Week 9

$67,298 in 27 theaters (-4); PSA: $2,493; Cumulative: $600,000

The PSA remains stready as this Sundance doc keeps adding to its gross.

What it means: With modest marketing costs this has slowly become a niche success.