From The Droolworthy to the Dreck: Guess Where Zohan Fits?

If you read this blog, you know that I tend to ignore the Pundits in almost any field — but especially in the movie business. I am still chuckling over the way they blew SATC, which in Week 2, has femme-powered its way to just under $100 million domestic.

Then there’s The Zohan.

It seemed like the perfect evening for a silly summer movie. The Guru’s Crew has enormous tolerance for the relentlessly ridiculous, giggle-goofy flick. We love Jud Apatow, especially when no one else does. (Forgetting Sarah Marshall.) In fact, more than one of us has a long history of rushing to anything panned by the New York Times.  And if the movie is considered dreck by Rex Reed, then it’s full speed ahead and maybe Fandango it, just in case. So though we’d been warned, we still headed defiantly to this latest Adam Sandler comedy.

Apparently, we weren’t alone.  Zohan managed to kick up more than $38 million in weekend 1. 

Although there is the occasional funny bit in The Zohan and a couple of trippy cameos,  the humor is feeble indeed. In fact, it’s feeble enough that its subject matter — the Middle East does Manhattan –is not even genuinely offensive. It’s mostly embarrassing.

The Love Guru, Mike Myers’ new flick opening June 20th, also seems a bit tired and forced.  At least judging by the response of the audience during the previews. The Verne Troyer scenes, like the bizarre Mariah Carey scenes in Zohan, appear to fall flat. (Pun intended.)

Oops! WOM Beats The Pundits Again. Sex and The City Glams Its Way To A $55 Million Opening.

Hollywood pundits underestimated the massive femme power of the SATC franchise, with many predicting opening box office in the typical chick-flick realm of $20-30 million. Some wisely hedged it on higher, but always with the disclaimer that their usual methodologies were not jibing with word-of-mouth.

Therein lies the issue with traditional research tools — Word of Mouth, particularly in the realm of female fashionistas and passionistas, wields power like nothing else.

In Santa Monica, the SATC showings at Mann’s theater were sold-out from 6 until midnight Friday night.  Thanks to a savvy friend, we were lucky enough to sneak in at six, beating the line of giggling girlfriends — some in their Carrie-best — that snaked around the block.

Inside, it was a blend of focus group, pep rally and the annual Nordstrom spring sale. The target-specific satisfaction was palpable.

Reviews. Schmooz. It’s all about the shoes.