Golden Compass: Disappointing Attendance

December 10 quote from Catholic League’s Bill Donahue, on the lower than expected figures for the opening weekend of film The Golden Compass:

“Let this be a lesson to militant atheists like Pullman: keep your hollow beliefs to yourself. And ease up on demonizing Catholicism—no other religion has done more to promote human rights, science and goodwill. Why not make a movie about that?” (emphasis mine)

A Christian blogger who went to see the movie and found it entertaining, had this to say about the anti-Catholic message:

The ‘anti’ message in the movie was organized religion; namely, the Roman Catholic Church. Historically, the Roman Catholic Church has abused its authority over the common man as well as distorting Scriptures with a ‘damning’ influence.

He later went on to say

I just think many times well meaning Christians ‘get their shorts in a bundle‘ over senseless issues. When “the Word became flesh” I wonder if Jesus ever said or thought, “This flesh is just too evil to put on. I had better stay home this time?“

Is the disappointing turn-out due to the fundamentalist boycotts? This article suggests not. In fact, The Golden Compass was the only new film in the top 10. It opened at No. 1 in North America, and it also held this prime spot in Britain, France and Spain.

Other films are suffering low attendance too, including Beowulf. Tracking firm Media By Numbers affirms that the top 12 films this year are down 12% from last year. As one commenter pointed out, all films suffered last weekend due to the major snow storms and the lack of promotion on late night talk shows (which are in re-runs due to the writers’ strike.)

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More on The Golden Compass here and here

Interested in Golden Compass themed activities? Look here!

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