Top box office couples
March 1st 2008 05:23
Following the theme of my last post, films and predictability, I found an article on Forbes.com outlining Hollywood’s top box office film couples. Success is measured soley on the tangible element of how much money a film grossed, rather than film quality, characterisation, direction or any of those other ingredients that make up a fine film.
As you would imagine there are not many surprises in this list. In the drama genre we have Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in Spiderman. You know the scene, where Maguire's unmasked Spider-Man kissed Dunst's Mary Jane Watson upside down in the rain. Isn’t that the one where her headlights are on? Interesting coincidence...
Next we have Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic...quelle surprisé. This tragically-doomed soppy couple orbited audiences to cinemas for eight months. It won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director and went on to gross US$1.8 billion worldwide, more than any other film in history.
The next genre is spicier, cops and robbers. This action-comedy genre has produced some of cinema's most triumphant and memorable celluloid partnerships:
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black, both the original and the 2000 sequel. They grossed over US$1 billion.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in the action-driven Lethal Weapon series. This playful double act generated a combined US$955 million as on-screen partners.
The dynamic, comedic team, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in Rush Hour. Its sequels grossed just under US$850 million.
As the box office figures are not inflation-adjusted, classic black and white films don’t make the list. So I can’t include icon duos such as Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. Now, that is a pity.
The last genre named is animated films. It makes sense they rated well. They tend to be popular with children as well as adults; both enjoy hopping into a CGI fantastical world complete with laughs.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in Walt Disney’s Toy Story grossed US$354 million. In the sequel four years later, Toy Story 2 rated even higher than the original, US$485 million worldwide. And of course, sitting on that successful laurel, another instalment will be made, Toy Story 3 will be released in 2010.
Films that I expected to see on the list include Shrek, Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Maybe I shouldn’t introduce that thought as I have no explanation for their absences.
We’re talking hefty sums aren’t we? It seems that money is equal to success in the film world.
As you would imagine there are not many surprises in this list. In the drama genre we have Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in Spiderman. You know the scene, where Maguire's unmasked Spider-Man kissed Dunst's Mary Jane Watson upside down in the rain. Isn’t that the one where her headlights are on? Interesting coincidence...
Next we have Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic...quelle surprisé. This tragically-doomed soppy couple orbited audiences to cinemas for eight months. It won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director and went on to gross US$1.8 billion worldwide, more than any other film in history.
The next genre is spicier, cops and robbers. This action-comedy genre has produced some of cinema's most triumphant and memorable celluloid partnerships:
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black, both the original and the 2000 sequel. They grossed over US$1 billion.
Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in the action-driven Lethal Weapon series. This playful double act generated a combined US$955 million as on-screen partners.
The dynamic, comedic team, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in Rush Hour. Its sequels grossed just under US$850 million.
As the box office figures are not inflation-adjusted, classic black and white films don’t make the list. So I can’t include icon duos such as Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable. Now, that is a pity.
The last genre named is animated films. It makes sense they rated well. They tend to be popular with children as well as adults; both enjoy hopping into a CGI fantastical world complete with laughs.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in Walt Disney’s Toy Story grossed US$354 million. In the sequel four years later, Toy Story 2 rated even higher than the original, US$485 million worldwide. And of course, sitting on that successful laurel, another instalment will be made, Toy Story 3 will be released in 2010.
Films that I expected to see on the list include Shrek, Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Maybe I shouldn’t introduce that thought as I have no explanation for their absences.
We’re talking hefty sums aren’t we? It seems that money is equal to success in the film world.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
As expected an abysmal list. Yep, money and popularity mean little in relation to quality.
Not having classics in there is just wrong, like:
Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn
Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon
John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
Paul Newman and Robert Redford
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Mich
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree, as I was reading the article I assumed at some stage those actors would be in there somewhere, but no, they weren't.
It all comes down to money...unfortunately...
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I like your response, that sums it up well!
I'm well thanks, hope you are too. Good to see you,
Tracy
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Glad you like the post, I do like to have company with my grumblings.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
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Comment by Anonymous
I'm just trying to think of who has made an impression... *accessing memory files *
Aah yes, just off the top of my head are Nic Cage and Travolta in 'Face Off.'
I also thought the juxtaposed Jodie Foster and Matthew Mc in 'Contact' was pretty good... certainly not soppy, at very least.
Wow, like you, I have sensory overload from all the films I can think of that have more interesting and dynamically opposed pairings than thisshining list of Forbes'...
You are correct. How predictably boo-ring *yawn* Titanic was (for me) the silliest film ever re-made - bad enough alone it was *chuckle* let alone to do it so badly?
Lucky for De Caprio he had Blood Diamond to redeem himself, or I may have written him off for good ... although that brings another great couple to mind; Hanks and De Caprio in 'Catch Me If You Can.'
In fact... *chuckle* how about Tom Hanks and his Coconut Head comapnion in 'Castaway' as far more interesting than any off the above 'dynamic duos' listed... what scares me is, that the mainstream believe it, too.
Happy Sunday from me and Ginger-megs the cat... quite the team
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
At least you can always rely on yourself...
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Romantically, I really enjoyed Before Sunrise.... and scores of others too numerous to mention.
Just posting to test that I am back on the airwaves ... as me.
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
They missed
George Clooney and Jennifer in Out of Sight
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine
I agree with the crowd.... such a crappy list! Great post Tracy!
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Lilla
Sorry for taking a while to reply, life got in the way.
Thanks for all those answers, pity I haven’t seen any of the ones you mentioned. I have heard that Face Off is good. That’s interesting that Jodie and Matthew were juxtaposed in Contact, sounds appealing.
Yes, Titanic was so drawn-out it seemed as though it was never going to end...to me anyway. And the music...urgghhh..
I loved Before Sunrise as well, I agree. Have you seen the follow-up, Before Sunset? That was good too, both strong dialogue-driven films with excellent acting.
Good to see you, it must be a relief to be able to log in properly
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Oh yes, I agree with Carrey and Winslet in Eternal Sunshine. Why did she do Titanic?! She has done some diverse roles in her career so maybe she was just experimenting with more mainstream films...
I haven’t seen Out of Sight so it’s probably not fair for me to comment (although in all honesty it often doesn’t stop me).
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
That's a bit of a dud list isn't it. Tobey and Kirsten....no thanks. Though Mel Gibson and Danny Glover defintiely deserve their place.
And I thought Shrek and Donkey would have been included. They're an awesome couple!!
Kylie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Great addition, why not include animated characters, in fact lots of them are better than humans!
I agree about Mel and Danny, their humorous chemistry worked well.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Theresa
Vintage Culture
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Anonymous Film Critic
Borderless World
Penny Smart
Along with everyone else's really good choices, how about the chemistry with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, and much less commercially, Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci in Sleepy Hollow? Or, Johnny Depp and anyone.....
Theresa
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Gee i forgot how BIG Titanic was - at the movies too
hhhmmm some weird choices - i guess, like you have said, if they aren`t using inflation adjusted priices then the list isn`t too surprising.
I`m trying to run through my DVD collection in my mind to think of any.... I`ll have to come back ... all that`s popping into my head is Mr and Mrs Smith... but I think that`s just coz It was on telly last night!
Ash
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
What a couple! ha ha
I gotta do an 80's blog on them!
- Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
www.backtotheeighties.net
Comment by Anonymous
It has nothing to do with this actual post, but how can I format my blog to have:
1. A header on the top. I suppose it has to be a JPG or similar picture, but in what part can I upload it?
2. Thumbnail type post list, like you have in your blog.
3. Messing with the arrangement of the page layout: where you can decide where to put the Orble and the blog specific column etc.
Thank you for your answers!
Bob
Comment by Bob Kovacs
Movie Stripe
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
well wot aboot Laurel and Hardy? And Abbot and Costello...no not the moron politicians...Martin and Lewis?
I'm old...too old...all my heros are long dead..
cheers
fog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, Titanic was massive in both senses of the word.
I haven't seen Mr and Mrs Smith, did you think Pitt and Jolie had good or dodgy chemistry in it?
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Looking forward to your post on Murtaugh and Riggs. They were an odd couple that worked well.
Thanks for your comment,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
There's nothing wrong with your faves all being dead, the list doesn't stipulate that they have to be breathing. And anyway some of those couples seemed pretty lifeless.
You named some fantastic goodies, especially Abbott and Costello.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for popping in, I just sent you a message that should hopefully help you with settings etc.
Tracy
Comment by Jill Browne
Skip On Over
London Travel
England Travel
Canada Travel
Colin was on Jon Stewart the other night promoting his new movie (barely - most of the time was a funny story about pervs in NY) - and mentioned that one of the features of the new flick is, "It doesn't have Hugh Grant".
In good fun, of course.
Love Actually still works for me.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Yes, Besfore Sunset was a masterstroke... to see each other so many years later... truly wonderful... I was enthralled by the changes in their dialogue from teenage to adulthood and intrigued by the bigger comment being made by the whole exchange - and their ability to finally realise that they could make any changes to their lives they wanted... Brilliant!
Which reminds me of another 'couple' I loved, again not a big box office success, but certainly a 'team' that worked beautifully for me was Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Phat, together in their version of the 'real story' of the King and I.
Aboslute Magic and if you haven;t had the pleasure of this one yet, then I recommend it to anyone who hasn't.
Hope your day is wonderful!
Lilla ...
Comment by kriz
Autumn in newyork
Richard gere rocks in both...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hello Lilla
I’m sorry it took me so long to reply.
I agree, Before Sunset should be on the list, most definitely.
I haven’t seen The King and I, but have definitely heard much about it. I might have to give that a whirl.
Hope you’re well and thanks for dropping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven't seen Autumn in New York, but an Officer and a Gentleman is a classic.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy