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American Morning

How Will 'Spiderman' Do Second Weekend Out?

Aired May 10, 2002 - 09:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: You don't have to be a Hollywood insider to know in advance which movie will rule the box office this weekend. It is "Spiderman" of course, and the only real question is how it will do the second time around, on the second weekend out.

But if you are not caught up in Web of spidermania, there is an adult alternative for you, "Unfaithful," which stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere. It opens this weekend, and is generating some R-rated buzz of its own.

And joining us for the first time here on AMERICAN MORNING in person, in New York, KTLA entertainment editor Sam Rubin.

Nice to see you. You are for real.

(CROSSTALK)

ZAHN: So "Spiderman" is on its way to breaking all these records.

SAM RUBIN, KTLA ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: It's a very key weekend for "Spiderman," Paula, because the question is, will people go and see it again the movies that generate extraordinary box office, like some of the "Star Wars," "Titanic," is because of all this repeat business.

ZAHN: A weekend later, they go back?

RUBIN: Sometimes, in the case of "Titanic," people were going showing after showing. That's the question, is it textured and layered enough to necessitate seeing it again. I don't know that it necessarily is, but it did very well in the word of mouth. People saying to friends, you know what, you've really got to see this, definitely going to...

ZAHN: It does have some competition this weekend with "Unfaithful" coming out.

RUBIN: It's competition for adults particularly, finally a movie, that, you know, leave the kids at home, that grown-ups can see, an appropriately rated R-film about the affair, but this time, the person who steps out not the husband, but rather the wife. Diane Lane is extraordinary in this movie. The handsome fellow is Oliver Martinez (ph), a French actor, and it's one of the best performance by a woman we have seen all year. You know, come Oscar time, people are going to mention Diane Lane's name. She's terrific.

ZAHN: Did you like the movie?

RUBIN: I liked her performance more than the overall movie, but she is so good, it carries the movie. It's a very interesting movie. There are flaws in to it be sure, but the thing which is rare really nowadays, you will walk out of theater, a, a little flushed and, b, talking about the movie.

ZAHN: I'm telling you my male friends that have seen that movie have walked out with a much different reaction than the females, very, very disturbing. Now Adriane Lynne (ph), the director, seems to be in the habit of making these films about cheating spouses. The first one was what?

RUBIN: "Fatal Attraction" of course is the one that drew so much attention. I spoke with him -- you know, what's interesting about him, he lives in France, and he talks about a European sensibility, that you know, a lot of the traditional -- quote, unquote -- "American marriage," isn't necessarily what happens in France and elsewhere, and so, he doesn't mind exploring these themes, which are somewhat conventional in Europe, but certainly generate a lot of attention here. No, he seems very interested.

ZAHN: So "Unfaithful" is sort of the norm of family life in France?

RUBIN: I asked him just that, and he said, no, they would take umbrage to that, but you know, the French political people and others, that it's not entirely unheard of. It's a movie that, again, I don't think, with the exception of Diane Lane, is award winning to generate some conversation, no question about it.

ZAHN: She is seductive.

RUBIN: She has been working...

ZAHN: I loved her in her last film, too.

RUBIN: Yes, she's just great.

ZAHN: Let's talk about real reason why you're in town, and the interest of full disclosure wasn't to visit Jack. In May, you were out of town for "up-fronts," which is this period of time when these networks...

RUBIN: This is when everyone migrates from Hollywood to New York City, primarily for network people, to meet advertisers, as the networks announce their full schedules. And this is where about 80 percent of the $7 billion to $8 billion dollar business is conducted.

ZAHN: Anything good?

RUBIN: Lots of schmoozing. Well, you know, there is a couple of sure things. They're going to do a spin-off CBS is, to "CSI." Of course, the forensic show has been so popular, set in Las Vegas, now they're going to move a new cast of characters, including David Caruso, to Miami. I think that's a sure thing. The WB network has a drama they're very high on called "Evergreen," set in a small town Colorado, with Treat Williams no less.

The problem all the networks have, comedies. It's hard to have a hit comedy, very difficult to come up with one.

ZAHN: Well, you know what, CNN is always a sure shot. If you want news, it's a programming alternative. We are consistent. We are here.

Great to see you in person.

Have fun.

RUBIN: Thanks so much.

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