“The Undefeated” – Sarah Palin Documentary – Expands to Additional Markets This Weekend – Defies Critics.

Stephen K. Bannon - beats the odds (critics)- image: Liberty Speaks Blog

The apparent downplay of Steve Bannon’s, “The Undefeated”, a documentary released last weekend, has defied the “spin” of general media bias, and will now open in additional markets, with more outlets added in markets where the film is currently playing. The highest grossing markets were in California and Arizona, where Orange County and Phoenix saw $11,000 plus per screening gross , prompting a wider distribution. The film, which has been entirely promoted through social media, will now be showing in the following theaters: (Politico:)

Ahwatukee 24 4915 East Ray Road Phoenix, AZ 85044 - DMA: 16

Arizona Center 24 565 N. 3rd Street Phoenix, AZ 85004 – DMA: 16

Barrett Commons 24 Theatres 2600 Cobb Place Lane NW Kennesaw, GA 30144 (Atlanta) DMA: 9

Block 30 @ Orange 20 City Boulevard West Orange, CA 92868 (Los Angeles) DMA: 2

Colonial 18 Theatres 825 Lawrenceville – Suwanee Road Lawrenceville, GA 30245 (Atlanta) DMA: 9

Concord Mills 8421 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027 (Charlotte) DMA: 28

Foothills 15 7401 La Cholla Blvd. Suite 144 Tucson, AZ 85741 –DMA: 75

Grapevine Mills 30 Theatres 3150 Grapevine Mills Parkway Grapevine, TX 76051 (Dallas)

DMA: 7

Highlands Ranch 24 103 Centennial Road Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 (Denver) DMA: 19

Indian River 24 6200 20th Street #600 Vero Beach, FL 32966 (West Palm Beach DMA: 48

Mayfair Mall 18 2500 North Mayfair Road Box M-146 Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (Milwaukee) DMA: 32

Ontario Mills 30 4549 Mills Circle Ontario, CA 91764 (Los Angeles) DMA: 2

West Oaks 14 9415 West Colonial Drive Ocoee, FL 34761 (Orlando) DMA: 21

Willowbrook 24 Theatres 17145 Tomball Parkway Houston, TX 77064 – DMA 10

DMA Sourcing: Top 100 Film Markets.

Putting things into perspective for the critics and those who may nay-say:
As to how well this film did at the box office opening weekend: (According to Box Office Mojo.com):
“The Undefeated”, compared to Box Office Top Grossing Films such as the Latest Harry Potter release and “Winnie The Pooh”, placed 6th out of 10 films opening that week. Putting things into perspective however, the film also opened in 10 cities compared to the aforementioned which opened in 4,375 and 2,405 theaters nationwide. In comparing apples to pseudo apples, Michel Moore’s Film (darling of the critics), “Capitalism, a Love Story”, opened in 962 theaters with an average gross of $4,623. Bannon’s film, which was not fueled by glowing reviews by the NYTimes (al la Moore’s films), has comparatively bested the Left’s Beloved Pseudo Documentarian – it’s a question of doing the math – the Bannon Film opens in 10 theaters with an average gross per showing of $6,500, to the Moore Film of $4,623 in 962 theaters.

Move along, nothing to see here.

Most Ridiculous Review Title: From Entertainment Weekly Online: ”Sarah Palin's 'The Undefeated': We saw it so you don't have to!” Although being critical of the technical aspects of the film, the review didn’t dissolve into partisan baiting until the first paragraph, that said, it defied the Times Magazine report regarding the film having zero attendance on opening night in Orange County, CA, simply because the EW reviewer was at one of the screenings, and gives a somewhat different take on what actually occurred (standing ovations).

From Real Clear Politics: (Title: “Pro-Palin Film Expands Release”)

Bannon said that he intends eventually to bring the film to every market in the country by using an increasingly aggressive distribution strategy that will include streaming video, on-demand access, and a DVD release.

"We have been inundated with requests from around the country to have the film play in their market," ARC Entertainment CEO Trevor Drinkwater said in a press release. "Our expansion plan is being methodically analyzed and managed to allow the film to be viewed by the widest audience in the most effective manner."

While the average American considers any type of documentary to be akin to watching paint dry on the wall, the fact that Bannon’s film did so well in a limited number of cities (compared to other “documentary films of a political nature”), is, in itself a story, specifically when one considers the marketing strategy employed compared to similar genres’.

ABC WAPO Poll – Romney Leads Obama – The New-Improved Mitt Romney - Changes Tactics Takes 4 Point Lead over Palin - Now Wears Jeans, Rolls Up Sleeves!

Mitt Romney? Indeed! Image rssbroadcast.com

In the latest GOP 2012 poll conducted by the very non-partisan group at ABC and the Washington Post, indicates that Mitt Romney is tied with Barack Obama, before noting that Romney is actually beating Obama by two points. In addition, the poll places Romney in first place with 21% out of a field of six, including Sarah Palin, who places second with 17% and has yet to announce whether or not she will join the fray. The Post reiterates the mantra – that no voter is thrilled with the GOP field – and although Obama is skewered by the 1002 randomly sampled adults in a telephone survey, somehow, those randomly sampled see the current President as a strong leader.

Does the public really need these types of polls? Perhaps, as entertainment – however, anyone who is paying rent or a mortgage, utilities, and has managed to maintain a job (in the private sector mind you) is most likely too busy or depressed to give these types of polls much credence. It is no longer a fact that if one organization prints/broadcasts/blogs a “fact”, it will eventually sound true enough to the targeted viewer. It's hard to admit when the "honeymoon" (or "revolution") is over.

The problem that some fail to see (though not all) is that overall, Obama has lost his mojo – he’s no longer “cool” with College students (See Atlantic Wire.com article.) Of course, one can easily find out just how cool the next crop of 2012 voters feel Obama might be by asking; the results, across socio-economic, ethnic, racial and gender lines basically result in the same data – he’s last year’s news. Not that one should rely on the youth vote, perhaps, but Gallup’s last poll on the Presidents approval on a state by state basis showed he was above 50% in 10 states based on 2010 approval rankings. One has to wait until the 2011 rankings come out sometime next April to see if there has been any improvement – perhaps he’ll pick up a state or two, but that scenario at this point, appears unlikely. (This screams: unelectable)

Reality: although the GOP field of contenders for the Office of the President may appear to the respondents to the Washington Post/ABC News poll, and similar polls taken by media outlets and Universities with political science polling programs as "lackluster" – when push comes to shove, one of those individuals will become the next President. This is beyond 1980 apathy and distrust of a public figure, this has morphed into an “anyone but” situation, with no time for recovery.

The “Leader of the Pack”, one term former Massachusetts Governor, Olympic Saving, Health Care Plan inventing (for Massachusetts only), Fee, not Taxes, “Perfect Hair and the Guy in High School one just could not stand”, Mitt Romney, appears to have risen to these new heights due to a remarkable makeover: Romney was spotted by the Boston Globe, of all tomes, sporting Jeans!! – the Tie was gone! This is breaking news! In a recent guest spot on WRCN Worcester’s Wesley and Weston Review (airs from 6 to 7 am Saturdays), this humble blogger suggested that Mitt become a bit more …..like the rest of us, let his hair get a bit ruffled, roll up his sleeves and well, be a little less perfect. Apparently, it works.

The reason that Romney, Massachusetts Budget Busting, Individual Liberty removing, Massachusetts Health Care Plan and Club for Growth Issues aside (They just are not “feeling it”) , is better received, is his “less perfect” persona. Jeans work, he now needs a tee-shirt – just saying.

To those Massachusetts residents who are horrified at the thought of exporting yet another disaster nationwide, there is still hope that Sarah Palin will still run and offer, if not merely entertainment, an opportunity to vote for someone who is less “Mitty”. Massachusetts, not exactly known for embracing conservatives, regardless of race, gender, or if one of them suddenly walked on water, are actually eyeing Palin. It is the media’s best kept secret (along with the Mass GOP and other Romney supporters in the Bay State), and here-in lays the kicker, young, old, male, female, Palin's best attribute to a Massachusetts Independent or Democrat, or Republican (there are a few who prefer Mitt in a suit), is that she appears to be able to take on anyone or anything – plus, she’s cool, like Donald Trump cool. These are Howard Dean leaning liberals, who are convinced Palin can beat Obama, and they are not going into therapy, they are hoping she runs. Somehow, they are under the impression that she fixed some problems in Alaska, and well, she didn’t care if someone was a Republican or a Democrat, or Big Oil, she threw them all out, and then gave everyone in the State of Alaska a piece of the action. (Movie reference to Stephen K Bannon’s – The Undefeated - (*like here on Facebook) a look at Sarah Palin and what she actually can do (as opposed to what has been repeated “reported”), scheduled to run in key GOP early primary states, and coming soon to a theater new you .

The biggest point to take away from the film (based on reviews) is that Palin, not unlike Ronald Reagan, was eviscerated by the media and the GOP establishment – and we all know how well Reagan did, especially since he took the Blue State of Massachusetts – twice. (That is the only comparison, from what reviews are available, between the Palin and the aforementioned Gipper).

Satire aside, (what fun is there in that?), Romney, Palin, a mind-changing Mike Huckabee, and Donald Trump to boot, in a debate, would induce skyrocketing ratings - This is not to diminish other candidates with less visibility, however, in a perfect political world, it would be mind-blowing entertainment to watch Romney in Jean’s and Tee-Shirt (think West Side Story (banned in Amherst Massachusetts as “racist”), Sarah Palin in whatever she wants to wear, Mike Huckabee, sanctimoniously preaching about twelve ways to fix the economy, and Donald Trump telling it like he sees it! Any bets on who would win that debate? Smart money in on the Barracuda.
What of the Media?

Perhaps NBC’s nightly news anchors would not have to do 30 second promo’s begging those watching to “TiVo” the news, if they somehow cannot find time to watch it! (Seriously that’s actually running.)

Bannon’s “The Undefeated” – First Reviews Reveal Variety of Perceptions of Intended Political Targets – Trailer - Begs More

Stephen K Bannon, Harvard Business grad, Former Wall Street man, and conservative documentary filmmaker’s latest production’s pre-release reviews, leaves one wondering if those who actually reviewed the film watched the same movie. Without having seen the film, and therefore, unable to comment on the work specifically, it is interesting to note the differences in how the film is perceived by those blogs that have had access, the films intent, and the intended audience.

The fact that the film follows Sarah Palin’s rise in Alaskan’s politics, and actually tells the truth about Palin, should tell the readers, or viewers, that the film is what is it, a documentary about a woman who, despite having zero political connections, and a lot on her plate, took on the establishment (Both political parties and “Big Oil”), and won. In addition, before she had the unmitigated gall to run against Barack Obama (actually to be correct, she was the V.P. candidate, it was John McCain who ran against Obama in 2008, Palin was the one who drew the larger crowds and the media vitriol). Not unlike Hillary Clinton, also guilty of running and winning the 2008 Democrat Primary popular vote (a fact that gets lost once the DNC convention took place, literally threw those votes out the window, and Super-Delegated (those would be Politician’s) Barack Obama to the nomination, Clinton was treated as a woman – harassed, harangued, lampooned, and basically dismissed – and then came Sarah Palin, and the fans of Obama, ramped up the sexists garbage (for that is what is is) they dished out on Clinton, transferred it to Palin times 10, and they never quit. One does not have to live in a bubble not to get the point that the media and diehard Progressive Democrats hate Sarah Palin, blindly – without reason.

Apparently Bannon’s film supplies the reason, Palin is the real deal – and so the reviews begin.

The most level review to date has come from Human Event’s, Tony Lee: “The Undefeated:" Documentary Seeks to Reset Conventional Wisdom on Palin” - Mr. Lee reviews the film while noting facts such as which state’s will see the initial debut (Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire and Nevada), the film self-financed by director, Bannon, goes into the early career of Palin as Governor, which should, under any circumstances, raise questions as to who did the better job of vetting the candidates in 2008. Suggest reading the article for comparative purposes (see link on Title above). The final analysis – the film will appeal to independents, they are the intended target of this film, those who are not sure of Palin, but might vote for her if they understood that most of what has been written, is, plainly put, fantasy.

The second review from Salon (think Progress) by Matt Latimer, self-professed “former Bushie”, entitled: Six things to know about "The Undefeated” suggests the film is made for woman, simply because it documents the many times that Palin was harassed by the media, and therefore, logic follows vote for her. There is a paragraph that suggests Sarah Palin “actually was a good Governor”. Suggested reading to compare: link in Title.

Yes, one is Human Events (conservative) and one is Salon (not so much), written by a former “Bushie” (bells, whistles, and all sorts of warnings), however, these two in particular, serious or no, gives an insight into the thought process of the politically divided. The fact that these are more well-read blogs gives one the ability to understand how readers will react to each of the reviews – whether they would actually say watch a trailer.

Available at the Daily Caller: (who just happened to get a preview): ”A Sneak Peak of the New Palin Documentary Video” The review of the trailer is basically sparing, stating that the film is being released in conjunction with Palin’s bus tour – and then just highlights the clip. It does not offer the director’s name, and or where one might find more information – but it does sport that important “clip”. (Shown below - if embed not working: go to: daily caller



From those of us who in 2007 starting casting around for potential runners and running mates, and had occasion to look up a certain First Woman elected to the Alaskan Governor’s office, (being that Feminist), it is heartening to see some reality versus fiction available when it comes to Sarah Palin. She is ultimately qualified to serve the nation, and putting one’s feminist side – aside – it matters not who is in the ring with her, GOP establishment and presumptive heir to the “throne” Mitt Romney, or the current occupant of the White House”, she can beat them both. Which leaves those constant questions about when, or if she will enter the race, asked and answered.


For more information on Mr. Barron and his films: follow him on either Twitter or Facebook, or visit the following links to Mr. Bannon’s documentaries:
generationzeromovie.com
firefromthetheheartland.com
inthefaceofevil.com