Peter Chowka with the analysis, and links to Chris Reed’s commentary:

Many e-mailers touted a studio press release quoting Weinstein as pronouncing himself satisfied with early returns. But even the most gullible people out there have to know Hollywood types constantly spin box office results for self-serving purposes. This explains why “Sicko” was initially reported by its studio to have had $4.3 million in business its second weekend; which was then revised sharply downward to $3.6 million when the actual data from theaters was reported. Meanwhile, there is nothing in the actual box-office numbers to suggest “Sicko” will do even close to half the $119 million in North American box office achieved by Moore’s last film.

Instead, it looks to me to be in the “Truth or Dare” range. The 1991 Madonna documentary grossed $15.1 million. Adjusted for the much-higher price of movie tickets in 2007, that’s equal to a box office of about $30 million.

Do you recall an “overwhelming” reaction to “Truth or Dare,” or a minor stir?