Hollywood is set for a counter-cyclical boost to its fortunes after strong early box office sales for two high profile films.The latest proof that people flock to cinemas in tough times is a record North American opening weekend for the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.The movie earned $US70million ($107million) in four days, making it the best opening for a Bond film and the highest-grossing opening for any spy drama.The movie, estimated to have cost $US200million, had already racked up $US250million worldwide."It could really, genuinely be a time to start relaxing, yes," the film's relieved star, Daniel Craig, said in Sydney yesterday."It's been about nine months of my life, and we're at that stage where we can kind of breathe a little. I haven't sucked in breath for eight-nine months now, because it's just been so intense working to get this film out."Ben Stiller was a little more relaxed. He is in Australia to promote his latest film, the animated sequel, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, with co-star Chris Rock and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg.That film has already banked a $US60million opening weekend in North America before it unspools around the world, including a December 11 release here.The star of There's Something About Mary is a little wary of Hollywood's future as the global financial meltdown dries up the financing options."Everybody's affected, but it seems to me, even in the past few weeks, we've seen these big movies come out and open big," he said."People seem to want that -- to go to the movies to get a little bit of relief or escapism, which always seems to be the case."Two films might not validate a theory, but Hollywood studios hope they may ride out the recession, just as Hollywood films, particularly gangster movies, boomed during the Great Depression of the early 1930s.Stiller believes the effect of businesses and consumers tightening their belts around the world will have some effect on the movie industry."I just hope it doesn't affect things in a way where the direction of movies becomes what has happened lately -- where these bigger films drive everything, and the independent film world is trying to find its way," he said."It doesn't seem like it's going to be positive for the film industry in that way, in the same way it's not going to be positive for anybody until we get through this time."However, "this time" doesn't feel very different for the major film distributors.In the space of four days, the premieres of three films expected to earn more than $20million each at Australian cinemas will take place: Quantum of Solace last Saturday, Madagascar 2 at Sydney's State Theatre last night, and Australia at Sydney's Greater Union George Street cinema tonight.They're targeted marketing opportunities, though. In a sign of the times, only one of the premieres will hold a post-show party -- Baz Luhrmann's splashy Australia.
