After a protracted draw, Magnolia Pictures’ MAN ON WIRE finally edged out long-time record holder TOY STORY 2 to claim the coveted top spot on Rottentomatoes.com as the best reviewed film of all time: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt_year.php.
With its 100% positive rating over 128 reviews, MAN ON WIRE breezed past its contemporaries and now sits above such notable films as CITIZEN KANE, THE GODFATHER (parts I and II), THE WIZARD OF OZ, VERTIGO, SUNSET BOULEVARD, CHINATOWN, THE 400 BLOWS, ON THE WATERFRONT, RASHOMON, TAXI DRIVER and BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA.
“All kidding aside, we’re pretty thrilled,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “The reception that this documentary has received from the critical community and audiences alike has been really validating. James Marsh made an incredible film of an incredible story – it’s great to see it get the recognition it deserves.”
James Marsh’s thrilling documentary about Philippe Petit’s 1974 high wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center has been a box office hit as well as a critical one: to date it’s grossed more than $2.73 million, making it one of the highest performing documentaries of 2008.
MAN ON WIRE is not the only film in the Magnolia family enjoying a stint on Rottentomatoes.com’s “best of” page. Magnet Releasing’s LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (the first film in the SIX SHOOTER FILM SERIES) is currently ranked as the best reviewed film in theaters. Additional, Chris Bell’s steroid documentary BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER* (released theatrically by Magnolia last summer) ranks as the third-best reviewed movie recently released on DVD.
Despite rumors, Rottentomatoes.com is an unbiased entity with no ties to Magnolia Pictures or the Wagner/Cuban family.