SITE EDIT, 12/10/07 – This post is by former site contributor, “justaguy“, whose author title isn’t recreated on these republished posts of his after the site was upgraded to the use of MT 4.0 (his work was successfully imported and republished but his User Account was not, and, thus, this manual edit to identify the contributions on this blog by “justaguy“.)
In other words, “justaguy”‘s posts have been imported and republished using the site Admin. account, which is mine, “-S-”, although I did not write these posts.
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It’s obvious, at least to me, that there is a slump …in regards to Hollywood movies. Many executives are in denial as to why…but, I witnessed a sparkle of hope just the other day when a producer laid it out in plain terms, “We’re making crappy movies and people are seeing past the marketing hype.”
So, what’s wrong? The problem is that most of the bigshots out in LA are businessmen with no sense of imagination or creativity. They have totally focused upon the bottom line…and as a result…we’re getting retreads…in hopes of a hit. BEWITCHED, anyone? THE HONEYMOONERS, anyone? THE AMITYVILLE HORROR? THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE? CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY? THE BAD NEWS BEARS? When will it end? There are so many novels…so many inspirational stories out there that have yet to be told. Come on Hollywood…do a little searching.
I saw that THE FANTASTIC 4 had the third largest opening this summer with a mere $20,000,000. From the reviews it’s pretty much what I expected…explosions…cool effects…no story. There was so much material there to work with. Comic books…are no different than any other story…love…hate…redemption, etc. You have to find the heart of story and get the audience to connect with it.
For example, if I were to ask someone, “Who is Superman?”
I would likely get…
He’s a superhero…a good ole boy from Kansas…who’s raised by two great foster parents and goes on to fight crime.
When in truth…there is so much more depth…
Superman has great adoptive parents…but is an orphan…he’s the only one of his kind…he has no one he can relate too. He’s isolated from the rest of the world…and the one person he loves…Lois Lane…he can never really pursue honestly (though I know in the comic books I believe they get married)…but, anyway… anyone who wants to get to him…will take it out on her.
That’s why I have hope with Brian S.…he seems to have seen past the surface…at least from what I’ve read from the latest interviews.
I can count on one hand the movies that I’ve seen this year…
1. BATMAN BEGINS
2. CINDERELLA MAN
I can also count on my hand the movies that I *might* catch in the theater…
1. THE NEW WORLD
2. THE BROTHERS GRIMM
3. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Speaking of Colin Farrell…the following should be interesting. Mel and Colin are working on a film entitled, “TREE OF LIFE.”
Speaking of “TREE OF LIFE”…another film I’m anxious to see is “THE FOUNTAIN.” If done right…this film could be something special.
Spoilers at the following link.
…(Gets off soapbox)…
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Hmmm….digital filmmaking (Brian S., ^^): I am very much enthused about it, find it odd that some are so concerned about perceived aberrations to ‘the art’ of filmmaking otherwise.
No doubt to my view, the current flat, one-dimensional, big budget films that are failing are doing so because they no longer pose enough incentive to make the theatre experience. And, thus, first choice for most of us is the internet, our computers, gaming and DVDs of older, better films.
I am really enjoying the ON DEMAND feature for subscriber and premier services. Quite great to be able to view subscriber and feature film titles as often and whenever I want. Once firstrun features are worked into the mix, it’ll be a very good thing.
Although that says nothing to the content problems, about which I agree as to what you write. The remake fad is among the worst to ever aflict filmmaking. The only remake I’ve ever seen that was better than (even as good as) the original was “Return of the Living Dead” (remake of “Night of the Living Dead”), and also “Ben-Hur,” remake. The many other titles, particularly those you list here, are all a disservice to earlier reasonably good titles (most).