What was the last movie you've seen?

[Retrodude]

Are you aware of just how often critically-blasted films do well at the box office regardless? If we use that as a gauge (which I hesitate to do, mind), there must be some reason for their popularity. Could it be that most people don't care what the critics say and they just want to see a movie?

Seriously, film, in general, is not art. It's commerce. Certainly there are plenty of films that could be called artistic, but be honest, the goal of getting a film released in theaters is to make money and that's it. Most films don't try to be anything more than simple entertainment, and many succeed in that regard, so reading a review and saying a film is good or bad before you've even seen it (which many, many people do) makes absolutely no sense to me. I can understand when people say movie x sounds like it would be good or bad, but in my experience most people read one or two negative reviews and then go around saying a film is awful based purely on that. It drives me up the fricken' wall. Seriously, why do people do that?

[Hobie-wan]

Seriously, why do people do that?

Well now that you're here and given it purpose, we can do it just to annoy you. It was really annoying doing it for no reason at all before.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Are you aware of just how often critically-blasted films do well at the box office regardless?

I am well aware of this fact. Popularity is not synonymous with quality, however. (Nestle sells millions of Hot Pockets each year, but I suspect that only one of our forum members would argue that they are a high quality food product.)

If we use that as a gauge (which I hesitate to do, mind), there must be some reason for their popularity.

Marketing, perhaps? It might also be the fact that most people - by definition - have pedestrian taste in film.

Could it be that most people don't care what the critics say and they just want to see a movie?

If they pay money to see a critically-panned film like RIPD, that is probably the case.

Seriously, film, in general, is not art. It's commerce.

"Art" and "commerce" are not mutually exclusive.

Certainly there are plenty of films that could be called artistic, but be honest, the goal of getting a film released in theaters is to make money and that's it.

Profit is very likely the goal for many people involved in a film's production. Their motivations, however, are irrelevant to both the quality of the film or my enjoyment of it.

Most films don't try to be anything more than simple entertainment, and many succeed in that regard...

Many also fail, however, and you cannot entirely divorce a film's artistic merits from its entertainment value.

...so reading a review and saying a film is good or bad before you've even seen it (which many, many people do) makes absolutely no sense to me. Seriously, why do people do that?

I agree with you...which is why I have not made any statements about RIPD's quality. I merely stated that, based on the opinions of people that have seen the film (i.e., ciritics), we are probably better off spending our time and money on something else. I have not passed judgment on the film - it may be a life-changing experience for all that I know - but based on what I have read, it does not appear to be something that I would enjoy on any level. Accordingly, I probably will not see it. I may miss out on something great...but that it a risk that I am willing to take.

[Gunstar Green]

I am well aware of this fact. Popularity is not synonymous with quality, however. (Nestle sells millions of Hot Pockets each year, but I suspect that only one of our forum members would argue that they are a high quality food product.)

Mmmm Four Cheese Pizza...

anyway....

anyone see The Conjuring yet? Looks like it is getting good reviews and I am in the mood for some horror...

I'm not the biggest horror movie fan so I probably won't see it but I've heard nothing but good things from people.

"You only hate World War Z because you're a screenwriter and you're jealous"

Based on the tone of his "review" and what he actually said in it, that's how it read to me. I'm actually kind of surprised no one else saw that 'cause it was kind of obvious.

I didn't read the review in question but as a writer myself, we are the most vicious critics. It's not because we're jealous it's because dismantling other people's writing is what we do and we expect the same from other writers in order to improve our own work.

[noiseredux]

on vacation this week so

[Jrecee]

Jeez can we move this discussion to another topic. It's been going on for like 300 pages. And it's all the same thing over and over: Retrodude really really hates the idea of movie critics, and the fact that some of us use those critics as a basis for what to waste our time and money on angers him.

RIPD looks completely terrible. That's my opinion based on the trailers. Plus the reviews say it's terrible. Hence, it's probably terrible. I can't say for sure if it is or isn't. Just like anyone here. But I honestly don't think at any point in this 1300 page discussion, that anyone has claimed a movie is terrible that they haven't actually seen.

[Luke]

Sacha Baron Coen left the Freddie Mercury biopic project. What a disappointment. I was really looking forward to it, and from interviews he seemed like a terrific fit. Plus this was in the works for around year too.

[Retrodude]

My mom hates Sacha Baron Cohen, but she did not object to him being in Les Miz, probably because her love for the musical trumped her dislike of any particular actor in it. While I haven't seen any of Cohen's other films (the ones where he played the lead, anyway), I thought Borat was brilliant.

[indecks]

Aw man! I thought he would have been a great Freddie. Dangit. Any word on a replacement or is it now in dev hell?

[Luke]

Aw man! I thought he would have been a great Freddie. Dangit. Any word on a replacement or is it now in dev hell?

I know right? Several months ago he was being interviewed about the role on NPR, and he seemed enthralled with Mercury. I don't care for his staged comedy movies, but the guy has chops.

Now everything is up in the air.




Edit* I had no idea Maddox was still around.

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net ... arkness_oz

Yup. I totally agree. Oz was better when it was called Army of Darkness.