DISQUS

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

I think when the studio stops thinking about what works better in DVD and rentals...and develops quality projects they see more money....Slumdog Millionaire is a great example a small production 9million to make and it's lurching it's way to 200million worldwide....I believe the savior of film it's independent financing we've seen it more than often these days...mostly done with smaller films but recently bigger movies like Kick-Ass are avoiding studio meddling....it's true that a majority of film executives are just accountants looking for profits....they make changes to scripts and films based on sales graphs and demographics...rather than doing it for quality control or for the benefit of audiences....these people are the direct reason why movies like Mall Cop are made and films like Spider-Man 3/X-Men 3 create hatred with fans....

deadcowporn · 9 months ago

I have a highly intellectual, film-buff friend who still assures me, and will argue at length, that X-Men 3 is far superior to X-Men 1. Sometimes theres just no explanation for people.

Julian Dean Shapiro · 9 months ago

This is the type of everyday case that sheds light on the subjectivity of 'intellectual.'

John Strickland · 9 months ago

I seriously wonder if there's ever been a bigger independent production than Kick-Ass. The film's budget is around $70 million, all privately invested. Has there ever been an independent film bigger than Kick-Ass?

andrew · 9 months ago

above comment just sums it up. i have one acquiantance who is deciding on whether to buy batman begins but has ghost rider in his collection.

also blind faith and idealization of a character or franchise is one. i'm part of this. even though i had a feeling x3 would suck i still showed up at the premeire. that's the same with wolverine. i know it looks like it has potential with some big flaws but i plan on going to the midnight premeire. also with this blind faith, some fans and moviegoers just refuse to criticize their favorite franchises and don't demand more from studios and creators. that same acquitance loves spidey 3 and says its a great flick. so that's just the way people are.

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

he maybe smart and likes bad movies....I think majority rules on that one, everyone hated X3

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

he maybe smart and likes bad movies....I think majority rules on that one, everyone hated X3..I do agree it had the most potential out of all the X-Men movies...I wish they had used the Sentinels as the villains though...also no Ratner

Julian Dean Shapiro · 9 months ago

DAMNIT, I totally forgot to include The Matrix Revolutions as another franchise-ruiner.

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

I think both Reloaded and Revolutions fit that category...they really should have kept both films in the Matrix as much as the first film...I really hated Zion they never explain where they get all the clothes, guns, ships, and food...lol

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

I think both Reloaded and Revolutions fit that category...they really should have kept both films in the Matrix as much as the first film...I really hated Zion they never explain where they get all the clothes, guns, ships, and food...they could have kept Zion the mulligan

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

I think both Reloaded and Revolutions fit that category...they really should have kept both films in the Matrix as much as the first film...I really hated Zion they never explain where they get all the clothes, guns, ships, and food...they could have kept Zion the mulligan in all three

_Christopher_M · 9 months ago

I'm sure there have been bigger ones in Russia...

Julian Dean Shapiro · 9 months ago

Blind faith is a great way to further my "Bored, Naive and Tasteless Audiences" argument. I completely agree with you on this.

Aleric · 9 months ago

Your friend never read the comics did he? If he knew the original back story and the amount of rich characters in the comics he would be pissed that Hollywood made then into 2D cut outs of the originals.

AndyIII · 9 months ago

It's a great article, but the thing is, you're going against...say 60+ years of film history.

There always has been and will ALWAYS be movies made exclusively for, as cruel as it is to say, the lowest common denominator. There are people who laughed during 'Meet The Spartans'. There are people who told all their friends how much fun he/she and their spouse had going to Applebee's then seeing an early showing of 'that hilarious Paul Blart movie'. There are a large swaths of people who buy 'iFart' for their iPhone. People who have an MP3 loaded with Jimmy Buffet and Celine Dion. People who buy $350 plastic Escalades for their kids. They're not looking for something to think about...or even something they haven't seen before. And it's an audience with deep pockets loaded with credit cards.

In the end, there is something for everyone. For instance, I would say that 'Friday The 13th' and 'Saw' movies are utter rubbish and are poisoning Hollywood. They are not for me. I hate the genre, am bored by it and completely disregard it. But I'm sure lots of people who frequent the site regard it as a perfectly legitimate genre. That's their thing. The point is focusing your gaze where it will be most rewarded.

All you can really do is ignore the shit you know you don't want to see for sure, and try not to get tricked too often by someone you might respect, or have enjoyed in the past, or think that maybe there's something there since it's popular. Because not all things that are popular are bad, and the converse is totally true.

Schofizzy · 9 months ago

This story reminds me of a conversation I had over the weekend, where a friend and I are we disagreeing on the status of "The Wrestler." I loved the film and have given endless acclaim to the film on my blog, my friend had seen it based on my recommendation and said he just didn't feel it. His comment blew me away, so I asked him to explain why. He stated it was too slow and not interesting for his tastes. He later added he wanted a gun battle in the film, WTF? My friend is a perfect example of people who just want to watch a movie and not think. Unfortunately a majority of this kind of people are out there and they push Hollywood to keep making cinematic dribble. The amount of people who have refined taste are clearly lower than the mindless idiots out there that filled the theaters no matter what is playing. If you need proof, just look at the box office numbers for all of the films nominated, besides The Dark Knight and Wall-e the rest are definately struggling.

.E. · 9 months ago

The conclusion pretty much sums it up... As long as people continue to go see these awful movies, Hollywood will continue churning them out.

It's a shame, we have to cross our fingers that we'll get a 3rd Batman, but the "Movie" movies get 13 sequels.

People, enough already!

MrDeath · 9 months ago

...That's probably not the best example though, seeing as Batman was the 2nd highest grossing film of all time.

But I understand what you're saying, and I agree. Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer are like AIDS. That is to say, they are horrible and we can't seem to stop them!

Slamdance · 9 months ago

I actually don't mind Jack Black in a small supporting role, but Will Ferrell is getting played out pretty quick.

SO RANDUM XD · 9 months ago

I don't think we can owe the success of Meet the Spartans, Epic Movie, Friedberg and Seltzer movies, et cetera, on bored audiences. Blame their success on stupid audiences. Look at clips from Epic Movie on youtube and read the comments, there are idiots out there who genuinely enjoy watching this garbage and think it's comedy gold.