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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2019 16:28:04 GMT
On that last point, yes you're probably right. But it's a bit like arguing MacDonalds are keeping restaurants alive, I have to ask to what end? I'm sure there's an economic benefit, but I'm not really interested in that. Scorcese's swimming against the tide with both hands tied behind his back with his comments, the current model of Hollywood is too successful for things to go back to what they were. But I share his despair.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2019 17:19:47 GMT
That's the thing Scorsese forgets. Abbott and Costello Meets the Wolfman was pretty funny. It's no fun eating fancy every night. Some days I like a bologna sandwich. I don't think he does forget it, in the quoted article he makes a point of mentioning more pulpy or mainstream genre films alongside the 'arthouse' type films. However to stretch your analogy further, isn't the problem here that you've got ten restaurants in your town to choose from, but they're all only serving bologna sandwiches..?
No, that is not a good analogy at all.
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Sneelock
god
you're gonna break another heart
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Post by Sneelock on Nov 8, 2019 18:26:34 GMT
On that last point, yes you're probably right. But it's a bit like arguing MacDonalds are keeping restaurants alive, I have to ask to what end? I'm sure there's an economic benefit, but I'm not really interested in that. Scorcese's swimming against the tide with both hands tied behind his back with his comments, the current model of Hollywood is too successful for things to go back to what they were. But I share his despair. well, I think we all do but I'll admit I'm part of the problem. I just watched a preview for another Netflix movie that is being briefly released to theaters. it's a marriage drama with Scarlett Johanson & Adam Driver called "Marriage Story". I like both actors and Laura Dern who plays SJ's mother. there's no way in hell that I'll go see that in a movie theater but it's extremely likely that I'll watch it on Netflix when I've got a box of kleenex and a bottle of vodka I haven't opened yet.
so, I'm the problem. I'll watch it on TV but I won't go out to see it in a theater. in my defense, I don't think this is like "Shape of Water" or something where seeing it on the big screen will make a huge difference. Scarlett & Adam's tear ducts will be a lot bigger and that's about all.
Now, as willing as I am to personally take the blame for this problem - I'm going to assign some blame to others. I think the Exhibitors & the studios themselves, as I mentioned in an earlier unfocused and rambling post, get a LOT of the blame IMO.
Every other year the movie insdustry has their worst ever year to hear them tell it. theaters close. THEN the following year they have their BEST year ever to hear them tell it. admission prices go up and many tax deductible improvements are made to their properties.
I should pay money to go to the movies more. I accept that. I will punish myself accordingly - I promise. BUT, I think the exhibitors and the studios themselves have been getting away with lining their own pockets for so long that nobody really expects them to do anything else.
Look at that "Spinal Tap" settlement. If Harry Shearer couldn't afford the best lawyers money can buy - all those Spinal Tap guys would have never seen paydays in line with how much money the movie and it's merchandise has generated.
I know it seems like I'm going off the reservation & maybe I am - I'm known to do that. What I'm getting at is that these guys can fucking afford to put any movies on screens they want to. The Irishman really underlined this. if they don't want to show it if it doesn't make "X" amount of dollars before being on TV - that's their decision.
Maybe this will end up being another consent decree type situation - it just might and it probably deserves to be.
Still, I think movies on the whole are in a pretty good place right now. quality movies of the past are easy to see (except for all those FOX titles Disney has "mothballed") and I think many quality movies appeal to many interests. sure, I hope it gets better but I think it could be a whole lot worse.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2019 18:34:53 GMT
I don't think he does forget it, in the quoted article he makes a point of mentioning more pulpy or mainstream genre films alongside the 'arthouse' type films. However to stretch your analogy further, isn't the problem here that you've got ten restaurants in your town to choose from, but they're all only serving bologna sandwiches..?
No, that is not a good analogy at all. Whoever heard of a bologna sandwich anyway...why can't you have it with spaghetti like everyone else!
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Sneelock
god
you're gonna break another heart
Posts: 8,545
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Post by Sneelock on Nov 8, 2019 18:41:11 GMT
mmmmm, spaghetti.
Oh, I'm also guilty of the "amusement park" aspect of this whole thing. I LIKE 3D. yeah, I'm the guy. If I go see one of those big, stupid super hero things then I usually make an effort to see it in either 3D or IMAX or both. I love 'em. they are worth every penny. well, I'm willing to pay the same amount of money to see "Jo Jo Rabbit" but I doubt it will still be on screens when I have the money. so, the way I see it, I'm only part of the problem.
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Post by tory on Nov 9, 2019 20:34:57 GMT
No, that is not a good analogy at all. Whoever heard of a bologna sandwich anyway...why can't you have it with spaghetti like everyone else! Bologna in the US is processed meat - like spam but actually worse
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Nov 9, 2019 20:39:51 GMT
'luncheon meat'
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Sneelock
god
you're gonna break another heart
Posts: 8,545
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Post by Sneelock on Nov 10, 2019 19:20:47 GMT
I enjoyed this VOX article. I think it does a pretty good job of looking at the problem from both ends of the telescope. www.vox.com/2019/11/8/20950451/martin-scorsese-marvel-movies-cinemaOne exec cites “theatrical urgency” as something smaller movies need to compete in the current marketplace. I’m so impressed with the concept that the very next time I need to excuse myself to use the Men’s room I’m going to employ some theatrical urgency when I do so.
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nolamike
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Post by nolamike on Nov 11, 2019 16:48:52 GMT
I think that's fair but (speaking as someone who still watches "Flash Gordon" serials) that they've added some other things too like character development (such as it is) and comedy relief. A couple of those things REALLY make my head hurt but overall I can buy it as escapism. When Marty says "cinema" he means "wages of fear" type shit. Do I think "Iron Man 3" is on the same level as "wages of fear"? LOL. of course not. That's the thing Scorsese forgets. Abbott and Costello Meets the Wolfman was pretty funny. It's no fun eating fancy every night. Some days I like a bologna sandwich. Well, yeah. But things ARE very different now. Here's a list of the top-grossing films of 2018. Seventeen of the top 20 (including the top 9!) are either sequels, remakes, or parts of larger cinematic "universes." Compare that to this list from 1968, in which none of the top 20 fit that bill (well, a couple Shakespeare and musical adaptations might, if you stretch your definition). Or this list from 1978, in which only four of those movies would fall into those categories (Superman, Jaws 2, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Wiz), three of which were fairly radical/unconventional remakes of earlier films. Or this list from 1988, in which three films fit that bill (well, four, if you include The Naked Gun). In 1998, it was three films. Now, one thing I will say is that on those lists, there are a LOT of stone-cold classics... but there is also a LOT of utter crap. I suspect the 2018 list might have a higher overall floor of watchability (I mean, NOBODY needs to go back and rewatch "Every Which Way But Loose" or "Cocktail" or "Convoy" or "Faces of Death"), but there just aren't the same peaks that there once were with more independence and risk-taking. Will people still be talking about, say, "Avengers: Infinity War" in 2068 the way they talk about "2001" in 2019? Fat chance...
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