<p>Article on front page: THIS JUST IN: FLOPS CAUSED BOX OFFICE SLUMP
Studio execs who pinned problems on factors beyond their control now take responsibility.</p>
<p>Yeah, they previously had been blaming the condition of the theaters, gas prices, alternative media, and population changes. Amazing what they might be able to do if they cut back on movies of mediocre 1960’s sitcoms, uninspired purposeless remakes, pointless sequels, an inane least common denominator story lines crafted to appeal to 18-25-year-old males.</p>
<p>I rented Sahara last night, it was so stupid and poorly done… I expected more from the cast, the writers and the director. The desert looked real most of the time.</p>
<p>Bing, M/M Smith is one of those movies for which I saw the trailers and I wouldn’t see it for free. See also, my comment about films made for 18-25-year-old males.</p>
<p>I usually don’t mind action movies but I too passed on M/M Smith; it just seemed so packaged, I am personally offended by their behavior, and that was before I knew that male lead kicks his screen wife in the face while she is down, injured? My gut was sooo right… </p>
<p>I agree, TheDad, that the studios/execs are spending a fortune on mediocre, uninspring, pointless and inane movies. We ski all winter so the ability to “go to the movies” is very limited…but even when “home” there are very few that make me actually buy tickets. There are a few I am currently looking forward to; In Her Shoes (love the idea of Shirley McLaine as Cameron Diaz’ grandmother), the 4th Harry Potter (the advanced pix look tremendous), King Kong (I did enjoy Peter Jackson’s take on the trilogy) and The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe (the advance pix on this also look magical) … </p>
<p>I love movies that truly entertain me, Howard’s End…Crying Game… actually, right now I am enjoying the Public Television Mystery series… they have been doing a show called Foyle’s War…it is so well done, the Police Inspector Foyle is perfectly acted…brilliant as the Brits say!</p>
<p>Well, we all know I’m a prude, so this shouldn’t shock anyone…</p>
<p>but why all the movies with gratuitous sex and violence? I don’t want to see people in an intimate moment. Not a Peeping Tom. Likewise, the violence is horrible - I was never desensitized to it and have no desire to be. </p>
<p>Oh, right - that 18-25 year old male demographic. </p>
<p>I think it’s more than the bad movies - it’s the prices. $9 almost anywhere for a movie - once you throw in Snow Caps, it’s more than a dinner out to a relatively good restaurant. </p>
<p>Tom Cruise. I think that he is personally responsible for about 1/5 of the movie industry slump. He’s such a little cheeseball. You couldn’t pay me to watch him act. [Shudders.]</p>
<p>The noise. The special effects that take over the movie. Okay, okay, I sound like your mom. </p>
<p>The internet. Seriously, CC is way more entertaining than most modern cinema.</p>
<p>The lack of independent movies (at least in my area). Most of the movies I’ve seen in the past five years (excepting LOTR) that I’ve liked have been independent, or in those theatres first - Monsoon Wedding and Murderball come to mind. Even Bowling for Columbine was at least throught-provoking (and yes, this is Aries the growing-more-conservative-by-the-day person speaking here). </p>
<p>I do want to see In Her Shoes - found out two days ago when it’s coming out! (Yeah, I’m out of touch.) :)</p>