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Weekly Box Office and Film Discussion Thread

Drtooth

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Wow. Who would have thought a movie based on a franchise that never really amounted to anything, based on a toy that garnered no merchandising, dumped into October with virtually no marketing wouldn't do well?

What's really condemning is the fact that none of the critics even knew what the film was based off. They didn't know it was based off anything period. Even the Midnight Screenings guys were baffled by its existence. And the sad thing is, Mattel was trying to make this movie for so long, they planned on a Max Steel film about 4 or 5 years before the reboot cartoon series, 9 years after the original completely different Max Steel cartoon also wasn't too popular. You know, the one made in that early 00's where he was an extreme sports stuntman spy?

Yeah, I don't remember it either.

So basically it's being called a super hero franchise type movie when it's actually a toyline based thing. Can't tell if the 2013 series was supposed to be a super hero. All I know of it is that the toyline was cleared out in a jiffy from Target, found pieces of it at the graveyard that is Dollar Treet, and I only have a Happy Meal toy cuz I was hungry and had only 3 bucks. I assume the final product was supposed to be the "Masters of the Universe the Movie" to the current(ish) cartoon series. But the reboot failed to be popular, and instead of sending kids to see the next step in their merchandising frenzy, they dumped the obligation of a film to theaters well after the 7-10 year olds who probably watched the show forgot and moved on.

Really great idea, Mattel.
 

CensoredAlso

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Um, hardly. People ripped it to shreds before it came out because nerds complain about everything.
And they still haven't stopped. This wasn't normal reboot hate, this was pure insanity. Makes my heart sick. After this year, my geek card is in the shredder. Permanently.

It's not all bad though. A friend of mine the other day went out of his way to let me know he finally saw the movie and decided he'd judged it too harshly. A lot of people are saying that now online so, there's hope. :wink:

Mainly because they couldn't even make a decent second film with everyone originally involved.
I can't watch the original movie right now. Sadly I end up being reminded of all the disgusting "fans" I encountered online (and no, I'm not saying everyone who disliked the movie is disgusting). Thankfully though, they tend to ignore Ghostbusters II, so I'm still able to enjoy it, lol, it doesn't feel as tainted. It helps that it's a movie about positivity. Something the fanbase seems to have forgotten.
 
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D'Snowth

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I can't watch the original movie right now. Sadly I end up being reminded of all the disgusting "fans" I encountered online
I know how you feel, I have trouble watching Whose Line for the exact same reason - Whosers are among some of the nastiest fans out there.
 

D'Snowth

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It's not so much what they complain about, it's their dictatorial and elitist attitudes that if you don't agree with the opinions of the consensus, are you ever marked for it.
 

CensoredAlso

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It's not so much what they complain about, it's their dictatorial and elitist attitudes that if you don't agree with the opinions of the consensus, are you ever marked for it.
Gotcha. It's just sad, entertainment is supposed to lessen the stress in your life. But nowadays I am less stressed when I'm not discussing movies or TV shows, lol.

And it's really the Internet. I encountered jerky fans who were mocking the reboot in real life, but they shut down immediately when someone challenged them. But on the Internet they're anonymous, so they delude themselves into thinking they have power. Really, they shouldn't bother me as much as they do, lol. It's probably just that they remind me too much of the bullies of my childhood and I have trouble letting it go.
 

Drtooth

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Which was the thread we were complaining about Disney's long term plans for live action remakes of every movie ever? They're now talking about a Live Action Mulan, and so far the only news about is that Ang Lee isn't directing it (automatically ensuring it's a good movie) and the fact they're going to do their darndest not to pull a The Great Wall and whitewash the cast. If they actually manage to pull that off, that'll even manage to make it a step above the original. Though I'm sure if a CGI Mushu is part of the film, they'd have to throw some celebrity in there.

The thing about the movie Mulan is that, while there were some Asian actors in key roles (though George Takai is Japanese), you have the likes of June Foray and Harvey Firestein, decidedly non-Asian actors (though well appreciated, especially June), and Donny Osmond doing the singing voice for one of the main characters. Chinese dub, it's Jackie Chan singing... just saying...


The one tiny complaint I had with the movie Kubo was that, while there were Japanese actors (including George Takai, this time playing a Japanese person), they were all bit parts, while the main characters weren't. And frankly, in animation it's fine and you can get away with it there.

But the thing about the live action The Great Wall movie is, you can't just have Matt Damon do the voice of a Chinese protagonist. And then you get into this very difficult situation where even a movie made for Chinese audiences can't have Chinese actors because the Chinese movie goers somehow want to see our big famous American actors in a movie about Chinese history. Obviously because their own movies have their own countrymen in them already and will only see something if big name international stars are in there. And that's the Catch 22. You can't make a movie without having a big star attached, but you can't let an ethnic actor become famous enough without making them the lead. Wanting it both ways, you see.

I hope Disney follows its promise on this one. I want someone to be bold enough to make a movie about a Chinese legend with Chinese actors. Though, if that's the case, they'll probably do that thing where they cast generic Asians of different backgrounds to be all Chinese. That also tends to bug me because of historical animosity these countries had with each other.

I can't watch the original movie right now. Sadly I end up being reminded of all the disgusting "fans" I encountered online (and no, I'm not saying everyone who disliked the movie is disgusting). Thankfully though, they tend to ignore Ghostbusters II, so I'm still able to enjoy it, lol, it doesn't feel as tainted. It helps that it's a movie about positivity. Something the fanbase seems to have forgotten.

All I can say about this is that if the fanbase was so angry that this film happened, they've been mad at the wrong people. Sony wanted to make a Ghostbusters film at any cost, and the blame of a reboot should only fall on them. In terms of if the film was good or bad, you can blame actors, directors, writers, and executives for ruining a film, but you blame the existence of the film on the ones who greenlit it. I fully believe that they would have made any Ghostbusters movie with any cast if anyone shoved a script in front of them. I give credit for all involved with this film because films made for women are far more pandering and patronizing than this film ever was accused of being. I mean, they made another Bridget Jones movie.

But the thing that really bugs me is when this film is called a failure that's damaging the future of the franchise. What?! Okay, if you liked the movie and want a sequel that's one thing. I liked the movie, I don't know if I want a sequel, and if we get one, fine. If we don't, fine. But why would you want more Ghostbusters films if you don't like the idea of more Ghostbusters films? The franchise, no matter what, is strong enough to survive on the merits of both original movies and the cartoon series. I don't usually see piles of unsold GB retro merchandise. Those tend to get snapped up. Maybe the odd Real Ghostbusters retro G.I. Joe action figurey doll things showed up at Marshalls, and I did get the Janine/Slimer/Samhain set cheap. Other than that, the old GB characters are still recognizable. As much as I want to see the animated movie happen, I don't think we really need any more GB movies, be it Ghostbusters 2016 2 or Ghostbusters 3 or (more likely) some actually bad reboot that actually deserves hate. The franchise doesn't need a future, especially from those who hate all their future plans.
 

CensoredAlso

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Though, if that's the case, they'll probably do that thing where they cast generic Asians of different backgrounds to be all Chinese. That also tends to bug me because of historical animosity these countries had with each other.
Though that would fit in with the American spirit of diversity and putting away Old World grudges (at the risk of sounding naive, lol).

But the thing that really bugs me is when this film is called a failure that's damaging the future of the franchise.
Going to blame Disney and their Marvel and Star Wars franchises for that one. They've got everyone convinced now that no franchise = failure.

Like I said, done with geek culture. Toxic is too kind a word. And as a former member, I have no problem whatsoever airing dirty laundry now. :smile:
 
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CensoredAlso

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Well, I feel a little better today! :halo:

http://variety.com/2016/digital/new...t-on-dvd-blu-ray-disc-sales-chart-1201894594/

"Three new high-profile theatrical hits catapulted into the top three spots on the national home video sales charts the week ended Oct. 16, led by Sony Pictures’ much-maligned “Ghostbusters” remake.

The comedy, which grossed $128.2 million in U.S. theaters against an estimated budget of $144 million, topped both the NPD VideoScan overall disc sales chart, which tracks combined Blu-ray Disc and DVD sales, and the dedicated Blu-ray Disc chart."
 
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