I usually blamed the decline of the movie business on the "evil" corporations that have taken over everything. My theory was that huge corporations demand huge ($100+ million) franchise movies because those movies have the most potential to deliver huge money at the box office over many years. And the more money you put in to a movie the less chances you will be willing to take. So, we every summer (when all the money is made) the studios force feed us crap we've seen before. 5 times!
That is all very true, but I'm now beginning to think that the 'creatives' are just plain dumb and stupid (and/or they think the viewing public is dumb and stupid). The MPAA recently revealed that Hollywood suffered its worst year in over 10 years. Admissions were down 9%. Uhhh...no shit, sherlock. I can't remember the last movie I have paid to see. If it weren't for work I probably wouldn't have seen any movies last year. Hell, even the movies I saw for work (free movies) pretty much sucked.
So, I was sufficiently curios to read that Dan Glickman, the new head of the MPAA, is about to embark on a huge PR campaign to rekindle the public's interest in going to the movie theater:
Glickman spoke of plans for a "Got Milk?"-like PSA campaign to promote the film industry as a whole.
Campaign will be tied to the findings of a major new research study the org is conducting to find out what motivates people to go - or not go - to movie theaters.
Glickman said he also plans to pressure Congress to pass a resolution designating a National Movie Week in March 2007. The American Film Institute has already sought to establish a National Movie Week.
"In the modern world, just advertising specific movies may not be enough," he explained. "By selling the belief that movies are an enjoyable experience, we can change people's general attitude."
Okay, so he wants to have a National Movie Week and a "Got Milk" type of PSA campaign? And he wants the studios to come together as some sort of happy industry hug to promote the movie going experience? WTF is this guy smoking. Its the movies, stupid!
In the very same issue of Variety, I kid you not, was this little slice of movie hell:
The Regency Enterprises/20th Century Fox redo of "Dallas" is heating up.
Helmer Robert Luketic is rounding up his cast for the updated take on the classic '80s series: He's offered his "Monster-in-Law" star Jennifer Lopez the part of Sue Ellen Ewing, Luke Wilson is negotiating to play Bobby Ewing, John Travolta has an offer to star as J.R. Ewing and Shirley MacLaine is down for the part of Miss Ellie Ewing.
Not a joke. There is no type of PSA or kumbaya feel good sing a long madness that will get people in to the theater to see this piece of shit. I simply can't imagine that there was not one single person in the room that did not object this madness. DUMBEST IDEA SINCE "SHOWTIME". Just because you put a bunch of celebrities in a dumb ass concept does not mean folks are going to fork over $10 to see. I tell you they should all be fired. The executives at Fox and Regency, the agents for the actors, and anyone else who actually, honestly and truly believes that a remake of 'DALLAS' is what the movie going public has been waiting for. Dude! And it really isn't about the terrible, horrific casting choices either. The concept is bad, bad, bad. Somebody put a stop to this NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Idiots.
And, what is that I hear about Ice Cube playing Kotter in WELCOME BACK KOTTER? In very same issue of Variety, folks. No joke. I wouldn't joke about something so tragic.
Dumbasses.
YOU PEOPLE HAVE LOST YOUR COTTON-PICKING MINDS!
Technorati Tags: Dallas, Film, Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez, John Travolta, MPAA, Business
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