SUNDAY AM: It wasn't just my imagination -- this turned out to be the slowest box office weekend of the entire year, and the worst weekend in 5 years. The overall weekend was expected to generate around $66 million in box-office when all the final figures are tallied on Monday, according to Media By Numbers. The last time a weekend was lower was the post-Labor Day weekend in 2003 (start date of 9/5/03) when the overall weekend generated $66.7 million. Of course, the bad weather in big parts of the country had to be a factor, too. But even with no competition since it was the only new wide release, Nicolas Cage in Lionsgate's predictable hit man action pic Bangkok Dangerous still couldn't attract an audience. It barely opened in 2,650 theaters for just a $7.8 million weekend -- much less than the tracking showed, or about what his film Next debuted to in 2007. Clearly the only reason anyone wants to see Cage is if he's starring in a Marvel comic book movie like Ghost Rider (and Sony is making the sequel, Ghost Rider 2) or Disney's National Treasure franchise. Other than those, he hasn't starred in a movie that's made money since, like, forever. Really, Cage needs to take a long, hard look at his career since constantly appearing in bad pics like this is a price quote killer. (And he needs to pay his taxes, too.)
DreamWork/Paramount's moviemaking spoof Tropic Thunder took 2nd place with $7.5 million from 3,446 venues and finished the weekend with a new cume of $96.8M. Sony's Playboy-meets-college comedy The House Bunny was No. 3 Friday with $5.9 million from 2,736 dates and new cume of $36.9 million. In the 4th spot was Warner Bros' mega-blockbuster The Dark Knight which eked out another $5.7 million from 2,575 plays a new cume of $512.1M. And in 5th place for the second week (-31%) is Overture's Traitor starring Don Cheadle which made $4.6 million from 2,066 runs for a new cume of $17.6 million.
I like Nic Cage, but I don’t like a lot of his movies.
Maybe he should do something with the Coen Bros. again? They seem to be able to harness his twitchy, ADD style of acting, into something entertaining.
And he should get a really good accounting firm to handle his taxes.
Comment by Furious D — September 6, 2008 @ 9:34 am
Wow, worst weekend in 7-8 years, not even taking inflation into account. School starting, sports on, focus on politics, bad economy - just a perfect storm. And “Bangkok Dangerous” getting only 6% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Wish we could somehow blame Sarah Palin! Ha!!!
Comment by Eric — September 6, 2008 @ 9:58 am
We LOVE how you tell the Truth Nikki!! I wanted to comment on Cage’s ‘Bangkok Dangerous’: it was awful!! I don’t think there’s a bigger Ego in H-wood than Nic Cage!! He didn’t even have his female costar speak!! Pathetic! He probably only paid her an ‘extra’ rate!! The ending sucked, too!! Lame flick!!
Comment by Shelly — September 6, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Nikki, from what your link said, he did pay his taxes but he did so improperly. thats better than NOT paying them AND FLEEING to another country as certain other hollywood types have done. isnt it?
sheesh….
oh now we get to hear from all the JADED folks who didnt like Ghost Rider that a sequel is in the works.
I for one am glad for GR 2 sequel, just as I am very glad Spiderman 4 & 5 maybe shot together…and I certainly hope more Spiderman dance sequences will be included this time…wink wink ONE WAS JUST NOT ENOUGH!!!!
…I know those Spidy dance sequences are very much enjoyed by Armand, since he just LUVS collecting clips of Peter Parker doing the mambo & cha cha cha.
come on Armand, mate, you know you luv it….wink wink
hahahahahah
Comment by lu-ee — September 6, 2008 @ 10:12 am
Save for what he’s done with the Coens, Scorsese and in the National Treasure movies, Nic Cage plays every character the same as his role in Leaving Las Vegas… morose, apathetic and seemingly drunk the entire time. I think the people are getting tired of it (I did 5 years ago).
Comment by Enrique — September 6, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Throw in an East Coast storm for Saturday/Saturday night and those numbers might end up being ambitious.
Comment by royo — September 6, 2008 @ 10:44 am
I was a BG on Gone in 60 Seconds and couldn’t believe he had a body gaurd with him at all times on the set.
Comment by Yosemite — September 6, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Nick Cage has been in some good, underrated movies. Adaptation, Matchstick Men and Lord of War all come to mind. He just needs to give up on attracting a mainstream audience though and get back to working on smaller projects that let him showcase his range.
Comment by College Student — September 6, 2008 @ 11:14 am
I think the hurricanes on the east coast are trashing movie going this weekend.
It’s a wash but doesn’t help Nic out that’s for sure.
He’s still got a lot of good performances left in his career.
Comment by ReelBusy — September 6, 2008 @ 11:52 am
Well he has a sure hit coming when he co-stars in the movie “Kick Ass”. For the people who don’t know, that’s the movie adaptation of the comic by “Wanted” writer Mark Millar, which is currently the hottest series in the industry
Comment by trey — September 6, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
So does anyone still think TDK has a shot at 600 million?
It has been an absolutely spectacular run…but it’s pretty much over at this point.
Comment by milo — September 6, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
Whenever I hear that there’s a new Nicolas Cage movie out, I always wonder how his latest wig is going to look. I mean, in his last several films, he’s sported the most ridiculous looking wigs this side of a Tijuana drag club. I haven’t been able to keep a straight face for the first five minutes of any Cage movie in years simply because of his dumb ass wigs. Why doesn’t he just get a hair transplant and be done with it?
Comment by Crystal Diane Stevens — September 6, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Nic Cage is one of the most talented people in Hollywood. Sure he misses the mark every now and then but he just keeps moving forward and eventually he nails it.
I’ve met him a few times and each time he was always down to earth and charming. Unlike Michael Bay.
Brett
Comment by Brett Meisner — September 6, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
I love the Coppollas, so lay off of Nick.
And according to IMDB.com his career is in high pre and post production despite the haters. Nick took his name from a comic book character, so he’s always been cool. Let’s get five things straight on this ” quote” story.
1. He can act Leaving Las Vegas, Bringing Out the dead.
2. He has two franchise movies.
3 While Nick may choose his roles, the movie studios decide when to release a picture in conjunction with the distribution houses.
4. They dump films like Traitor and Bangkok into slots they don’t want to promote and refuse to prop up with 50 million in advertising.
5. If they the suits et al hate your movie they dump you into purgatory ( end of August/ before TIFF) release dates.
Why should Nick be any different then other stars in the downward cycle of their thirty year careers?
He may not be in the A Plus class like Cruise and Kidman et al. But like these stars, Nick on the B list still makes Cha Ching money in the international market. See http://www.the-numbers.com/people/NCAGE.php
Cage has made over three billion for the suits. So haters, chew on that.
Comment by writerdjb — September 6, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
The guy can obviously act, but why chose this kinda stuff? It’s bizarre the choices some talent make…
Comment by michael dobrofsky — September 6, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
God, what is it with Nic Cage? Why can’t he aim higher, especially if he’s producing? I still remember his small role in Rumblefish creating a solid impression in my mind. Leaving Las Vegas was not one of my favorites, but I acknowledge his talent for goddamm sure in the film. But Adaptation was mind blowing! So I totally understand his fan-boy comic book jag ,so why not something incredibly controversial from that realm like Ditko’s Mr. A? (Sorry Vince V., but let’s be real…)As to bodyguards on set, etc., that’s de rigeur for any actor that brings in the $$ I met him once too. Seemed like an ok guy
Comment by Two Cents — September 6, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
Comment by lu-ee — September 6, 2008 @ 10:12 am
I have moves you haven’t seen lu-ee(*!*)
Heck! I have a much better move than silly Spidey and still will not end up with Mary Jane (that is a good thing by the way)
I did enjoy Ghost Rider, for all its silliness yet fun entertainment, not like some superhero who is trying to juggle one too many things at the same time (crying, dancing, falling in and out of love etc..)
So Nic is not as consistent as many other A-lister but you know what, he is not trying hard to be one. If anything, his versatility is something to be proud of. I hated NT2 and some of his other movies but there were others that was good as well.
Comment by Armand — September 6, 2008 @ 10:37 pm
If the dude got back into Con Air shape and shaved his head he would be allright. Especially when it comes to action films. Holding on to vanity with a raggedy toupe is not a good look. Embrace the bald bro.
Comment by B- — September 6, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
Trey- Kickass is crap comics and not even read by most people in the comics industry
The problem with Cage is that he wants paydays- he is all about the money. That is his gauge to whether he is loved or not. He did that film NEXT and the Wicker Man remake for money. He just took $12m from Kavanaugh at Relativity to do a crappy film.
In this case there is the fat, slovenly Avi Lerner, a loser rug merchant who pays actors a lot of money to make crap films. 88 Minutes sucked but Pacino got the payday. That same hack director did Righteous Kill and I can smell that stench already. Avi did Wicker Man and Bangkok. He paid full freight on Cage and then sold it overseas. He is a greasy purveyor of crap. He’s facing a lawsuit to come on CONAN from the producer who controlled the rights at Warners, he is gonna lose his ass on Rose MacGowan in RED SONJA (laughable) and he has become the new Eli Samaha. And the LA Times reprints his opinions!
Losers!
Comment by FairyTaleListener — September 6, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
The fact is Nicolas Cage is a terrific actor but, after winning an Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas, he went the Jerry Bruckheimer route and now he’s a joke. The only time he’s actually ACTED in a movie since his Oscar win was in Adaptation. Too bad he feels compelled to do countless shitty action flicks. Is he really that hard-up for cash? Maybe he ought to sell pics of that poor kid of his he named after Superman like that other money-grabber Brad Pitt.
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — September 7, 2008 @ 7:17 am
I must say it’s the hair — his last two movies — the awful NEXT and the nothing to rave about Bangkok dangerous — he has had that awful haircut. Two ladies who came out of the theater were also commenting that they couldn’t get past his hair because it just made them laugh.
This was one of the worst weekends ever because there is truthfully nothing to watch — I almost didn’t watch anything but ended up seeing Nic Cage. They should have just released the Xfiles movie this weekend, it would have done a lot better.
Comment by jake — September 7, 2008 @ 10:51 am
Have to second that remark about Cage being “down to Earth and charming” in person. I’ve never seen him treat a civilian badly. And sometimes movie stars have bodyguards to protect them from themselves, if you know what I mean.
This would probably be an excellent time for Cage to evaluate his image. Do a “ret-con,” as they say in Comics.
Comment by TJ — September 7, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Yeah this film was a stinker, my husband and I went to see it last night. Maybe his next film “Knowing” coming out in March will be better.
Comment by RTA — September 7, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!!
Comment by CrypticHill — September 7, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Bangkok was actually a pretty decent movie. I have no idea why it tanked so bad.
Comment by Squirrel — September 7, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Truth is NICK CAGE better wake up and do the following:
1.) LEAVE CAA - they don’t care what you do, as long as you’re helping them pay off their building.
2.) STOP WORKING WITH AMATEUR PRODUCERS. The guys who did this movie don’t know what they’re doing. BLUESTAR ENT is a bogus company set up by one of their daddys who USED to be someone. They’re blowhard producers whose credits are all mediocre movies that have bombed at the box office.
3.) TRY TAKING AN ACTING ROLE ONCE IN A WHILE - we all know you’ve got the chops, maybe you forgot you had them.
Comment by Mel — September 7, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
great actor cruddy scrips. his best movies are action flicks. the rock, ghost rider, 2 nationals(but the 2nd was a joke). other than those he has always done wierd charecters that most people dont like. as a male actor top 5 in fans. henneds more movies like bruchammer makes. but i do like his acting
Comment by carl6352 — September 7, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
I purposely avoid Hollywood movies.
Bunch of rich communists.
Comment by Steve — September 7, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Rainy Friday and Saturday nights are ideal for going to thee movies.
Comment by elwood — September 7, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Bush’s fault!
Comment by Eric — September 7, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Maybe he could go on the Oprah show to promote it!
Comment by Brooke — September 7, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
The Hollywood morons still don’t get it. The public has had it with their liberal message movies about how evil the USA is. The empty theaters is the public’s message to them
Comment by Holly — September 7, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
I wonder if this may be blowback against the media elite and hollywood types attacking the Palins and traditional family values ? Just a thought.
Comment by Tony — September 7, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
Nikki says he has to pay taxes too. LOL. Since when does Hollywood people actually pay taxes. They talk about liking Liberal candidates who preach nothing more than tax increases but then again they don’t pay any so why wouldn’t they like tax increases. As to the movies I saw “traitor” this weekend and found it to be a taut intelligent suspense thriller. I can understand why some Liberal thinking film critics didn’t like it. Think “the Kingdom”. Cheadle and Guy Pierce give fine performances, again. Worth a look.
Comment by netposter08 — September 7, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
I don’t know, I thought ‘Family Man’ was a nice little movie…
Comment by Fred — September 7, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Never has nepotism given Hollywood such a bad name, as witness the career of the downright repulsive, supremely untalented Nicolas Cage. He (and his adenoids) virtually ruined one of my favorite movies, the luminous “Peggy Sue Got Married”. His boorish on-the-set behavior was recently chronicled in her memoirs by the fearly outspoken Kathleen Turner (who was pressured to settle out-of-court since the idiot’s lawsuit threatened to delay the publication of her memoirs). His Oscar was one of the jokes of the Academy’s history. I’ve worked as a publicist on the set with many of the top actors of the day, and NONE of them (except the gracious Jane Fonda, who needed a bodyguard because of serious death threats) employed body guards. For the past several years, Cage’s career has been a take-the-millions-and-run spectacle of lousy action flicks, most of which tanked because of his off-putting presence-sporting an assortment of laughable hair pieces that, for sheer hilarity, even outdo Burt Reynolds’ in his heyday. By now, you must realize I am not a fan of this Coppola-spawned creep!
Comment by Scott — September 7, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
The problem is quite simple: the movie industry has priced itself out of the market with its high ticket prices. These are tough times and people can barely feed their families so they are not willing to shell out $10 to see one movie. During the Depression movie tickets were five and ten cents. Even with inflation that would be three dollars today. Hollywood better wake up and stop paying those actors all those high salarie which most of them do not deserve.
Comment by michael cohen — September 7, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
Ten dollars for a new release movie is a bit too much for me in these tough economic times. I wait a couple of months and catch the flick for $2 at the discount theaters.
Comment by Jack Smythe — September 7, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
Maybe people are waking up and realizing its unhealthy to worship celebs. On the subject of actors, Edward Norton doesn’t jump at every script but he doesn’t have tax problems.
I watched Face Off the other day. Hollywood puts out too much filth to be honest and the sales show it.
Comment by ANSWP — September 7, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
You guys forgot Face Off and Con Air (where he plays a mentally retarded special forces ranger)
I liked the Lord of War and wanted to see the Wicker Man and The Third Man. Both are remakes. The latter one will be especially hard to outdo. I agree Raising Arizona was a good movie with the Cohen Bros.
He needs a body guard because there are a lot of crazies floating around.
Comment by pat — September 7, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
The Weather Man was decent, and relatively recent.It was not the best movie ever but an interesting choice and Cage was very solid.He can act.
Comment by justin — September 7, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
I went to the movies today, and withing 15 minutes I wished I had gone for a walk or stayed home. Tropical Thunder’s best moments are seen in the previews, the rest of the movie is garbage.
Comment by Kay — September 7, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
I am avoiding as much Hollywood as I can…magazines like EW I just cancelled after 13 years of a subscription and haven’t been to a movie in over a year. It’s little but I feel good about it. Until they stop with the Christian bashing they can suck it. Isn’t it funny how Hollywood avoids the M word? You know muslims. They’re afraid to say anything negative for fear those nitwits will do something to Hollywood. Wait till Obama loses on November 4th, talk about meltdown. And i’ll be enjoying every moment of it.
Comment by Charley Varrick — September 7, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
The Family Man is another good movie. A sort-of remake of Its a Wonderful Life, where he’s very Jimmy Stewart-like.
I agree with most of the posts here. He’s a really good actor who makes some lousy choices, but then again, this is the same man who asked Patricia Arquette to marry him within minutes of meeting her, married Lisa Marie Presley, and filed for divorce three months later, and then married a 20-year-old sushi bar waitress as soon as the divorce was final.
A newspaper story also pointed out Cage is king of the bad remakes, having starred in Kiss of Death, City of Angels, The Wicker Man and now Bangkok Dangerous.
Comment by Dan Zee — September 7, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
“So does anyone still think TDK has a shot at 600 million?
It has been an absolutely spectacular run…but it’s pretty much over at this point.”
Comment by milo — September 6, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
Yeah, Milo, I think it still has a good shot at it.
It hit $500 million last Sunday 8/31 and made another 12 million this week.
Sure, its dropping out of the top 5 grossers for the weekends, but at 8 - 12 million a week it needs 9 weeks or less to break $600 million.
It’s only been out for 7.5 weeks. Warner brothers can afford to leave it in theaters — they opened up the schedule when they moved HP to the summer.
If it doesn’t make it by Christmas — it’ll get the bump it needs when Heath Ledger gets an Oscar nod or worse when he doesn’t get an Oscar nod.
Comment by Melanie — September 7, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
I like Nicholas Cage, probably don’t like his politics. I know for sure I don’t like your’s. You should that Matt Drudge he brings in hits and revenue that you would not ordinarily bring in. For instance I would not be here if not for his link. So kiss off leftist beeach.
Comment by Al Carlsen — September 7, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
Nic Cage needs to do more movies in the style of 8mm.
GREAT PIC!
Comment by sbx24 — September 7, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
I’m with Steve; there’s no way I’m going to support a bunch of Hollywood elites who are trying to force our country into socialism/communism.
Comment by judy — September 7, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
There’s a good reason why Hollywood profits are down - these aren’t very good films. They’re either preachy, poorly written or both. They certainly aren’t entertaining.
You also have a bunch of loudmouthed actors telling us how to live when they should be paying attention to their own miserable excuses for lives. I expect a certain amount of poor behavior from these performing monkeys, but in the case of some (Cloony, Penn, Afleck, etc.), I won’t subsidize it.
Comment by Tim G. — September 7, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
I like Nic Cage, and I also like Vin Diesel and Jason Statham, but the films they put these people in get worse and worse - grim, clanking, gloomy pieces of crap that only erode the box-office value of three really good actors. I saw Death Race and Vicky Barcelona this weekend, and for as much as I like Statham, Woody Allen’s intellectual b.s. was by far the better player. They need to put these guys in small, cheap but solid art films (like Ed Harris’ upcoming beauty, “Touching Hme”) when the producers haven’t got the dough to make a blockbuster so these actors can keep their rates up. I’d go to see any of them in something cool, but I hate this clanky, grim killer-goes-wild crap. And it hurts my ears. Javier Bardem was terrific in this small Allen film, and it will do nicely until another big role comes along. I hope someone’s going to be interested in Brad Pitt as a bumbling idiot in “Burn After Reading,” but Hello! I don’t think so! as those twits in Hollywood say.
Comment by Joe Shea — September 7, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
His Best Movie was “Valley Girl” V chest hair! I saw “Bangkok Dangerous” what a let down! His hair was bad….Location was nice, wrong actor!
Comment by wasted my money — September 8, 2008 @ 12:13 am
At $12 a ticket I’ll be darned if I’m going to waste my money in a theatre!
Comment by Anthony — September 8, 2008 @ 2:09 am
the last good movie cage was in was guarding tess.
He nailed that part.
Maybe they should consider a sequel.
Comment by joe truth — September 8, 2008 @ 5:01 am
Too many bad scripts, too much blown up too many times, and actors that don’t know when to keep their mouths shut.
Comment by Bobc — September 8, 2008 @ 5:37 am
Hollywood sucks. If it isn’t a “remake” or a new movie in a series “Batman”, “Spiderman”, or whatever…they turn out pure crap! Bad writers, lousy acting, and frankly, people are getting tired of being “educated” by the morons that run hollywood. Try making a decent movie strictly for entertainment and leave you politics and personal views out of it!
Comment by TGC — September 8, 2008 @ 5:48 am
Who needs their crap anyway, I know I don’t.
Hollywood has nothing but a bunch of morons for the most part.
Let them all snort and drink themselves to death if they want.
When will they ubderstand we don’t give a crap what they say.
Selfish, self-important, unmoral asses.
Comment by Pete — September 8, 2008 @ 5:59 am
Not really that suprising. When you get involved in politics to the extent that Hollywood has, you are going to make 50% of the people happy and 50% unhappy. The over the top left wing politics of Hollywood doesn’t play well outside of California and Manhattan where movie tickets are purchased. I think it has turned a lot of people off.
Comment by Voice of Reason — September 8, 2008 @ 6:05 am
HOLLYWOOD TOO FULL OF LEFTISTS FOR ME
Hollywood is too full of leftists for me. I tire of their constant raving on excessively liberal issues. I think that many Hollywood big-time actors are arrogant and they think they own the world.
In the real world, people are struggling with high costs of oil, commodities and barely able to pay their bills. I’m glad they’re not wasting their money on leftist Hollywood movies.
Hollywood can go to h*ll as far as I’m concerned. I’m glad they’re sufferng.
sanjosemike
Comment by sanjosemike — September 8, 2008 @ 6:17 am
Is this a surprise? Cage is a terrible actor who usually gets great rolls. So when a terrible actor gets a terrible script the movie doesn’t have chance. There is no other excuse.
Oh no it was raining in the North East, (more of a reason to see a movie, than if it was sunny)
Oh no, the ecomony is tanking…yeah Iron Man, Dark Night, Tropic Thunder and other movies are suffering from this “poor economy”
Oh no, it’s football season…what games were played Friday night?
Comment by Scott Stephenson — September 8, 2008 @ 6:28 am
Hollywood’s attitude and gaggle of anti American, anti-military movies, has alienated many, including some rational people who opposed the Iraq war. To be fed ideas that the USA is completely sinister and all the rest of the world is innocent has damaged Hollywood.
Comment by Bob VA — September 8, 2008 @ 6:29 am
Nik Cage….he’s OLD,OLD,OLD!!!!
Comment by Corina — September 8, 2008 @ 6:31 am
>>I purposely avoid Hollywood movies. Bunch of rich communists.
What do you watch instead? European movies? That would be a bunch of _poor_ Communists.
Comment by Jim — September 8, 2008 @ 6:38 am
To Eric:
Actually, you can probably blame Gov. Palin. Americans sometimes retaliate against Hollywood when they perceive that the liberal lunes attacking someone they care about are the same liberal lunes from Hollywood supporting Obama. So yeah, blame Gov. Palin.
Comment by Bo — September 8, 2008 @ 6:39 am
I just have to ask. Does he really look so bad bald that they feel it is better to put these terrible hair pieces on him? Yikes! I haven’t seen such a bad obvious piece since Shatner was searching for Spock.
Comment by Rixie — September 8, 2008 @ 6:41 am
GREAT!!! The sooner all these hollywood liberals go down in a ball of flames and have to find a real job the better. GO USA….GO USA….. you can’t have your messiah tell small towns their stupid and not have a negative reaction…….hollywood fools
Comment by Matt — September 8, 2008 @ 7:02 am
I like Nic Cage. He was better in character driven films like Leaving Las Vegas. The dude should stick to those. They can’t all be blockbusters. As for the weekend? Who has the money to go to the theater? Open up online cinema and charge $20 a ticket, see what happens then.
Comment by Chad — September 8, 2008 @ 7:38 am
Cage and Coen Brothers Inc. ?
The “Coen Brothers” have a sick angry NYC tribal take on America… voyeuristic bloody violence, drug addicts, the worst morals possible made for a very boarded American Left and their cattle.
Consider this: would it be possible for the Coen Brothers to make a positive film about human relations? No… they are not capable of even a moderately positive movie with any… moral perspective because it is beyond the scope of their sneering tribal arrogance.
Add to this the PC content of American film… which shares the values of the above and you have why Hollywood is in decline.
It once was a truth that what could not be said in movies needed a gross airing out… and for decades all we heard was how such and such was able to break this or that barrier; now that we are beyond the barriers… we are in a gutter without the LIGHT of idealism because to people of the Coen Brother’s ilk, idealism is a lie.
Add to this that everyone has a Gay brother in Hollywood movies regardless of the truth of that absurdity, that all white men are dumb and subservient apparently if one takes the evidence of America movies to Black woman, in public life and… all that Gay men want is to me married and have a wholesome family, drug addicts are just misunderstood, Republicans are white supremacists, Liberty is a bad word to be slandered, the slaughter of Communism was a paranoid fantasy and its supporters (no doubt the Coen Brothers’ relatives) idealist artist the victim of anti-semitism, marriage is a atavistic ritual and divorce its natural outcome, Jews are brilliant and have a higher moral sensitivity, woman can kick any males ass, Blacks have to culpability or responsibility and are all amusingly foul mouthed, everything is rotten underneath, boys are born straight or Gay, bigotry is a white only crime, Christianity is a lie a hypocrisy and the cause of every negative political outcome in the world, America is behind all of the World’s ills and has contributed nothing but arrogant “Cowboy” morals, the Diamond cartel is English!, Israel is a small innocent country with no power, Europe is superior to America backed up by “actors” (male and female) who make disparaging comments about America every week in Europe as though they are telling something secret to their real… friends, the world’s environment is about to collapse from an Ice age, “Global Warming,” etc tomorrow and it’s the USA’S fault, government workers are powerful and cool and on and on in service of the Democratic Party’s demographics the group that controls Hollywood’s party political machine.
So I can not understand why America is not going to the movies!
Comment by Anonymous — September 8, 2008 @ 7:43 am
Worst since 2003?
What Hollywood needs is a Federal bailout…
Comment by Anonymous — September 8, 2008 @ 7:50 am
I heard someone say that Nic Cage is getting really close to Steven Seagall territory…
Ouch!
Comment by vik — September 8, 2008 @ 7:51 am
How can this be? The people in Hollywood are the smartest people in the world, right? They know how the city, state and world should be governed, they villify everyone that thinks differently.
How can they possibly make movies no one wants to see?
Probably the Bush Administration has a mole as a film editor and turning Hollywoods brilliant perfection into Class-A Sh*t. That must be it.
Well done.
Comment by Karl — September 8, 2008 @ 7:57 am
The truth is that Cage’s movies are often overwrought and annoying (”Con Air,” “Lord of War,” etc.). There is a ton of action in these films, but they are sophomoric and superficial. (I still can’t get that phony accent of his, from “Con Air” out of my head.) He has become a caricature of himself in many ways, primarily by his own movie choices. Perhaps he’d be more respected if he chose better-quality films. He obviously shoots for the $$ though, which is his right.
Comment by smatypants — September 8, 2008 @ 8:20 am
Perhaps part of the reason for the poor box office this weekend is that people are finally starting to pay attention to the US presidential election. Given that about 98% of Holly wood celebrities are pro-Obama, and that some are pretty vocal about it, it might be that those on the other side don’t want to fund people with whom they disagree.
Comment by Mike Osborne — September 8, 2008 @ 8:20 am
First the left wing media nosedives, now it’s the ultra left Hollywood. Maybe, the messiah and George Clooney can open up a shoe shine stand. Babs Streisand can clean offices and the rest of the leftists can don puke green colored robes and follow Michael Moore around like disciples.
Comment by ricardo maxwell — September 8, 2008 @ 8:44 am
Since so many Holly wood stars have decided they are a political genius, and have decided to affect the outcome of elections by playing to younger audiences, who are susceptible to their opinions becasue they are famous- as much as I have enjoyed going to the movies, I have not been to a movie in over 3 years- and I am not alone- many people I interact with in business have told me they share this view. No longer do business meetings start out with “have you seen the movie…….” Don’t plan on seeing any either until things change- so that could be a while.
Comment by Mike — September 8, 2008 @ 8:54 am
‘Anonymous’…ditto.
Hollywood began to lose it’s glitter when it decided to teach instead of entertaining. Sadly, there is nothing a ‘Hollywood’ person knows that we want to learn. We want to be entertained, dazzled, and amazed. We want to see or experience something we could only imagine. We want originality…look it up. And, we want to laugh. Hollywood became Hollywood because it harvested dreams. The ground remains fertile…it’s just that we lack smart farmers.
Comment by Leif Jensen — September 8, 2008 @ 8:54 am
Hey Hollywood, stop giving us crap, and give us movies that we want. We are tired of your sh!t, your politics and your anti-American propaganda.
Tell George Clooney, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to kiss my pasty white @$$.
Why don’t you all move to Cannes and drink white wine and eat brie.
I’m loving it.
Comment by Harry — September 8, 2008 @ 8:57 am
This is not a Nick Cage issue at all.
This is how the public is reacting to degenerated Hollywood.
DEGENERATED!!!! Pregnancies without marriage, having kids without marriage, lots of partying, lots of drug usage, ridiculous GAY marriages, fathers divorcing moms, or mothers divorcing fathers, or cheating while married.
When media shows all these terrible things as normal life style, people like me, people with real family values, people believe in God, people that knows what marriage really is respond.
Hollywood lifestyle is not real life, where bunch of cheaters, liars, no values, drug using, gross same sex marriage or relationships…. Horrible thing is media is flashing this degeneration to young people like it is normal.
Comment by Bobby Miller — September 8, 2008 @ 9:01 am
Hollywood keeps on churning out the same garbage, and keeps getting the same bad financial results. Isn’t at least one definition of insanity a person who repeats the same failure-producing activity while hoping for a different result? Is Hollywood insane? Maybe not. But they sure are stupid.
Comment by Patrick C. — September 8, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Nikki,
Could you please quit linking to sites that bring in these hateful, uneducated right-wingers?
This is NOT a site for them. It’s a site for people who want to come here and read INSIDER NEWS on Hollywood. Most of us work in Hollywood and are tired of having to scroll past the vitriol of screamers who not only do not work here but have no idea how the town works.
If they are so fed up with what we create, then perhaps they could get off their (probably) fat, uneducated, untalented asses and create better. Some how I doubt it. You know why? If they COULD they WOULD. I love living and working here. It’s exciting, it’s lucrative, it’s FUN and the weather rocks. But alas, they are stuck working at boring jobs they hate and living in crappy towns that have nothing going on… it’s a competitive world out here and a struggle to get a decent vision up on the screen. The complainers and screamers could never do it. They are too busy complaining about everything from the economy to what’s on television.
oh dear, now I’m ranting. It must be contagious!
Comment by overit — September 8, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Hey Hollywood! Read these comments and learn from them. Most of these comments excoriate Hollywood and its anti-American culture. If you hope to profit from your movies, you’d better change your tune. Or you’ll soon be going out of business.
Comment by Patrick C. — September 8, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Ever heard Cage talk espouse on his “craft”? Truly painful. Nice to hear he and Sean Penn, yet another pompous Actor, now detest each other. Watched “Breach” again last night. A film like that seems to surface once every three years or so. Why is Ryan Phillipe not being pushed harder?
Comment by Bill — September 8, 2008 @ 9:28 am
I am boycotting the liberal elites in Hollywood. I won’t watch their movies nor buy their music any longer. I am sick to death of this country being betrayed by the assholes that feed prey upon children and anything good. Homosexuality, sex, violence, and anti-Americanism is all these people can seem to sell now. Whenever I see their deliberate attempt to feed me their liberal agenda on TV (in the script) I start making notes about who sponsors them and boycott the show and the sponsor. If you want to stop them stop buying their products, attending their trashy movies, and watching their obscene television programs!
Comment by nightwriter — September 8, 2008 @ 9:32 am
The greatest special effects cannot compensate
for a weak storyline script. The writing must
be solid to begin with.
Comment by karl anglin — September 8, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Nick Cage should retire and return his Oscar.
Comment by San Soucri — September 8, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Hey, Scott! Jane Fonda is “gracious? Jane Fonda is a communist shill, a traitorous rag, and THE most unAmerican twit to ever crawl out of that Black Hokle called Hollyweird! Garcious NOT!
Comment by Ed — September 8, 2008 @ 10:00 am
Nick Cage + Bangkok?
How could that go wrong?
Comment by 25thSt — September 8, 2008 @ 10:14 am
This is all Oprah’s fault for not having Palin on as a guest. Nic, please read the scripts b4 accepting them. Pay your taxes. Vote Republican.
And all will work out for u.
Comment by dbeard — September 8, 2008 @ 10:32 am
Hollywood’s too liberal… too anti-American
Movies too bad, too expensive and people are tired.
They think the public’s just like them and it is not so.
Thanks God.
Comment by carmen roiz — September 8, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Here’s some news for both the Lefties and the Righties who are pissing on each other in this thread: as much as 80 percent of an action film’s grosses come from outside the United States. Nic Cage has his finger firmly up the pulse of the international market, and apparently everybody realizes this except pundits who try to gauge a film’s success or an actor’s worth by how well the opening weekend goes. Look at the larger picture: Like it or not, America is part of a world economy, and right now the world hates America. Cynical as it sounds, it makes good business sense for the companies to make movies that criticize the USA. Left and Right are superfluous in the new business model. If people want to see more movies applauding America, try giving America back the things that America used to be applauded for.
Comment by Santayana — September 8, 2008 @ 10:37 am
at $10.00 plus per ticket, add $10.00 for snacks?
Comment by jackfish — September 8, 2008 @ 10:47 am
The public doesn’t dislike Nicholas Cage. He is a good actor and was in some fine movies. America is sick of Hollywood USA depicting America as an evil entity and glorifying aberrants.
Comment by Maria — September 8, 2008 @ 10:55 am
hey overit, what kind of vitrolic nonsense are you spewing? You call the viewers “hateful, uneducated right-wingers”. Id that all you have? What a limited mind you must have. I gather anyone and everyone who does not agree with you is a “hateful, uneducated right-winger”. You are an ignorant, uneducated, obtuse elitist with a bad attitude. yes, I will be sending a dictionary for the little liberal mind of yours. Get your ass off of your shoulders and grow up. Geez, why are liberals such candy assed little boys who cry every time someone say something they don’t like. Man-Up you giant three year old and have an original thought. You imply Conservatives are all bad or stupid and both while betraying your closed minded ignorance and prejudice. Tell me you little man, who else do you hate in large groups. Are you a scared little man?
Comment by lara — September 8, 2008 @ 11:12 am
Just boycot all the liberal/socialist made movies. Lets put alot of hurt on the Hollywood elite.
Comment by Jim Manner — September 8, 2008 @ 11:12 am
You liberals can pooh pooh many of the comments appearing here, but the fact remains that Hollywood directors and production companies are risking a lot of money trying to please the moviegoing public. A large portion of that public is finally telling you “wake up…you’re missing the boat!”
Comment by mel — September 8, 2008 @ 11:16 am
of course, there can be noo effect whatsoever from hollywood being a bunch of marxist anti-american swine constantly trashing our country… No chance that the people are sick to the point of contemplating violence against you all for your treasons, and yet, the ebst we can do is simply stay away from your garbage products,eh?
Comment by ralpherus — September 8, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Eric @ 9:58 am said this regarding to the low ratings: “Wish we could somehow blame Sarah Palin! Ha!!!”
You can! Her constituency consist of people who think that displaced communist and hard core leftest have hijacked Hollywood over several decades (hence the anti-American undertones in basically every movie that come out during presidential election years). And this just happens to be the people who did not go see movies this past weekend.
Comment by Anonymous — September 8, 2008 @ 11:19 am
What is with all the right wing anti-Hollywood posts doing on Deadline Hollywood? Uh…this is a website about Hollywood and show business. If you don’t like it - why are you reading it? Go back to Fox “News”. And for the person who said Hollywood is all about teen pregnancy and divorces…uh - John McCain met his young rich wife while he was still married to his old wife. He divorced his first wife…so he has been divorced (as has half of the country - including plenty of right wingers and mose of the guys who ran for President in the Republican party…). And teens getting knocked up - uh - yeah just like Palin’s daughter…ah …the hypocrisy.
Comment by smithee — September 8, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Someone a long time ago said regarding “message” movies; “If I want a message, I’ll send myself a f**cking TELEGRAM!”
The liberal snot-nosed Hollywood “elites” are reaping what they’ve sown.
Thank GOD for Chinese ripping/burning software that can crack any DVD movie on the PLANET! That way people don’t have to PAY for their stupid s*it!
Comment by Bob Lee — September 8, 2008 @ 11:48 am
“Nikki,
Could you please quit linking to sites that bring in these hateful, uneducated right-wingers?
This is NOT a site for them. It’s a site for people who want to come here and read INSIDER NEWS on Hollywood. Most of us work in Hollywood and are tired of having to scroll past the vitriol of screamers who not only do not work here but have no idea how the town works.”
Comment by overit — September 8, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Well, overit, it wouldn’t hurt you to hear some comments from the fans, especially when they pay good money, some of which gets into your paycheck, to support the industry. The fact that many are not happy should tell you something. They do not need to know how the industry works to have an opinion. It’s enough that they know how to buy a ticket. Many are highly educated. I know I would be happy to match my education against yours any day.
Personally, I agree with most of what they had to say. The industry currently is in a cycle of turning out left-wing propoganda. Many of the message films irritate at least half the potential audience. Obviously, they are fed up. Many films have a cynical or warped perspective. At least half the ticket buyers are turned off by glorified violence, excessive brutality, or gross sexuality. You seem to think it is a matter of education. It is not. Too many “Hollywood” movie makers have lost their way. They produce superficial, neurotic or prurient films. In fact, “Hollywood” is now known for disappointing, off-putting films. The fact that you don’t get it is sad. Think about it.
As to Nic Cage, his Family Man was a great flic and he was perfect in it. Leaving Las Vegas was a little over-the-top for me but he and Elizabeth Shue made it work. I would like to see a sequel, but spare me another War of the Roses. Any action film that is based on a comic book will not get my patronage no matter who is in it.
Nic Cage has proven he is a fine actor, but his choice of film roles leaves something to be desired.
Comment by Libertasdon — September 8, 2008 @ 11:49 am
These ignorant posts are amusing… movie tickets are too expensive? Nobody in America likes Obama and thus are boycotting Hollywood movies? Where were all of you the last month when The Dark Knight was setting box office records? I’d say all the Drudge-ers are more out of touch with America than anyone in Hollywood.
I won’t even go into the irony of Palin supporters criticizing Hollywood for perpetuating untrue views of American values. Bobby Miller himself even called out Hollywood for portraying pregnancies without marriage. Bunch of hypocrites…
Comment by College Student — September 8, 2008 @ 11:53 am
“Nic Cage has his finger firmly up the pulse of the international market”
I think you got that wrong. It’s another part of his anatomy that’s firmly stuck up theirs. If it truly makes good business sense for the companies to make movies that criticize the USA, then only release them there, otherwise–get used to the criticism from those of us who love this country and appreciate what it has to offer.
By the way, you say that “right now the world hates America”. My question to you is: “when did they ever love America?” We’ve always been the envy of the rest of the world. The leftists can insist that the USA pander to world opinion all they want, it won’t change things. This is, and will always be, the greatest country on Earth. Period.
Comment by RiB — September 8, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Maybe Hollywood should get the connection at some point between their lackluster box office sales and their continued USA, Military and Bush bashing. I personally will not give them a dime of my money. Until they show some patriotism and respect for this country, they will see no profit. The new W movie coming out is going to bomb. Hope they finally get to message!! We do not want a socialism in this country.
Comment by K KIRK — September 8, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
Maybe if they made something worth my 10 dollar movie cost I would be more willing to go to one.
Comment by mareln — September 8, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Overit — if H’wood shares the disdain and loathing which you voice towards the audience, that is a big clue to the problem. Basically you seem to say, “Shut up, you ignorant masses! Consume our swill, send us your money, and be satisfied with it!” Yeah, whatever…
Comment by Kevin H — September 8, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
When is Hollywood going to realize no-one wants to go and spend time and money on a BAD movie!
Comment by CathyUsher — September 8, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
This is a “no talent contest” constantly on parade. Hollywood is dragging its brand and industry down by producing garbage for the masses.
Comment by jorge — September 8, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
I like to talk about stool.
Comment by Fecal McStool — September 8, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
I’d not give them a plug nickel. . . why can’t they understand we’re not interested in the filth they offer. . .it’s not funny, interesting, gripping, dramatic and the so-called ‘talent’ is made of plastic!
Comment by kiwikit — September 8, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
HollyWood is a joke anymore, especially since becoming so fond of politics. Their only care in our country is allowing gay marriage, promoting scientology, (which isn’t even allowed in the highest liberal - France) and pushing towards Socialism. Making money off people who are dying to be “entertained”. I suppose once you become filthy rich in HollyWood, your mind becomes twisted as well. Nevertheless, I teach my children to make their own goals to success instead of standing flabbergasted over someone in Hollywood.
Comment by Joseph Wehner — September 8, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Saw “Traitor” this w/e. Too balanced for some of our right wingers and too pro America for the lefties. Won’t make much money but is not a waste of 2 hours. Many movies are like video games and can be unwatchable. NEVER, NEVER walked out of a movie before the end in 56 years —- until two weeks ago. I really love movies but these below C grade jobs are killing real movies. Wish trailers were more indicative of what you can expect to see. Hollywood types who air their political views often expose their lack of critical thinking skills and just appear to have a low IQ. Well see you at the movies.
Comment by Buddy G — September 8, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
It’s called the Writers Strike you idiots. Not “left wing propaganda”. The strike hampered film production and the result is weekends like this weekend. But don’t worry. Next year is full of stuff. We have Harry Potter and his witchcraft returning to “ruin” young children with untraditional religious values. More big budget violent action sequels. Jason Voorhees returning to camp to brutally kill more teens. And even the invisible death himself knocking off some kids at a NASCAR race in Final Destination 4. Not to mention, Obama will most likely be your new President, so get used to it. Or maybe you can all run to Alaska and stay at Palin’s house, get knocked up by Bristol’s BF Levi, and have a bunch of “redneck” babies. Then Palin can finally have Alaska become independent of the USA like she wants it to. Some patriot you guys got there for VP.
Comment by Suckers — September 8, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Nicholas Cage. Not fond of his politics; however, thought he should have gotten an Academy Award for “World Trade Center.” Acting must be really tough when you can only use your face. He was awesome.
Comment by Kitty — September 8, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
Bottom line is Cage is on the other side of 40. He’s now 44 yrs old. He’s been making movies for 24 yrs. Some real good, and some real bad.I wish he would do a sequel to THE ROCK and bring back his terrific Stanley Goodspeed character from that great action movie! There would be an audience for that!
Comment by entertainmenttodayandbeyond — September 8, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
It is Sarah Palin’s fault! I stayed home all weekend on the internet looking for pic’s of her,,,she’s hot! That gives me an idea, make a movie I might want to go see, something with a little Conservative Porn, you know like some slashing (of taxes) and drilling (for oil).
Comment by Sheltiman — September 8, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
I loved Nicolas Cage way back when I first saw him in
Moonstruck. He should find a superb leading lady, maybe Cher again, and do a remake ??? might be interesting……..but his recent movies just haven’t got it. He can’t seem to shake the roll of being a
bad guy, who has all the answers… he needs a new image, for sure.
Comment by Jewells — September 8, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Lord of War was excellent… the bad weekend had to do with the storms, the start of colleges across the nation, and the fact that elections bring out the extremists on both sides.
Comment by mikey — September 8, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
quote from 30th August
MONDAY AM UPDATE: Here is the tentative summer total through today’s holiday — $4.12 billion, compared to Hollywood’s best-ever $4.16 billion for summer 2007 or just 1.3% behind.
if people are so fed up with liberal hollywood please explain these last two summers, one bad weekend full of BAD MOVIES none of them poltical and we get the same blame on liberal hollywood. if Matt Damon puts out another Bourne film will his politics matter, no the film will still end up doing about 200 Mil US and about 450 international because it will be a good film its that simple.
Comment by dave c — September 8, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
Who wants to see the so-called “Stars” that are in Hollywood now? The ones like Barbara Striesand and all the other liberals. You don’t make movies like you use to. Movies like “The Sound of Music”, “Singing in the Rain”, “Gone With the Wind, etc. then you don’t have the people who could play the parts. Shame!
Comment by W — September 8, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
Cage was brilliant in Adaptation. He needs to be with a great director/writer; that’s when he shines. He seems like the kind of actor who needs to have everything his way but has a lot of bad ideas… know your strengths Nick.
Comment by Dude Face of America — September 8, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
It amazes me the ignorance of some people. This is a story about a bad movie-not a soapbox for angry, uneducated political rants. I don’t go to your churches web sight and make posts about how tired I am of Christianity’s right wing rhetoric. Its just not for me… Why don’t you stay home and watch DVD’s of the “Left Behind” mini series if your tired of Hollywood politics. The musings of people with actual social insight are obviously lost on you. In the end none of this is going to make “Bangkok Dangerous” worth seeing… Yeesh!
Comment by levi — September 8, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
I enjoy reading the comments- when they are related to the topic. I am curious about where you are now linked to that has brought the angry republicans on board. This like most things that become political has completely lost the point.
However, if this is now the topic:
If you have a problem- stop watching, write the studios, send THEM an email. Most of the people on this site have families just like you and are worried about the economy just like you- we have a job and we do it. Should we all jump on your websites that involve other industries that enjoy millions of tax breaks from republicans but are doing nothing about the environment or economy? Is that the blue-collar workers problem and therefore he should be attacked an ridiculed?
When people refer to the “USA, Military and Bush bashing”, aren’t you really just talking about the Bush Bashing? Which is ironic, since your own Republican Convention buried him as deeply as possible.
Tell me the exact example that bashees one of our soldiers or the USA- that isn’t really a commentary on Pres Bush.
Movies have cycles just like everything else, right now the selection is limited at best and shit at worst- but these attacks and twisting of this websites comments to become the propaganda platform for republicans- really Nikki- you are ok with this?
Comment by audra — September 8, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Face it. The chickens have come home to roost. You can’t have Hollywood stars preaching about things and insulting half the country without there being a backlash. And that backlash is people not showing up for your movie.
Also, notice how the liberal media has failed to mention how Obama slipped up on Sunday morning by referencing “my Muslim faith”? Just goes to show how far the media insists on covering up its crimes in between pushing its skewed agenda.
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — September 8, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
‘W’… is that you George?
Barbara hasn’t been in a ‘movie’, since ‘Meet the Fockers’…. (2004)
But if you really want to let her know how you feel about her politics- GO TO HER WEBSITE!
Really Nikki- did you hook up with a republican or religious website?
Comment by Audra — September 8, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
okay, okay…
i’ll admit it.
i was kind of just stirring the pot. a little experiment to see what would happen and what kind of vicious attack i could get out of the right-wingers.
ya’ll came out swinging just like your poster girl sarah palin, full of snide comments and hate.
hey, if you don’t like what we make, DON’T WATCH.
but that would mean you’d have to get off your fat, boring asses and actually do something physical… or (gasp) READ.
and by the way, we’re not feeling the so called “bad box office” most of us in hollywood get paid BEFORE the box office numbers are made. i for one do quite nicely.
As for caring what the audience wants…. HA!
are you kidding? you can’t please all of the people all of the time and in these whiny, lazy times you can’t even please them HALF the time.
keep the hate attacks comin’. it’s AMUSING.
Comment by overit — September 8, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Wow, crazy old white busybodies in small town America have discovered the joy of posting their random vitriol in a Hollywood BUSINESS-related website! Great. Nikki, stop linking to morons like Drudge if this is what results, otherwise the people who actually utilize this site will disappear and leave you with the loonies who don’t go to the movies at all, since they’re just stealing them from the internet while giving money to the televangelists. God bless the USA….
Comment by Joseph — September 8, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
Well, the issue really is just this: the economy sucks.
OK, I’m not a suit or a person who depends on the film industry for work. But the fact is, my business is so very, very slow right now. People are NOT spending money that they don’t have to…
…and in this case a “have to” for me was Dark Knight, the ONE picture I have gone to this summer, and I love movies! Usually I go to 8 to 10 movies per summer. Not now. At $12 for a seat, it better be worth me parting with what could buy me frozen pizza or food for my dog. Sorry, but you want me to go to the movie? Either lower the price or make it so damn compelling that I will hate myself if I don’t see it.
…Next I’m going to Tropic Thunder. I could use a smile right now.
All the other stuff in the movies doesn’t make me look at my wallet and say, “Gee, I’d rather see Bangkok Dangerous than buy 3 gallons of gas.”
Lower prices or put out better movies.
One or the other. Times are tough. I and many others are just hanging on by our finger-nails.
Comment by helenofpeel — September 8, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
To those guys who were talking shit about Damon and Affleck, read their script for Good Will Hunting. You know, the one they won the Oscar for. It’s brilliant.
And to people you say they don’t watch movies, then why do you give a shit about a site dedicated to the coverage of news from the film industry?
Comment by Witt — September 9, 2008 @ 5:13 am
Joseph, it’s that kind of elitist attitude (which you share with Obama, surprise surprise) that turns people off. You make assumptions about total strangers and derogatory remarks left and right and then wonder why the populace tells you to go stick it up your ass. Unbelievable. Meanwhile, that douchebag Matt Damon was on TV today rambling on about Sarah Palin and something to do with dinosaurs. Hilarious that he’d dribble on about her being unqualified to be vice president (huh?) when many would say his over-rated piece of shit script Good Will Hunting wasn’t good enough to qualify for an Oscar nomination much less a win.
But who’s counting, right Matty?
I fail to take seriously anyone who marries a woman who already has kids.
Comment by Crystal Diane Stevens — September 10, 2008 @ 8:25 pm