NEW SHIT HAS COME TO LIGHT: Jeff Bridges to host SNL on December 18. Among other things, at 27+ years since hosting gigs he'll smash the 23+ year gap record just set by Sigourney Weaver earlier this year.
This is a suitable jumping off point for a question I've had for a while--Tron: Legacy--massive hit, or mega-disaster? Because it's pretty clearly going to be one or the other.
Massive hit. It's a sequel to one of the most influential science fiction films of all time and it now has three- maybe even four- generations of nerds (myself included) to draw from. If there's one thing that's true at the box office it's that a movie with characters/worlds that nerds (myself included) adore will at least earn out.
Also, the first trailer included Olivia Wilde in a skintight jumpsuit lounging on a virtual couch. That three-second clip probably earned them $30 million, at least.
I didn't like Lebowski much the first time I saw it, but you have to tough through and actually watch it a second time, and then the plot actually starts to make sense.
I am going to bet each way and say medium sized hit. THe winter release calendar is crowded with new Harry Potter and Oscar Bait. This is nostalgia porn but could make us all feel shameful if it is not so good in a Speed Racer, Lost in Space sort of a way. On the plus side Daft Punk sound track.
It's too early to predict whether it can catch the public's fancy, Transformers style. But it looks terrible, and I disagree that there's a built-in audience for a Tron remake. I can remember hearing a reference to the original movie maybe once in the last 15 years, and that was on 30 Rock last season.
Actually, focusing on the plot is the primary obstacle to enjoying this film. (And by plot I mean not the actual sequence of events that occurs in the movie itself, which is fairly straightforward, but rather the true version of the mystery the Dude becomes involved in.) If you devote your attention to trying to make sense of the plot then you will miss out on much of what makes the movie great. The whole movie is built on misunderstanding. Virtually every conversation in the movie includes one or more participants who misunderstands what the speaker is saying and reacts or responds accordingly.
Also, appears that we've pretty well locked down the hosting schedule for the Fall:
10/30: Jon Hamm and musical guest Rihanna 11/6: Repeat--Jane Lynch 11/13: Scarlett Johansson and musical guest Arcade Fire 11/20: Anne Hathaway and musical guest Florence and the Machine 11/27: Assume rerun, Thanksgiving
That leaves two weeks in December (one of which will be a rerun, I expect), and I'll offer a suggestion to fill one of the slots--Daniel Radcliffe.
Try watching it with a mid-grade to terminal hangover (at your next excusable convenience, naturally). I probably didn't fully appreciate the awesomeness of The Big Lebowski until New Year's Day 2003.
There is a built-in audience. I promise you. I also promise you it will be merciless in its condemnation if this movie stinks. That would be too bad, but it's a distinct possibility.
A shitload of people paid to see Transformers, but I don't think it's fair to say it "caught the public's fancy". It was a terrible, terrible move, that no one remembers or celebrates. They never will. I was trapped on a plane with Transformers, and it stunk on ice. And, for crying out loud, how do you make a bad movie about giant fighting robots? ... you know, without resorting to anime? Ask Michael Bay, I guess.
Also, if Bridges had just one White Russian during Tron II, Revenge of Tron, I will forgive the production a multitude of other sins.
I don't know how to succinctly account for $300 million domestic for an execrable movie with no reason for being. Tron could also be shit and still make $300 million. How to explain it? Public fancy-catching.
Maybe it's a symantic issue. Fair enough. I suppose if it hadn't caught them one way or another they would have just stayed home. I like my fancies fancier, maybe, more durable, rooted somehow in our evolving common imagination. Rather than fancy-catching, I'd say Transformers was merely nad-pumping.
What I really want to argue is that there is a demo out there that cares what is done with the Tron francshise. I know because I'm in it. If those who saw Transformers and Transformers 2: Revenge of The Fallen don't like Transformers 3; Don't Call Us Gobots, they'll shrug and go see Ironman 3: Incineration of Bakersfield the following week. I think. They won't feel betrayed. Will they? Am I wrong about that? Are a lot of 12 year olds dressing up as Shia LeBeouf this weekend? I knew guys who put glow tape on frisbees and hockey helmets three Octobers in row over Tron.
Anyway, I'm not looking to pick a fight. I don't think the gross is the point. I'm certain there is a ready audience, but not at all certain that they can be pleased. After all, I don't think there has ever been a longer gap between an original and a sequel, so all of us with the glow tape on our frisbees are old, cranky and cantankerous now.
This is a suitable jumping off point for a question I've had for a while--Tron: Legacy--massive hit, or mega-disaster? Because it's pretty clearly going to be one or the other.
ReplyDeleteMassive hit. It's a sequel to one of the most influential science fiction films of all time and it now has three- maybe even four- generations of nerds (myself included) to draw from. If there's one thing that's true at the box office it's that a movie with characters/worlds that nerds (myself included) adore will at least earn out.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the first trailer included Olivia Wilde in a skintight jumpsuit lounging on a virtual couch. That three-second clip probably earned them $30 million, at least.
I suppose I should finally watch Big Lebowski but -- god, I've tried and tried! -- I can't maintain my interest in this movie past about 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like Lebowski much the first time I saw it, but you have to tough through and actually watch it a second time, and then the plot actually starts to make sense.
ReplyDeleteI am going to bet each way and say medium sized hit. THe winter release calendar is crowded with new Harry Potter and Oscar Bait. This is nostalgia porn but could make us all feel shameful if it is not so good in a Speed Racer, Lost in Space sort of a way. On the plus side Daft Punk sound track.
ReplyDeleteIt's too early to predict whether it can catch the public's fancy, Transformers style. But it looks terrible, and I disagree that there's a built-in audience for a Tron remake. I can remember hearing a reference to the original movie maybe once in the last 15 years, and that was on 30 Rock last season.
ReplyDeleteHaving subsequently read some Raymond Chandler, the plot making no sense is integral to the whole Noir genre.
ReplyDelete("You can imagine where it goes from here." / "He fixes the cable?")
Actually, focusing on the plot is the primary obstacle to enjoying this film. (And by plot I mean not the actual sequence of events that occurs in the movie itself, which is fairly straightforward, but rather the true version of the mystery the Dude becomes involved in.) If you devote your attention to trying to make sense of the plot then you will miss out on much of what makes the movie great. The whole movie is built on misunderstanding. Virtually every conversation in the movie includes one or more participants who misunderstands what the speaker is saying and reacts or responds accordingly.
ReplyDeleteAlso, appears that we've pretty well locked down the hosting schedule for the Fall:
ReplyDelete10/30: Jon Hamm and musical guest Rihanna
11/6: Repeat--Jane Lynch
11/13: Scarlett Johansson and musical guest Arcade Fire
11/20: Anne Hathaway and musical guest Florence and the Machine
11/27: Assume rerun, Thanksgiving
That leaves two weeks in December (one of which will be a rerun, I expect), and I'll offer a suggestion to fill one of the slots--Daniel Radcliffe.
He creeps me out. He has a weird mouth. He looks like a puppet.
ReplyDeleteTry watching it with a mid-grade to terminal hangover (at your next excusable convenience, naturally). I probably didn't fully appreciate the awesomeness of The Big Lebowski until New Year's Day 2003.
ReplyDeleteThere is a built-in audience. I promise you. I also promise you it will be merciless in its condemnation if this movie stinks. That would be too bad, but it's a distinct possibility.
ReplyDeleteA shitload of people paid to see Transformers, but I don't think it's fair to say it "caught the public's fancy". It was a terrible, terrible move, that no one remembers or celebrates. They never will. I was trapped on a plane with Transformers, and it stunk on ice. And, for crying out loud, how do you make a bad movie about giant fighting robots? ... you know, without resorting to anime? Ask Michael Bay, I guess.
Also, if Bridges had just one White Russian during Tron II, Revenge of Tron, I will forgive the production a multitude of other sins.
I don't know how to succinctly account for $300 million domestic for an execrable movie with no reason for being. Tron could also be shit and still make $300 million. How to explain it? Public fancy-catching.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a symantic issue. Fair enough. I suppose if it hadn't caught them one way or another they would have just stayed home. I like my fancies fancier, maybe, more durable, rooted somehow in our evolving common imagination. Rather than fancy-catching, I'd say Transformers was merely nad-pumping.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really want to argue is that there is a demo out there that cares what is done with the Tron francshise. I know because I'm in it. If those who saw Transformers and Transformers 2: Revenge of The Fallen don't like Transformers 3; Don't Call Us Gobots, they'll shrug and go see Ironman 3: Incineration of Bakersfield the following week. I think. They won't feel betrayed. Will they? Am I wrong about that? Are a lot of 12 year olds dressing up as Shia LeBeouf this weekend? I knew guys who put glow tape on frisbees and hockey helmets three Octobers in row over Tron.
Anyway, I'm not looking to pick a fight. I don't think the gross is the point. I'm certain there is a ready audience, but not at all certain that they can be pleased. After all, I don't think there has ever been a longer gap between an original and a sequel, so all of us with the glow tape on our frisbees are old, cranky and cantankerous now.