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More reports on STAR WARS EPISODE ONE and Moriarty's Report on The Possibility that MANN and SONY will PULL OUT on SW!
Ok folks, I'm about to send a chill down some of your spines. Moriarty here has been working overtime to find out what is going on regarding STAR WARS and the theaters near you. Unfortunately... It seems some of the theater chains have had a recent lack of faith. They are no longer sure how BIG this film is going to be. The fact of the matter is this. Right now, this very second.... MILLIONS of kids across the country are playing with STAR WARS EPISODE ONE toys.... They are wanting to find out more on Anakin, Jar Jar and this Darth Maul thing. Meanwhile, this kids have been being raised by parents that ALREADY LOVE STAR WARS. What does this mean? Entire family units that have been targeted and assimilated for STAR WARS. Those children will be seeing this film no less than 15 times this summer. STAR WARS EPISODE ONE will become the biggest babysitter the world has ever seen (since the original). All the Star Wars fans you see lined up outside theaters now... That's nothing. What you are going to see in the opening 4 weeks of this film is going to astound you. People leaving the theater, buying a ticket and going back in... again. Over and over. Recently, Jeffrey Wells (of Mr Showbiz) called me up to ask me about STAR WARS... He was worried about the 'pandering to kids' part of this film. Here's the real scoop.
Star Wars Episode One is the first dose of cinematic crack for an audience you don't know even exists yet. The under 14 crowd. The original STAR WARS (A New Hope) succeeded not just because of College age kids. NOPE! It was people like me.... I was 6 at the time. I made my parents take me to see STAR WARS.... 60 times. They loved going, because they loved to see the joy on my face, the excitement and passion the film illicited from me. THIS WILL BE THE CASE AGAIN. I PROMISE YOU. I get hundreds of letters a day from folks all over this world that have kids that have suddenly become.... STAR WARS fans. Glen, over at Coaxial... Glen's child David... just 4 weeks ago was a MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGER basketcase.... BUT about 5 days ago.... His brain was... Taken over by George Lucas. This kid has never really been in a movie theater before. Same with lots of kids his age. Well... they are about to be addicted to the experience. These kids want POPCORN, SODAS and DRINKS. Their parents have no ability to turn them down. If you have plastic STAR WARS cups.... The kids will bend their parents to their wills. If you have paper STAR WARS POPCORN BAGS AND TUBS.... They'll be doomed. You theater owners will be putting up with certain LUCASFILM demands... but... you are about to tap into an audience that all the Disney Films in the world can't tap into. This is a film that aims for children and takes adults in with them. It won't merely be dropping off the kids.
As for you fans that hate the 'pandering to kids' angle. This is why Lucas is doing it. With the original trilogy he locked onto us kids, grabbed us with the first film.... Let us grow up a bit, then laid on with the serious stuff. The real heart of the mythology he wanted to pass on. He's following the same basic formula. He cultivating a crowd of youngsters, knowing he already has us, then with the next two chapters, he grows the story up with both us... and the new audience. Don't worry... Be happy.
Now... Listen to this tale of horror that Moriarty is about to dish out. Be afraid... Be angry.... Call your SONY and MANN theaters.... Be angry!
As for you fans that hate the 'pandering to kids' angle. This is why Lucas is doing it. With the original trilogy he locked onto us kids, grabbed us with the first film.... Let us grow up a bit, then laid on with the serious stuff. The real heart of the mythology he wanted to pass on. He's following the same basic formula. He cultivating a crowd of youngsters, knowing he already has us, then with the next two chapters, he grows the story up with both us... and the new audience. Don't worry... Be happy.
Now... Listen to this tale of horror that Moriarty is about to dish out. Be afraid... Be angry.... Call your SONY and MANN theaters.... Be angry!
Hey, Head Geek...
"Moriarty" here.
Like any good geek, I'm in a state of sensory overload
these days. As the countdown to May 19th continues,
every single scrap of information is life support.
Every new clip, every new thing I find when listening
to the soundtrack... it's what keeps me going.
To this end, I've had my henchmen working overtime to
gather these tidbits for me. One of them just came
slinking into the Labs, afraid to look me in the eyes.
"What?" I growled.
"Um... I just heard some news about, um... the, the,
the theaters..."
"What theaters?"
"The, um, the STAR WARS theaters."
Rather than subject you to his terrified stammerings,
let me sum up what he told me. Sony has decided not
to book the film at all. No Cineplex Odeons, no Loews
theaters. That means that everyone outside the
Ziegfield officially just became homeless people
instead of a line. The Century City Cineplex just
refurbished, god bless them, in anticipation of
booking the film, and now they're not getting it.
AMC, Edwards Theaters and Pacific Theaters are
onboard, though, and they're already running newspaper
ads that give times and places to buy advance tickets.
Oddly, there's another theater chain which isn't
running any ads mentioning STAR WARS yet. It's a
chain you would assume would already be trumpeting
time and place for the tickets to go on sale, but
instead... nothing.
There's a reason, too. Mann's Theaters hasn't decided
yet if they're going to book THE PHANTOM MENACE. In
fact, there's a good chance they won't. Their
decision to pass would be based on the same factor
that Sony's decision was. Without hearing
confirmation from inside Lucasfilm, I'm not going to
say what that factor was, but it goes to the issue of
control. Essentially, it comes down to no one wanting
to set a precedent with Lucas that they aren't going
to offer to anyone else. It's dangerous in their
eyes. If I were them, I'd probably accept Lucas'
terms. It's obvious that certain companies believe
there's plenty of money to be made by everyone.
More importantly, though, I would strongly encourage
Mann's to consider the public relations disaster that
would result from their not booking the film. That
would mean it couldn't play at the National, or more
importantly at the Village and the Chinese.
I know you understand what's at stake here. You're
running some of the finest theaters in this city, and
the reason this would be a disaster is because you
would be denying the public the best STAR WARS
experience possible.
I have many friends who are die-hard Village lovers,
and they're planning to see it in Westwood no matter
what. Me, I prefer the Chinese -- both for historical
value and for comfort. I've been dreaming of that
first show at the Chinese since they announced
production on the film. If I have to settle for the
Dome (a great theater -- don't get me wrong), I will,
but I'll be heartbroken. I can't help but feel that
part of the experience will be lost if I don't see it
there.
Of course, that's not even taking into account the
lines that are outside the two theaters. Those
Countingdown guys are going to go apeshit when they
find out. I would, too.
Please, Mann's... talk to Lucasfilm and Fox and see
what you can work out. Please make this happen. I
wouldn't presume to lecture anyone or tell you how
things should be. This is just me, speaking as one of
your customers, asking you to consider your decision
carefully.
I've got a couple of reviews for you in the next few
days, Harry. Keep your eyes open. Until then...
"Moriarty" out.
Alright folks, meanwhile, I'll tag on the first FEMALE review of STAR WARS EPISODE ONE that I've seen thus far.... Hmmmm.... A different angle?
I've never written before, but I lurk on your site regularly. I feel like
the luckiest girl in the whole galaxy, because I just saw Phantom Menace
last night (Thursday), and I thought I'd give you my perspective on it.
Perhaps it'll vary from the guy-geek reviews.
First off, can I just tell you I didn't feel like I had even close to enough
good karma built up to get so lucky as to see Episode One *two weeks* early
and *free*. My friend in the film industry called me up 45 minutes before
the show and I think I set land speed records driving over to the theater.
My knees were nearly knocking together as they strapped the day-glow pink
wristband on me.
But on to the film:
I was nervous about seeing it after reading some of the early feedback from
hard-core SW geeks. But thank Lucas, I have to disagree. I LOVED IT LOVED IT
LOVED IT.
There's two things you have to realize to like it. 1. It's not made for
hard-core SW geeks. 2. It needs to be judged first as a stand-alone movie
and second as a part of Star Wars as a whole. (And since we won't have the
piece as a whole until Lucas produces Episodes Two and Three, we can't
really do that for several years.)
Here's the deal: Phantom Menace will stand well on its own as a summer
blockbuster and it's also a light, fun start to the Star Wars epic. (This is
key, because things get really dismal later on, i.e. Empire.) Jake Lloyd
does a great job. I really feel drawn to the kid. Jar Jar is NOT an ewok. If
anything, he's a Chewbacca. Queen Amidala is fantastic. She constantly looks
stunning (those costumes!), her voice commands complete respect, and, like
another royal gal after her, she packs a blaster with the best of 'em. I
could go on, but I don't want to spill anything.
There's a lot of things in this film that will resonate through the whole
series. I need to watch Episodes Four, Five and Six over again in the new
light Episode One shines. It's an introduction. A "once upon a time" (or
"long, long ago..." as the case may be).
And the best part about Episode One: I'm dying to see Episode Two.
Thanks for letting me share with someone who cares! Battle on, Harry.
Leitha the Mighty
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+ Expand All
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What is going on in the US of A?
I'm sitting here in Germany trying to catch some of the excitement you all must be caught in and now I hear that Episode 1 will not play in quite a few major theatres? WHERE will it play? Hell I hope they'll settle this whole thing or some people will have to wait A LONG TIME to see the film. How can this happen? It's Star Wars boys and girls!!! I hope it won't get as complicated over here in Europe. I don't get it .... -
Woohoo if I am!
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Wow, am I the first one here?
Anyway, not to impugn the great Moriarty, but has the Sony pullout been confirmed? I was at our local Sony house (a Loew's) not 3 hours ago to see "Election". On the top of their big outdoor sign, above the list of currently playing movies, it proudly proclaims "STAR WARS MAY 19". Indeed, 6 Loews/C.O. houses are among the Houston-area theatres that were announced Thursday as getting "TPM".
I'd sure hate to be one of those theatre managers to see the biggest film of the year pulled out from under me two days after having won the booking. Hoping this isn't true. -
'Nuff said.
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I hope to god that thing doesn't ruin the film for me...but, as Lane Myers said, how could it suck, "it's STAR WARS!" And that's right.
Last night my friend and i were in the grocery store flipping through a kid's book called "Jar Jar's Mistake", something about Jar Jar spilling Sebulba's soup with a fuckin frog or some shit...i couldn't help but loathe Jar Jar as I stood there looking at his face under the neon grocery store lights in my drunken haze....please, GOD, don't let Jar JAr hamper our enjoyment of STAR WARS...I know ya'll are sick of hearing this, but it's gonna be on my mind until i've seen the movie. -
May 08, 1999 4:29:00 PM CDT
Proving once again that movie theaters might as well be run by m
by chumquat
I have a feeling that if this whole MANN and Sony thing were to go this way, they would go down the toilet. Honestly, what are they going to make money on, INSTINCT? Then there would be the shame of not recieving Episodes 2 & 3 if they were to reject TPM. They are digging their own graves and will find this out soon enough. As for me, I paid extra and will be seeing TPM on May 16. Call me crazy, but it's STAR WARS.
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Am I actually first? Wow. Never expected *that* to happen. Well, I truly lament for all those who might not get to see TPM at Mann's Chinese. I have very fond memories of getting to see the original Star Wars there repeatedly (about five times I think) back in 77 and 78, when Threepio's footprints were still fresh. It would be a real shame if they broke the tradition when carrying it over is more important than ever. I think Sony and Mann are nuts. Potentially the biggest moneymaker of the year and they pass because of stupid, petty control issues (what do think they have that's going to compete with it?). As for the whole "kid's movie" ruckuss I keep hearing, I have a hard time believing that what I'm seeing adverts and stills for is solely a kid's movie. Will kids really get all the political elements? Will they care? Will they fully appreciate the eastern intricacy of Amidala's costumes or the Tae Kwan Do and similar influences in the blocking of the lightsaber duels? What I've read of so far seems by far the most sophisticatedly constructed Star Wars film yet and I have a difficult time swallowing it's all being done exclusively for eight year olds.
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The masterful thing about the original trilogy is that YOU COULD GROW UP WITH IT. When I look at the films now, as an adult, I can understand they were films made primariily for kids and teens - but Star Wars and Empire had their own level of pop sophistication, which I still enjoy. Having a film playing to kids is fine, but kids understand, in their own unique way, when something is lacking that "special something". I hope Lucas & Co. haven't stunted the growth of their new generation of fans with this one.
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Let them drive themselves out of business, I've seen a lot of places around my town that have done a lot of stupid things like hiring asshole friends and relatives to work at the business and every time they go out of business. I don't know if it's a self destructive thing or what but you'd think that the people that run these things would be a lot smarter. As for Sony, BURN IN HELL! They're the worst studio out there right now and recently I had a choice between buying a Sony product and a Panasonic product which were essentially the same but I picked the Panasonic because I didn't want those pricks to have my money. They made Godzilla for christ's sake, and that definietly wasn't an artistic decision. So, fuck em.
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yeh ... I know. I'm *somewhat* playing Devil's advocate here, given that I don't even know what specific issue of conrol the fight is over. But Jeez. I am beginning to think that in this total rush to deify George Lucas, that in some sectors he could pee on everybody's head and tell them it's raining, to cheers of gleeful excitement. Please don't get me wrong, I don't mean to criticize anybody's excitement. It's great that people are excited about film. But one of the quickest ways to turn somebody doing a good job into a hack is to gleefully check your brain at the door, and excitely attach your lips to their butt regardless of the quality of each move they make. Hope to hear the details on the theater thing. It's pretty intriguing. Obviously, if the rumors are true, the chains might realize that some people might be pissed, but realize that that's an acceptable risk to draw the line in the sand. And let's face it. Whether those chains are involved or not, it's just not going to prevent too many people from seeing the film.
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Don't panic yet; according to the Mann Website and their customer service line, Star Wars is confirmed in several theatres around the country. The Village and the Chinese are not among these, but tell me they will know Monday, May 10th whether or not they are going to get it.
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If it turns out that the line dwellers end up spending two months in line for theaters not even showing the film, I think that that's perhaps the best "life message" they could possibly receive.
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How could any theatre not want to book a film of this magnitude?
To those theatres I quote Mr. Hand: "What are you people? On DOPE?!" Aloha. -
May 08, 1999 5:08:20 PM CDT
before the idiots start posting spoilers and I can't even look a
by tall_boy
-I am still offically pumped for this flick. Nothing can ever change that. I'm afraid the backlash might kill it. The problem is, the backlash wasn't created by Lucas et. all like "Godzilla" last year (well, okay, to be fair, Georgie-boy is being REALLY tight about theater stuff & therefore pissing people off). Anyway mainstream media (ET, other news outlets) that's creating hype&inevitable backlash. How fair is that?! Sad days to be a geek indeed. . .
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Why should any cinema chain be forced to change their programming - assuring a production company 3 MONTHS of guarenteed screentime, no advertising, limitted preview time and a larger share of the ticket dollar?
Sure "Phantom" is likely to wipe the floor with all competition this year, I'm sure of it - just as sure as everyone was the "Titanic" would sink without trace last year!
It's rare to see principals in action in the movie industry, let's not cry shame just because somebody wants to demonstrate that they have more than Lucas.
Oh, by the way - I AM looking forward to "Phantom" - just not getting carried away by the hype - face it, there's a huge chance that the movie will be an enormous anti-climax. -
I love having to be told exactly how to watch a movie so that I will enjoy it. People seem to want other people to like this movie at all costs. Tell me, if TPM were a piece of shit, would you tell me to pretend I was a fly in order to enjoy it? The first STAR WARS- just like every other great film ever made- works because it makes you forget the real world from its first frame AND IT ALWAYS WILL. Not so sure about the others but just the same... If I have to make out a list of things I need to do to enjoy TPM, 1) "Understand it's part of a series" 2) "It's aimed at kids, so pretend you're a kid" and 3)(quoting Leonard Maltin on ET last night) "Keep in mind this isn't an in-your-face movie... it's- it's- it's STAR WARS!" then why don't I just switch on my decoder ring which will tell me what you're actually saying (that 1) It's lacking in plot, character development and/or excitement 2) It's a cure for insomnia for anyone over the age five and 3) It's not f___ing STAR WARS because nobody could tell anyone else what that movie WASN'T back 1977) and I'll just stay home instead. If you don't like a movie, say so. You won't be hunted down and killed by the pod-people for being different. In fact some people- like myself- may appreciate the honesty.
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My local newspaper has confirmed today that Cineplex is the sole movie chain in my city carrying star wars..of course, I live in Canada, but it's all the same chain...
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Just wanted to comment on on that whole "homeless instead of a line" comment. The Zeigfeld is owned by Clearview Cinema, which as I looked it up and I quote, "Clearview Cinema is a susidiary of cable and entertainment company Cablevision Systems." So Sony means jack to us geeks standing outside. Charitable geeks, at that.
As for SW as kiddie fare, I simply solace myself by knowing it will still be a good movie, and the next two will be much, much darker. A light-hearted approach seems appropriate right now.
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i don't know what you're woried about, if this is true then it's GREAT!!! do you really think that any of this is genuine? or emotional? it's a game, and the object of the game is to get your money, and the game is just getting more and more intense. sit back ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the ride.
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The sky is falling!!! The sky is falling!!! The panic that is surrounding this movie is astounding. What is everyone so afraid of? That the movie will stink? Big deal. Get over it. So what if it stinks? It's just a friggin' movie. There will be other movies. I am excited about this film too, don't get me wrong, but the level of anxiety that fans and now theater management is showing is just plain freaky. Sony and Mann (if the rumors are true) are getting antsy because they are believing the backlash. They aren't principled. They are NOT standing up to some big, evil film mogul, they are making a business decision to back out of a deal that they think will see them taking a bath. I think that Harry's right, and that this film will make scads of dough, and that Sony and Mann are shooting themselves in the foot. People: believing the backlash is just as ignorant as believing the hype. Wait til May 19 and then we'll have a better idea. Pony up your money and see the film or don't, but Jesus, get a grip. Is a kiddie flick really worth getting into such a fit over? Aw, who am I kidding? Even as I write this the blatant hypocracy of preaching patience and caution while religiously scouring any and all SW and movie related web sites for tidbits is slapping me in the face. I'm my own worst enemey. Oh well. What's that noise? Oh My GOD!!! The sky!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
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If you go to the Loews website and the manns website they both claim that they will recieve Phantom, Manns even has a list of the theaters that will get it. Loews says that they will be selling tickets on wednesday. Whats the deal Moriaty???
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An e-mail friend of mine has been in contact with the Manager & security Manager for the Lowes Theater in the Palisades Mall in Nyack NY. BOTH the theater manager and security guy gave this response about the question to line up for tickets: "They will NOT AT ALL let ANYONE line up in
advance to buy tickets. He said that it was absurd....it's only a movie." It seems this anti-TPM attitude runs through the ranks!
I was quite annoyed since this is the only "GOOD" theater remotely possible for me to drive and enjoy the movie at. I wrote this letter and e-mailed it to Lowes/Sony...I know it won't do any good..but I had to vent! So this recent news about the possiblity of Sony/Lowes dropping TPM...really limits my possiblity on seeing the movie on the 19th....I hope the work things out!
Dear Sir,
I would like to complain about the poor attitude, nasty demeanor & horrible planning by the Manager of the Nyack NY, Palisades Mall Loews Theater.
When asked how the ticket buying will be handled for the upcoming Star Wars Movie on May 12th, 3pm. The exact quote was "We will NOT AT ALL let ANYONE line up in advance to buy tickets. It's absurd....it's only a movie!" This was relayed in a nasty &
condescending manner.
Just because "it's only a movie" does not provide the excuse to treat paying customers like
second class citizens, or ignore the potentially hazardous security
situation. Not allowing an organized line to purchase tickets will cause great havoc and not allow people who can't get through to the phone lines or internet ticket buying venues, a fair
chance to buy tickets for this "event"
Other Lowes/Sony Theaters are providing a fair and organized ticket line-up buying plans.
The Palisades Manager should be no different, and follow suit.
I would suggest Lowes/Sony Theaters, should set in place a corporate wide policy that Managers should adhere to, that would provide the public with an
organized, FAIR and SAFE venue to purchase tickets for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace during
the initial rush of ticket buying. This would avoid the guaranteed pile of complaints to Lowes/Sony Theaters on, and after, May 12th by patrons of the Nyack Theater.
I don't want to hear "Each Theater Manager is allowed to form his/her
own polices" The Theater is OWNED by Lowes/Sony Theaters, and the Manager works for you. If this problem is not addressed and solved in a proper manner, May 12th in Nyack will generate many problems, and a public embarrassment.
I don't think George Lucas would be too happy either.
Thank you for any help in this matter.
signed w/ address -
We all know this movie will make an enormous ammount of money. But I don't blame Sony for threatening to back out of showing it. Their feeling is Lucas is making demands that could set an extremely bad precedent in the future. They foresee big-time future films by other filmmakers trying the same kinds of ploys. They want to put a stop to it before it starts and I can see their point.
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So Sony is DEFINITELY out, eh? I'll believe it when the listing for TPM hit the papers. You see, Sony is the OVERRIDING controller of movie screens in the NYC, North and Central NJ areas. This means the most densely populated area of the US will not be mined for the gold that TPM offers. No Sony means that the bulk of the THX screens in the area will be showing something other than TPM? Yeah, suuuuurrrre...
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Does anyone else think that this sounds just a little TOO outrageous. I mean, do you honestly think that the suits are going to give all that money to their competitors for the PRINCIPAL of the thing? BWAHHH HAH HAH HAH!!!! And how many other film makers are going to have the power that Lucas has. Is Joe Producer going to say to them "Lucas got that great deal so I insist on the same thing for Charlie's Angels The Motion Picture"? I mean it's technically feasable but I think Occam's razor leads me to strongly suspect that this is a crazy rumor. But before people start harshing Harry's mellow keep in mind that it's his job to inform us of rumors so that we can speculate on their veracity.
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I do not believe that Sony has backed out of TPM. Why? Well, let's see, the movie will be huge for starters, we all know that. Second, the soundtrack is on Sony Classical, so why produce the soundtrack and not be there for the film. Third, as mentioned above, that would cut a BIG part of the Big Apple out from seeing it, and I dont think Sony has the required amount of dumb ass-ness to do that. I mean, on a fuck-up scale of 1 to 10, ya gotta be pulling in an 11 before you make a decision like that. I think this is just a rumor/overheard something incorrectly/"let's freak everyone out" type thingie.
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As someone who works at a theater, I can vouch for how insane George Lucas' demands are. My manager has told me that if a Lucas rep finds more people in the theater than we have sold tickets for, he will take the print from us in the middle of the movie and sue us for any lost tickets. I quit, the restrictions were so bad. I say GOOD FOR THE THEATERS! They need to show this greedy asshole what's what. This is the same sort of situation that arose when there were rumors of Columbia charging more for GODZILLA tickets. Look what kind of backlash THAT got them. Maybe now Georgie Porgie Poo will think twice about his insane "digital filming" ideas that he has for E2 and E3. FUCK HIM!
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Hey, all...
Okay... maybe I'm not clear on the whole corporate parenthood thing about Sony/Loews/Cineplex Odeon, but I know that Sony Theaters (which has nothing to do with the production end of the company or the soundtrack end, so neither one of them reflects on whether they're booking this film or not) has passed on carrying the film. If they change their mind, it will be expensive and will make sure that any "message" their non-booking was supposed to send goes unheard.
As far as Mann's goes, I don't know if the decision is a national one, since I also have seen their webpage where they profess to list all their theaters that will be playing it. I do know that Mann's in Los Angeles is having meetings this weekend regarding their policy, and this is not a simple "yes" or "no" issue for them. I didn't post this information so that everyone could argue over whether or not I'm crazy. I did it because I know these discussions are occurring, and I wanted to give fans a forum in which to voice their desire to see the film at the Chinese or the Village. Use the TALK BACKS to convince Mann's to carry it, not to bash Harry for running the info.
*Sheesh* Next time, I'll just let Mann's pull the rug out from under people.
And to those outside the Ziegfield... I thought it was a Sony theater. If that's not the case, then I wish all of you a great 19th.
"Moriarty" out. -
The Mann theater where I see my movies can't get TPM no matter what happends, because some one stole the teaser banner for TPM,
but ya know what I don't give a shit because we got a spankin new Regal stadium seating theater even closer to my house! Besides I would fly to China to see this movie, only thing bad about this whole thing is that the Mann theater will go out of bussiness. -
First, there is no way the Sony chain is going to pass this up. Why? MO' MONEY! MO' MONEY! MO' MONEY! Second, my guess is ol' Georgie-porgie will hand over the directing reigns to Ron Howard. Why do you think he was hanging around the set all the time? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out! In the immortal words of Yoda, "CHA-CHING!" Uncapie has spoken. So mote it be.
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When it was first announced that that Lucas was officially making the first three STAR WARS episodes, one of the first things I thought was, "The characters in episodes 4-6 are so well-known in our culture, there's no way that any new characters in a new trilogy will even come close." But from the way things are going with "the Jar Jar debate" and whether or not Darth Maul has enough screen time in this first film, and the damn thing hasn't even opened yet...Let me just say that I'll bet we'll be seeing stupid Jar Jar impressions in future Jim Carrey comedies.
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I was lucky enough to see the movie last week & I LOVED IT! I'd HATE it if the best theaters pulled out, but it is THEIR loss, not ours. WE WILL SEE THE MOVIE & believe me, we will love it. IT IS FUN!
-John -
May 08, 1999 8:39:51 PM CDT
JJ Gittes, Canadian cinema and tickets to the and Coming of Chri
by violet fire
Well I read Moriarty's report on the theaters (btw Moriarty I really thought your 60 mins/violence thingee) and know what I don't care. I work for Famous Players up here in Canada and the theater I work for opens May 19...I hear there is some big movie coming out then...My managers are even showing it 24-7... Sheesh...Anyways I know some of the regulations for George's art flick and I don't care. I don't care if there is no employee screenings or free passes for employees (or anyone for that matter) coz it is Star Wars. I'm sure I will be a happy 17 year old boy May 19 after watching The Phantom Menace...
I agree with Mr. Gittes about Lucas holding all the cards in his hands. Sony is still licking their wounds from that lizard movie which was okay while I was awake...then I missed the middle cause I fell asleep..Or maybe they are trying to get back at Lucas about the Godzilla swipe Lucas made on his site - "Plot does matter." You all know the one. Anyways I agree with a good bunch of you - it's a fruitless gesture on Sony's part. If I was American I would be a little pissed at Sony too. So if any Sony bigwigs read these posts. Wake up and smell the cash cow you are passing by. The only thing you could make more money on Sony is if you sold front row tickets to the Second Coming of Christ. And sadly even semi righteous Christians like myself don't know when that is. I just pray it's not before Episode III. God bless y'all. PS. About time I heard the female opinion about this movie. Now I gotta find a cute girl who likes Star Wars. Does one exist? -
I work for Regal Cinemas (now the #1 chain in the country) and I can tell you that yeah, the restrictions are pretty strict, but I don't blame Lucas. keep in mind the man's spending, after costs for ads, printing,etc., about $200 million I figure of his own money. I'd want as much money back as soon as possible, myself!
It's about time filmmakers were able to have some control over their own product. I've sat through too many crappy showings in theatres that were run by ill-educated and poorly trained children. Someone's gotta draw a line, now and then. A lot of B.S. goes on in theatres(though thank God I lucked out in my location)with the customers getting ripped and the filmmakers
looking like incompetent morons.Maybe this WILL set a precedent and get exhibitors off their asses and start caring more about their theatres and the way movies are shown and crowds handled. As for the movie "playing young", I remember many critics calling the first film "bubblegum"
and commenting on it's immaturity.
Then, as the film became more popular, their reviews slightly "changed" and suddenly all sorts of "social commentary" were applied to Star Wars. Some good, some even great, alot of it a bunch of self serving, "jump on the bandwagon" hooey. I grew up in that era and I gotta agree with a lot of Harry's comments. The Star Wars films are for the kid in All of us. -
Gee, what would happen if in the near future Industrial Light & Magic said "If you use us in your movie, you can't distribute to those people who f*#%ed with us back in '99."
-
I don't believe one word of this article. Oh, I'm not doubting Moriarty's report, I just think that he has been suckered into writing an article that it's only going to add to the puke-inducing hype surrounding TPM. First of all, I fully expect to see TPM in the best theater in NY on May 19th, so don't think that I'm anti-STAR WARS. It's just that, after the lukewarm reviews posted on this site and repeated on newspapers (most notably the shameless, vile New York Post), Hollywood had decided to make sure that we all stand in line. So, what better way than to suggest that they won't be showing TPM so that later they can "change their minds" and make us feel grateful for their "generosity." I wish some theater chains had the guts to stand up to some of Lucas's outrageous demands, but that ain't gonna happen. Hollywood is controlled by a small group of people and they are the ones spreading these ridiculous rumors. Just wait and see--you'll see that I'm right.
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If the theater chains are holding out because George is asking for too much then good for them. Even if Star Wars makes a billion dollars what good is to them if most of it goes to George? He should stick to making movies and let the theater owners make a buck like everybody else. I'm getting really tired of hearing about how the theater owners are evil. They're business men (and women), just like most of the people who make the movies. I've been a big movie fan my whole life and the vast majority of the times the movie theater hasn't gotten in the way of my enjoying the movie.
Now George is another thing. If he really loved his fans he'd have about 10,000 prints of this movie sent out to every movie house in the country. That way they could show it on five or six screens at the multiplex so I can see it without having to stand in line like a fool for half a day. Let's face it, the movie going public wants to see the movie, they don't want to stand in line! It seems like George just wants to have a flash back to the "good old days" and the long lines. If it's a great movie it'll look good on a small screen, if it's just so-so then it will need a big screen and fancy sound system to make it look better. I don't need George to tell me how to experience a movie, I'm a big boy.
I know this movie is going to do big money but I don't see kids dragging their parents to see it 15 times. Give me a break! The audience for any movie is too fragmented to draw the kind of people that the original did. To assume that the movie will draw in the youth market is to assume a lot. NOBODY knows what makes kids go see movies. George did a great job with the original but each sequel has lost a little bit of the audience (I actually liked "The Empire Strikes Back" better than "Star Wars" but "Return of the Jedi" was definitely the weakest of the first three). It sounds like George is trying to break the mold with TPM (aiming at the sub-teenager audience) which is great but that means that he could alienate a lot of the old foggies that loved the original. If the word gets out that this is a "kiddie" flick that could be the kiss of death for the big money.
There are two reason that "Titanic" made so much money. #1, it didn't come out in the summer so it didn't have much competition. #2, it got the teenage female audience to go to a movie over and over again for the first time. Leo D. brought in the girls, I don't think Ewan or Liam are going to do that. There are bunch of movies that are going to give TPM a couple of weeks to itself and then they're going to come out and start taking money away from TPM. I think "The Wild Wild West" will do some serious damage to George, especially if the fans have to put up with waiting in long lines.
And for all the people that are saying, "hey, it's not about how much money it will make, it's about about the quality of the movie" I say, I agree but George is the one that has made it about money. Frankly I hope the movie is great but that it does just so-so money ("only" $300 to $400 million). That way George will get his head out the clouds and stop his empire building and get back to making movies. I've never owned a Star Wars action figure and I think that merchandising has been a pox on the movie experience. Who cares if there is a Jar Jar doll that talks just like the real one on the screen?
It's interesting that the two actors in the movie that really have my respect have both had negative things to say about it. Ewan McGregor has made it known that he thinks all the Star Wars hype is a pain in the butt. And Liam Neeson said he won't take his 4 year old to see it because of the violence and then he said the one thing that I always like to hear when the hype gets out of hand, "it's just a movie". -
Hell. I hope everyone jumps on the bandwagon. Nearly everyone I know prefers renting movies to watch at home, over going to the theater. Chiefly because the theater experience has gotten so shitty -- especially with a popular movie that draws sell out crowds. If it takes a director laying down the law to force theaters to live up to some decent quality standards, then more power to him.
(and as for that "crappy stadium seating" comment up above, I never thought I'd hear that opinion. How does one NOT like high back seats and a clear view no matter who's in front of you? Weird) -
Just what the subject line said. That info is the biggest load of crap I've heard so far regarding the release of SW:TPM. Two of my best friends are theatre managers (for Loews/Cineplex in the Chicago area). When I called them to ask them about the Moriarty post, they immediately said "Huh?" and informed me that they just got their schedules and showtimes this morning for SW:TPM.
So we're all going to believe this crap because one of Moriarty's spies who likes to say "um" alot says it's true? We're all so gullible.
Don't worry folks. We'll be fine.
-Blipvert -
May 08, 1999 9:43:10 PM CDT
Note to JJ Gitties- "Hey, didja ever hear the one about the Chin
by uncapie
Forget it, Jake...its "Star Wars Town".
-
First befor i get to this i think Lucas is a fucking asshole for puting all these restritions and all this shit on the movie. Now on to sony. Those shit kicking stinky horse menour smelling mother fuckers are going to take away the most anticipated movie ever. I live in North NJ and as a person earlyer said they are all the therthers in North NJ. I hope they burn in fucking hell those cock suckers.
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Waiting out for Star Wars tickets is absurd.......It's only a fuckin movie ! I am in complete agreement with theater owners and operators who don't want every computer geek in america waiting outisde their theatres 3 weeks in advance.......I cannot wait to see the reactions of the SW junkies May 20 when they see their precious flick.......They will never admit it, I know that, but they WILL be dissapointed by this movie......I will see the hurt in their eyes, and that will be enough for me
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Well here is my two cents. Sony will not bow out simply because they have the soundtrack and the Playstation game riding on the success of this movie. I know someone made a comment that none of these had to do with the other but this is inaccurate as Sony recently pooled all it's subsidaries under the now mega-huge Sony Corp. This included all film, music and game interests so if one hurts they all hurt. The reason why Sony is doing it is because it is a good ol' fashioned game of chicken.
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Lucas can make whatever demands he wants. The theaters can choose to play ball or not as they see fit. If the movie makes a billion dollars, then people who chose not to play ball will feel like idiots for not sharing in the wealth and Lucas can control how is product is displayed every time. If the movie tanks (does anyone think this is likely? No really.) then Lucas will never be able to call the shots and theater chain managers will continue to cheapen the movie going experience for generations to come. It's called a free market economy. The producer calls the shots and the cosumers fall in line when there is a demand. No demand for the product, no power for the producers. What are they teaching in school these days?
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I think I see what is really going on now. What I think is happening is that Sony will not be showing it in "Sony" theaters but this will not stop their other name theaters from showing it. So what this basically means is that they are lodging a "protest" by not showing it in all the theaters they possibly could. Of course this is all theory but it makes sense.
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I am 17 now...i saw Star Wars on video for my first time...i saw the SE in the theater a couple years ago though...adios
dan PS...Keep up the good postings man...you're one of the few I enjoy to read...no joke..just flattery..or an attempt at it. -
Michael Jordan is just a basketball player, the Beatles were just a band, Elvis was just a singer and Star Wars is just a movie. Nuff said.
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Well I just want to say I found your review very refreshing. I have this theory that the guys bashing TPM are the same losers who worship Boba Fett and hate the Ewoks. Personally I couldn't give a flying bantha turd what morons like that think. I don't like that people are now saying "Well the die-hards won't like it". I consider myself to be the ultimate DIE HARD Star Wars fan and it doesn't bother me that this first film is "kid friendly" and "aimed at kids". Well duh so was ANH! Also since things have to be really dark and nasty in the second half of E2 and all the way through E3 they need to squeeze in all the light-hearted fun they can in the first film. People say Jar Jar is annoying but he looks funny to me and Boss Nass is way cool! I don't like that Yoda's part is small but I rest assured he will be more prominent in the next two prequels. All I want in this first installment is to laugh, cry and get my heart-pounding and the film looks like it will succeed on all the above so I'll be leaving the theater one happy Jedi Master.
MTFBWY all!
-Rob Kowal AKA JMYoda
http://JediMasterYoda.com -
Hey, aren't these the same guys who greenlighted and overhyped GODZILLA???!!! I dunno, It might be true, it might not be. But, it would be the second big mistake they have made in 2 years. Whether TPM is a Masterpiece or a good summer popcorn movie is irrelavent. It will make millions (~$400 million).
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I'd think twice about posting from this so-called source in the future.
Sony will be playing it, as will Mann.
I'd think they'd take down any mention of it on their websites, and not have the movie prominently displayed on their home pages.
They can pretend to complain, but they'll make more money off of this movie in its first few weeks than any movie they've ever played. Popcorn, Dogs, Soda? who makes money from that? overflow crowds going in to see the mummy? who makes money from that? certainly not lucas.
smak -
Is any movie that attempts to tell a story without using the "f-word" multiple times a "kid's movie"? Is a film that attempts to impart a moral and just message to its audience "pandering to the kiddies"? If the character of Jar-Jar is considered an outcast from his race for being clumsy, bumbling, and annoying, then what possible sense could it make to portray him as anything but that? There is a message hidden there about such things as prejudice and the true meaning of friendship, but of course all we should care about is how cool and "dark" this movie should be. There are many reasons why STAR WARS has become the cultural phenomenon that it is -- and contrary to what seems to be a popular opinion these days, not all of these reasons revolve around the fact that THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK ended on a downer. So I hear THE PHANTOM MENACE is a "kiddie flick". So tis means that all those 6-year olds are going to go nuts over such things as the Trade Federation, and the tension between Palpatine and Amidala. And of course, they are going to shudder at the innocence of Anakin as they picture his tragic fall in the back of their minds. Yeah, right... There are so many layers of human emotion to the story told in THE PHANTOM MENACE that even its so-called "lightness" cannot overshadow them. Why is everyone in such a hurry to see Anakin turn? Let the man tell his story, already...Sheesh!
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Sony paid 4.5M for
the soundtrack
rights and now the
theater-wing of the
corporation refuses
to show it? Can't
believe it.
On the other hand,
I think Lucas and
Lucasfilm, Inc.
need to worry about
other things then
dictating to us how
the movie should be
seen. Especially
the no trailers
thing. Trailers
have become a fun
part of the
movie-going
experience. PLUS,
Lucasfilm certainly
USED TRAILERS! Its
hypocritical. -
Why is it false?
First, check out:
http://www.theatres.sre.sony.com/starwars/index.html
Second, check out:
http://www.sonyclassical.com/music/61816/index2.html
If Sony were to pull out of the theaters, it would be a major conflict of interest, considering the Phantom Menace CD is produced by Sony...
Disregard this false rumor!
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What the fuck has happened to the world? Suddenly movies matter, are the front page of the paper. Suddenly geeks are journalists. The fact that Jar Jar Binks is annoying is now more important than Kosovo. Variety hates Hollywood Reporter. Eisner hates Katzenberg. We've all gotten selfish. HERE IS THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Hollywood is an entertainment industry. Movies are a pastime. It's been great waiting for Star Wars. The years of enjoyment leading up to the screening that I'll soon be attending will be far more lasting then the 135 minutes in the dark. Will your life change? Will my life change? Will we get a life? I think I might make a stab at it, what about you lot?
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Reading the comments, I have to admit I'm amused by it all. The reality is none of the theater chains will be hurt in the long run, sure they'll take a hit for a little while but in the end they'll survive to show another movie another day, maybe even the next big thing. As for the line dwellers who lost out, sorry you guys wasted your time. It's only a movie, maybe a good one, maybe a bad one, but still just a movie. Think of all the things you could have done in that time instead. Something to ponder perhaps.
-
May 08, 1999 11:57:37 PM CDT
Phantom Menace important plot point as told by Faye Dunaway...
by uncapie
"An Ewok...a Jedi...an Ewok...a Jedi...an Ewok...a Jedi! AN EWOK IS A JEDI!" In the next film...
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..is if Lucas *really* wanted to make a movie that would introduce a new generation of kids to the wonders of Star Wars, why the new artsy/poetic commercials that obviously appeal to adults?!? If you ask me, Lucas should scrap those immediately and throw together some new commercials like the first PM theater trailer... -Dan
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Fellow film fans, I am decidedly one of the biggest Star Wars fans around (but,
duh...almost everyone in this section of Talk Back is or claims to be the same). I grew up
watching the films almost religiously, and I played with the original action figures right
there along with He-Man, Optimus Prime, and other popular kid-crazes of the 1980's.
However, before I am a Star Wars fan...before WE are ALL Star Wars fans...we are
cinema fans. We love movies. We love the experiences that watching movies brings to us
whenever we allow ourselves to be taken along on whatever journey a Hollywood
production has decided to take us on. When you are pondering the thoughts "Sony should
get this movie no matter what because this movie is Star Wars." You mustn't consider
what is good for Star Wars. Instead, you must consider what is good for CINEMA. If it
hadn't been for men like Cecil B. DeMille, Alfred Hitchcock, or heck...even Roger
Corman, there wouldn't be a Star Wars. Cinema has been here a great deal longer than
Star Wars has, and I pray that it will be here longer for many years to come. By bowing
down to the outlandish and downright ridiculous demands George Lucas has placed on
theater owners, we are only setting a very bad precedent that will eventually destroy
Hollywood. Think of this: Imagine the ludicrous demands that a man like James (the man
with the biggest case of a God-complex I've ever seen) Cameron would've placed on
theaters had he known that Titanic was going to be as big as it was. Just imagine the
horrible stunts he might've tried to pull! He'd be worse than George Lucas. If The
Phantom Menace does become a hit film, filmmakers like James Cameron, Gus Van Sant,
and Quentin Tarantino (all of which have disgusting attitudes) will indeed try to throw
their weight around in Hollywood, and the result will be miserable. I agree that theaters
need to start showing more showmanship in their presentations of the movies. Nothing
can compare seeing a film in one of the older designed theaters of the years of long ago,
but showmanship needs to be seen from the directors as well. Instead of coming across as
the pompous jerk that he has been coming across as, Lucas needs to get his act together
and realize that Hollywood (let alone the rest of the world) doesn't revolve around him or
his Industrial Lights and Magic company. Everyone can't get their way 100% of the time
and rightly shouldn't. I fear greatly what will happen if Lucas gets his way 100%...if only
a few select chains like Sony would stop carrying The Phantom Menace, the message to
filmmakers who try to be what they are not will be clear. I don't intend to offend any Star
Wars fans out there, because at heart, I am one of you. But as I said, before I am a Star
Wars fan, I am a movie fan...just as the rest of you are. Thank you for listening. -
Well I personally have met a couple of cute girls who were into Star Wars. I realized that when I noticed the Star Wars images on the personal check of a girl who had come through my line at Wal-Mart that I had found the woman I wanted to marry. Too bad that I had already tied the knot with my wonderful wife the week before, but oh well. So much for the timing.
Anyway regardless of the backlash, TPM is virtually review proof. Even with the confused die-hards proclaiming that while it may have some good qualities it just isn't a Star Wars movie(more on that later). And with other comments coming down the pike about it being juvenile, soulless eye-candy, and even just plain boring at times, will this stop me or all the millions of people from seeing this one film we have waited most of our lives for? HELL NO!
As far as this new installment not possessing the essence of what a Star Wars movie should be, I think this is because of the pollution of the saga by the numerous hack sci-fi authors, comic book writers, and video game developers trying to create their own spin on the series. I gave up trying to read them long ago. It got to be one unshaven rogue smuggler character, one Empires' new ultimate weapon, one cloned Emperor too many.
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If they drop this movie, it will be so much fun to think of them squirming and kicking themselves for losing all that money. Quality theaters- Too expensive!
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I'll admit that although I probably hadn't heard the quote directly applied to TPM, I think "soulless eye candy" encapsulates Peter Travers' review nonetheless. He says, "The actors are wallpaper, the jokes are juvenile, there's no romance, and the dialogue lands with the thud of a computer instruction manual. But it's useless to criticize the visual astonishment that is Star Wars - Episode 1: The Phantome Menace."
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Here's to Mann's and Sony for not licking the boots of the egotistical Lucas!!!! Is he that afraid that he has made a turd!?! The only reason I can think of for Lucas to set "rules" for a theater is that he is afraid that there will be no repeat business. He is no longer a filmmaker but a money hungry has been who doesn't have a clue. BTW why did he hire some hack English guy to do Yoda? Is there something the matter with Americans like Rick Baker and Stan Winston who do it the best!?! He just wanted to get this film in the can and suck your wallets dry. (why do you think he's not going to make parts 7 and 8?) You all can say, "but it's Star Wars". I say you can't polish a turd.
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I don't know you, Mr. Moriarty (sp?), and I have nothing but love for you, but this has got to be bullshit. I mean, come on. Sony's gonna pass on the biggest movie of the century? You don't give them enough credit. If you look at Sony's website (www.loewscineplex.com) in their Episode I section, it is still confirmed to be booked for showing on May 12th. I say if it looks like shit, if it smells like shit, it probably is shit.
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What a rollercoaster week. First I'm bummed out about the early reviews, then I'm ok after the positive ones. Then, in a single stroke, Luca$ kills me with the revelation on ET that NO STAR WARS DVD will be out until all six films are done!!!! What a madman to dictate such terms to us. I like Sony's move--someone has to stand up to the Dark Side! I love and live for the series, but Luca$ is going too far. Do we really want this guy to get too powerful? Should we really take his word that the next two films will be darker? The Pain...
-
...Jar-Jar loves you.
-
May 09, 1999 5:00:31 AM CDT
Grouchies says, I'm in line in my mind, screw rumors, and I wish
by grouchlord
Screw this rumor shit, some dip once posted to a listserv that I belonged to that Mark Hamil was dead. Mark, you dead yet? As for all fan fiction suckin g compared to Lucas penned opus, you've got to be kidding me. I'd put a Brain Daley scripted prequel up against the Master himself, but alas he's passed on.:-( Zahn isn't the best author in the world but hell, I'm sure he could have tweaked Jedi to the satisfaction of all considered. Still, its George's World, copyright, trademark, blah, blah. You know stuff that we as fans like could be stuff George will take out in his Special Editions(1-?) I personally, got hacked when he erased old Wolfman for some stupid looking blue, tusken thing! Hell, if I had a choice I'd copy ->pasted old Max Rebo in before that things. Wait, Special Edition 2 Jedi, he does drop in a more convincing performance from Carrie in the Luke's Leavin' Boo Hoo Scene. Myself, I'm consoling myself that I'll probably have to wait to See Phantom at the Great Grand with it's crappy Stadium Seating (kiddin'.) Actually, what's with the Staduim Seating? The Grand was the first in our area to have them, then a few others copped the idea- BUT with a very fucking stupid twist! Their seats weren't as spacious, with the armrests coming up, or the uninterrupted sight lines... They were stadium seating like at a convention center, ballpark or some dumb shit! Why steal an idea while missing the important details? Doh!
-
Someone above was ranting about Lucusfilm squashing a ticket givaway, where the station paid for the tickets. Well I'm not sure what crack they were on, but Lucus didn't do diddly to our promotions in the DC area, most of the stations were giving away sets of four tickets to opening night shows all last week.
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Hey, being a long time fan of the Star Wars movies I felt I had to write. Having read the script for Episode 1, I feel that these cinemas are right in what they're doing. Sure it will be an awesome visual experience but the story is paper thin and therefore I believe that most movie goers will only go and see it once. Why should these cinemas agree to Lucasfilm's egomanical demands to show a movie that isn't that great? The movie will be a smash hit, no doubt. In targetting the kids with childish characters and exciting action sequences Lucas has made sure that his film will not bomb and the star wars fanatics will go and see it again and again for the new 'cool' central bad guy but I can't help to feel let down. It may be the motion picture event of the century but it certainly won't be the motion picture of the century.
This may feel like Star Wars but it certainly isn't Star Wars. -
After hearing and reading reports about those diehard SW fans being disappointed with EP I, pandering to kids, Jar Jar bonejarring performances, blah, blah, blah, I must advice that you guys and girls need to keep your expectations to the lowest level possible! It's ridiculous to expect a film entirely up to your expectations. Just see and enjoy the movie! It's just the first part of the new trilogy. I'm a diehard SW fan and I keep my expectations WAY DOWN, so I would just see the movie as anything I wouldn't expect entirely. It's Lucas's saga and he's telling a small story leading up to the bigger stories in EP II and III. Just enjoy the bloody movie! Have fun!
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I don't know what kind of power games take place on the left coast, but Cineplex Odeon's flagship theater in the Washington DC area, the Uptown, has been running ads in the paper for the past three days with showtimes for Episode I and information on advanced ticket sales...
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I find it hard to believe that Sony Theatres won't show Phantom Menace. In the Detroit area the only chain getting the film is Star theatres which is a subsidiary of Sony. Star Theatres have set the tone for the entire industry in terms of service and amenities. That's why Sony bought them. Sony would be shotting itself in the foot if it choose not to carry the film. Regardless of the hassle, money is money.
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Call and write Sony???
Please.
I applaude them for not being held hostage by Lucas.
The theater owners saw it (most of you haven't) and they made their decision.
Lucas' demands aren't worth the trouble.
All this fanboy lunacy does is raise ticket prices for everybody.
There is something missing in your equation... what if the movie isn't very good?
Zimmy
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Yep, bought it yesterday. Now, the only thing next is to see the movie. But, guess what? As far as the script alone goes.... I'm going to have to say..... THIS IS THE BEST STAR WARS MOVIE YET. JAR JAR WORKS ON THE WRITTEN PAGE! The story is sooooooo much more complex than the VERY simplistic "A New Hope", and WAY WAY WAY deeper than "Return of the Jedi". And guess what? This movie seems to be the DEEPEST of the SW movies next to "The Empire Strikes Back". I will admit, Empire is deeper and more dramatic. And as far as the script alone goes, I'd say TESB is a notch above TPM. BUT, the reason I think TPM will be the best is the VISUALS!!!! In this script, Lucas presents us with such fantastic and exotic, and fast, and incredible, and amazing, and brain-numbing imagery that this is probably going to be THE MOST VISUALLY FANTASTIC FILM EVER MADE. And if I had to pick ONE of the Star Wars movies to see on the big screen, TPM would be my choice in a heart beat.
-
I dont want to add to the negative vibes surrounding this movie. I personally think I'm going to love it. In what I've seen I love Jar Jar. But, from the beginning of seeing the design and production sketches I've had this nagging sense that something was wrong...
The original trilogy has so may characters, aliens and "things" that have become "icons" in todays culture.
- The Millenium Falcon
- Leia's Hair
- X-Wings
- Han Solo
- Luke Skywalker
- Darth Vader
- The Death Star
- Chewbacca
- C3PO / R2
- AT-AT's
- Boba Fett
- Yoda
- Jabba the Hutt
- Star Destroyers
- Ewoks (yes, ewoks)
The Phantom Menace seems to be lacking the "iconic" elements. Is that bad? I don't know yet. Lucas has said from the begining that this was going to be a smaller story. There are a few things that I think will become "icons" though...
- Darth Maul
- Sebula
- The Pod Race
- Maybe even Jar Jar
But remember, this is Lucas' movie, not ours... quit your griping about it not being what you had in mind. -
May 09, 1999 8:36:46 AM CDT
I've never read so many uneducated, ill-informed discussions in
by kobayashi
this is stupid. You cry and complain about a film that you haven't even seen. You talk about the script and say that the plot is weak. You rip apart the Soundtrack, Actors, and Effects. GIVE IT A REST! Go see the movie in a week and a half and then talk about it.
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Too many people trying to analyze George Lucas/Star Wars/Skywalker/etc. . . and not enough people just watching the damn movie and enjoying themselves. Remember.... the first four letters in "analyze" are A-N-A-L.
People have built careers around dissecting this franchise and splitting hairs over minute details that no one really gives a damn about. All you have to do is pay your 12 dollars, walk in the theatre, buy a bag of popcorn and a biggie drink, find a seat, and watch the damn film!
If this movie appeals to kids then so what? Did the original Star Wars appeal to kids.....yes. So who gives a flying cockroach?
I would want my nephew to enjoy these films as much as I enjoyed the original series. I praise Mr. Lucas for keeping his vision of the Star Wars Universe PURE. Even though our society has changed so much over the past 20 years the Star Wars universe is a CONSTANT reminder of the time when we all had a certain INNOCENCE about us and for at least 2 hours and 17 minutes we get the opportunity to relive that innocence and if a hand full of of the high and mighty Star Wars Anal Geeks (AG's I call 'em) wish to cast stones then fine. But you are just forgetting the time you were a child and had the same dreams about this story that today's kids have.
BTW.... that Darth Maul is scary looking SOB! :)
CACKY! -
Ol' Man Lucas can take solace in this: when the bomb that will almost certainly be WILD WILD WEST detonates at Sony's multi-plexes, at least none of his prints will be harmed. In all seriousness, though, as someone who frequents the Sony Theaters in NYC, their motives for not signing on couldn't be clearer. If they bowed to Lucas' demands, then they'd actually have to hire competent employees, including people who know a thing or two about projecting a film (I know other people have already pointed this out, but, damn, does it bear repeating.) On the surface, I'll admit that Lucas' demands do sound awfully tyrranical, but when you've been on the receiving end of the incompetence that Sony dishes out with alarming regularity (and consistently pay a whopping $9.50 to endure it,) it's hard not to cheer the man's strong-arm tactics. In fact, anybody who's actually *against* what he's asking for must be a stooge of the exhibitors. And does anybody really believe he's opening up the door for other studios to bully the theater owners in the same way? There is only one STAR WARS. I would think the exhibitors are wise enough to realize that the leverage rests solely with them should Warners attempt likewise with, say, THE AVENGERS 2. Or, even next year with Fox's much-anticipated X-MEN movie (a great deal of anticipation from a much smaller demographic, and not an already established film franchise.) The only future dust-up on this subject I can see is when, and if, INDY IV gets made. Given the worldwide grosses, and smaller, but still considerable, fan base, that could be a very interesting row, indeed.
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I like Ewoks. I like ROTJ. I think Jedi is second best. Why? Because It's my opinion. I read the script to TPM. And you know what it was great. Watch the film closely and you will see some real dark moments. Anakin is angry and sfraid in the film This all leads to the Dark Side. And Jar Jar isnt annoying. He's almost human. Like Chewbacca seems almost human because they express emotion. Yes a computer effect expresses emotion in a film. He's a character in a film just like Han or Luke.
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People here are griping about how much control Lucas has over his Star Wars saga and how it should be presented, almost as if he were some sort of dictator.
Have we forgotten it's HIS movie? Have we forgotten what happened during the short period of time he DIDN'T have full control? If you have forgotten, get your hands on a copy of the 1977 "Star Wars Holiday Special." This was a studio decision, not a Lucas one. It was two hours long and utterly ridiculous. It even had Art Carney as a guest host.
I think Lucas has every right in the world to have as much say as possible as to who sees the film, how the see it, where they see it and when.....this is his artistic creation, not that of some smarmy studio exec, and we should no more criticize Lucas for wanting to protect it anymore than we would if we had made the movies ourselves. -
If this was anyone, ANYONE but Moriarty, I'd say there's no way in hell it could be true. But anyone who reads the site knows Moriarty has his connections. Note to Sony: don't do this. Play Episode One in your theaters. You will make a shitload of moolah, guaranteed. Even if the unthinkable happens and Episode One does not become the highest grossing film of all time, each of your board members will still garnesh enough of the earnings to buy a small nation, say France. If France is taken, you might have Germany instead. And Mann's . . . don't do it. Keep Star Wars. There is a grand total of one theater in the United States that every American has heard of, and that's Mann's Chinese. If the movie doesn't play at your theaters, you will be missing out on the most anticipated motion picture of all time, and therefore shrugging off your duty as a "film star" in your own right. Not to mention the fact that you will look terrible turning all those dedicated Countingdown people into homeless people. Have faith. Trust your instincts. The force is strong with this one. Don't turn down the dark path.
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I am just laughing so hard at all the Lucas bashers out there that say he is money hungry...and egotistical...Let's see...he did this movie with his own money...HE COULD HAVE HAD ANY BUDGET HE ASKED FOR FROM ANY COMPANY AND NOT SPENT A DIME OF HIS OWN. lets see...he is the head of skywalker sound, thx, and ilm and he hasn't made a film in a long time so he doesn't get all of his money from making movies or the toys...HARDLY(not all) A SINGLE (with exception of arthouse/indy)MOVIE GETS MADE WITH OUT ONE OF HIS COMPANIES BEING INOVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION ASPECT OF THE FILM. lets see...he doesn't want his movie FOR THE OPENING WAVE to go to theaters without digital sound...SONY DTS/DOLBY DIDGITAL capabilities and he wants to provide the best atmosphere possible to people who watch the movies...NO ONE WATCHES THE FUCKING COKE/PEPSI ADS AND THEATER SPOTS...WE ALL TALK THROUGH THEM AND WE DON't LIKE SITTING THROUGH A (TON) OF TRAILERS WHEN WE ARE WAITING TO SEE A MOVIE! lets see...your theater plays Godzilla or Wing Commander on it's biggest best sounding screen opening weekend and then it is usually moved to the smaller screen with less sound after a few LUCAS IS JUST BEING THAT PICKY WITH THE CHOICE OF ONLY THE BEST THEATERS FOR ITS INTRO RUN...
So, if Lucas is greedy...and money hungry...explain those things to me...email me...I'm not coming back to talk backs to read anymore on the subject.
jeff out. -
Happy Mother's Day!
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While everyone is ranting about all of the money that Sony et al will be losign by not showing TPM, bear in mind that FOX is charging the theaters a higher percentage of the ticket sales than normal for a longer period of time than normal. Forget all of the other crazy sounding restrictions from Lucas, this is the deciding factor here. Just because the film gets the butts in the seats doesn't mean the theater is making squat. If Sony decides to go with Austin Powers, Wild Wild West and some of the other blockbusters in lieu of TPM, they could actually stand to make more money from those films even if they don't sustain the kinds of audiences that TPM will. The theaters will get a higher percentage from the ticket sales from those films than they will from TPM, plus the theaters can move those films into smaller houses should their business fall off (which they can't with TPM for 12 weeks).
I may not agree with a whole chain's deicision to not play TPM, but from a business standpoint, its understandable.
I'll have more on this tomorrow as PR weasels get back to work from the weekend.
KJB http://www.backstage-pass.com -
A few months ago, a company called Clearview Cinemas bought up a lot of the old Cineplex Odeon theaters....including the Ziegfeld. So I don't know if any supposed Cineplex Odeon boycott would affect the Ziegfeld.
I haven't found out though if the Clearview takeover affected the idiotic Ziegfeld reserved seating policy...where the ticket ASSIGNS you a seat, just like in a concert hall. I've been boycotting the Ziegfeld over that idea, and I DEFINITELY won't go see Phantom Menace there under that policy...I don't wanna wait in line for days to find out that I got second row all the way on the side..screw that! -
The only reason Lucas made these rules is because he wants to ensure the chance and the best viewing experience for everybody. He's not some megalomaniac out to take over the world. This is the most anticipated movie in history, so these precautions were necessary.
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Okay, I find it highly unlikely that Sony won't show Star Wars. The fact that the theaters have to show the movie for so long is ballanced by the fact only 2500 theaters will get TPM instead of over 3000. It would be financially ridiculas not to carry TPM even if it only makes 300 million! And they are worried it would set a bad precidence? Who else is gong to cammand such power for a film. The only other person who is proven enough is Speilburg, so the needn't worry.
And about the complaints for the movie...
What is with dissin the Ewoks? Sure they were a bit silly but they weren't BAD. I don't think that Jar Jar can be so awful if he's just more "kiddy" than the other characters. And his baby talk? He's an alien. Live with it.
I've often read that there's too many aliens in this movie. Pardon? That's the whole Star Wars Universe! Humans are only one species, and if you have read any of the books you would appreciate the inclusion of more aliens.
Portman's costumes and voice. Some people have said the costumes are dumb. I totally dissagree. I think it leand a lot of credibility to Lucas that he didn't just put her in some bland-but-contemperary royal wear. Her costumes smack of a seperate and interesting culture. As for her voice, I don't find it annoying at all. She sounds reagal and mature. It is a good contrast to Leia's liberated Princess voice. It's fine. I can't wait to see her interation with Senator Palpatine...
The computer generated characters look fake. Okay, first off I don't think that there's anyone who doesn't think they're well done, but yes you can tell they are fake. Well guess what, Chewbacca's mouth moved unrealistically. The Rodians couldn't manipulate their fingers. None of the Aliens in the first moves were really able to do much of anything. And you know what? That never seemed to bother anyone.
The plot is simple. Huh? As I am led to beleive it is about the power hungry trade federation setting up a blockade around Naboo to force it to comply with its desires (or whatever). The Jedi are sent to investigate and end up having to take Queen Amidalia to Courucant to plead for help. Alond the way there's the Jedi thing with Anikin, and Sith lords planning to reveal themeselves to the Jedi. Oh yeah, that is way too simple when compared to the save-the-princess-and-blow-up-the-death-star plot of A New Hope.
Come on paople, have a little faith. Star Wars is a great thing, I hardly think that Lucas is giong to ruin it. -
Actually I would be GLAD if the goofy Coke, etc. commercials became scarce! Thanks for the clarification (albeit not the short tone). But I can still see why the theatres are angry at having to be told how they can pick up extra revenue. Still, if I see less of those ads, great!
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Yes it is do NOT ask how I know but it is. Look at the Mann website it listis Culver 6 Crapa Monica Critron are getting the film (Hell even place like Plant 16 and Valey West are getting it) But the chinese and village are not listed carrying the film....
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It is sad, sad times we live in where most people are concerned with money instead of filmmaking. One comment that I left out of my first post here in the Talkbacks section is my dislike of George Lucas as a filmmaker. I love Star Wars, I dislike George Lucas. After he directed Star Wars, he apparently decided "well, I'm making more money than I'll ever know what to do with, so I'll just quit directing movies altogether..." Instead he puts his name in the producers spot and just forgets about what his passion used to be. If he were a true artist and filmmaker who truly loved making movies, he would've directed more than FOUR movies by now. With The Phantom Menace, he's only directing because it is apparent that he could make a great deal of money because of all the fans who will say "Its Star Wars...and George Lucas is directing it!" If he truly, truly cared about the fans...he would finish the entire series and go beyond the trilogy. I used to dislike Steven Spielberg for whatever reasons, I'm really not sure why. I have since learned to like and respect Spielberg, however. The real difference between Spielberg and Lucas: Spielberg is a filmmaker, Lucas is a moneyraker. Sad, sad times to be a film fan indeed.
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I have been keeping quiet, but now i must speak. George Lucas is the greatest hackfest of all time. Bravo to sony and manns for pulling out. His fucking demands are so ridiculous, i mean i work at a theater and just because lucas wants some more cash i have to get up early to go to work. We have to be there at about 8:00 am. Thats fucking bullshit, the least lucas could do is let the employee's have a look at it. We wont be able to get any passes until fucking wild, wild, west comes out. This is the making of a true psychopath, we are the people who serve the people at your local cineplex and we dont get any fucking respect. Sony and manns are doing the right thing, finally somebody not putting up with lucas's bullshit. And another thing harry, how come after there were a couple of not so great reviews on your site, youv'e gone out of your way to find people who will say nothing but how great this film is, finding a woman for diversity, trying to pump everyone up. This site is for free speech about film so if you delete this short essay on bullshit, ill know you dont care about free speech but getting lucas into your secret place so you can suck his cock. I dont mean to be so rash, but god damn it. It's about time someone did. I think clearly we can see it is not james cameron who is the control freak but the terrence malick of science fiction film....George of the money jungle.."i mean lucas.
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My two cents on this issue,is
that the certain people in the
theatre industry are nervous
about the conditions that is
being imposed apon them.I don't blame them,when I first heard what Lucas was trying to do,I was feeling that he was trying to exert TOO much control over how his movie was to shown.Its also possible,that
when movie exes saw the test
screenings they were not con-
vinced that this movie can bring in the crowds fo three
months.
Its no secret that Lucas is
something of control freak and
that this could eventually back-
fire on him,like it has now.I wish
it were otherwise but the real
purpose of the conditions for
showing the film has less to do with quality than to do with
marketing.I also live in canada
and it was confirmed that
cineplex plus famous players will both be showing the film.At
least in the Toronto area. -
It doesn't matter if the theatre is THX, or Dolby digital, or DTS or stadium seating, or in 3D for that matter. If the movie is good, it'll still be a good movie if you're watching it on VHS-C. If the movie is bad, it'll still be a bad movie if you're watching it in a digitally project, stadium-seated, Digital surround theatre. Most of my favorite movies I saw for the first time on video. Hell, I never saw Raiders in the theatre! And besides. No matter what, Lucas will STILL release PAN & SCAN copies of this film on tape. He WILL. And in my opinion, reducing a 2.35:1 movie down to a 4:3 ratio is FAR WORSE than having to watch a Coke Ad before the film. THINK ABOUT THAT. IT MAKES NO SENSE. (well, it does, but it involves MONEY)
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Do you really think that the MAJOR theatres would DARE not to play TPM in their theatres?????
Do you know how much BANK those bastards would lose if they decided NOTto play them!
Come on this is just a little out-there. Jesus! -
I am thrilled to death about "Star Wars." I can't wait. I've watched the quicktime movies of the trailers about 100 times. I saw "A New Hope" in Atlanta the summer of 1977 when I was 6. I misunderstood "Threepio" to be "Creepio." But I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. Within twelve months of the original release, my father had bought a bootlegged, several-generation away from the original taped-in-the-theater-with-a-video-camera Betamax copy for $50 from a street vendor in Miami. By the time "Empire" came out, I'd seen the film at least 50 times, if not more. I can quote the dialogue verbatim to it (Empire a close second, Jedi a distant third, but hell, I've seen it enough, too.) But you know what? Leonard Maltin said something on "Entertainment Tonight" that really made me think... "Diehard Star Wars fanatics should remember that it's only a movie." You know what? He's right. It's only a movie. So if you stand in line for days or even weeks to get tickets and whine about being let down by the film, then fuck you and the horse you rode in on. IT'S A MOVIE! It's not the second coming of Christ! I mean, would you say to Jesus, "I kinda expected you'd be taller?" I can't wait, either -- but when a friend of mine called me up for "line duty," I told him the truth -- I have two papers to write by the 17th. If I don't see it on opening day, I won't die an agonizing death. I don't remember if I saw ANY of them on opening day. I've seen every Star Trek since "Search for Spock" on opening day, and "Insurrection" will be the last one. In the immortal words of William Shatner on Saturday Night Live, "My God, get a life, will ya? It's just a tv show!"
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Give me a fucking break. I can't believe all this star wars: the phantom movie bullshit. Don't get me wrong, I will go to see the film, but people standing in line for days waiting for the shit to open is insane. I'm glad all those people standing in line did it for nothing. Fuck the movie, i'd rather see the reaction of the poor bastards when they find out.
I can't appreciate a film that is 95 fuckin percent digital. That's not filmmaking. Sony is my new hero. -
Okay Funmazer, I've thought about your post ("THINK ABOUT THAT" as you put it), and I've decided you're an idiot. Mostly because I'm a little confused with your logic. Your whole premise, that if a movie is good it doesn't matter if it's on the big screen, television, dolby, digital, THX, etc. is ridiculously dumb, but that's your opinion. But then you go on to state that it will be released in Pan and Scan for video release (which it probably will, with a simulataneous letterbox) and how that's so much worse than Coke ads. For a person who doesn't give a rat's ass where and how he sees a film, what do you care if it's Pan and Scan? It's attitudes about movies like yours that keeps Pan and Scan around! DEMAND the best from your moviegoing experience like I do, and that means great sound and accoustics at the theater, and letterbox at home. Do you know when Pan and Scan will go away? When people stop buying it! I don't buy any movie unless it is letterbox. I'm sure you buy Pan and Scan all the time, because you don't care what format you see your films.
I for one applaud Lucas and his efforts to make the movie-going experience the best it can be by demanding nothing but the best for his film. And I'm sorry, but do you really think that sitting on your couch at home watching Raiders on a 25" TV is anywhere near the mind-blowing experience of seeing it on the big screen with awesome sound? Whether or not a film is "good" or not isn't the point, and it isn't the reason Lucas is doing this. He's doing this because he wants the audience of his films to have the greatest theater going experience he can provide. If you really believe that it doesn't make any difference, then why not avoid the lines for TPM and wait for the video release? Shouldn't make a difference to you.
Oh, and by the way. Lucas refusing to have Coke ads play before the show is because of, as you put it, "MONEY." Who exactly is making money by NOT showing a one minute ad? It's not like saving 8 minutes means Lucas gets an extra showing of TPM per day. Once again, it's because, besides Coke Execs, nobody wants to see a Coke ad, and Lucas knows it. THINK ABOUT THAT. -
Well I guess im lucky for living
in a small town in the mid of nowhere in IL. guess what?
We have te best theater in the surrounding counties. Yes we do, even people from big cities around come here because of the latest sound equipment and huge screen. I'll wait a couple of days and I'll go to see TPM nice and relaxed.
At last IM not jealous of the big city boys.
Sorry for the bad news over there. What are the thinking? Is Lucas for Christ S... -
It's just not right what he (Lucas) is doing. Movies should be something special. Something so exquisite it's beyond mortal words. They should be something more than just the vehicle for toys in kiddie meals at burger joints,
characters for decals and fruit snacks, and dozens of
inane action figures. By God, give me the olden, glorious
days of the Sliver Screen. F--- George Lucas!!! I want
Cecil B. De Mille, Frank Capra, Orson Welles, and Vincente Minnelli!! Those great gentleman weren't businessmen, they were MOVIE DIRECTORS. They made movies, they created ART! Beautiful celluloid masterpieces. As long as you could go to a
movie house that had a projector and buy a ticket, you could witness their greatness. They made the movie for the
purpose of creating the wonderment. They didn't put out dozens of rules and regulations and act like jerks about "merchandise licensing" and all the other, mass-produced,
artifical bullshit! I am emotionally drained as I write
this...as told you all when I first launched this page,
I love movies. I cherish them like some do fine wine.
Fine wines are glorious, rare and brilliant, as are good
films. Well, George Lucas' films are 12 packs of soda.
You can buy 'em anywhere. You know I won't see TPM and I hope that, if you're a TRUE movie fan, and if you are, that supercedes
being a fan of any one movie or group of movies, especially
Star Wars, that you'll help me in my quest to show that there
is something bigger than George Lucas. It's US, the vast legions of millions upon millions, THE FANS! Email me and visit my page at http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/themovieguy -
Its becoming obvious now
that the new movie is being
catered for younger viewers.
Not the older,original fans who
made the trilogy the success
that it was.I can see some of the logic.Hes hoping to get the
next generation of kids hooked
and crazy for more BUT his
actions might alienate the hard
core fans that grew up with the
movies.This is making me
nervous and his habit of trying
to exert TOO much control is
starting to tick off too many
people.While a"FUN"kids
flick packed with new visuals
can't be considered a bad
movie BEFORE its seen by most people yet,it could also leave the older audience
feeling somewhat let down.At
this point now,I DON'T know
what to make of the reviews. -
I don't have much to say on the very few negative reviews, except...
Thanks to the very few who have slammed this film on this site, we now have ridiculous news releases inundating the press. It's amazing what power the web can wield, but now the highly impressionable magazine and newspaper reading public is now going to be entering the film with biases.
No right or wrong here, but for a film (TPM) and filmmaker that has given so many of us something to enjoy, cherish, and (in many cases) worship I'm shocked and disappointed at the stab in the back to Lucas and the film. Lucas has given us many, many things with which to hold on to our childhood innocense, I'm saddened by the total lack of respect and perspective.
As for me... If TPM is nothing but the clips from the trailers played over and over for 2 hours, I can tell you already that I will watch and enjoy this movie no less than 15 times within the first month of release.
Remember that the Star Wars saga is about myth, action, humor, stunning visuals and, if nothing else, the finest cinematic release from reality ever created.
As for everyone else... Use your free will and make up your own minds on the TPM. I guarantee that the negative reactions (if not planted by rival movie studios and merchandising corps) are certainly minority opinions from people who worship the legend and their own over-blown expectations of what Star Wars films *should* be -- and not what they really are.
No movie promises -- or will ever promise -- to pop out of the screen, rub your back and feed you wine from a silver goblet.
So don't expect that. Simply expect the same thing you expected 22 years ago: a visual and mythological spectacular.
Thanks.
Bob
http://www.campchaos.com
bob@campchaos.com -
May 09, 1999 1:39:11 PM CDT
THIS RUMOR HAS BEEN PROVEN FALSE!!!!!!!! GO TO HTTP://STARWARS.C
by quentin2
Yes, they've proved that this bullshit rumor is false!!! And that news has been up all morning! Why hasn't Harry recanted this article???
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Jim Ryalto, please make all statements mature and well thought out. Thanks. As for Camp Chaos, thanks for the guilt trip, but it doesn't work with me. I'm a Star Wars fan, but all the marketing and hype surrounding is just ridiculous. Now, the parody of Star Wars marketing found in the film Spaceballs has become more timeless and accurate than ever before.
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What Moriarty has reported is just. . . inconceivable. We'll have to wait and see how true it is.
But if it is true, then I believe it will mean bad things for Sony. Take Chicago, where literally EVERY dowtown theater was Odeon or Loews, and so now is controlled by Sony. If they do not play EP1, then there will be NO PLACE to see SW in the city, much less at McClurg Court, which has Chi-Town's only THX screen. That kind of power is monopolistic! Just a year ago they were screwing over the projectionist union and locking out the trained professionals responsible for ensuring a quality moviegoing experience. And now this? It is a greedy corporation like Sony that is Evil, my friends, not George. Lucas has always been committed to making quaity products and making Star Wars his vision. People who argue that he does it all of the money and is a greedy merchandising-grubber are simply misinformed! My God, if he was really about the money, how many SW movies could he have made by now? -
One last comment,then I'll
be quiet for awhile.It has to do
with the few reviews and how
they've been written.
Yesterday,the Toronto Star
had an review about the new
movie and it like most of the
reviews being posted on the
net was somewhat cryptic.The
article's writer went on about
how the new film was a thumbs
down,but his review itself was
weirdly worded.He never did
say wether the film was good,
bad,so-so or what he actually
thought about it.One hane it
was this,but on the other hand
it was that.He couldn't seem to
stick to an actual view and
this came across to me that he
wasn't sure WHAT he thought
about the movie.
Before I go,this movie review
reminded me of what reviews
and so-called accurate info on
the net is like. -
Look again, quinten. Under the headline "UMMM....ERRR....OH" on www.starwars.countingdown.com's latest news section, the person who said that the rumor was false took back what he said because he really didn't know for sure. The rumor could still be true or false at this point, so don't anyone start cheering just yet.
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In Olathe, KS, at the AMC Olathe 30, there was an exhibitors screening of TMP on Thursday night. Only theatre big wigs were allowed. They were not impressed. Wood Dickinson, the president and owner of the Kansas City theatre chain Dickinson Theares, called an emergency meeting to CUT DOWN on the bookings of the film as well as the amount of staff to work that weekend. I find their lack of faith disturbing. The meeting was to occur on Friday morning at 10am. No word yet on the end result. But on Thursday night, word around the campfire was not good.
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I just checked the Mann website as of 2:33 PST TPM is still not listed in the Mann Village or Chinese but the chain has it booked in other theatres...
Gus only CERTAIN individual theatres are not geeeting the chains will ( find it hard to believe that the chains would balk but I can see them not giving up certain thatres (The Village and chinese are good examples of this..) My advice is stay tuned and if youre sitting in line in west wood or hollywood you may wish to consider geeting ready to move at a moments notice. THIS FLIM COULD END UP ANYWHERE IN WESTWOOD OR HOLLYWWOD yoes that means it could end up in the GCC AVCO or (uhg11111) THE GALAXY) -
I mean Mann only has theatres in SOCAL and sopny praticly runs NYC theeatres. (maybe an attmpt to get a better terms on the film?
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Eh, I'm not quite too sure about the authenticity of this. One of the best theaters in my area, Washington D.C.'s Uptown, IS getting the movie and they were recently acquired by Sony. The Washington Post reported today that they will be getting the movie and gave show times. I'm not entirely sure how it all works, I guess Sony films is a separate entity from their parent corporation; it seemed odd to me that Sony would back out like that when Sony and Panavision (or something like that) are developing the digital camera technology that will be used in the filming of EP2 and EP3 (presumably). Peace.
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Well I read all that stuff that all of you wrote and I read all the other stuff the other people wrote and I have come to a conclusion...I wish I was first. Then I could have written all the stuff I was planning to write and then I wouldn't have had to read all the other stuff that was a waste of my time. And for those of you reading this you are wasting your time.
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Kobayashi, what you wrote was absolutely correct and Cacky said it like it was.
It's pointless to crab on and on. You'd think a lot of the people who complain had put up the millions it took to make TPM themselves. Believe me, no one in the real world gives a damn about all this crabbing. Yup, that's right, THE REAL WORLD, where there are people who don't live, eat and breath Star Wars. Trust me, a lot of them will see the movie but they'll go on to other things. It's called life.
And one more thing, for all your whining and complaining think about how much of the money that Sw-TPM is going to make and how much of it your going to get. How does ZERO sound?
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I simply loved your comments and feelings on the Phantom Menace. This movie has been something I've wished for for years. To me this movie will be more about the history and the legacy that surrounds this movie. I for one will not be the person in the theater groveling about this and that or what I THINK Lucas should've done. I'll be to busy smiling. That is of course until I remember what's in store for Anakin :(
But that's years away so for now, lets just have fun!!
Doomzday
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Does it really matter if it doesn't play at a particular theatre? Not to me. I'll see it wherever it's playing, and someday I'll end up owning the video, so gives a frosty crank if Mann doesn't carry it?!
Oh, and Harry, why is this web site still the color of baby shit? This brown has got to GO. -
I saw it in New York City Saturday night, and just let me tell you, it was BLINDINGLY AWESOME. I sat four seats from Natalie Portman and two from Pernilla August, and whether you post this message or not, I can sleep well knowing that everyone out there should love this thing. Thanks to computers, Jedi can run faster, jump higher, and basically everyone can do stuff so amazing that if I describe it, I'd be giving away too much. Emjoy, fellow Jedi...
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If you think they're going to pull out, not only are you nuts, but you have no concept of economics.
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Yikes ... I live in Toronto, where the Toronto Star (The New York Times of Canada, so to speak) gave PHANTOM MENACE a shitty review ... basically it said it doesn't come near to living up to the hype, it's 'taxation' plot line is too complicated for adults, never mind kids ... AND QUITE SIMPLY THE MOVIE DOESN'T STAND ALONE AS A GOOD MOVIE. Most of you pathetic motherfuckers keep on forgetting that a movie has to stand on its on two legs, and if LUCAS expects us to cut him slack and excuse Phantom Menace as an 'intro' SHOULD STICK HIS ACTION FIGURES UP HIS TUBBY ASS ... Am I the only person that realizes that the Star Wars movies aren't as good as we remember them????? CHRIST!
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Zeylan,
The quality of the theatre is important. When you came to LA I'll take you to the Mann westwood vilage and You will learn....that digital sound,high quality projection ARE important....on top of a beatiful facilty.
Now If it does not play the Village I will go and see it somewhere else however I think it would be a crime if that did not happen. -
Star Wars/Nothin' but Star Wars/Gimme those Star Wars/Don't let them end -- Bill Murray, a.k.a. Nick Winters, SNL, 1977
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Congratulations Harry! Premiere magazine sez you got the juice!
What's so bad about bad hype?
The negative hype means shorter lines, more viewings by me, and everyone will work harder on the next episode. Maybe fewer toys
next time...... -
Im a Star Wars fan, I, like the rest of the Star Wars fans, will enjoy this movie.
So, I guess it makes people happy to insult those who find joy in events such as this.
So, stop bitching! Go see the movie for yourself! Make up your OWN mind about whether or not you like it...and have fun. Cripes, isnt that what this is supposed to be about? -
You guys are dead on... anybody else want to join the "positive outlook" team?
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On another subject... those of you that have been comlaining about this being a land-based movie and not a "star wars" movie... I cant for the life of me figure you out. You say that Empire Strikes Back was the best, BUT IT HAS THE LEAST SPACE ACTION OF ALL!!! Somebody explain it to me?
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Newsweek has been posting negative crap all year anyway, so I take Newsweek with a grain of salt, since Lucas cut them out of an exclusive interview. I'd wipe my ass with their fucking magazine but it would chafe. I am a Star Wars worshipper of the highest order, and I'm not worried. Fans, why should you let a couple of children let you down? Somebody bitched earlier that Lucas was betraying the "original fans" by making this film more kid-oriented. HELLO, dumbfuck? Unless you're in your forties or above, we ALL were kids then. You need to understand, this is the light film of the trilogy. The second will be more romantic - but I have the distinct feeling that Obi-Wan will find out who the Phantom Menace is firsthand. The third will be very dark. In fact, due to the subject matter I find it hard to believe that it won't be at least PG-13. You can't kill hundreds of Jedi and make it a PG movie, even offscreen. But the first is purposely light in tone, to make Anakin's fal from grace more pronounced. It's almost as if people read the first chapter of a book and say, "Don't like it, the book sucks." Even if I hate the first chapter I'd always finish the book, and then make my decision. Another thing - although we may be too self-absorbed to admit it, both the fanboys and the Lucashaters must understand something - and this makes all the difference on why this film will be the most popular film of all time - we are the FRINGE. All of us. None of us are the mainstream. I work in a video store, and we have a TPM display selling the various books and toys. I work that section of the store. WITHOUT FAIL, everyone who came in said that they couldn't wait. When I asked them if they read the online reviews, almost all (and I work in a busy mall in an affluent part of Houston) said that they had not. Most of them didn't know what Ain't It Cool News was! So don't for one second think that any of our opinions make a difference to the general moviegoing public. Don't fucking deceive yourself. This one will be the biggest of them all, and no thanks to us -- any of us.
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Okay. You think the dialogue is bad? The acting a bit dry, you say? The story just a tad simplistic? THE ACTORS ARE FUCKING WALLPAPER, DID I HEAR??? Okay, okay. Here's some advice: Immediatley when you get home from watching the "over-hyped" TPM, pop "A New Hope" into your VCR, and let's hear your review, CRITIC. Take a peek at a lil' film called "Return of the Jedi", why don't ya? Or better yet, you could do what I did... If you wanna get a really deja-vu feeling running down your spine, check out the original 1977 reviews for "A New Hope". I SWEAR TO GOD, IT'S LIKE A FUCKING RERUN. THE CRITICS RIPPED "ANH" APART!!!!!! The words "bad-acting", "corny dialogue", "cardboard characters", and "relies too heavily on special effects" were some of the things I saw. But guess what??? "A New Hope" IS A CLASSIC!!!!! NOBODY GIVES A SHIT ABOUT WHAT THOSE DUMB ASSHOLES THOUGHT!!!! OF COURSE THERE ARE GONNA BE BAD REVIEWS!!!! I'LL BET YOU A MILLION FUCKING DOLLARS THAT THESE CRITICS HAVEN'T SEEN A STAR WARS MOVIE IN OVER A DECADE!!!! It's very ridiculous... I'm getting so SICK of these negative reviews. They think the characters in TPM were cardboard! WATCH ANH!!!! JEEZ-US. look, this film has the best dialogue of the SW movies TO DATE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS TO ENJOY IT!!!! JUST WATCH THE GODDAMN THING!!! TRUST ME, JUST BY SCRIPT ALONE, I CAN SAY THAT THIS IS THE BEST SW MOVIE!!!!
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I heard from a very reliable source that the reason for the pullouts is because of Lucas's final demand. The demand was that the theaters must show the film in their biggest houses for the first twelve weeks of its' release (i.e. the whole summer). For those of you who may not know, the biggest house is the theater or theaters with the most seats and the largest screen. Is there anyone that can confirm, deny, or add to this?
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You are so unbelievably fucking right.
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Visit my homepage at:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/themovieguy
If I stand alone, fine. But I am determined to do all I can do dampen this overhyped, commercialized morass that is TPM. If you're a true fine of film, you'll join my cause!
May George Lucas go bankrupt and may TPM not be shown in 100 theaters nationwide!! -
First off, Bart, you didn't try to DENY the fact that Lucas would release Star Wars in Pan & Scan. 2nd, a good movie on tape is better than a bad movie in Dolby Digital X ANYDAY!
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I received a couple of E-Mails from some folks that agreed with me and I wanted to thank them but also add two more cents to this whole "Chewbacca Ate My Balls" scenario we see happening before us. Let's think for a moment about the re-released trilogy films a couple of years ago. Remember the rush you got seeing the opening scrawl of Episode IV? My 11 year old nephew got that same rush as he knew he was seeing something great about to be unfurled in front of his eyes. As the movie progressed I realized for me.... some of that magic was lost because being an American I was use to the flashy costumes, the cursin' and swearin', the over budget special effects and all the other details that make movie-viewing so good in the 90's. But I didn't tell my nephew that. He was seeing what I saw at his age and was in a land all his own. Having his own fantasies about being a Jedi. My 90's eyes were trying hard to pick up on what my young 70's eyes had seen and although some of the magic was still there the movie did not have the same appeal. But for my nephew his 90's eyes were seeing the magic that had been clouded to me. This is what Star Wars is all about. Not how much money companies make off selling the toys and if Star Wars is gonna beat the hell out of Titanic domestically in the first week it's open. It's about boys and girls seeing a totally different universe from our own. And if they can spend two hours in suspended animation away from the dangers of School Gun Shootings and Terrorists Attacks and Presidential Scandals and all the other bullshit our society can throw at them then maybe a piece of their innocence will be given back to them or perhaps even spared. I'm not saying that George Lucas is the Ghandi of our time or that Episode one is our children's Savior.... I'm saying that it's important to let our children see the magic that is Star Wars and let them decide if it's a crappy movie or not. Who the hell told us Star Wars was a piece of shit? No one. Fans all over the world have built up this expectation that it's going to be just as good as when they were kids. Well... if you see the movie with a kids eyes and heart then maybe it will be. But looking at this film, no matter how good the special effects, if the Star Wars story is retained and it stays true to it's heritage then who are we to begrudge a WHOLE NEW GENERATION of Star Wars fans from becoming hooked on this universe? Shame on those that do. Why can't we just go back to the good ol days of bitching about the weather because down here in The South it's hot as Hades and I'm ready for a cold glass of sweet tea and a Front Row Seat to the Phantom Menace!!!
CACKY -
I think Star Wars needs a huge TV advertising blitz in the last few weeks before it opens, alot like what Universal did with the Mummy. Even though it seems like its been overhyped, most non-star wars fans don't know that much about it except little bits and pieces they pick up from the news and such. Most of what nonfans pick up about Star Wars is all second hand, and that could generate a wrong impression on them. Alot of people don't even know when it opens. Come to think of it, there haven't been any TV ads for Star Wars have there? And of the last five movies i've seen, the Star Wars trailer was only on Wing Commander, which about 5 people in the entire country saw.
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You guys are right... I'm starting to get the notion that there are alot of us out here that are actual going to see this movie to ENJOY it. Talk up people, don't let the negative, uneducated sloths take control of Talkback...
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Last but not least, where is the point of all this? I could give a fuck if I'm in the Fringe of the God-damned Middle of the Fucking Road. I'm not in your club, your not in mine. I'm as biased as a weak-kneed weasle, I'll see da' Phantom Menace even if it's true, like my Mother used to say, that the Star Wars is Satan's Work. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Get the meds you so desperately avoid:-) Sometimes, I wish Lucas would have just popped this sucka' out as a complete surprise, like it was in Skywalker Ranchs' basement; forgotten, like all our childhood toys. Lastly, Lucas dump all these fancy designers and bring the Junkyard asthetic of Fred Sanford. Okay, I know, he's dead, too.:-(
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I know this adds nothing that hasn't already been said, but I've got to say it to get it off my chest. Could it be that these reviews (who might think their position in life means a wee bit more than it really does) forgot how to have fun? They're looking for some life altering, all purposeful movie - and if it doesn't meet it then what use is it to them? Maybe their expectations for the movie was something akin to the next coming, but when they didn't get carried off to the promised land when the movie was over - there was nothing left but letdown. Lucas should not have give a sneak peak to a bunch of pompus asses like that. He should have let true SW fans in and gotten their reaction. If TPM strikes that same nerve in us, then what does he have to worry with? Right now he's just got "I'm-mightier-than-you" reviewers running around screaming how bad it is. Does a SW movie really need the kind of analysis and probing that Rollingstones and Newsweek gave it? Sure things have been written about the first three movies 10-20 years after the fact, but I don't remember people writing books on them the week it came out. All people were writing about were unending lines, thrilled children, and all-in-all happy people. These reviewers need to rethink what this movie is about and who it's for - and not try to make this into the next Schindler's List.
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Sony and Mann are not pulling out of STAR WARS.... that's the biggest horse shit story i've heard yet!!!
The cineplex odeon in CENTURY CITY is THE theater in LA where the movie is being projected digitally!! i
heard that from the DP who shot EMPIRE OF THE SUN and a small little movie called, E.T. -- Allen Daviau,
ASC.
I was at an ASC conference yesterday (with the likes of RUSSELL CARPENTER, ASC -- JOHN
SWARTZMAN, ASC -- RON UNDERWOOD, director -- STEVEN POSTER, ASC -- ROB LEGATO (he did
the effects for APOLLO 13 and TITANIC) and they talked frequently about the PHANTOM MENACE...
Also, APOCALYPSE NOW is being re-color timed -- in preparation for re-release.
also.... why would MANN'S CHINESE THEATER pull out when its selling tons of EPISODE I
merchandise???
DUH...
xtopher
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In all this action-packed-action, where the hell are Lane Myer and L' Auteur at? Come on lynnbracken, sing along here! Ah, you're too busy with Bud White!
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THE PHANTOM MENACE is playing tomorrow night at MANN'S VILLAGE... so... it can't be true about the theaters pulling...
FURTHER DUH...
xtopher -
oops gotta love that enter button....oh well I work at an AMC in Columbus, Ohio. Someone asked earlier about the screen restrictions. Well last I heard the first week we will recieve five prints. ONE OF THESE MUST REMAIN ON OUR BIGGEST SCREEN FOR 12 WEEKS!!! Another must remain stationary for 12 weeks so we put that one in a small theatre. The others are free to move around but we are not permitted to show them on moree than one screen at a time (in theory a single print can be shown on up to five at our theatre) After the first week we lose two prints and are left with the two stationary ones and one more that we can move around.
As for the one person who said that it will merely force people to do thier job, FUCK YOU my friend I have posted many a time the hell our employees are put through over some movies. We do our best, and people that take no heed of what we do for them are the ones that make a film expierence bad for others.
I applaud Sony for backing out if they do, which in reality I can't see, Last year AMC nearly backed out of GODZILLA but caved in at the last minute. Yes this is george lucas' movie but lest you forget that these restrictions not only cost theatres money and make it HIGHLY less profitable to carry the film, They also make it HARDER FOR YOU TO SEE IT. George Lucas is flexing his muscles in arena where he should not. Do you think ticket prices are high because theatres are greeedy NO! ticket prices are high because theatres still need to make some money and the studios take so much of it as it is now Lucas wants to take more! He can make all the statements he wants kiddies these rules are not to "make your expierence better" Its to reinforce his ever-expanding God complex, to get his name in the headlines, and to better line his already padded pockets. Here, Here to the movie guy I think you go a little far but your general point is correct and should not be denied by even the hardest SW fan.
....mmm this post will probably get some bad responses, but based on the past talkbacks If you want me to see them please email me eowens@columbus.rr.com -
all this looking for evidence on websites is fornaught it proves nothing positive or negative. Moriaty was merely posting a decision that he heard had been made today (which mind you another source and Countingdown heard too) If it was just made and not even announced today the local theatres are not going to know about it and sure as hell the website is not going to be updated tonight, wait until tuesday or wedneday then we will know for sure.
Notice no SONY employeess have posted denying this and dont for one second tell me that Sony doesn't have PR people reading AICN they do! I guarntee it.
A rumor is a rumor it can't be confirmed or DENIED until something official is released -
Which exact restriction are
people complaing about?
Is it the one where we don't sit
and watch 20 minutes of trailers for Wild Wild West?
Or is it restrictions on ads for Dr. Jacobs laser surgury, bring in your ticket stub for a free nose job?.
Maybe it's the one saying that PM should not play in the 38th theater at the complex which is no bigger than my living room, with worse sound?
The one restriction that people could have a valid reason to complain has been changed, the advance ticket thing.
I can't fathom why people are posting here that Sony should stand up to Lucas? Who cares about Sony and their friggin $4.00 coke's and $5.00 hot dogs, and their $9.50 admissions? Why should we care about them? Anyways, for every dollar they lose by Lucas taking more profit, they'll gain $2.00 by having packed houses for weeks buying their popcorn that costs them 5 cents.
smak -
Having reread these posts I've come to realise no movie could possibly be as entertaining as all the rants, complaints, and so on and so on.
Also, in case anyone has misjudged my past postings, I want this movie to succeed. Hell, it helpd pay my rent for a couple of months. But it's not the reason I want this movie to make it. I'm thinking about how Lucas is reinventing the way movies are being made, (again). TPM is just part of a bigger, more important picture that hopefully will have ramifications in the cinematic process. To quote Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love: "It's a brand new world." For all of Lucas's money and power, he has more in common with the garage fillmaker who just wants to find another way of doing things. Applaud the man for this and quit the griping. That's what matters.
Whew. -
May 09, 1999 10:05:23 PM CDT
******URGENT: MAJOR BREAKING NEWS CONCERNING TPM DISTRIBUTION**
by the movie guy
I have broken a major story concerning TPM distribution on my site:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/themovieguy You won't want to miss this. It will answer a big question. -
IT'S A FUCKING MOVIE FOR FUCK'S SAKE!!! Geez, people...come the fuck on!!! All of you freaks standing outside of those theatres...do you have no life at all??? Do you not have jobs, go to school, or at least do anything productive with your pathetic, loser lives? Obviously not...I'm an actress, a mega sci-fi fan, not to mention the world's biggest Ewan Mcgregor fan...but, my god! I'm not going to put my life on hold for the sake of some movie! I bet you're also those people who have a huge collection of beastiality porn and sit at home masturbating 24 hours A DAY, while fantasizing about fucking a Wookie...aren't ya? Come on...get a grip...get a fucking life...
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Luckily for me the possibility of sony and Mann pulling out doesn't affect me. I just have to laugh at the australian dude who started waiting at the chinese last month. HA HA HA!! Call me sadistic but I think it's funny! I love Star Wars as much as the next guy but, to wait for 45 days! Damn! that takes dedication (or a lack of purpose in life)! Anyway I found some guys camping in line so I just asked one of them to buy me tickets too! For a small fee of course. He deserves something for his time!
Oh by the way to reiterate all of the HUMAN folks comments! It's a movie, enjoy it for 2hrs, tell your friends about it and quit bitching! -
well, i'm shaking in my boots now, especially after your last "crusade," so to speak -- admit it, you're "defender," the same jerkoff who tried to get "crusade" cancelled with a little angelfire free webpage, right?
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Quit plugging your damn website movieguy. That last post looks like a blatant attempt at hits or to try to get us all to bend to your movie purity theory by tricking us into reading your brainwash.
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May 09, 1999 11:13:59 PM CDT
its that whole "corporate whore, corporate fuck" syndrome..
by rufsaysoli
i am a manager at a movie theater and this is my take on this whole lucas demand mess: there is admittedly a lot of rules to adhere to inorder to show it, but at the same time, if the theater chains have THAT big a problem with it they don't have to show it. but you all know they will and for one very simple reason: they are all a bunch of corporate whores. they do anything for money...
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Hey, all...
"Moriarty" here.
Don't know if anyone's still listening, but there's been definite activity on this story. As of right now, Sunday night, Sony is playing the film in many locations. I have no idea what my source was talking about. Also, to clarify, the Ziegfield in New York was a Sony theater until recently, but isn't now. As far as Mann's theaters go, it's really just down to the Village and the Chinese. They're still haggling over the duration of the guaranteed run. Twelve weeks is a long, long time during the summer if you're stuck with a flop (not that I think TPM will be, mind you), and the Chinese only has one screen. It's more likely the film will play at the Village, where Mann's also has the National, the Bruin, and several other screens within a few blocks. If I had to bet tonight on whether the Chinese will get the movie, I'd bet that Lincoln's been lined up outside the wrong theater for the last month. I hope I'm wrong, but we'll see tomorrow morning when Mann's makes its final announcements.
"Moriarty" out. -
As a matter of fact many, if not most, of the people in line at the Chinese theater have lives, and go to work or school during the day. Others that dont live in LA or are taking some time off from school/work also do stuff besides just sit all day. And besides, it's raising money for charity, so what's the big deal? I'm sure they are far more active than people who stay home 24/7 on the net bashing people, or watching TV while downing beers.
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Ok I'm going to post on the various issues mentioned here :
1) 9 out of 10 movie critics haven't enjoyed a movie in the last 20 years of their lives. They talk about how a movie has symbolism and so on, but fail to ever get into whether it is enjoyable to watch. Yeah Thin Red Line was a great movie from an artistic point of view, but what Saving Private Ryan had over it was it didn't put you to sleep in the process of relaying its message :) . I tend to ignore critics. This is one of the few sites I come by to listen to movie reviews and such.
2) Both Lucas and Sony are wrong here. Lucas is trying to do us all a favor and get theatre conditions improved. Well I can't agree with his tactics, but it is a worthy cause. I walk into one of the local theatres (happens to be Sony owned) and my feat become stuck to the floor. They have 2 video games from the 1960s in the lobby with a conession stand right next to there staffed by two teenagers who have as much chance of advancing beyond a position like concession stand worker as Mighty Morphing Power Rangers has becomming a serious drama. The conditions in many theatres are appaling. If you want to talk about greed how about $4 popcorn and $2.50 drinks! Sony is probably scared they might actually have to fix up a few theatres. Well I can agree with them to a point in that Lucas is going about this the wrong way, but unfortunatly nobody ever listens when you go about it the diplomatic way. If Sony theatres don't show the film I say they're probably just using it as a business tactic. They probably think Lucas will crumble and give them the proper deal. Well however it turns out, I wish all sides would think about the fans in the whole situation and I wish they'd improve these damned theatres with less then a threat required.
3) The film SHOULD appeal to the children. Hey wake up people that was the whole fricken point of the movies originally. In a world lacking with fairy tales George tried to create some new ones and PRIMARILY above all else it was targetted towards appealing to children. Ok why was he mad over ESB? Ok I'll tell you why because it kind of went against that idea. ESB may have been the one the critics would hope to portray as the greatest one by a mile, but it didn't appeal to a younger audience as much as the other 2 movies. Don't get me wrong I love ESB as much as the othre 2 flics. The point with TPM is to bring the kids to the theatres like the original movie did. Hey is it so wrong for 2 hours and 15 minutes of your life to put aside your worries and stress and watch something with the innocence and wonder of an 8 year old? Most people would rather have sex with a rabid monkey then admit ever doing something like that.
We're really being selfish here. "Screw the children the movie isn't for me!" Ok outside Disney flics and the occasional 9/10 times horrendously bad cartoon from some other company, how many movies appeal to children? Now everyone is jumping on this like "HOW DARE YOU APPEAL TO THE CHILDREN!" When was the last time you sat back and simply enjoyed an innocent movie that didn't have the F word spoken every 3 seconds or have enough blood to fill up the Arctic Ocean? Enjoy the film. Just sit back and enjoyt he film with all the innocence with which you originally watched A New Hope.
4) Moriarty whether or not the rumor is true all the power to you for reporting this. Sometimes people get info like this when companies are on borderline decisions and feedback like we have here could help sway decisions.
5) Sony should rot in hell for creating Godzilla :)
Hey I'm as big a Star Wars fan as they come and I just want to go into that theatre with a nice bucket of overpriced stale popcorn and enjoy a good flic. Anything wrong with that? -
Good Lord people I have seen nothing but mob mentality gone wild for the last few days over these silly reviews. It's not like every one who has seen the flick said it sucked. The worst review I saw was from some putz at Newsweek who said it was a big disappointment. Big-friggin-deal. Since when has a self-involved, ego the size of Cleveland critic's review been that important. These dickweeds are appeasing the sheep who need to be told what to see so that they don't flog themselves for spending $7.50 on a movie they didn't like. Remember also that each of these magazines critics are appealing to a certain demographic so it shouldn't come as a shock that the Time and Newsweek reviews weren't so hot. On the same hand it was no surprise that the Rolling Stone and Wired reviews were very good. I don't know why some people think the Rolling Stone review was negative, everybody has to get some shots in.
It's no big deal. What's everyone so afraid of anyway. That it won't make money. Who gives a rat's ass how much money it makes, except of course George. The only thing that matters is do YOU like it. I have a feeling it will be one of the most fun experiences in the last decade for me. I can't wait. I don't care what anybody else thinks because they aren't me. This whole thing is just ridiculous, if it sucks, it sucks. The world won't end if it does. If people are expecting an experience on par with the second coming then you need to do a major evaluation of your life.
It ain't no big thing folks. It'll come and go in no time and we'll all move on to other things in our lives and if you don't then seek help immediately. -
Well I thought I would make a meager atempt at applying some reason to all this posting. Not that anyones point is invalid but I think a lot of people are making mountains out of molehills.
I have seen quite a few posts about how this reveiwer or that reveiwer was negative on TPM and also that they were ambiguous at the same time. As far as the ambiguity goes well who in there right mind wants to completely pan the movie event of all time. The reason for being negative about the film is, they don't get it. Let me say that again, they don't get it. As a matter of fact I don't expect a lot of critics or execs to get this movie and maybe even some fans. The reason, they all grew up and now earn their living analyzing movies that are supposed to be fun. This is the same reason that some die-hard fans don't like it. They grew up and they expected that the new trilogy would be as grown up as they were. Sorry folks that ain't happening and it's not because of toys but I'll get to that in a minute. The movies were always geared towards kids and kids-at-heart, but I don't think that point needs reiterated yet again. The point is don't worry about what some stuffed shirt exec thinks of the movie because where the crowds are they will follow, and the crowds will be there. I applaud whoever posted about the general population not paying much attention right now(sorry I don't remember off hand who it was)becasue they are absolutely right. The bad press the movie is receiving now, in my opinion, will have little to do with the success of the film. To prove my point I offer you any movie starring Will Smith. Not that these films receive bad press but they are not great movies in my opinion yet people still flock to see them. Why? Because they are fun movies and that is exactly what SW is no matter how much you analyze and theorize about it. So the point to all this, stop worrying. Now as far as toys and merchandising goes you people really need to stop laying this on George Lucas as though he has commited a crime. He is only making money and I wish I was as lucky as he was to be making scads of cash doing what I love. And if people didn't buy the stuff no one would sell it. Do you really think GL went to companies and said "I need a Jar Jar pillow and Blanket to go with my EP1 bedsheets". Not hardly. They came to him. Why? Because his movies make money. Now you would be correct in saying that Lucas began this whole mad merchandising craze that plagues us every summer when the latest big release hits but that is not to say that he is to blame for the ugly monster it has become. If you think mass merchandising cheapens the film experiance by all means don't buy the stuff and don't go to see the movie but don't be pretentious enough to claim to be crusading against the evil Mr. Lucas. The ones you should be pissed at are the companies who make this garbage and then want us to buy it. And that goes double for the studios and their big summer releases which have stunk so bad in the past few years. Why don't you protest them, the real evil empires? If you really want to stop this you will need to make a concerted effort against ~all~ major movie studios since they all pimp their shiny new movies for toy sales, not just against one man. And as far as hype goes, well everything I heard out of GL was about wanting to keep this thing in perspective. It was the media and film industry who saw fit to raise all this hoopla. Granted I am not trying to say George hasn't instigated some of this hype himself but the vast majority of the blame rests with the entertainment industry in general.
Anyway nuff said...We know return to our regularly scheduled Episode One madness. -
There's a lot of truth being said on these boards. I tend to find most movie fans really don't like reviewers (and as a movie fan I gotta think part of that is because reviewers get paid to do something fans would love to do).
Personally, I figure I'll be disappointed by TPM. I hope I'm not, so I've been trying to keep my expectations to a minimum. But after 16 years, it would be tough to not be disappointed.
As for the reviewers, I saw some of this coming. Many news stories referred to Episode I as "the movie where we find out how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader." Fans have known since Day One that EP. I would deal with a much earlier time in Anakin's life. Anyone thinking that's where TPM was going was definitely coming out disappointed.
And I agree that a kid-oriented movie is perfectly fine and those of us in our 20s and 30s who would be upset about it will just have to come to terms that we aren't kids anymore. Hopefully, the movie will just remind us of what it was like to be one. -
When I was 6, I was watching television one day,and there was a commercial. I dont remember the whole commercial, but I certainly remember these small ships, shaped like H's attacking a larger odd circular ship with 4 barrel lasers firing back. Near the end of the commercial, I think it said something about Star Wars 'coming to a theater near you.' It didn't mention any chain of theaters, really, but just that it was coming. Thats all I needed to know. The movie did what it said it would do. Take me to a world far far away. And now, I have a chance to revisit that galaxy and I am trying to do it in a manner as fresh as when I saw Star Wars, the first time. Ya, back then it was Star Wars...even though the scrolling 'lead in' did say "A New Hope"...it was just plain ole Star Wars. When I was 6, I didn't care who else was going to go see it. All I knew was that no matter what my folks said...I was draggin them to see it. Yup..thats right. Not them taking me to see Disney...it was me taking them to see Star Wars. But, as I said, I didn't care if anyone else was there. And frankly, I dont care if anyone is there on May 19th, other than myself. So listen to the reviews and dont go see it, if thats what you want. Because that just means more seating room for me and my friends. I cant wait! And yes, I'm dragging my folks to see it with me again. Have fun!
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WELL IT'S OBVIOUS HARRY DIDN'T HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY TO RUN TODAY SO HE CAME UP WITH THIS BULLSHIT. NAME A SOURCE, GIVE US SOME PROOF AND SOME CREDIT FOR BEING INTELLIGENT HUMAN BEINGS OR SHUT THE FUCK UP HARRY.
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Ugh...all this talk of special FX has made me truly dread the opening of Episode One even more. There have been only two movies with impressive uses of computer animation: Jurassic Park and Starship Troopers. All the other films that attempt to do the impossible using computers fail miserably. Air Force One, one of the better action movies in recent years, still has me cringing over the final airplane explosion toward the end of the film. What a terrible computer animation! The entire movie of Spawn was one huge bad special effect. Don't even get me started on Star Wars: A New Hope Special Edition. The Jabba the Hutt scene was interesting, but Jabba himself was possibly the single worst special effect I've ever seen in the 90's. Filmmakers need to realize that computers should be used sparringly. They should only be used when there is no other possible way to make a special effect work. Most movies made these days seem like expensive versions of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and lose all credibility of being real in my opinion. Why should they be real? They are too cartoonish to be real. I mean, my God...now stabbings and gunshots have become computer generated in movies! How pathetic can you get? Men like Rick Baker, Tom Savini, Stan Winston, and Rob Bottin have been doing the most impressive special effects I've ever seen for years and they don't rely on heavy, cartoonish computer effects. They make props and masks and set pieces and models and the like the filmmakers of long ago used to do. All you're doing when you make a movie using computer animation is making one giant cartoon. Period. I am even disgusted at Disney for using computer effects in their hand-drawn animation films. Why don't they try to be impressive and show how far they can take classic hand-drawn animations instead of going the computer animation route? Ugh...I guess there is nothing that can be ultimately done to prevent Hollywood from becoming one giant parallel of "Toontown". From what I have seen, Episode One is extremely heavy on the computer effects. I am a huge Star Wars fan, but I hope they don't ruin Episode One with all the computer effects like they did with the Special Editions.
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Yule Brenner (I think he's dead...kinda like this thread) that's who needs to play The Mummy... not Vosloo...Brener was cool in Westworld and I believe he played a pharoh in a movie a long time ago as well......err..... sorry.... wrong discussion ;)
CACKY -
TPM sucks. TPM is brilliant. SW is for kids. RotJ is crap. ANH is a classic. The new one is too light. Lucas is God. Lucas is a bastard.
AAARGGHHH!!!
I can't take anymore! If you like(d) Star Wars then and still do, you will like the next one. You've all set your minds to it. If you think TPM will suck big time, you must have not really liked the previous ones. I'm not a obsessive fan, just a movi-lover (a real one you DOZO!!!)
and I enjoy the realistic and intelligent comments of those who say they only can make up their minds when they finally see it.
And sure; if you are a fan you wan't it to be great. If you are not and you are that type of person that just loves to be against anything big, mainstream, overhyped etc., you want it to be brown and smelling.
Simple.
Just find out in a few days time.
Jezus, what a load of crap from all of you. -
Shit! If Sony leaves, then the only quality theater in my area is United Artists, and I've heard nothing about them in all this! Granted, I have no idea if they're owned by a larger company that has been mentioned, but this is the stinking shit! The only other theater in my area is Hoyts, and they suck rocks! They don't have stadium seating like UA nor reclining chairs like UA and Sony both. This is awful, Lucas, Sony, knock off your fucking powerplay, you all have all the money you could ever want! Give us a break! WE JUST WANT TO SEE THE MOVIE IN A RELAXING THEATER, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
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F*$k this and f*$k that! Real interesting reading there big fella. Go ahead, try to strike us down with all of your hate. We will only become stronger than you can possibly imagine!
It really bothers me when people can't understand that you can appreciate stuff like Star Wars and 2001 within the confines of the same brain. All it requires is a little bit of effort to not be a narrow-minded bore. See, its working for me!
Star Wars had cool effects, but saying that's the only reason people like it doesn't explain why Matrix was so bad. It had a ton of FX, too. The thing about SW is that the characters mean something to us as people. They echo what we would all like to be, on a grand scale. The same principle works with the world of Star Wars as a whole. It may be kind of a playground, but it has emotional depth and texture that really touch people. Just because it's a simple Good/Evil kinda place don't mean it's not the work of genius. Lucas deserves mention among the highest of directors, and Star Wars will be part of our collective brain for a long, long time. Even if TPM isn't as good as Empire.
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