I’m in Hollywood Chapter 789: Cliff-style word of mouth
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Peter · Luo Jill is an English teacher in Santa Monica Middle School, but he has another important identity, freedom film critic. Peter has been obsessed with movies since he was a child. When he was studying at California University, he tried to submit some review articles to several newspaper. Fortunately, he was accepted for publication. After graduating, when he found out that this extra work could allow him to support a Santa Monica high-end community When I set up a good house, I persevered. After more than 10 years, I have become famous in the circle and I have published several collections of film reviews.
Sunday is Easter. Peter was planning to stay with his wife and children at home, but he was temporarily invited to the film review of "Hollywood Reporter" about "First Level Fear". "First Level Fear" is an R-level crime thriller, not Suitable for family watching together, Peter will drive to Santa Monica urban area alone after dinner.
Stop the car and walk into the multi-cinema cinema where the movie is often watched. The time is close to nine o'clock, which happens to be the moment when the next screening is about to begin. Join the crowd who queue up to buy tickets. Peter thinks about the recent "Seven" Discuss with the media of "First Level Fear".
Peter received an invitation to preview the new line, and had already watched "Seven" two weeks ago. Although he did not like the desperate theme of this film, he also had to admit that David · Fincher The interlocking narrative technique makes people absolutely stunning. In the film review submitted to "Hollywood Reporter", Peter gave "Seven" 8 points.
As for "First Class Fear", this movie seems to have only increased its publicity in recent weeks, and even aggressively wanted to compete with "Seven".
I have been in this circle for a long time, and of course Peter knows that it ’s so greasy. Although many newspapers have appeared in the first-level fears overwhelming the "Seven" movie reviews, these are basically second- and third-rates with low credibility newspaper, most mainstream newspaper did not stand so lightly. However, since Paramount dared to play the slogan "Fear 1" beyond "Seven", this film is not going to be worse, Peter still has some expectations.
Slowly moving forward along the ticket-buying team, a slight commotion suddenly appeared in front of the ticket window. Peter looked over. It turned out that the two young men and women had a disagreement on which movie to watch. At the urging of the ticket seller, The four people were divided into two groups and chose "Seven" and "First-level Fear" respectively.
Peter did n’t care too much about this episode, but I was a little envious of the energetic energy of several young men and women. The temperature in April night of Los Angeles was still a little cold, but these young people were wearing thin clothes and exposed skin. With a faint sunburn, Peter judged that several people should surf on the Santa Monica beach during the day, because he liked the sport very much in college, but he looked down at his beer belly, perhaps, he ca n’t even climb the surfboard now. Okay.
I did n’t struggle with my lost youth. Peter got a movie ticket, bought another popcorn, and walked towards the screening hall.
Find a place to sit down, and habitually looked around. The attendance rate was about 40%. Peter also unexpectedly found that the pair of men and women who had just disputed with their companions just sat in a space separated from themselves. One of the girls noticed that Peter looked over and nodded politely.
Peter also slightly nodded and looked back, but heard the girl say to her boyfriend: "Zac, it ’s just a movie, we do n’t need to separate them from Vincent."
The youth named Zac said: "Michelle, I said it during the day, I am not interested in religious movies, and newspaper seems to say that this film is better than the" Seven "that was promoted by publicity. More. "
Michelle seems to whip, said: "How do you know this movie is not promoted by advertising?"
"But its word of mouth should be stronger than" Seven ", it seems that there is also a very outstanding Actor," Zac said, holding his girlfriend again, lowering his voice a little and making a laugh: "Not with them Not bad, at least no one will disturb us ... umm ... "
Michelle pushed Zac away and scolded: "Go away, hate it."
After listening to these conversations, Peter felt a little uncomfortable, and was thinking about whether to change positions. The light in the auditorium dimmed, and the men and women were also quiet. Peter dispelled this idea.
After a few pieces of placement ads, the opening title of Paramount Pictures appeared.
The film begins with a discussion about whether lawyers should adhere to legal principles or pursue justice. Richard · Gere plays lawyer Martin · Ville insists that lawyers should strive for their clients to win in court as much as possible, regardless of whether the other party is really guilty .
If this is a film below the PG-13 level, according to Zhengzhi ’s correct thinking, this dialogue is likely to suggest that the film is about the story of Martin · Ville ’s transformation from a profitable indifferent lawyer to a guardian of justice.
Of course, since this is an R-rated crime thriller, the theme is hard to predict.
The story took place in Chicago. A bishop was brutally killed. A suspect named Alan · Stan Puler was quickly captured.
Because of some emotional disputes with prosecutor ’s lawyer Jenny Te Venable, Martin · Ville decided to act as the defender of Alan. During the communication with Alan, Martin · Ville gradually discovered that the other party may be a person with multiple personality disorders The mental patient then applied to the court for a mental assessment of Alan.
The plot progressed here. Peter sitting in the projection hall looked at his watch and found that 45 minutes had passed, and in these 45 minutes, except for Alan, which may be an important plot turning point for mental patients, the film did not Not much useful information is given, even, in the eyes of Peter, many details are superfluous, Director seems to be foreshadowing, but what is specific, it is confusing, but, undoubtedly, these lengthy Foreshadowing will only gradually make viewers lose interest in watching movies
Because she was disappointed with the movie, Peter unconsciously began to be distracted. The couple nearby was always quiet, making him a little surprised. So he looked over and found that the girl named Michelle was asleep on the boy ’s shoulder.
Peter smiled. For most people, the slow rhythm of the film really makes people sleepy.
The plot of the movie continues. Although there are many signs on Alan that prove the possibility of his mental illness, doctor Molly has not found conclusive evidence, but Martin. He accidentally discovered a box of bishops forcing Alan and His girlfriend made a love videotape in front of him. This videotape immediately became the key evidence of Alan's motive for killing the bishop. Martin angrily asked Alan why he had concealed it from himself, which accidentally inspired another person in the body of Alan.
Peter, who had lost interest in this movie, looked at the Alan on the screen and even stuttered suddenly became a violent and fierce villain, he finally got up and there was a commotion in the cinema, some people Give a slight admiration.
Unfortunately, the process of Alan 'Multiple Personality Disorder' has not been brought down by shoots. In order to prove his judgment, Martin used some means to stimulate the other side of Alan face to face at the trial site, which finally led the court to judge For the illness of Alan, the charges against Alan were cancelled and sent to the mental hospital.
When this matter seemed to be coming to an end, the plot of the movie turned again. The last time Martin and Alan met, they accidentally noticed the flaws in the Alan discourse and found that Alan did not have multiple personality schizophrenia. All of this, It's just the result of the subtle disguise of Alan.
In the end, Martin expression walked out of the prison in confusion, and the frozen freeze screen on the square seemed to be a great mockery of Martin ’s own argument at the beginning of the film.
Subtitles are raised, the audience in the auditorium starts to get up and starts to leave, Peter can faintly hear some people's comments.
"Too boring, I wasted more than two hours for such a movie."
"I went to watch" Seven "before I knew it, at least there is Diane · Kruger in the movie to keep an eye on."
"Do n’t newspaper say that this movie is better than" Seven ", if both movies are of this level, I would rather stay at home and watch TV this Easter."
"The guy named Edward · Norton performed really well, but it was not as good as the media touted."
"I almost fell asleep."
"..."
Peter waited for a while, stood up, the couple on the left also got up and walked out, and could also see the girl's sleepy movement leaning against her boyfriend's eyes rubbing her eyes.
After walking out of the screening hall and leaving the cinema, Peter accidentally discovered that the four people they met were walking in front of them, as if they were going to a parking lot not far away.
"This movie is so exciting, Kevin · Spicy actually used himself to complete the last two original sin punishments, and Diane · Kruger is so **** beautiful, he was recently killed, but unfortunately there is no close-up of the head ... "
A tall, thin young man happily recounted the feeling of watching "Seven", the girl holding his arm smiled and interrupted: "Hey, Vincent, the tone of your words is really too much. Now. "
"Okay, baby," Vincent changed the subject and asked the companion beside him: "How about" First Fear "?"
Zac did n’t answer, but his girlfriend Michelle did n’t hide it, and smiled: “It ’s boring, anyway, I ’m asleep, Zac, what do you think?”
Zack hesitated and said, "At least, the guy named Edward · Norton is very good at acting."
"Hehe," Michelle consciously took Zac ’s words as hard-mouthed and said to his companions: "Or, let ’s watch Seven again tomorrow."
Vincent waved his arms and said: "Of course, you should really go and see, what" First Fear ", let it go to hell."
The time is already over eleven o'clock, Peter has no intention of eavesdropping on the conversation of several young people, and soon gets into his car.
Driving on a slightly empty street late at night, Peter began to consider movie reviews about "First Class Fear".
He feels that he can only score 6.5 points for this film at most, of which 0.5 points are still the performance bonus of Edward · Norton. However, although the performance of Edward · Norton is amazing, it is not enough to make up for the overall mediocrity of this movie.
Director deliberately added a lot of details in the early stage of the film without any necessary details in order to pursue an unexpected ending of O. Henry style.
Although many comments in the media these days are relishing the reversal of the film's ending, in Peter's view, this deliberate flipping is the biggest failure of the film.
If the film abandons this flip from the beginning, then Director can tell a more compact thriller suspense film based on the Alan multiple personality disorder, instead of using a lot of space to pave the way for the final reversal ending.
Under these redundant foreshadowings, it was not until the film started more than seventy minutes that the film appeared a conflict that could make people feel energetic. However, seventy minutes is enough for 90% of people to treat the film. Loss of patience, as the girl named Michelle just fell asleep in the theater.
Conceived the film review article, Peter also felt that the media ’s manipulation of "First Grade Fear" seemed too obvious during this period. Even, Peter had a hunch that Paramount might lift a stone this time and smash his own foot.
During the Easter period, the entire Hollywood movie market has attracted people's attention, and only "Seven" and "First Class Fear" have been affected by the media in the recent period. Both movies are very hot.
However, after the large-scale release of the film, many talents found that "First Fear" is far less excellent than the media criticism, at least, it is far from being comparable to the "Seven" which is closely intertwined with the plot.
The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
The Internet has not yet been popularized on a large scale, and it is difficult for ordinary people to express their opinions. However, after the large-scale release of the movie, media comments are no longer easy to manipulate.
"A long and unsuccessful plot. Although the performance of Edward · Norton is splendid, it can not reverse the mediocrity of the film as a whole. Compared to the compact plot setting of" Seven ", I can't see it. What's so great about this movie. "
"Director is addicted to creating an unexpected end of O. Henry's style, but ignores whether the audience has enough patience to wait for two hours, just for one and will not bring them many surprise endings."
"It is difficult to imagine some people comparing this mediocre work with" Seven "," Seven "is undoubtedly the best horror suspense film in recent years since 《The Silence of the Lambs》, and" First Fear "except Edward · Norton's remarkable performances did not bring any surprise to the audience. "
"..."
At the same time that media comments broke out, Firefly also stopped all the small actions on the operation of the first-level fear of word-of-mouth, and lost a lot of support from positive film criticism. "First-level fear" originally began to suppress the word-of-mouth of "Seven" quickly. There was a cliff-like slip. Even some media that were originally optimistic about the performance of Edward · Norton, because of the hype of the first-level fear before the film's release, also produced a rebound emotion, and the comments on the film became more harsh.
The two films were released simultaneously on April 5th. On the first three days of the first week, "Seven" easily won the Box Office championship for the week with 13.9 million USD Box Office. Although the reputation of "First Class Fear" quickly fell, but with the same level of topic as "Seven", the first weekend still achieved more than 11.2 million USD Box Office.
Then, in a complete week, "Seven" Box Office reached 18400,000 USD. Although the word of mouth of "Fear 1" began to collapse, "Box Office in the first week still reached more than 15.5 million USD. Compared with the difference of 600 screens on both sides, the average attendance of" Fear 1 "is not much worse than that of" Seven " .
Paramount originally had some concerns about the collapse of word of mouth that would affect Box Office of "First Class Fear". However, after seeing the total Box Office data for the first weekend of 11.2 million USD and the first week of 15500,000 USD, I immediately calm down. At least, the previous topic hype still played a very important role. Paramount originally expected that the first week of the film Box Office will only be around 12 million.
Most film practitioners understand the truth. The marketing scale of a film determines its Box Office starting point height, but the reputation of a film determines the length of the Box Office curve of the film.
Although by virtue of the joint promotion with "Seven", the first week of "First Fear" Box Office is not much worse than "Seven", but as the reputation of the two movies began to rapidly divide, the subsequent Box Office curve of the two movies It also started to be very different.
With a strong reputation, Seven's Box Office fell only a very weak 9.7% next week, reaching 16600,000 USD. The collapse of word-of-mouth in the first-level fear movie caused a 46% drop in the Box Office of the same type of thriller the following week. Compared with the 16600,000 USD next week Box Office of "Seven", "first-level fear" only gained 8.37 million. It's only half of "Seven".
The time is coming to the third week. "Seven" Box Office still only has a magical 15% drop. Box Office has reached 14.11 million USD. At this time, the weekly Box Office data of "First Level Fear" has been far away. The reversal psychology of fans changing from expectation to disappointment has led to a significant drop in movie attendance again. In the third week, only 4.77 million USD was harvested, which was almost a fraction of "Seven". The excellent performance of Edward · Norton also affected the reputation of the film Next, there is very little left.
In May, the fourth week of "Seven" Box Office has been maintained at 10 million levels, reaching 11.32 million USD. Although the decline of Box Office in "First Class Fear" has begun to shrink, the weekly Box Office of 3.19 million USD also indicates that the movie has entered the edge of the next painting.
In the four-week screening time, the cumulative Box Office of "Seven" reached 60.43 million USD, while the total Box Office of "First Grade Fear" was only 31.83 million USD, which can break through the cost line.
With the current Box Office curve, "Seven" is destined to be able to reach the hot summer file. Box Office is not difficult to break through 100 million, but "Level 1 Fear" can only stay in the theater for up to two weeks.
At this point, the two films are better or worse, and there is no suspense.
It is worth mentioning that during the diametrically opposed process of "Seven" and "First Class Fear", "Rumble in the Bronx" silently persisted in the North America theater for six weeks, and finally accumulated Box Office 4 3 million USD, unfortunately failed It is close to 50 million. However, this Box Office data also makes the company very satisfied. The new line only invested 10 million USD before and after this film. With the Box Office share alone, the company will get more than 100% profit.
"Rumble in the Bronx" also got a good evaluation in the media, Jack Cheng even got the title of one of the most lovely action Actor.
Later, the new line also applied for the nomination for the best fight scene for Jack Cheng at the upcoming MTV Movie Awards in June. However, in view of the discrepancies in the release of "Seven" and "First Level Fear", Jack Cheng wants to get this award, and the success rate is almost none.
After all, MTVTV Station is a Viacom-owned media. The two parties have just torn a game, how could someone else give you the trophy.
What, fairness, stop it. (To be continued.)