So Emily was blogging that she had an unhappy ending that her reader said didn't work; that it should have a happy ending. Well, it is more commercially acceptable that way, but isn't a necessity. It depends on how it is pulled off, and the reasons for it. Example:
Saving Private Ryan
Up until the end, we think that Tom Hanks has a chance of making it out alive. Then wham. He dies. But we aren't running out of the theater with "That's so lame, he should have lived." But considering in the context, that the sacrifice was not in vain, that the good guys should prevail. I'm not talking about Pvt. Ryan surviving, but on the greater context of the war.
It is not that there needs a happy ending, just the goal has to exceed the tragedy, and that there is not a way that the goal can be accomplished without tragedy. Example:
Saving Private Ryan
RYAN
Sir, if the Krauts are holding this bridge when division shows up, our guys are going to be sitting ducks.
[later]
REIBEN
He's right, we can't shoot him...well, we could but we'd get in an enormous amount of trouble. And he's right about the bridge, it's a hell of a lot more important than he is.
The holding of the bridge was more important than any single life in the context of the war, and therefore, even if Ryan had been killed, or Miller (Hanks); if the bridge is saved then the sacrifice holds true.
In 300 Leonidas sacrifices himself and his 300 to hold against the might of the persian army.
In Armeggedon, Harry Stamper(Bruce WIllis) sacrifices himself to save his daughter's future (not to mention all of Earth).
In Alien3, Ripley drops into molten metal to prevent the corporation from getting alien DNA and preventing the Aliens from infecting all of Earth.
In Terminator 2 - Shwartzenegger as the Terminator, lowers himself into a molten vat to destroy the compenents that would lead to the development of Skynet and then the destruction of human civilization.
Another point is that some endings can be both happy and bittersweet. Example:
The Butterfly Effect
Ashton manages to save the love of his life (happy ending) but does not end up being with her (bittersweet).
Casablanca
Rick kills Major Strasser (happy ending), helps Victor Lazlo escape (happy ending), but lets Ilsa,the love of his life, go with Lazlo (bittersweet).
Again, the benefit of getting Lazlo out was greater than the associated loss.
Finally, if the audience sees another way that doesn't end in loss, or if the goal is not achieved, then the audience will feel offended.
Showing posts with label films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label films. Show all posts
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Things are bad all over
We're not the only ones getting canned.
Russia to stop new cinema production in 2009.
7 Apr, 06:12 PM
The Russian Minister of Cultural Affairs Alexander Avdeev has said that Russia will stop new cinema production in 2009, Russian web-site Lenta.ru reports. “We will just continue work on the films that were started last year” – Avdeev said at a session of The State Duma Special-Purpose Committee.
According to Avdeev’s speech, the Russian Ministry of Cultural Affairs will assign about 500 million rubles ($15 million) to supporting documentaries and children’s films. “This way we will save the proportion of money that would have been allocated to making motion pictures and nonfiction films. We will also avoid unemployment in the cinema sphere” – Avdeev said.
Avdeev added that film directors and producers will have to compete to retain their jobs, although he did not specify how. Those that win will be granted funding from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Avdeev also said that the state is ready to help directors who make films touching on specific social problems. The Minister said he was sure that projects based on these themes would attract the interest of many famous directors and actors.
Russia to stop new cinema production in 2009.
7 Apr, 06:12 PM
The Russian Minister of Cultural Affairs Alexander Avdeev has said that Russia will stop new cinema production in 2009, Russian web-site Lenta.ru reports. “We will just continue work on the films that were started last year” – Avdeev said at a session of The State Duma Special-Purpose Committee.
According to Avdeev’s speech, the Russian Ministry of Cultural Affairs will assign about 500 million rubles ($15 million) to supporting documentaries and children’s films. “This way we will save the proportion of money that would have been allocated to making motion pictures and nonfiction films. We will also avoid unemployment in the cinema sphere” – Avdeev said.
Avdeev added that film directors and producers will have to compete to retain their jobs, although he did not specify how. Those that win will be granted funding from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Avdeev also said that the state is ready to help directors who make films touching on specific social problems. The Minister said he was sure that projects based on these themes would attract the interest of many famous directors and actors.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Film Review: I-Trek or Star Trek(2009)
Okay, I'll post more on Monay AFTER everyone has seen this. But the answer is to see it. It's right up there with Star Trek IV.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
MEME: 10 Films to judge a suitor by
Okay this is my response to a tag by Lis.
1. Star Wars - When I say this, if you thought asking "which one?" instead of thinking of the 1977 film, I'm going to question your age.
2. The Last Boy Scout - It's about love and commitment and duty.
3. Some Kind of Wonderful - We've all been 'the friend' at one time and hoped it would end up like this movie.
4. Good Will Hunting - If you knew me, you'd understand the analogy.
5. The Fifth Element - Love, guns, and spaceships.
6. The Princess Bride - True love ... and vengeance.
7. Casablanca - Witty and at the same time heartbreaking.
8. Better Off Dead - It's about how life can change for the better when you have the right woman in your life.
9. Serendipity - We say we don't believe in fate, but we all hope for it.
10. Streets of Fire - How far would you go to rescue someone you love?
1. Star Wars - When I say this, if you thought asking "which one?" instead of thinking of the 1977 film, I'm going to question your age.
2. The Last Boy Scout - It's about love and commitment and duty.
3. Some Kind of Wonderful - We've all been 'the friend' at one time and hoped it would end up like this movie.
4. Good Will Hunting - If you knew me, you'd understand the analogy.
5. The Fifth Element - Love, guns, and spaceships.
6. The Princess Bride - True love ... and vengeance.
7. Casablanca - Witty and at the same time heartbreaking.
8. Better Off Dead - It's about how life can change for the better when you have the right woman in your life.
9. Serendipity - We say we don't believe in fate, but we all hope for it.
10. Streets of Fire - How far would you go to rescue someone you love?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Death of Cinema Part Three
Yeah, I wasn't around for Part One in the late forties and there weren't blogs in the 80's for Part Two when video tape was going to kill them. But we are around for the Internet. The death of theatrical releases still hasn't proven true.
(An off-side is that at the beginning of the rennaisance, they thought the same thing of the printing press in relation to books. Really it was about controlling content and distribution. Also Books were going to be killed off by audio recordings and later video recordings, but we have more books published now, than ever before.)
Of course if they keep raising the price of tickets dramatically, they will kill Theatrical release. Well, that and playing crappy movies. They need to slash prices at the theaters by at least a third and food by maybe half.
As for movies this past year:
They say that the economy will now kill movies and that the movies aren't making money. What most people look at are the biggest box office hits and major losers. But it's more interesting to see #11, #12 & #17 for the year, since they're not F/X or Animation oriented.
#11 Sex and the City
Budget: $65 million
World Wide Box: $415,129,126
DVD sales: $85,376,850
If you figure they take about 50% of all that, and subtract about $50,000,000 for advertising and prints; they made around $340,000,000 minus percentages for above the liners and residuals.
#12 Momma Mia!
Budget: $52 million
World Wide Box: $572,225,617
Figuring 50% of that, and subtracting $50 million for P&A; they made around $470,000,000 minus percentages.
Compare that to Dark Knight
Budget: $185,000,000
World-Wide Box: $996,889,925
DVD Sales: $158,737,619
Giving it a standard of $50 million for P&A. It did probably no better thatn Sex and the City around $340 million; though they'll get better merchandising.
By the same Calculations, Hancock did $250 million, IJ4 did $215 million, Kung Fu Panda did $195 million, Iron Man did about $135 million, Wally $105 million, Horton Hears a Who made $30 million, QOS, Mummy3 making up $ on the DVDs, Madagascar2 spent so much advertising that it will have to make it up in merchandising.
Twilight will be making a big splash, with a $37,000,000 budget and a box so far of $237,027,235 it's already in the black.
And not to forget #17 Juno at a tiny budget of $7 ends up with around $225 million.
Wanted turned around $110 million.
(Note all the above doesn't subtract above the line percentages of box nor residuals but also doesn't cover all other streams of income).
Point of the above, is that Big budgets sometimes equal smaller profits than lower budgeted films; which is not to say there aren't crappy low-budget films, or that there aren't great large budget films. But then there's sometimes ALOT of waste on large-budget productions and they aren't as challenged to be inventive to remain inside a smaller budget.
If you ever read on Hollywood accounting, it doesn't appear that any movies made money, but if they really didn't as often as Hollywood claims, the theaters would have closed years ago.
(An off-side is that at the beginning of the rennaisance, they thought the same thing of the printing press in relation to books. Really it was about controlling content and distribution. Also Books were going to be killed off by audio recordings and later video recordings, but we have more books published now, than ever before.)
Of course if they keep raising the price of tickets dramatically, they will kill Theatrical release. Well, that and playing crappy movies. They need to slash prices at the theaters by at least a third and food by maybe half.
As for movies this past year:
They say that the economy will now kill movies and that the movies aren't making money. What most people look at are the biggest box office hits and major losers. But it's more interesting to see #11, #12 & #17 for the year, since they're not F/X or Animation oriented.
#11 Sex and the City
Budget: $65 million
World Wide Box: $415,129,126
DVD sales: $85,376,850
If you figure they take about 50% of all that, and subtract about $50,000,000 for advertising and prints; they made around $340,000,000 minus percentages for above the liners and residuals.
#12 Momma Mia!
Budget: $52 million
World Wide Box: $572,225,617
Figuring 50% of that, and subtracting $50 million for P&A; they made around $470,000,000 minus percentages.
Compare that to Dark Knight
Budget: $185,000,000
World-Wide Box: $996,889,925
DVD Sales: $158,737,619
Giving it a standard of $50 million for P&A. It did probably no better thatn Sex and the City around $340 million; though they'll get better merchandising.
By the same Calculations, Hancock did $250 million, IJ4 did $215 million, Kung Fu Panda did $195 million, Iron Man did about $135 million, Wally $105 million, Horton Hears a Who made $30 million, QOS, Mummy3 making up $ on the DVDs, Madagascar2 spent so much advertising that it will have to make it up in merchandising.
Twilight will be making a big splash, with a $37,000,000 budget and a box so far of $237,027,235 it's already in the black.
And not to forget #17 Juno at a tiny budget of $7 ends up with around $225 million.
Wanted turned around $110 million.
(Note all the above doesn't subtract above the line percentages of box nor residuals but also doesn't cover all other streams of income).
Point of the above, is that Big budgets sometimes equal smaller profits than lower budgeted films; which is not to say there aren't crappy low-budget films, or that there aren't great large budget films. But then there's sometimes ALOT of waste on large-budget productions and they aren't as challenged to be inventive to remain inside a smaller budget.
If you ever read on Hollywood accounting, it doesn't appear that any movies made money, but if they really didn't as often as Hollywood claims, the theaters would have closed years ago.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Missing The Good Movies
A Christmas Tale - not playing locally - But is in New Salem, MA. I might just hit this one, even with subtitles (it's in French).
Religulous - Just found out that I can get to this one ... I'll have to check it out.
Slumdog Millionaire - not playing locally - though if I were really motivated, I could see it in NY or Boston.
The Wrestler - Missed it ... apparently played at NY Film Festival. I've got to start hitting festivals. Hope it plays somewhere nearby.
Black Dynamite - Hope this plays nearby.
I guess I'm tired of the same old movies, not to say there aren't any selections from Hollywood, just I think I need something to break up the monotony.
Religulous - Just found out that I can get to this one ... I'll have to check it out.
Slumdog Millionaire - not playing locally - though if I were really motivated, I could see it in NY or Boston.
The Wrestler - Missed it ... apparently played at NY Film Festival. I've got to start hitting festivals. Hope it plays somewhere nearby.
Black Dynamite - Hope this plays nearby.
I guess I'm tired of the same old movies, not to say there aren't any selections from Hollywood, just I think I need something to break up the monotony.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Good-bye Television ... It was great while it lasted.
Today I started listing all the movies I've ever seen. Thousands. Well that aint too bad ... maybe 5% of my lifetime.
Then I started on TV. Holy $#!+. I spent how much of my life on TV hours?
I just gave it up. I will now make a list of TV shows to buy when I retire. Until then, I'm going back to living life.
You might think that I watch too many movies, but that 5% also includes movies that I've seen on TV/Cable, but doesn't include reruns, and neither did the TV listing.
I'm going to allow myself one new movie, and one old movie per week MAX. That'll be about 3%.
Of course that will not include any time I'll be writing. I've become disconnected from the real world and it's time to hop back in.
Then I started on TV. Holy $#!+. I spent how much of my life on TV hours?
I just gave it up. I will now make a list of TV shows to buy when I retire. Until then, I'm going back to living life.
You might think that I watch too many movies, but that 5% also includes movies that I've seen on TV/Cable, but doesn't include reruns, and neither did the TV listing.
I'm going to allow myself one new movie, and one old movie per week MAX. That'll be about 3%.
Of course that will not include any time I'll be writing. I've become disconnected from the real world and it's time to hop back in.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
12 Movie Meme by Lazyeye via Emily of Bamboo Killers
Monday
Braveheart
Dune
Epic Bodycounts
Tuesday
Lawrence of Arabia
Saving Private Ryan
WWI & WWII Epic movies.
Wednesday
Five Deadly Venoms
The Sholin Temple
Martial Arts Movie Classics.
Thursday
Pale Rider
The Quick and the Dead
Heroic Gunslinger Westerns.
Friday
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Mummy
Archeological Action Adventure Movies.
Saturday
The Last Starfighter
Star Wars
Science Fiction movies that show the little guy can win.
Monday
Braveheart
Dune
Epic Bodycounts
Tuesday
Lawrence of Arabia
Saving Private Ryan
WWI & WWII Epic movies.
Wednesday
Five Deadly Venoms
The Sholin Temple
Martial Arts Movie Classics.
Thursday
Pale Rider
The Quick and the Dead
Heroic Gunslinger Westerns.
Friday
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Mummy
Archeological Action Adventure Movies.
Saturday
The Last Starfighter
Star Wars
Science Fiction movies that show the little guy can win.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Part I - Book Review - The Big Picture by Edward Jay Epstein
I stopped by the library. I decided to invest some time in books. Mostly will have topics on either Film or writing. So for the first installment: The Big Picture : The New Logic of Money and Power in Hollywood by Edward Jay Epstein. The first 60% of chapter one is on The origins of Hollywood and the creation of the 'Studio System'. I figure this is about six hours of reading, but I'll be breaking it up over the next two three days before flipping it for another. I also have to put in some more time writing scripts.
