Quoted from Dreamscale Rick, just because you "thought" something was funny on paper or would work on film, does not mean the script was better.  On the contrary, as I always say, one needs to picture how action and dialogue will work onscreen, when reading a script - and I knew immediately this thing was going to suck major asshole. And, it was not a with audiences, as it came in 3rd for the weekend, behind a movie in its 4th week and another piece of shit in the 3 Fucking Stooges. James, I'm waiting for my apology as well - as it finished exactly where I said it was going to.  Sure wish I could have afforded to back up that bet, as I knew it was almost a no lose situation.

I think I'm aware of that Jeff!

There were moments in the script that were funny and could have been funny on film, but the timing was off and the delivery was off.

The film just seemed to miss all the beats.

But what do I know? Everybody seems to love it and thinks it's amazingly original with an incredible twist at the end...even though there isn't a single original idea in it and they repeatedly tell you what the "twist" is throughout the film.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films But what do I know? Everybody seems to love it and thinks it's amazingly original with an incredible twist at the end...even though there isn't a single original idea in it and they repeatedly tell you what the "twist" is throughout the film.

Rick, I don't mean to be patronizing or condescending, but I'll say again, just because a bunch of critics praise a movie, does not mean everyone loves it or that it is indeed great or whatever they're saying about it.  The true test will be how it holds up this coming week and next weekend, and my prediction is that it will flame out quickly and word of mouth will not be positive.

But what do I know?

I more and more believe that writers are extra critical because we read and comment and try to analyze scripts all the time. In my recent dealings with with production companies, I have been blown away by the stories that they want you to write. They told me the ideas were all so original and good, but in my mind they were all just horribly cliche. Maybe the general audience is of the same mind set as these producers?......

Quoted from Grandma Bear I more and more believe that writers are extra critical because we read and comment and try to analyze scripts all the time. In my recent dealings with with production companies, I have been blown away by the stories that they want you to write. They told me the ideas were all so original and good, but in my mind they were all just horribly cliche. Maybe the general audience is of the same mind set as these producers?......

Although I don't like to think so (that the general audience is of the same mind set as those producers), I have to acknowledge it at least as a half truth due to all of the rubbish that gets pumped out the general stream. *Note it's not a reference to this film because I haven't seen it though I have read the script.

The script (I think) was initially meant to be fun and games. The movie? I don't know. Did they revive all of the standard devices for a new generation? Maybe they did and they (the new generation audience) wouldn't get the inside jokes anyways. I don't know.

Someone needs to enlighten on this thread whether the movie played serious or not on the exterior.

Sandra

Quoted from Grandma Bear I more and more believe that writers are extra critical because we read and comment and try to analyze scripts all the time. In my recent dealings with with production companies, I have been blown away by the stories that they want you to write. They told me the ideas were all so original and good, but in my mind they were all just horribly cliche. Maybe the general audience is of the same mind set as these producers?......

I agree.

Part of it might simply come down to age.

The demographic of Cabin is going to be teenage boys, predominantly. Chances are they haven't seen any of the films Cabin steals from and parodies..Evil Dead, Hellraiser etc and they probably have never even heard of H.P. Lovecraft, so the big "Evil Sleeping Gods" ending seems like complete genius to them because they think Joss Wheedon has made it up.

If you're not aware that everything in the film has been lifted directly from somewhere else, it probably looks very creative.

Seeing as this is script club, one thing I will say is that Cabin in the Woods maybe does have some lessons for people working in the horror genre at the moment.

There seems to have been a very popular reaction to it based on the fact it's trying to make horror "fun" again.

Horror has been getting more and more brutal, more and more nihilistic and has been shrinking as a genre consequently....To a point that it's not enjoyable for many people to watch anymore...it's simply too much to bear.

The horror films that have done really well aren't that nasty.

I remember reading an introduction to a Gothic Horror short story collection where the editor spelled out the differnece between horrror and terror, saying that horror opened the mind, expanded it by looking at what's really important to humans in times of trouble and for instance, in a Lovecraftian sense, by looking beyond the confines of material reality and seeing the world in a different way.

Terror is a numbing sensation that shuts the brain down and traumatises you so you can't move or think...and this is essentially what's happened to the horror genre...it's become so terrifying that it's closed in on itself and offers nothing but brutality.

Quoted from Dreamscale James, I'm waiting for my apology as well - as it finished exactly where I said it was going to.  Sure wish I could have afforded to back up that bet, as I knew it was almost a no lose situation.

Apologize for what? The fact that you wussed out and could have a nice gift coming in the mail right now? You were right, though. I'll admit that.

James

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films Seeing as this is script club, one thing I will say is that Cabin in the Woods maybe does have some lessons for people working in the horror genre at the moment. There seems to have been a very popular reaction to it based on the fact it's trying to make horror "fun" again. Horror has been getting more and more brutal, more and more nihilistic and has been shrinking as a genre consequently....To a point that it's not enjoyable for many people to watch anymore...it's simply too much to bear. The horror films that have done really well aren't that nasty.

Rick, I'm not sure what you're smoking over there or where you're getting your info, so I thought I'd try and help you out with some real info, quote from Box Office Mojo, the source of all things box office related.

"The Cabin in the Woods opened in third place with an estimated $14.9 million. That pales in comparison to some of distributor Lionsgate's non-supernatural horror movies (most of the Saw series, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, and the first Hostel  movie), though in general it isn't a terrible start. In fact, among horror comedies, The Cabin in the Woods's debut ranks seventh all time behind the four Scary Movie flicks, Ghostbusters II and Zombieland.

The audience was 57 percent male and 65 percent over the age of 25, and they gave the movie an awful "C" CinemaScore. That score, along with the modest opening, is indicative of the challenges associated with selling satire (which Cabin in the Woods most definitely qualifies as). The title and stock characters (the jock, his girlfriend, the geek, the stoner, and the virgin) are intentionally generic, and from a cursory glance it would appear that the movie isn't even trying to be original. That probably kept the movie from reaching a larger audience, though the group that did show up was predominantly expecting a straightforward horror movie. By delivering something much different, the movie delighted a small group of audience members while generally frustrating those whose expectations were subverted. Moviegoers like to know what they are in for when they go to see a movie, and when it turns out to be something different the movie tends to get punished in exit polling."

Hope this makes a number of things clear - the movie did not fair well in its opening weekend of release.  The viewing audience was not young teen boys.  The audience was not happy with what they saw.

The movie will tank in its 2nd week, and end with a NABO somewhere right around its $30 Million Production budget.

Quoted from jwent6688 Apologize for what? The fact that you wussed out and could have a nice gift coming in the mail right now? You were right, though. I'll admit that.

That's all I'm looking for.  I did not wuss out, BTW.  I literally cannot afford anything like this, as I'm struggling mightily.

I think you should send me that bottle for the Heck of it.  

I for one hope that the film does better so that Hollywood might feel more inclined to take risks with horror movies, instead of releasing remake after remake or sequel after sequel of the same shit every year.    

Quoted from Ectoplasm I for one hope that the film does better so that Hollywood might feel more inclined to take risks with horror movies, instead of releasing remake after remake or sequel after sequel of the same shit every year.

Risk?  This movie is essentially the same shit we've all been subjected to for 30+ years... There was no risk with this puddle of pig piss.  It's just the same ol'shit all in one place.  

If you want to see a propper "parody" horror comedy, but done with keen precision on both horror and comedy... Check out Chop.  That movie is a perfect blend of both.  It takes several potshots at Saw and Hostel, but it's so, so, so much better.  The lead, guy who plays lance, is one to look out for.

Quoted from Baltis. If you want to see a propper "parody" horror comedy, but done with keen precision on both horror and comedy... Check out Chop.

Another good one in a similar vein is "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil".

If you are a fan of "teens in the woods" slasher-type flicks, there is no way you will not enjoy this total up-ending of the genre.

Quoted from Ectoplasm I for one hope that the film does better so that Hollywood might feel more inclined to take risks with horror movies, instead of releasing remake after remake or sequel after sequel of the same shit every year.

Ecto, I really don't know where you're coming from with these comments.  This is not a horror movie.  It may be marketed as a horror movie, and it may contain horror elements, but it is definitely not a horror movie.

And that's exactly why it received such a horrendous CinemaScore exit poll rating - it was not what it was marketed as.

Dreamscale, it is as much of a horror movie as something like Shaun of the Dead. Lots of comedy, but it has it's jump scares and scenes of tension.  It's horror/comedy.