Probably not, but an interesting article on the state of Hollywood in anticipation of 'The State of Play' having a poor opening weekend despite having good reviews....

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-word16-2009apr16,0,395527.story

Let's hope it doesn't kill these types of movies. I'm a sucker for political/investigative journalist thrillers and I do think that if the movie is really good then people will go see it. We need movies that stimulates other parts of the brain than let's say a romcom would or a teen comedy.

What's funny about this article is the fact that they put the blame (should the movie fail) on Crowe's weight!!!

Quoted from sniper Let's hope it doesn't kill these types of movies. I'm a sucker for political/investigative journalist thrillers and I do think that if the movie is really good then people will go see it. We need movies that stimulates other parts of the brain than let's say a romcom would or a teen comedy. What's funny about this article is the fact that they put the blame (should the movie fail) on Crowe's weight!!!

Yes, but don't forget, it also said he's 'disheveled'.

OH NO!!!

I can't believe they paid him 20 million dollars to be overweight and disheveled, as called for by the part.  They're afraid the ladies won't be swooning over him, thus begging their husbands to go to the cinema!   :P

That fat disheveled fuck!

I'll be honest, I'm not a massive fan of drama in films as a general rule. I feel that novels can cover that kind of ground a lot better than film, you have more opportunity to build character.

I think the Wire has shown that you can do this type of thing better on TV as well (it's not a coincidence that this film is based on a UK mini series. Perhaps it should have stayed there). The mini series had the time to develop the story and the characters better.

A lot of dramas deal with the topic in very light ways. For instance, I couldn't believe the reception that Last King of Scotland got. It was one of the most offensive films I've ever seen, turning genocide and international tragedy into a hideous white plight type Indiana Jones film.

Better to read around the subjects and find a more balanced, truthful and powerful account of the things that happen IMO.

There is too much pressure to turn film into something playful for audiences and not enough truth in the films to make them real.

These type of acting films are as good at home as well. I think the better ones will find a steady profit on DVD once word of mouth spreads.

Frost/Nixon is an excellent film with superb acting, but did anyone really think it would be a huge success? Who cares about Nixon these days? Has anyone even heard of Frost in the wider world? Obviously there is more to the film than that, but it hardly grabs you as a title or as a concept.

It's not something that I would have greenlighted for cinema release if I was an excec.

The news screens are full of conspiracies and terrible things going on in the world, now just isn't the time for it. People want escapism and fun. The other problem is that the actual events in the world are on a bigger scale to a lot of these films. Turn on Sky and Fox and you'd think Armageddon was approaching.

Films that are smaller in concept than the news would ring alarm bells to me.

I think people want to be transported to strange new worlds and to see things they've never conceived of when they settle in their seats.

Interesting link, GM. I enjoyed the read. Business and staggering superficiality - always a good mix!

That article is missing a few key points - when has Crowe (Dwindling Crowe) ever been consistently big box office? Ben Affleck is another who has seen less than impressive returns in the last few years. 'Body of Lies' was just not a good movie (IMO), whereas 'Syriana' was an excellent movie.

I have yet to see 'State of Play', so can't pass comment, but its trailer didn't help it.

Drama is never dead!

Hollywood is in a tailspin because a Russel Crowe movie isn't doing well?  Everyone should get over it.  I don't think any actor or actress has a perfect record at the box office.


Phil

I just watched the trailer for State of Play, and I thought it looked pretty durned cool!  Myself.

Quoted from dogglebe Hollywood is in a tailspin because a Russel Crowe movie isn't doing well?  Everyone should get over it.  I don't think any actor or actress has a perfect record at the box office. Phil

I think the article shows that the consequences are far more wide reaching than that.

It's not Crowe that's the problem, so much as the style of film. That has an impact on everyone here I think. Now is the time for strong genre films and upbeat type, escapist stuff. It's usually the way in times of recession.

I don't think that's the case either, about the style.  Not every movie does well in the box office.  If Seth Rogin's Mall Cop doesn't do well, is it the end for comedies?  

I agree that people do want the ecapist stuff now, but that's also because summer is approaching.  Who would the people rather see right now?  Russell Crowe playing an investigative reporter?  Or Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine?


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe I don't think that's the case either, about the style.  Not every movie does well in the box office.  If Seth Rogin's Mall Cop doesn't do well, is it the end for comedies?   I agree that people do want the ecapist stuff now, but that's also because summer is approaching.  Who would the people rather see right now?  Russell Crowe playing an investigative reporter?  Or Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine? Phil

Fair enough, but comedies genereally account for 90% of BO in any given year. That figure only tend to drop when you have a huge franchise that isn't comedy that does very well (lOTR, Harry Potter etc).

The political thriller has been struggling for a while now and it's seems to be the case that even well received ones are struggling.

The fact is Universal are pulling the plug on this type of film according to the article. They were one of the only comapnies still making "mature" films of this type in Hollywood.  It's just difficult to see who you could sell the concept to.

Paramount have pretty much said Watchmen will be their last big budget film that has an 18 rating, so the ground is disappearing for adult content.

All but 4 independent acquistions companies have gone bust. I just don't see who's going to give you money to make them.

If you look at the BO of all time, you see that escapism has always been the main catch. In these times companies are going to be reigning in as much risk as they can and sticking with safe options that are geared towards younger kids and video game audiences.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm?page=2&p=.htm

That's my opinion anyway. Obviously there are bound to be some exceptions and some companies will try to chase the Oscars with some darker stuff I suppose.

Quoted from steven8 I just watched the trailer for State of Play, and I thought it looked pretty durned cool!  Myself.

If you can get hold of it I would recommend the BBC mini-serious this is based on, was a really great drama. Though am looking forward to this very much, I for one quite enjoy a fat Russell Crowe film. When he is good he is very, very good.

Haha, reminds me of something Mark Kermode says about Ben Kingsley...

Ben Kingsley, when he is good he is very, very good. When he is bad he is Gandhi. ;-)