nothing for me

[Phil Turner]

Originally Posted by batman For the first time in ages I have looked through the forthcoming releases pages of newspapers and magazines and have found absolutely nothing that interests me. The only recent film I have enjoyed has been 'Black Book' which I though was excellent. The new releases are again dominated by CGI 'blockbusters' which bore the pants off me. Is it a sign of getting older when all these noisy, plot free, character-less shenanigans drive you away from the cinema, or is it that some of these films are really as bad as I think they are? Bats.

I understand your feelings, but I must respectfully point out that the spring/summer period is traditionally a bad time for quality new releases. At this time of year (after the Oscars/BAFTAs) when the nights are long and the weather is warm, the screens are often dominated by approachable/easy to watch special effects blockbusters that cater for a mass (often younger) audience. The makers of more thoughtful, intelligent movies wouldn't want to compete with these films commercially and aim for a release nearer to the qualification date for next year's awards. That way they are fresher in the minds of influential voters. Also, common sense dictates that cinemagoers are less likely to watch an intense, dramatic film on a hot, sticky summer's day when concentration levels can easily slip. TV works in much the same way. Often the schedules experience a lull in the summer months, before the much heralded Autumn Season.

Come the autumn/winter you will find a much broader cross section of films on offer, and that is the time for serious cinema going. Personally, I prefer older films for nostalgic reasons because they formed part of my childhood, but I still try to approach modern films with an open mind. If a modern filmmaker is trying to create something of importance and quality, then the least I can do is give that film a chance. During the past year I've had the pleasure of watching films like The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, The Painted Veil and The Lives of Others which have been fine experiences. There are many gems to be found, although naturally there's a lot of dross too.

Regards
Phil Turner

[batman]

Originally Posted by Phil Turner I understand your feelings, but I must respectfully point out that the spring/summer period is traditionally a bad time for quality new releases. At this time of year (after the Oscars/BAFTAs) when the nights are long and the weather is warm, the screens are often dominated by approachable/easy to watch special effects blockbusters that cater for a mass (often younger) audience. The makers of more thoughtful, intelligent movies wouldn't want to compete with these films commercially and aim for a release nearer to the qualification date for next year's awards. That way they are fresher in the minds of influential voters. Also, common sense dictates that cinemagoers are less likely to watch an intense, dramatic film on a hot, sticky summer's day when concentration levels can easily slip. TV works in much the same way. Often the schedules experience a lull in the summer months, before the much heralded Autumn Season. Come the autumn/winter you will find a much broader cross section of films on offer, and that is the time for serious cinema going. Personally, I prefer older films for nostalgic reasons because they formed part of my childhood, but I still try to approach modern films with an open mind. If a modern filmmaker is trying to create something of importance and quality, then the least I can do is give that film a chance. During the past year I've had the pleasure of watching films like The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, The Painted Veil and The Lives of Others which have been fine experiences. There are many gems to be found, although naturally there's a lot of dross too. Regards Phil Turner

I accept your point about the 'summer blockbuster' phenomenon and can fully understand the need to hold back 'smaller' and 'intelligent' productions to avoid getting swamped by the rush to see said 'blockbusters'. However, even the quality of this type of film has IMHO deteriorated drastically over the past few years. The more recent examples ('Pirates...', 'Hulk', 'Batman Begins' etc) have been execrable with no redeeming qualities IMHO whatever. The over-reliance on CGI to the detriment of basics like plot and character has, for me, never been more prominent. Some of these big films (eg Casino Royale) have shown that a good story told well can still be a big hit but, like you, I feel that most of my trips to the cinema in the future will be to re-visit many old friends and maybe some new ones.

Bats.

[orpheum]

The summer season of blockbusters used to be solely a US phenomenom.We often used to get them spaced out a few months later.However as the film pirates have become so sophisticated in the means of pirating it means that the distributors have no option but to release these blockbusters in every country at the same time.As a result of course no distributor will release any worthwhile film in competition with them.Furthermore as i have previously pointed out many cinemas will commit half of their screens to play one film eg Pirates.I dont think the weather has anything to do with it as the majority of cinemas now have air conditioning.Howecer as a result of this many of our cinemas have become cultural deserts during the summer.Like Bats i scan papers and internet with desperation to find a film worth seeing.As a result i ended up going to see Are You Done yet because i wanted to see the current RKO logo and i wanted to see how it compared with the original,Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House.The answer was it didnt compare.

[Carmel]

Its very rare now that we get a real good blockbuster like we use to get way back, i think film's now spend to much money on special effects instead of concentrating on the film plot's. I find the lower the budget the film seems a lot more better and with better stories and plot's, i must admit some are really good with special effects but now a day's they are few and far between. They never had massive budget's in the 40's, 50's and 60's but the film's were fun and intreasting and the special effect's were a bit silly at time's but we enjoyed them and actor's were not paid massive amounts of money, but they were film's worth watching. Producer's should concentrate more on plot's and story line's than paying actor's these massive amount's of money, although we all know they would refuse to do film's without their demand's sad.

[Phil Turner]

Originally Posted by Carmel Its very rare now that we get a real good blockbuster like we use to get way back, i think film's now spend to much money on special effects instead of concentrating on the film plot's. I find the lower the budget the film seems a lot more better and with better stories and plot's, i must admit some are really good with special effects but now a day's they are few and far between. They never had massive budget's in the 40's, 50's and 60's but the film's were fun and intreasting and the special effect's were a bit silly at time's but we enjoyed them and actor's were not paid massive amounts of money, but they were film's worth watching. Producer's should concentrate more on plot's and story line's than paying actor's these massive amount's of money, although we all know they would refuse to do film's without their demand's sad.

I totally agree Carmel. There's no substitute for a good story, a good script and good acting. The "summer blockbusters" at the cinema generally leave me stone cold, with the odd exception. Big budgets and special effects can't paper over the cracks in other areas. I'm looking forward to the autumn and the return of sanity in our cinemas!

Regards
Phil Turner

[clitheroekid]

The sanity clause

[batman]

The insanity clause Bats.

[Joenoir]

The insanitary clause!

[batman]

... come with me young man, there's nothing to worry about ... trust me, I'm a nurse.

Bats.

[Carmel]

Im starting to worry about you boys.

[batman]

I don't know what you mean Carmel?



Bats.

[kelp]

Originally Posted by Joenoir The insanitary clause!

Sorry to go back up this page a few posts, but What On Earth Is That Vehicle?
It looks like its a mock-up for a film, or is an airport truck, or maybe a food canteen...anyone know?

[batman]

Originally Posted by kelp Sorry to go back up this page a few posts, but What On Earth Is That Vehicle? It looks like its a mock-up for a film, or is an airport truck, or maybe a food canteen...anyone know?

If it's a food canteen ... don't order the pea soup !!!!

Bats .

[silverwhistle]

Originally Posted by Carmel It's very rare now that we get a real good blockbuster like we use to get way back, I think films now spend too much money on special effects instead of concentrating on the film plots. I find the lower the budget the film seems a lot more better and with better stories and plots, I must admit some are really good with special effects but nowadays they are few and far between. They never had massive budgets in the 40s, 50s and 60s but the films were fun and interesting and the special effects were a bit silly at times but we enjoyed them and actors were not paid massive amounts of money, but they were films worth watching. Producers should concentrate more on plots and story lines than paying actors these massive amounts of money, although we all know they would refuse to do films without their demands sad.

I'm inclined to agree. I've seen a number of films in which the effects budget seems to have soaked up money that should have gone on the basics, such as a decent script. Having said that, I loved The Curse of the Golden Flower, which is not only spectacular visually, but has a grim, inexorably tragic story that reminds me of Webster or Ford. But Ridley Scott lost the plot completely with Kingdom of Heaven, to which I'd looked forward tremendously. The real story and characters are fascinating – I've known and, in some cases, loved them for over 25 years – but he and Monahan substituted absurd fairy-tale versions of the characters and a weak plot that imposed 21C sensibilities and "why can't we all just get along?" preachiness on the 12C East.