Movies, Box Office. How Important Is it?

[P@t_Mtl]

I've been reading a lot the recent Avatar thread and I see a lot of post and comments on the box office intake of the movie. I've seen these post not just about Avatar but for any big movies that is release. We had the same going on with Transformers earlier this year and with Terminator, Star Trek, Watchmen.......

I see some post where one is almost reaching nergasm as the movie box office rises and other taking huge delight as movies fail. I find this extremely strange. I understand how liking a movie is fun but I find it strange that many need to have the box office numbers to go along with their love of the movie. For an example, take me. I never truly cared if Star Wars was number one all time at the box office (ajusted or not) or if it's number 15 or 30. So what is the importance of box office for some of you and why do others enjoy seeing it fail? Is it because :

1. You love the movie and you truly want it to succed?

2. You need to find a way to justify you like a movie and the only way you can think off is with the box office?

3. That higher box office mean's a better movie?

4. That a high box office intake mean's the movie you like will go down in history?

5. That movies are so badly done (story wise and character wise) in this day and age, box office is just one way of showing the public as no taste?

6. That the box office take of your favorite movie give's you bragging rights?

7. You use box office number to decide if you won't see a movie because high box office mean's bad movie?

8. Good box office mean's a good chance for a sequel to your favorite movie?

9. Box office is the only true way we can judge movies over time, since actor performance, director work and all other technical work of movies are to subjective?

10. Any other reasons?

[Batman1980]

For me it's about a number of things. Good box office means more money in Hollywood, which is always a good thing. Also good box office means that studio and production crew brought in a profit so they can make more movies in the future. Yes, bragging rights are also a factor, I think Avatar is going to make a run at Titanic's record, maybe.

[skatalite]

On a personal level, if I like a movie, I like a movie. However, it's nice to see a movie get its just desserts if it truly sucks. Cause then it shows people aren't idiots after all and can spot a piss-poor movie.

But then there are times where "Transformers 2" happens... One big dump of a movie, but scored huge at the box office.

Then again, people like their eye candy and summer fun. Can't blame them. It just sucks that I know a lot of people who only watch movies with big explosions and special effects, yet pass over something like "There Will Be Blood."

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by skatalite

On a personal level, if I like a movie, I like a movie. However, it's nice to see a movie get its just desserts if it truly sucks. Cause then it shows people aren't idiots after all and can spot a piss-poor movie.

But then there are times where "Transformers 2" happens... One big dump of a movie, but scored huge at the box office.

Then again, people like their eye candy and summer fun. Can't blame them. It just sucks that I know a lot of people who only watch movies with big explosions and special effects, yet pass over something like "There Will Be Blood."

Excuse me? I enjoyed Transformers 2 more but I think There Will Be Blood was much better. Kind of odd to compare the two anyway, wasn't TWBB a 2007 release? Oh and from Twitter -
boxofficemojo

Between 'Avatar,' 'Sherlock,' 'Alvin' and more, Dec. 25-27 was the highest-grossing weekend of all time... http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime...s/top12sum.htm 25 minutes ago from CoTweet

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by skatalite

On a personal level, if I like a movie, I like a movie. However, it's nice to see a movie get its just desserts if it truly sucks. Cause then it shows people aren't idiots after all and can spot a piss-poor movie.

But then there are times where "Transformers 2" happens... One big dump of a movie, but scored huge at the box office.

Then again, people like their eye candy and summer fun. Can't blame them. It just sucks that I know a lot of people who only watch movies with big explosions and special effects, yet pass over something like "There Will Be Blood."

I have to agree with your statement, some of the best movies I have ever seen generally do not even break 50mil at the box office but movies like TF2 and Avatar (No flaming needed) rack in huge money basically for their visually effects alone.

People seem to lose focus on story and acting in place of the WOW factor in special effects. So when Hollywood makes crazy money on mediocre films it's sends the wrong message that great screen plays need not apply.

JMO, which should mean EVERYTHING...

[cynatnite]

Failure happens to good movies which is unfortunate and even more unfortunate is when the truly sucky movies rise to the top. That's the nature of the beast.

I never hope for a movie to fail. It's strange for me to see anyone who wants a movie to fail. I don't understand it.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

I never hope for a movie to fail. It's strange for me to see anyone who wants a movie to fail. I don't understand it.

As for me. I don't see the need for it but I did put it as an option cause I've seen post of that type so many times.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by dolphinc

I have to agree with your statement, some of the best movies I have ever seen generally do not even break 50mil at the box office but movies like TF2 and Avatar (No flaming needed) rack in huge money basically for their visually effects alone.

People seem to lose focus on story and acting in place of the WOW factor in special effects. So when Hollywood makes crazy money on mediocre films it's sends the wrong message that great screen plays need not apply.

JMO, which should mean EVERYTHING...

That's just this generation, it's not just movies. It's also TV shows and video games, kids these days go ga-ga for pretty girls and special effects, they could care less about game-play/writing and story or character development. I can't complain though, I do enjoy a lot of those brainless action movies myself.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

That's just this generation, it's not just movies. It's also TV shows and video games, kids these days go ga-ga for pretty girls and special effects, they could care less about game-play/writing and story or character development. I can't complain though, I do enjoy a lot of those brainless action movies myself.

+1, it is the generation and I am part of the problem as well. Even though I try and see a broad range of movie I also enjoy the mindless popcorn flicks like TF2 and 2012. Oh well we are what we are.

[P@t_Mtl]

After reading a few of the posts so far, I want to add this to the conversation. Do you guys think then that everything done in the past 20 years with huge box office results should be considered with an *? Like some are talking about because of steroids in baseball and the records are tainted? Are the movies of the last 20 years tainted because of the WOW effect?

What about Lord Of The Rings? Big numbers, is it still a masterpiece or just another Transformers?

[DetroitSportsFan]

I like it when a certain film or genre that I like has success because it increases the chances of a sequel or other films in the genre to be made.

[Duffy12]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I like it when a certain film or genre that I like has success because it increases the chances of a sequel or other films in the genre to be made.

You just hit the nail right on the head.

.

[dolphinc]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

After reading a few of the posts so far, I want to add this to the conversation. Do you guys think then that everything done in the past 20 years with huge box office results should be considered with an *? Like some are talking about because of steroids in baseball and the records are tainted? Are the movies of the last 20 years tainted because of the WOW effect?

What about Lord Of The Rings? Big numbers, is it still a masterpiece or just another Transformers?

I think LOTR is in a rare class of films, great story, good acting, great special effects. But again this story has been around for many years (Hobbit). Most of todays action/sci-fi movies focus more on what they can do visually to entertain the audience instead of putting the story first and allow the rest to fall into place.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

After reading a few of the posts so far, I want to add this to the conversation. Do you guys think then that everything done in the past 20 years with huge box office results should be considered with an *? Like some are talking about because of steroids in baseball and the records are tainted? Are the movies of the last 20 years tainted because of the WOW effect?

What about Lord Of The Rings? Big numbers, is it still a masterpiece or just another Transformers?

Honestly? Lord of the Rings are benchmark fantasy movies that also happen to be well-done and feature stand-out performances. They truly are rare movies that deserve all the praise they get and the huge box office numbers they pulled down.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

After reading a few of the posts so far, I want to add this to the conversation. Do you guys think then that everything done in the past 20 years with huge box office results should be considered with an *? Like some are talking about because of steroids in baseball and the records are tainted? Are the movies of the last 20 years tainted because of the WOW effect?

What about Lord Of The Rings? Big numbers, is it still a masterpiece or just another Transformers?

That is becoming subjective. Just because a movie gets big numbers shouldn't mean it is automatically because of a wow factor. It is also subjective whether someone believes a movie deserves the big numbers.

Anyways, I like to see a movie I love succeed because I want to see it succeed. Getting a sequel out of the success is a bonus of course and the best thing to come out of those big numbers.

[P@t_Mtl]

I will admit that I am guilty as anyone else about the WOW effect. If one look's at my collection you can see I am part of the problem. But should we clearly blame kids for this problem? Are they the one that make Hollywood created these movies or is it everyone in general that is responsible for it?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I will admit that I am guilty as anyone else about the WOW effect. If one look's at my collection you can see I am part of the problem. But should we clearly blame kids for this problem? Are they the one that make Hollywood created these movies or is it everyone in general that is responsible for it?

I just know that back in the 80s and 90s we didn't have so much CGI or so many special effects in movies. I think technological advances are also to blame, as is Hollywood for pandering to the masses. George Lucas effect!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by killowertz

That is becoming subjective. Just because a movie gets big numbers shouldn't mean it is automatically because of a wow factor. It is also subjective whether someone believes a movie deserves the big numbers.

Anyways, I like to see a movie I love succeed because I want to see it succeed. Getting a sequel out of the success is a bonus of course and the best thing to come out of those big numbers.

But like I mention as number 9 of my original post, movies are so subjective to start with to judge them, so would box office alone be enough to say what is the greatest movie of all time? Because of box office (adjusted of course) is Gone With The Wind then the greatest movie in history?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

But like I mention as number 9 of my original post, movies are so subjective to start with to judge them, so would box office alone be enough to say what is the greatest movie of all time? Because of box office (adjusted of course) is Gone With The Wind then the greatest movie in history?

Box office has very little to do with whether or not a movie is incredible, all it really says is that people liked a movie and were willing to give it repeat viewings. I mean come on, does anyone here really think Titanic is the best movie ever made? I haven't seen it but I still think the answer is no. Silly pubescent girls!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

I just know that back in the 80s and 90s we didn't have so much CGI or so many special effects in movies. I think technological advances are also to blame, as is Hollywood for pandering to the masses. George Lucas effect!

I sometime agree that yes we have been to taken with the visual and we have forgotten the other parts of what make a movie interestings. Maybe this is why we get so crazy when a movie like Lord Of The Rings come's along. Huge effect, big wow factor but with an actual story and with actors doing a wonderful job creating their characters. Maybe we now just expect these good performances in only lower budget movies when once upon a time, a good story and performances was expected in every movie. Ben-Hur had a wow factor but had everything else as well.