I almost went to see that Exotic Marigold Hotel movie this weekend. I'm a sucker for Judi Dench. The one showing I wanted to see though was sold out. Good for her. Meanwhile, Avengers crushed Avatar's record this week for the most money a movie ever made in the second weekend. It is also the fastest movie to a billion dollars and everyone on the planet will see it before the end of the month. It seems like everyone already has. It is by far the most illegally downloaded movie ever which just shows that movies can make tons and tons of money even when people are also stealing it. I think people are watching it a second and third time online rather than as their first time. It did so well that Dark Shadows got crushed. People went to see Dark Shadows Thursday night at the midnight screenings and then told everyone to not see it this weekend. It did not do well compared to other Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movies.
Tim Burton has been in a slump for the last few years. Perhaps he should try working with someone other than Johnny Depl since all his characters in Burton films end up being the same. I still have hope for Tim. So over Johnny.
ReplyDeleteI loved it, RDJ was my Mother's Day present.
ReplyDeleteGood. I cant't stand James Cameron.
ReplyDeleteWord, Patty.
ReplyDeleteI am the opposite.
ReplyDeleteI saw Dark Shadows and purposely didnt see The Avengers.
No offense against that movie but sometimes I'm not interested in drinking the kool-aid along with a vast majority of America when it comes to big blockbuster HOllywood entertainment.
Also, for what it's worth, I liked Dark Shadows. It wasnt constantly a mile a minute entertainment but rather quality and the nearly 2 hrs it was on screen zipped by. There were REALLY cool special effects and fairly witty dialogue. The female/male characters were a bit cliched and traditional (i.e. Depp's character proves his manhood by taking down the most powerful women in town) but nonetheless, good flick.
Incidentally, I caught Avatar on cable this weekend, and it has not aged well. The special effects looked fakey, and remember how it shot in 3-D. Well, on my HDTV, the obvious 3-D shots looks hokey as hell. But what really killed me was how bad the dialogue was. Even Sigourney Weaver, whom I adore, sounded terrible. I grew bored and turned it off halfway.
ReplyDeleteThe Avengers was tons of fun. It's success is deserved.
Totally agree, I caught part of it on tv too and just thought, wow, this is terrible. Did I really think this was amazing when it first came out? What kind of crack was I smoking?!
DeleteNo plans to see Avengers, but Dark Shadows is the first Burton/Depp movie I've wanted to see in years. So, I may take it in.
ReplyDeleteNo plans to see Avengers, but Dark Shadows is the first Burton/Depp movie I've wanted to see in years. So, I may take it in.
ReplyDeleteI am a Joss fan from the beginning. Buffy is my Codex.
ReplyDeleteSo is it wrong for me to feel a little wistful that now the entire world will worship him? I'm glad for him, because he is a nifty guy and btw brilliant and has earned every accolade and won't it be wonderful for him to have more power and it's not like I couldn't see this coming...
Still. I already miss the guy who wasn't recognized at ComicCon. Fame and power are so corruptible.
I was excited to hear about the remake (fun/goofy fact: my parents were such fans of the show that they actually named me Angelique, lol) of the series, but the reviews and trailers have left me cold. The series was creepy and eerie. The film seems to treat it like a farce. That doesn't equate to "Dark Shadows" to me, I need that "creeped-out" feeling I guess!
ReplyDeleteI saw Avengers in 3d this weekend. I'm not a Joss fan (I actually HATED Cabin in the Woods), but I thought the Avengers was ok. Some of the "flash and bash" scenes were too long. The 3d technology was pretty awesome, though.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Avengers this weekend, didn't plan on seeing it, but the hubby talked me into it. I enjoyed it because I love Joss Whedon (I LOVED Firefly) and the dialogue was actually really good, considering it was an action flick (only a few cheesy lines). Not interested in Dark Shadows because, as Diana said, I'm so over Johnny Depp and the fact he rehashes the same character.
ReplyDeleteFuck yes! I wanna see this again!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJeremy Renner as Hawkeye makes me....squirmily happy. He really needs to call me.
And, yeah, go see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It's a great movie with a great cast.
I will happily drink the Whedon-flavored KoolAid. He never disappoints me.
ReplyDeleteSaw it yesterday great fun....
ReplyDeleteI have boycotted Avatar since Day 1. I have never seen it and will never see it. It looked like the biggest pile of shit that was shot in 3D to sell higher priced tickets while providing nothing but a bunch of "ooooo, pretty." Fuck You, James Cameron. You haven't directed anything worth watching since 1994. See what Avengers did? It paired great effects with a GREAT SCRIPT. It can be done, James. That goes for you, too, MICHAEL FUCKING BAY.
ReplyDeleteI heard that Dark Shadows was actually pretty good. My boyfriend took his mother to see it yesterday since it was her favorite tv show and she was pleased with it. But, as others have expressed. I am over Johnny Depp in Tim Burton movies. Diversify, mother fucker!
Sorry about the f-bombs (not really). This monday has been a real c u next tuesday.
My movie secret is that I haven't yet seen Avatar, and probably never will. I just can't get all excited about another James Cameron over-hyped film with a thin plot and more special effects than talent. I saw Titanic -- that was enough. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice...
ReplyDeleteI also haven't seen the Avengers, but Joss Whedon has proven that he can tell a great story, create interesting characters and direct a helluva film, so I'll give it a try at some point -- probably when it's on Netflix or HBO.
I'm not a movie person but I saw Dark Shadows this weekend. The premise is great, it starts out really well and then falls apart. I blame the script. It's by the guy that wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The guy is only able to add to an existing story, he's completely unable to craft anything from scratch.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind seeing The Avengers, mainly for Joss Whedon. I generally don't like comic book movies but I've heard good things from people whose opinions I respect.
I've never seen Avatar. Not from any aversion, I'm just not a movie person.
I'm glad Dark Shadows did badly. I'm only 30 but I watched the reruns on scifi. I love it and was worried when I heard they were remaking it. I saw the trailer and it was worse than I could have imaginied. Maybe if the reviews are bad enough they won't remake Koljak or make Beetlejuice 2 like it is rumored. If he does that then he'll be the next George Lucas spitting on his work and fans.
ReplyDeleterobert downey jr. looks fantabulous in that photo. very handsome..
ReplyDeleteRDJ was awesome as usual as Iron Man. Love to see the character evolving.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Vicki. Just let it end.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to see Avengers again this weekend. Between RDJ, Chris Evans, and Mark Ruffalo... I need to remember a change of underwear this time.
Plus, I love my boy Joss. I'm more than happy to give him money.
Mcspanky said it perfectly. Buffy is my all time
ReplyDeleteFavorite, and Joss Whedons writing is second to none. Even the Astonishing Xmen series he did was amazing. I'm scared now that other people want what we have had so close to us for years. but Joss has a good (now bald) head on his shoulders. I have faith
I've been wanting to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but it has not come to our city yet. I think it might not be here at all :(.
ReplyDeleteI went to see Avengers last week it was very good and I highly recommend it. The only problem were kids running around and crying. Parents please leave your kids at home if you aren't taking care of them.
Dark Shadows I loved the series do not love Johnny Depp. I did not like the idea that it was made into a comedy and not a horror movie like it was meant to be. So this weekend saw the remake at the Chiller channel.
Seriously, when was the last time Tim Burton did something that wasn't a rehash of something that's already done or a remake of his own previous work? Charlie & the Chocolate Factory? Alice in Wonderland? Sweeney Todd? Now this and the upcoming Frankenweenie. I don't mind the Burton/Depp pairing and I adore Helena B-C, but really, enough with the rehashing.
ReplyDeleteAnd YES to the undisciplined children running about the theater. TAKE THEM HOME!
ReplyDelete(And I haven't seen Avatar and don't want to.)
Agree with my fellow Whedon-ties! I'm glad he is finally getting respect from people who aren't fans from Buffy, Firefly, Dollhouse, etc. If you haven't seen it yet check out Dr. horrible's singalong blog. I think it's on Netflix. It's awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the Avengers in 3D on an Imax screen, two moron couples decided that was the best place for their infants. Five minutes in, both kids were screaming their heads off.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw it in 2D on Saturday, I could barely hear the dialogue because people are too incompetent to teach their children how to behave in public.
@stephani, I had never seen Avatar either and this weekend it was on TV so I watched just a little of it from the middle or toward the end and had to stop. The dialog was so bad I had to watch a rerun of anything else.
ReplyDeleteAvatar is just dancing with wolves, but with blue aliens instead of the Native Americans. Or as it is jokingly referred to "dances with smurfs"
ReplyDeleteI ALSO have never seen Avatar, and probably never will at this point ! I think it was on TV just the other night, but no way am I sitting thru that for almost 3 hours !!
ReplyDeleteI definitely will see Dark Shadows. I was a big fan as a little kid. My Mom would try to scoot me out of the house after school and didn't want me watching it (highly imaginative and would get really scared watching it sometimes ) Guess she didn't want to deal with me !
WAIT A minute --- Dark Shadows is on the SCI FI channel ?? I have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteIt was in the 90s, if you have Netflix the original is on there and last year they also had the 80s reboot.
DeleteChristina, "Dances with Smurfs" never failed to make me lol.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, is applauding at the end of a regular screening something we're doing now? I don't remember ever clapping when I was a kid and they never did in Korea. I thought it was just for premieres or film festivals.
ReplyDelete@discoflux ITA re Cameron and Bay - misogynist tossers the pair of them.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Whedon can reboot Transformers. :D
ReplyDeleteI must be the only person who hasn't ever watched a Joss Whedon show. They don't seem like my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI'm saving my enthusiasm for The Dark Knight Rises, thank you very much! :-D
Somewhere (perhaps the Marainas Trench)James Cameron is crying and plotting Whedon's demise.
ReplyDeleteI saw another Joss film this weekend: The Cabin in the Woods. It's not a scary movie, but it really isn't meant to be. I took it more as a meta-film..and they did it wonderfully. I really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, Sherry. James Cameron will never be able to match wits with Joss.
ReplyDeleteWhat Tim Burton needs to do is never touch CGI again. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteWe saw saw the Avengers and loved it, the theater was mostly adults which was great. Lots of laughing out loud, and applause at the end. Everyone stayed through the credits.
ReplyDeleteCameron is a jerk, and I hope he cries himself to sleep.
Layna, there will be a mushroom cloud over Boston when I spontaneously combust when I finally see The Dark Knight Rises.
ReplyDeleteVicki, I think sometimes people clap when a movie is really fucking awesome.
ReplyDelete@ discoflux
ReplyDeleteTHANKS
cosign. I also havent seen avatar and have 0 intentions of doing so for the same reasons
And RDJ AND Johnny Depp movie the same weekend, my universe kind of imploded.
ReplyDeleteComic book nerd here and i still haven't seen the avengers. Last superhero film i watched in the theater was IM2.
ReplyDeleteNobody should apologise for calling Michael Bey a fucking *anything* okay! I never saw Avatar, so I have less animosity to James Cameron, but the theory probably holds for him too.
ReplyDeleteI wanna see Dark Shadows sooo bad, if nothing else but for the Jonathan Frid cameo (may he RIP). I couldn't see it this weekend since I had parent aggro.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, Burton and Depp are getting a little too set in their ways. Their look and characters are not that different than Scissorhands. Mix it up, dude.
ReplyDeleteOh and Dark Shadows is on Netflix, peeps! Starts at the beginning of the Barnabus episodes and ends when Victoria goes back to 1795 (season 4). AND they're available on instant streaming, yo!
The DH and I would watch an episode or two before bed which was the perfect ambiance for spooktacular campy Dark Shadows watching.
The two children seated behind us at Avengers were alternately bored (one asked "Can we go home now?" more than once) or frightened (crying). Our seats were kicked and yanked backward, and the little girl held on to my shoulder for a bit when the movie actually had her attention. She also projectile sneezed on us. Twice.
ReplyDeleteI would have gladly paid for their babysitter.
WORD on what Christina said re: Dr. Horrible. I love that little movie :) and I don't even like musicals.
ReplyDeleteCameron can suck it. Avengers is kicking Avatar butt, and I hope both Dark Knight and Prometheus do the same.
Haven't seen Avengers yet only b/c I've been waiting for the crowds to die down a bit. Can hardly wait :)
While Cameron is really, really good at spectacle and special effects, his big weak spot as a director is that he cannot write believable dialogue to save his life. He just can't do it. Rebuild the damn boat and then resink it? Sure! Write decent dialogue for the actors to recite while on said boat/in the drink? Not so much. There's a reason that was pretty much the only category that Titanic missed out on at the Oscars back in the day; while the actors all did their damndest, most of the dialogue in that movie makes me cringe, to the point that I've never actually sat through the entire movie to date. (I have, however, seen the last hour or so half-a-dozen times, because really, watching the boat sink is real time is pretty much the main reason to watch that movie in the first place...well, that, and I still want all of Kate Winslet's costumes, but that's another story...) I'm not saying this out of spite, either; it's just not something he's good at, and he really ought to just hire a really good writer, give them a very detailed storyline, and then let 'em bang out the screenplay.
ReplyDeleteAs for Avengers, I haven't seen it yet, but I do intend to at some point--it's just that unemployment, and then being sick all last week, have put a bit of a crimp in my social life lately. Gotta get my RDJ fix, after all... :-)
As it should. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, but mostly because I'm probably a middle-aged perve. :(
ReplyDeleteChris Evens is a perfect male specimen. Lord Almighty. And I don't normally go for the buff guys. Or the blonde guys - Chris Helmsley was just adorable.
I wanted to jump Jeremy Renner's bones, even though he is likely gay. Can someone explain my reaction? Never seen him in a movie prior to this, but found him completely sexy.
And RDJ was as charming as he has always been. Grew up with the guy, so I adore him.
ScarJo fit in quite well. I've read some sour reviews on her, but I think she did good.
Loved the movie. RDJ was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWe went to a 3:45pm showing yesterday. Plenty of seats were empty.
ReplyDeleteNormally I'm blah about 3D - gives me a headache sometimes, and I usually suspect it's a technique to cover up a bad movie overall. Not so with Avengers. Loved the outerspace scenes. They were the best ones in 3D.
Christina, Tim Burton is actually going to do a movie version of The Night Stalker??? Nothing is sacred anymore.
Long-time Joss Whedon fan. Thrilled for his success. Went with my husband and there were a lot of children. Generally well behaved. There is a chaste kiss and about 4 of the kids around us went 'yuck'. Another time a little boy said 'that would have hurt!' it actually enhanced the movie for us as they were very well behaved in general. Loved the film, and count me in as a perve as well. Those men are yummy.
ReplyDeleteI co-wrote a book on Dark Shadows and am a first-generation viewer. I went to Dark Shadows expecting nothing and that was pretty much what I got. On all TV shows, there is what is called "the big three" -- three characters that are the favorites of the audience. Burton, for some unknown reason, killed off one of the big three and threw her into the water in the first half of the movie. And yet they are surprised it flopped.
ReplyDeleteJust as a film, it's visually stunning and conceptually interesting, but ... I had friends involved in it and wish I could say I liked it, but I can't.
Shakey,
ReplyDeleteJust looked it up again to make sure I was right. Depp is doing it but it will be directed by Edgar Wright who did "Spaced" and "Shaun of the dead". I love Edgar Wright, but it shouldn't be done. There is no way in hell that Depp will be as good as Darren McGavin. I agree, nothing is sacred. Where is the petition for Hollywood to stop remaking stuff? All the fucking remakes where they shit on the original is getting old and pathetic.
Sorry for the language. Rant over
I was really hoping to see this movie for mother's day while we were at the beach but I didn't get to see it. Just one more crappy thing for a crappy weekend. The only good part was getting to be with my girls. Luckily that is wonderful enough to make up for all the other craptastic things. Still didn't get to see the movie though.
ReplyDelete