The fact that After Earth managed to make $27M shows you the power of marketing and promotional appearances because it deserved to make nothing. It is a huge bomb and being called the worst movie ever and did finish a distant third and even lost to Now You See Me. This film was based on an idea by Will Smith and it is one of the most boring movies I have ever seen. Who decided that Jaden Smith was a star? Oh yeah, his dad. It seems like Will is having that career stall that Tom Cruise had several years back.
Worse than that Travolta Scientology film?
ReplyDeleteAnything directed by Shyamalan will attract decent numbers at the box-office
ReplyDeleteBattleship Earth? Yeah, that was awful.
ReplyDeleteWill Smith's appeal was when he seemed accessible and friendly. Now he just seems smug. Quit pushin' your kids on us, Will.
Agreed, Momster. I used to love Will Smith, but I've gone off him the last few years. I think he's way more into Scientology than he publicly says. They have a habit of turning their celeb "opinion leaders" into douches.
DeleteFolks were waiting for him to bomb. Think it's more professional jealousy than anything . Prolly why folks hate own Cruise so much.
ReplyDeleteI think people are responding more to the hubris rather than any "professional jealousy." if anything, WS has put himself in a position where he never, ever hears no- with disastrous creative results.
DeleteI heard some people have said it's a Scientology propaganda film, about no fear or something. If people are saying that, I can see why there would be no audience. Agree with momster about Will Smith's appeal - I used to really like him.
ReplyDeleteIn that promotional picture there, in the bottom left corner, the tree is clearly forming an 'S' and a backwards 'C'. Maybe for Scientology. Maybe for Smith. Maybe both. And the smoke cloud coming off the volcano (which in itself is heavy with Scientology lore) is forming an evil face.
DeleteUsed to love Will. I don't know how long it's been since I've watched a new movie of his.
ReplyDelete@JustCurious, every star has his season, and then usually a winter season, and if he or she has what it takes another spring and summer. Winona Ryder came back, Robert Redford is coming back. Courtney Love is probably not coming back.
ReplyDeleteSmith just has to find a new gig for himself. He's not the Fresh Prince any more; he can't just coast on his charm.
It's definitely Scientology propaganda. My husband, David, had many long phone calls with Will Smith about the film.
ReplyDeleteThere's Shelly!
DeleteLol! So glad to see you came out of "hiding" for that comment. :-)
DeleteBEWARE this is not the real shelly miscavige
DeleteIt was a decent movie most certainly not his best but it wasn't as bad as some people are making it seem. It's like they couldn't wait for him to bomb. Will is a great actor and I'd love to see him in more dramas. What's wrong with will using his connections to boost his kid's career? Jaden needs to work on his craft but he's not a bad actor. Sheesh the kid is barely in high school and people are already out for blood.
ReplyDelete@tuesdayadams are you a scientologist? Everyone knows that jaden is the biggest narcissistic brat in Hollywood. The only times he's ever been in a film is because daddy dearest pulled some strings to get him in.
Delete@tuesdayadams are you a scientologist? Everyone knows that jaden is the biggest narcissistic brat in Hollywood. The only times he's ever been in a film is because daddy dearest pulled some strings to get him in.
Delete@skimpymist...so because @tuesdayadams disagrees with you she's a "scientologist" (which you were clearly using pejoratively). It's always nice to belittle people you disagree with, especially on such a trivial matter.
DeleteThe consistent CoS and gay rumors plus his and Jada's unique parenting method with Jaden and Willow have not helped him at all.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the movie was his idea.
Although I wasn't interested in seeing the movie, I doubt it's the worst. I've seen some dreadful movies. Ones where the refreshments were the only highlight on the movie experience.
Why are the Smiths being shat on over this movie and not Shyamalan, the director?
ReplyDelete@Andy, I think, after Avatar:TLAB and... almost everything he made after Unbreakable, people pretty much expect awful films from Shyamalan. What's left to say? It's just Will's turn.
DeleteIt was a mediocre movie, and Jaden Smith was horrible I am sorry but he was more monotone that JLo in her movies. They really could have done a great job with this story but it fell flat.
ReplyDeleteThe best review quote:
ReplyDelete"Once upon a time, Hollywood parents gave their children sports cars as gifts. These days, apparently nothing less than a big-screen vanity project will do for Junior." -- NY Times
Best review quote ever
Delete@Andy - because it was based on a Will Smith idea, and he cast his son in it.
ReplyDeleteThis type of thing happens when stars are surrounded by sycophants.
ReplyDeleteThat kid is so annoying. Plus his face always looks like he just smelled something very bad.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have info on whether Will Smith had plastic surgery? Cause he looks weird now.
@ms snarky, Will Smith did get plastic surgery. David told him to go to Tom Cruise's surgeon, but he declined. Foolish man has a jacked up face now, but it should settle into place soon.
DeleteBEWARE this is not the real shelly miscavige
DeleteOMGosh, rock me, I think we are all aware of that.
DeleteMaybe he should give his kids an education so they can find their own career, it's clear the public is not a fan of the Smith children, they have no talent and are truly obnoxious!
ReplyDeleteGood. The Reign of Smith needs to end. Hide yo children, no one wants to see them!
ReplyDeleteall i want to know is who taught little jaden smith his one expression...you know, that one he always does that's freakishly similar to the jlo red carpet constipation pout? if that's the extent of his range, he'd better hope daddy's name and money keep opening doors.
ReplyDeleteI can't really "blame" a parent for wanting to do/give everything for their kid. Was the whole genesis of this film pretty obnoxious? Yes. But the public has spoken and Hollywood will take note. In other words, problem solved. Smith has been in terrible movies before (*cough* Wild, Wild West *cough*) but apparently his kryptonite isn't a shitty script, tired idea or bad direction -- it's his son.
ReplyDeleteKaden doesn't seem like the worst celeb offspring. Maybe he's a horror behind the scenes, maybe he's spoiled and doesn't even realize it. Maybe he thinks he wants fame b/c he's all of 15 and it's what he knows and time will tell on that.
I would hope that instead of piling on his lack of talent, nepotism (and, really is that HIS fault, or his dad's) and box-office failure, though, everyone can just go "meh" and move on. Again, the kid is 15. What was the biggest stresser in your life at that age? Here, he's being blamed for a $100 million flop. Let's move on to stars who really deserve our disdain instead of just blowing our annoyance out of proportion.
Also: Dude. Seriously. Everything the Kardashians touch anymore turns to crap. Kanye -- er, I mean "Yeezus" *eyeroll* -- this does not bode well for your next album.
nomnom83 dumbass his name is J J Jaden not K K Kaden (hi just curious)
Delete@ rock me: are you a fifteen year old imposter? Calling someone dumbass? Really??!
Delete@ rock me: are you a fifteen year old imposter? Calling someone dumbass? Really??!
DeleteIf it was just Will and some "regular" child actor, I'm willing to bet that it wouldn't be doing so badly. What Will doesn't seem to realize is that his kids come off as spoiled, entitled brats and no one likes them.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think of them, I get a quick mental flash of Doc Brown at the end of Back to the Future--No, Marty, you're fine....it's your KIDS!!
The husband has an inexplicable love for the Smith clan. Yesterday he was saying that he wants to see this Scientology propaganda. I can't stand supporting them. Anything Will has done post Hitch rankles. I believe it was the realization that Will and Jada named their children WILLow and JADen that began to turn the tide for me. Scientology was the icing on the turd cake. I can't fault Will for using his position to further his children's careers, but that doesn't make it any less distasteful.
ReplyDeleteSaw the movie. Not as bad as Enty said. Showgirls is still the worst movie ever. Jaden's acting was bad, and the movie was kinda rushed through and yet felt long. Bad editing.
ReplyDeleteSPOILER ALERT
No twist ending...
I loved will smith in his fresh prince days, and even some of his newerish stuff, like I am legend, 9 pounds etc.
ReplyDeleteHe has a comedic charm, and is good at action, he probably wishes he could do more intellectual type movies (or whatever this is supposed to be hahah). And I must admit the trailer looked pretty dang cool. But trailers are of them the best parts of the move and not much else.
As for will smiths kid, I've seen him in pursuit of happiness and the karate kid. I think I liked him in the first one, probably because he had to follow a strict script or something. The karate kid was freaking terrible. Jaden sounded like will spoon fed him every line. He isn't his own person, but kids his age copy things and it was obvious he copied his dad and idolized him. But I think that's normal for kids.
I haven't seen this movie yet, but when I download it, I hope he has some sort of acting talent and isn't a carbon copy of his dad.
I don't think it's that Will Smith is unlikeable it's that his kid is. Add to that a two minute trailer of barely any cast and some weird accent WS was doing = bomb.
ReplyDeleteConsidering Jaden has grown up with absolutely no "parenting" he could have turned out a lot worse than going around with JLo face. I don't understand how people can hate on a child. That being said, this movie just didn't look great. People aren't going to go see a movie where the highlight reel isn't even that interesting.
ReplyDelete@yodelay - the problem is that the 'child' is going to grow (or maybe not, haha!) into an obnoxious semi-adult who still thinks he should be given everything because of his father, and the very odd parenting directions of that very odd cult.
ReplyDeleteRemember when Sofia Coppola was in the Godfather 3 and people talked about how THAT was the worst celebrity child casting?
ReplyDeleteSofia turned out fine, if a little bruised by the experience, and ultimately found her own niche apart from her father.
If Jaden has brains and talent, he'll be OK too.
I guess it's up to Keanu to save the world. Wonder what he's been doing late lately?
ReplyDeleteI love that picture. Jaden better keep looking up, just to be sure frozen alien ghosts aren't pelting that volcano while he contemplates his situation.
ReplyDeleteMy BFF walked out of it, and he got free passes, so I don't need to suffer any of it myself.
time to put the fat suit on Will and start dancing!
ReplyDelete@Shelly, nice to hear from you again.
ReplyDeleteDid Jaden want to act or did his family push him into it? Never knew the answer to that one.
ReplyDeleteWillow decided not to sing anymore and she wants to be a "regular kid." She's dating and posts half-naked women on her Tumblr.
I feel sorry for Jaden. While a difficult road, having the chance to find success on your own terms is a real gift a wealthy parent can give their kid. Now that everything has been handed to this kid before the age of 16, what's left besides drugs, and boredom and a sense of entitlement. Sad.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the general public is sick of the over the top nepotism. I know I am.
ReplyDelete@Nutty: Not so long after the Godfather III fiasco, I read a very good piece in a film magazine by a writer whose mom had desperately wanted her to become an actress--she did try, but she was miserable, and it was obvious even in her screen tests that her heart wasn't in it and she didn't have whatever "it" is that makes for a successful performer. She wrote that when she saw G3, she could immediately see that Sofia was in the same position she herself had been years earlier, performing because someone else wanted her to, and felt terribly sorry for her. I suspect a lot of us are glad that Sofia finally found her niche and seems to be happy with it--yes, she wasn't a good actress at all, but in the end it was her dad's decision to put her in the movie, and so the blame really should be his.
ReplyDeleteI saw "Scatter My Ashes At Berdorf's" I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI'm staying as far away from this Scientology movie as possible. Something tells me that $27 million this movie made is largely due to scientologists coming out of the woodworks to watch their version of "The Bible".
ReplyDeletei wasn't aware that shamadingdong was attached to the project. All the marketing screamed Will Smith and Jr. And yeah, it seemed to me Battlefield Earth 2.0.
ReplyDeleteNepotism is darned annoying. Will Smith's kids just do not seem to have "It"-you know, that star factor. It's painfully obvious they get their work through their parents. I feel sorry for Willow, actually, because she seems uncomfortable with show biz, but Jaden is a different story, he acts like he is a big star, ugh...
ReplyDeleteIs this movie one of those flicks that is three hours or four long? It seems that way from the ads. Like it has no specific plot but just keeps going and going.
When the women in my hair salon were calling this movie propaganda I knew it would bomb. That's not a word you hear a lot in the hairdresser.
ReplyDeleteAs for Jaden and Willow I hope that somewhere, somehow, they've gotten an education. From what I've read here that isn't always the case with children raised by people with their parents alleged beliefs.
Wow bad movie what a shame have loved Will Smith in the past hope to love him again in the future but right now I will take a pass.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was that bad. the teens loved it
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was that bad. the teens loved it
ReplyDeleteI feel kind of bad for the kid. I know he's a tool but it's kind of not his fault. And now, he is being butchered in the press all because of his asshole parents weren't willing to consider his feelings. Can you imagine being his age and reading/ hearing these things about you? Ok, Ill step off my soapbox now.
ReplyDelete@just curious
ReplyDeleteGetting fat!
Will Smith would have been great in the Matrix. It's too bad he turned it down for The Wild Wild West reboot.
I cut Sofia Coppola a lot of slack for the Godfather fiasco. Winona Ryder pulled out days before shooting began. I can't remember if it was exhaustion (she had just filmed four movies back-to-back) or when she was hospitalized. In any case, the production was starting and they needed a replacement fast. Maybe they could have found another known actress who was available to starting shooting immediately in Rome, maybe not. Dad went with his daughter, but she wasn't the person who was supposed to play the part.
ReplyDeleteOMG Shelley!!!! You're ALIVE!!
ReplyDeletebrenda l BEWARE that is not the real shelly miscavige
DeleteYes it is! Her name is RIGHT THERE!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course I believe everything I read!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought that "Fear is a choice" bullshit seemed weird for a tag line. My hubby is a fan of L. Ron Hubbard's sci-fi novels, so I've seen Battlefield Earth a few times. I LMFAO at Vinnie Barbarino's dreds. I'm not paying to see another Scientology film, this one starring Fresh Prince and Son.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone expect this movie to be anything other than terrible?
ReplyDelete(As for Sofia Coppolla and G3, I rewatched it the the other day and for some reason I didn't find her performance all that bad. Not great, certainly, but it didn't ruin the movie or anything.)
I don't understand why everybody hates Battlefield Earth. I quite enjoyed it. I mean, I hardly took it "seriously", but I thought it was fun.
ReplyDeleteYou are a stupid troll, a thoughtless troll, an uninspiring, uninteresting, unoriginal troll. To sum it up in trollspeak: UR laym
ReplyDelete