"Big" films regularly make near $100 million in a weekend. Even a $60 million dollar weekend is considered small these days (for some films). This would be great if quality films really brought people out to the theater and everyone got behind a well made movie, but that is not the case by and large.
People go see what the marketers want people to see. A movie can have a critical thrashing and still be a monster hit. People seem proud to have bad taste. Or they are some how "showing the critics" by going anyway. Really, they are hurting themselves as they will continue to get the same bad stuff piled on until they stop going. I can understand wanting a big action film or a big spectacle film. But there are no reasons why these films should not be judged by the same standards. These films can do the blow up thing and still be intelligent and deftly made.
This isn't to say that solid films are never hits. That's silly talk. Pixar films are always top notch and always bring in a fair amount. Last summer the Dark Knight became one of the biggest grossers in history and it is a very solid film. These are just off the top examples out of several possibles.
There are still too many examples of films that are terrible that make a ton. There is no excuse for this. People go to see bad films multiple times. And films that are unspeakably better go no where. Big films can cost $200 million easy. Even if it is a modest success and hits $250 million, that's $50 million in profit (before cable, DVD profits etc.). That's a lot of money. So it is business. But if people don't go to bad movies, then you will see less of them. That's more business.
Personally, I think back end deals should be more common. Which means actors, directors, writers and the like get a bigger cut of the profits instead of huge paychecks up front. So, if you only get paid scale (minimum) for a film the rest of the budget gets to go to sets and effects and things that will improve quality. You will keep the budget way down. All the people involved will work that much harder to make a good film as they will see more money due to the increased percentage of the gross they will receive. Even big blockbusters are effected by word of mouth and repeat viewings, mind you.
Anyways, that is a lot of nonsense. Let's look at some numbers that are highly depressing. I don't need to say much more than present these.
Great films followed by not so much...
SPECTACLE
The Fountain
Opening WEEKEND - 3.7 million
Transformers 2
Opening WEDNESDAY - 62 million
VAMPS
Let the Right On In
2.1 million total gross
Twilight
191 million total gross
MALL SECURITY
Observe & Report
24 million total gross
Paul Blart
146 million total gross
SIDEBURNS
In Bruges
7.8 million total gross
Wolverine
179 million total gross
Vote with your dollars. Example... Spiderman 1 and 2 were GREAT superhero movies. I was there for the midnight showing for part 3. Part 3 was not good (don't get me wrong, there was plenty to like. But they messed up some major things in major ways). I will not see part 4 in the theater. It's that simple.
We will sort of end with a Siskel quote... "There is a point when a personal opinion shades off into an error of fact. When you say 'The Valachi Papers' is a better film than 'The Godfather,' you are wrong."
On to something personal, here is a peek at some character art from my most recent script. It's nothing as I can't show the full design. I'll post a full one later that is not as important and secret. But still... here is a boot by M.
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