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Chance of a lifetime or setup for failure

posted 10 years ago by freemanpatrick7
5 replies | jump to latest

What director wouldn't jump at the chance to direct a $40 million + movie that might be the most anticipated release in a long time?

Sam Taylor-Johnson has only one theatrical release under her belt (Nowhere Boy) which grossed less than $10 million worldwide. So why would she be picked to helm such a highly anticipated film?

Call me a pessimist, Ok, I admit it, I can be pessimistic. But that's partly due to the long history of crap that Hollywood has been putting out these past few years, and the lack of support for anything that isn't crap.

But my question remains, why would give they such a highly anticipated film to such a novice director? On the one hand, if it hits, it could make her career. On the other hand, if it flops, which I'm betting it does, she didn't really have a career to kill. Maybe no other director wanted to risk their own career on such worthless source material.

Time will tell.

Soylent Green is people!

[–] fragile_day 10 years ago

On the other hand, if it flops, which I'm betting it does,

Considering the buzz and pre-release ticket sales have been big enough for the studio to announce both sequels will be made before the movie is even out, you might wanna re-assess that judgement.

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

[–] freemanpatrick7 10 years ago

Actually my judgement is stronger than ever.
Of all the movies opening this week 50 pieces of s*** is the only one that has no reviews posted. That can only mean that the studio wants to hide this mess until it's too late.
There are bound to be plenty of people who go to see this movie no matter what. After all, look how many idiots bought the book.
But, just like with Mortdecai, when there are no reviews this close to a release it's because the studio didn't let anyone see it.
50 pieces of s*** probably won't flop as bad as Mortdecai, but that's not saying much, is it?

"Mortdecai is an embarrassment for all involved."

[–] FreddyVoorheesTheThird 10 years ago

No, there's no way it'll flop.

Almost everyone who bought and read the book + curious people + people who want to go and laugh at how bad it is = unlikely flop.

When you play the game of monopoly, you win or you go bankrupt. There is no middle ground.

[–] johnmichael-2 10 years ago

Check again, freemanpatrick7. Reviews are coming in. They're mixed, but they're better than Twilight and SATC2 reviews. And most of them even seem to suggest that Sam Taylor-Johnson and the screenwriter actually improved on the book, which is widely panned by critics.

None of this matters, however, because there's a MASSIVE fanbase for the books, and they will turn out in droves opening night, even if this film is a bloodstained heap of sh!!t and maggots.

[–] Horse_Caulk 8 years ago

"Chance of a lifetime or setup for failure"

Failure, hopefully. She's horrible.