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 It's been a weird day. I think we've finally achieved success… people with money to offer are asking me to sell out. That means something, doesn't it?
In other news I'm sick of reading my own words, and since this column's title is so vague it allows me to do whatever the hell I want, for awhile I'm focusing The Film Habit in on the movie addiction of others. It sounds rather sappy, but you our readers are why we're here, so speak up.
me with fuel.
Winning Back Our Bucks
“One of the main reasons why I don't go see movies at the theater is people.”
“When it comes to audiences in movie theatres...two words. BAN BABIES!”
“Our crappy little theaters charge the same as the much much nicer multiplex theater”
“The concession stands candy is just rediculous. I counter it by sneaking in my own, their candy sucks these days anyway.”
“My main concern are also the ignorant misbehaved idiots all around... and, believe you me, we have LOADS of those over here.”
“Here in NY I pay $9 for a movie and then $11 for a small popcorn and drink. That's 20 per person... it makes it too expenisve to go anymore.”
“Too often theatres are used as a dumping place for kids.”
“I feel like I'm always being marketed to.”
“It's not bad enough that we're paying nearly 10 bucks a pop for tickets ALONE, we have to sacrifice and suffer through our movie going experience because some retards decided to go make fun of a movie one evening.”
“It's great that theaters are trying to get the latest stuff, but I paid $10 and do not want to sit through a Fantana commercial followed by a Ford truck commercial.”
“I've actually seen mothers take their little children (I mean birth to 2 years of age) into R-rated movies. No wonder kids are so screwed up these days.”
“I keep my mouth shut, why cant they?”
“If you even *suspect* you're going to be offended, then stay the hell out of the movie. Take your conservative ass back to Alabama.”
“The big problem has to be teenagers and other assorted jackasses. I don't have to eat or drink for 2 hours. I would, however, like to hear the movie and not some dork talking to his fellow dork.”
Those are all quotes from people on our Message Board, explaining why they’re hesitant to shell out cash for a movie. I had a big diatribe written on what movie theaters need to do to get people back in their seats, but I think they've said it better. I'm still not sure I'm buying into the box office downturn hype. Yes, the movie industry will make less money this year than last year, but the difference isn’t as big as the doom and gloom set like to make it appear, and I’m not sure the reason for it actually has anything to do with audiences refusing to go to the theater in favor of DVD. But, what is certain is that the movie industry needs to make some changes if they’re going to keep audiences happy and showing up in years to come. The grumbling from moviegoers like the ones above has only grown louder as the theater experience degrades even further. Who cares what I think… that's what the people buying your tickets think.
E-Mail Buffet
And now for the only thing you people really care about… yourselves! We get e-mail, here's some of it. Not all of it of course! My inbox is so full… aw who am I kidding, we're not that popular. This is all of it. I've revamped the email section a little, brought in Shatner to straighten things out. Who better than the Captain? Here we go:
me or I'll come up with my own content.
People Do Win!
 Hillary: The Greatest American Hero Box Set arrived yesterday. What a blast from the past. Thank you. It's a hoot!
Josh: Glad we could get it to you Hillary. Now if only more of the people entering our giveaways actually visited the other parts of the site. Might help offset the trouble I have to go through to run so many contests.
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Josh's Review of The Island
 Jeff Wolverton: "...future said to be somewhere around 2050, though it
looks more like 2015 to me. For the sake of sanity,
we'll just assume the world doesn't change as much as
you'd expect in five decades. Why not. Actually, if
there's a problem with the movie it is that it's
plagued by a lot of tiny logical gaps like that."
Yeah, what dummies. In an effort to keep you from
looking stupid, you might want to edit that paragraph.
"The Island" mentions - TWICE during the film, even -
that it's set in the year 2019. Go to the bathroom
during those parts?
"looks more like 2015 to me." Hmmm... wonder why?
Josh: Dear Jeff, I'm not going to stand here and try to sell myself as a model of perfection. I make mistakes and will continue to do so. However, I distinctly remember the date 2050 being referenced during the film. Whether I'm right or wrong though, seems to me to be immaterial. What is clear is that you're not getting enough validation in your personal life. I'm glad you could come here to lord your superiority over someone. We're glad to have you as a loyal reader.
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Gunning For Sinopoli's Job
 Michelle: I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how Cinema Blend and your Film Habit entries are my new favorite pages about movies on the internet. Just a few days ago I stumbled across CinemaBlend.com to find a review about the newest movies that just came out last Friday. I now know that your site is my favorite site to go to to read about movies. Once poking around Cinema Blend, I discovered The Film Habit, and I read them all. I seem to find myself going to your site and leaving my browser open all day to your site at work, just so when I have a couple minutes to take a short break from work I can read new reviews… even old ones… and also check up on your Film Habit entry. Your latest Film Habit (#52) is the reason I'm writing you… although I'm but a new reader to CB and to The Film Habit, I wanted to put my opinion in, even if it is only worth 2 cents. Please continue to write your Film Habit entries. I'm a big fan of both your Film Habit and your reviews. I, like you, enjoy your style of writing. I wouldn't mind if you only wrote them every once in a while instead of every week, but eliminating them completely will make this reader, at least, a little sadder.
I also wanted to know if you are looking for any writers of graphic web designers for your site. I'm currently finishing up my BA in Multimedia Arts which focuses on graphic design and web design. I currently have a job as a file clerk at a tax office (which is really exciting stuff…) but I was thinking if you have an opening I could contribute to Cinema Blend as either a writer or graphic artist. I love movies, I used to work at Blockbuster, and I see most of the newest movies that come out, including all the indies. Also, I have experience in writing, having taken writing courses in college (both creative and basic journalism courses) as well as being the editor of my high school year book my senior year. If you are looking for more writers or graphic artists, I would be glad to send you some samples of my work, both writing and graphic designs.
Josh: Thanks for your kind words Michelle. It's good to get an email like that once in awhile, even if you were only buttering me up for a job application. I respect that. Ass kissery will get you everywhere. Unfortunately, you'd probably totally hate our pay rates. Besides, we've got a really fantastic graphic artist already being overworked. I'd hate for Sinopoli to end up with any free time. He's young, idle hands and all. The lad needs guidance.
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Film Habit #53
Cliff: A well done feature. :-)
Josh: A well done email.
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Clueless Clonus
 Devon: Saw this movie on Friday and I really enjoyed it so it sucked to hear this
news:
A filmmaker is accusing The Island of being a rip-off of a film released 25
years ago. Robert Fiveson, who directed the 1979 movie Clonus, has
discovered some major similarities between his movie and The Island. Both
films feature closely monitored residents of a futuristic colony who dream
of wining a lottery and going to a better place.
Josh: I'm always skeptical when I hear about things like this. The Clonus rumor has been running around for awhile… and actually just about every big movie that comes out arrives with an accompanying lawsuit these days. Where there's big money, there's shady lawyers trying to suck off of someone else's teet. I haven't seen Clonus, nor will I, but similar ideas are pretty easy to come up with. In the end though, the Clonus people are wasting their time, The Island is one of the biggest flops of all time, there's no money to be squeezed from it.
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DMC
Rob: Joshua Tyler's reivew of "Stealth" is a great read, but you need to
spellcheck the word "DeLorean."
Josh: As long as you enjoyed the review I'm happy. That'll be good information to have though, if I ever get one and need to smuggle drugs in it.
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Say What You Want, Just Get My Name Right!
Sam Schreiber: My name is Sam Schreiber, writer of Raise Your Voice,
starring Hilary Duff. Would you be so kind as to
correct the spellling of my name on your website?
Josh: Sam, if you wrote Raise Your Voice you've got bigger problems than whether or not we spelled your name right! Sorry, that was uncalled for. Shouldn't kick a guy when he's down. Hell, if I were you I'd be ecstatic to have something I'd written up on screen, even if it did star Hillary Duff. I'm really sorry we got your name wrong. It's a little hard for me to go back in our database and fix something so old, but I'll keep it in mind for next time we make a database fix. At least now we'll be on top of it should we ever review your next film Nail Polish.
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Potter Not For Pre-Teens
Sydney McKee: Joshua Tyler has complained about the PG-13 rating for 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. Apparently, the books are for kids, and the movies should be too. It would be simple to think that the books are for children, since one trip to a bookstore proves that Harry Potter will undoubtedly be seen in the kids section.
But, as any reader of the book series will know, Harry Potter's books took a very dark turn at Goblet of Fire. People have complained about the Prisoner of Azkaban movie being too dark and dreary. If Goblet of Fire follows the book correctly, many more complaints will come from the parents who took their kid to a PG-13 Potter movie, in which they were scared to death by the rebirth of Voldemort, which includes quite a horrific series of events.
If parents don't want their children to see a gruesome (or so I've been told by the people who've seen the screenings) on-screen arm amputation, the hero getting stabbed with a dagger, people getting tortured, and character deaths, perhaps they should leave their younger children at home, and take their teenagers to see the film when it comes out in theaters. Thankfully, that is what the 'PG-13' is there for.
This movie is not trying to appeal to other audiences, as Joshua Tyler suggests. It is simply loyal to the books. Goblet of FIre is often reffered to as the 'turning point' of the series, and the movies shouldn't have to be dumbed down just so everyone's kids are comfortable seeing it.
Josh: We spent a ridiculous amount of time going round about this very subject last week on the CB Forum, so I'll keep my response short. First, I've always been clear that I'm not a reader of the books. I'm intentionally approaching the films from the perspective (one that incidentally most people share) of someone who only knows Harry Potter from the movies. As such, I don’t care a whit what the books are like, I'm only interested in the films. Secondly, if the aren't kids books, go have a word with the publisher and bookstores so carelessly marketing them to millions and millions of young kids. There'd be an outrage if Barnes & Nobles sold King's "Dark Tower" series in the kids section, if these are PG-13 books then there should be one about "Harry Potter" as well. You're talking to the wrong person. Right now I'm of the opinion that adult Harry Potter fans are in denial about what they're reading. Perhaps my opinion of the books will change when I read them all after the film series is complete. Until then, I'm leaving it in the same category as Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit as Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles, and the cartoony book covers suggest.
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Our Domino Preview
ShesAnOpenBook: Mr. Tyler's preview of Domino is inaccurate.
First: Domino Harvey categorically denied she was a lesbian and was planning on suing the publications who claimed she was. This rumor was perpetuated by a British tabloid and should not be taken as fact. (SOURCE: calendarlive.com: The fall of a thrill hunter )
Second: The film is not in any way being re-shot to include a death scene. This information is readily available at the film's official website: www.dominomovie.com.
Third: The release date for the film has been pushed back to October 14th.
Other Domino news: the film's site has been completely revamped and late last month screenwriter Richard Kelly spoke out about the rumors surrounding the film and it's subject (http://richard-kelly.net/news/2005/6-30-2005.html#richard ).
Please update your preview and put a stop to these rumors.
Josh: First: Tom Cruise denies he's gay too. Second: I know, that' exactly what I said. Did you read the preview or just skim? I'm a big skimmer too. Third: Thanks for the info, next time send us the update without being an ass Other: If they're going to pay you to pimp the film to film websites, you ought to be a little nicer about it.
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An Exciting New Website
Chris: Here's a bit more trivia for your Unleashed Jet Li movie feature. UK actress Carole Ann Wilson plays Maddy the supermarket manageress in this, her very first film role. More info and photos here
Josh: I've heard rumors about this IMDB place. They're not quite as good as us, but those crazy kids show promise. Thanks for the link!
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Child Actor
Brad Blanchard: Is there a way to buy a poster? My son is Patrick Blanchard, who played Brent Haskins in the movie.
Josh: In the interest of full disclosure, Brad and I emailed back and forth after this. His toddler son Patrick is in the upcoming movie Glory Road. After I directed him to our poster store, here's what the proud stage father said about the experience:
It was very interesting since it was the first movie set we have been on. Josh [Lucas] was very shy at first, but by midway of the filming he came around and was very friendly. My wife loved Josh, and my son love Emily Deschanel.
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Self Love?
Josh Flores: Dear Editor,
What can I say except thank you for bringing me all worldly entertainment news in such hilarious/interesting fashion. I've read my share of movie reviews but in all honesty ever since I discovered filmhobbit.com only a few months back I've never turned elsewhere for my movie review needs. I can imagine how this sounds like apple-polishing but I'll take that risk to let you know what a stand-up job your site is doing.
Reading the latest reviews is like watching a Letterman monologue completely on new movies...only it's funny.
I don't know how busy you are, and I'm sorry if this turned out to be a waste of time but I figured it couldn't hurt to send a bit of fan mail.
Once more, thank you for your casserole of sarcasm, criticism, humor, praise, and with all things Halle Berry, mercilessly blunt opinions.
- Filmhobbit.com addict, Josh
(P.S. Did I happen to mention how dashing your name is?)
Josh: I know what you're all thinking. No, I did NOT write this to myself. Not this time anyway. This is not a message from my Mexican alter ego. I don't even have the necessary materials to pull that off. For starters, I'd need a good sombrero.
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$30,000 Millionaires
James Jackson: Hey good stuff exept you are forgetting a whole different class. You have
the same type of 30k millionair but he really is a millionair. I know
several individuals black and Latino that have home in the hood (ghetto) and
also have a 500k -1M in some of the best areas to live in around dallas.
Sometime depending on what you do you have to dewell in that society to be
effective! Corporate Hustle, Street Hustle it all the same! There are more
Latinos, Asian, Black, Middle Eastern, Italian, that are underground
millionairs!!!!!! So the life of a 30k millionair could be a front! If you
know what i mean.... There is a huge underground Mob scene in dallas. For
years it has be kept to a minimum. But anyone with any type of street smarts
can reconize game anywhere! This is the REAL DALLAS! THIS IS WHY DALLAS HAS
LED THE NATION IN CRIME FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS! WAKE UP...........DALLAS IS
THE GATEWAY TO THE UNITED STATES!
Josh: Always nice to hear from another Dallas resident. Please don’t put a hit out on me. The first part of your email makes absolutely no sense, so I'll ignore it. But it's been known for years that Dallas is a big drug distribution center for drugs coming up from Mexico. No surprises there. It's been that way since the seventies. However, I submit that the reason Dallas now has the worst crime rate in the country could be because the entire city government is so corrupt that they're all under investigation by the FBI. All those council members being arrested the past few weeks might have clued you in. Or it could be the complete ineptitude of the previous chief of police, or it could be our wacko Mayor who wastes police resources and city resources trying to enact bogus laws to keep people from buying dirty magazines, or it could be the fact that Dallas police officers get paid less than almost any other police officers in any surrounding city, and as a result they can't find anyone willing to work the job. Or it could be that Dallas just sucks. If it were Atlantis we'd have already sunk into the ocean. Lucky we're landlocked.
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