Welcome to New Movie Hot Seat where the last Saturday of each month we review new films that’s opened in theaters that month. We will have a live debate discussing the pros and cons of one of the newly released films, then vote if it’s worth the money. Last week our viewers selected Green Lantern for this Saturday’s New Movie Hot Seat discussion. So please join us.
Please click here to see the Green Lantern trailer.
The live debate will begin this Saturday: 6/25/ 2011 @ 3pE/8pUTC
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
Hi Everyone-
Welcome to our discussion new and returning visitors. So I will begin with a question.
Did u see GL?
What did u think of the film?
Yes, I saw GL and was terribly disappointed.
Hello, all! I haven’t seen it so I’ll have to just read or ask questions today.
Hi Ozzie-
No problem u can ask Q.
Hi ladies! 🙂
Wow, sorry OB. That’s a bummer.
What showing did you go to and how did the audience respond to the film?
I went to a afternoon showing. The audience was mixed with women and men I would say ages teens to early 30’s. The audience was quiet no applause etc…
Wow, with an action type movie I would assume there would be noise (eg Fast 5. Yes I’m still grumbling over the noisy audience!).
Here was my overall impression then I will get more detailed later.
I would have preferred less CGI and more character development. In the beginning we were introduced to a CGI extravaganza and it never stopped long enough for audiences to embrace Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. The CGI was not terrible it just overwhelmed the story, which is what I suspected from the trailers.
Yes, from the trailers I thought the same. Pity it turned out that way.
That’s disappointing. Subtlety folks! Subtley. I’m sorry the story line and background wasn’t explored.
I personally did not see it, but 2 of my nephews did and they said it was okay. They said it was like seeing Thor, but with a green guy. They also did not like Blake Lively in it. They said they 2 did not mesh well on screen. Now this is coming from a 13 and 14 year old boys.
Wow! Your nephews are very perceptive. ITA! Lively/Reynolds not a good fit AT ALL!
What??? You mean two actors can be on-screen and NOT have chemistry!!!!???? Pshaw!!!!
*note sarcasm*
Wow I was on the wrong board entirely,
Littlebells thanks for telling me, (Eyes roll).
Just kidding 🙂
Just kidding 🙂
Just kidding 🙂
Just kidding 🙂
Just kidding 🙂
Just bring your message over here!!! I didn’t think about it so you know how sharp my box of crayons is. 🙂
I did a little of that, no big deal….
!!!!!And your box of crayons is very very sharp!!!!! 🙂
They also commented there was to many fight scenes. So OB’s observations about the CGI overwhelming the story goes along with how my nephews felt.
Do you think we as movie goers are on CGI or comic book hero overload? It seems that is all that has come out lately.
Yes/No I think if done half way well like Dark Night it can be very engaging. I just think now with this film it makes u Q CGI and superhero films altogether. LOL!
Hi all, I said this on another page….
Don’t mean to change the subject but Forbes magazine calls Green Lantern, X-men: First class, and Super 8 box office failures as well. So go figure
http://blogs.forbes.com/benzingainsights/2011/06/24/are-box-office-failures-green-lantern-x-men-super-8-a-bad-sign-for-cars-2/
That’s interesting! I thought X-Men: First Class and Super 8 were doing quite well. Then again the only access I’ve had to media news in the last two weeks was USA Today (I think that is what it’s called). They had two articles about Super 8, one focused on the whole film, the other on Elle Fanning. Both were positive.
LB
LOL! Not sure what actors you are talking about, but a few come to mind
*coughTwilightcough*
Poor chemistry or not I think people are afraid to miss out on the event Of Twilight at this point. Who is going to miss out on Edward and Bella “knocking boots”. I’m not sure you need chemistry for that.
hahahahahaha!!!! Oh my gosh I’m not even going to go there!!! 🙂
Good idea,
(I shouldn’t have either).
Just classic!
I’ve never been there! 🙂
Ignore the last comment, I got confused with something else!
How soon into the movie does Hal become the GL?
He becomes GL pretty immediately. Also, I could not get behind how he becomes GL. It was not believable at all. First I would never run up too some purple alien and then touch some purple goo oozing out of him. Then proceed to take some glowing green toxic lamp which might be some radiation lamp to my home. I could not even support this logic not in this day and age.
That’s exactly what I was thinking and I’ve only seen the trailer! There has to be some realism. My response would be, “WTH????” and get out out of Dodge. 🙂
LOL! EXACTLY..
Hmm, I see I am the odd person again. I’d still down in front of it and watch it. Maybe blow air on it or poke it with a stick to see if it reacted. I’d probably call for help to. But there would be no way in hell, I’d touch it or take something from it!
Now if my husband was with me, I would be FORCED to go and investigate. He would probably want to touch it, poke it, prod it, take a photo of it , make me take a picture of him with it and text it to everyone. In the meantime, I would be freaking out and begging, “Dude! Can we please go!!!!” Yeah, that’s exactly what would happen. 🙂
LB
OMG! i have never seen the movies, but I read to a young girl in the hospital who was very sick during college. We read the Hunger Games trilogy(very good). And then she wanted to read that series. We only go through the 1st book and about 1/2 the second. It took all of my will power to get the words out of my mouth to read them to her. They were horribly written, not literary masterpieces and can only imagine what the movies were like. And I believe Kristen Stewart was the lead, am i correct, well I cannot imagine the movies were much better if she was the anchor of that series.
Okay back to the original topic.
My nephews said that it was like the girl character did not belong. Not sure what they meant by that. I assumed that she did not add much to the movie?
I think one woman can add a lot to movie, when everything else is male like.
Sometimes I don’t know if it’s necessary to always have a romantic interest, you know?
I agree, ineffective formula movie making won’t rescue an otherwise poor story.
Well I think they use romantic interest to pull in women to the theaters for this genre.
As long as the guy is hot, I don’t need no stinkin’ other woman! haha! 🙂
IIMO-The dialogue did not go with the action. For example we were told how reckless and careless Ryan Reynolds character was yet his appearance suggested the opposite. His hair was never out of place, he was always clean shaven, his clothes were never wrinkled or stained etc….In other words the character’s appearance was too perfect to make u believe he was this out of control screw up. Also another problem was the relationship between Carol Ferris/Blake Lively and Hal Jordan/Ryan Reynolds. They were horribly mismatched and timing way off. Lively often appeared detached and more worried about her next line. I think the director Martin Campbell was too ambitious and tried to cram too much history into one scene.
The Hollywood Reporter suggested that the film may have suffered from being produced by committee. Basically saying too many hands were in the cookie jar.
Oddly Nolan’s Batman films are created this way as well; I think the difference is his team works to maintain the quality of the Nolan house style.
With current comic book writer Geoff Johns as a producer, this committee production was too focused on making sure the production did not deviate from the comic book.
CR-
I think Nolan’s camp has a much better process for creating for this genre. Why do u think they did not follow Nolan’s lead?
Hard question.
One reason may be Nolan can’t work on Every DC production.
Currently he has his hands full filming Batman and producing Superman.
TBH-I actually thought Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris were too pompous and perfect. They really made me want to support the villain Hector Hammond/Peter Sarsgaard.
Interesting!!!!! Hmmm…sorry I’m digesting everything ya’ll are writing.
As for to many hands in the cookie jar…don’t you think a lot of movies are like that any more with respects to the marketing campaigns etc. All departments have a say in what happens. As we all know ticket sales are not what makes movies money today, it is all about product placement and the over the top marketing campaigns to sell all of the products.
This is what I think of product placement: Quit shoving it down my throats with cups, glasses, t-shirts, keyrings, folders, backpacks, books, pencils, posters, toys, bookmarks, dolls, jewelry, bike helmets, pins, and whatever else. A few things here or there is fine, but too much is well,….just too dang much! I get it people! You want us to see your movie. Sheesh!
I 100% agree with that. I make an exception for children’s movies though.
Yes, I agree. Do you remember all the Twilight crap, I mean, stuff? Oh my gosh!!!! I seriously laughed out loud every time I walked through a B&N or a Borders.
Ok, I did get one T-shirt when it all started, but the buck stopped there! 🙂
U got a t-shirt? That’s cute. LOL!
O.k. I won’t make fun of u I will ignore that statement.
Oh no, it’s totally ok! I laugh at myself so make all the jokes you want! 🙂 I like to think it was all the hormones of just having had a baby. haha!
Don’t get me started on that Twilight crap (not the t shirts and things like that but the perfume, make up, jewellery etc)! Then again I can’t talk. I just bought a Ravenclaw scarf and Fluer’s wand, lol!
I love it!!!!! hahaha!!!! 🙂
“As we all know ticket sales are not what makes movies money today, it is all about product placement and the over the top marketing campaigns to sell all of the products.”
You have gift for cold reality, feel free to elabotrate I’m still trying too catch up.
On a scale of 1-10, what would you rate it?
Would you even consider recommending it? What about renting it?
No I would not recommend seeing it. If u are curious wait for on DVD and watch it when there is absolutely no other option.
I would rate it on a scale from 1-10 a 5 for effort.
Not to contradict Francesa’s observations regarding children, but there were two kids in the bathroom after the movie who couldn’t stop talking about it. They were under 10. I would assume this was the audience for the movie. Adults can watch, maybe be entertained, yet possibly not be impressed.
I would give all of the actors (Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard and Ryan Reynolds) high marks for not tasking themselves too seriously and giving it their best.
The critics could learn a lot from them.
“taking” not “tasking”
“watch it when there is absolutely no other option.”
Oh no. Wow. I’m really trying not to laugh. That’s not good. So what might you go see now to cleanse your brain?
LB
ITA! If I want to buy something I will on my own accord. Not because the green lantern or whomever uses it.
*high-five*
Francesa-
Did u read the article on Super 8 CR posted? They mention how Super 8 previews did not win over audiences etc. Anyway, this is what I’m talking about how origianl creators need to move beyond their old marketing campaigns to appeal to consumers.
Sooooo, what else is playing in theaters?
Cars 2 is being released in the next few days or so. That’s all I know!
Everyone-
I have to go but will respond later as well.
CR-U have been so great about letting us know all the ends and out of DC and Marvel battle. As of now this summer I would say Marvel-2 DC -0.
Thanks OB! And yes, CR I appreciate all you have shared with us.
I’ll see you next time!
Night OB! Have a good weekend!
I sent you an email….
Thanks, I’ll go read it now. 🙂
Last week, I was willing to call this a lose for DC and a win for Marvel. Yet that was unfair. Marvel studios made use of failures with: Electra, The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk(s) and Daredevil. Ironman, Thor and possibly the Captain America owe their successes to those failures (within the house of Marvel).
Thanks LB and OB,
Great times…
Bye all, enjoy your weekends.
Bye CR. Thanks for all the comic details!
I think that in order to recoup production costs, actors salaries etc. The studios only get a percentage i believe of ticket sales. So in order to cover those costs, they have found other ways to make money. That being product placement for one and all of the propaganda they can sell. Marketing is a powerful tool. Think about it. Take shoes if Michael Jordan is peddling his brand of shoes, by all accounts he is the best bb player ever and you wear his shoes,. you can be like mike.
I totally understand. Studios have to recoup their investment somehow other than ticket sales. I read that in the 1930’s films were so saturated with product placement there was a revolt against this form of propaganda. I just don’t want us to go back to that era where it was so overt. Today there are some films where actors are used as mannequins for products instead of respecting them for their craft. Leaving the actor to shoulder the responsibility to make the film look like it’s worth peoples time & money.
One more thing. People want to emulate something they admire not something they think is crap. So it really is advantageous for studios to make the best possible film they can for people to want to buy what they are selling. IMO!
Francesa & Open Book,
The two of you have an interesting discussion. I hope one of you does an article about this soon. In your opinions how might producers, directors or actors respond to a situation like this one?
Are you claiming that product placement is so commonplace or pervasive (today) that movie developers have to find auxiliary means outside of a script to sell a movie? For instance if you are doing “Aquaman the Movie” which would entail a ship load of product placement (list below) what do these producers need to do to make the project fly.
ABOVE EXECUTING THE SCRIPT, would this endeavor entail the producers working with other significant parties like: Green Peace, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, or National Audubon Society to make the project was relevant to contemporary audiences.
ABOVE EXECUTING THE SCRIPT, would this endeavor entail the producers working with other significant parties like: the Coast Guard, Navy, or Marines?
I’m really curious as to where the two of you are going with this topic?
LIST OF PROBABLE PRODUCTS:
Male swim wear
Female swim wear
Tug boat
Recreational schooners
Single Eye goggles
Nose plugs
Snorkel masks
Harpoon guns
Feet paddles
Scuba Air tanks
Water ski boat
Yachts
Under water lamps
Scuba goggles
Beach dune buggies
Jet skis
Water ski passenger line
Tanning collar
Coppertone
Beach towels
Personal submarines
Hand held transport jets
Surf boards
Boogie boards
Lip balm
Row boat
Under water flashlights
Underwater falirs
Frog suits
Bat sails
Deck chairs
Deck umbrellas
Motor boat engines
Military uniforms
Rayban sunglasses
Water skis
Wow CR, I am really impressed! When I am on an actual computer I would like to talk more about this.
Well I’ll be waiting? Maybe one of them will weigh in as well?
I posted the same question in “chat.”
I meant to say “boat sails” not “bat sails”.
One more thing in regards to movies tickets not making money. I read an article awhile back and even think I mentioned it in one of these forums, about studios and theater owners in a tug of war. The studios want less time in between movies going out of the theater and into dvd. Normally the time period between the two will depend on if the movie is still making money in the theater, which is 3-4 months. But the studios have recently made some deal with directv and 2 months after they are released in the theater you will be able to see them on directv at a cost of course. The theater owners are up in arms because it will take away from their profits, but maximizing the profits of the studio.
Tyler Perry is a good example of theater to DVD. His movies I believe on an average are 69-70 days. Other movies are 5-6 months.
This is all very interesting. I wonder how it will all play out for theater owners after this deal goes through? I don’t think this deal will change my desire to see a film in theaters? I’m a big fan of streaming videos but nothing compares to a big screen. I mean WFE could only be appreciated fully on the big screen IMO.
CR, sorry it has taken me so long to respond! Anyway, when you first mentioned Aquaman (or was it OB? Hmm, can’t remember), I remembered how cheesy most people think he is. What you mentioned is very similar to what I had floating around in my brain. I think a movie about Aquaman could actually be very well done with the right story. I also think that incorporating what is happening to our earth and using Coast Guard, Navy, or Marines would be very helpful in creating more awareness about our environment. I also think studios might benefit if they stated that a certain proceed of ticket sales and product merchandise would go towards particular charities trying to save the environment. Maybe???
And considering how many people love sports activities, along with all the departments that use SCUBA, if done in good taste and not necessarily using the Aquaman character, merchandise could be very popular. You could meet the needs of kids and adults.
LB,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THIS EVER HAPPENS, I’m still wondering how this kind of project might appear in regard to product placement?
Yet your suggestions, if this topic were to ever get off the ground, sound very cool, and I certainly agree. One of the things that hurt Green Lantern was it wasn’t about anything other than the comic stories. A hero with a cause might turn geek culture into high culture fairly quickly. (Actor) Shia LaBeouf, (Drupal) Indian fashions, Facebook; I would hate to name all of the geek to chic personalities, trends and events we’ve all gotten used to in the last few years.
Obviously this would require the right script, producers, director, and actor(s) and obviously the right environmental conscience and hunger would help as well. If there were any super heroes who might help audiences develop into green advocates Aquaman could. This is why I thought DiCaprio picked up the project along time ago; I thought he wanted to star.
We might get an answer for this in the future; until then I’m still hoping to understand some of the nuances of a product placement mindset.
Hi-CR and LB!
Francesa u really started something LOL! Hmmm! Product Placement in films is such a big topic inorder to answer your Q well I think it should be covered entirely on it’s own. However, something I would like to suggest watching is the documentary which came out out a few months ago on product placement in films. It’s called “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” here is the website. TheGreatestMovieEverSold.com . Anyway, I’m sorry I can’t offer more than this at this time but save your Q. LIH will revist this issue soon.
FYI: This is for all new and returning visitors of LIH. If u have a topic u would like us to cover u can submit all request to our contact us page and we will try to accomodate your request.