Monday, November 24, 2008

Twilight, Mamma Mia, Sex And The City and Wanted.

What do these movies have in common? Women.

While these movies couldn’t be any more different, they were/are big hits domestic and internationally.

The reviews for all four were mixed. The first three were seen as “only” one quadrant movies. Hollywood tries to focus on four quadrant films (men under 25, men over 25, women under 25, women over 25). The first three end up being two quadrant movies and Wanted was probably a three, pulling in more men.

I don’t want to hear another male exec say female driven movies don't make money or every time a female driven movie succeeds it’s only a “fluke.” Please.

To show how little Hollywood gets the female audience, MTV Films bough the rights to the “Twilight” book when it was in galley form. A screenwriter was hired. Then someone senior at Paramount put the project in turnaround since they didn’t think the movie would be a hit. Ouch.

True not every hit book can become a hit movie but “Twilight” was not expensive to make, why not take the gamble? “Twilight’s” opening weekend was the biggest opening for a female directed film ever. Congrats to Catherine Hardwicke.

The “smart film” season is upon us. This is the time of year the studios tend to release their Oscar worthy films.

What movies are you looking forward to seeing?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will probally see Twilight with my 14 year old son even though I will probally be more into it than him!
I saw Mamma Mia in august and hated it. It was really cheesy in my opinion and meryl streep seemed kind of spastic in her role. Sex and the City was what I expected it would be, ok but nothing great.
The Reader looks kind of interesting, I would like to see this movie. I suspect it will be an oscar contender.
Yesterday I saw Funny Games with Naomi Watts. I hated it! It was so slow, I kept fast forwarding through a bunch of painfully stagnant scenes.
Autumn

Diana Strinati Baur said...

What does it mean that they put the film in turnaround?

Jen said...

I'm dying to see Australia. First off, I love panoramic views of gorgeous countryside - I know, not great film making, but I'm a sucker for it. Two, Hugh Jackman. Three, I really respect Nicole Kidman as an actress. Four, Hugh Jackman. Five, I want to see the brilliant boy who's never acted and has gotten raves. Six, Hugh Jackman.

My husband is NOT happy that Hugh Jackman is People's Sexiest Man of the Year. I was into Hugh YEARS ago... now it's validation. ;-)

I hate to say this but with the current economy, we just don't get out to movies the way we used to. C and his friend just saw Bolt, which they both unexpectedly loved, but D and I will wait til it comes out on video. I'd still like to see Rachel's Getting Married, too.

What about you?

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Autumn - I wish there was a sing along to Mamma Mia then I'd go. ha. I'm interested in the reader too. Have fun at Twilight.

diana - it's when a studio decides not to move forward on a project. Another company can pick up the project but then they will have to pay "turnaround costs" to the original studio to cover the development expenses. Sometimes the turnaround costs can very, very high. As an exec you don't want to have too many of your turnarounds become hits for other studios.

Jen - sooooo, you like Hugh Jackman? :) What are you going to do when Wolverine comes out?

I'm curious about Benjamin Button and Reservation Road. I'm not a Leo fan but love Kate Winslet.

Not sure when/if Rachel's Getting Married is going to be released here.

Anonymous said...

I work at a bookstore here in Paris and all the young (and not-so-young!) girls are so jealous that Twilight has opened in the States . . .it won't be here until January. Those books sell like hotcakes and Stephenie Meyer's fans are very devoted (I can't imagine I'd like them, but then I keep thinking maybe I should read one to savor the irony of what this Mormon mother in Idaho -- or is it Utah --- has created).

We also received this week a kind of tie-in book to the film (with photos etc) and it's been selling well ever since we got it too.

Is it too embarrassing to say I can't even think of what "Wanted" is/was? Will have to go google it now.

Anonymous said...

I looove getting the inside Hollywood scoop from you! It's incredible how often the pundits underestimate the women's market. Wasn't the success of Sex and the City a surprise to Hollywood?
I'd love to see Revolutionary Road. I still haven't seen Gomorrah (but I've started reading it). It's Italy's pick for Best Foreign Film at the Oscar's. I hope it gets nominated.

glamah16 said...

I dont get the whole Twilight phenom, but I have to admire the author. A new JK Rowling type in the making. I saw Mama Mia on the plane this weekend and didnt get the hype. It must be a Swedish thing. I was astounded at all the heavy and talented names in the mediocre film.
I dont know what what Im looking foprward tom, because not much has really been presented. Maybe like Jen said, Australia. Hope it isnt a dud.

Italianissima said...

I just saw Twilight yesterday and it was pretty darn good. The book was better, of course, but for what it was I can see the appeal to the tween/young adult market...lets face it Robert Pattinson is HOT. I am not sure why the studios would think this movie would tank - the story is great and IMO they cast the right people for the roles..just the pre-release buzz should have been enough to let them know it would work.

For those of you who have not read the books...I would give them a try. I read all 4 in one week...but then again I am a sucker for a romantic teenage vampire with old fashion values :P

We do not make it to the movies as much these days either but I do have netflix...now that I am about to give birth I will have plenty to time to catch up on my movie watching during my late night feedings...if I can stay awake!

Anonymous said...

Okay, maybe I don't fit the normal chick demographic but I'm dying to see the new James Bond flick.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Milanese Masala, I enjoy your behind the sceen inputs.

I just saw James Bond Quantum of Solace. I didn't think it was as good as Casino Royale but Daniel Craig is still hot.

I'm looking to see 4 Christmas' - hoping it's not cheesy and has lots of laughs. Australia looks good but will wait for the reviews before going.

Anonymous said...

generally speaking: woody allen's, cedric klapisch's, clint eastwood's films... At the moment: changeling, j'irai dormir a hollywood, two lovers... not sure I'll see them all ! lately I loved vicky cristina barcelona, and before that I was very very disappointed by Sex and the City

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

kimb - No it's not embarrassing. :) Wanted may not have been released yet in France. It starred Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy. It was an action flick based on a comic book.

milanese - I liked the film Gomorrah. It was hard to watch at times. I hope it gets nominated too. Yes Hollywood was surprised by how well SATC performed.

glamah16 - I haven't read the books but I also couldn't finish Harry Potter. Not my genre. I read an interview with Meryl Streep about the movie. She said she saw the musical after 9/11 and it was the first time in months she had a good time. When they offered her the role she was thrilled to do something fun and light.

italianissima - good luck with your special delivery. I heard the books are fun but for whatever reason I'm not big on the fantasy/sci-fi books. Even when I was a kid I didn't read them. I agree the casting was very smart. Girls are going nuts over Robert.

ms. violetta - Let me know what you think. I would watch Mr. Craig read the phone book.

Ice Tea For Me - I agree. I own the Casino Royale DVD. I don't think I will be buying Quantum's. It was good but Royale was great. Is Four Christamases coming out this weekend? Vince Vaughn cracks me up.

nine - I enjoyed Javier and Penelope in Vicky Christina Barcelona. I expected more from SATC. Maybe it was too long? Something was off. I haven't heard of Two Lovers. I need to Google.

Faith at Acts of Faith Blog said...

I won't be going to see Twilight though I'm glad a female director has a big hit on her hands! I'd love to see the Vampire Huntress series by LA Banks made into a movie!! I'll go see the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still for certain and the Benjamin Button movie seems interesting. I don't know about the Will Smith movie, but I like Rosario Dawson.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Faith - I forgot about the Will Smith movie. It comes out in the States next month.

Skywalker said...

Twilight

Four Christmases

Valkyrie (I will have to be bribed because movies about Nazi Germany have never been appealing)

I enjoyed Mamma Mia and the audience was all women. SATC and Wanted - my husband and I went to both together and there was a good mix for both.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

skywalker - I hear you. Tom Cruise as a Nazi is not appealing. ha

Anonymous said...

I would love to see one of my screenplays made! Ha!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

detroitwriter - so would I! Good luck.