No Claws

"The Wolverine" underperformed domestically.

Comments

[Threadkiller]

The hits just don't keep coming.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Claricification: The movie, not the granddaughter.

[Danube on iPad]

Most recent flicks I've seen were The Great Gatsby and Man of Steel. Both 140 minutes. Both stunk.

[NK]

Man of Steel stunk?.. pity.

[DublinDave]

Ha ha Republicans reporting that the Wolverine underpeformed domstically.How cute. Next we'll have bank robbers complaining about increased bank securtiy.

[Thomas Collins]

The article TM links informs us that the flick generated a substantial amount of Aussie tax credits. Looks like another example of the 1% getting undue benefits from unjustified tax breaks. I'm sure the prog press will point this out, just as it complains about tax bennies for businesses that actually produce things.

[narciso]

It's been a dissapointing season, REDS was better then advertised, but that's about it,
a film about the folks behind the Amityville Horror, which was out 35 years ago, has ended up in first place,

[Marlene]

We've never been big movie goers. I think I got a clue when,on one of our first dates,hubby fell asleep during "The Sting". During the time the daughter was growing up,"E.T." was her favorite. We haven't gone to one movie this year.well "Lincoln" on Christmas Day. Christmas was a Tuesday,so we paid the $7 Tuesdays ticket price. :)

[polly]

I think those original series on Netflix are the way to go. Orange Is The New Black and Scandal are really good. Plus, you can watch at home and have a cocktail.

[peter]

OMG I thought it was Clarice's granddaughter too. LOL

[Danube of Thought]

OT a nice article at Philly.com about a Pew poll showing disgust with the media, and laying out the initial reporting on the Trayvon thing as an explanation.

The problems began almost immediately. The first Associated Press article on the incident, published March 8, described a situation in which Martin had "gone to a convenience store to buy some Skittles and was returning home when he was confronted by an armed man who was head of the local neighborhood watch." Consider the image of being "confronted by an armed man" and compare that with events as we now understand them to have unfolded

Much more.

[NK]

Hank Greenberg has the right depose BenB in his lawsuit against the USA. BUY POPCORN for this!: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-29/bernanke-can-be-deposed-in-aig-bailout-suit-court-rules.html

[Captain Hate]

dumbassdave promised to stay away until next year's midterms. So he's a confirmed liar.

[NK]

RickB-- Update from prior thread-- an NYU law prof's take on Chap 9 for States:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/more-bankruptcies-please_741031.html?page=2

[centralcal]

Thanks for the philly.com article, DoT.

The media are a disgrace.

[matt]

We saw Pacific Rim twice last weekend. The first time Querida and I went, and then we took the kids.

Del Toro ripped off every major monster/action franchise he could and it was great fun.

Godzilla(giant kaiju), obviously and Transformers (giant robots), MIB, Top Gun, Battle Los Angeles, Chinese wire guided stunt films, and a dozen others. I found myself the second trying to remember which flick he had stolen from.

I love it when they destroy San Francisco, especially.

It was gleeful mayhem and the end of the world as we know it.

And Johnny Depp may retire because Lone Ranger sucked. How very puerile.

Back at the ranch, The Atlantic Wire had an article on why Westerns are no longer popular which basically got it wrong on every level. Praising Brokeback Mountain obviously while contending that Hollywood is transnational now.

It would seem that Hollywood is not quite as smart as it thinks it is. BO is dreadful and the regurgitation has distilled the bile into an especially toxic, derivative mess.

Those who live by the numbers die by the numbers and the 13 year old boys have tired of the plotless special effects monstrosities.

And yet Joss Wheedon does Much Ado about Nothing for $50-100K and it is a credible project. We are all for indie film circuit, but with the good you get a lot of chaff.

The film festival circuit these days is almost like artisanal foods and micro-breweries. People doing what they love and just getting by sometimes.

[clarice]

Glad to see the clarification, My wolverine did not underperform. On FB Janet links to a powerline article mentions our Jane and Caro!

[Ignatz]

I would like to note for clarice's benefit that I still walk among the living, one day hence.

[James D.]

Matt, Hollywood really has created these problems for themselves.

A business model where you spend $100 million+ to make a movie, then that much again (or more) to market it, and you pull the plug if it's not an out-of-the-park success in the first 3 days of release, is just insane.

[Ignatz]

I'd say they mainly created the problem by making unwatchable crap.

[Dave (in MA)]

Twelve bucks for Hugh Scissorhands. I think not.

[JIB]

Frederick is an expert on Hollywood. Yesterday during our drive down from Columbia he mentioned the Star Wars franchise being bought for $1 billion by Disney and then noted that Disney will screw that up by making stupid Star War sequels that no one will want to watch.

In fact, the best movie out there is Despicable Me 2 which is hilarious.

[extraneus's and ignatz's psychiatrist]

Captain Hate, you need to get a life. You really do.

[Account Deleted]

NK,

That was a nice review from a legal viewpoint but a complete failure regarding economic prospects. The solution might work if Illinois and Michigan set up good minefields and guard towers along all borders but they would have to be much better than those in East Germany. People are escaping from Blue Hells at a rate which precludes the possibility of the idiotic promises made by progressive liars being kept.

The economic modeling used to paint the unicorn and rainbow pictures of the Blue Hell future have the same utility as GCMs or the ARIMA gigglers used by the CBO, BEA and BLS.

Census data and a #2 lead pencil reveal the Norwegian Blue status of Michigan and Illinois and "resting comfortably" while the morphine holds out is the very best probable outcome.

I'd like to see Moody's held accountable for losses incurred due to placing faith in their ratings. They certainly deserve to be.

[NK]

Well the Illinois and Mich Agribusinesses and family farmers are stuck -- everyone else however...

[Danube on iPad]

Do we think this congress would pass, and Obama would sign, a state bankruptcy law? Since public employees and their unions would be hardest hit, I rather doubt it.

What this country desperately needs is a Republican congress and a Republican in the White House in 2017. And that means, among other things, stopping Hillary, which won't be easy.

[NK]

DoT-- what were the odds of Dems voting to 'bailout' Wall St banks in 2008? they did so because it was in their interests-- when Dems have to give something to save 4-5 DEEP BLUE states, and those EVs in the EC, they will, and they'll lie to Public Unions about 'next time'.

[Ignatz's psychiatrist is nutz]

I will maintain Hillary is an easy mark right up until she's in the White House.

At that point I might be persuaded to change my mind.

[Frau Kommunismus verrecke!]

CH - I took the C!eo at his/her/its word, too. It was too good to be true. The lies pour out like vomitus.
German proverb: Who lies, also steals and sets houses on fire.

[JIB]

Iggy,

Supposedly, the NBC mini-series is going to be about Hillary as FLOTUS during Clenis' 2nd term. Does that mean instead of forgetting about Benghazi, the film-maker's will have amnesia instead about Monica, Ken Starr and the impeachment proceedings?

[NK]

Vast Right Wing Conspiracy!!--

what a bunch of lying weasels

[Ignatz]

I would like to note for clarice's benefit that I still walk among the living, one day hence, which isn't to say that I won't continue to cry out in protest every day. I don't belong here. It was a mistake. Just a little misunderstanding between my doctors and my imaginary wife. She told them that I am crazy to get me committed and to get rid of me. I told them that I don't even have a wife. Now, will you believe me? Wait, wait, don't leave me!!!

[Frau Kommunismus verrecke!]

Is it true Diane Lane refused to portray this period of Hillary!'s life?

[MarkO]

Flo agreed to act the role of the young Hillary.

[Ignatz's psychiatrist is a sad, sock puppeting nut]

I wonder if my shrink has time to squeeze Anne in for a session or two.

Might be a bit of a one sided conversation.

[NK]

Frau-- I just threw up in my mouth....ALOT

[NK]

Cankles-- even then!!

[Frau Kommunismus verrecke!]

NK - the thick glasses or the psychedelic thighs threatening to escape?

[NK]

Threatening???... aren't those varicose veins?

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

Frau's photo appears to be the very first instance of Hilarity's use of the phrase, "what difference at this point does it make".

[NK]

Hmmm... a junior partner here swears she was talking about giving some young girl a Bromsky! different strokes I guess....

[Captain Hate]

Didn't inhale? For sure Slick dropped acid before proposing to that.

[Frau Kommunismus verrecke!]

(NK Red Alert! SOB)

In my daydreams, I envision a Mel Brooks film about Hillary!'s escapades a la "High Anxiety":

Victoria Brisbane Hillary!: I'm sorry, please forgive me. I'm just *so* close to my menstrual cycle that I could scream!

[Marlene]

Jack,is Frederick still on puffin watch? I took a look earlier today,it is still in the burrow.It will "fledge" when Dad and Mom stop bringing it tasty bits of fish.

[Rob Crawford]

the Star Wars franchise being bought for $1 billion by Disney and then noted that Disney will screw that up by making stupid Star War sequels that no one will want to watch.

Nope. They might make more movies. They will make more toys.

And those will sell.

[NK]

Merchandizing!

[jimmyk]

Hollywood seems to believe that some combination of gimmicks like 3D, really loud noises and special effects, and star power will substitute for a good plot and directing. On the rare occasions when we do go to the movies, the previews are actually a discouragement from seeing most of the movies.

[Porchlight]

Disney will make a good portion of its Star Wars income from future theme parks, IMO. (And merchandising too of course - much of which will be sold at the parks.) Theme parks would generate way more revenue than any single feature film can bring in.

[NK]

Watched 'Great Expectations' last night, great film, young John Mills and very young Alec Guinness. No explosions, there was an offscreen hanging and an accidental fire.

[Porchlight]

I only watch classic films for the most part. In the classic Hollywood years there were lots of duds, but they didn't cost very much. And the great ones relied on TALENT (acting, script, direction, cinematography) more than effects.

And naturally the talent was far, far cheaper and more abundant back then. Casablanca was not very highly regarded by its principals at the time it was made. That's how deep the benches were.

[Ignatz's psychiatrist]

Anne? Anne? Anne who?

[NK]

Jack Warner used his contract actors like slave labor ( well, well-paid slaves) check out people like Ward Bond, he did 'uncredited' cameos in many flicks. Jack Warner and Jimmy Cagney (libertarian/anarchist) had significant disagreements about this system.

[Janet]

A JOMer (NJJan ?)was asking about Howard Zinn awhile ago.....Powerline has a post on him today too with links - http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/07/the-obama-zinn-connection.php

[Ignatz's psychiatrist is a sad, sock puppeting nut]

I agree with the principals.
Casablanca and Citizen Kane; two of the more over-rated classics.

[NK]

Rosebud? I love Casablanca the movie.

[Ignatz's psychiatrist]

Whoa, snappy comeback. If you get any lamer,
you will be on life support, you creepy loser.

[Some Guy]

Projection is not just for breakfast!

[Jack is Back!]

marlene,

We check in from time to time but its been hectic the last few days. He is at Space Camp at Embry- Riddle all week. 70 mile R/T every day. I am getting a driver next year:)

[Ignatz's psychiatrist]

Shhhhhh, it makes sense to that senile old fool. Don't wake her.

[Danube on iPad]

I think the last good movie I saw was No Country for Old Men.

[Holly]

"Disney will make a good portion of its Star Wars income from future theme parks, IMO. (And merchandising too of course - much of which will be sold at the parks.)"

Absolutely. Hollywood Studios at WDW added a new attraction where kids 4-11 sign up to become Jedi warriors. They fight the Darth, one-on-one. Very cool. And a professional photographer documents every blow your little darlin' bestows upon the Dark Beast, hands you a photocard in case you want to see your little darlin' from his perspective, and charges $169 to download the pics. Those Disney folks are sneaky clever.

[Holly]

Yes. I downloaded. I'm an easy mark. *grin*

[Wouldn't you rather choke on a Gummy Bear?]

(yawn)

[Captain Hate]

Removing George Lucas from any Star Wars plot input is probably the best way to salvage anything.

[matt]

Which is why those movies are so high on the all time classics lists.

The classics resonate with a much wider range of viewers, both the hoi polloi and the critics. Each to their own taste, but it is hard to disagree with the top 100 lists.

Your fave may not be on there but the ones that are were the faves of a lot of people.

Not a lot of people actually watched Bergman's or Kurosawa's films but it is hard to deny their genius. Much of Welle's work was of the same caliber. But boy did he have some clunkers.

John Ford is one of my fave's as is John Huston or Capra's or Sturgis's or but they were factory workers in many ways working within a system.

Holly, when does action figure fatigue set in? There are so many "World's" within the Disney Empire now that I would think they might be cancelling each other out. How much relevance today does an Indiana Jones ride have today?

I think the next Star Wars has Luke coming out, by the way. With what species of space creature is unbeknownst to me, but knowing the regime at Mauschwitz, I think it will appeal to management.

[Ignatz]

Jed Babbin at AmSpec on "Boehner's next retreat".

[Ignatz]

Can we please get to 100 comments soon to turn the page on the even toed ungulate with the coke bottle glasses?

[jimmyk]

I think the next Star Wars has Luke coming out

I hope that's a joke. What will it be, "The Empire Broke Back"?

Is it possible that all of Hollywood has jumped the shark?

[Captain Hate]

I think the next Star Wars has Luke coming out

To paraphrase Cosmo Kramer, anything that stupid has to be true.

[narciso]

Btw, hit, Jonah had a column in today's Post,
citing the famous Obama point about cynicism, alas without crediting you.

[NK]

jimmyk/capth-- I have NO DOUBT the next Star Wars installment has Luke in some kind of Inter-Species homo..whatever lifestyle. It's a lock. Hey... back in the 70s-80s he had a crush on his sister, so this is no biggie.

[narciso]

It jumped the Bantha, certainly, and the diminishing returns, of Hollywood is an indication,

[Marlene]

I'd be lost without TCM. One night I started to watch a Bette Davis movie and it was one in the morning by the time it finished. This is the final night that TCM shows classic interviews with Johnny Carson.
Fun to watch.

[narciso]

I think you've been properly harpooned, Staypuffed;

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/07/29/ted-cruz-i-stand-with-rand-paul-against-chris-christies-attacks/

[MarkO]

Is that the same Christie that cost us the election?

[matt]

Luke has been living on the planet Fabulous for the past 20 years.

[MarkO]

I wonder, is Yoda spry?

[Some Guy]

"spry? There is no spry -- only do!"

[narciso]

Where is everybody else;

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/07/senator-ted-cruz-so-sad-to-see-this-president-consistently-disregard-constitution-and-the-law-video/

[Porchlight]

I'd be lost without TCM.

Me, too. TCM and live sports are the only reasons I haven't canceled cable yet. Other than that I'd have done it years ago.

Robert Osborne is coming to town in September to cap off the summer classic film program at our big old downtown theatre. I might just go. I love that guy.

[centralcal]

Now, CNN is doing a Hillary movie, too! Good lord.

[narciso]

Jumping the Megalodon;

http://twitchy.com/2013/07/29/no-joke-congressional-black-caucus-recommends-sheila-jackson-lee-for-head-of-homeland-security/

[centralcal]

And, not just movies and mini-series either, per TVNewser:

Both NBC and CNN are betting that Clinton will run for President in 2016. A number of news outlets are planning some unusual staffing moves around that speculation. The NY Times has a reporter dedicated to covering the Clintons exclusively and TVNewser hears that CNN, NBC News, ABC News and CBS News are all toying with the idea of having a “Clinton correspondent” as well.

[centralcal]

I saw that, narciso and was so disappointed in the CBC. Why not Hank Johnson? Guam tipping over and flags flying on Mars, they are of equal intelligence, no?

[narciso]

So SMOD is right around the corner;

http://twitchy.com/2013/07/29/howard-dean-sarah-palin-was-right-about-death-panels-yeaarrggh/

[Jim Rhoads f/k/a vnjagvet]

When we first came to Atlanta in 1968, the only thing my wife and I watched was Channel 17, a underpowered UHF stationed, owned by a very young guy about my age who was a bit of a nut, but who had recently inherited the channel along with a billboard company from his father after he had committed suicide. At that time there were only two programming ideas on Channel 17 - old movies (even including such classics as Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy, Batman, and other 1940's serials) and sports, to both of which my wife and I were (and still are) addicted.

Later the budding media mogul became the main client of a guy I had practiced law with. The mogul's name, as you may have guessed already -- Ted Turner.

His next move was to purchase the then woeful Atlanta Braves and from that, he invented the "super channel" which became a forerunner of cableTV programming. And the rest is history.

[Dave (in MA)]

"Clinton correspondent"? As opposed to the past 21 years?

[narciso]

'That word they are using;

[Porchlight]

Yes Jim Rhoads - I can fault Turner for a lot of things, but TCM ain't one of 'em.

[narciso]

Farsi for Ward Churchill:

http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/07/29/scholarly-misrepresentation/

[Danube on iPad]

I have never seen any of the Star Wars movies. When the first one came out I saw the trailer, featuring craft out is space that looked eerily similar to fighter airplanes, and which banked when turning as if they were in an atmosphere very much like that of earth. I also saw these guys battling each other with lighted wands in very much the same way that Robin Hood and Little John fought with quartestaffs. I marked it down as too stupid to bear.

My first cousin was in the flick, playing a character named something like Dek. He gets snuffed at some point. He is still dining out on that role, attending reunions and signing autographs.

[Danube on iPad]

*in space*

[narciso]

You first cousin was Biggs Darklighter, Garth something or other?

[narciso]

Sorry, Garrick something or other.

[MarkO]

Dirk Diggler?

[Extraneus]

Does Hillary! have a new logo yet?

Maybe Obama will giver her his, because this one's gotta go.

[polly]

Jim Rhoads, I remember Ted well. Moved to Atlanta in 1963 and lived there for over thirty years. I still go back as two of our four daughters live there. I went to Ted Turner's daughter's wedding to a friend of ours son. The son now works for Ted's enterprises. Also, Ted was married to Jane Fonda at the time of the wedding, and she looked marvelous but a little out of place at The Driving Club.

[rich@gmu]

the AmSpec article was a depressing take:

Republicans have apparently lost the ability to make a stand. When Boehner faces the president, he capitulates. When McConnell tries to stand up to Reid, McCain cuts the legs out from under him or other faux-conservatives do the same.

[Janet]

I'll get physically ill if I have to hear about pretend greatness with another Dem. politician.
She was a failure as SoS. How can anyone pretend otherwise? It's just too much.....

& her sleazy husband! It is all too sickening.
Maybe we can hand out cigars (like baby announcement cigars) with "disgusting & reprehensible!" printed on them..or "What difference, at this point does it make?"...or just "Clinton 2016".

[JIB]

I like Ted Cruz, I like his political philosophy and debating skills, I like how he is so far, the best counter-puncher the republicans have but I don't like his voice - he sounds like a 40 year old Vienna Choir Boy going through tonsil freeze.