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Citizen Carrier
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
322 Posts |
 Posted - 08/26/2006 : 7:23:10 PM
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When I go to rent movies I have a few guidelines in the back of my mind to help me keep from making a bad decision.
1. Exercise caution when the main cast members all appear on the cover of the box. Here's an example of what I mean by this:
[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/14/152114.jpg[/img]
Maybe another one:
[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/63/144163.jpg[/img]
Now hold on. You may have liked those movies. I didn't mind H2O that much, as I was a "Halloween" fan from way back. In fact, I'm not really sure that I can properly articulate WHY you should think twice before renting a movie where all the characters appear on the cover in a "cascade" showcase picture like that.
The main reason is probably because when you see the characters on the box posed like that, you are likely watching a movie plot formula that you have seen hundreds of times already. Just about everybody standing behind the character at the very front of the group photograph is going to die. You know it. They know it. We all know it.
Secondary reason is that you are likely going to be treated to a lot of teen adolescent angst and predictable 20-something relationship complications.
That's one of my guidelines. Remember, I'm here to help.
"Yeah, what did the Romans ever do for us?"
"Well, they did build the aqueduct."
"Yes, there is that..."
"And the roads."
"Uh huh."
"They kept the peace for decades."
"Let's face it. They are the only people who could."
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Paul LoJ
Supreme Potentate
USA
420 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2006 : 9:12:12 PM
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Some time long ago, Ken introduced me to the simple "dust test" as a means of finding those little diamonds in the rough. This one's a bit harder to use now that the large independent stores have gone the way of the dinosaurs, and the styrofoam box chains tend to de-stock things that gather enough dust for an effective test.
Still, if you have the right kind of store nearby, give it a try. You just might find yourself surprised, and given the difficulty of that achievement, will it really matter if it's pleasant or not?
"...You know perfectly well what is the matter with you. You have known it for years, though you have fought against the knowledge. You are mentally deranged." |
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RVHorror
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
532 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2006 : 10:24:38 PM
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There's probably good psychological reasons why box art is presented as it is...only two people, it's a romance, three, it's a comedy of misfits, etc.
One thing I keep in mind when browsing the shelves is that if a movie BOX has a really good monster on it, it probably doesn't resemble the monster in the movie at all. (Deep Shock is an excellent example. The monster on the box is awesome, and bears only a slight resemblence to the ones in the film.) |
Edited by - RVHorror on 08/27/2006 1:22:59 PM |
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Sardu
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
1126 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2006 : 11:20:43 PM
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The "cast on the box" theory is interesting. I'm going to do some informal research on that one!
"Meeting you makes me want to be a real noodle cook"
--Tampopo |
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jackspencerjr
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
262 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2006 : 08:42:59 AM
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| Another good rule of thumb is if the tag lines mention other movies, either films that are comparable to this one or other films the director, producer, writer, grips, etc. have worked on. If they need to list their resume, it may not be a good film. |
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RVHorror
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
532 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2006 : 1:21:51 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by jackspencerjr
Another good rule of thumb is if the tag lines mention other movies, either films that are comparable to this one or other films the director, producer, writer, grips, etc. have worked on. If they need to list their resume, it may not be a good film.
Review quotes are another indicator. The one for "Sky High" (which wasn't bad, just sort of okay) was, "It's Harry Potter meets the Incredibles!" Talk about multifunctional--that quote is review, description and probably original pitch all in one. |
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