George Lucas on threat to movie industry

[filmmusic 1,826]

I would agree..

What do you think?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Preaching to the choir!

[BloodBoal 7,538]

Which one? The London Voices?

[A24 4,331]

In that case, which directors made a crazy movie within the system and got away with it? Well?

[Wojo 2,453]

Studios will take chances on radically original movies so long as they have enough "safe" sources of revenue to make the risk lucrative. Whether Star Wars would have bankrupted Fox if it had been a tremendous flop, I cannot say. But Disney/Marvel took a chance on a crazy movie with a talking tree and pint-size racoon simply because a) they had enough other revenue makers in the stream and b) the rest of the film was superhero-film-by-numbers and therefore pretty safe. Studios like Carolco that made a huge investment in a pirate movie when nobody else was making pirate movies, well, they didn't fare so well and died as a result.

[A24 4,331]

Yes, for Marvel's doing, the characters are unknown, but the movie itself is a crowd-pleaser, all the way up to the gigantic air battle. To be honest, I'm pretty sure that in Europe few knew who Captain America was. I don't think it matters (looking at the box-office numbers).

[publicist 4,643]

But Disney/Marvel took a chance on a crazy movie with a talking tree and pint-size racoon simply because a) they had enough other revenue makers in the stream and b) the rest of the film was superhero-film-by-numbers and therefore pretty safe. .

If that is 'taking a chance' i don't know how dire playing it safe plays out. Better i never inquire...

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

This video is not available in my country. What did he say?

[A24 4,331]

Lucas is saying that the film studios of today don't allow for any bold, daring and crazy movies to slip through their nets. They kill the creativity of the artist. He's basically being nostalgic for the moviemaking of the '70s, you know, when the asylum was run by the lunatics.

Alex

[publicist 4,643]

Daring, bold and crazy surely come to mind re: his own repertoire since 1999.

[RedBard 71]

Lucas is saying that the film studios of today don't allow for any bold, daring and crazy movies to slip through their nets. They kill the creativity of the artist. He's basically being nostalgic for the moviemaking of the '70s, you know, when the asylum was run by the lunatics.

And that particular lunatic gave us Star Wars.

And anothet lunatic gave us Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

And yet another lunatic gave us Alien.

We need more lunatics who know what they're doing.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,068]

There is mind bending stuff out there, it's just not getting picked up by big studios. It's more a reflection of the audience than anything. As long as audiences lap it up the studios will continue delivering safe cookie cutter movies.

[RedBard 71]

There is mind bending stuff out there, it's just not getting picked up by big studios. It's more a reflection of the audience than anything. As long as audiences lap it up the studios will continue delivering safe cookie cutter movies.

Of course they will. A movie studio is first and foremost a business. They know that if they deliver a horrible product (or enough horrible products), they'll go under. As such, they release products that rely on audience expections and fulfill them.

[Uni 306]

He's right, of course. It's all paint-by-number these days. It's kind of hilarious, though, that he's the one saying it, after producing the most paint-by-number trilogy in history. One could make the argument that he's as guilty of fostering the current situation as anyone in Hollywood.

[A24 4,331]

Of course Lucas has a point. He was allowed to make movies that wouldn't receive a green light today. Studios in the first part of the '70s weren't afraid to experiment because doing an arty project sometimes was considered 'prestigious'. Even if the movie didn't make money, it gave the studio 'prestige'. These days however even a name as Spielberg can't get a certain type of film financed.

Alex

[publicist 4,643]

It may not have been a wise business decision to shut out mid-range movies from the yearly line-up almost completely. Of course you still have them but today a movie like THE EDGE or THE DEVIL'S OWN (random picks) would be nil impossible to market or book into big multiplexes without being relegated to hall 14 with 230 seats. They have no chance to play out because every second week another one of the moron blockbusters occupies the big places. And there are always 3 or 4 playing and they inevitably have a Marvel or DC stamp or look like they should.

The only exception in recent memory is GONE GIRL and even that was a hot property before being filmed.

[A24 4,331]

To the majority of the latest generation of filmgoers, names like Fincher and Nolan stand for quality. They might even lure a few of the ones that usually stay home.

[Bespin 8,480]

Lucas is saying that the film studios of today don't allow for any bold, daring and crazy movies to slip through their nets. They kill the creativity of the artist. He's basically being nostalgic for the moviemaking of the '70s, you know, when the asylum was run by the lunatics.

Alex

Well, last week end, I saw 30 minutes (I and wanted to stop after 15) of Cloud Atlas.

That's a movie which nobody should have financed. Having no narrative, this movie is a total failure.

Tell me a story, about anything, any subject, I don't care, but geez, tell me a story.

A story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. And please, don't show me an actor playing six different roles in the same movie... please... There are limits to an actor's play and to make-up.

The majority of movies that came out today don't tell a good story, or don't tell it the right way. Sorry, but you CAN detect that when reading a script.

Because of that, I listen to almost no more films, only TV series.

Georges, I'm sorry, but Cinema is dead.

[filmmusic 1,826]

Funny, i see many reviews that consider it a masterpiece.

haven't seen it yet, although it looked interesting.

[Richard Penna 3,683]

It has polarized reviews, certainly. I hated it, and wanted to switch it off very early.

However, I respect what the filmmakers were trying to achieve (well, almost - if it lost its pretentiousness). I didn't work IMO, but I don't think that means it shouldn't have been financed.

[crocodile 8,000]

The irony of it all is that his last four films (including Red Tails) were essentially independent productions. Fox didn't have a say... So Lucas was in complete control over his work. He could expriment, you know. But then, if you think about it, prequels are sort of an experimental cinema - 6+ hours based purely on exposition and no characters involved. That's bold!

Oh and Cloud Atlas wasn't THAT bad, surely.

Karol

[BloodBoal 7,538]

[Bespin 8,480]

Listen, BloodBoal, please be carefull not to personalize the debate in a negative way, that's the only thing I have to say to you.

Have a nice day.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Godzilla tells a good story about a reptilian hero who saves the world from a scourge of radioactive insect-like pests. Great movie!

[Muad'Dib 1,802]

Listen, BloodBoal, please be carefull not to personalize the debate in a negative way, that's the only thing I have to say to you.

Have a nice day.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Cloud Atlas is ambitious as anything. How do we treat daring filmmakers that try something wholly original? By letting their films bomb, of course!

[Quintus 5,399]

Listen, BloodBoal, please be carefull not to personalize the debate in a negative way, that's the only thing I have to say to you.

Have a nice day.

Don't take it personally Bespin - Boaly hates as many movies as he hypes. Typically they're even the same movie.

[BloodBoal 7,538]

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

Lucas is saying that the film studios of today don't allow for any bold, daring and crazy movies to slip through their nets. They kill the creativity of the artist. He's basically being nostalgic for the moviemaking of the '70s, you know, when the asylum was run by the lunatics.

Alex

Well, last week end, I saw 30 minutes (I and wanted to stop after 15) of Cloud Atlas.

That's a movie which nobody should have financed. Having no narrative, this movie is a total failure.

Tell me a story, about anything, any subject, I don't care, but geez, tell me a story.

A story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. And please, don't show me an actor playing six different roles in the same movie... please... There are limits to an actor's play and to make-up.

The majority of movies that came out today don't tell a good story, or don't tell it the right way. Sorry, but you CAN detect that when reading a script.

Because of that, I listen to almost no more films, only TV series.

Georges, I'm sorry, but Cinema is dead.

Well, there you go, people. Here's the answer to why studios rarely finance original movies: because they know it's how most of the audience generally react when given a movie that is different to what they're used to see. I mean, Cloud Atlas is one of the most original films made in recent years, and you get someone like Bespin saying such a movie should never been made, how it doesn't have a narrative (when it clearly does have one), how an actor shouldn't play different roles in the same movie (because, ya know "there are limits to an "actor's play and to make-up" (isn't this a great reason?), etc.)... Bullshit like that.

I'll admit: I liked Cloud Atlas. I didn't think it was a masterpiece or anything, but I liked it. Yet I'm perfectly fine with people not liking/hating it (like richuck), but when you have people like Bespin saying that such films shouldn't be made because "you can't have an actor playing multiple roles. You just can't!", well, I'm sorry, but to me it's crass stupidity.

You say cinema is dead, Bespin? I personally don't think it is. But if it is indeed dead, well, it's because of people like you.

Right on. And make it as personal as you want. As Pub would say, "this is a DISCUSSION board".

I liked the movie. On subsequent viewings much of the content reveals itself as little more than a pot fueled conversation on the floor of a college dorm room. But damn if it's not executed brilliantly.

[A24 4,331]

This is just me judging on the trailer but isn't Cloud Atlas like 'The Architect scene' of The Matrix Reloaded? I'm all for freedom and all but I don't want two hours of actors to spout bloated dialog like that.

Cheers!

Alex

[KK 3,307]

Basically.

It's a movie with potential, and some rather nice set-pieces as scenes, but rather flawed in execution and nearly drowns in its own ideas.

Also has one of Tom Hanks' worst performances.

[A24 4,331]

Also has one Tom Hanks' worst performances.

That's the other reason why I'm avoiding this movie.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

I see George Lucas says and like a wrong number I disconnect.

[Muad'Dib 1,802]

Trying to stir a feud between Bespin and I? This will not work! This will only result in you being banned!

Search your feelings, Bloodbait... You know it to be true...

[filmmusic 1,826]

Also has one Tom Hanks' worst performances.

That's the other reason why I'm avoiding this movie.

I have avoided it so far because I think I'm going to have a headache by the confusing plot.

[BloodBoal 7,538]

This is just me judging on the trailer but isn't Cloud Atlas like 'The Architect scene' of The Matrix Reloaded?

There is some of that, yes (and that's one of the least interesting aspects of the film), but it's not all the film has to offer.

It's a movie with potential, and some rather nice set-pieces as scenes, but rather flawed in execution and nearly drowns in its own ideas.

It is flawed indeed, but damn, I can't help but admire what they were trying to achieve.

I'd rather have more flawed films that try something different than well-made films that play it safe.

Also has one of Tom Hanks' worst performances.

Nah.

Are you referring to a particular character he plays, or all of them?

Trying to stir a feud between Bespin and I? This will not work! This will only result in you being banned!

Search your feelings, Bloodbait... You know it to be true...

No..... NO..... NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Also has one Tom Hanks' worst performances.

That's the other reason why I'm avoiding this movie.

I have avoided it so far because I think I'm going to have a headache by the confusing plot.

It's not confusing in any way.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,514]

Lucas is saying that the film studios of today don't allow for any bold, daring and crazy movies to slip through their nets. They kill the creativity of the artist. He's basically being nostalgic for the moviemaking of the '70s, you know, when the asylum was run by the lunatics.

Alex

That's rich coming from the man who singlehandedly started the infantalization of motion pictures...on May 25th, 1977.

[Uni 306]

This is just me judging on the trailer but isn't Cloud Atlas like 'The Architect scene' of The Matrix Reloaded? I'm all for freedom and all but I don't want two hours of actors to spout bloated dialog like that.

No. If it had been like that at all, I would've hated it. The Wachowskis have a tendency to preach sometimes, and they don't do their films any favors when they force that kind of thing into a picture. But there's a minimum of that in Cloud Atlas . . . which is one of the reasons I really enjoyed it. Another is that there is, in fact, a narrative to the film (sometimes you have to actually see the whole movie to spot something like that), and it's a good one. Contrary to Bespin's purpose in citing this as an example of what Lucas was bemoaning, this is the kind of movie that shows it still can be done, albeit rarely. Sometimes it's exhilarating just watching an ambitious concept pulled off. (And to see Hugo Weaving play Nurse Ratched is almost enough to make the entire enterprise worth it by itself.)

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

This is just me judging on the trailer but isn't Cloud Atlas like 'The Architect scene' of The Matrix Reloaded? I'm all for freedom and all but I don't want two hours of actors to spout bloated dialog like that.

No. If it had been like that at all, I would've hated it. The Wachowskis have a tendency to preach sometimes, and they don't do their films any favors when they force that kind of thing into a picture. But there's a minimum of that in Cloud Atlas . . . which is one of the reasons I really enjoyed it. Another is that there is, in fact, a narrative to the film (sometimes you have to actually see the whole movie to spot something like that), and it's a good one. Contrary to Bespin's purpose in citing this as an example of what Lucas was bemoaning, this is the kind of movie that shows it still can be done, albeit rarely. Sometimes it's exhilarating just watching an ambitious concept pulled off. (And to see Hugo Weaving play Nurse Ratched is almost enough to make the entire enterprise worth it by itself.)

Agreed, although I wouldn't put the preaching level at a minimum. It's pretty preachy in some of those monologue montages....

Still a very uniquely enjoyable film.

[Uni 306]

Yeah, maybe so. But at least it wasn't the pseudo-philosophical garbage the Matrix sequels tried to pan off on us.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Yeah, I dug it in the first film, but the sequels took it to far.

[Wojo 2,453]

Look, originality! Uniqueness! Let's sue!

http://www.eater.com/2014/10/23/7047937/lucasfilm-empire-strikes-back-against-empire-brewing-company

[Melange 446]

He's basically being nostalgic for the moviemaking of the '70s, you know, when the asylum was run by the lunatics.

[filmmusic 1,826]

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/george-lucas-says-movies-are-too-much-circus-no-substance-1201419058/

George Lucas:

“If you go into ‘Star Wars’ and see what’s going on there, there’s a lot more substance than circus,” he argued.

Conrad Pope on Facebook:

George is right. And so much of the substance in STAR WARS is in the marriage of image and music.

I completely and fully agree!

[RedBard 71]

Conrad Pope on Facebook:

George is right. And so much of the substance in STAR WARS is in the marriage of image and music.

We can always on His Excellency the Pope to preach the gospel truth to us film-goers.