Feedback:
BOP Answers Its Mail
By Calvin Trager
September 7, 2004
There's a saying, "Beware of those who ask for feedback". It means people usually only want to hear the good things. Most people want to play it safe, keep doing the things they already know how to do. Reinforcement is a critical element to taking the easy way out; tolerance of mediocrity begets mediocrity. The problem with that little scenario is, where's the growth? Where's the satisfaction that comes with improvement, achievement?
Well, we at BOP love all the feedback, good and bad. We're all about continuous improvement, knamean? And there's no doubt that sometimes we are going to follow our own muse, even in the face of negative feedback. But having said that, we're also not afraid to embrace good suggestions, as we've shown throughout our tenure here. For that we say thanks. Thanks for helping make BOP the kind of place we can be proud of, and the kind of place you can be proud of, too.
Here then is some selected feedback and response from June 17 - 22, 2004:
Tami is about to get a lesson on economic realities:
Why would a movie only be released (limited) if it is supposed to be a good movie maybe even nominated for an Oscar? Thank-you for your time and help
Interesting question. You're not from around these parts, are you Tami? Prepare to ponder this irony: In the United States, the best the art of filmaking has to offer often has trouble finding mass appeal. Meanwhile, seemingly, any piece of trash with toilet humor, special effects, and a marketing budget makes money hand over CGI-rendered fist. In essence, not everyone wants to see a good movie, since that requires more thought on the part of the viewer, and most people don't want to work their brains that hard. Yes, I am cynical about this topic, and I note there are many handfuls of exceptions to the above (exceptions both in terms of viewers and in terms of movies). But you didn't ask for the sugar-coated truth, did you Tami? Thanks for the feedback.
Bob channels Ebert:
I was glad to see "Requiem for a Dream" be recognized for being brilliant. I couldn't agree more. My wife and I watched that movie on video and were stunned speechless (which doesn't occur very often). There were so many incredible visuals presented in that movie that are memorable but the one most haunting to me was the one of the Wayans' characters Mom holding him as a child and loving him completely but not teaching him anything. Nothing I have ever seen in a movie was so bittersweet as that moment. And of course, any movie where the refridgerator starts moving across the floor in attack mode is so original that I couldn't imagine before I seen it how "believable" that scene could be made to appear. I'm just glad that we didn't turn it off after the first 10 minutes or so because the Jared Leto character was so damned unlikeable at the beginning that we almost didn't give it a chance. Great work on the site overall (love the new layout) and I really appreciate these little "bonus" tidbits that you put out there for your readers to consider. Bob
Thanks for sharing, Bob.
Jason thinks some of the character motivations may be a bit cliche:
Session 9 is one of my all-time favorite horror flicks and to this day is the one that messed with my mind the most on a minute-to-minute basis, so it was nice to see a good review of such an underappreciated flick. Fans of the DVD may also notice three things that I have yet to find in any other film's DVD version: 1. The deleted scenes entirely change the film and its plot; 2. The deleted scenes are consistent with an alternate ending that is arguably more potent than the theatrical version; 3. The extras and featurettes carry the same tone and horror of the film itself and in truth frightened me more than the reveal. Special credit also goes to characterization; true, some of the character motivations may be a bit cliche, but I'd say this is a rare horror flick in which each character behaves in a way that's completely consistent with what we know about them.
Thanks for sharing, Jason.
Chris would lose his head if it wasn't attached:
You recently described how the economics of movie theaters work, but I can't find it. I don't remember if it was a column or in the mailbag or what. Any help? Thanks
Follow this link for Jason Dean's Movieball Followup, Chris. Thanks for the feedback.
Jake might just be on to something with this quality theory:
I think we learned this from last summer, but apperently a lot of people haven't caught on yet...fans want quality! They don't care who directs the movie, just so long as it makes them laugh, cry, etc. The fact of the matter is, The Terminal IS a horrible movie (this is the first movie I ever walked out on). I'm sure had the movie actually been good, it would have managed the $30 million opener everyone was anticipating!
I had heard The Terminal suffered from unfair expectations, but c'mon. Every Speilberg opus is going to carry high expectations. Still, I actually look forward to catching this on DVD now that some time has passed. Thanks for the feedback.
Travis is known among his circle of friends as the man who:
They should change the title of "Around the World in 80 Days" to "Out of Theaters in 14 Days". Keep up the good work. :-)
Nice. Thanks for the feedback.
Peter is actually asking two separate questions:
Hi, love your website. I was wondering if you have heard anything about the live action Neon Genesis Evangelion movie coming out. Weta digital has already agreed to to the visual effects and has released some concept art. IMDB also has it listed under "untitled evangelion project" but actual info is scarce. Do you people know anthing?
We know plenty, Peter, just not anything about that Word Word Madeupword project you mentioned. Keep hitting google and you are sure to find links for it when any progress is made. If not I'm sure you will enjoy the opportunity to purchase Dodge automobiles, old Phil Collins albums, and possibly Star Wars action figures. Weta? Thanks for the feedback.
Jeffie has aspirations of a music career, so naturally he called on BOP:
Dear Sir: After Johnny Cash died I wrote a song called " The Legend of Johnny Cash" and I recored it with The Paramount Group in Nashville, TN. The lyrics are good the music fair, but this tune was made for your movie. I would like to send you the tune on tape. I would be so honored if Mr. Mangold would listen . i grew up in the Ozarks and I know this life and I listened to the man all my life. I thank you so much for your consideration. I write I don't sing. The lyrics are good . Sincerely J.[edited] address: [edited] Phone: [don't tempt me, Jeffie] daytime: [oh for crying out loud] e-mail: [is this all part of the song?] sample: This is the soulful tale of the man in black nothing but the truth and thats a fact The man in black sang from his soul He lived and died in the way he chose He has come and he has gone But his legend will live on. He started out as a boy in Arkansas Time's were hard but he did't complain he undestood the workingmans pain. Just a boy who had a dream and a song all his own to sing, He knew someday he would play for all the world to see at The grnd Ole Opry. Johnny walked the line and he paid and he paid his dues. he went to war got his first gitar sat down and wrote The "Folsome PRISION BLUES" He moved to Memphis when the war was done and he took Sun records on. Sam did't understand Johnny's style he said "son give me somthing I can sell" Johnny knew he had to fight so he took a stand and he fought the man. Time and Time again he went back then and in the end Sam bought the act. Johnny sang about the things he knew his country roots,love and family too. How he loved those Gospel tunes " Amazing Grace" how sweet the sound when June helped Johnny find God's loving truths. So he prayed and prayed to God above to help him to do the thing he loved. then one night the dream came true When he stepped on that ole Opry stage all dressed in black and the whole world heard him say!!! HELLO MY NAME IS JOHNNY CASH Oh how he sang that night it was the greatest moment of his life. Yes Johnny walked the line through the ring of fire his was a mighty deire to sing in his own way here and faraway. He touched so many who won't foget Johnny Cash the man in Black. Johnny Walked the Line through the Ring of Fire. Johnny will you be an angel in black when you sing your songs in glory there is no pain, no toil no sorrow in that land to which you've gone Yes the Man in Black has come and gone but the legend will forever live on The Man In Black will never die just listen and you will her him say! HELLO MY NAME IS JOHNNY CASH!! orginal lyrics by: [edited] authors note: One of the first songs I ever heard was by Mr. Johnny Cash I loved it then but I ttruly appreciate it now. c/w: [edited] If you are interested please let me know Thank you J.[edited]
*Stunned silence*
Paulo can top that:
I robot new . I inventor of robots the www.[edited].com.br
At least you didn't sing, Paulo. Thanks for the weird feedback.
Casey has a very important correction to bring to your attention:
Ya hi my names Casey and I just wanted to tell you that the name of those books are Gossip Girl not Gossip Girls!! I've read all of the books and just thought that you might want to know about your mistake!! Thanx, Casey
I will now light myself on fire.
Wait, it gets better:
I disagree with what was said about Lindsey Lohan being the best person for the part of Blair in the upcoming movie, Gossip Girl!! In the books Blair's hair is black and Lindsey Lohan's is NOT!! Is she gonna dye it or what?? She's gonna be really sucky at portraying this unbelieveable person!! Thanx, Casey
I will now chew on tinfoil.
Joel demands the sanctity of cinematic purity be respected, respected dammit:
The name of your site is BOX OFFICE prophets. Every time you allow TV to leak into your discussions (and I don't mean MOVIES on TV), you help legitamize TV commercials squeezing their way onto movie screens (such as Regal's "The Twenty"). Please stick to BOX OFFICE! You do it so well!
Wait, what is the name of our site again, Joel? Here's the thing. If you don't want to watch The Twenty, then don't enter the theater twenty minutes ahead of time. There's no law saying you have to watch it. What else would you like the theater to show during that dead time, any way? A lot of the theaters around me show slide shows of local ads and mundane trivia or word scrambles like MOT SHANK. Believe me, The Twenty is an oasis compared to that garbage. What I think you are really complaining about is when the theaters sometimes sneak a commercial for Pepsi or Oldsmobile between the previews and the start of the movie. By this point, you're a captive audience and opting out can sometimes mean opting out of good seats. Theaters should stop this practice. But Joel, buddy. We aren't really a shadowy syndicate that controls every theater chain in the country, despite what the voices in your head say. We're just a humble little Web site that likes Survivor as much as we like movies. We also like books, and video games, and gadgets, and music. And we're determined to bring you the best commentary on all of them, while not straying from our primary mission and first love: movies. Thank you for the feedback.
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