“Oh, sorry, I got distracted by the Internet.”
Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life, Chapter 3
It’s been a while since I’ve had any interest in checking box office grosses. Rationally, I know that I gain nothing from looking at those little numbers, but it feels comforting to see a film I like earn a ton of cash. Unfortunately, watching Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World crash during its opening weekend reminds me that the numbers chase isn’t always in my favor.
Analysts with far more skill than I have are already dissecting the perceived failure of Scott Pilgrim, attributing it’s anemic U.S. earnings to everything from a split audience (The Expendables, which premiered in the same weekend, arguably drew the macho/date crowd) to an over-previewed, download-happy core interest group. Something about the breakdown is stinging, as if the filmistas are saying “This movie’s made for you, and you’re not watching it!” I think the kernel of truth in that is proving hard to swallow, but it’s attributable to bad marketing as much as an apathetic base.
I had initially written off Pilgrim as some kind of 20-something indie band flick. On a whim, I picked up one of the comics and fell in love with the contrast between a coming of age story and a fantastic romp through video game clichés. Watching the ads for the movie, I realized it was very difficult to capture just what Scott Pilgrim was about in a 30 second teaser. Part of the problem is that the movie and source comic are a bit off kilter, while the trailer is, at heart, still a movie trailer. It presents beats, glimpses of the game-inspired world, but isn’t edited with that in mind.
As a result, it gives all us bitter nerds of the world a perceived reason to skip out. “Oh, it’s just trying for the gamer market. What-ever.” This kind of territorial act doesn’t exactly make for great audiences, but there can’t exactly be a wish for the mainstreaming of the art while holding on to Gollum-esque notions of ownership.
I’m sure that Pilgrim will find a profitable life through DVD sales, but my concern over the numbers game at the local cinema comes from the narrative that will spring up shortly. Namely, “Gamers don’t watch movies.” That may not seem like a terrible thing, but being cut out of a market isn’t usually a positive thing. Among other consequences, it means that external forces get the right of commentary. At the very least, this means folks are free to claim that the hapless slackerdom and hyperactive breaks with reality form the bedrock of the gamer’s view on the outside world. Or, more concerning, the lack of care for source material means we get treated to more Double Dragon-esque adaptations.
If you’ve ever played through a Nintendo game, you owe it to yourself to give this film a chance. Sure, it’s loaded with references to the gamer culture of old, and yes, it does use the concept of gaming to great comedic effect. There’s more to it than just a bunch of Mario Bros. name-drops and pixilated landscapes. At least, in my view, it’s a sweet look into the moment that a gamer grew up and made something of his own.
For the moment, it’s enough to temper my disappointment with the cash flow.
Comments
Pages
Scrolling back up, it doesn't look like he was replying to anyone in particular in that post.
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
Fair enough. I thought it was a general swipe at all "haters" and since I had replied recently I took umbrage.
God knows I'm guilty of it myself, but I'm also just getting tired of how many complicated back-stories and reasons we all seem to construct to justify why we won't do/see/listen to/play/read things; criticizing the IDEA of things, instead of the things themselves.
I happen to have been a fan of the comics since around 2005 or whenever the first volume came out. I'm a fan of the director, don't mind Cera, and therefore went in with a pretty positive expectation. It wasn't by any means a "perfect" movie, and I wouldn't dare to call it an anything "of a generation," but I had fun. My brother, who grew up on videogames with me (yet had never heard of the character) enjoyed it as well.
If people went to see it and didn't like it, fair cop to you. If you've been turned off by the trailers, maybe trust the mostly positive reviews and GWJ word of mouth and give it a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised (like Blind_Evil in the SP thread).
I also realize that this is a "why didn't you see it?" thread, and being turned off by the trailer is a valid answer to such a question. I guess I've just been thinking about this issue in general for quite some time now, and this post sort of hit the nail on the head for me.
And in a similar vein, can we all agree to stop using the word "hipster" as a pejorative? It had a good run, but it just feels like such an intellectually lazy and dismissive short-cut criticism these days.
LIVE: NatsuMatto // PSN: SommerMatt
BGG: SommerMatt // iOS: SommerMatt
Twitter: SommerMatt
Podcast: TWSS
It's almost impossible not to use that word as a pejorative if you live in Portland, Oregon like I do.
What the hell is a hipster?
The Idiot Children can turn your life around, regardless of direction!
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman
THis is officially my iPhone wallpaper.
Last.fm | Twitter
"If I knew you could claim podcast hosts that way, I would had peed on you back at Tamo." - AgentWred
That's a special kind of f*cked up.
"$10 - Exclusive Sean-cam where he just shakes his head, over and over." From Pyro's Kickstarter, "Endless Pit of Human Misery Livestream"
Goodness, PBR and everything.
Aw, that's our Cor-Cor!
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
Never seen a definition, but I always it assumed it was some counter-culture douche-bag who's too cool for stuff that appeals to mainstream people.
No offense meant. :p
Struggling to sleep? Try my sleep podcast! Sleepy Time Tales.
Need Podcast editing? Go to Bright Vox Audio
I have a lot of friends that I think would really enjoy this movie, but I just can't get them to go. I don't really like Micheal Cera, but he certainly doesn't annoy me. I can't say the same for my friends. They will not see this movie because they're sick of him playing the same character over and over, and basically not going in protest. It's a damn shame. I think they should have found another character for this role because Micheal Cera has overstayed his welcome with a large amount of people my age.
3DS 1461-6216-3113
Xbox One - CazualAlcoholic
Steam - avatar17 ( [GWJ] Casual_Alcoholic )
PS4 - Avatar18
Uplay - AlmostNapThyme
Overflow Division 2 Clan - MmmDrop
Discord - CasualAlcoholic#1557
That's what I thought, too, but apparently it's either anyone in their 20's or, judging from that picture, someone who wears a T-shirt and glasses and facial hair while drunk. Scott Pilgrim is in his 20's and wears a T-shirt, but other than that he really doesn't fit the hipster definition as far as I can tell. Hell, his band is named after a Mario character. That's the complete opposite of counter-culture if you ask me.
Rent's about hipsters. Scott Pilgrim's about people in their 20's.
As for Michael Cera, there are definitely moments of Michael Cera-ism in the movie, but he's actually pretty different than he usually is for much of it, especially when the fights start. By the end of it, it's like you're not even watching Michael Cera any more. I mean, it's not as drastic a difference as it would be if he were playing a serial killer or something, but it's different enough.
Either way, you should probably get new friends.
The Idiot Children can turn your life around, regardless of direction!
Going back for a 2nd helping this weekend. Everyone is invited!
Love others, weird and wonderfully. | "Life's a trip. You've only got one shot, let her rip." - K.Flay | My Games
Me too! 7 pm tonight.
I need an "I'm with Dyni" t-shirt. -- Localgod54
Canadian hipsters might be a little more mundane than American hipsters. Also more polite.
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
Y'all are so mean!!!
In defense of Demiurge, I much prefer this photo:
The Demiurge is a magnificent, joyous beast.
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
Is that an Appletini?
Love others, weird and wonderfully. | "Life's a trip. You've only got one shot, let her rip." - K.Flay | My Games
Looks like it. That's a hipster drink if I've ever seen one.
Struggling to sleep? Try my sleep podcast! Sleepy Time Tales.
Need Podcast editing? Go to Bright Vox Audio
It's an ironic cosmopolitan.
I just don't think anyone actual knows what they're talking about when they use the word hipster.
The Idiot Children can turn your life around, regardless of direction!
Urban Dictionary Definition for Hipster
Love others, weird and wonderfully. | "Life's a trip. You've only got one shot, let her rip." - K.Flay | My Games
Seems about right.
I think it's a term like 'yuppie' though, it's so worn through over use that it's essentially meaningless.
*edit*
And reading that definition I just keep seeing the South Park episode where Stan becomes a Goth.
'Nonconformists all drink coffee.'
'Nonconformists all wear black.' etc
Struggling to sleep? Try my sleep podcast! Sleepy Time Tales.
Need Podcast editing? Go to Bright Vox Audio
THAT is hilarious.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman
I missed out on all the drunk moments at E3 by not having booze on hand. Never again shall your cup run dry in Los Angeles, Cory Banks, NEVER AGAIN!
----
So I admit that my writeup was barreling uncontrollably into bwuh! GAMER MOVIE! territory. Comments-wise, it seems that most people are put off by M. Cera. Along with a general lack of info about the franchise, it's creating a whole lot of meh around its target audience. There's a bit of disdain for the coin-sounds and gameisms, but it feels like Cera is its main (perceived) flaw.
So lets say we cast Justin Timberlake in the role. Everything remains the same, but we swap out the main character. Is there still some kind of apathy shield surrounding the project? Or is Cera just an excuse? If the commercials had been motion comicy, or if comic clips were featured on youtube, would it help the promotion?
Revel in the sheer improbability that in a universe of such mind-shattering emptiness, you have someone to love - Coldstream
They stopped being meaningful to me as devices a long time ago, and now they've stopped being meaningful as things-ClockworkHouse
It's easily Cera's best film thus far, and I don't think he grew out of being cast as himself in his previous films until now.
If you were to swap somebody in, in his stead, I'm not sure who I'd be for. If you'd asked me before I saw the movie, maybe there'd be someone I'd could pick, but with the ensemble in the film, I really feel like Cera belongs in it.
To me, if you've watched his stuff because you're a fan, you do yourself a disservice by stopping short of Scott Pilgrim. If you aren't a fan of his but just think he's typecast himself in all of his films, you need to drop the attitude and go see it anyway. If you just don't care for his acting? Understood - at least rent or stream it and play it loud.
If you don't enjoy the movie? Well, they don't offer refunds, but at least it won't be "just another Cera movie".
Love others, weird and wonderfully. | "Life's a trip. You've only got one shot, let her rip." - K.Flay | My Games
I've taken a pass on this movie largely because it looks like it covers the same ground as a lot of webcomics: lots of gamer in-jokes, men stuck in perpetual adolescence, and the sarcastic girls they pursue. It's not a story I find interesting.
Professionally offended. Does not understand jokes. Needs a man to explain them to me.
I am painfully out of touch with everything. When I heard about this movie I could only think , "who the hell is Michael Cera and why does everyone hate him?"
I saw Superbad but never paid attention to who the actors were.
Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/biginja... | XBOX/PSN: BigInJapanGWJ
If that's at Rabbit's place (and I think it is), that makes it probable that he's holding a Rabhattan.
Words... are a big deal.
Jill Lapore wrote:Editing is one of the great inventions of civilization.
Pages