Family Films during the Holidays: Review Proof?

Dr. DVD · 12-19-05, 08:06 PM

I seem to remember the first Cheaper By the Dozen receiving less than favorable reviews during its initial release, but it still managed to net a major amount over the holiday season. Now we have it going head to head with another family, or more teen friendly flick, Fun With Dick and Jane. I have not seen many reviews for this one, but critics seldom buy into these kind of movies.

It seems to me that if you want to have movie that might be mediocre at best but make some money, release during the holidays and count on families going out of the need for pacification, and negative reviews won't hurt you. Anyone else agree?

William Fuld · 12-19-05, 08:28 PM

Families don't rely on critics, period.

FinkPish · 12-19-05, 08:56 PM

It doesn't have anything to do with the holiday season; if you show people that they are going to have a good time at the theater, they will show up, no matter how stupid the film really is. There are just more family-oriented films released during the holiday season because familes tend to all go to the same show.

Patman · 12-19-05, 09:34 PM

Plus, families gravitate to the names of actors/actresses they know, so that also helps when these films open during the holidays.

12-19-05, 08:06 PM	#1
Dr. DVD DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 18,489	Family Films during the Holidays: Review Proof? I seem to remember the first Cheaper By the Dozen receiving less than favorable reviews during its initial release, but it still managed to net a major amount over the holiday season. Now we have it going head to head with another family, or more teen friendly flick, Fun With Dick and Jane. I have not seen many reviews for this one, but critics seldom buy into these kind of movies. It seems to me that if you want to have movie that might be mediocre at best but make some money, release during the holidays and count on families going out of the need for pacification, and negative reviews won't hurt you. Anyone else agree? __________________ "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." -Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects

12-19-05, 09:34 PM	#4
Patman DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Duluth, GA, USA Posts: 37,454	Plus, families gravitate to the names of actors/actresses they know, so that also helps when these films open during the holidays. __________________ PatCave; Flickr; Dragon*Con 2012; Comic-Con 2012 According to DGibFen, I'm a "freaking genius." "Jee-sus, it's like Iwo Jima out there." - Roger Sterling

12-19-05, 08:28 PM	#2
William Fuld DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Sep 1999 Posts: 3,254	Families don't rely on critics, period.

12-19-05, 08:56 PM	#3
FinkPish DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,657	It doesn't have anything to do with the holiday season; if you show people that they are going to have a good time at the theater, they will show up, no matter how stupid the film really is. There are just more family-oriented films released during the holiday season because familes tend to all go to the same show.