Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Spoilered for size from this morning's paper.
The article doesn't really address the issue in detail of these comedies not being well received by the people who did go to see them. It makes a quick reference to The House having issues and not being screened for critics.
These comedies have been pretty poor. They don't reach the heights of Hangover because they aren't as funny. I thought Popstar was insufferable. I turned it off. I saw Baywatch because I was traveling on business. Not bad but I wouldn't have paid for it at home.
Spoiler:
The article doesn't really address the issue in detail of these comedies not being well received by the people who did go to see them. It makes a quick reference to The House having issues and not being screened for critics.
These comedies have been pretty poor. They don't reach the heights of Hangover because they aren't as funny. I thought Popstar was insufferable. I turned it off. I saw Baywatch because I was traveling on business. Not bad but I wouldn't have paid for it at home.
#4
DVD Talk Legend & 2021 TOTY Winner
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Comedy's are suffering for the same reason you "couldn't make a female superhero movie".
People want to blame the genre instead of the fact that they're making shitty movies, and if they made a good one, people would turn out.
People want to blame the genre instead of the fact that they're making shitty movies, and if they made a good one, people would turn out.
#5
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Where are all the funny superhero movies? There used to be a lot of them.
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Superhero movies are taking a massive portion of the market share. And all the resources (money, talent, time) behind the scenes. Not talked about much ... but the internet takes away from comedy too. If there's a finite amount of laughs to suck out of me, I give a lot of them to random people on Twitter.
And TV makes me laugh more than movies. Give me Always Sunny, Louie, Netflix standup specials. And Arrested Development seasons that take five-fucking-years to produce. I will go see The Big Sick, because it's the first trailer in awhile that actually make me giggle. Off the top of my head, I can't remember the last time I really laughed at a new movie. Think that's a bad thing?
There's only a handful of movies that I can watch and actually laugh at. It doesn't mean that I don't like the comedies I don't laugh at. But only some movies elicit that response.
And TV makes me laugh more than movies. Give me Always Sunny, Louie, Netflix standup specials. And Arrested Development seasons that take five-fucking-years to produce. I will go see The Big Sick, because it's the first trailer in awhile that actually make me giggle. Off the top of my head, I can't remember the last time I really laughed at a new movie. Think that's a bad thing?
There's only a handful of movies that I can watch and actually laugh at. It doesn't mean that I don't like the comedies I don't laugh at. But only some movies elicit that response.
#7
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Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Precisely. Also, comedies are really hard to get right. They require a very precise alchemy. I'm not trying to diminish other genres, but melancholy biopic or tear jerking family drama, I'm not saying they're easy to make, but they're a lot easier than comedy. That's why there's 10 best picture nominees but there may only be one great comedy every 3-5 years.
#9
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I've given up on Hollywood comedies. They just don't make them anymore. It's the same loud obnoxious party movies where stupid people do dumb things as a shortcut for comedy. Thank God there is enough creative freedom on other platforms nowadays that it's not necessary to go to the movies for a laugh.
#10
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
This simple concept is completely lost on Hollywood. They seem to believe all movies are equal and can't figure out what didn't work since they followed the precise formula.
I've given up on Hollywood comedies. They just don't make them anymore. It's the same loud obnoxious party movies where stupid people do dumb things as a shortcut for comedy. Thank God there is enough creative freedom on other platforms nowadays that it's not necessary to go to the movies for a laugh.
I've given up on Hollywood comedies. They just don't make them anymore. It's the same loud obnoxious party movies where stupid people do dumb things as a shortcut for comedy. Thank God there is enough creative freedom on other platforms nowadays that it's not necessary to go to the movies for a laugh.
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I didn't read the article but I rarely, if ever, watch comedies on the big screen. This started LONG before superhero movies were popular.
I'd say it has more to do with movie ticket prices and weighing the cost of seeing a movie on the big screen vs. waiting for home video over anything else. Comedies just don't scream "must be seen on the big screen" like "event" movies.
Many times quality barely plays a role in it. A crappy Transformers will make triple what the funniest comedy of the summer does every time.
I'd say it has more to do with movie ticket prices and weighing the cost of seeing a movie on the big screen vs. waiting for home video over anything else. Comedies just don't scream "must be seen on the big screen" like "event" movies.
Many times quality barely plays a role in it. A crappy Transformers will make triple what the funniest comedy of the summer does every time.
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
For me I think the PC police killed comedy, there are numerous youtube videos on the subject, Baywatch wasn't funny because it wasn't what the show was in the 90s. It should have been an update on the soft core porn genre.
#13
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I think the biggest problem with comedy is the writing isn't nearly as funny as it was years ago (movies, tv, late night).
Where are the Harold Ramis, John Hughes, or even a Mel Brooks out there today for movies? Late Night is no better as the humor is just partisan jabs these days instead of original political skits. Go watch the SNL Presidential debates in 1988 &1992 compared to the past few election cycles. There are very few sitcoms that I watch either as the humor just feels forced in overrated comedies like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Comedy didn't die because of the Superhero Movie, comedy died in Hollywood because there are very few funny comedians and writers compared to 20-30 years ago.
Where are the Harold Ramis, John Hughes, or even a Mel Brooks out there today for movies? Late Night is no better as the humor is just partisan jabs these days instead of original political skits. Go watch the SNL Presidential debates in 1988 &1992 compared to the past few election cycles. There are very few sitcoms that I watch either as the humor just feels forced in overrated comedies like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Comedy didn't die because of the Superhero Movie, comedy died in Hollywood because there are very few funny comedians and writers compared to 20-30 years ago.
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I think the biggest problem with comedy is the writing isn't nearly as funny as it was years ago (movies, tv, late night).
Where are the Harold Ramis, John Hughes, or even a Mel Brooks out there today for movies? Late Night is no better as the humor is just partisan jabs these days instead of original political skits. Go watch the SNL Presidential debates in 1988 &1992 compared to the past few election cycles. There are very few sitcoms that I watch either as the humor just feels forced in overrated comedies like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Comedy didn't die because of the Superhero Movie, comedy died in Hollywood because there are very few funny comedians and writers compared to 20-30 years ago.
Where are the Harold Ramis, John Hughes, or even a Mel Brooks out there today for movies? Late Night is no better as the humor is just partisan jabs these days instead of original political skits. Go watch the SNL Presidential debates in 1988 &1992 compared to the past few election cycles. There are very few sitcoms that I watch either as the humor just feels forced in overrated comedies like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Comedy didn't die because of the Superhero Movie, comedy died in Hollywood because there are very few funny comedians and writers compared to 20-30 years ago.
#16
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
As far as Ferrell goes, well Daddy's Home made $240M domestically. Judging by the audience response to the sequel's trailer in the theater, he's still got appeal.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I will just echo what everyone else on here has said: it's because the comedies that have come out this summer are shitty movies (though I will say Big Sick that I saw today is an exception, but it wasn't a studio one). Of course I have found that comedy is getting to a point that it's in the eye of the beholder. I hated Baywatch and Rough Night, but laughed my ass off at Popstar last summer. One fact to which I will admit is that I am someone who has MoviePass, and if I didn't I doubt I would be catching any comedies in theaters. You just don't need the big screen to do them. Watching a good comedy with a large audience can be priceless, but if you're watching one where the jokes don't land it can be a very awkward experience.
#18
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Yes but like others have mentioned, none of them have looked good or funny. Comedy is one of those genres in which it's harder to market since humor is subjective, and no trailers recently have really had that feeling of being a must see movie.
#19
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I just recently watched Police Academy on Netflix, still crazy funny and a movie with a lot of heart, so I will join the chorus in saying if you build a funny movie they will come. Blaming a superhero film because your comedy film tanked is pretty pathetic. It sounds like some heavy hitters in the comedy arena are doing the blaming which is especially sad and not a good look for these folks.
Stop whining and put some renewed effort into making me laugh...I know you have it in you.
Stop whining and put some renewed effort into making me laugh...I know you have it in you.
#20
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
People seem to like to blame Superhero movies for everything these days. Comedies so far this year have been pretty week, but I usually find a couple movies a year that I find really funny.
The careers of comedic actors is interesting to me, because most of them seem to have a fairly short shelf life and audiences get tired of their "shtick" after a decade of popularity or so. People stopped being interested in Sandler, but the same seemed to happen with Jim Carrey, or even guys in that Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Owen Wilson group. Seth Rogen and the stoner humor stuff seems to be dying down a bit after his popularity. Mike Myers used to be popular! And the older comedians aren't any different, like Chevy Chase.
The careers of comedic actors is interesting to me, because most of them seem to have a fairly short shelf life and audiences get tired of their "shtick" after a decade of popularity or so. People stopped being interested in Sandler, but the same seemed to happen with Jim Carrey, or even guys in that Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Owen Wilson group. Seth Rogen and the stoner humor stuff seems to be dying down a bit after his popularity. Mike Myers used to be popular! And the older comedians aren't any different, like Chevy Chase.
#21
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
I'd say it has more to do with movie ticket prices and weighing the cost of seeing a movie on the big screen vs. waiting for home video over anything else. Comedies just don't scream "must be seen on the big screen" like "event" movies.
Funny that "Police Academy" is now considered a "classic" by some- the critics HATED that when it was out. They hated "Vacation" too but it seems everyone loves that now.
#22
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
News flash : Hollywood is already over Sandler. That's why his new movies are on Netflix instead. And I don't think Kevin James is making many studio pictures either, that's why he's back on TV.
As far as Ferrell goes, well Daddy's Home made $240M domestically. Judging by the audience response to the sequel's trailer in the theater, he's still got appeal.
As far as Ferrell goes, well Daddy's Home made $240M domestically. Judging by the audience response to the sequel's trailer in the theater, he's still got appeal.
#23
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
Maybe The House is why we have this article. I go to movies every weekend. It just didn't look good to me. Not because I went to see Spiderman. I could have watched The House right afterwards. But the trailer didn't make me laugh, the subject doesn't really interest me, and this is a movie to catch on Netflix in six or twelve months.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
My comedy tastes have changed drastically over the past 20 years, and they aren't on the same wavelength as most of the current Hollywood output. Considering a movie is around $9 in the theater, I'm not going to risk it. Very few of the highly-promoted comedic actors these days do much for me, and the trailers rarely get me interested. It's much harder for me to find a comedy I enjoy than it is in any other genre.
#25
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Can comedy on the big screen survive the super hero era?
The explosion of options with which we consume entertainment has been both a blessing and a curse for non-"blockbuster" entertainments in general, let alone comedies. There are way more options to both create and consume stuff than ever before -- the technological barriers to entry have fallen considerably -- but there's also way more stuff to consume, and it's much harder to stand out from the crowd when your labours are almost instantly "buried" on Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Prime, whatever. There's another thread here recently about Netflix and/or Prime bulk buying movies at film festivals that correlates to this one in that most of those pickups will probably bypass theaters and be dumped on the services. I often find myself on the IMDB app stumbling across films made within the past two years -- often with Big Names attached -- that I had no idea existed because they've been buried on streaming services and the few reviews from both users and the handful of 'pros' that actually got to see them in theaters during their festival tours are often middling or dismissive, which tells me that these shows are probably right where they belong. Of course, this in turn creates the (deserved?) stigma that streaming services are where a lot of stuff simply goes to die. There would be a time when these movies would have still been given theatrical releases just to earn back even a fraction of the production costs associated with them, but obviously the days of studios fooling people into seeing mediocre movies on the big screen at $10-$15 a pop are on the wane, and maybe that's for the best. I paid good money to see a LOT of stuff theatrically that, had there been streaming in the 80's and 90's, I would've watched there instead, especially comedies.
One big plus to all of this, I suppose, is the fact that we shouldn't ever have to fear any more pathetically unfunny "movies" toplining "YouTube Stars" getting anywhere near theaters ever again.
One big plus to all of this, I suppose, is the fact that we shouldn't ever have to fear any more pathetically unfunny "movies" toplining "YouTube Stars" getting anywhere near theaters ever again.
Last edited by Brian T; 07-17-17 at 09:19 AM.