Filmmaker

It's not odd at all--it's the age-old debate of "why do so many people make bottom-barrell shit popular"? I can criticize the movie 'til doomsday, but this thread is about its monstrous box office take, which I have to blame not on the film itself, but on its supporters.

Jaymole

I can't believe there are people here complaining about a mediocre kids film beating a "no one asked for or needed" fifth sequel to a film series at the box office.

Groucho

My five year old loved Night at the Museum so much we took her to it twice. I saw it the first time and thought it was pretty good...nothing I'd see on my own, but not terrible.

Sometimes you want to see films for the entertainment value. Not every trip to the cinema needs to be a educational or artistic experience.

I guess that makes me "stupid" in the eyes of some here, but oh well. All of you no doubt have films in your collection that are less than intelligent choices I'm sure.

BravesMG

But why? Why such the venom against this particular movie? It's a family film released around Christmas and the holidays with big stars and a lack of competition. I've really been trying to get there, but the holidays have been nuts for me, I just don't see why this film deserves such scorn as to "blame" it's success on the moviegoers. Have you seen it?

I live in Boise, ID (one of the greatest days ever to be able to say that, go Boise State!!!!), and the nearest multiplex has 21 screens, and the only family competition available IMHO would be Happy Feet and Charlotte's Web. Happy Feet is (I believe) nearly 2 months old, and Charlotte's Web I think skews a little younger than NatM. If a family wants to take their kids out over the holidays to an enjoyable, family-friendly, appealing film and enjoy the outing as much (if not more so) than the movie, you're holding that against them?

NatM is also currently at 46% at Rotten Tomatoes, not a good number by any stretch, but I've also seen much worse. The Good Shepherd, with it's unbelievable pedigree of stars and talent, is at 55%. For the 9% difference, if it was The Good Shepherd racking up the dough, would you be as upset? I openly have not seen NatM, I'm trying to, but I have no reason to defend it aside from your comments/blame on those who do want to see it.

RichC2

Aye, it would have been much worse if the remake of All The King's Men did well. Heh.

That all said, Night at the Museum wasn't bad, it's a wonderful concept but oddly lacking in the sense of wonder department. That and my mom enjoyed it, and when all is said and done, thats all I really cared about.

CinemaNut

Wait...someone likes Scorpian King and owns SK, but trashes Night At The Museum?

riley_dude

Granted I have only seen clips and the previews but it looks like this film is aimed towards young people for the most part. That's why it is so high up there in the ranking.

Daytripper

There will always be terrible films that make a ton of money. Not just movies geared towards kids. Just take a look at the Top 25 grossing movies of all-time. Yeah, it's too bad a great family film like "Lassie" couldn't even get a proper release. Or even that "Charlotte's Web" was left in the dust by "Museum", an infinitely better film IMO. But for the most part, kids don't really care what they see. I'm not a parent, but I try to get my nieces and nephew to see some decent films too. Not just for them, for my benefit too since I take them

Filmmaker

Yes, which if you had carefully read my prior posts, you would already know. And it is the most asleep-at-the-wheel scriptwriting I've come across in a long time. The last 30 minutes are so puerile and embarrassing that I feel personally insulted and offended that the studio foisted NatM on me as quality family entertainment. That's where the venom comes from. It's not just a poor film, it's an offensively bad one, and it angers me that the public accepts this type of tripe, rewards it with ample viewership and basically sends the message to Hollywood that, yes, guys, we'd love to see--nay, pay for--more steaming shit like this.

BravesMG

You are correct, I had a post of yours confused with someone else's and I did overlook that. Sorry about that, I should have read more carefully. It's easier to appreciate your comments knowing that you've seen it and pointed out valid concerns.

My only question now would be that if NatM advertised and presented itself well enough for you to go, why still hold it against others that might have not heard some of the negative publicity it's getting?

Filmmaker

It's a given in Hollywood that impactful word-of-mouth does its "damage" within a week of release; for NatM to be #1 for a second week in a row means the word got out to people from first week viewers that it is good and worth their time, which it most assuredly isn't.

sugardaddy

In your opinion..

RichC2

Casino Royale - Worldwide: $492,680,477

Nice.

maingon

I thought Night at the Museum was a very fun movie. I really enjoyed it

Filmmaker

If it's not yours, you have my pity.

Loc Nar

It is indeed getting positive word of mouth from many of the people who really matter - parents and kids who have seen the movie and *gasp* enjoyed it. I took my 9 and 6 year old boys to see it on a recommendation from a friend that it was a fun and silly family friendly film. My boys loved it and I liked it for what it was (a silly movie), so there you go.

Also, I'm almost afraid to admit this, but I actually told my neighbor (who has two impressionable young children) that my kids and I enjoyed the film and that it was one of the more entertaining family friendly films I had seen in some time that was not a Pixar flick. I think I even told him that I could not even remember there being any cursing in the film.

As penance, I shall make my boys watch Citizen Kane a dozen times.

Filmmaker

Loc Nar, no need--CHARLOTTE'S WEB will suffice...

Daytripper

Boxofficemojo.com finally updated the UK box-office charts. Hasn't been done in over two weeks. "Casino Royale" is still kicking major ass in England. And is STILL in the Top 3!! Unbelievable.

Joe Molotov

DVD Talk Says:

Night at the Museum =

Charlotte's Web =

Barbarian King

There's going to be some HUGE drops this weekend. Some of those percentage increases last weekened were crazy.

Also, looks like Casino Royale is going to become the highest grossing Bond film in the domestic, international, and worldwide markets. I'm ecstatic people responding to this film so enthusiastically.

Filmmaker

Oh shit; then I am most definitively wrong then, aren't I?

rottentomatoes says:

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 44% Critical Approval

CHARLOTTE'S WEB - 81% Critical Approval

Wanna keep this pissing contest up?

Daytripper

And Rottentomatoes says:

"Night at the Museum" 44%

"Charlotte's Web" 81%

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/night_at_the_museum/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/charlottes_web/


Which only means the critics can't sway an audience.

Daytripper

Filmmaker. I swear I didn't see your response first. It's so odd we were typing this at the same time. I don't know why it took my post that long to show (?)

Rypro 525

Also noticed that The Good Sheppard actually rose from last week, which is quite amazing for a 2.5 hour R rated drama.

Joe Molotov

Rotten Tomatoes also says:

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 44% Critical Approval

THE SCORPION KING - 39% Critical Approval

Oh, the trap was laid so perfectly.