Tag Archives: Jack Poessiger
New Jack City: Hot Summer Box Office—The Race Is On!
When it comes to insecurity, Hollywood usually takes the cake…
Huge production and marketing costs have the studios relying ever more on so-called "tracking services" that forecast what films might open to in terms of ticket sales on specific debut weekends, as well as attempting to predict their "all in" boxoffice take.
With millions of dollars at stake and ongoing ad-pub repositioning right up to the film’s release date, Hollywood has spawned a sizeable sideline industry that delivers sophisticated statistical advance information that once was the domain of fortune tellers.
The 18 week long summer movie period beginning nowadays with the first weekend of May and running through Labor Day can easily make or break a studio’s fortunes.
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘American Reunion, ‘Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda But Didn’t
AMERICAN REUNION– Scene # 1: Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan are now married with child and their union has turned stale…
He’s sitting on the bed rubbing one off into a tube sock while watching porn on his laptop.
Ooops, the young son walks in on him.
Scene # 2: Mom is taking a bath and giving her vag a workout with the handheld showerhead. You guessed it, the kid walks in on her as well.
So begins the 8th slice of American Pie which, at best, has become a bit stale since since its debut in 1999.
But credit AMERICAN PIE with jump starting the modern shock-humor romps which have flourished since with the likes of THE HANGOVER, BRIDESMAIDS and SUPERBAD.
New Jack City: Razzies a New Career Low for Adam Sandler
Sunday’s annual Razzie Awards honoring the previous year’s worst on film brought forth a new cinematic low…
Normally held on the night prior to the Oscars, the Golden Raspberry Foundation this year moved the event to a more befitting date, April Fool’s Day.
And what a distinction Sunday night was for Adam Sandler who swept the Santa Monica, California based event in all 10 catagories!
Sandler’s gawdawful cross-dressing comedy JACK & JILL is the first motion picture in the 32 year history of the Raspberry Awards to sweep EVERY award.
The movie was named worst picture and its entire cast, especially Sandler and Al Pacino, were singled out for their acting in the film. Making matters worse, another of Sandler’s 2011 turkeys called JUST GO WITH IT shares two awards—namely worst actor (Sandler) and worst director Dennis Dugan, who also directed JACK & JILL.
Here then are the official winners—or losers—in the 32nd annual RAZZIE AWARDS:
New Jack City: Holy Choked Chicken, 007 Dumps Shaken Martinis For Cold Suds
Is nothing sacred in Hollywood?
Apparently not.
James Bond is giving up his traditional shaken martinis for beer. And not just any beer, mind you. And thank God it’s not going to be for one of those sissy, light beers.
According to Advertising Age, Daniel Craig will be downing Heinekens in the next 007 action-adventure – SKYFALL – scheduled to open on November 9th. The film is directed by Sam Mendes and co-stars Javier Bardem.
In other words, brewed, not stirred.
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN’ Makes for Strange Catch
What a goofy title…
But if you’re seeking truth in advertising that’s what SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN is really about.
This British offering is an unusual entry from the director of CHOCOLAT and THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, Lasse Hallstrom and Oscar-winning SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and FULL MONTY writer Simon Beaufoy.
The film is based on the popular book by Paul Torday.
But if you think that this is your typical fishing story—a weekend in the Ozarks perhaps—think again.
New Jack City: Boulevard Drive In Debuts Stunning New Sight & Sounds, Free Double Feature
Everything’s up to date in Kansas City—especially when it comes to Drive-In movies…
The Boulevard Drive In made its debut in 1950 and remains as the oldest, continously operating movie theater in the greater Kansas City area.
In 1999 the outdoor venue’s owner and operator Wes Neal installed DTS Digital Sound, a first for Drive In’s anywhere.
And for the 2012 season, Neal and grandson Brian Neal are really stepping it up with another FIRST.
New Jack City: HUNGER GAMES Takes Giant Bite Out Of The Boxoffice
There’s an old saying in the movie biz that proved itself again this past weekend…
"There’s nothing wrong with the industry that a good movie won’t cure."
THE HUNGER GAMES did just that. This first of three films in the new franchise has instantly become the third biggest movie debut of ALL TIME!
And biggest of all film outside of the summer movie season.
THE HUNGER GAMES has sold an estimated $155 Million worth of tickets. Approximately $20 Million of that amount came from the film’s Friday morning 12:01 a.m. midnight showings in North America alone.
Worldwide The Hunger Games generated approximately $214 Million in ticket sales this weekend.
How does that stack up against the other two blockbusters
Jack Goes Confidential: Tense ‘HUNGER GAMES’ a Post-Apocalyptic Love Story
Let me say it right upfront..
When millions of fans invade movie theaters this weekend to experience THE HUNGER GAMES, they won’t be disappointed! The screen adaptation takes the storyline beyond just Katniss Everdeen‘s viewpoint by putting digital warfare emphasis in the game’s master control room.
And that’s a good thing.
New Jack City: Lame, Annoying Phrases We All Could Live Without
I’m German and have been putting up with your curious American customs for some time…
Like the annoying, meaningless pleasantry, HOW ARE YOU? Meaningless because chances are you probably really don’t care how I am.
Am I wrong?
Even the stock answer, "Fine" is annoying because it makes me wonder about the person being questioned’s ability to express themself.
Okay, maybe I’m reaching, but if every second caller on talk radio skipped the How Are You? schtick, they could maybe squeeze in two or more lame callers every hour.
You know, more is less.
KMBZ afternoon drive chatterbox Scott Parks has evelavated the meaninglessness of this question to new heights. Or is it depths?
New Jack City: Jack Wrestles With The Selling of The Great American Hard On
Next to long-form obituary ads, one of the fastest growing profit centers for local newspapers are the display ads heralding treatments for erectile dysfunction…
Yeap, E.D.
What does that tell you about the age demographic and physical condition of newspaper readers?
Check out the sports section. It’s chock full of full color ads with ridiculous statements like, "I don’t want to talk about erectile dysfunction."
When that’s exactly what they are talking about!
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘Friends with Kids’ Plays as Bridesmaids-Lite
Remember the sitcom FRIENDS on NBC?
Assuming you do, and you liked it, consider you’re a candidate for FRIENDS WITH KIDS.
Think of it as, FRIENDS: THE NEXT DAY. Or maybe, FRIENDS: MARRIED WITH CHILDREN.
Either way, what you’ve got is an ensemble comedy about a group of friends with the last two singles in the pack deciding to have a kid together sans the potential trap of a tragic marriage like the ones they find their best buds in.
New Jack City: The Michigan Goober Wars
When it comes to ridiculous lawsuits I thought I’d seen everything…
That is until this week when a Michigan man filed a class action lawsuit against his local AMC theater, alleging the cinema grossly overcharges for concession items.
He’s seeking a refund for AMC customers.
Joshua Thompson filed the suit because, "He got tired of being taken advantage of," his lawyer Kerry Morgan told the Detroit Free Press. "It’s hard to justify prices that are three or four times higher than anywhere else."
Mr. Thompson used to sneak his own goodies into the theater until AMC apparently banned the practice.
New Jack City: Continental or United at KCI–Who’s On First?
Sometimes the ease of KCI’s three separate terminals can be an expensive and operational nightmare…
We saw it after 9/11 when, unlike other airports, KCI had to deal with multiple security check stations. Not only by the terminals but by the gates. These staffed multi-location security checks have since then been combined by the airlines.
But not so fast!
Things could get confusing starting this weekend for UNITED AIRLINES customers as that carrier fully intigrates its system and operations with CONTINENTAL AIRLINES—except here in Kansas City where the two carriers operate out of separate terminals and will continue to do so for the time being. UNITED out of Terminal A and the now ex-CONTINENTAL out of its old Terminal C gates.
Will there be problems?
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘Project X’–Sexy, Rude and Crude Game Changer
Director Todd Phillips of HANGOVER and OLD SCHOOL fame turns producer, creating this time a monster…monster party, that is.
It’s called PROJECT X and features three high school losers taking advantage of mom and dad being away to make a name for themselves by throwing a birthday party for just a few people.
But nothing could prepare them for the complete chaos of what would ensue during the most epic birthday bash ever.
New Jack City: ‘Hunger Games’ On Monster Track
Industry ueber-guru Nikki Finke‘s DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD today reports astounding early tracking (awareness) numbers for THE HUNGER GAMES which is set to open on March 23.
"Numbers every film studio can only dream about," Finke adds.
One study is guestimating that the film – based on Suzanne Collins best selling books – will open north of $70 million—and that’s just for the domestic opening weekend!
If those predictions hold it would make THE HUNGER GAMES bigger than the TWILIGHT debut.
THE HUNGER GAMES, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson was recently screened for the book’s author.
Now here’s Suzanne Collins take for her millions of fans on the big screen adaptation:
New Jack City: This Year’s Razzie Awards Salute Hollywood’s Worst
How Low Can Hollywood Go?
In this endless awards season it’s not over til the fat chick warbles or the worst on film gets their much deserved recognition. We’re talking THE RAZZIES, the annual sendup to the past year’s creme de la crap.
Officially known as THE GOLDEN RASPBERRY AWARDS, these worst achievements in film are normally handed out on Oscar’s Eve. But not this year!
In a departure from an almost three decades long tradition, the winners—make that losers—will be heralded on April Fool’s Day, April 1st. And this year’s pre-Oscar night event was used instead to introduce the world to the nominees for the ultimate schmutz on film – the bottom of the cinematic barrel.
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘Wanderlust’ Outtakes Are Best Part of Lame Comedy
When critics exit press screenings they’re usually asked for their opinions by studio representatives…
I dreaded having to give my take to them on WANDERLUST the other day.
All I could come up with was: "I’m speechless."
"In a good or bad way?" the rep asked.
I let her guess my answer.
WANDERLUST basically tells of a New York City couple—Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston—who suddenly fall on hard times. He loses his job and she can’t sell her penguin documentary to HBO.
And they’ve just purchased a micro-loft in Manhattan.
Now overextended and totally stressed, they take a job offer from his porta-potty magnate brother in Atlanta.
Which works for about a week.
But hold on!
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘Act Of Valor’- Real SEALS, Real Heroes!
ACT OF VALOR isn’t your average, everyday popcorn action flick…
What it IS, is a low budget tribute movie to the Navy SEALS, co-directed by Scott Waugh and Mike McCoy who are known collectively in Hollywood circles as the Bandito Brothers.
"Nobody from Hollywood wanted us to make it," Waugh told the Hollywood Reporter recently.
"That’s why we ended up funding it ourselves and finding private equity and why we really made a truly independent film with this."
Looking for a testosterone filled, name marquee cast?
You won’t find it in this movie.
New Jack City: Rolling The Dice for This Year’s Oscars
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I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve had so much trouble pre-picking the Oscars…
The odds for guessing the winners correctly in several big catagories Sunday are about as good as playing the slots.
Some of the major contests even have the Vegas Sports Books in a quandary.
Granted, when it comes to the top prize—
Best Picture
—it most likely will be coming down to between THE ARTIST and THE DESCENDANTS.
My pick: THE ARTIST
Jack Goes Confidential: ‘This Means War’ Makes for 97 Minute Turkey Shoot
I had heard good things about THIS MEANS WAR…
But after leaving the critic’s screening last week I had to wonder if the people who’d given me that information had actually seen the same movie I’d just sat through?
Then there was the full page advance display ad for the film in last Sunday’s New York Times. The sub-headline read: "The most fun you can have at the movies."
Did someone really say that about this movie? Unbelievable.
