tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post2726264962761074667..comments2024-02-12T17:59:33.534-06:00Comments on RAZORED ZEN: Poverty of ContentCharles Gramlichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-38822946954091207462007-11-08T23:47:00.000-06:002007-11-08T23:47:00.000-06:00I agree with you so much on this post. Hollywood i...I agree with you so much on this post. Hollywood is all about proven formulas and making money. The real geniuses are still writers, and we are the ones that are poor!Ello - Ellen Ohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311917335471167591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-55424052439327145172007-11-08T19:54:00.000-06:002007-11-08T19:54:00.000-06:00Charles, you're talking about Hollywood - that's w...Charles, you're talking about Hollywood - that's why there is always "poverty of content". Why else would you get endless Rambos, or is it Rockys? And Ocean's 13?<BR/><BR/>The Number 23 was one of the most boring movies I have ever seen. It was supposed to be frightening, but I fell asleep with boredom. The best movies are Australian or British or - Canadian! But my favorites are Australian. There was an amazing Australian movie, with Guy Pierce, called <A HREF="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240980/" REL="nofollow">Till Human Voices Wake Us</A> in 2002, and I don't think anyone in North America saw it. If you get a chance, check it out. No poverty of content there!Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979114933441527890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-1189406364252830472007-11-08T19:13:00.000-06:002007-11-08T19:13:00.000-06:00I think some of today's audiences would like to se...I think some of today's audiences would like to see something else. Some people just like going to the movies and they will keep going to the movies even if the movies aren't the greatest. The studios, with their test audiences and theories of what's popular, aren't as clever as they think they are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5054771069117840532007-11-08T11:19:00.000-06:002007-11-08T11:19:00.000-06:00Just last night I finally saw a movie on DVD that ...Just last night I finally saw a movie on DVD that surprised me. "Mr. Brooks" is a psychological thriller that had an unusual premise and a lot of unexpected subplots, twists and turns. It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, but it was entertaining -- I do see quite a few movies, so the bar isn't set very high. I used to be a horror/thriller junkie, but because of the sameness of most of them, I don't often watch them anymore.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00665632105920753931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-65571690687624946572007-11-08T09:56:00.000-06:002007-11-08T09:56:00.000-06:00I enjoyed Independence Day and The Mummy and LOTR,...I enjoyed Independence Day and The Mummy and LOTR, so I don't know where that puts me in terms of LCD.Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-28222289536391181702007-11-08T08:47:00.000-06:002007-11-08T08:47:00.000-06:00Sid, I tend to watch four or five movies a year un...Sid, I tend to watch four or five movies a year unless they're on TV. I just can't work up the energy for them.<BR/><BR/>Wayne, I thought about Gnelfs. With the new computer CGI they could probably do it, but it would take a special director not to screw it up.<BR/><BR/>Travis, yes, and I forgot to mention in my original post that they're now doing yet another version of "I am Legend." So much other good stuff I'd rather see filmed.<BR/><BR/>Mark, hey, I have a series too. I was hoping they'd film the John Carter of Mars movie and it would be huge and then someone would want the Taleran books.<BR/><BR/>Church lady, Thanks for picking it up. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know. There are a couple of pretty gory scenes but Koontz can do some of that as well. I will be linking the anti-wife to my blog as soon as I get a moment.<BR/><BR/>Michelle, I liked Play Misty For me, for sure. It's just for me these days all the movies seem kind of the same.<BR/><BR/>Szelsofa, I've always had a dream of being independently wealthy just for such reasons. Doesn't seem to be happening.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-28397762974331579862007-11-08T08:17:00.000-06:002007-11-08T08:17:00.000-06:00if only writers had jobs well-paying enought to ra...if only writers had jobs well-paying enought to raise money to make AND advertise their own film(s), based on their very own book(s).<BR/>Now that would be a pleasure to the eye.<BR/>Totally alternative, self-financed and promoted movies just for the sake of art and literal delicacies...<BR/><BR/>Please, wake me up :)SzélsőFahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11600289147447182465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-45145033456553348992007-11-08T08:14:00.000-06:002007-11-08T08:14:00.000-06:00Poverty of content is a great phrase! I know what...Poverty of content is a great phrase! I know what you mean -- good movies are rare and don't get much play or publicity. The shitty ones keep getting remade for some reason. I love watching movies, but find myself drawn to the seventies (Last Picture Show, Carrie, Play Misty For Me) when things were less predictable and packaged.Michelle's Spellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769666862403600253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-41843867343501476602007-11-08T05:53:00.000-06:002007-11-08T05:53:00.000-06:00Hi Charles,I just ordered it from Amazon!Thanks to...Hi Charles,<BR/>I just ordered it from Amazon!<BR/>Thanks to Anti-Wife's contest, I had a coupon (thanks girlfriend!--linked as Pro Pooch on my blog)<BR/><BR/>I can't wait to read it!!!Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-53854128543519086352007-11-08T05:36:00.000-06:002007-11-08T05:36:00.000-06:00I do believe that is what major publishing houses ...I do believe that is what major publishing houses are looking for good characters that can be serialized over 8 novels, even if it pigeon holes the author.<BR/><BR/>Step out of "your" genre and write a book that is totally different in flavor and content and it will get minimal attention.<BR/><BR/>Same with movies and TV. Rocky 6 or 7? They all made money even though from front to finish all the same underdog winning in the end formula.<BR/><BR/>The writer of the "Pelican Brief" hit a formula that the publishers found to work and all of the basic stories were the same, in the middle of his run he writes a perfectly beautiful little book called "The Painted House" and it was advertised not at all and reviewed as not his genre but next to "A Time to Kill" his first work, that little novel to me was his second best piece of original writing. It just didn't fit their idea of a bottom line contender.<BR/><BR/>Peace<BR/><BR/>markthe walking manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10058913927297370740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-84311122715313233502007-11-07T23:34:00.000-06:002007-11-07T23:34:00.000-06:00Sequels and remakes...the known money makers. I g...Sequels and remakes...the known money makers. I guess if you're not a known name and you don't write to formula, then your stuff has to be "the best thing ever" or it just won't get a chance.<BR/><BR/>That's pretty bleak.Travis Codyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06192526507760146748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-88871939781595042912007-11-07T21:04:00.000-06:002007-11-07T21:04:00.000-06:00seriously. not blood hunter. gnelfs. directed b...seriously. not blood hunter. gnelfs. directed by sam raimi and based on a screenplay by charles and sid.Wayne Allen Salleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199261942617339556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-68915778422155256572007-11-07T21:01:00.000-06:002007-11-07T21:01:00.000-06:00hey, i'd like to see sid's "gnelfs" as a film.hey, i'd like to see sid's "gnelfs" as a film.Wayne Allen Salleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199261942617339556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-12324837933525493042007-11-07T19:31:00.000-06:002007-11-07T19:31:00.000-06:00I think unfortunately budgets have put things in a...I think unfortunately budgets have put things in a formulaic rut in the genre. If a story can be told with about four characters on one to two sets it seems to get green lighted, and way too often lately they're three acts with one twist. Once in a while you get one that's got a little freshness like "Vacancy"--which I liked for its intensity--or "Captivity" and if not it's something that's completely lame like "The Return" or "The Messengers."<BR/><BR/>I gotta quit watching so many of these flicks.Sidneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16284680909152676159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-33202602218051714402007-11-07T17:51:00.000-06:002007-11-07T17:51:00.000-06:00Church lady, there haven’t been many theatrical re...Church lady, there haven’t been many theatrical releases made from Koontz’s work, but they did film “Phantoms” and “Watchers.” They made a sequel or two to “Watchers,” but they weren’t from Koontz’s work. They’ve also made some TV movies and miniseries from his stuff, including “Intensity,” and “Strangers,” although the latter was filmed under a different name. There was a really bad movie made from his “The Funhouse.” The most famous movie from Koontz’s work is “Demon Seed,” and he recently revised that book. I like Koontz much better than King too, and he has been an influence on my own writing. BTW, if you like Koontz you might like my thriller, “Cold in the Light.” It’s pretty Koontzian, I think.<BR/><BR/>Writtenwyrd, maybe they could use that description for all the news channels these days.<BR/><BR/>JR, I sometimes watch movies just for the visual candy because, unfortunately, I don’t expect anything more from them. I wish I could.<BR/><BR/>Steve Malley, I’m sure you’re exactly right. The companies don’t want to take chances with vast sums of money. But there are some independent films made that still do very well on a small budget. It would be great to see them take a few more chances.<BR/><BR/>Shauna, agreed, although even in books the megasellers seem to have less and less of interest to me. Still, there are many good books still appearing, many from the small presses.<BR/><BR/>Danette, Cinderella Man was excellent. As for Owen Wilson, I’ve liked him in a lot of stuff, like Night at the Museum. I didn’t like the movie Starsky and Hutch, though, possibly because I was a fan of the TV show, which was taken more seriously.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-67869569970592620312007-11-07T16:37:00.000-06:002007-11-07T16:37:00.000-06:00At least there are still more content-stuffed, tho...At least there are still more content-stuffed, thoughtful, exciting, original books published every year than any person can read. And a mass-market paperback costs less than a movie and lasts longer. <BR/><BR/>Movies and TV may go after the 12-year-old boy, but books still provide plenty of entertainment for adults.Shauna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871768714926149114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-90024330791897954502007-11-07T16:15:00.000-06:002007-11-07T16:15:00.000-06:00I think the last excellent film I saw was "Cindere...I think the last excellent film I saw was "Cinderella Man." <BR/><BR/>I love Owen Wilson, but I didn't love "Wedding Crashers." Now, "Starsky and Hutch," say what you will, but that movie made me laugh.Danette Haworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13220718895967380788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-61020422985293144332007-11-07T16:12:00.000-06:002007-11-07T16:12:00.000-06:00I can vouch to the lowest common DUH-nominator. M...I can vouch to the lowest common DUH-nominator. Most inmates are clueless. They want visual candy regardless of content.JR's Thumbprintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479324326541901987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-5565999635506093812007-11-07T15:50:00.000-06:002007-11-07T15:50:00.000-06:00Don't forget, the movie-making process rests on th...Don't forget, the movie-making process rests on the movie-*funding* process. And when it's time to hand great swollen bags of loot across the table, people tend to want reassurance. <BR/><BR/>It's reassuring to back a 'proven winner', whether actor, director or writer. Still no guarantee those bags of loot will come back tenfold (cupidity's dream), or even come back at all (how many 'all-star blockbusters' have flopped?), but the money men feel reassured all the same. <BR/><BR/>And so it goes...Steve Malleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17561234111786788616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-74930369106779181282007-11-07T13:27:00.000-06:002007-11-07T13:27:00.000-06:00I agree Charles. "The Usual Suspects" is one of th...I agree Charles. "The Usual Suspects" is one of the few movies that had me going the whole way.<BR/><BR/>Have there been any Dean Koontz movies made? I stopped reading S.King a long time ago when I first discovered (IMHO!) that Koontz wrote with more depth and literary acuity.<BR/><BR/>Love your phrase "poverty of content." I blame Bush for a lot of this. That's a soapbox I'll save for my own blog.Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-56055312170253097222007-11-07T12:51:00.001-06:002007-11-07T12:51:00.001-06:00Candice, Yes, you're probably right. But it's cer...Candice, Yes, you're probably right. But it's certainly not the whole viewing audience who wants this stuff. The film companies are the ones who focus on that specific segement of the population.<BR/><BR/>Lana, yeah, they can't all be Nip/Tuck eh? <BR/><BR/>Bernita, no joke. The stuff I've read from you has been lovely.<BR/><BR/>Erik, you're right, but here in the New Orleans area we seldom even get Indie films in the local theaters. Nor do I usually see many on PPV.<BR/><BR/>the anti-wife. Thanks for dropping by. I don't see a lot of movies and when I do I generally find them "adequate" but not really entertaining like my favorite movies of the past.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-471969832759420702007-11-07T12:51:00.000-06:002007-11-07T12:51:00.000-06:00I like that phrase, "poverty of content." Now I k...I like that phrase, "poverty of content." Now I know how to describe CNN! I've been calling it micro-non-news.<BR/><BR/>You have a point about how difficult it is to become famous as a writer; but I do not think that the industry shuts us out quite so badly as all that. 4/5's of the way, maybe!writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-51366603824279554222007-11-07T11:42:00.000-06:002007-11-07T11:42:00.000-06:00"In fact, I honestly feel most sorry for the “cons..."In fact, I honestly feel most sorry for the “consumers,” for folks like myself who would enjoy a good movie if one were to be made."<BR/><BR/>How true. It's very rare to find a really good movie anymore.The Anti-Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027321787352577548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-39980245641425962272007-11-07T11:35:00.000-06:002007-11-07T11:35:00.000-06:00Jeez, I inadvertently plagiarized from cs harris. ...Jeez, I inadvertently plagiarized from cs harris. <BR/><BR/>Poverty of eyesight . . .Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28221839.post-74061125906241324572007-11-07T11:34:00.000-06:002007-11-07T11:34:00.000-06:00"Poverty of Content" -- great phrase.Indie films c..."Poverty of Content" -- great phrase.<BR/><BR/>Indie films can still work but they're usually smaller in scale and bang. At least they sometimes use non-Hollywood writers for storyline.Erik Donald Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02332500850365598564noreply@blogger.com