Dame's "The Producers" film mini review.- Page 2

[DAME]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 8:53pm

Again; having already seen the film.. I think you are underestimating people. I'll bet it wont be such a hard climb for "The Producers". Alot of people are looking forward to a Mel Brooks film. I think it will do reasonably well. Also remember that Rent is about to open and Producers doesn't officially arrive till Christmas. The huppla and publicity machine have not even begun.

Updated On: 11/17/05 at 08:53 PM

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 8:57pm

There's no such thing as an unbiased review. If people aren't already familiar with the source material, then they're predisposed to disliking the conventions of the genre(s) the film falls under.

I see what you mean about it being difficult to filter people's opinions when they have already decided who they want in each Oscar category. But you're more likely to find people who will give honest opinions of Rent and The Producers on Oscarwatch than you would here - where people have the bizarre idea that being loyal to the source material necessarily means writing glowing reviews of the film adaptations. Flaws are mentioned but made to seem less significant than they really are... Where is EL Doctorow when you need him? He plainly admits that all adaptations of his novels, including the ones for which he wrote the screenplays, have been awful.

Without having seen it, I suspect that The Producers will do well with award nominations but frontrunner status will be a surprise to me.

Updated On: 11/17/05 at 08:57 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:00pm

I actually think its interesting that simply because they are musicals, both RENT and THE PRODUCERS somehow entered awards speculation before they were even out of the gate as films.

True, there have been a handful of musical winners at the Oscars, but by and large they have always been the exception, not the rule. Perhaps it's because both MOULIN ROUGE and CHICAGO were major players in recent years, but I kind of take exception to the fact that people seem to be viewing RENT and THE PRODUCERS' success based on whether they end up winning awards. The truth is they are no more Oscar material then films like THE WEDDING SINGER and HARRY POTTER or the vast majority of other films made every year. And that's more then okay.

Both RENT and THE PRODUCERS have the potential to make money. That's enough. It shouldn't matter if they are populist entertainment.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:01pm

Brent Barrett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[DAME]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:03pm

MB:
I agree with you 100%.

[emilymoon]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:06pm

Yes, I believe people are honestly saying how they felt about the film on Oscarwatch, and here as well ( fans of the show could be the hardest to win over after hearing all the moans here about Will and Uma), but if they went into it with the baggage of being a Oscar predictor/obsesser, then it skews it a little. I knew people would not be on the same page about this film, but one minute I hear it has a good chance the next it is all over. And I agree with you about rabid fans not adding anything to the discussion in terms of critical analysis.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 9:09pm

Thanks Dame. It's always a pleasure to get your nod of approval...

I mean on the same subject, people are already speculating the Oscar chances of DREAMGIRLS. True, the film has the potential to be stunning, and Bill Condon is a fine director -- but look at the cast -- it's also clearly going to be VERY mainstream.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/21/05 at 12:40pm

Very mainstream and hallmark-ized.