LOS ANGELES - For weeks, Hollywood studio veterans and industry watchers have scratched their heads trying to uncover the reason for the worst Hollywood slump in the history of film. Now, after a short and inconclusive study, the weblog All These Wonderful Things has finally found the culprit for filmdom's bad times: independent filmmakers and distributors.
While many have criticized Hollywood's largest studios for the catastrophic collapse at the box office, the study confirms that the studios bear little responsibility for the slide. In fact, this year's studio films are running almost even with films from last year, coming up shy by just over $32 million - or approximately the gross of "Because of Winn-Dixie". Independent films, meanwhile, were off a staggering $637 million.
Studio executives, while not wishing to be identified, admitted relief to hearing the study's findings. "We've been beaten up for months," said one. "But deep down, we knew that it wasn't our fault. Our testing is solid and we're confident that remakes like Bewitched will keep putting butts in the seats."
An exec at a rival studio was quick to lay the blame at the feet of some of Indiewood's top creative talent. "If Todd Solondz and Rebecca Miller can't clear a million, you know that the dead weight's on their end," he said. "I just hope the focus shifts to where it belongs, the lack of vision of the independents."
The study found that the top 30 independent films released from January to June 2004 grossed a spectacular $1,021,427,060, by far the most successful run ever. To date in 2005, the top 30 have grossed a measly $383,963,294. And while many of this year's independents are still in active release, industry watchers predict that few will have the staying power of last year's blockbusters.
"Miranda July is wonderful," said one, "but do I think she's another Napolean Dynamite? Not really."
A random sample of theatergoers at one Los Angeles specialty house seemed to confirm the findings of the study as many audience members said it was getting more and more difficult to get them to leave the comfort of their own home for the art house cinema. "I just bought a huge television and sound system," said one. "I'd much rather watch Gregg Araki movies at home where I can get the full experience."
Another woman said that she almost never went to the movies these days. "I hate all the pretentious public radio advertisements you have to sit through. I mean, just get to the penguins already."
Some independent distributers were quick to criticize the findings, saying that last year was atypical. "It's not every year that Mel Gibson makes his dream project and distributes it independently. This year, we had to settle for David Duchovny."
But others on the independent scene feared that once their culpability for this calamity was widely known, they could suffer further repercussions. "For months, we've been letting the major studios take the blame," said one veteran. "I suspect they aren't going to let this one go quietly."
Enough already! Fantastic 4, War of the Worlds, Batman, Bewitched, Herbie, Star Wars. Hollywood complains about dwindling ticket sales. Been there, done that. Remakes of movies and re-treads of old television shows only lead to general disappointment and increased disinterest. MommyCool.com wants to know where the good new release family movies are? Any hints?
Posted by: MommyCool | July 11, 2005 at 05:56 PM