It seems that recently that Hollywood has run out of ideas and is buying up all the books, comic books, board games, and TV show rights. When movies are given the green light on Battleship and Chutes and Ladders (yes, I am afraid to say that is true.) it peaked my interest. They are also buying up indie comic books when there is still plenty of A and B comic material available to be made into a movie. Also, could we stop with the 80’s TV shows being made into movies? They have never turned out to be blockbuster success at the box office.
I remember a time about 10-20 years ago original idea movies where everywhere. For example we had Pulp Fiction, Matrix, The Rock, ConAir (yes I said it and I am not ashamed to say I like that movie), Independence Day, Forrest Gump, Men in Black, etc. The only two I can remember in the last few years has been The Departed and Inception.
Now I do believe certain movies made from properties should be made? Yes, for example I have always been vocal saying that Mass Effect needs to be made into a movie. If done correctly and I stress correctly then this could be as popular as a Star Wars or Star Trek series. Other examples of games that would make good movies are Gears of War, Halo, Uncharted, Warcraft, and several more I will not mention.
It seems that the executives at Hollywood studios are not thinking this through and are just buying up properties left and right and then telling producers, directors, and writers to make a movie out of it regardless if there is a story to tell. Next thing we know there will be a Speak and Spell and Etch A Sketch movies being announced. If Hollywood is doing this then they need to go the Marvel route and put someone who knows about these properties in charge of acquiring the rights and nurturing the projects vision. At least put in executive or employee who has experience with the material.
Will this current trend go away or is this the new age of Hollywood? Only time and box office receipts will tell.
*The following was written by my husband, Chris. He has always been a movie nut and enjoys PC gaming. Currently he is playing Starcraft 2 and awaiting the release of Civ V.
I like the fact that indie comics are being made into movies. It gives the comic a chance to be noticed. Take Scott Pilgrim. I didn't know about the graphic novel until I saw the movie. After watching it, I now want to go out and buy the comic series. Mystery Men is another example. I'm not sure if it's indie or not but I enjoyed that comic turned movie.
I like the fact that indie comics are being made into movies. It gives the comic a chance to be noticed. Take Scott Pilgrim. I didn't know about the graphic novel until I saw the movie. After watching it, I now want to go out and buy the comic series. Mystery Men is another example. I'm not sure if it's indie or not but I enjoyed that comic turned movie.
The Last Airbender.
nuff said
The Last Airbender.
nuff said
You cant really accuse just hollywood of not being original. Everything we see now a days is a knock off of previous endevours. Them buying comic book stories is just securing there future, thats all. If the popular demand of cinema is happy to pay for film versions of there childhood comics, then why wouldnt they produce more. Strike whilst the irons hot and all. p.s men in black was originally a comic
Dinner for Schmucks is a remake of Hindi Film “Bheja Fry” released in 2007.
As I was watching the trailer last night on NBC I could not help myself wondering, where I have watched this before. Then I remember this Hindi movie I watch with sub-titles 2 years ago.
Has Hollywood run out of Original Ideas that it is taking script from Bollywood? Are we really doomed to bad movies?
I mean, almost every Film released nowadays has a Sequel in the pipelines before its even released; a lot of films are being adapted from Marvel Comivs; books; T.V. Shows; etc. I think the most original Filml I’ve seen in the last few yrs, from hollywood, is “Little Miss Sunshine”.