slylynx16 said:What exactly counts as a "reasonable" excuse?
It’s because Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings are just fundamentally different types of movies. You can't really watch them through the lens of, "let's make a flick about oil drillers heading out to punch a hole in a meteor to save humanity." They're more geared toward die-hard book fans and cinephiles than the general public (though I guess that's debatable too)...
Before the nineties, movies felt different. Filmmakers used to pour their energy into the actual storytelling because they didn't have much choice—the tech just wasn't there to rely on flashy visual effects. But as technology evolved, it seems like people started trading substance for spectacle. There was this gradual shift where the core narrative took a backseat to big CGI numbers and chasing awards. Now, we’ve landed in an era where the budget and the projected box office haul seem to matter way more than the soul of the story itself.
Looking back at everything since 1995, Hollywood has pumped out a massive wave of decent enough blockbusters that consistently smash box office records, while treating actual "quality" like a secondary concern.
So, here’s what I’m wondering: in your opinion, which type of film has seen the biggest return on investment—those massive blockbusters where they pour a mountain of cash into production just to rake in an even larger fortune at the box office?
I've put together a few title options in the poll based on what's currently on my mind, but please feel free to vote for anything else if you have a better idea that isn't listed.
Just a heads-up: this poll focuses exclusively on American films that lean into those occasionally over-the-top patriotic themes. 🙂
P.S. For obvious reasons, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings were left out of the poll.
Eric Jackson43 said:but comparing it to Independence Day, which basically insults the audience with its approach, is just wrong.
That’s spot on. You can't even put Independence Day in the same conversation as War of the Worlds. The first one is just a fun popcorn flick—an action comedy meant for the masses that keeps you entertained for two hours. The second one, though? It’s a mess because it tries way too hard to be something it simply isn't.
Brian Foster2 said:You love it when Americans step up and save the entire world, while the main plot point is just the President's wife dying. 🙂
Oh, absolutely! Totally! I just love Americans! I want to be one of them! 🙂
In all seriousness, though, I still think Independence Day is one of the best blockbusters from the last decade—everything from the story and characters to the cast and special effects is top-tier.
Sure, it’s a bit silly that the Americans handle everything themselves, but hey... it's their movie, made for their market, and they're the heroes of the story. That doesn't bother me at all. 😉
Independence Day is a masterpiece compared to War of the Worlds!
Honestly, Independence Day is such a great movie. 👍
Haha, okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but to me, that film still holds up way better than any of those other blockbusters we've been bombarded with over the last decade...
casualotter21 said:Have you seen Fantastic Four yet?
Of course I have... My advice: steer clear of this one... Besides, the movie is hitting theaters right in the middle of summer when everything else is already swamped...
casualotter21 said:Exactly! Stupid comic books! Before they started turning everything into movies, Hollywood used to make all sorts of great, smart films. Just look at the Riddick series, then King Arthur, then Troy, followed by Jurassic Park 2 and 3, or even those Adam Sandler comedies...
I haven't seen most of what you listed, except for the second and third Jurassic Park movies, which are absolute masterpieces compared to Fantastic Four... 🙂
So, I just finished watching the movie and I have to say, it was exactly what I thought it would be:
Solid trash! 🙂
The special effects are surprisingly bad for a flick like this. It’s got a few decent, funny moments and isn't boring, but overall, it’s nothing special.
I really hope Hollywood stops churning out these comic book movies anytime soon, because things definitely aren't looking good...
slylynx16 said:Trivia: Watanabe claims the entire crew was in tears during the final scenes. Apparently, everyone went through two boxes of tissues each...
Oh, please, what an exaggeration!
Actors will say just about anything if it helps move more tickets... 👎
Supposedly a remake of some Japanese horror flick (can't recall which one, but honestly, it doesn't matter much)...
Jennifer Connelly is her usual stellar self, but the movie itself is a total slog. I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy...
While watching, I came up with a decent Rotten Tomatoes review that would go something like this: "Jennifer Connelly's character has a migraine. The audience does, too." 😉