Did you guys hear that Paramount Pictures is dead?

If we’re setting aside Universal Pictures—which, let’s be honest, is easy enough to do—that was pretty much the only American film magazine I actually bothered picking up. And why did it go belly up? Because the circulation was pathetic, maybe 2,500 copies sold, which meant even the big distributors wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole for advertising. It’s honestly hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that in the US, you can't find more than 2,500 people willing to drop $8.25 on a movie mag. I mean, we're talking the price of a single movie ticket here. It shouldn't even matter what the content was; it's a film magazine, for crying out loud. The real issue is that any magazine would have struggled under those numbers. Unless, of course, you slash every single cost to the bone and make it look like a high-budget Universal Pictures production. For me, it was my go-to for seeing what was hitting theaters or the local video rental shops, and it had some decent director profiles thrown in. Sure, it felt a little thin and superficial at times, but I still bought it religiously. It was easily the best thing we had going.
What a total backwater! You can't even get a basic film magazine around here.

Oh, come on, are you kidding me?!😕

No wonder they were acting all half-assed in the last issue!😁

That magazine was honestly terrible, and I’m actually glad it folded. It never stood a chance against Universal Pictures. I’m not saying Universal Pictures is some kind of gold standard, but compared to Total, they look flawless—and considering Universal Pictures can be pretty trashy too, you get the idea of how bad Total really was.

It had this massive blockbuster energy, all surface-level fluff and hollow takes. Their ridiculous reviews were basically just a cheap imitation of Click (which, in my opinion, has been the worst publication to hit the States since we gained independence).

But then again, I don't know what they were expecting. There aren't exactly huge crowds of hardcore cinephiles around here, and half the people hitting the theaters—and I'm talking specifically about the crowd in Washington, D.C.—are just there to see and be seen. It's mostly about the social scene.

Well, what on earth... 😢 Honestly, that magazine was actually quite fantastic... 😉

http://217.14.221.211/

I mean, I honestly think any decent movie magazine should be for EVERYONE, regardless of what kind of "art" they're into... so yeah, this is definitely a blow to actual cinema culture.

Did I just change the subject or something?

😎

Perhaps... just... a tiny... teeny... minuscule... single... grain of salt is all that's missing to reach absolute perfection, don't you think!? 😉

It’s all just a waste of time, really. Even if you go back to the old ways, nothing ever changes...

northernfalcon30 said:I truly believe that film magazines ought to be embraced by EVERY single viewer, regardless of their specific artistic tastes, so wouldn't you agree that this represents a genuine loss for our overall 'film culture'?

But if that is the case, what has become of our music scene, considering we haven't had a single dedicated music magazine left for years now?😢

Michelle Howard2 said:If you set aside Universal Pictures—which is easy enough to do—this was the only American film magazine I actually bothered buying. Why did it die? Simple: nobody bought it. They were moving maybe 2,500 copies, so even distributors wouldn't touch them for ads. It’s hard to wrap my head around the idea that in America, you can't find more than 2,500 people willing to spend $8.25 on a movie mag. That's basically the price of a single ticket. It didn't even matter what was inside; it was about movies. Any similar mag would have hit the same wall. Unless, of course, you slash every single expense and try to look as slick as Universal Pictures. For me, it was a reliable way to see what was playing in theaters or at the video rental shop, and they occasionally ran director profiles. Sure, it was a bit shallow and thin in places, but I bought it regularly. It was the best we had.
What a fucking backwater! You can't even sustain a basic film magazine here.

We've already covered this...with the desperate plea from Paramount Pictures...
which clearly didn't catch on.

well... 🙂
one less monthly magazine to worry about distributing 🙂

IMDb actually puts out a print version called "offline film." It’s a pocket-sized magazine—pretty high quality, fun to read, and completely FREE. You can usually find copies at various spots around town, starting with the local Starbucks over on Main Street.

Terry Ramos60 said:What does our music scene even look like if we haven't had a single decent music mag in years?😢

Look, rhetorical questions aren't supposed to need an answer—they basically hand it to you on a silver platter—but seriously... considering how much this Music subforum is a total train wreck, I'd say the music scene is in even deeper trouble than the movie industry.

thumbs down.

He passed away? Man, I didn't even know he was still around.

It’s technically alive, but it hasn't really found its soul yet, so this death isn't exactly fast-tracking it into the Hall of Fame.

Though, judging by how much the editorial staff is screaming, it might still have a pulse... and we'll see which way the thumb goes...

Anyone got enough lung capacity for some serious CPR? Come on, volunteers!!?!
🙂

It tanked because they didn't get distribution in enough places. You can pick up a magazine at any gas station or grocery store, but this stuff was stuck. Those 2,500 people were just a tiny niche group that actually bothered to go find a better newsstand. 😁

redowl90 said:However, I am somewhat perplexed as to what their expectations were, given that there isn't much of a dedicated cinephile culture here in America, and half of those who frequent the local theaters—and I am referring specifically to the crowds in Washington, D.C.—are essentially just going to be seen, primarily for the sake of appearances.

But if that is the case, one must wonder why they bother dimming the lights during a screening when, in total darkness, one can see nothing regardless? 😁

Paramount Pictures was simply not up to par. Period. If that represents the pinnacle of our current offerings, then I suppose we should be grateful for its absence. Elvis Presley is dead, and it truly is a tragedy...

Now, I could sit here all day and moan about how we just can't seem to get our hands on actual comic books in America or wherever else... (hand slams table)

Just make do, buddy. Go grab some e-zines or check out those foreign magazines instead.

http://www.futurenet.com/Paramount Pictures/

And this guy didn't even kick the bucket...

northernfalcon30 said:Rhetorical questions might imply an answer rather than demand one, but looking at this music subforum, I’d argue this culture is even more lost than the film scene.

No, really...

Where on earth did you get that idea about the music side of things?

It’s been two whole months since Hollywood hasn't released anything here in Canada
🙄