Before I go into what would be a rant about movies, I would just like to state my position on movies in general: I love movies. All movies. I have watched some of the worst dreck imaginable, but did it again and again. Why? Maybe it is the fact that it is easy to get lost in the visual representation of someone's imagination. Hell, I OWN the DVD copy of Masters of the Universe, what does that tell you besides the fact I might have questionable taste?
I reported earlier, there were talks with Sam Raimi ( Spiderman, Spiderman II, Xena, Power Rangers) about a possibility of a Jason Vs. Freddy Vs. Ash movie. To me, the lack luster fight filled Freddy Vs Jason was okay, but not enough to warrent a sequel. While seeing Ash and his boomstick kick some undying ass, it doesn't make sense for these three to be on the same strip of film. We get the point that Jason Vorhees and Freddy Kruger are immortal. That being said, the franchise can keep rolling. Considering that FvsJ made $ 74 million isn't a deterent, but the showdown is done. What was ten years of waiting is over. Same with AvP. Both which are not stellar movies.
Upon my research, I found out that one of my most beloved franchises was mentioned in a article. It seems that sam Raimi has said in a interview that he would like to see Evil Dead IV someday. Really? As much as I love the fact that Ash might be back on the big screen, quitting at Army of Darkness was a good idea. If others in Hollywood could do the same.
DareDevil: Not only did the movie do only mediocre compared to the mighty webslinger in the boxoffice, the main star bailed out of any forseeable film projects, including a cameo in the Electra movie. Now, this is where the franchising comes in. Electra was never a popular comic book character. Why make a movie? Because comic movies are hot right now. So hot, to quote Paris Hilton.
This past year we saw another franchise revival, in the form of Marvel's The Punisher. Now, in case you missed that one, Dolf Lungrend plays the lead character, already bitter and angry towards the man that was responcible for his family's death. To be honest, after watching the NEW Punisher, I had to say: I liked the other one better. Rumor on the grape vine is that there is another sequel in the mix.
In the mid-nineties, there was a great movie put out. Perhaps you saw it: Cruel Intentions. My god, it is still in the top 50 list of my most favorite movies. Running into the video store to see if I could snatch up Kill Bill Vol II, I saw that there was a third one. A third one? Please. The movie ended right. I never even heard of pt II, that was how low it sailed under my radar. Obviously these were straight to video releases that were completed to cash in on popularity. Strangely, there was also a Skulls II and III, which I caught on the movie channel.
But why? Weren't these movies good enough to stand alone, as classics? Why can't they leave some of these movies alone. There are dozens more that I could list, but that would take up space. BUT, at least they aren't running a Disney scheme.
Disney Scheme? How dare I besmirth the name of the most beloved cartoon makers of the world. Easily.
Instead of making tons of straight to video releases ( Which, they have a few...notably: The Little Mermaid II and the Hunchback of Notre Dame II and the Lion King 1/2), they take their movies off the shelves of stores and hides the copies away. Then, during peek selling seasons, they bring them out for a limited time. There is something about giving a person a deadline for something. Disney peek sales fall into this category. Like a trendy pair of jeans, Disney makes you re-buy their old stuff with a spiffy new cover. They keep their franchises to themsleves and dool them out when it is good for selling.
A few movie franchises managed to salvage themselves, but not many. The movie industry says that direct to video sales of older franchises help bring back the feeling of viewing old favorites with a twist. Yes, that twist is being crappy. Anyone that plunked down money for such movies as Texas Chainsaw Massicure III or Tremors IV can attest to what I am saying. Would you go out and rent Thelma and Louise II? No? Well, the movie industry sure thinks you would. So the next time you hear a movie exec. complain that they didn't make a bunch of money that year, don't think piracy, as they would like you to.
Think about the crap that they are churning out.