January 26 - Second Screening of Serenity - Mild Spoiler

POSTED BY: dietcoke
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 1, 2005 05:11
VIEWED: 10520
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DIETCOKE

Thursday, January 27, 2005 4:22 PM

Just read about this on Ain't It Cool News...

Thursday, January 27, 2005
Whedon’s SERENITY Rides Again -- And Converts Another FIREFLY Non-Fan!!
I am – Hercules!!

When Universal mounted its first test-screening of “Serenity” in Chatsworth, Calif., last month, everyone I spoke to in line seemed to know what they were seeing, even if they weren’t terribly familiar with its writer-director or the TV show on which the movie is based.
Now it looks like the studio arranged a second test-screening of Joss Whedon’s directorial debut Tuesday night in Ventura, Calif., but this time invited people who had no idea what they were seeing until they were in their seats.
Our reviewer counts himself as a Whedon fan, but says he didn’t much care for “Firefly” before he saw the movie. Now he’s keen to catch up with every episode.

Call him “Artie Dodger”:
What happens when a Whedon fan sees "Serenity" with the uninformed? FRUSTRATION!

The Century theater in Ventura held a secret screening last night. It turned out to be "Serenity". I was quite happy when the title was announced along with a few others who whooped and hollered but most had never heard of it. There were a few awkward chuckles. Meanwhile we were burning up in the theater and packed pretty tight. This was going to be tough crowd.

I absolutely loved the movie. I was not in love with the show before, but now I will be pulling the box set off the shelf and watching the 10 episodes I haven't seen.

The crown reaction seemed mixed. I heard laughs and cheers and one good scream during a scary part ... and a lot more laughter after that. I don't think most people were expecting sci-fi. Some of the women had a problem with the violence. Not me ... bring on the Reavers!!! Still I think a lot of non-Whedonites left pretty pissed off. I heard stuff like "waste of time", "worst movie ever" " why didn't they have laser?" ... blah blah blah... I'm sure they'll all line up to see "Constantine" with Keanu Reeves.

Joss, if you're listening, don't change the film based on these morons. Don't let the studio push you around. It's a great film. Mal, River, and the rest of the cast rocks!

Seconded! “Serenity” will never appeal to every demographic, but it's a precision-forged entertainment and certain to create legions of fiercely loyal advocates. If the studio tries to sand off its edges in a bid for universal appeal, there’s every chance it won’t appeal to anybody.
It launches into cinemas Sept. 30.

CAPTAINCDC

Thursday, January 27, 2005 5:00 PM

Yeah, I read this earlier this morning and it worries me. I am sure that the movie is great the way it is, but with as much importance as studios put on test screenings I am concerned that the studio will try to mess with the movie. Let Joss do his job Universal!!!!!

The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!

RABIT

Thursday, January 27, 2005 7:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dietcoke:
" why didn't they have laser?"

This pretty much sums up why I worry about this. People have been so biased over the years by ST & SW that they have unrealistic expectations of what things will be like in the future, and don't really get the reality portrayed in FF.

Hopefully the studio will see that the way Joss has created his future makes sense and is wonderfully crafted. Proper marketting can get around these kinds of issues, and hopefully they take that road instead of trying to change the movie to deal with it...

Rabit

TOMANTA

Thursday, January 27, 2005 7:37 PM

Part of the problem with screenings is the way they are set up. How many people REALLY go to the movies and see something they have never heard anything about before?

Trailers and buzz are important. They give people expectations and some idea of what they are going to see.

Still, that review worries me a little. But not much. There are always going to be people who are not going to like something. I am of the opinion that those that didn't like it had made up their minds within the first 30 minutes and had already decided not to give it a chance :).

"FOX! Where the shit hits the fans." - Tim Minear

DIETCOKE

Thursday, January 27, 2005 7:39 PM

I was reading some of the posts at "Ain't it Cool" and some of the Sci/Fi fans were the most critical of the show! What is up with that? I would think those are the people who would march out in droves to see the movie (well, next to the Whedonites.)

Go figure....

CAPTAINCDC

Thursday, January 27, 2005 9:03 PM

I hate to lump a group of people together like this, but it has been my experience that the talkbackers on AICN are notoriously negative. So I'm not terribly surprised.

The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!

SAFFY

Thursday, January 27, 2005 9:08 PM

Argh! Why is there only one person in the world posting "pre-reviews" on the Internet? I'd love to hear from anyone else...

TOMANTA

Thursday, January 27, 2005 10:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captaincdc:
I hate to lump a group of people together like this, but it has been my experience that the talkbackers on AICN are notoriously negative. So I'm not terribly surprised.

The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!

I agree. I posted my general opinion of the AICN posters before (I think on a thread about the first screener review), but it amounts to being the worst the Internet has to offer. Trolling is just rampant there.

"FOX! Where the shit hits the fans." - Tim Minear

RABIT

Thursday, January 27, 2005 10:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tomanta:
Trolling is just rampant there.

Uh, not really...

Trolling is the norm there. I've been reading AICN for years, and I've completely given up on reading Talkbacks. They are basically pointless, in my opinion.

Rabit

SERGEANTX

Friday, January 28, 2005 12:15 AM

I think we're all forgetting an important fact. Most people are idiots. If Universal takes the attitude that immediate ticket sales are all that matter, then they'll have to give people what the expect. Anything else frightens and confuses them.

On the other hand, they may understand that stupid people are also very easily manipulated and choose to promote the movie well, trusting reviewers and critics to encourage the wary.

I remember seeing "This is Spinal Tap" the night it opened. It was amazing how badly the audience recieved the movie. I heard several people complaining as we left the theater. I think some of them didn't even realize it wasn't a real documentary. Obviously, the movie went on to put Rob Reiner on the map as a director. So, the idiots don't have to decide the fate of a movie.

Joss is tough. I'd never known much about him til after "Firefly", but he's impressed me as a person. To take a failed television series and turn it into a major movie take guts and determination. I don't think Joss will let them screw this up.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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