The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

[Terrance Mulloy]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

Creative risks don't automatically make good stories.

You're right, but I don't think Geoff was saying that.

There is either not one thing, or there is one or more things being cleverly concealed by deft marketing.

?

I judge movies by their content, as weird as that sounds.

But how can you make final judgement on The Beaver, when you haven't seen the movie yet?

Or have you?

[Biohazard]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

But how can you make final judgement on The Beaver, when you haven't seen the movie yet?

That is precisely why we have trailers - to incite the viewer to pay to see the film. This trailer failed.

There's no way in hell I'm paying any amount of money to see Mel Gibson (of all people) put a puppet on his hand, especially if that is the centerpiece of the entire story. Is that not what the story is about? That is what the official trailer for the film told me...and it sounds lame as hell.

WHY would I care?

?

Are they keeping the interesting parts a secret? Because there are none in the trailer. Not even at the concept level.

[Terrance Mulloy]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

This trailer failed.

For you maybe. Not necessarily for someone else.

There's no way in hell I'm paying any amount of money to see Mel Gibson (of all people) put a puppet on his hand, especially if that is the centerpiece of the entire story. Is that not what the story is about? That is what the official trailer for the film told me...and it sounds lame as hell.

WHY would I care?

That's like saying, I'm not interested seeing Ryan Gosling talk to a blow up doll for two hours. Yet there's a lot of people who found that film quirky and very entertaining. Again, just because YOU don't care, doesn't mean other people won't like it either. I simply don't understand why you'd slag off a film when -

a) you haven't seen it.
b) it's clearly not your target demographic to begin with.
c) granted, this is not your cup of tea, but you're still hailing this film as a failure, based purely on a trailer.

It may very well flop, but how can you call it so early?

Are they keeping the interesting parts a secret? Because there are none in the trailer. Not even at the concept level.

Dunno. Perhaps. I found the trailer interesting, and this is not something I'd usually respond to. The concept alone is unique, and it's ripe for a lot of themes about relationships, redemption, and family, etc., which ties nicely into Gibson's sordid personal life as of late.

Bio, you know I love you, but in all honesty, when it comes to films, I would hate to be you. You're always cynical and negative about EVERY film that comes out. It appears you really don't like many films at all, which is odd considering you're a film maker. Don't take that personal, it's just that there seems to be an awful lot of armchair criticism and negativity that goes on here - and it's mainly from people outside the industry. Probably not a good idea to despise the very industry you're trying to break into.

Anyway, each to their own. As you were.

[Geoff Alexander]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

Creative risks don't automatically make good stories.

I judge movies by their content, as weird as that sounds.

What is within this story that would appeal to me?

There is either not one thing, or there is one or more things being cleverly concealed by deft marketing.

Uh, sometimes people take creative risks and fail. I like to see filmmakers take risks. Therefore, no matter how shitty this movie is, I appreciate the decision to press forward with something that isn't analyzed and risk mitigated six ways to sunday. I guess you don't understand my point. Don't worry, Transformers 3 is on the way.

[Terrance Mulloy]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

Don't worry, Transformers 3 is on the way.

I guarantee Bio will hate that film too. Trust me.

[Biohazard]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

I simply don't understand why you'd slag off a film when -

a) you haven't seen it.
b) it's clearly not your target demographic to begin with.
c) granted, this is not your cup of tea, but you're still hailing this film as a failure, based purely on a trailer.

A - And I don't want to see it. I wasn't given a reason.

B - I appreciate films of all sorts, all ages, all styles, all genres, all languages, etc. I am the heart of the target demographic.

C - Not once did I say or imply the film was a failure. I said the trailer was a failure based on the notion that the sole purpose of a trailer is to incite the viewer (me) into wanting to view the entire film. Think of it like this: You and I both buy a watch. The same watch. Mine is broken. That doesn't mean your watch has a problem, but it is certainly not working for me. This upsets me because I cannot use the product as intended. I was handed a faulty product and can no longer enjoy the luxury of knowing what time Toy Story 3 is playing.

The difference between films and every other consumer product is that you don't get refunds for films. There is no quality control for cinema. You get what you're given and you like it or tough shit.

Sorry, but I love it so much when films go right that it creates such heartache and distress when I see something not living up to the potential I know it has. Like watching a great athlete snort crack off a bus station toilet bowl instead of practicing and bettering himself and the skill-set he was given. Bad films really are that f-cking sad, because you know they can be better, and there's absolutely NO reason why they aren't.

Nothing can truly piss someone off unless they are deeply passionate about it.

I guarantee Bio will hate that film too. Trust me.

No doubt.

[Architeuthis Dux]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

I think the basic problem is that Mel is a little too convincing as someone who is batshit crazy, but this whole handpuppet thing turns batshit craziness into some kind of joke. But not the funny kind. Funny is exactly what it is not.

Can I say batshit on this board?

[Sundancer]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

I find it ironically amusing that a rumored lesbian directed a movie with this title.

[peasblossom]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

Re: trailer.

I dunno, kinda looks like it's trying too hard to be over-sentimental. I'll still watch it because I love Jodie Foster, and yes, I still have mad love of Gibbo, despite his many flaws.

Yeah, that's what I think.

[Gwai Lo]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

I'm not trying to be snarky, but can someone explain how this movie/story is taking a creative risk? I honestly don't see it. It looks like a pretty standard redemption plot to me. The trailer screams formula. What's risky about the story? That it's about depression? The one quirky idea of the beaver hand puppet? That's about as risky as HARVEY, you know, the 60 year old Jimmy Stewart movie where he talks to an giant invisible rabbit. I understand that the presence of Mel Gibson makes it risky, but that's not creative, that's just publicity.

[Biohazard]

Re: The Beaver Trailer Finally Arrives!

I'm not trying to be snarky, but can someone explain how this movie/story is taking a creative risk? I honestly don't see it. It looks like a pretty standard redemption plot to me. The trailer screams formula. What's risky about the story? That it's about depression? The one quirky idea of the beaver hand puppet? That's about as risky as HARVEY, you know, the 60 year old Jimmy Stewart movie where he talks to an giant invisible rabbit. I understand that the presence of Mel Gibson makes it risky, but that's not creative, that's just publicity.

It's risky because it's not exactly a marketable concept.

You'd be hard pressed to find any casual film goers lining up outside a theater on a cold Friday evening to see a movie where an old guy walks around with a toy on his hand for 2 hours. That doesn't scream excitement. Doesn't even whisper it.

Hell, I'd rather spend my money on Transformers 3. I'd rather buy Inception on blu-ray. At least those movies are somewhat fun to watch.

I did like Harvey a lot, though, but Lars and the Real Girl was painfully boring, despite having high production values. I'm glad I saw it, but I'm not in any hurry to see it again.