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Post by Dianne on Jun 23, 2013 8:28:19 GMT -5
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Post by Dianne on Jun 23, 2013 8:32:52 GMT -5
I'm not surprised about the German BO, but I am a little sad, of course. But movies about patriotism don't do well in Germany because Germans know first hand that too much patriotism can lead to nationalism which can lead to unbelievable horrors. Germans have a hard time buying into the concept of patriotism the way Americans do. I have been living here in the US long enough that I'm now able to enjoy a movie like OHF... But 15 years ago I wouldn't have gotten it. I bet White House Down won't do well either in Germany. ( Though that one has a German director who may have a trick or two up his sleeve how to get Germans to like it...) From some of the comments below German FB articles about OHF I already could tell that people there would not embrace the movie. It's not Gerry's fault. It's something based on the history of a people being mislead by a deranged dictator in the name of nationalism. On the flip side, all of Gerry's romcoms did really well in Germany, even the bad ones. I believe even The Bounty Hunter opened at #1. That is so interesting GA. I loved sociology in school and the study of why people do certain things in different cultures.
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Post by norwigi on Jun 23, 2013 9:54:28 GMT -5
I'm not surprised about the German BO, but I am a little sad, of course. But movies about patriotism don't do well in Germany because Germans know first hand that too much patriotism can lead to nationalism which can lead to unbelievable horrors. Germans have a hard time buying into the concept of patriotism the way Americans do. I have been living here in the US long enough that I'm now able to enjoy a movie like OHF... But 15 years ago I wouldn't have gotten it. I bet White House Down won't do well either in Germany. ( Though that one has a German director who may have a trick or two up his sleeve how to get Germans to like it...) From some of the comments below German FB articles about OHF I already could tell that people there would not embrace the movie. It's not Gerry's fault. It's something based on the history of a people being mislead by a deranged dictator in the name of nationalism. On the flip side, all of Gerry's romcoms did really well in Germany, even the bad ones. I believe even The Bounty Hunter opened at #1. That is so interesting GA. I loved sociology in school and the study of why people do certain things in different cultures. Us Norwegains is also not so big on Patriotism either. Maybe it's because since we were under the rule of either Sweeden or Danmark ( mostly Danmark) for 400 years , there still some trace of it , espsially in our language We have two written languags here . One is a reformed version of Danish and the other once is based on the local dialects. We don't put out our flaggs up , unless it's a national or religous holiday. We don't make pledegs on our flagg in school. During WWII under the occupation of Germay , people wore red beanies and had paperclips on the cloths. The were supposed to be a symbol of our nationality. A silent protest aginst the germans.At that time , people was sure that paper clips were was invented by unknow Norwegain. Turns he tried for a patent , but he had made a smiliar verison of the usual paper clip and was also unpractical. I guess my point is maybe because so many years of under rule and occupations of other countrys , we keept our patriotism silent or none exsistant. Of coruse many Norwegains is pround of our country. I guess were kinda silent and reserved in everything we do. I could be we also learned from German history what much nationalisem can do.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2013 10:09:40 GMT -5
I'm not surprised about the German BO, but I am a little sad, of course. But movies about patriotism don't do well in Germany because Germans know first hand that too much patriotism can lead to nationalism which can lead to unbelievable horrors. Germans have a hard time buying into the concept of patriotism the way Americans do. I have been living here in the US long enough that I'm now able to enjoy a movie like OHF... But 15 years ago I wouldn't have gotten it. I bet White House Down won't do well either in Germany. ( Though that one has a German director who may have a trick or two up his sleeve how to get Germans to like it...) From some of the comments below German FB articles about OHF I already could tell that people there would not embrace the movie. It's not Gerry's fault. It's something based on the history of a people being mislead by a deranged dictator in the name of nationalism. On the flip side, all of Gerry's romcoms did really well in Germany, even the bad ones. I believe even The Bounty Hunter opened at #1. Thanks so much for sharing. Reading the foreign articles about the movie, I think it also came down to the political correctness of OHF. In many of the interviews state-wide & internationally the question was regarding the choice of terrorist group in the film, especially with N Korea threatening a missile attack on the U.S. at the time of the film's release. I do think the German directors trick up his sleeve could be that the terrorists in WHD will be seen to be more political correct to the international community. The terrorists are a U.S. para-military group whose members have personal grudges against America. It will be interesting though to see if Americans are as receptive.
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Post by floridarealtor2 on Jun 23, 2013 15:29:19 GMT -5
We have to remember it was not N Korea, but a terrorist cell that invaded due to the leader's personal issues. I thought that was cleaver so that you don't tick off the whole country of NK.
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Post by gersarchitect on Jun 23, 2013 16:02:17 GMT -5
In Germany we don't fly our flag much either unless it's on an official government building. We don't have anything like the Pledge of Allegiance. That was kind of a strange concept for me after moving to the US. Germans never learned proper patriotism. The country was split into smaller kingdoms during many centuries, then united and strengthened in the late 19th century, then came WW1, after that a lot of poverty and desperation which then was used by the fascists to their advantage which led to horror, then came WW2, and after that Germany was split again... In a way as a united nation the US has a much longer history than Germany.
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Post by scottishdreamer on Jun 23, 2013 19:50:26 GMT -5
OHF is showing at a couple of discount theaters within driving distance. I went this afternoon and although it wasn't the best quality copy of OHF, I still enjoyed it. There were approximately 40 people there. I was really surprised! OHF still has an audience out there!
I am sorry Germany couldn't enjoy OHF. I understand what you are saying GA.
As for the showings of OHF in July, unfortunately they are all at 10pm on weeknights which doesn't bode well for people who work...unless they are young and don't sleep anyway! Glad to hear it is being shown again tho!
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Post by TeePat on Jun 24, 2013 11:56:21 GMT -5
I don't know if I'll go all three nights as 10 is late for me too, but I'd like to try to get to two of them. Good question Dianne, I was wondering the same thing, if this count will go towards BO.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2013 20:13:08 GMT -5
Autism is a great cause to support (we have an autistic grandchild), and I would see OHF again gladly, but am not sure, at this point, if it will be near me. I don't really go to 10 pm movies. I hope this event is well supported by young people in the larger metropolitan areas. Question: when is "the other" movie coming out? ("White House Down"). ? Could OHF still be "competing" with WHD? (I have not been following WHD, as you can well see....) ? Hi! White House Down will be released this Friday, June 28th in the U.S. and a number of international markets so they have not been in competition yet. But, depending on the distribution schedule for White House Down and what is left of the schedule for Olympus Has Fallen internationally it could happen but I think it is doubtful that it will. Olympus Has Fallen has done great at the domestic box office and internationally was pretty great considering that the film had a limited release in most of the foreign markets-- $160 million world wide is good for an independently released film. White House Down will have the advantage of Sony's world-wide distribution network so it's box office numbers will be higher, but the film also cost $150 million to make so it will need a higher box office to make a profit. Edited to note - White House Down is also a PG-13 film and OHF was R rated which could be a factor at the Box office.
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Post by elenoire on Jun 26, 2013 10:31:34 GMT -5
Thanks Shellie for this article, the author makes some very interesting points...especially how Sony changed the tone of WHD to almost comedy, to differentiate from OHF... www.showbiz411.com/2013/06/25/white-house-down-will-it-suffer-second-movie-syndrome-to-olympus-has-fallen“White House Down”: Will It Suffer “Second Movie Syndrome” to “Olympus Has Fallen”? I’m getting a lot of mail, and there’s a lot of discussion about Friday’s movie, “White House Down.” Those who’ve seen it are quick to point out its many similarities to “Olympus Has Fallen,” the Antoine Fuqua thriller that made $98 million domestically this past March for Millennium Films. Here’s one insider’s take on the back story: it turns out that the “Olympus” script went around in January-February 2012. Sony and Millennium each wanted it. Millennium won the rights because they promised to make it right away. And they did. By July they were in production with Gerard Butler starring in it, and Fuqua directing. Almost simultaneously, they say, Jamie Vanderbilt– who had written scripts for Sony– offered a script about a terrorist takeover of the White House. Sony and Paramount went after it, and Sony won. “At the time,” a source says, “they probably figured Butler wasn’t a big star, and Fuqua was cold. So they could afford to be the ‘second movie.’” Millennium moved fast, made the movie, and readied it for March 2013 release. They were way ahead anyway, but things just clicked, a source says. “Olympus Has Fallen” is pretty much the same movie as “White House Down.” The main difference is in tone. No one can figure out why “WHD” becomes so jokey about half way through the story. It gets very glib. Roland Emmerich seems to lose control. A “21 Jump Street” jivey-ness comes in. “It could be,” says one observer, “that when they saw how serious but similar Olympus was, they had to do something to change it.” “Olympus” cost $60 million, and will do $200 mil total internationally. “WHD” is said to have cost $170mil-$200 mil. Abroad, a second movie about blowing up the White House will probably still have power. But domestically: the rule of thumb is, first movie on a subject wins. Sony and Millennium will be paying close attention this Friday.
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Post by craven on Jun 30, 2013 8:49:46 GMT -5
Thanks Shellie for this article, the author makes some very interesting points...especially how Sony changed the tone of WHD to almost comedy, to differentiate from OHF... www.showbiz411.com/2013/06/25/white-house-down-will-it-suffer-second-movie-syndrome-to-olympus-has-fallen“White House Down”: Will It Suffer “Second Movie Syndrome” to “Olympus Has Fallen”? I’m getting a lot of mail, and there’s a lot of discussion about Friday’s movie, “White House Down.” Those who’ve seen it are quick to point out its many similarities to “Olympus Has Fallen,” the Antoine Fuqua thriller that made $98 million domestically this past March for Millennium Films. Here’s one insider’s take on the back story: it turns out that the “Olympus” script went around in January-February 2012. Sony and Millennium each wanted it. Millennium won the rights because they promised to make it right away. And they did. By July they were in production with Gerard Butler starring in it, and Fuqua directing. Almost simultaneously, they say, Jamie Vanderbilt– who had written scripts for Sony– offered a script about a terrorist takeover of the White House. Sony and Paramount went after it, and Sony won. “At the time,” a source says, “they probably figured Butler wasn’t a big star, and Fuqua was cold. So they could afford to be the ‘second movie.’” Millennium moved fast, made the movie, and readied it for March 2013 release. They were way ahead anyway, but things just clicked, a source says. “Olympus Has Fallen” is pretty much the same movie as “White House Down.” The main difference is in tone. No one can figure out why “WHD” becomes so jokey about half way through the story. It gets very glib. Roland Emmerich seems to lose control. A “21 Jump Street” jivey-ness comes in. “It could be,” says one observer, “that when they saw how serious but similar Olympus was, they had to do something to change it.” “Olympus” cost $60 million, and will do $200 mil total internationally. “WHD” is said to have cost $170mil-$200 mil. Abroad, a second movie about blowing up the White House will probably still have power. But domestically: the rule of thumb is, first movie on a subject wins. Sony and Millennium will be paying close attention this Friday. I've been reading what is happening with WHD vs OHF. Sony is back tracking now stating that WHD came out during a big summer season etc. They have so many excuses. The situation is Aaron was a better President and Gerry, this goes without saying, is so much better in action. Hands down the acting, the story line (although similar OHF was better in my opinion, the production and direction, the timeline feature was great and it made you feel good to see people's reaction after the movie ended. Let's face it Sony you could have had him but you wanted someone who needs a bigger and stronger amount of people with him to carry a movie. Just my opinion.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2013 10:32:55 GMT -5
I've read the excuses also today, they can't and will never admit that OHF was competition because it was a great thriller no need for adding a buddy 21 Jump Street vibe to the film.
I think WHD will rally during the 4 day 4th of July weekend since it will be seen as the perfect film for a patriotic weekend, but it still can't make up this opening weekend.
I also have been reading a lot about the terrorist in the film are a little too preachy about the wrongs of America so that could also hurt the film in the U.S. but I think it will play better internationally. I think it could come across as less flag waving when we are the bad guys.
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Post by elenoire on Jun 30, 2013 11:01:05 GMT -5
I think this weekend gave a big satisfaction to Gerry and all the people involved with OHF. We all remember numerous articles from a year ago, where WHD was proclaimed a sure winner. Even when OHF opened above all expectations (30,3 mil), still it was given WHD would smash the box office. There was no contest for them... the big studio,bigger budget, bigger stars ... Well, they may still win internationally...but the label flop will be associated with the opening weekend... www.deadline.com/2013/06/first-box-office-the-heat-1-monsters-u-2-wwz-3-white-house-down-4-man-of-steel-5/
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2013 15:01:16 GMT -5
I think this weekend gave a big satisfaction to Gerry and all the people involved with OHF. We all remember numerous articles from a year ago, where WHD was proclaimed a sure winner. Even when OHF opened above all expectations (30,3 mil), still it was given WHD would smash the box office. There was no contest for them... the big studio,bigger budget, bigger stars ... Well, they may still win internationally...but the label flop will be associated with the opening weekend... www.deadline.com/2013/06/first-box-office-the-heat-1-monsters-u-2-wwz-3-white-house-down-4-man-of-steel-5/I agree elenoire, I also think this increases Gerry's star power all is good.
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Post by floridarealtor2 on Jun 30, 2013 21:33:00 GMT -5
I remember reading that the #1 was suppose to be WHD not OHF and IMO critics held back because they wanted to pan OHF. Gerry and team were smart in how they opened it and took the power out of the critics hands and gave it to the people who loved it Brillant!!! I don't care how much they will do internationally they still have to overcome a $170-$200M dollar budget. In HW $$$$ is power and they love money. $60M dollar budget and gross $200M is golden as far as HW is concerned. Maybe now the big studios will look at GB in a different light at least I hope so. There has to be someone there without a pinhead mentality.
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