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Mar 6, 2009

TGITDNMAR (3/6/09)

It's that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It's The Day New Movies Are Released.

Let's look at that acronym one more time. "Thank God It's The Day New Movies Are Released?" Really? With these choices?

Watchmen
I'm of two feelings on this. On one hand, I feel like the perfect specimen for the silly consumer that's been spoon-fed a piece of entertainment, getting hyped to see it where there's really no reason for me to be, considering that I'm not a comic book geek and never read the printed version of Watchmen. That's not to say that I've never been manipulated into seeing/watching/buying something by the media and/or marketers, but I don't usually feel so aware of it. What can I say - I've bought into the hype and will be seeing the flick in a matter of hours.

On the other hand, I'm pissed at myself for having not previously read the comic series (and later graphic novel, as I understand it). It sounds terribly interesting, to say the least, and I can see (without having seen it) why it's as popular as it is. Superheroes + Big Themes + Lack of Condescension = Yay. As such:
Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 100%

Thankfully (!), the release of Watchmen marks the beginning of the pre-summer movie season (aka the Spring Movie Season). Of course it ludicrous to declare a film that's released on March 6 as the beginning of the summer movie season, but (a la Cloverfield last year) it's the first blockbuster of the year, and a quick look at the slate of movie coming up in the next few weeks tells me that we're done with the doldrums of the early year, and in a big way. Praise Tivo.

I look forward to not feeling like I'm just blasting every movie every week, just like it'll be nice for there to be maybe more than one (if that) appealing film being released each week. We don't ask for too much, do we?


5 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (3/6/09)"

Kyle said...

Professional nitwit Debbie Schussel has a delightfully insane rant against this movie wherein she essentially wishes death upon fans of The Watchmen. That alone is endorsement enough for me.

Anonymous said...

I had never heard of Debbie Schussel before. Wow, she at least gave me a good laugh! I really enjoyed the part where she likened Watchmen fans to Jim Jones followers. That's priceless.

Clive Dangerously said...

How are we defining blockbuster here? Paul Blart and Taken have both around 120 mil apiece. Are you referring to 'event' type movies? The ones people dress up at midnight for?

Myherobobhope said...

I showed up to the movie theater in nothing but a coat of blue paint... needless to say, I haven't seen the Watchmen yet.

Fletch said...

Hear hear, Kyle! I've heard of her, but I wish I hadn't. Though I'd rather not give her any further publicity - she's really not deserving of it.

Clive - something like that. A movie like Paul Blart or Taken might make a boatload of money, but they certainly weren't expected to be big hits in the way that Watchmen is.

Though I would add that the lauded $100 million box office figure doesn't mean jack these days. In 1985, three movies made more than that. In 2008, 29 did.

Farmacy - ask Paul Reubens how he got in. I think he'll have some tremendous advice for you.