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alpaca-clouds · 6 months

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Why the media CEOs will always learn the wrong lessons

Yesterday a friend and I talked about how the entire (AAA) game industrie looked at BG3 being as popular as it is and going: "Oh, we need to produce 100+ hour games, I guess! Those sell!" Which... obviously is not why it is popular. The game is not popular because it has 100+ hours of gameplay, but because it has engaging characters, that are well-acted and that work as good hooks for the players. Like, let's face it: The reason why I so far have sunken 160 hours into this game is, because I wanna spend time with these characters - and because I wanna give them their happy endings.

But the same has happened too, just a bit earlier this year, right? When Barbie broke the 1 billion and every Hollywood CEO went: "Oh, so the people want movies based on toy franchises! Got it!" To which the internet at large replied: "... How is that the lesson you learned from this?"

Well, let me explain to you, why this is the lesson they learn: It is because the CEOs and the boards of directors at large are not artists or even engaged with the medium they produce. They mostly are economists. And their dry little hearts do not understand stuff more complex than numbers and spread sheets.

That sounds evil, I know, but... It is sadly the truth. When they look at a successful movie/series/game/book/comic, they look at it as a product, not a piece of art or narrative. It is just a product that has very clear metrics.

To them Barbie is not a movie with interesting stylistic choices that stand out from the majority of high budget action blockbusters. It is a toy movie with mildly feminist themes.

Or Oppenheimer is not a movie to them with a strong visual language and good acting direction. No, it is a historical blockbuster.

And this is true for basically every form of media. I mean, books are actually a fairly good example. In my life I do remember the big book fads that happened. When Harry Potter was a success, there was at least a dozen other "magical school" book series being released. When Twilight was a big success there was suddenly an endless number of "teen girl falls in love with bad boy, who is [magical creature]" YA. When the Hunger Games was a success, there were hundreds of "YA dystopia" books. Meanwhile in adult reading, we had the big "next Game of Throne" fad.

Of course, the irony is, that within each of those fads there might have been one or two somewhat successful series - but never even one that came even close to whatever started the fad.

Or with movies, we have seen it, too. When Avengers broke the 1 billion (which up to this point only few movies did) the studios went: "Ooooooh, so we need shared universe film series" - and then all went to try and fail to create their own cinematic universe.

Because the people, who call the shots, are just immensely desinterested in the thing they are selling. They do not really care about the content. All they care about is having a supposedly easy avenue of selling it. Just as they do not care about the consumer. All they care about is that the consumer buys it. Why he buys it... Well, they do not care. They could not care less, in fact.

So, yeah, get ready for a 20 overproduced games with a bloated 100+ hours of empty gameplay, but without the engaging characters. And for like at least 15 more moves based on some toy franchise, that nobody actually cares about.

And then get ready for all the CEOs to do the surprised Pikachu face, when all of that ends up not financially successful.

Really, I read some interviews yesterday from some AAA-studio CEOs and their blatant shock and missing understanding on why BG3 works for so many people.

Because, yeah... capitalism does not appreciate art. Capitalism does not understand art. It only understands spread sheets.

#baldurs gate 3 #oppenheimer #barbie #barbie movie #hollywood #game industry #media #indie media #media criticism #anti capitalism #late stage capitalism

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kingdomoftyto · 9 months

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I'm crying laughing, the DVDs are even worse than I remember... Season 1's menus are silent with a single static jpg of the same key character art they use for everything else, and the episodes on the Season 2 discs don't even match what's listed on the box! Absolutely stunning lack of shits given. Truly unparalleled. But I really shouldn't be surprised given... well... everything about how this series has been treated since the very beginning.

Time for a quick ~✨PHANDOM HISTORY LESSON✨~ to give newer/less hyperfixated folks more context for why the graphic novel being as great as it is is such a HUGE deal:

Danny Phantom was one of Nickelodeon's MAIN cartoons, in its time. It was a central pillar. One of the top three or four of their lineup, which is saying something when the competition includes the cultural juggernaut that is Spongebob.

Despite this, and despite its superhero theming making it perfectly marketable, it got basically ZERO official merch.

What little we did get was often ugly and very, very cheap. The dedication at the start of the graphic novel that jokes about collecting the Burger King toys? That's because it was some of the most notable merch the franchise EVER had. (I sadly do not have any of it. There was no BK in my hometown. Here's a pic from the internet, though, to give you an idea.)

If you think I'm exaggerating about that being the most significant physical merch to come out of the series, consider that the first video game had an entire menu option specifically for the Burger King promotional tie-in:

That video game, by the way, was one of only two ever based on the show. The first was an adaptation of "The Ultimate Enemy" in the style of a short sidescrolling beat-em-up, and the second was themed around "Urban Jungle" and (as far as I can tell--I've only played the first couple levels) was an arcade-style scrolling shooter. Both were for the Gameboy Advance, and both are...... fine, as far as cash-grabby video game tie-ins to kids' shows go. This was pretty normal for the time, so I suppose we did okay in that department, actually. They're not GOOD, but they're playable and have at least a bit of effort put into them.

But besides those two video games (plus a handful of simple, long-defunct Flash games on nick.com)? In the decade and a half since the show ended?

Nothing.

No books, no games, no comics, no web shorts--unless you count mega-crossovers with every other Nicktoon (a la Nicktoons Unite), or soulless promotional material like "Fairly Odd Phantom" (which, trust me, despite being the first new DP animation in over 10 years was not even worth the effort of watching).

...I think there was a limited edition FunkoPop once?

So yeah.

A Glitch in Time is not just the first cool, well-made thing we've seen from the franchise in a while. It's the first THING we've seen since the show. PERIOD. And arguably the first worthwhile supplementary material to EVER come out of the show, depending on how you feel about those GBA games and the Nicktoons crossovers.

This franchise is widely beloved even now, almost 20 years after it first aired, and it feels like that fact is now, finally, FINALLY getting some official recognition.

PLEASE read A Glitch in Time. Tell other people about it. The series--no, the fans--deserve this (and more of this, if the folks in charge see enough of a response and decide to grace us with any followup). It's LONG overdue, but better late than never.

#Danny Phantom #this is why I've been losing my mind repeating ''please buy it'' over and over btw #this is the FIRST and maybe ONLY time we'll ever get to directly show support for the series #it is a uniquely huge deal for this fandom #it's totally fine if you can't (or just still won't) buy it of course but I am begging folks to consider it IF they can.#not for any moral guilting or anything just.... for me. for the fandom. (for yourself because it's a cool story lmao)#long post

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bg-brainrot · 1 month

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what are your thoughts on Larian walking away from BG3/BG4/DLCs?

What a great question!!

So, first to acknowledge my own feelings as a gamer, as a fan of BG3, of the franchise, and, of course, of Astarion : I'm naturally a bit bummed. I would love to play more, read more, watch something, anything really.

Added to that, I also don't trust an outside team to come in to pick up the vision of the original team. I've seen it happen with other games, where the base game was one studio and the DLC was outsourced or they onboarded a new studio to take on it on as the main development team moved on to the next big project. It rarely, if ever, has worked out well.

My hope on the Hasbro/WotC side is that they leave BG3 alone to live on as a behemoth in the history of gaming... however, knowing how game publishers are, how much money BG3 made, the player interest in more content, etc -- there is no way that Hasbro is leaving money like that to the wayside.

Best case scenario I see on this side: they make auxiliary content, like books, toys, comics.

Worst case scenario: they outsource a new game team for DLC.

As for BG4, I honestly didn't expect that to be Larian's next project anyway (I was expecting Divinity 3, so feeling a different disappointment there haha). That being said, I don't think WotC or Hasbro know (and I mean this at the executive level of course) why BG3 did well. There are honestly a ton of factors on why BG3 did well, but that's for another post lol, but I don't think they could replicate that for BG4 with another studio. Doesn't mean I don't think it will be good-- it might be! It will just be very different.

Best case scenario here: they have a good studio make BG4 and it's still good, but it's different.

Worse case scenario here: they try to have a studio replicate what Larian did instead of tapping into their talents, and end up with a buggy, unfun mess. Also they bring back characters just to try to get people to buy it. 🥲

Now, as a game dev, what do I think of Larian's choice in all of this?

I LOVE IT. Wow, Swen Vincke is doing what every single developer wishes they could do if they actually had the power, money, and the influence to do it.

I have wished in the past for my studios to abandon projects, but sometimes it really was necessary to try to keep the studio afloat. As much as you want to work on a passion project, very rarely is it actually something that will keep the lights on. Oftentimes you will have to make that deal with Hasbro for a license or that deal with Epic for exclusivity just to recoup costs. Making games is expensive and, if you want to make anything at the scale that BG3 is, you usually need a lot of partnerships (a lot of their GDC talks were part of partnerships, like Dolby, Amazon, Adobe).

So the fact that they had such a success with BG3 to actually, comfortably follow their creative passions? Wow, wow, wow-- I am rooting for them so hard. I want them to make exactly the game they want and take all the time they need to do it.

Now, even knowing that Hasbro had something to do with this, was what he said about the developers not feeling passionate about the DLC true? Yeah, probably.

I've never seen something kill creative passion more (even if it's for a franchise you like or a game you've loved working on) than a directive from the top for something that's clearly just meant to make people above you more money. And with each partnership comes approvals, comes red tape, comes stakeholders that want to dictate what's in the game (oftentimes to the detriment of the game)-- and the game team can't even object because it's not their license or their brand.

The fact that Larian can say, 'screw that, I don't need more money from you' is truly such an anomaly in gaming. I am so very in awe of them as a developer-- it feels like someone breaking free of the system and paving the way forward for the rest of us. So whatever they do next, I will be there to support them.

BG3 is their most successful game so far, and I'm hopeful they will continue to push those boundaries. They've proven with each release that the core of their studio remains the same: immersive/massive RPG experiences, community-feedback focused improvements, and a well-balanced studio.

The tldr for all of this: I've loved Larian's choices so far and, while I'm bummed as a player, as a game dev I can't wait to see where this one takes them!

#cosmicchocomuffin #ask #bg3 #larian #ty again for such a good question!!!#i love larian and their choices as a studio #i know people can and should be critical of some things they do #but i cannot stress enough how phenomenal it is to see a studio like them succeed

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thedurvin · 2 months

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The Ghostbusters franchise is such a weird series of developments

An autistic actor with a special interest in the paranormal wants to make a movie about it.

He uses his connections through Saturday Night Live to get the movie made. It becomes less serious as he works on it, but he's still pretty happy with the project.

The movie is exciting and funny and kids love it, so it gets turned into a cartoon series and a toy line.

It becomes an integral part of the cultural experience of being a kid for a generation that loves spending money on nostalgia, so it gets turned into dozens of video games, a sequel cartoon, a gender-flipped reboot, two legacy sequels, long-running comic book series based on each of the continuities mentioned (including a crossover series where they all meet each other), dedicated fans that build reproductions of all the tech and costumes so they can make in-character appearances at public events, a genus of dinosaur is named after its resemblance to a creature in the first movie, etc.

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adhoption · 11 months

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The whole complaint about there being too many comic book movies is weird when you think of it as a medium rather than a genre - it's like complaining about there being too many novel adaptations, or films based on a true story.

Actually, come to think of it, it does feel like we've had enough films based on video games or musical biopics recently, but that just means that comic book adaptations are hardly the problem. It's all unoriginal, just chasing trends and following certain formulae, all latching onto recognisably IP and milking it until it curdles.

Relative to an industry dominated by films based on toys and household objects and spun off of TV series, even cannibalising other films into unwanted remakes and reboots and sequels and prequels, somebody adapting an actual story, with new characters, that has not been previously adapted to film, is like a breath of fresh air.

Within that medium, there can still be great diversity of genre. It used to be that we could distinguish between film noir and heist capers, between space operas and spy thrillers, but now if they were originally comic books it's all the same. It feels like lumping The Shawshank Redemption and IT together as 'Stephen King movies', or Twilight and The Godfather as 'novel movies'.

Yes, there are a lot of Marvel stories being produced all at once, but that's because they have half a century of content to catch up with, with thousands of comic editions to sift through and adapt. It's no different to what they'd do with anything else, and if anything I think they're being more discerning than the way they drag out some of their other source material.

You think they wouldn't have made 30 Harry Potter films if there were enough books? They added some extra ones as it was, and now they want to do a TV series. They turned a couple of Jurassic Park books into six films and counting. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings became twenty hours and a TV series. If the Marvel canon offers a whole untapped universe of hundreds of characters to explore, what do you expect them to do?

'There are too many Marvel movies', sure, but there are too many everything movies. Every single smidgeon of IP will get exploited until all of the flavour runs out. This year alone we have John Wick 4, Rocky 9, Scream 6, Fast and the Furious 10, Evil Dead 5, Magic Mike 3, Transformers 7, Indiana Jones 5, Insidious 5, Mission Impossible 7, The Equaliser 3, The Expendables 4, The Exorcist 6, Saw 10, Trolls 3, Hunger Games 5, and Ghostbusters 5.

At the same time, we have films based on Super Mario Bros. and D&D and Gran Turismo and Five Nights at Freddy's and Teen Wolf and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol, biopics about George Foreman and the origins of Tetris and Air Jordans, remakes of Children of the Corn and The Colour Purple and White Men Can't Jump and Haunted Mansion, live action adaptations of The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan and a Willy Wonka prequel for some reason.

I feel exhausted just reading through that list. How many of those films were actually needed, or even wanted? How many are an obvious cash grab from a studio bereft of any original ideas, a forced extension of a franchise which should have been left to rest where it was? I don't understand all of the criticism focusing on the fact that there are three MCU films, when surely they are no more tired than any of the alternatives?

If you ignore the cross-over events, and look at Guardians of the Galaxy 3 or Ant-Man 3 as the conclusion of a self-contained trilogy, resolving various character arcs and introducing an engaging villain which an established history and background in the source material and an actual plotline planned out and executed, I don't know how you can say they aren't stories at least as worth telling as the umpteenth phoned-in sequel being drawn out of every popular film, with no plan other than to try to copy what was good in the original, to increasingly diminishing returns.

Next year we're going to get Planet of the Apes 4 (itself a reboot of a reboot), Godzilla/Kong 5 (itself the latest in a long line of reboots) Mad Max 5, Kung-Fu Panda 4, Transformers 8, Mission Impossible 8, Despicable Me/Minions 6, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a musical biopic of Bob Marley, a live action remake of Snow White, another Garfield film, a prequel to the Lion King remake, and sequels to Dirty Dancing, Gladiator, and Beetlejuice.

I'm not looking forward to Thunderbolts, Captain America 4 or the Blade remake, but I don't think they're less original than almost any other film being released, and I don't understand why people are acting like Marvel are doing something particularly boring or cynical when they are still largely adapting original material and still have untapped stories to tell, which is more than can be said for most of these zombie franchises staggering on long after they should have ended.

#mcu #marvel #film

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ryanmeft · 5 months

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Ryan's 2023 Film Guide

For the hell of it, I've decided to slap together a "guide" for the 2023 movies I've seen, and whether and how much they are worth your time. I do not consider my opinion sacred or objectively correct, but hopefully what I have to write will help you make viewing decisions in some way. I'll post an updated version of this after I've seen more movies, but for now, here you go.

Anatomy of a Fall ***

Two incredible performances, by actors playing a mother and a visually-impaired son, elevate this courtroom drama/mystery even at times when one-note supporting characters and a somewhat indulgent running time threaten to upend our tolerance. In French and English with English subtitles.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ***

Though it constantly tries to upend itself with with dumb humor and overproduction, this is a perfectly fine Ant-Man film for fans of the first two. It embraces comic book weirdness in a way fans disappointed in the franchise’s more sterile entries may appreciate.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret ***1/2

I do love this modern trend in teen movies, where we shift away from gross-out sex comedies and into films that treat teens like budding adults, with all the baggage, hopes and fears that go with that. Whether you ever read the book or not, this is a coming-of-age story well worth a watch.

Asteroid City ****

I divided sharply with critics on Wes Anderson’s pretty-but-plodding previous feature, The French Dispatch, so it was a joy to see him return to the level of oddballs-and-misfits comedic genius he previously achieved in movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel. Every character is lovable and quirky in all the right ways, and the visuals are like a decorated cake you want never to eat, to avoid disrupting it.

Barbie ***1/2

Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Kate Mckinnon hit every single note that Greta Gerwig can concoct perfectly, delivering a movie that is funny, touching, poignant, and most definitely transcends the reputation of toy-based films. This is much more than a girl trip movie for the Sunday brunch crowd.

Creed III ***

If you liked the first two helpings of Creed, you’ll be well-served by this third dish. It moves Adonis forward in his own story, particularly outside the ring, and features a compelling new antagonist who challenges the hero in both arenas.

The Equalizer 3 *

With a single star entirely for the unfailing talent of Denzel Washington, the third Equalizer movie is otherwise a joyless, thrill-less, pointless morass of gruesome violence, hollow characters and plodding direction. You’ll feel unclean by the time it’s over, and eager to escape into the sunshine.

The Flash ***

Who would have thought a disregarded film in a dead-franchise-walking like the DCEU could be this much fun? Excellent action sequences, clever fan-service and a perfect odd couple dynamic (where the couple is actually two of the same person) add up to one of DC’s best movies, and a thrill for fans of bombastic old comics.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ***1/2

James Gunn and his crew send the Guardians off in style with one of the best superhero movies ever made, eschewing endless MCU connectivity bullcrap in favor of a character-driven sci-fi film that brings everyone full circle and delivers emotional closures for each character.

A Haunting in Venice ***1/2

The best yet in Kenneth Branagh’s series of Agatha Christie adaptations, a spooky setting, compelling mystery and excellent visuals are finally met by equally excellent performances of characters we find compelling, the key element that was missing in the previous films.

The Holdovers ****

At turns funny, endearing, touching and devastating, loneliness and the need for intimacy are explored through the lens of three dysfunctional people in one of the year’s best films. The environments, music, camerawork and literally everything else go a long way to redeeming Alexander Payne after the disastrous Downsizing.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ***1/2

After many (though not I) were disappointed with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indy gets one more chance at a swan song through the magic of digital technology. While some may object to that on principle and a few action scenes carry on too long, the overall package is still Indy at heart, and the big closing sequence may be the series’ best, sending Indy out on an appropriate note.

John Wick Chapter 4 ***1/2

Like Mission: Impossible, John Wick gets a nearly three hour runtime. Unlike Mission: Impossible, it earns that time with few reservations. The third movie kind of spun its wheels a bit, which is why it’s such a pleasure to say this one feels much shorter than it is and gives John a send-off both epic and personal.

Killers of the Flower Moon ***

A little too long, a little too sedate, and a little too obsessed with the villains at the expense of the actual Osage characters, Martin Scorsese’s latest passion project is nonetheless a true work of cinema for those with the patience to stick it out. You’ll be rewarded by stunning DiCaprio and De Niro performances, fantastic camerawork that drinks in every detail of the reservation, and a sobering message about the nature of evil and the too-often scant punishment for practicing it.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter ***

Billed as a closer look at what happened just before the events of the novel Dracula, this overlooked horror-thriller has a lot to offer anyone who feels that reasonably scary adventure movies should be more prevalent at theatres. There’s nothing revelatory here, but there is a fun and tense time if you’re into that sort of thing.

The Marvels **

This is the nadir of the MCU, a movie mostly so dull it could put food to sleep. The saving grace is Iman Vellani, who reprises her star-making role from the TV series Ms. Marvel and steals every scene she so much as breathes in. That’s also the movie’s biggest misstep: with five or six movies and TV shows being necessary viewing before going in, most people just won’t have the patience to slog through the homework for a mediocre film.

Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One ***

You wanted action, you got action. With the exception of a few meaningless character-building scenes, the seventh M:I film barrels out of the gate and never slows down for the entire three-hour running time. That’s right: three hours. And if you think that’s a little long for M:I movie, you’re right. The audience will likely run out of steam long before the movie does, but if you’ve got the patience and a taste for pure action, you should still tune in.

Oppenheimer ****

An incredible examination of power, progress and the dangers of intertwining the two, Murphy, Downey and Pugh all offer A-list performances in arguably Christopher Nolan’s finest film to date. It is as much about how weak men fear and revile excellence as it is about a bomb or a bomb-maker, and every element clicks to deliver these messages perfectly.

Past Lives ****

An intimate, character-driven look at how the road not taken affects our lives, Past Lives gets into your very bones and stays there. You may end up wondering where those old flames and friends have gotten to. In Korean with English subtitles.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ****

Packed with genuine thrills, revelations, twists and heart, the second in planned series of three Spider-Verse movies starts off strong out of the gate and doesn’t slow down. The development of the characters is spot on and subtle, especially for American animation, and the action and visuals are still executed perfectly. It’s the kind of thing we really want to see from a comic book movie.

The Super Mario Bros Movie ***1/2

It may not be what the critics wanted, but Mario is everything it needs to be for fans: witty, exciting, colorful and full of sly references to video game both famous and obscure. A musical sequence by Jack Black’s Bowser and a nihilistic magical star are among the touches that make it worthy of the attention even of families who do not game together.

Teeneage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem **

It’s got the cool animation style, it’s got the attitude, and it’s got the copious fan service, but unlike in Super Mario, these elements never cohese into a satisfying whole. The Turtles themselves are enjoyable enough in a movie that tries to ape Spider-Verse, but is held back by an outdated reliance on gross-out humor and lackluster plot.

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wordsandrobots · 9 months

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Well I'm not planning on being sane about this.

I should explain that Transformers is the second thing I was ever a fan of in a big way (the first was Doctor Who). But I am a bit too young to for the original 1984-1990 run, while being a bit too old for Beast Wars to have been my first exposure to the franchise. I got into Transformers via scattered second hand G1 toys, battered annuals, the Movie (I don't think the cartoon has ever been rerun on UK TV but a video of the Movie was available to rent from the newsagents down the road) and, perhaps most formative of all, the Ladybird Books.

Ladybird publishes a very specific style of book for young children; you cannot mistake these for anything else, they are extremely distinctive objects. Short, simple, hardcover (often with flyleaf), basically made to be lined up in a row on a kid's bookshelf. Since they frequently cash in on popular media properties, they did a range of Transformers stories. And, crucially, the art for these was based on the box art, not the comic or cartoon.

Which means little!me imprinted on aliens from Cybertron who looked like this:

Do you know how galling it is to love Transformers, for the characters and the sheer brilliance of the toy concept, and watch everything trend towards endless compromises so the figures approximate the cartoon animation models when this is your touch-stone for TF fiction? To see endless pandering to an imagined customer who wants Transformers to look exactly like the cartoon models, which were only ever gross simplifications of the designs because them's the limits of animation, buddy?

I am furiously resistant to Transformers products that mimic the original cartoon because I have zero nostalgia for it. The Movie is different, but in many ways, the Movie is a very different beast from the cartoon, in terms of both quality and feel. Is that me claiming the Ladybird books are in some way a better version of the fiction? Hell no! But they *weirder* and they are unique, and up to now, it's an aesthetic that has been firmly rejected by mainstream TF design.

I have two high-end Transformers on my shelf: Masterpieces Bluestreak and Shockwave, because both are lovely updates of the original toys (which I never stood an iceball's chance in hell of owning at the time). Now, if I can, I'm going to be adding 'Missing Link' C-01 Convoy -- because that, my friends? That is what Optimus Prime should look like, to my inner six-year-old, and it turns out this is the one piece of money-sink G1-nostaligia bait I will eagerly glom on to.

Now, does anybody have a spare 20,000 yen they wouldn't miss?

#I jest #I can budget for something that isn't out until next February #Transformers #Optimus Prime #Ladybird Books #this is without getting into the re-engineering of this toy #which is stunning #I have so much respect for the original toy designers #and the ingenuity of the Diaclone models #and it looks like whoever did this does as well #I love it #Youtube

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redheadedbrunette · 2 years

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BELOVED

1: Ramona and Beezus (You might think moving the time period of a book set in the past into the modern day would ruin it, but it works so well)

2: The OG Weird Girl gets the movie she deserves. Also the only movie that has ever made me cry.

3: The Peanuts Movie (The nostalgia based CGI reboot that remembered to add the good)

4: If I get a t-shirt with a movie quote on it, it’s going to be from this movie

5: The books are fairly basic stories, and the movie took all the basic elements, added a few more, and reworked them into a more big screen masterpiece that I’m so sad bombed

6: Cinderella (1950) (I know everyone loves the live action version, but this one has talking animals)

7: Hamilton (If I get Disney+, it’s so I can get this back)

8: Cars 2 (Not an *objectively* good movie, but a silly goofy one that does not deserve the hate gets and I will passionately defend)

9: Matilda (Another Weird Girl gets the movie she deserves, but this girl has superpowers)

10: The Wizard of Oz (This one was my entire personality when I was five, and it wasn’t new when I was five by any stretch of the imagination)

BEHATED

1: Oh wow! What a fun movie with a look at the role between tradition and innovation in the Church....oh dear, is that a romance subplot with a priest?

2: My grandma said this one was cute and funny. The girl’s mom gets murdered in the second scene and there isn’t a funny joke in the whole movie

3: Did you read the book? Did you give the source material more than a passing glance? Did you understand anything about the themes?

4: Okay I *know* you didn’t read the book. The main character has the same name and I can’t think of a single other thing that they held over from the books.

5: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (I wanted to go see this one instead of Grinch (2018). I should have gone and seen Grinch (2018))

6: I liked her better when I didn’t know about her political opinions

7: Rise of Skywalker (I wasn’t even invested in the franchise and I thought it was so bad)

8: Toy Story 3 (Highly overrated conclusion to a highly overrated trilogy)

9: I didn’t want to criticize this one because I watched it with my grandma who said it had “good messages”, but the actual execution was so bad

10: You take a perfectly good comic relief character and you make a prequel and make it sad to watch the first movie unless you completely don’t think about this movie at all

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thesevillereport · 2 years

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Netflix is Bleeding Out, Here's Why...

Netflix is losing subscribers and its stock is down 68% year-to-date.

A lack of franchises that create caring and dedicated fans could be the hold in the business.

Acquiring broadcasting rights for a pro sports league could help Netflix keep customers.

Netflix needs to start thinking long term in order to make it a better entertainment company.

Pop Culture is Profits

In 2012, Disney ($DIS) purchased the Star Wars production company Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, a price that I considered to be an absolute steal.

The economics of the movie business, as explained to me by a former producer, is that for the studio to consider a film a winner, the movie needs to earn three times the film’s budget. If that’s the case, then there’s been a lot of wins for Disney with the Star Wars franchise.

Star Wars: Episode VII, the first film under the Disney umbrella brought in $2.06 billion world wide on a budget of $245 million, Star Wars: Episode VIII brought in $1.33 billion from a $317 million budget, Star Wars: Episode IX made $1.07 billion on a $275 million budget, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, brought in $1 billion from a $200 million budget. The biggest miss so far under Disney was Solo: A Star Wars Story, which brought in $392 million on a $275 million budget.

In addition to the Star Wars movies, Disney has squeezed even more out of the franchise by creating television shows for its streaming service Disney+ based on characters from the Star Wars movies. A move that has paid off with an uptick in Star War toy sales, despite not having a new Star Wars theatrical release since 2019.

Before acquiring Star Wars, Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion. With comic book sales in decline, and some of its best properties, like Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and The Hulk licensed to other entertainment entities, Marvel made a bet on itself and produced the Iron Man movie. The movie did surprisingly well, grossing $585 million worldwide on a budget of $140 million. Disney saw Marvel’s potential and acquired them. Under Disney, Marvel has released over 25 films that have grossed over $22 billion dollars at the box office.

Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars aren’t the only ones that make films that fans reach new levels of fanaticism for. New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. ($WBD) has The Lord of the Rings franchise, Warner Bros. also has The Harry Potter Films, and Universal ($CMCSA) has The Fast and The Furious franchise. These franchises have created very vested fans.

The Marvel movies, Star Wars, The Fast and The Furious, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings have been culture shifters and big winners for their respective studios, and I believe it's because Netflix has few titles that have the fan buy-in like a Marvel or Star Wars movie why subscribers are leaving.

This Could Be an Age Thing

I consume a decent amount of Netflix ($NFLX) programming, but they don't have much I care about, and that could be because of my age. Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends made me a Spider-Man fan before I could even talk in full sentences. And watching George Lucas explain how he made Star Wars in a PBS special turned me into a lifelong Star Wars geek. Maybe there are properties on Netflix that have that kind of impact and they're just over my head.

Even when I reached the age where what was going on in pop culture shouldn't have been a priority, I still made it a priority. I read a few of the Harry Potter books to find out what was in them that motivated kids to stand in line for a book, especially in a day and age of video games and the internet. After the release of the second Twilight movie I went to check it out, and the movies filled me in on why every teenage girl on the New York City subway in 2008 through 2010 had scribbled "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" on their book bags and notebooks. Is there anything on Netflix with that level of fandom?

Netflix Bleeding Out

In its review of its first quarter earnings, Netflix revealed that it had lost 200,000 subscribers. The news shocked investors and provided another reason to sell an already declining stock. The stock dropped 35% the day after it released its Q1 earnings. The loss of subscribers came as a big surprise, because Netflix had predicted that it would add 2.5 million subscribers during the first quarter of 2022.

Netflix has an abundance of content and great original programming. The company's ability to produce content that becomes the talk of the town and the internet is unmatched, but I believe it needs more franchises that fans care about and go crazy for and anxiously wait on. They need another Stranger Things.

... people shed tears in the movie theater when Frodo left the Shire for the last time, and also when the snap took Spider-Man.

I saw people shed tears in the movie theater when Frodo left the Shire for the last time, and also when the snap took Spider-Man. I heard people let out a sigh of relief after he who shall not be named turned to ash and blew away in the wind, and then people in the theater started hugging each other. And while I was too young to know what happened in the theater when it was said, the phrase “No, I am your father,” still resonates today. Who is Netflix’s Frodo or Spider-Man? What is Netflix’s Harry Potter? Which of their franchises can they make a truck load of money on from merchandise?

Saying that Netflix has to change the way it does things seems extreme. Since it started curating exclusive content for its subscribers, Netflix has done well for itself. The streaming service has put out big hits like the aforementioned Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, Bridgerton, and many more. It’s attracted big names over time to star in its original content. It’s been nominated for and won major awards for its content, receiving 27 Oscar nominations in 2022 and 37 nominations in 2021. The Power of the Dog, a Netflix original, won the Oscar for best director in 2022 as did Roma in 2019. The stock has made investors big winners as well. From 2016 to November 2021, the stock price went from under $100 per share to over $650 per share, marking an increase of~550%. The S&P 500 over the same time span increased ~150%. But today, something is missing from Netflix, it's why the company is losing subscribers and the stock is losing value.

From the time Netflix became a full blown streaming service and began moving away from DVD deliveries, there’s been speculation about the company acquiring the broadcast rights for a professional sport. I think they will get the rights to broadcast a pro sport, but I’m pretty certain it won’t be the NFL.

There are many pro sports leagues throughout the world, getting the broadcast rights to one shouldn’t be a problem for a company like Netflix that ended Q1 2022 with $6 billion in cash and short-term investments. Fox pays the NFL $2.2 billion a year for broadcast rights, so the NFL isn't out of reach for Netflix from a financial standpoint.

Whether it be pro cricket, pro rugby, pro table tennis, pro gaming, or the rights to broadcast Allsvenskan, Netflix can get broadcast rights to a professional sports league. But that’s not what most people have in mind when they think of Netflix and sports. Investors are hoping that Netflix gets NFL games, but I don’t think that will happen.

During football season, a good NFL matchup can be a network's most highly watched broadcast for the week. Where the NFL wins and the NBA and MLB loses is in broadcasting.

Without having cable, a football fan gets four games a week. The CBS Sunday game, the Fox Sunday game, the Fox Thursday night game, and the NBC Sunday night game. In most markets, let's use New York City, for example, if you don’t have cable, good luck catching every game of your beloved Knicks and Yankees. For the NFL, going with Netflix is equivalent to putting games behind a paywall, and that doesn’t benefit the shield.

Could MLB or the NBA help Netflix? I don't know. I think both sports have way too much inventory. When it comes to basketball, unless there is some compelling storyline, I'm not vested in the NBA until March, when the push for the playoffs begins. For Baseball, almost the same thing. With 162 games to be played, it's tough for the sport to create suspense and tension in the early parts of the season, and because of that I don't tune in until late August, when the push for the playoffs starts.

Think Long Term, Build Franchises

Star Wars is over 40 years old. The Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings movies turned 20 last year, as did The Fast and The Furious franchise. What's on Netflix today that will be talked about or cared about in 20 years? It’s time for Netflix to focus on building franchises that fans care deeply about. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. There are thousands of stories waiting to be told. And if they can’t build one, they should buy one.

Universal Studios had plans to create a Monsters Universe in 2017, think the Mummy, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein, The Werewolf, and Dracula, being sent to the big screen yearly like Disney did with The Avengers. But the first movie, The Mummy (2017) with Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe didn't live up to the hype, and it appears plans for the Monster Universe have been scrapped. Are these properties for sale? The salesman in me thinks everything is for sale.

I've applauded Netflix in the past for its ability to produce content that goes viral, but what their loss of subscribers has indicated to me is that viewers feel like there is nothing to look forward to on the platform. Right now, Netflix is the king of the streaming, it is the ultimate streaming company, but Disney is the better entertainment company. It's time for Netflix to morph into an entertainment company, and it can do so by building franchises that are bigger than one week of memes and social commentary. Joe Exotic had two weeks, Mickey Mouse has had the last 94 years.

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fmpnalogirlypop · 2 months

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Resident evil researching part 2

Other media

The Resident Evil franchise features video games and tie-in merchandise and products, including various live-action and animated films, comic books, and novels.

Films

Live-action films

From 2002 to 2016, six live-action Resident Evil films were produced, all written and produced by Paul W. S. Anderson. The films do not follow the games' premise but feature some game characters. The series' protagonist is Alice, an original character created for the films portrayed by Milla Jovovich. Despite a negative reaction from critics, the live-action film series has made over $1 billion worldwide.

They are, to date, the only video game adaptations to increase the amount of money made with each successive film. The series holds the record for the "Most Live-Action Film Adaptations of a Video Game" in the 2012 Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, which also described it as "the most successful movie series to be based on a video game."

Animated films

The first computer animated film for the franchise was Biohazard 4D-Executer. It was a short 3D film produced for Japanese theme parks and did not feature any characters from the game.

Starting in 2008, a series of feature-length computer-animated films have been released. These films take place in the same continuity with the games of the series, and feature characters such as Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Rebecca Chambers.

Television

Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, a four-part CG anime series, premiered on July 8, 2021, on Netflix. Starring the Resident Evil 2 protagonists Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, the series features both uncovering a worldwide plot. The series released on July 8, 2021 on Netflix.

Merchandise

Over the years, various toy companies have acquired the Resident Evil license, with each producing their own unique line of Resident Evil action figures or models. These include, but are not limited to, Toy Biz, Palisades Toys, NECA, and Hot Toys.

Tokyo Marui also produced replicas of the guns used in the Resident Evil series in the form of gas blow-back airsoft guns. Some models included the STARS Beretta featured in Resident Evil 3, and the Desert Eagle in a limited edition that came with other memorabilia in a wooden case, along with the Gold Lugers from Code: Veronica and the "Samurai Edge" pistol from the Resident Evil remake. Other merchandise includes an energy drink called "T-virus Antidote".

A Resident Evil theme restaurant called Biohazard Cafe & Grill S.T.A.R.S. opened in Tokyo in 2012. Halloween Horror Nights 2013, held at Universal Orlando, featured a haunted house titled Resident Evil: Escape from Raccoon City, based on Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.

Novels

The first Resident Evil novel was Hiroyuki Ariga's novella Biohazard: The Beginning, published in 1997 as a portion of the book The True Story of Biohazard, which was given away as a pre-order bonus with the Sega Saturn version of Biohazard. The story serves as a prelude to the original Resident Evil, in which Chris investigates the disappearance of his missing friend, Billy Rabbitson.

S. D. Perry has written novelizations of the first five games, as well as two original novels taking place between games. The novels often take liberties with the games' plot by exploring events occurring outside and beyond the games. This often meant that the games would later contradict the books on a few occasions. One notable addition from the novels is the original character Trent, who often served as a mysterious behind-the-scenes string-puller who aided the main characters. Perry's novels were translated and released in Japan with new cover arts by Wolfina.

There are a trilogy of original Biohazard novels in Japan. Hokkai no Yōjū (北海の妖獣, lit. "The Strange Beast of the North Sea") was published in 1998 and was written by Kyū Asakura and the staff of Flagship. Two additional novels were published in 2002, To the Liberty by Sudan Kimura and Rose Blank by Tadashi Aizawa. While no official English translation of these novels has been published yet, the last two books were translated into German and published in 2006.

Comics

In 1997, Marvel Comics published a single-issue prologue comic based on the original Resident Evil, released through a promotional giveaway alongside the original PlayStation game.

In 1998, WildStorm began producing a monthly comic book series based on the first two games, titled Resident Evil: The Official Comic Magazine, which lasted five issues. The first four issues were published by Image, while Wildstorm themselves published the fifth and final issue. Each issue was a compilation of short stories that were both adaptations of events from the games and related side stories. Like the Perry novels, the comics also explored events occurring beyond Resident Evil 2 (the latest game during the series' publication) and thus were contradicted by later games.

For the inspiration of Resident Evil and their series is for the comic ideas and the game cover of it, which is that it can be very simple for it's colours to make it more like horror pop art in 2000s to 2010s.

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berkeleyplace · 1 year

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CRYSTAR HOUSE AD (1982)

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#Comic Books Based on Toys and Franchise Characters #Marvel House Ads and Promos

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jonesashley234 · 2 months

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Iron Studios and the Evolution of Pop Culture Collectibles

In the ever-evolving world of pop culture, collectibles serve as tangible expressions of fandom, allowing enthusiasts to connect with their favorite characters and stories in exciting new ways. Among the leaders in this space, Iron Studios has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of pop culture collectibles. We'll explore how Iron Studios has contributed to this evolution.

From Figurines to Artistic Masterpieces

In the early days of pop culture collectibles, figurines, and action figures were the norm. While these pieces served as beloved treasures for fans, they often lacked the level of detail and craftsmanship that collectors crave. Iron Studios changed the game by elevating collectibles from mere toys to artistic masterpieces.

With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Iron Studios began producing statues and figures that captured the essence of beloved characters with breathtaking precision. From superheroes to villains, each piece was meticulously crafted to reflect the personality and spirit of its subject, transforming collectibles into true works of art.

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity

Another key aspect of Iron Studios' evolution is its celebration of diversity and inclusivity within the world of pop culture. While traditional collectibles often focused on mainstream characters and franchises, Iron Studios embraced the full spectrum of pop culture, offering statues and figures from a wide range of genres and sources.

From classic comic book heroes to cult-favorite characters, Iron Studios celebrates the rich tapestry of pop culture, ensuring that collectors from all backgrounds and interests can find pieces that resonate with them. This commitment to diversity and inclusivity has made Iron Studios a beloved icon among collectors worldwide.

Embracing Innovation and Technology

As technology continues to advance, so too does the world of pop culture collectibles. Iron Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, embracing innovation and technology to push the boundaries of design and creativity.

From digital sculpting to 3D printing, Iron Studios leverages cutting-edge techniques to bring their collectibles to life with unparalleled precision and detail. Advanced paint applications, LED lighting effects, and interactive features further enhance the immersive experience, allowing collectors to engage with their favorite characters in exciting new ways.

Fostering Community and Connection

One of the most significant contributions of Iron Studios to the evolution of pop culture collectibles is its role in fostering community and connection among fans. Through social media platforms, fan conventions, and exclusive events, Iron Studios provides enthusiasts with opportunities to connect, share, and celebrate their mutual love for pop culture.

Collectors from around the world come together to swap stories, showcase their collections, and forge lasting friendships based on their shared passion for collectibles. Iron Studios recognizes the importance of community in the world of fandom and actively cultivates spaces where enthusiasts can come together to celebrate their shared interests.

Looking Towards the Future

As we look towards the future, one thing is clear: Iron Studios will continue to play a significant role in shaping the evolution of pop culture collectibles. With its commitment to excellence, celebration of diversity, embrace of innovation, and dedication to community, Iron Studios remains at the forefront of the industry, inspiring generations of collectors to embrace their passions and celebrate the stories and characters they love.

In conclusion, Iron Studios has had a profound impact on the evolution of pop culture collectibles, transforming the way fans engage with their favorite characters and stories. Through its dedication to craftsmanship, celebration of diversity, embrace of innovation, and fostering of community, Iron Studios has solidified its place as a beloved icon in the world of collectibles, inspiring fans and collectors around the world.

#trading cards #trading card games #iron studios #iron studios statues #figures

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serpentorslair · 5 months

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dan6085 · 8 months

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20 Top list of collectibles with details:

1. **Rare Coins**: Collectors often seek rare and historical coins, including ancient coins, gold and silver coins, and limited-issue coins.

2. **Vintage Watches**: High-quality vintage watches, such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Omega, are highly collectible and can appreciate significantly in value.

3. **Sports Memorabilia**: This category includes items like autographed jerseys, trading cards, and game-worn equipment from famous athletes.

4. **Comic Books**: First editions and rare comic books featuring iconic characters like Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man can be valuable collectibles.

5. **Vintage Cars**: Classic cars from various eras, such as muscle cars from the 1960s, are highly sought after by collectors.

6. **Rare Stamps**: Stamp collecting, or philately, often focuses on rare and historically significant postage stamps.

7. **Antique Firearms**: Collectors may seek antique guns, rifles, and firearms with historical significance.

8. **Vintage Guitars**: Rare and vintage guitars, including brands like Fender and Gibson, are prized by collectors and musicians.

9. **Rare Whiskies**: Limited-edition and aged whiskies from renowned distilleries are popular collectibles among whisky enthusiasts.

10. **Fine Art**: Collectors often acquire paintings, sculptures, and artworks by renowned artists, both contemporary and classic.

11. **Vintage Toys**: Antique and vintage toys, including tin toys, action figures, and board games, are highly collectible.

12. **Rare Books**: First editions of classic literature and historically significant books are sought after by bibliophiles.

13. **Military Memorabilia**: Collectors may pursue military artifacts, such as medals, uniforms, and wartime memorabilia.

14. **Coins**: Collecting coins from different countries and time periods is a popular hobby.

15. **Vinyl Records**: Vintage vinyl records, especially rare and limited-edition releases, are sought after by music enthusiasts.

16. **Fountain Pens**: Vintage and limited-edition fountain pens from prestigious brands like Montblanc and Parker are collectible.

17. **Vintage Cameras**: Classic cameras, especially those with historical significance, can be highly collectible.

18. **Collectible Action Figures**: Action figures from popular franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Transformers are sought after by collectors.

19. **Shoes**: Rare and limited-edition sneakers, especially those associated with iconic brands or athletes, can be highly collectible.

20. **Rare Video Games**: Vintage video games, consoles, and limited-run games have become collectible, especially among gaming enthusiasts.

Please note that the value and desirability of collectibles can vary greatly based on factors like rarity, condition, and market demand. Collecting is a personal passion, and what appeals to one collector may differ from another's interests.

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gradecy · 8 months

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Comparing Collectible Toy Brands: Which Brands Are Making Waves in the Collectibles Scene?

Collecting action figures, designer toys, and collectible figurines has become a passion for many enthusiasts around the world. With a plethora of brands producing these captivating collectibles, it's essential to explore which ones are making a significant impact in the world of collecting. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the most noteworthy collectible toy brands that have captured the hearts of collectors everywhere.

**1. Funko Pop!

It's impossible to discuss collectible toy brands without mentioning Funko Pop!. This Washington-based company has revolutionized the world of pop culture collectibles. Known for their distinctive, big-headed vinyl figures featuring characters from movies, TV shows, comics, and more, Funko Pop! has a massive following. With an ever-expanding catalog that covers virtually every corner of pop culture, Funko Pop! figures have become a staple for collectors of all ages.

**2. Hot Toys

When it comes to high-end collectible action figures, Hot Toys stands head and shoulders above the rest. Based in Hong Kong, Hot Toys is renowned for its incredibly detailed and lifelike figures based on characters from Marvel, Star Wars, DC Comics, and many other franchises. These figures are often considered works of art, meticulously crafted with astonishing attention to detail. While they may come at a premium price, the quality and craftsmanship of Hot Toys figures are second to none.

**3. NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association)

NECA specializes in action figures and collectibles inspired by iconic characters from movies, video games, and comics. They're especially known for their outstanding work in the horror genre, producing figures based on classic horror movie characters like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. NECA's commitment to delivering screen-accurate details and accessories has earned them a dedicated fanbase.

**4. Sideshow Collectibles

Sideshow Collectibles is synonymous with premium statues and busts. Based in California, they create incredibly detailed, hand-painted collectibles that cater to serious collectors. With licenses covering Marvel, Star Wars, and more, Sideshow's pieces are often limited editions, making them highly sought after by collectors looking for something truly special to adorn their shelves.

**5. Medicom Toy

Hailing from Japan, Medicom Toy is famous for its "Real Action Heroes" (RAH) line of action figures. These figures are highly articulated and known for their exceptional quality. Medicom Toy has a diverse range of licenses, including characters from anime, manga, and Hollywood blockbusters. Collectors appreciate their commitment to producing figures that capture the essence of the characters they represent.

**6. Bandai

As one of Japan's largest toy manufacturers, Bandai has an extensive lineup of collectible toy brands. They are well-known for their "S.H. Figuarts" line, which features highly poseable action figures based on popular characters from franchises like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and more. Bandai's figures are prized for their poseability and attention to detail.

**7. McFarlane Toys

Spawned from the mind of renowned comic book artist Todd McFarlane, McFarlane Toys has made a name for itself with its action figures and construction sets. With licenses encompassing everything from sports to video games to pop culture icons, McFarlane Toys is a favorite among collectors who appreciate their detailed sculpts and diverse range of offerings.

In conclusion, the world of collectible toys is vast and diverse, with numerous brands catering to the varied tastes of collectors. Whether you're into stylized vinyl figures, highly detailed statues, or articulated action figures, there's a brand out there that's creating collectibles that will speak to your inner collector. These seven brands mentioned here have consistently delivered quality and innovation, earning them their place in the spotlight of the collectibles scene. So, whether you're a seasoned collector or just getting started, keep an eye on these brands for your next prized addition to your collection.

#action figures #funko figures #collection

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