On Thu, 4 Aug 1994, Edward R. O'Neill wrote: > ... > cinema and that of previous periods. Another key point here is that > the spectacle of technology is NOT a new aspect of cinema, but rather > is part of cinema from the very beginning, when "narrative" and > "character" did not exist. Rather, the spectacle of cinema itself > has always been one of cinema's most potent elements. > Several posts have also pointed out specific economic differences > between, say, the studio era and the contemporary scene. Donna > Cunningham's point about the rapport between theme parks and films is > particularly apt, since the blockbusters in question resemble rides > more and more, rather than literary texts. Merchandising, cross-promotion, product tie-ins are all consideration in many of today's films. In addition, the possibilities of a sequel are often in place before the first on is out (Casablanca II anyone?). Studios look for franchise projects. characters that can carry-over and branch out, and if they can dance around at theme park, all the much better. > My earlier question about the pleasure in watching such massive > expenditures still stands. Is there not something in the massive > display of capital which is somehow fetishistically pleasurable? > EVEN when what is presented is destruction... While this may be true, I and many others get a perverse pleasure from watching huge expenses do nothing. Last Action Hero, from the studio that brought you Hudson Hawk, is a case in point. The audiences stayed away in droves. It impossible to make people pay $7.50 to see a movie. It seems in recent times, the opposite has been true. People take pleasure in saying how little they spent on a film. El Mariachi's budget has grossly understated for what people saw in a theater. The original story of Robert R. selling his body for medical experiments and doing everything himself are encouraging though. Same can be said for Q. Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, and a while ago Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle, and Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It. Comments?? Stu L. [log in to unmask] -------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] "Our greatest hopes and worst fears are both rarely realized." -- A Wise Old Man Save this .sig for valuable gifts and prizes. One (1) point. This promotion void on sites and servers where prohibited by law. ----------------------(cut here)------------------------------