Eric Prime

#76 The Conjuring 520 points, 13 lists "The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow." Box Office: 319.5M Rotten Tomatoes: 86% Metacritic: 68 Awards: 1 Critics Choice Award nomination, 1 Empire Award, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination, 1 People's Choice Award nomination, 1 Saturn Award Roger Ebert's Review: N/A Its Legacy: Revived the horror genre from found footage silliness. Showed the value of horror as a worldwide franchise. James Wan's biggest box office hit at that time. Spawned The Conjuring Universe, the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time with consistent hits. One of the biggest hits of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga's careers. Gave Wan gigs for Furious 7 and Aquaman and a powerhouse producer for major horror hits. Gave Joey King a paycheck. Commentary: James Wan’s career is something to behold. Not only did he direct the highest-grossing films of two major movie franchises, but he created three of the most popular and iconic horror franchises of all time. And the biggest of them all comes from Warner Bros., in a film that, in a way, saved horror films. In 2013, the horror genre was plagued with low-budget found footage silliness. They were made for pennies and made a profit after opening weekend. Sometimes they were good, but mostly they were schlocky, mediocre garbage that was rushed out to get teenagers who wanted cheap scares. So in a way, The Conjuring was a breath of fresh air. A film with money put behind it, with actual star power in front of and behind the camera. It was handsomely-made, well-shot, well-choreographed, and that was all you needed for the film to stand out as something exciting and new at that time. Plus the film had a cool true story angle, looking into the real-life couple Ed and Lorraine Warren, and was hyped up as being so scary that no cuts could have given it a PG-13. And sure enough, people loved it. To an absurd degree. It had one of the biggest horror openings ever, legs were impressive, and both horror fans and general audiences had a great movie they could all get behind. With it earning worldwide records, The Conjuring not only established the groundwork for future blockbuster hits like Get Out, A Quiet Place, and most notably It, but also created a massive shared universe. So many sequels and spin-offs were made off this humble little movie. And with over $1 billion in box office grosses, it’s the biggest horror franchise in history and has shown zero signs of slowing down anytime soon. We’re getting The Nun 2 in a couple months from this writing and Conjuring 4 is now in the works. And it was James Wan’s distinct vision and understanding of good scares that gave us such a landmark title within the horror community. One that is still shaping and influencing things a whole decade later...weird to say this movie is a decade old now.

Quorum Updates Gran Turismo T-16: 25.61% Awareness Strays T-23: 28.84% Awareness The Hill T-30: 14.41% Awareness The Exorcist: Believer T-79: 23.47% Awareness Five Nights at Freddy's T-93: 30.8% Awareness Captain America: New World Order T-366: 42.67% Awareness Haunted Mansion T-2: 56.17% Awareness Final Awareness: 100% chance of 10M, 89% chance of 20M, 72% chance of 30M, 44% chance of 40M, 33% chance of 50M Known IP Awareness: 100% chance of 40M Talk to Me T-2: 24.2% Awareness Final Awareness: 12% chance of 10M Horror Awareness: 25% chance of 10M A Haunting in Venice T-51: 18.04% Awareness T-60 Awareness: 21% chance of 10M Sequel Awareness: 0% chance of 10M Expend4bles T-58: 27.67% Awareness T-60 Awareness: 56% chance fo 10M, 28% chance of 20M Sequel Awareness: 67% chance of 10M, 33% chance of 10M

Hold your hourses mah boi. I never said Swordfish missed the list.

Wait for it...

This is now being sold as this month’s Happy Meals. Like I know there were likely issues from the last minute delay, but I just saw it while getting my breakfast and I got a chuckle out of it.

This really was their summer 🥰🥰🥰

Because that's what this movie needed to exist. I know there's a lot of discourse about "why do movies cost so much????", but the problem is that if you slash movies and their costs down, that causes a lot of cut corners. You lose an important setpiece, you lose certain actors, and so on. So you end up with a cheap-looking product, and cheap doesn't always mean good, or in a worst-case scenario, you're like the new Spider-Verse movie and you overwork and abuse your crew members. And frankly, considering that Hollywood is exposing itself more and more as an awful place where capitalist pigs will happily lay off their workers at a moment's notice, mock people who want livable wages, and are more than fine with crunching and overworking their VFX workers who are forced to deliver crappy CGI because there's no time to get it all done, I think a little extra money to give better production values and more time for the people making your movie is just fine, even if the greedy studio execs have to pay extra. Plus there's so much stuff that happens from greenlighting to release. A pitch for a reboot of a popular Disneyland ride with a fun ensemble cast and spooky VFX sounds like a good pitch to me. They didn't know in 2020/2021 that audience attendance was going to shrivel up like it has and that Barbie and Oppenheimer would be big news and that the film would only recieve mixed reviews. If studios had a magic 8-ball that told them what would happen, then no movies would bomb. And frankly, at this point, because moviegoing is in the toilet minus one or two breakouts per year, these studios should probably accept that blockbusters will have to exist as loss leaders from now on. And just for kicks, let it be known that the 2003 Haunted Mansion, when you adjust for inflation, is about $150M. Even if a good chunk of the 2003 film was Eddie Murphy's salary, that's still only a $10 million difference. And while that film is a piece of crap, that film also looks very expensive.

Reviews are finally coming in (some critics jumped the gun I guess), and they all basically read as "it's fine I guess". They are all praising Lakeith though, so that's good.

#368 - The Replacements (56 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #41) #367 - Oh, God! (56 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #45) #366 - Tom and Jerry: The Fast and the Furry (56 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #18) #365 - The Blind Side (57 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #52) #364 - Femme Fatale (57 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #50) #363 - Twilight Zone: The Movie (57 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #34) #362 - Empire Records, Independence Day (1983) (57 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #44) #361 - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (58 points, 3 lists, avg. ranking #72) #360 - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (58 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #72) #359 - Rosewood (58 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #43)

Well if you hit the report button and give an explanation as to why we should give Zatt warning points, that can solve your problem. All the mods have lives and jobs and other things to take care of outside of this forum. And now that we are the busiest we have ever been, with 20,000+ posts the past two months alone, it's almost impossible to check every single thread at every single time. Hitting "Report" doesn't mean we will always give Zatt warning points, since we can and sometimes will disagree on a report, but it's better than throwing a fit and being all "WHY ISN'T HE BANNED????????" And if you think that is still not enough, then you're more than free to @ me specifically and say, "hey, Zatt's being a problem because XYZ. Can you give them warning points?" It's a lot better than what you're doing right now bruv.

#377 - Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost (50 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #10) #376 - Lady in the Water (50 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #8) #375 - The New World (50 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #6) #374 - Splendor in the Grass, The Terminal Man (51 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #50) #373 - Seargeant York, Death in Venice, The Outsiders, Time After Time (53 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #48) #372 - The Legend of Tarzan (54 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #47) #371 - Kimi (56 points, 3 lists, avg. ranking #82) #370 - Storks (56 points, 3 lists, avg. ranking #57) #369 - War Dogs (56 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #72)

Gotta love some of the bizarre hyperbole some people have on a stupid kids movie being "the worst blockbuster ever made". Gotta admit, I greatly envy some people if a silly kids movie like that was the worst blockbuster you have ever seen and worthy of a 1/10. Don't know how on earth you can justify something like that.

All art is political. Even the act of being apolitical is political. And TGM is military propaganda, so it is for sure political.

#77 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 518 points, 10 lists "Why spiders? Why couldn't it be 'follow the butterflies'?" Box Office: 879.8M Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Metacritic: 63 Awards: 3 BAFTA Award nominations, 1 Grammy Award nomination, 1 Hugo Award nomination, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination, 6 Saturn Award nominations, 1 Stinkers Bad Movie Award nomination Roger Ebert's Review: "The first movie was the setup, and this one is the payoff. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" leaves all of the explanations of wizardry behind and plunges quickly into an adventure that's darker and scarier than anything in the first Harry Potter movie. It's also richer: The second in a planned series of seven Potter films is brimming with invention and new ideas, and its Hogwarts School seems to expand and deepen before our very eyes into a world large enough to conceal unguessable secrets." Its Legacy: Established Harry Potter was more than a one trick pony. Introduced Lucius Malfoy and Dobby to the film series. The final Potter film directed by Chris Columbus. Established the darker tone the franchise would be known for. Set the franchise for massive rewards. Gave Jason Isaacs a paycheck. Commentary: We all know and recognize Harry Potter now as an epic movie series that had lasted for a decade and changed millions of lives. But in 2002, Harry Potter was only two movies in. And in a way, Chamber of Secrets was the most important sequel to release out of all these movies and the film that helped give us the long-lasting franchise we have today. Philosopher’s Stone of course had to establish the tone and world and characters, but Chamber of Secrets had to show that this could last for more than one movie. That this was a world and story that could successfully be expanded upon. And while us book readers knew that the story could last long, it could have easily been lost in translation despite Chris Columbus’ return. If this sequel sucked, then what would that mean for the other movies? Would audiences even care? Thankfully, this didn’t happen. Chamber of Secrets was warmly-regarded. Not only because of all the great new characters introduced, expertly performed by Jason Isaacs and Kenneth Branagh, but also the film had better effects, better action, great setpieces, and a warm and powerful performance from Richard Harris, in what would sadly be his final performance, passing away a month before release. And alongside its darker story, though plenty of levity was in there, it showed Harry Potter could be more than a silly kids adventure and showcase the harsher aspects of reality. With Chamber of Secrets being so good, we didn’t get all the great adventures released over the next few years...so maybe that wasn't a good thing. Please donate to the Los Angeles Trans Center. Trans rights are human rights. https://lalgbtcenter.org/social-service-and-housing/transgender/donations-for-trans-community

#78 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 516 points, 8 lists "I hope that was an empty bottle, George! You can't afford to waste good liquor, not on YOUR salary!" Box Office: 33.7M Rotten Tomatoes: 96% Metacritic: 75 Awards: 5 Academy Awards and 8 nominations, 3 BAFTA Awards, 7 Golden Globe Award nominations, 1 Grammy Award nomination, 1 National Board of Review Award, 1 WGA Award Roger Ebert's Review: N/A Its Legacy: Created New Hollywood itself. Helped establish the MPAA film system. Gave Elizabeth Taylor her second Oscar. The first film from iconic theatre director Mike Nichols and far from his last. The first film where its entire credited cast was nominated for acting Oscars. One of only two films to be nominated in every eligible Academy Awards category. Ranked #67 on AFI's 2007 iteration of 100 Years, 100 Movies. Considered one of the greatest, most important film dramas ever made. Submitted into the National Film Registry in 2013. Gave George Segal a paycheck. Commentary: There are films that leave an impact. There are films that leave an influence. But there are only a few films, a few special, unique films, that change the whole industry itself. Films that were unlike anything else that came before, influence and reshape the medium of film itself, and, frankly, giving audiences something they didn’t even know they wanted in the first place. You can only point to a handful of films that have this kind of distinction. And one of those was the beloved classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Based on the play written by Edward Albee, Virginia Woolf was already controversial in its original form. The film’s heavy subject matter of infidelity and heavy usage of profanity already turned heads on Broadway. But there was no way that the conservative Hollywood would ever let this happen. We were still in the Hays Code era. Films weren’t allowed to have touchy and controversial subjects. Movies weren’t allowed to have foul language. Movies in the 1960s were all about being big and grand and epic. So having a film take place in a couple locations was not going to fly. There was no way this would ever happen. Well, WB took a gamble, thanks in part to the all-star cast and cheap production budget, and it paid off tremendously. Audiences were enthralled at the story, the dialogue, the acting, and the provocative subject matter. If anything, considering how stodgy and old-fashioned Hollywood movies were thanks to the Hays Code, people were genuinely excited to see a movie that actually focused on real issues that people actually went through. And sure enough, both audiences and Hollywood gave Virginia Woolf the respect it deserved. Not only was it a box office success and an awards darling, being the second film (the first being Cimarron) to get a nomination in every eligible category, but it influenced the trajectory of Hollywood itself. New Hollywood was spawned by this, alongside another Mike Nichols favorite with The Graduate. And sure enough, we saw an incredible era of filmmaking all throughout the 1970s, where the filmmakers took charge, were given carte blanche, and had a chance to tell darker, more dramatic, more timely stories that captured the anxieties and frustrations people had. People didn’t want escapist fare, but movies that reflect reality, which is still and always will be an important thing to have in cinema. We need movies like Virginia Woolf, and while they can’t all be as expertly directed, sharply-written and perfectly cast as this, they can, at the very least, come close.

#79 The Green Mile 512 points, 10 lists "We each owe a death - there are no exceptions - but, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long." Box Office: 286.8M Rotten Tomatoes: 79% Metacritic: 61 Awards: 4 Academy Award nominations, 1 DGA Award nomination, 1 Golden Globe nomination, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination, 2 People's Choice Awards, 3 Saturn Awards and 2 nominations, 2 SAG Award nominations Roger Ebert's Review: "I have started to suspect that when we talk about "good acting" in the movies, we are really discussing two other things: good casting and the creation of characters we react to strongly. Much of a performance is created in the filmmaking itself, in photography and editing and the emotional cues of music. But an actor must have the technical and emotional mastery to embody a character and evoke him persuasively, and the film must give him a character worth portraying. Tom Hanks is our movie Everyman, and his Paul is able to win our sympathy with his level eyes and calm, decent voice. We get a real sense of his efficient staff, of the vile natures of Percy and Wharton, and of the goodness of Coffey--who is embodied by Duncan in a performance that is both acting and being." Its Legacy: The breakout role of Michael Clarke Duncan. One of the highest-grossing Stephen King adaptations of all time. The second-highest grossing movie of 1999 in Japan and one of the biggest movies in general for 1999. Considered one of the most emotionally touching movies of all time. Criticized by Spike Lee for its Magical Negro stereotypes. Earned James Cromwell a paycheck. Commentary: While we associate Stephen King for his stories diving into terror and fantasy, some of his most famous work come from the world of drama. Which, when you think about it, contains some of the strongest terrors of all. The Green Mile, a dramatic tale about the evils of death row and its senseless killings, is perhaps one of King’s most treasured works. And much of that comes from its Warner Bros. film adaptation. The spiritual successor to the Oscar-nominated Shawshank Redemption, it’s an utterly devastating epic about the wrongfulness of the death penalty, its abuse towards people who don’t deserve it, and how easy it is for some, particularly if you’re Black, to be wrongfully framed and depicted in society. Tom Hanks is of course doing great work, but what most people remember is the heartbreaking performance of the late Michael Clarke Duncan. His breakout role as John Coffey was emotionally stirring and is still talked about long after the film’s 1999 release and the man’s death in 2012. And just like Coffey, Duncan put a spell on viewers for years to come. And with death row still a discussed and debated subject, that will not change any time soon. And while a movie can’t change everything, hopefully this still left an impact for many to try and stop such an evil practice from happening.

Quorum Updates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem T-9: 56.06% Awareness Blue Beetle T-25: 28.38% Awareness It Lives Inside T-60: 16.9% Awareness Kraven the Hunter T-74: 24.2% Awareness Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom T-149: 48.06% Awareness Snow White T-242: 35% Awareness Haunted Mansion T-4: 56.7% Awareness Final Awareness: 100% chance of 10M, 89% chance of 20M, 72% chance of 30M, 44% chance of 40M, 33% chance of 50M Known IP Awareness: 100% chance of 40M Talk to Me T-4: 23.04% Awareness Final Awareness: 12% chance of 10M Horror Awareness: 25% chance of 10M The Equalizer 3 T-39: 39.69% Awareness T-30 Awareness: 86% chance of 10M, 59% chance of 20M, 41% chance of 30M Sequel Awareness: 50% chance of 10M Saw X T-67: 33.79% Awareness T-60 Awareness: 94% chance of 10M, 71% chance of 20M, 47% chance of 30M Horror Awareness: 100% chance of 10M, 75% chance of 20M, 50% chance of 30M

We are having a sale, doncha know?

I had the worst day ever at work today and tomorrow is looking to be even worse. So no and no.

Twilight Sparkle is best pony.

The thing about "men are trash" is that the phrase is only relevant to the men who are trash. If you know you're not trash, which means you think women are cooler than everybody else, you ain't part of the problem. I'm not, Timothee isn't, you aren't. We're all good. And Cap can vouch for that.

There is truly nothing more cursed than seeing Zach Galifianakis without facial hair

Also very true.