not screening for critics: the 2009 list -- latest: 'Obsessed'
You’ve heard me talk about this before in passing: that the big studios are, in many instances, simply not screening fims for critics before they open. The trend has gotten more pronounced in recent years, to the point where it feels like almost every week, there’s at least one wide release opening “cold.”
What’s also happening, though, too, is that some movies are opening “lukewarm” -- that is, they’re being withheld from critics in some markets but being shown to critics in others. Which is truly bizarre. Because when it comes to movies, there’s barely such a thing as a local market anymore. Just because critics in New York and Los Angeles don’t get to see Gory Horror Movie III: The Bloodening doesn’t mean that the review by the critic who does see it in Portland or Boston won’t be all over the Internet for everyone everywhere to read anyway.
So I’m going to highlight here all the studio films in 2009 I won’t get to see before they open because they’re not being screened for New York critics (or because I’ve been told that they won’t be screened for New York critics even though they are). I’ll also link to my review, if I do subsequently cover the film anyway.
If you have info that screenings of a certain film did occur in some markets, feel free to let me know, and I’ll add that info.
(This was originally posted on Thursday, March 5. It will keep getting bumped up as I add new films to the list.)
Obsessed
Crank: High Voltage (I reviewed it anyway)
Dragonball Evolution
12 Rounds (I reviewed it anyway)
Race to Witch Mountain (“we are not screening the film,” a Disney rep told me by email today [03.05], though I know for a fact that some cities are getting screenings next week) (I reviewed it anyway)
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail
Friday the 13th
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
My Bloody Valentine 3D (I reviewed it anyway)
comments
posted by Arthur (Thu Mar 05 09, 7:59PM)
I'd think -- given the titles you've listed -- that you'd be grateful. ;-)
posted by PaulW (Thu Mar 05 09, 10:21PM)
I've been hearing horror stories about how bad the new Street Fighter movie is: that it makes the JCVD/Raul Julia version look like Dark Knight by comparison. So, yeah, be grateful you didn't screen it.
posted by Ryan (Sun Mar 22 09, 1:20PM)
I do appreciate knowing which movies are doing this...if only because it means there is like a 75% chance that they will be terrible.
posted by Will (Sun Mar 22 09, 3:33PM)
Depending on how you feel about it, you could just torrent the movie and continue to render their plans ineffective.
posted by MaryAnn (Sun Mar 22 09, 6:53PM)
I would not download a movie I could see in some legitimate way. If I see *12 Rounds,* it'll be because I bought a ticket on opening day.
posted by RogerBW (Thu Apr 02 09, 2:46PM)
Greater love hath no critic than this: that she lay down her mind in the path of 12 Rounds for her readers. (And pay for the privilege!)