Posted on 10/10/2022 4:26:52 AM PDT by Cronos
Director Nicholas Stoller: 'It's almost like people don’t know what’s good for them'
The writer/director previously delivered hits like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Get Him to the Greek,” “The Muppets” and “Neighbors.”
Now, with theatrical comedies on life support, Stoller is back with “Bros.” The gay rom-com follows two stubbornly single souls (Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane) who fall in love despite themselves.
And audiences are staying far, far away from the film.
The film infamously earned $4.8 million on its opening weekend, a far cry from its $22 million budget and reported $30-40 million marketing costs.
Hollywood news outlets have been wringing their hands over the film’s failure since last weekend. Now, the far-Left Hollywood reporter is asking Stoller and “Bros” co-star Guy Branum what explains the box office results.
Branum claims his marketing ideas were roundly rejected by Universal, the studio behind the film. Stoller struggles to process the movie’s commercial misfire, citing critical raves for the film (89 percent “fresh” at Rotten Tomatoes) and positive test screenings.
Eichner blamed the straight community for ignoring his film (he co-wrote the screenplay with Stoller). Stoller confirms Eichner’s comments, citing data privy to Universal. The dismal numbers still show most gay Americans chose other movie options last weekend.
The director trotted out other reasons for the film’s failure, including his assertion that Hollywood has “trained” audiences not to see comedy in theaters.
That’s certainly not true of the pre-woke era. Comedies routinely crashed the $100 million mark at the U.S. box office. Think:
“Bridesmaids” ($169 million) “The Hangover 1, 2 and 3” ($277 million, $254 million, $112 million, respectively) “Step Brothers” ($100 million) “Ted” ($218 million) “22 Jump Street” ($191 million) “Neighbors” ($150 million) “Pitch Perfect 2 and 3” ($184 million, $104 million, respectively) Stoller partially blames audiences for not seeking his film out.
“It is very strange just because the movie is so much fun. And as someone who makes comedies for movie theaters — or did until, I guess, this weekend — I love seeing comedies in movie theaters, and people do. It’s almost like people don’t know what’s good for them. [emphasis added]”
Stoller turned his wannabe franchise “Neighbors” into a woke affair, hiring two female screenwriters to bolster its feminist bona fides. That sequel, “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,” made $95 million less than its predecessor, killing the franchise in the process.
What the “Bros” director doesn’t realize is how the culture is to blame for “Bros” failure. Big screen comedies can no longer entertain like they once did. Even tepid fare like “Snatched” and “Get Hard” endure withering reviews for being “problematic.”
Stoller ignores how too many Hollywood stars alienate potential audiences. Eichner is a prime example, using his Twitter account and public appearances to excoriate anyone with whom he disagrees on politics.
Plus, audiences are exhausted by the Left’s weaponizing culture in every forum possible. That “Bros” trailer suggests the film is more of the same, mocking straight people, extolling an LGBTQ+ museum subplot and proudly sharing characters engaged in a “throuple.”
The “Bros” director’s comic timing remains on-point throughout his new film. He might want to step outside his Hollywood bubble, though, to understand why so many Americans, both straight and gay, didn’t line up to see “Bros.”
I’ll see a movie in a theater perhaps every three years. The last one I tried to see was 2000 Mules but they sold out for the promotional release.
Before that, I really don’t remember.
The publicity around thatovie was enormous, so while a very few people may have been “tricked”, I’m guessing that most of the people who saw Brokeback Mountain knew exactly what it was about.
That is a good counterpoint to alleged homophobia.
I have not seen Brokeback, but it does have an all star cast - Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Also a famous director and a famous screen writer - Ang Lee and Larry McMurtry.
I hear you. I’m basically the same. I did see Top Gun and Midway by choice, though. Other times I get dragged to the theater as part of a group. You can’t sit through 5 minutes of movie previews these days without seeing that Hollywood is dripping in Cultural Marxism and just plain faggotry
I got dragged to see “Beaches” by my then-girlfriend, we broke up soon after.
I’m sure that I would be shocked anew if I ever when to a movie today. The previews are absolutely x-rated.
We watched “Top Gun Maverick” Saturday night. It was pretty good.
Cruise keeps himself in pretty good shape. He knows how to treat his audience, not like this gay Nazi who is screaming “ You VILL see dis movie, or ELSE!”
And yes, the subject matter is disgusting.
How dare this idiot tell us how to spend our money! He can’t see beyond his own prejudices to understand why his movie flopped.
Has time yet done a pedo cover? Serious question. These are bell weathers just as the Oprah show used to push out the next perversion to be ‘normalized’.
The song was good.
Turn in your "Man Card" ;)
Maybe Richard Gere should’ve Starred in this movie- they might’ve gotten a few more bucks out of it.🙄
The animal people don’t let gerbils be used in that manner anymore...
It WILL be interesting to see what happens with it during “Awards Season”.
Insult and piss off half of your potential ticket buyers; now, there’s a brilliant marketing strategy.
I do not need my bowels examined.
And we don’t want to examine theirs, either!
I think that the movie previews ALONE are reason enough to stay away from theatres. When I did go to the theatre, it was to see a movie, not commercials.
LOL!
They are delusional!
Why would I ever go to a movie that would make me puke?
it’s the dogs J.B., they just won’t eat it...
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