SNAKES= money |
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This column is being posted on a Tuesday, which means SNAKES ON A PLANE has been out for a few days now. I have yet to see it, but will be seeing it later tonight. I cannot wait. I've had a handful of close friends already see it and have described it as the most fun they have had at the movies in a long, long time. They have also described how the audience chants, yells, screams, and is similar to a rock concert.
My only question is: Why has Hollywood taken this long to "get it?"
HARRY POTTER and STAR WARS get it. Why has it taken everyone else this long to jump aboard?
Going to the movies should be an event. People should be lining up to see movies. People should have t-shirts with the movie logo. People should be discussing the movie on message boards for weeks, months, and days leading up to the release. Going to the movies should be in the same vein as going to a sporting event or concert.
Have you ever been to a STAR WARS or HARRY POTTER premiere on opening night? People dress up. People bring their books. People stand in line and discuss their anticipation. They have their t-shirts. They have it all. They are apart of the experience. They are no longer just an audience member, they are apart of the film. They are just as big a part of the movie as the actors themselves in it.
This is why HARRY POTTER and STAR WARS are always grossing massive numbers. They understand the audience is the most important part of the film. They are the ones driving their cars to go to the movies. They are the ones 
An Incredible Profit |
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paying the 9 or 10 bucks to see the movie. They are the ones telling their friends to see it. They are the ones buying the DVDs. Without them, you have no movie.
You hear so many stories of ego-driven actors worrying so much about their contract, their role in the film, and it's all about them. You hear about directors shooting up to 4 hours of film for a single movie and having to edit it together. Production companies getting involved and adding their two cents. Agents even have to throw around their weight.
Does anyone ever just step back and say "will the fans like this?" Will people pay money to see this? If I didn't make this movie would I want to see it? Am I involving the audience?
SNAKES ON A PLANE sure did.
The film was originally rated PG-13 but fans on the Internet were so excited for the infamous line from Samuel L. Jackson, they went back and re-shot the film to include the line. They also have a very neat gimmick where Samuel L. Jackson can call or email a person of your choice and tell them to see the film. Let me say, I have already done this to numerous people. I can only imagine Grandma Farinella's reaction to a black man yelling at her on the phone telling her to see the film.
I took a look at my local Hot Topic and there is numerous SNAKES ON A PLANE merchandise. Some friends told me their local theater handed out free posters from the film. SNAKES might be the most fan-friendly film to come down the pike. Thanks for allowing me to use your pike saying, Larry King.
Let's focus a 
He's a long way from being FAT ALBERT |
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little more on Samuel L. Jackson.
According to Wikipedia: "Jackson's films have grossed between $2.1 billion[1] and $3.8 billion dollars[2] putting him between 8th and 1st of the highest-grossing actors of all time."
This is because Jackson makes film for his fans and includes them in it. I already stated STAR WARS, but how about THE INCREDIBLES? A family-friendly Disney movie which had tons of toys and merchandise. Kids and adults both enjoyed it. Look at PULP FICTION. One of the most quoted, loved, and embraced film by the entire world.
As I have been beating over your head for this entire column, audience involvement is first and foremost in movies. I saw MIAMI VICE earlier this month, and was completely, bored, uninvolved, and uninterested. Why was I watching? Why did I see this movie? What does this have to do with me? Do I care?
Now let's take a look at SNAKES ON A PLANE.
I know people who dressed up as snakes to see this movie. I know people who brought dollar store airplanes and put dollar store snakes on them, and brought them with to see the movie. I know people who own every piece of SNAKE ON A PLANE merchandise there is. I know people who before the film started chanting in unison the title of the film. I know theaters that all said the line with Jackson in unison.
SNAKES ON A PLANE is an example of unselfish cinema. Everyone wins.
The movie fans win since they have a great movie experience. SNAKES ON A PLANE and everyone involved wins, including the snakes, who will make a mighty buck.
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Expect the unexpected from Tony as he'll give you his columns on the way movies used to be, the way movies are, and the way they should be.
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| Tony Farinella |
Tony is an Oak Lawn, IL based film reviewer and columnist looking to have fun and share his unique views on film with everyone. Tony also has an unhealthy obsession with Vanessa Lengies, but that is neither here nor there.
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