tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post5289036103051430756..comments2024-03-19T02:27:08.584-05:00Comments on Ghibli Blog: Studio Ghibli, Animation and the Movies: Musings on Ponyo US ReleaseDaniel Thomas MacInneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01406180871529775448noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-63542486950739226832009-04-06T13:41:00.000-05:002009-04-06T13:41:00.000-05:00Hmm, very interesting points, Doug. I'm curious t...Hmm, very interesting points, Doug. I'm curious to learn if and when a backlash against the multiplex culture will emerge from the younger kids. The theaters become louder and noisier, and the movies become flashier and more distracting, and all in the name of attracting the kids. I couldn't help but smile if the kids proved smart enough to see through that, and stayed away.<BR/><BR/>I come back to something Roger Ebert once proclaimed: if you want to see smarter movies, then you need to have smarter audiences. The key is to promote the good movies, the quiet and smart movies, instead of the noisy blockbusters.<BR/><BR/>Ponyo is just the perfect thing for families. Those expecting yet another loud assault of lazy tv-trivia, quick cuts, and fart jokes will be very pleasantly surprised. Studio Ghibli is an antidote to our cinema dispair.<BR/><BR/>My advice? See Ponyo at the theater. And save the next Shrek for DVD. Reward the smart, wise, intelligent filmmakers with your wallets, and Hollywood will respond. The suits are in the business of making money, no more, no less. Smarter audiences will result in smarter movies.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for visiting, as always.Daniel Thomas MacInneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01406180871529775448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-51095328137452771172009-04-06T08:38:00.000-05:002009-04-06T08:38:00.000-05:00Welcome back Daniel-we've been waiting for you. I...Welcome back Daniel-we've been waiting for you. I'm very hopeful that I can finally see a Ghibli film on the big screen. I've asked my kids about it and they've told me that they want to wait for the dvd. Why? Because they feel assaulted by the theatres; loud and very obnoxious to their tiny ears. Anyhow, maybe just me and the missus will go (if it lands near Central NY)!Doughttp://www.myspace.com/marmaladearmynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-86897397406472913182009-04-05T02:26:00.000-05:002009-04-05T02:26:00.000-05:00As a comparison to Ponyo's release, Howl's was rel...As a comparison to Ponyo's release, Howl's was released in June and ran till the end of September. (it made 4M) Spirited Away was released in September and ran all the way till the end of May. (it made 10M) It received a relatively big boost in revenue in the last week of March (1.7M) and first week of April (1.03M) because of it winning the Oscar the weekend before and getting released into 700 theaters as a result. Howl did not receive this boost since it was released pre-Oscars. (although it lost to Wallace and Gromit)<BR/><BR/>I have high hopes for Ponyo and think it will definitely out-gross Howl's. I think it will do better then the 202 screen Howl's had and the 151 initial screens that SA got. Even if it got 1000 that would be great, but I think an initial amount of 500 would be a more realistic possibility. The August release should help because of a lack of competition. G.I. Joe is getting released August 7th, the week before Ponyo, but I don't see the audiences conflicting there. However, on the week of Ponyo's release, some film called "Bandslam" is being released which features two alumnus of the Disney channel, one of which who was in "High School Musical." That could potentially take away viewers from Ponyo.<BR/><BR/>Also, IF Disney wants this movie to succeed, then they should have a trailer of it show before Hannah Montana: The Movie and Up. I have a feeling that it will be shown before Up. ( I hope, come on Lasseter!) But to show a trailer of Ponyo before those 2 Movies could really help raise the awareness of this film in the child/pre-teen/parents who take kids to movies demographic. A trailer of Ponyo before Hannah Montana would be only the good thing to ever come from that franchise.<BR/><BR/>Here's to hoping!<BR/><BR/>p.s. good to see you blogging again!Geoff Nnoreply@blogger.com