Hollywood’s most notable bombs are — sadly — just as well-known as its biggest hits, a factor that a new book joyously celebrates.
From British film critic Tim Robey, “Box Office Poison” digs up the dirt on some of cinema’s wildest misfires, from grand follies to misunderstood masterpieces, disastrous sequels to catastrophic literary adaptations, going behind the scenes to examine how they ended careers, bankrupted studios and changed film history.
Among the features in Robey’s crosshairs are David Lynch’s “Dune,” plus “Speed 2: Cruise Control,” “Gigli,” “Catwoman,” “Pan” and — of course — “Cats.”
In this exclusive extract from the book, being released by Hanover Square Press in the U.S. on Nov. 5, it’s the turn of the swashbuckling catastrophe that was Renny Harlin and Geana Davis’ “Cutthroat Island.” Costing upwards of $115 million to make, the watery flop sank almost without a trace in 1995, earning just $18.5 million globally and...
From British film critic Tim Robey, “Box Office Poison” digs up the dirt on some of cinema’s wildest misfires, from grand follies to misunderstood masterpieces, disastrous sequels to catastrophic literary adaptations, going behind the scenes to examine how they ended careers, bankrupted studios and changed film history.
Among the features in Robey’s crosshairs are David Lynch’s “Dune,” plus “Speed 2: Cruise Control,” “Gigli,” “Catwoman,” “Pan” and — of course — “Cats.”
In this exclusive extract from the book, being released by Hanover Square Press in the U.S. on Nov. 5, it’s the turn of the swashbuckling catastrophe that was Renny Harlin and Geana Davis’ “Cutthroat Island.” Costing upwards of $115 million to make, the watery flop sank almost without a trace in 1995, earning just $18.5 million globally and...
- 10/30/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Quick Links What Was Cutthroat Island About? Why Cutthroat Island Bombed at the Box Office Cutthroat Island Doesn't Deserve Its Poor Reputation
The early 2020s have seen several major movies flop at the box office, with some of these beforehand being seen as certain hits. Whether they be parts of the superhero genre or the venerable horror genre, these movies failed to make money, despite being part of veritable machines that had seen massive success beforehand. This all recalls a similar box office disappointment from the 1990s that was actually quite underrated.
Cutthroat Island saw a similarly cutthroat reception upon release, though a lot of this negativity stemmed from its box office performance. Failing to secure much treasure in this regard, the movie sadly walked the plank in terms of ticket sales and attention. The worst part is that it's actually a fairly fun and entertaining movie, though its lack...
The early 2020s have seen several major movies flop at the box office, with some of these beforehand being seen as certain hits. Whether they be parts of the superhero genre or the venerable horror genre, these movies failed to make money, despite being part of veritable machines that had seen massive success beforehand. This all recalls a similar box office disappointment from the 1990s that was actually quite underrated.
Cutthroat Island saw a similarly cutthroat reception upon release, though a lot of this negativity stemmed from its box office performance. Failing to secure much treasure in this regard, the movie sadly walked the plank in terms of ticket sales and attention. The worst part is that it's actually a fairly fun and entertaining movie, though its lack...
- 7/8/2024
- by Timothy Blake Donohoo
- CBR
Graeme Ferguson, the Canadian filmmaker who co-founded Imax, died on Saturday at the age of 91.
Ferguson had reportedly been battling cancer, passing away at his home in Norway Point, Ontario.
Imax took to Twitter today to confirm the news. “We mourn the passing of Graeme Ferguson, visionary IMAX Co-Founder and iconic filmmaker,” they said. “Thank you and rest in peace, Graeme.”
Ferguson founded the Imax Corporation in 1967, with filmmaker Roman Kroitor, businessman Robert Kerr, and engineer William Shaw. His latter two collaborators had been friends of his since high school.
The initial impetus for Imax was Polar Life, an experimental film that Ferguson directed for Expo ’67 in Montreal. In collaboration with Kroitor, Kerr and Shaw, he would develop a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, projectors and theaters which would bring a new sense of immersion and scope to the cinematic experience.
A writer, director, producer and cinematographer, Ferguson...
Ferguson had reportedly been battling cancer, passing away at his home in Norway Point, Ontario.
Imax took to Twitter today to confirm the news. “We mourn the passing of Graeme Ferguson, visionary IMAX Co-Founder and iconic filmmaker,” they said. “Thank you and rest in peace, Graeme.”
Ferguson founded the Imax Corporation in 1967, with filmmaker Roman Kroitor, businessman Robert Kerr, and engineer William Shaw. His latter two collaborators had been friends of his since high school.
The initial impetus for Imax was Polar Life, an experimental film that Ferguson directed for Expo ’67 in Montreal. In collaboration with Kroitor, Kerr and Shaw, he would develop a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, projectors and theaters which would bring a new sense of immersion and scope to the cinematic experience.
A writer, director, producer and cinematographer, Ferguson...
- 5/11/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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