Video, Film, and Television

The Hunger Games Takes in $155 million this weekend.

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The story is here.

First, from everything I’m hearing, this shouldn’t be surprising as the books are popular.  In fact, as we’ve seen movies can get panned and still do well if tied to a popular property.  I just saw “Transformers” this weekend (don’t worry, with Rifftrax) and it was dismal – but still made money.

However, the reviews of Hunger Games paints it as an actually good film with an exceptional lead actress, and a film that overcame narrative challenges.  It’s sounding like an adaption done right – and an adaption to learn from.

My Takeaways:

  • It’s pretty clear we’ll get a sequel.  The timeliness of some of the issues may also help.
  • I think this gives a boost to the YA/Teen adaption genre again since it sounds like an authentically good movie, thus winning over skeptics.  Of course this also means another round of development hell for the various licensed properties out there (I, myself, think Incarceron has a shot at being impressive).
  • This is also a boost for adaptions/remakes in Hollywood, which is A) out of ideas, and B) glad to adapt stuff that definitely will sell.  So, an odd side effect I see of this is less true originality.
  • The rather brutal nature of the subject matter may actually be refreshing in Hollywood and it’s weirdly sanitized violence.
  • Though it sounds like “Hunger Games” has a chance to rank up there with the Potter films in the “Holy crap, it’s a good adaption” category, I still am not sure any of the lessons of good filmmaking with percolate into film culture.  I’m a cynic.

– Steven Savage

 

 

How Cable Companies Can Adapt . . . Maybe

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So I killed my cable.  Dead.  Gone.  No more.  Hulu, Netflix, and gizmos for me, thanks very much, that’s how I’ll get my video.

So now, based on my experience that cable is unnecessary (and financially unsound) for most households, what can cable companies do to become something more modern and useful?  What does it mean for us?

(This, by the way, assumes said companies will embrace change.  Cable companies have ,at times, followed in the steps of others, but I can’t say they’ve actually been enthused or active dealing with change.  But one can hope.)

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Steve’s Kill Your Cable Adventure

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In late 2011/early 2012 Steve decided to see if he and his household could go without cable, and documented his experiences.  The roundup is below!

Kill Your Cable and Habit – The post that started it all, as Steve speculates if he really needs cable.

  1. The Device Experience And Discussion – Steve’s initial plans to try Killing Your Cable lead him to think over the technology and issues of the post-cable world.
  2. In-Depth Psychology and Stuff – Steve looks at the psychology of planning to – and trying to – Kill Your Cable.
  3. Oh, Wait – Steve finds Killing Your Cable requires you to rethink and evaluate a few things.
  4. Into The Abyss – With his roommate out, Steve tries going without cable and shares his findings.
  5. Finding The Off Switch – Steve and his roommate make the decision to kill their cable, and he reviews his findings.
  6. Not With A Bang, But A Spare $90 – Steve finally cuts the cord and finds there’s no revolution to be had.

– Steven Savage