Exploiting Hollywood 1980

  Chapter 530 The film critic actually said good things

   "Colombia's response has been positive. I have also reported in various news channels that the attendance rate in various places is not bad. If your estimate is correct and word of mouth spreads, the box office on Saturday and Sunday will be better."

Weintraub called Ronald on Saturday morning, and he went through a frustrating-excited cycle several times last night, got feedback from Columbia early in the morning, and finally couldn't help but talk to him. Ronald shares the good news.

   "I see, everything is as expected." Ronald replied perfunctorily.

   "This time we'll hopefully be on screen a little longer, Columbia's distribution department says maybe more than ten weeks." Weintraub continued to chatter.

   "Um...um..." Ronald finally finished listening to the other party's nagging, and hung up the phone.

   "Who's calling?" Diane, sleepy-eyed, hooked his arm around Ronald's neck, "Hee hee hee..."

   "It's my producer. It seems that last night's box office feedback was good."

"Your movies always get high box office", Diane was stabbed in the eyes by the sunlight from Ronald's opened curtains, she plunged into Ronald's arms, "It's just that the film critics don't want to say Hello."

   "Hey, yeah." Ronald hugged the girl in his arms. Diane came to Los Angeles last night to audition for a new movie. The two meet again, and they have a sweetness of their own.

   I really don't attract critics. Except for the first "Fast-Paced" film, which was said a few good words by New York film critic Pauline Carr, film critics of the famous New York media were reluctant to comment on his film.

  The two older brothers from Chicago, the bald Sisko and the glasses Albert, are always against themselves, always giving themselves very low marks, and then criticizing the plot.

   Two of his exploitative films, even if they sold well, were not liked by film critics.

   "How was your audition for your new movie?" Ronald asked Diane.

   "Um...uh...uh..." Diane buried her head in Ronald's chest, reluctant to mention the failed audition.

   "Rage Street" was released last week, and not only Diane, but also the film's producers and directors have been hit hard by the market, and their prospects in Hollywood have become bleak. Although the casting director politely asked Diane to go back and wait for news, everyone understood that it was just a courtesy.

   "I..." Ronald also shook his head, not mentioning his proposal to find Diane to act. After being rejected several times, he also understood that actresses who have received systematic acting education, as long as there is still a way to go, will not lower their status to act in low-cost exploitative films.

   Even if these movies are hits, it won't do any good for the actor's star career. Unless there is no way out, you can only start from scratch on the ladder of fame, or you have no pursuit of acting skills or anything, and you just want to make movies to make money, otherwise everyone tries to avoid getting caught in such movies.

   This has nothing to do with the closeness of the relationship between the two, but is determined by a Hollywood format. Ronald slowly soothes Diane's short hair, allowing her to recover from her audition disappointment.

   "Ah, I also asked producer Joe Silver to talk about it. He said that 'Rage Street' might be suitable for the European market, and asked me to go to Europe with him to sell copies."

   After sleeping sweetly in Ronald's arms for a few hours, Diane suddenly remembered that she had a date today, and hurriedly got up and put on her clothes, "Where are my pants?"

  "Here", Ronald found it from the floor on the other side of the bed and handed it over. The two of them were very enthusiastic last night, and their clothes fell all over the floor.

   "Honey, I'm leaving first." Diane hurriedly got into the bathroom to take a shower, and after getting dressed, said goodbye to Ronald and left first.

   "Drive Carefully"

   "Got it, Brother Ronnie".

  The beautiful woman left in a hurry, leaving Ronald alone at home. Diane's ambition is still to be a female star, and for this goal she is unwilling to stay by her side for a long time.

   To ask an actress who once saw the position of Hollywood's first-tier female star from afar, give up her acting career and become a Trophy Wife who proves her husband's status. She is definitely not willing.

  In this case, it is not bad to maintain the current relationship, maybe I can help her in the future.

   "Ronald, check out today's New York Times."

   Ronald, who was having brunch, was interrupted by Weintraub's call.

   "I haven't gone out to buy a newspaper yet."

   "No, I'll read it to you." Weintraub seemed very excited on the phone, and it seemed that the New York Times had a lot of good things to say.

   "Janet Maslin, The New York Times," Weintraub clears his throat.

   Much of "Longwei Kid" -- the best part, seems to be a fortune cookie motto.

   In Hollywood-style oriental wisdom, a teenager named Daniel is taught lesson after lesson about life. His mentor is an old man named Mr. Miyagi, played by Noriyuki Morita (Pat).

   Miyagi was first seen trying to catch a fly with a pair of chopsticks. Throughout the film, Mr. Miyagi maintains an eye-catching, even hilariously weird style.

   Mr. Miyagi is easily the perfect substitute father figure for Daniel, thanks to the old man's patience, understanding and seemingly limitless knowledge.

   His amazing mastery of karate was another plus, in Daniel's eyes, as the boy, who had just moved to California from New Jersey, often found himself being ravaged by big, blond bullies dressed like Michael Jackson. Mr. Miyagi taught him how to protect himself and become a man in the process. "

   "Giggle..." It seems that the film critic doesn't like the dressing style of MJ's diamond BlingBling. There are indeed many street teenagers imitating, Ronald smiled.

"The "Longwei Boys", which will be released simultaneously at the Ziegfeld Cinema and more than 1,000 other theaters across the country, may become a long-lost and truly heart-warming two-person drama. The young screenwriter and director Ronald, is not satisfied with Just get things done.

  His films are full of extras, from impressive supporting characters in almost every way, to the unexpected final tricks of the final climax. Being able to remove some of the sunlight montages would make the film's pacing a bit more suitable for modern audiences.

  This film is essentially a fairy tale, and Ronald Lee's wonderful directing technique often makes us forget this, and feel that the friendship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi is so real. So much so that I fell for it. "

   "Ronald, still me, Los Angeles Times."

   Weintraub was stunned. Every time there was a new movie review, he called and read it to Ronald himself.

   "Yes, he's a bit of a silly fairytale movie.

   Yes, he has the cliché that all sports movies have, a frustrated kid who, under the guidance of a coach full of experience and wisdom, defeated a strong enemy to win a championship.

   Yes, his romance is like our first date in high school, overly cautious, to protect the PG rating.

   But we just love it.

  This film, written and directed by the up-and-coming Los Angeles director Ronald Lee, is so unpretentious, yet so intoxicating.

  This is not just a sports movie, but a kid's heroic journey. A dream shared by all who have experienced being bullied by someone stronger than you in school. The weak conquer the strong, and the good conquer the evil. ...like a teenage version of 'Rocky'.

   To all parents, if you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you go with your kids right away, they will feel this inner courage and strength. "

   "Hmmm... I'm not Rocky!" Ronald was very happy, and saw others say that his story was like Stallone's "Rocky".

   "Ronald...still me, this time on The Hollywood Reporter and Variety Weekend."

   "Surprisingly fascinating..."

   "A great movie for the family, your kids will love it."

   "Ronald..."

   "I said Jerry, I still have dinner, can't we talk tomorrow?" Ronald got another call from Weintraub, who was really enjoying himself. The film reviews released today all praised "Longwei Kid". In fact, Ronald was also happy, but it was a little unbearable to be disturbed so many times.

   "No, watch TV, the PBS channel, Sisko and Albert are talking about your movie."

   "Oh?" Ronald turned on the TV, wondering what the two of them would say this time.

  “We knew the end of the movie after seeing Rocky. One notable problem was that the movie was too long, and it was thirty minutes too long, and the story was told too slowly.

   It only tells a typical Hollywood hero story, how a child transferred to a new school is accepted by his classmates. Better not by dating the most beautiful girl.

   I gave him a thumbs up and just crossed the line. "

"Sisko doesn't like our movies?" Ronald was watching and chatting with Weintraub. This was something he didn't expect. In the Chicago duo, Sisko always gave himself high scores. the one.

   "His Tribune readers are middle-class, and of course they don't like the plot of poor boys stalking their daughters." Weintraub knew exactly what Sisko was thinking.

   "No no no, this isn't a movie about fitting into a new school, at least not exactly. I really appreciate it, two thumbs up." Fat Albert gave it a surprisingly high score.

   "This movie is not like Rocky, where you can see the beginning and predict the end. I don't agree with you. The whole movie is not about the final game, but about teaching."

  Albert pushed his glasses and continued to comment.

   "This is the first time I've seen in a martial arts movie, fighting is not the focus. The focus is on the philosophy of martial arts. This philosophy is not only in martial arts, but can be used in life."

   "What happened? Did the sun rise in the west?" Ronald asked Weintraub in surprise.

   "His Sun newspaper, but there are many blue-collar readers. Maybe their children are being bullied by children from wealthy families at school. Maybe they were also attracted to wealthy girls on the flight when they were young?"

   "Who doesn't?" Ronald laughed. It turns out that film critics also depend on the composition of their readers. Only from the perspective of readers can they eat this bowl of rice for a long time.

   Ronald hung up the phone, opened the pizza he ordered, and ate a piece while it was still hot.

   "Ring, ringing, ringing..." The phone rang again.

   "Hey, Jerry, I'm eating pizza, don't read me reviews." Ronald thought there was a new review coming out.

   "Ronnie, it's me." Aunt Karen's voice came from the microphone.

   "Oh, auntie. Hello, I thought it was someone else. Why did you call me tonight?" Ronald asked. Aunt Karen now rarely calls him outside of the usual weekend greetings.

   "I called to congratulate you, and finally made a good movie. I asked Donna to buy the tickets as soon as possible.

  I...I'm very touched, the movie seems to take me back to the days when I just lost Steve, when I was alone with Donna. "

"Auntie, it's all over. In fact, when I wrote the script, it was Daniel's mother who was based on you. She is very optimistic, loves her children, has a strong character, and works hard..." Ronald began to comfort the already choked up Aunt Karen.

   This was the first time my aunt liked her movie so much, and Ronald was more excited than the praise from those movie critics.

   "Ronnie, next time you go back to New York, be sure to come and see me, I have something to tell you."

   "Can't you say it on the phone? I like to hear you compliment me, Auntie. Your compliment is more important to me than all the film critics say."

   "Haha, you did a great job, Ronnie. I'm glad you made a movie, like I used to watch Hollywood movies when I was a kid, to speak up for all ordinary people."

   After chatting with his aunt, Ronald ended his busy day.

   The first weekend of "Longwei Kid" passed quickly, and the new movie box office was released on Monday morning.

   "Longwei Kid" earned $5.6 million. It came in fourth place after "Ghostbusters," "Gremlins," and "Legend of the Magic House," ahead of "Star Trek: Finding Spock", which fell rapidly at the box office.

  Although the box office in the first week is not as high as the first week of "Break Dance". However, it was Ronald's first experience to be praised by film critics in magazines and newspapers.

   "Ronald, Universal's Ned Tanning, Paramount's Katzenberg, are all calling to make an appointment with you."

   Broker Nisita called.

   "Huh? Why?" Ronald was surprised.

"All the film reviews for Long Wei Kid are good words. Your performance shocked the top seven Hollywood executives. In their eyes, you are not only an exploitative film that can be auctioned off, but you have been upgraded to a director who can play mainstream Hollywood dramas. , they're starting to trust you."

   "It turns out that film critics have this kind of benefit when they say good things." Ronald put down the phone and muttered to himself.

   (end of this chapter)