Ghost Rider IS Being Screened

[Vartha]

Yeah me too, but I only care what the critics say if they get info wrong, I know I'll love the film just for what it looks like, AND it's gonna be a B-day gift from my Girl Friend.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Breadleymoore, i understand what you are saying, but your going about it the wrong way. I too have the same concerns and have aired them without being insulting, though you werent the only one being insulting.

AD, your generally a cool guy, but i hate when you jump on someone for saying something bad about a Marvel movie, he's is right in what he is saying, normally, when a studio doesnt release a movie too the critics until very late, it means bad news for the movie, BUT, every review we've had so far has been fairly positive, so let the critics prove him wrong.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Breadley is new and doesn't understand the extreme biased mindset AD has. But Breadley while your expressing a valid opinion, concerns, and criticisms you could express it in less of a ******* manner.

 

[Hunter Rider]

How is any of this "trouble"?

Jesus man, did I miss the Kool-Aid tray around here?

I guess we'll all find out on the 16th. I can't wait to read the reactions, though now they'll all be tainted because...

a) I dared to suggest the film might not be up to quality because of the late screenings.

b) Starf***er types like Advance Dark who insist on kissing ass to feed their need for acceptance.

I'll leave this alone now. I'll let the film speak for itself since nobody else is allowed to around here.

Firstly you voted 1 on a poll for a movie you have never seen so yes some are going to question your motives

Secondly leave the insults out or you'll be gone

 

[Retroman]

As has been mentioned before some critics have not seen the movie.Not everyone is taking it good.Check out some of the articles from various sites incl the one that started it all - NY Post.

February 06, 2007

Ghost Rider Opens Cold
Sony is dodging opening-day print reviews for "Ghost Rider,'' which opens a week from Friday. Critics are being invited to the premiere the night before the opening as well as a "courtesy'' screening on Friday, which means reviews will be buried in the Saturday papers.

The latest Marvel Comics blockbuster starring Nicolas Cage, which carries a pricetag of $120 million, may well be the most expensive event movie movie to receive this treatment, which tends to embarass the talent involved (though apparently not Cage, whose "The Wicker Man'' went the same route via Warner Bros.)

Sony has been in the vanguard of the snowballing late screening movement, racking up a record string of No. 1 openings last year, including a number of (mostly low-budget)films that avoided advance critical scrutiny. Just this weekend, the poorly-reviewed "The Messengers'' topped the charts after opening cold, as they say in the trade.

The marketers at Sony are probably wondering if "The Da Vinci Code'' -- the No. 5 grossing film of 2006 in the U.S. -- would have been an even bigger smash if it hadn't received scathing advance reviews (though not from me).

Posted by Lou Lumenick on February 6, 2007 11:13 AM

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Does Anyone Care If Critics See Movies In Advance?

The short answer is of course "no." But some film critics have been getting in a lather about the increasing practice of movie studios not screening some of their junk movies like "The Messenger" (and perhaps "Ghost Rider") to critics before the movie opens. Does this hurt the box office by losing out on the free press of reviews on the Friday a film opens? Of course not, since no one going to see bad horror flicks knows or cares what critics have to say about it. Can critics help a movie's box office? As Roger Ebert -- and most critics -- say, critics can help a little on little movies, steering people towards smaller films they might have otherwise avoided. And sure if a big movie gets viciously bad movies, someone on the fence who actually cares what critics think might decide against checking a film out. But that's a small minority. Whatever critics say about Eddie Murphy's "Norbit," it won't change one bit the movie's opening weekend. Even if they love it, it's still a certain type of movie that will attract a certain type of audience. Only in the long-term can massive critical praise make any difference and even then it's usually for something small like "Little Miss Sunshine" that they can have an effect. Holding back horror films and indeed most movies from critics doesn't hurt the openign weekend box office at all. Would anyone headed to Martin Scorsese's The Departed have stayed away because critics didn't review it on that Friday? Of course not.

Ghost Rider Avoiding Real Film Critics?
Written by Robert Sanchez
Thursday, 08 February 2007

Not a good sign, not a good sign at all. Sony Pictures has decided not to show Ghost Rider early to critics and will avoid reviews of the film until the day after release.

With the exception of having the owner/editor of Superherohype.com fly in from Texas to Los Angeles for an early screening two weeks ago and on the studios dime, there has not been any other review of the film. To nobody’s surprise the above mentioned website gave the film a glowing review. Could Sony not count on Earl Dittman or Shawn Edwards to give this movie a good review and/or positive quotes?

So does that mean the film will suck? Who knows but if it does, Mark Steven Johnson will prove that his previous flop, Daredevil, wasn’t Fox’s fault as he always claimed but instead all his. Just to think that he is developing Preacher for HBO is heart wrenching.

No critics for Ghost Rider

Feb. 7, 2007​

Source: New York Post

by: Mike Sampson​

Don't expect to find out what Joel Seigel, Leonard Maltin or Gene Shalit think about GHOST RIDER prior to its opening - the comic book flick won't be screening for critics. This has been an increasingly used practice in recent years as studios look to diminsh the impact of poor word of mouth by eliminating critics screenings. Normally, however, this is reserved for low-budget, horror or comedy flicks like BLACK CHRISTMAS or EPIC MOVIE. While there aren't official stats on things like this, GHOST RIDER could very well be the most expensive film ever made that hasn't been screened for critics. Sony is happy with the way GHOST RIDER is tracking and is expected an opening in the mid-$30 million range. What they're assuming will be blanket negative reviews would only hurt their opening so I can't say I blame them for the decision but this can't be much of an ego boost for Nicolas Cage or director Mark Steven Johnson. It would be nice to think the studio has some kind of faith in the quality of your film...

Extra Tidbit: The trailer for RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION will debut with prints of GHOST RIDER.

Ghost Rider Burns Critics

Though the only person/site who has seen Ghost Rider had me convinced the film was this month's hit, I have recently read it again wondering what the heck Sony is up to. And, now that I have read the review/report with a negative mindset, it does sound like it is hiding something.

Why am I freaking out? Well, I'm not freaking out, but it looks like Sony wants to keep critics out of theatres until the film's theatrical release.

Ghost Rider Not Screened... by Critics
A bad sign. You have a big-budget comic book adaptation, which usually means box office gold, and you are holding back the hype machine by holding back the critics. What are you up to Sony? There is only really one thing to take from this - Sony feels they have a Daredevil on their hands.

Sure, they don't want us thinking this, but the NYPost's report does not sound all that positive.

At least Sony can already claim that Ghost Rider has broke a record - the most expensive movie to ever receive the no-critic treatment.

It looks like Sony is similar to a damaged high school cheerleader with a broken heart. After Da Vinci Code got dumped early by the critics (something that hurt its box office take), the studio has had a trust issue with the critics ever since.

See a psychiatrist and get over it!

Ghost Rider opens to theatres on February 16th. Critics will see it on February 15th.

Sony Admits Ghost Rider Will Suck
By Josh Tyler: 2007-02-08 01:40:03

Last year we were one of the first sites to break the story on Hollywood’s new policy of hiding bad movies from critics in order to trick audiences into seeing them before they can find out how much the movies suck. In 2005 something like 8 major movie releases were not screened in advance, in 2006 we reached that number by March. This year, we’ve probably reached it already.

So Hollywood hiding movies from critics is nothing new, but usually it’s garbage movies that probably nobody cares about anyway. If it’s a high-profile, major release it usually gets screened. Even if it’s god awful horrible. Apparently that’s about to change, because the New York Post is reporting that Ghost Rider will not be shown to film critics. I guess that explains why it’s not on my screening schedule. Now can someone tell me why Norbit is? I was looking forward to missing that one.

They say some critics are being invited to a late-night screening the night before, but the screening will be too late for any of their reviews to make it into the papers until Saturday, after everyone has already wasted their money on a piece of **** movie on Friday. That’s the other trick Hollywood has been pulling lately. Audiences have caught on the to fact that when a movie isn’t screened for the press it’s probably going to stink, so studios have started schedulding last minute, late-night press screenings which are intentionally scheduled in such a way that there’s no way the critics attending it can get their reviews ready and out before the film’s opening night. That way they avoid the “not screened” stigma and bad reviews all at once. It’s dirty pool, and it sounds like that’s what Sony is doing with Ghost Rider.

This is a big deal, because it’s the first major tent pole film they’ve done this with. Granted, they’re releasing it in early February which isn’t exactly a hot time for big movies. By dumping it there I supposed they’ve already given it a vote of no confidence. This is just them punching an extra hole in the no confidence card. Still, we’re talking about a $120 million superhero movie. This isn’t The Messengers or Hannibal Rising. This is Ghost Rider, and hiding that kind of major blockbuster away from the press is definitely a first.

So, what does that mean to you? Don’t waste your money, that’s what. This is Sony Pictures basically admitting they have a lousy movie. If even the company releasing it thinks Ghost Rider is bad, then it really must. Poor Nic Cage, he’s in another stinker.

Source: http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/archives/2007/02/ghostrider_open.html
http://popsurfing.blogspot.com/2007/02/does-anyone-care-if-critics-see-movies.html
http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1846&Itemid=99
http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=14510
http://www.canmag.com/nw/6685-no-critic-screenings-ghost-rider
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sony-Admits-Ghost-Rider-Will-Suck-4444.html

 

[Vartha]

OK still doesn't change my mind about going. I think it was kind of a bad move on Sony's part, but, hey I only find that these guys get pissed when it's the people other than them selves don't get to see it 1st and have to wait.

 

[GDM]

I really don't know what to believe anymore. I really want this film to be good. This is not a bad move from SONY. Its a terrible move, and I hate them for that.
I really hope critics like it regardless its being screened late.

 

[FlameHead]

I still don't understand what's has everyones undies in a bunch. It's not like they aren't showing the film to anyone ever. They just are starting around now (as told to us in this thread by Avi and Gary).

We have to remember folks that this movie was only completed 2 weeks ago.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Wow the NYPOST story continues to spread like fire. What is a studio behind Tarbithia doing this? LOL I almost seems like an agenda by the press who for some reason have the inability to understand the film was just completed and it is being screened early.

 

[Blanket-Man]

Wow, these conspiracy theories are flying everywhere now! We need to come up with a catchy name, like Screeningate.

Oh, well, I'll be there opening day, regardless, to judge for myself!

 

[FlameHead]

This was posted by MSJ in another thread which I'm pretty sure is now deleted. Figured I'd post it here in case some missed it...

Hey guys. Wow, so much speculation! It always amazes me how good news (like yesterday's review) just sits there while (incorrect) bad news spreads like wildfire! Here's the truth: The movie is being screened for the press tomorrow on the 8th as we have our junket on Thursday and Friday of this week.

MSJ

 

[FlameHead]

And here is my reply to that post before I realized it was a deleted thread....

Thanks for stoppin' by Mark and letting us know all this. Some people really jump on a negative thought and run with it, causing others to do so as well. It's sad to see. It seems this movie has always had a lot of negative opinions and sometimes it seems people make crap up just to hold onto that negative opinion. They can't let themselves change their minds from a previous, un educated thought.

OH, and it's awesome that you gave SHH the first look. You are one of them (us) afterall...

 

[Advanced Dark]

I contacted IESB and got them to update their report on the NY Post lie:

http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1846&Itemid=99

Update: It may appear that the original story may not be true. MSJ and

Avi Arad have gone on SHH! forums to say that the story over at the New York Post is false.
While I am no film critic, I will be seeing the film tonight with our fellow junketeers to take part of a press conference that Sony will be holding tomorrow.
Stay tuned later tonight as we give a quick blurb on wether we agree with SHH! review and our two cents on the film.

 

[thegameq]

Hey guys,
Avi Arad and Gary Foster here.

We wanted to chime in on all this speculation. Here is the scoop:

We just completed a fantastic international tour where the film screened all around Europe.

Our junket begins tomorrow and 75 plus journalists are seeing the film.

Of course we screened it for Mirko and SHH. You saw the review.

Theater owners across the country saw it last week and were thrilled with the film and expect big attendance.

There are promotional screenings being held across the country next week.

Next week reviewers who haven't seen it will have the opportunity.

Don't worry. We can't wait for February 16th to roll around so that everyone can see our cool GHOST RIDER.

Avi and Gary

 

[Advanced Dark]

Canmag & Cinemablend have been contacted too.

 

[FlameHead]

Great work AD!

 

[Mr Nick]

It's depressing but understandable that people have become conditioned to think no press screening or a late press screening equals a stinker. It's going to put off a lot of people, even if the film is really good.

Sony should immediately attach any positive reviews to their web ads, billboards and TV spots, IMO.

 

[thegameq]

Hmmm....for all the hubub, I don't think the critics reviews will vary to much from what we're already hearing. GR sounds like a good film, not great, good. In betwen Spidey and DD, pretty much what many suspected from the get go.

 

[Vartha]

Wow, these conspiracy theories are flying everywhere now! We need to come up with a catchy name, like Screeningate.

I hate to sound like a Doubting Thomas, but the "GR was just finished two weeks ago" story is a bit convenient, isn't it? Wasn't this film originally scheduled for release in August? Yet, after getting an extra five months, the production team still couldn't get it done in time for early press screenings? Just a little fishy.

Oh, well, I'll be there opening day, regardless, to judge for myself!

Well ALOT of detail has gone into the CGI, I'm glad they took so long.
Remember how some people out there that saw Spider-Man and was picky enough to say the cgi was terrible? I'm glad GR was done right.

 

[Spidey 2007]

man, i cant wait for this movie, now that ive read people jumping on GR's back fr not being screened early... well.. they are in for a suprise let me tell ya!

I have full faith this will be awesome and suprise, just about everyone.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Everyone add your comments here to state this bull**** rumor is false from the NY Post:

http://www.cinematical.com/2007/02/08/ghost-rider-to-be-held-from-critics/1#c3346745

 

[Vartha]

Done AD

 

[FlameHead]

I'm going to all the place I got an alert from through google and posting now about it.

Good Idea AD.

 

[Mr Nick]

Sent them a few facts to clarify the situation. I hope people read the comments.

 

[CAH]

Wonderful Job Guys...Wonderful. Keep it up, and we'll prove that GR IS being screened for critics...of course they will all eventually know anyways.

AD, I have to say man....way to go! You're like a freaking idol of mine man...




So...how was everyone's day?! t:

CAH