Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Matrix Reprisal

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Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-02-2000, 11:49 PM:

Is anyone else here getting Matrix for another run? With it getting four academy award nominations, a few select theaters in New York and Los Angeles are getting a second run for The Matrix. I was able to book a copy of it as well for my little podunk theater out here in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Personally I thought it was one of the best films ever made, and when you put it on a huge screen and blast peoples ears out with a top notch sound system, there is NO compromise.

Just curious if anyone else is snagging this film...

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-03-2000, 01:30 AM:

Remember the girl who played Switch? (the blonde in the main group). Well, as you may well know, this film was filmed in Sydney, Australia.

The girl's real name is Belinda McClorey and she was the manager of the cinema I was working at at the same time The Matrix was being filmed.

By day she would be playing opposite Keanu Reeves and Larry Fishbourne and by night she would be scooping Choc Top ice creams behind the concession stand.

Both ends of the cinema industry in a single day...

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 03-03-2000, 02:14 AM:

Dave,

Are you getting any coop advertising for Matrix? What are you doing to market it?

Ky is of the opinion that you will not make any money with it. I say, go for it! I'd give you $7 to see it on the big screen again. Ky thinks that because it is on video that you won't do well.

I hope you do well.

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 03-03-2000, 10:41 AM:

I saw "The Matrix" again on Feb. 29. I too have great respect for this film far beyond the ear and eye candy it provides. It's a great film, full of great concepts, good writing and acting, and production design that can't be beat, both in CGI and real design. In some ways it fills in some of the concepts that Kubrick intended to cover in the never-to-be-made "A.I." ("Artificial Intelligence") he had proposed back in the 1970's, but didn't since the technology to make what he wanted didn't exist at that time.

Not many people saw Larry and Andy Wachowski's "Bound" from 1996, but it signaled that these guys can make a great movie. I expect that sometimes in the future, "The Matrix" will be considered one of the finest films to come out of the last half of the 20th Century. Remember too that a sequel is being worked on right now.

But as a booker, I, like Ky, don't think it has many legs ten months after its theatrical release and now that the video and DVD are available. But let us know how it did for you on this forum 'cause bookers are always looking for films that you can bring back and do business. We love being surprised!

BTW, "American Beauty" has legs. We played it three times last year and it did well for all three runs. This was long before the awards were piled on it.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-03-2000, 10:57 AM:

I'm beginning to think that I was the only one who was unimpressed with The Matrix. Sure, it was worth seeing, but I wouldn't put it on my "greatest films of all time" list.

On the other hand, "Bound" was great; it was one of the best films of '96.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-03-2000, 01:45 PM:

Well Ky is not alone in thinking it will not do well. However when we dumped it five months ago it was still pulling no less than 70 per show. The demand to bring it back here has been huge. As far as coop from WB they wont budge unless we make the ticket price 7 bucks, but we are set to make it just three bucks. I agree Ian that many would pay that much to see it again, but I am not that daring. We have to dole out a measely 38 percent back to WB with a $325 guarantee, so I am not too terribly worried. Besides, I would gladly pull that money out of my own but to run it even if NO ONE came to see it.

We are going to hang up poster size flyers all over our community letting people know we have it back and for just one week, and that it is an exclusive engagement (not too many times you can say that these days). You put the fear that they may never see it again in the theatres and they swarm like bees on honey.

As for whomever it was that was unimpressed with the Matrix as a film, to each his own. But you have to be in awe of the technical boundaries that it crossed during its creation. It was this film that will inspire an entire new generation of film makers.

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 03-03-2000, 01:51 PM:

I would loooooove to get The Matrix back because we never got a chance to run it through FilmGuard when we last had it. You know those scenes when Keanu and Lawrence were standing in front of a completely white background? What better way to show off how clean your print is! Especially if the print was used when you got it.

We recently got a rerelease of The Insider. The used print we got was filthy. Two-minute warning? Nope, we're talking a four minute warning. But with FilmGuard, the print was almost completely cleaned up by the end of the first weekend. Unfortunately, we lost the print after only one week's run (cause nobody came to see it), but it turns out that's all it needed. The print was perfect when it left.

Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 03-03-2000, 05:35 PM:

I enjoyed "The Matrix" because of its quirky, offbeat style, but it sometimes suffered from plot flaws (human beings as batteries?), hokey new-age wisdom, and unrealistic effects. To be sure, most sci-fi movies suffer from plot flaws and unrealistic effects, to me the result of writers, directors, and graphic artists that don't know much science and are unconcerened with making amazing adventures realistic and sleek machines functional.

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 03-03-2000, 08:17 PM:

Scott Norwood: You are NOT alone...

I felt that David Cronenberg's 'eXistenZ' did a far better job at exploring the themes that 'The Matrix' wanted to be about - it was also a more involving and hypnotic experience for me. Of course, the Cronenberg version is not an 'action' film, so...

'The Matrix' was also too derivative. It borrowed heavily from 'The Terminator', 'A Nightmare on Elm St.', 'The Thing', and especially 'Total Recall'. All of these are far superior films in my opinion. They were more original and better excecuted, with more reliance on original ideas.

Also, it suffered from overexposition: the middle of the film featured Lawrence Fishburne in a never-ending explanation of the plot (to the audience and to Kneau Reeves). Don't tell us - show us. By contrast, 'The Terminator' used a page of expository text at the beginning, and a brief scene in the carpark (2 minutes tops?). For the most part, the audience is as much in the dark as the protagonist, which is a very good thing - it's more involving this way.

So there you have it - not all 'batteries' enjoyed the Matrix.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-04-2000, 03:01 PM:

I don't even know what to say to respond to these rather sterile and disparaging reviews of the Matrix. Funny thing is I have seen nearly ten thousand movies in my life and comparatively, I found very litte that matches up to the Matrix. It could be that I actually went in to enjoy the film and I never care if they steal from another film. A great author once said, "plaugerism is the highest form of flattery". All directors plaugerize from others, you actually have to have seen all movies ever made to realize it. Even Cronenberg steals from the best. Its part of life, you take what works and go with it. Its what makes life so interesting, you wait and see what joe blow number 2 will do with what number 1 didnt. Its why we go to the movies, to be amazed, dazzled, impressed, and overall, entertained.

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Ky Boyd (Member # 23) on 03-04-2000, 07:02 PM:

So Dave, how is Matrix doing at the box office? Curious minds want to know. Maybe we should say its really an art film and run it here...at least it could be more of an art film than The 9th Gate, which Artisan is currently pressuring me to take...but that's another story. Ky

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-04-2000, 09:49 PM:

our copy wont come in until 3/10. However advance sales are already taking off. Of the possible 9100 tickets available for the week we have pre-sold about 400 (started today). We expect to sell out just about every show, and raise about 10 grand in DESPERATELY NEEDED capital. The response has been great so far but I will keep you updated on just how well it does.

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 03-16-2000, 03:07 PM:

Ok, Dave,

Fess up. Matrix has been on your screen a week. How did it do? We want Attendance, Grosses and PerCap, if you can.

Ian & Ky

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-16-2000, 04:51 PM:

We had an unfortunate circumstance that just killed The Matrix showing. We had done some pretty good marketing and sold many tickets in advance, and then the disaster.

1. Our booker decided to overbook our theatre and shoved matrix to only one show per day. This while he still insisted he get his huge fee. We had to refund all of the presold tickets.

2. Our DTS system took a vacation, and we blew out our last exciter bulb. All of our spares turned out to be burned out. Hence the need for a new projectionist. Last I looked we threw the old ones out and ordered new ones. So we lost two shows.

3. As far as total attendance, we had just a mere 315 to date. Just barely enough to pay for the print and delivery. The percaps were great on that particular show. About 3.50 per attendee. So it wasn't a complete loss.

4. I actually got fed up with our company's procedures and packed up my stuff and went out the door. I still have partnership issues to contend with, but for all intents and purposes, "I QUIT THE PLAY" (running gag from a theater production here in SLC, UT). I am still here, but purely in an advisory capacity. We were supposed to open a stage prodution this week, but the owner of the building pulled his support saturday afternoon. Of course I am the one holding the bag.

5. I cannot say if I will actually continue here much longer, other than to produce some stage shows. The stress of trying to compete with a theater that is just 60 feet from my door has totally wreaked havoc on what is left of my brain. I love my work but cant keep up this schedule much longer.

So the matrix did not pay off, but we have much to blame for it, but mostly in hindsite, I blame myself for not insisting on many things and sticking to it. I myself am deciding whether or not to pack it in and give up, with one competitor 60 feet from my door and a megaplex just less than a mile from my back door. Our desire to turn this place into a dinner theater looks promising, but I just wont hold my breath anymore, starting to turn purple I am.

So ramble on I go, into the summer heat, fresh from the winter snow... HOHOHO...

(I REALLY NEED A BEER, WITH A FILM-GUARD CHASER)!!!!!

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Ky Boyd (Member # 23) on 03-16-2000, 06:24 PM:

Ah yes, fun with exciter bulbs. Had some of that myself last week while Ian was at ShoWest. We had a somewhat panicked phone call (Thank goodness Ian was where I could get him on his cell on the tradeshow floor), but I now know how to change an exicter lamp bulb and where we keep them.

Dave, you have my sympathy... I can totally understand your frustration. I do, however have a couple of questions. 1) Who is your booker? 2) Why is your booker setting showtimes? Here in Santa Rosa we have a booker too, but I have final approval over everything they do and I set the schedule. I'd definitely get a knew projectionist, but I'd also take a good hard look at your relationship with your booker...it sounds like that is the source of some of your problems. E-mail me at kboyd@rialtocinemas.com and I can be more specific regarding booking stuff. Hang in there...take a day off before you totally bow out. Ky

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-16-2000, 09:44 PM:

Surley Mark at GTS could have fixed you up with an excitor lamp
Matrix does a solid 350 per show alternating nites with Fight CLub at cinesphere
The spring hit is the IMAX DOLPHINS for us and is selling out most shows As all the staff says to IMAX who gave Fantasia 2000 to the partnered Famous Player Imax theatre
Bite me

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-16-2000, 10:12 PM:

Unfortunately it was rather late at night. But we had spares in our wharehouse. Couldnt get to them until next day.

At least I found out what was wrong with the DTS system. You see it works now. And it worked then. But when you have a projectionist that INSISTS that it is looped through the DTS reader, and it isnt, you will never get the digital sound. Im not sure why that is, maybe its because I AM NOT THAT STUPID!!!! AAAAUGH.... at least my projectionist had the honor to admit she was a retard.

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Michael Cunningham (Member # 210) on 03-17-2000, 04:09 AM:

As to the issue of "returning prints" making any money, The Sixth Sense has been a real bonus for us since the Oscar nominations came out. We've been running it for almost eight months straight and are continuing to sell out shows even though it comes out on video in the next few weeks. The Matrix should do even better on its re-release.

-Mike

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 03-17-2000, 05:13 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Gordon McLeod:

The spring hit is the IMAX DOLPHINS for us and is selling out most shows As all the staff says to IMAX who gave Fantasia 2000 to the partnered Famous Player Imax theatre
Bite me

We start Dolphins here soon. I sure hope it'll be the hit you say it is Gordon. Although, after previewing it the other day, I'm no more impressed than when I first saw the trailer. Still, you never know...

Our biggest this year is "Cirque du Soliel" in 3D. (It is actually called "Journey Of Man" but marketing thought (correctly) that this title well...sucked).

Our biggest so far would have to have been "Everest" followed closely by "T-Rex". We had to have two prints of each of these so we could still keep our 'On the hour - every hour' standards and still run them every session. (Rewinding time, you know...)

We also missed out on "Fantasia" but not to any competition. (There IS no competition). Our bosses simply could not agree to the conditions of Disney. Doesn't seem to have mattered much though as we're doing fine with what we've got and we're not paying top dollar to Disney. "Fantasia" opens 'in cinemas everywhere' here May 22. When is it let loose over there?

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 03-17-2000, 09:54 AM:

Since there's so many Matrix fans responding here, maybe somebody can tell me why Switch was the only one who wore white. And what's with the religious suggestions?

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"All right, brain. You don't like me and I don't like you, but let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer." - Homer Simpson

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-17-2000, 10:18 AM:

Michael Cunningham,

How's that 8 month old print holding up? I just LOVE to hold onto a print forever. It shows just how damn good my operation is! There's nothing better than having a district manager do an audit and get absolutely furious insisting that we ordered a brand new print behind his back 6 months down the road, thus costing the company $3000 when we did not. (Remember that Mr.D? I was going to be fired until the studio and TES verified that was our ORIGINAL 6 month old print of "Toy Story 1" you were looking at.)

What I can't stand is when I play a print for 3-4 months, drop it and then pick it back up 2 weeks later only to find it's a DIFFERENT print in horrid condition.

[This message has been edited by Brad Miller (edited 03-17-2000).]

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-20-2000, 04:22 PM:

Well Chad, I am not sure about the white thing, but as far as the religeous implications of THE MATRIX, this movie is what is commonly reffered to as a MESSIAH movie. Neo is actually christ, Trinity is the lord, Morpheus is John the Baptist, etc. Neo is killed, comes back to life, slays the devil, and ascends into heaven. Notice he doesnt even know of his importance until he reaches maturity. THE MATRIX is nothing more than the bible with the names changed to protect the innocent.

Mind you its a pretty creative way to get people to go to church, dont ya think?

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by Michael Cunningham (Member # 210) on 03-22-2000, 01:41 AM:

Hey Brad,

The print actually looks really good!?! Not exactly brand spanking new, but really close. We have managers and projectionists sent over from other theatres to take a look at it. I guess the District Manager wants them to see how it's supposed to be done. Anyway, we have just been allowed to order Film Guard for the first time and I'm anxious to see what it can do for this print. I'll probably report later.

-Mike

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 03-28-2000, 01:33 PM:

I note that The Matrix won four AAs, for every category it was nominated. Since it was overlooked as best pix (it was certainly one of the best five pix from '99) and for everything else, is it possible that it got the four semi-technical awards not only because it deserved them, but that it was a way for Academy members to indicate how much they liked it?

Posted by timothy johnson (Member # 83) on 03-31-2000, 08:25 AM:

thank GOD matrix beat out Star Wars Episode One on FX and sound, George was a hero of mine until he released that piece of crap. God forbide George made a movie with heart and plot, but instead he made a cartoon. and the academy made a statement by not awarding him any oscars, just think, in 1977 Star Wars A new hope was nominated for best picture,what went wrong George?

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 03-31-2000, 10:37 AM:

Star Wars was Georges best work, then he took a 20 year hiatus. It isnt easy getting back on that bike. Maybe perhaps he should have practiced a little first, maybe shooting a pre-prequel, you know, to see if ANYONE on earth would be irritated by that damned jarjar charachter.

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"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 04-02-2000, 01:41 AM:

I just wish he'd made eps 7,8 + 9 instead of 1,2 + 3. It's a much more logical way to go and you can show off new digital gadgets without looking like a dick.

Back to The Matrix, a theatre here in Sydney is running a double of The Matrix and Dark City a couple of times this week. Did you know they were both made right here in Sydney?

Michael Barry, I guess you'll get to run it. That should make you happy! The Matrix being one of your all time favourite films...

I'll let you know how the double goes...

Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 04-08-2000, 11:15 AM:

Well, it turns out that I wasn't rostered on for those days...for a moment there I thought I had it beat...

Fear not, however: I was endowed with the even more inspiring task of breaking/tearing it down from 6000' spools! Did I really think I was going to escape?