Chapter 160: The film critic actually said good things
"The response in Colombia has been positive. My feedback from various news channels also said that the attendance rates everywhere are pretty good. If your estimate is correct, the box office on Saturday and Sunday will be better due to word-of-mouth spread."
Weintraub called Ronald on Saturday morning. He went through the cycle of frustration and excitement several times last night. In the early morning, he got feedback from Colombia and finally couldn't help but talk to Ronald.
Ronald shares the good news.
"I know, everything is as expected." Ronald replied perfunctorily.
"Now we hope to stay on the screen for a longer time. Columbia's distribution department said it will probably exceed ten weeks." Weintraub continued to chatter.
"Hmm... um...", Ronald finally finished listening to the other party's nagging, and then hung up the phone.
"Who's calling?" The sleepy Diane hooked her arm around Ronald's neck, "Hehehe..."
"It's my producer. It seems that the box office response last night was good."
"Your movies always get high box office." Diane was pierced by the sunlight coming from the curtains opened by Ronald. She threw herself into Ronald's arms. "It's just that the film critics don't want to say
Kind words for you."
"Hey, yes." Ronald hugged the girl tightly in his arms. Last night, Diane came to Los Angeles to audition for a new movie. The two reunited after a long separation, and it was quite sweet.
It is true that he is not liked by film critics. Except for the first film "Fast Pace", which was said a few good things by the New York film critic Pauline Carr, the film critics from the famous New York media are not willing to review his films.
The two brothers in Chicago, bald Cisco and glasses Albert, are always at odds with themselves, always giving themselves very low scores, and then criticizing the plot.
Even though his two exploitation films were blockbuster hits, they were not liked by film critics.
"How was the audition for your new movie?" Ronald asked Diane.
"Hmm... um... um..." Diane buried her head in Ronald's chest, unwilling to mention the failed audition.
"Streets of Rage" was released last week. Not only Diane, but also the film's producers and directors were hit hard by the market. Their prospects in Hollywood have become bleak. Although the casting director politely invited Diane
I went back and waited for news, but everyone understood that it was just a courtesy.
"I..." Ronald also shook his head and did not mention his proposal to act with Diane. After being rejected several times, he understood that as long as actresses who have received systematic acting education still have a way to go,
He is unwilling to lower his status to act in a low-budget exploitation film.
Even if these movies are blockbusters, they won't do much good for the actor's star career. Unless they have no choice but to start from scratch on the ladder of fame, or they have no pursuit of acting skills and just want to make movies and make money, everyone will try to avoid them.
Falling into this kind of movie.
This has nothing to do with the close relationship between the two, but is determined by the Hollywood industry. Ronald slowly stroked Diane's short hair, allowing her to recover from the frustration of the failed audition.
"Ah, I also had an appointment with producer Joe Silver. He said that 'Streets of Rage' 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 more 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 on the ground on the other side of the bed and handed it over. The two of them were very passionate last night and their clothes fell all over the floor.
"Honey, I'm leaving first." Diane hurriedly got into the bathroom and took a shower. After getting dressed, she said goodbye to Ronald and left.
“Drive carefully”
"I know, Ronnie."
The beauty left in a hurry, leaving Ronald alone at home. Diane's ambition was still to be a female star, and for this goal she was unwilling to stay by her side for a long time.
For an actress who has seen Hollywood's first-line female stars from afar to give up her acting career and become a trophy wife to prove her husband's status, she is definitely not willing to do so.
In this case, it would be good to maintain the current relationship, and maybe I can help her in the future.
"Ronald, look at today's New York Times."
Ronald was having brunch when he 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. It seemed that the New York Times said a lot of good things.
"Janet Maslin, The New York Times," Weintraub cleared his throat.
Much of "The Dragon King," the best part, seems like a fortune cookie motto.
In Hollywood-style Eastern wisdom, a teenager named Daniel is taught one lesson after another about life. His mentor is an old man named Mr. Miyagi, played by Noriyuki Morita (Pat).
Miyagi is first seen trying to catch flies with a pair of chopsticks. Throughout the film, Mr. Miyagi maintains an eye-catching, even hilarious, eccentric style.
Mr. Miyagi easily becomes the perfect surrogate father figure for Daniel, thanks to the old man's patience, understanding, and seemingly infinite knowledge.
In Daniel's opinion, his amazing mastery of karate was another asset, since the boy had just moved to California from New Jersey and often found himself being ravaged by big blond bullies who dressed like Michael Jackson. Mr. Miyagi taught him how Protect yourself and become a man in the process.”
"Giggle..." It seems that this film critic does not like MJ's diamond bling dressing style. Indeed, many street teenagers imitate it, Ronald smiled.
""The Kid", which was released simultaneously at the Ziegfeld Cinema and more than a thousand other cinemas across the country today, may become a long-lost, truly heart-warming double drama. The young screenwriter and director Ronald is not satisfied with Just get things done.
His film is full of extras, from supporting characters who are almost all impressive in their own way, to the unexpected climactic coup. If some of the sun-kissed montage shots could be deleted, the pace of the film would be more suitable for modern audiences. .
This movie is essentially a fairy tale. Ronald Lee's wonderful directorial skills often make us forget this. Instead, we feel that the friendship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi is so real that I fell in love with it. "
"Ronald, it's me, Los Angeles Times."
Weintraub was so stunned that every time there was a new film review, he would call and read it to Ronald in person.
"Yeah, he's a bit silly for a fairy tale movie.
Yes, he has the cliche that all sports movies have: a frustrated boy, under the guidance of a coach full of experience and wisdom, defeated a strong opponent and won the 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 Los Angeles-based emerging director Ronald Lee, is so unpretentious yet so intoxicating.
This is not just a sports movie, but a child's heroic journey. It is a common dream for everyone who has experienced being bullied by someone stronger than you when they were in school. The weak overcomes the strong, and justice defeats evil... Just like a teenager.
version of 'Rocky'.
To all the parents out there, if you haven't seen this movie yet, I suggest you go with your kids right away so they can feel this inner courage and strength."
"Hmm... I'm not Rocky!" Ronald was very happy at first, but then he saw others saying that his story was like Stallone's "Rocky". How exactly was it similar?
"Ronald...it's me again, this time with The Hollywood Reporter and Variety Weekend Edition."
"Unexpectedly fascinating..."
"A great family movie that your kids will love."
"Ronald..."
"I said Jerry, I still need to have dinner, can't we talk tomorrow?" Ronald received another call from Weintraub. This man really enjoyed it. The movie review released today is full of praise for "The Kid"
The praise was overwhelming, and Ronald was actually very happy, but it was a bit unbearable to be disturbed again and again.
"No, watch TV, PBS channel, Cisco and Albert are talking about your movie."
"Oh?" Ronald turned on the TV, not knowing what they would say this time.
"After watching Rocky, we know the ending of this movie. One obvious problem is that the movie is too long, maybe thirty minutes longer, and the story is told too slowly.
It only tells a typical Hollywood hero story, that is, how a child transfers to a new school and is accepted by his classmates. It is best not to date the most beautiful girl.
I gave him a thumbs up for just crossing the line."
"Sisko doesn't like our movie?" Ronald was chatting with Weintraub while watching it. This was something he didn't expect. In the Chicago duo, Sisko always tended to give himself high marks.
That one.
"His Tribune readers are middle-class and certainly don't like the plot of a poor boy picking up their daughter." Weintraub knew Sisko's thoughts very well.
"No, no, no, this is not a movie about integrating into a new school, at least not completely. I appreciate it very much and give it two thumbs up." Fat Albert unexpectedly gave it high marks.
"This movie is not like Rocky, where you can predict the ending after seeing the beginning. I don't agree with your statement. The focus of the whole movie is not on the final game, but on teaching."
Albert pushed up his glasses and continued to comment.
"This is the first time I have seen in a martial arts movie that fighting is not the focus. The focus is on the philosophy of martial arts. This philosophy is not only used in martial arts, but can also be used in life."
"What happened? Has the sun risen in the west?" Ronald asked Weintraub in surprise.
"His Sun newspaper has many blue-collar readers. Perhaps their children are being bullied by children from wealthy families at school. Perhaps when they were young, they were also attracted to the rich girls on the plane?"
"Who doesn't?" Ronald chuckled. It turns out that film reviews also depend on the composition of their readers. Only from the readers' perspective can they continue to enjoy this meal for a long time.
Ronald hung up the phone, opened the pizza he ordered, picked up a piece while it was hot and ate it.
"Ring ring ring ring..." The phone rang again.
"Hey, Jerry, I'm eating pizza, stop reading movie reviews to me." Ronald thought there was some new movie review coming out.
"Ronnie, it's me." Aunt Karen's voice came from the other side of the phone.
"Oh, aunt. Hello, I thought it was someone else. Why are you calling me tonight?" Ronald asked. Aunt Karen rarely calls him outside of the routine greetings on weekends.
"I called to congratulate you on finally making a good movie. I asked Donna to buy the tickets immediately.
I...I was very touched, the movie seemed to take me back to the past, when I had just lost Steve and took Donna with me alone."
"Aunt, it's all over. In fact, when I wrote the script, I based it on you as Daniel's mother. She is very optimistic, loves her children, has a strong personality, and works hard..." Ronald began to comfort him, already a little bit more embarrassed.
Aunt Karen.
This was the first time that his aunt liked his movie so much, and Ronald was more excited than the praise from the critics.
"Ronnie, you must come to see her next time you go back to New York. I have something to tell you."
"Can't you say it on the phone? I like to hear you praise me, aunt. Your praise means more to me than what all the film critics say."
"Haha, you did a great job, Ronnie. I'm very happy that the movie you made is just like the Hollywood movies I used to watch when I was a kid, giving voice to all ordinary people."
After chatting with his aunt for a while, Ronald ended his busy day.
The first weekend of "The Kid" passed quickly, and on Monday morning, the new movie box office was released.
"The Kid" earned $5.6 million. It ranked fourth behind "Ghostbusters," "Gremlins," and "Tales of the Devil," surpassing "Star Trek," which was declining rapidly at the box office.
"Searching for Spock".
Although the box office in the first week was not as high as that of "Break Dance", it received collective praise from film critics in magazines and newspapers, and it was considered Ronald's first experience.
"Ronald, Ned Tanen from Universal, and Katzenberg from Paramount have all called to make an appointment with you."
Agent Niceta called.
"Huh? Why?" Ronald was surprised.
"All the reviews for Longwei Boy are all good. Your performance shocked the top seven executives in Hollywood. In their eyes, you can not only make blockbuster exploitation films, but you have been upgraded to a director who can lead mainstream Hollywood feature films."
, they start to trust you."
"It turns out there is a benefit to film critics saying good things." Ronald put down the phone and muttered to himself.