The Hunger Games vs John Carter from Mars
Two previews created major ripples this month, but we’ve too been busy wrapping up last year to think too far in the future. Ready to recalibrate the expectation meter and reboot our to safe-mode matinee mentality? John Carter from Mars opens March 9. The Hunger Games, two weeks later. March 23.
The Hunger Games is clocking in securely among the top tier of the year’s most anticipated movies (on today’s 2011 forecast poll.) That’s no surprise, but John Carter might be. I’ve heard advance word from people we trust who’ve seen enough of Andrew Stanton’s retro sci-fi epic, people who say it’s a lot better than first impressions had led us to believe. We know Oscar ambitions are officially packed away for a few weeks when we can talk about which new movies might simply be a fun ride without trying to turn them into trophy-magnet bandwagons.
John Carter from Mars featurettes, after the cut.
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I donut think the odds will be forever in John Carter’s favor. Or today, tomorrow or the immediate future. This looks bad, people. Heaven’s Gate bad. Mars Needs Moms bad. Any Adam Sandler comedy of the past 5 years-bad.
I have enough faith in Stanton that this won’t be a total dud, but yeah, I’m going to have to hear a LOT of great things about John Carter to actually go see it. Never read the Hunger Games books and frankly, the trailer just made it seem like a junior league Battle Royale — it’s another ‘wait and see’ for me.
Frankly, I doubt we’ll be mentioning either of these come Oscar time 2012.
The Hunger Games has J. Lawrence…..who, in my book, was the Best Actress last year in Winter’s Bone. I. Can’t. Wait. I’ve heard all the Battle Royale grumbling. Never seen nor read Battle Royale. Doesn’t matter. Different stories with similar ideas or plots can actually be quite different and independently good. Simply not seeing something for any reason like this, well, feels incredibly ignorant to me. But, I will watch anything and give it a chance…..I love movies.
John Carter, I probably won’t spring for the theater just b/c it’s not my personal favorite kind of movie and with the price of tickets these days and so many movies that do fall in my “favorite” types, John will wait for Netflix I’m guessing.
Apparently a fan-made trailer, endorsed by Stanton himself, gives a much better indication of what the film is about: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/22/john-carter-fan-trailer/
I hope John Carter and The Dark Knight Rises, Ice Age 4, and Men in Black 3 don’t get snubbed out of the Best Picture race like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Dark Knight, Men in Black, and the Adventures of Tin Tin.
well, John Carter, Men in Black 3 and Ice Age 4 definitely will get snubbed out of the Best Picture race.
I’m having stomach cramps even writing this, but I agree with PaulH. Despite Andrew Stanton’s involvement, John Carter does look dreadful. But I’ve heard the same thing too, Ryan. Apparently it’s not bad! That could help out its box office a little in the short-term, and quite a lot in the long-term, although perhaps not with The Hunger Games close on the horizon.
To conclude, as bad as it may look, it may actually be alright. But as alright as it may be, it’ll still surely bomb. Its budget is $250million. Not a hope it reaches that domestically.
Both of them look bad.
As I said elsewhere, there is a lot of talent behind The Hunger Games, and the core material is solid (at least the first book, the second and third are terrible.) It could be a good movie. But I think the desire to make it young adult friendly will dumb it down from what it could be, a dystopian nightmare with plenty of social commentary on our present day.
Disney will sell lots of toys to cover the budget shortfall on John Carter. I wouldn’t be surprised, if it does decent overseas box office, to see a sequel or two despite the gloomy domestic outlook. There are 11 books in the series – plenty of source material.
Don’t judge the book by its cover. Remember that folks.
@Rudi Mentär like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2?
Off-topic – just throwing this idea out there.
The upcoming three or so months has little to offer in terms of Award Coverage (unless you want to tackle the Tonys!) so I think it would be fun to revisit some past years in an in-depth passion. I’m not sure how easy it is to set up polls on here, but I think it would be fun to go back to years past and come up with our own lists of nominations and winners now that we know a lot more than we do.
A lot of us here like film more than we like the Oscars, so I think this might be a good way for us to talk about old favorites, both renowned and forgotten. It may even allow some of us to find some gems we’ve never seen before.
“Epic” movies that are released this early on in the year have an undeniable trend. They tend to suck ass.
I have no hopes for either of the two to break any new ground, or be on the minds of Academy voters by the time next year’s awards season kicks in. That’s just funny, let’s be real here.
They both have a strong enough fanbase, Hunger Games moreso, but is Jennifer Lawrence really a name that’s going to pull a lot of people? Me thinks no. She’s a greatly gifted actress and if the movie does well it can propell her to stardom, but on name alone, doubtful.
Same with John Carter. Who is this guy? I know who he is because I’ve seen the terrible X:Men Wolverine Origins and I’m a fan of Gambit the character but does the regular Joe or Jill know him? The thing that John Carter has over Hunger Games is that white ape scene which really does look massive and something to experience at the movies. Also, Willem Dafoe and Mark Strong alone make the cast of Hunger Games look silly.
Not holding up hope for either of these, and will wait to read reviews before I venture into the theater. Battle Royale will never be topped so I don’t even want to compare this Hunger Games to that masterpiece. John Carter looks to have a much more interesting premise, new world unexplored, more beautiful sets and action pieces. Hunger Games could shed light on today’s society, values, upbringing and so forth.
Both have some pros and cons, but at this stage both look like the perennial fodder that’s fed to the masses on a year-to-year basis to have them switch their brains off and grab their wallets, like zombies who don’t following the smell of flesh but the sound of flash.
They both have a strong enough fanbase, Hunger Games moreso,
Moreso. I’ll say. The Hunger Games fanbase is smart and enthusiastic. The heat for this movie is palpable in realms of the internet where a better class of fangirls and fanboys hang out.
This built-in audience is quite well-aware that Jennifer Lawrence is a 21-yr-old Oscar nominee. This is no Twilight. This is a book with a brain and meaningful meat on its bones. A director with a fantastic sense of style and a proven knack for visual flair in the service of heart and genuine emotion.
Look for an enormous opening weekend and it’s going to be pass $100mil in the blink of an eye.
This is star-making vehicle of the highest order. The entire cast looks terrific Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth. Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson have incredibly fun and juicy roles. Oscar-winning editors, and Clint Eastwood’s cinematographer, Tom Stern. Scored by T-Bone Burnett & James Newton Howard.
Lionsgate knows how to handle PR and they’ve done a classy job building buzz. All the elements are in place. Now all The Hunger Games needs is to live up to these demanding expectations.
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss is going to soar as the most empowered young lady of the 2012. She’s a blend of Hanna and Lisbeth, I’m not kidding you.
Oscar Schmoscar, who knows, we’ll see. It hardly matters. Can we not start slathering Oscar scent over movies for a few weeks? Why do we need that pressure already? Because who’s hankering for another Uggie on the red carpet so soon?
well, I would like to see Donald Sutherland get a nomination for something, so maybe The Hunger is his shot? We’ve finally had one elder Canadian thespian finally receive his due, so I think it’s finally time for Kiefer’s dad to get some Oscar love.
By the way, I think 0C0300 is being facetious (at least to a certain degree).
alan of montreal
going by the book, the role Donald Sutherland plays isn’t substantial enough for a nomination. It’s more along the lines of Famous-Face-Cameo stars as Somebody-Important-but-Marginal with not many lines. Think Brando as Superman’s Dad.
Your enthusiasm and back-end knowledge has intrigued me to look into this Hunger Games a little more closely. What I said above still stands on the basis of the posted trailers alone (I didn’t see neither Hanna nor Lisbeth there), but you make a good case as to why this one could make some good bucks and become a hit.
I’m a fan of Woody Harrelson, big time. The guy’s always a pleasure to watch so I hope his role is big and important along with fun and juicy in this one.
And I just realized Gary Ross was directing. I remember loving Seabiscuit quite a lot. So that’s certainly made things a bit more interesting.
Have you read the book(s)? Do you recommend?
the trailers are a bit of a fumble. Hope that’s not a bad omen. I could be wrong; maybe I’m being too much a fangirl.
The guy’s always a pleasure to watch so I hope his role is big and important along with fun and juicy in this one.
I haven’t seen the screenplay, but based on what I see in the novel he plays a hilariously sloppy drunk with lots of scenes. And interesting character arc.
Hunger Games will destroy John Carter in quality and box office. The end.
I can’t help but still be hopeful for “John Carter” based on Stanton’s name alone. I’m reminded of how terrible many were predicting “Hugo” to be based on the trailers. Now, I’m not saying Stanton has earned a place next to Scorsese, but let’s try to remember that trailers are made to try to put even the drooliest of morons in the theater. Remember the trailer for “The Road?”
@alan of montreal was that an insult?
Donald Sutherland’s role is miniscule in the first film (I don’t think he even makes an appearance in the first book other than references to him) but his role is definitely expanded in the second and third books. There is a scene in the opening pages of the second book that if handled on screen properly could readily propel someone to an Oscar.
As for the books, once you remember they are for audiences 12 and up, they aren’t bad, they aren’t Charlotte’s Web or Bridge to Terabithia good, but they are an entertaining read. I, along with most people I know who read it, finished the first book in a day or two. I’ve not known anyone to hate the first book who started it. Opinion on the rest of the trilogy is definitely divided.
The first book is tense, exciting and provocative. I think, ultimately, the author is too ambitious for the second and third books and her talent can’t keep up. I think the author, Suzanne Collins, is better suited to keeping a more personal focus.
With that said, I do think the second and third books could be made into good movies without destroying the essence of the trilogy.
Oh, I’ve heard there are supposed to be four movies.
The books are okay (they really get quite violent and bloody). It basically is a re0-tread of Running Man, I’ve never heard of this Battle Royale.
They are also VERY political. It will be interesting to see if the movie picks up that theme. Katniss is a VERY good part (I wouldn’t go as far to say a cross between Lisbeth and Hanna, but good). Jennifer Lawrence should nail it. The triangle between the two Hotties (Hutcherson and Helmsworth should be catnip to gay boys and the teenage girl set.
As for John Carter all I can say is Taylor Klitch Shirtless for 100 minutes!. That is all.
From all that I’ve seen of The Hunger Games, it’s best bet for an Oscar lays in it’s costumes, make-up and art direction.
It does look very faithful to the book, though. Gary Ross is writing the script, and he’s great, so that will be a positive aspect of the film.
From all that I’ve seen of The Hunger Games, it’s best bet for an Oscar lays in it’s costumes, make-up and art direction.
That may be true.
I’d like to remind everybody that it’s ok to be interested in movies that the Oscars might completely ignore.
Until the Oscars exhibit better taste, to say a movie is “not a Oscar movie” will continue to be a badge of honor.
Not-Oscar-movies include Shame, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Take Shelter. Not-Oscar-movies include some of my favorite movies of all time. Some of the greatest movies of all time are Not-An-Oscar-Movie.
Oscar movies can be great, and Oscar movies can be steaming turds.
We’ll be talking about dozens of movies all year long that the Oscars will overlook. I get bored with hearing about “the Oscar chances” of movies that don’t give a damn about the Oscars.
Lawrence is hot…..Hunger Games already have my 5.50, maybe 8 bucks.
I might see John Carter but….I am not really a fan of Taylor Kitsch but I do love me some Stanton. I dunno. Might use the reviews to decide on this one.
I LOVE The Hunger Games. I can’t wait for this film. I will say this though, the trailer doesn’t show near enough to draw a wider audience. Sure it sets up something but there is nothing in it that shows they are about to fight to the death which would draw more people possibly. I was hoping by now we’d see more of the movie in a commercial or another internet trailer release.
I’m also kind of scared this film will fall under that typical early year release of an “epic” movie to be bad, but every now and then a film does sneak in there and tend to be good. Look at Cloverfield. Film was pretty epic for its “monster attack” genre and did better than expected with reviews and with box office.
However, I’m still going to see it (and hopefully there are still midnight tickets available).
This movie will make bank, and it will have no problem attracting a wider audience if it’s good. I like the trailers I’ve seen. It’s nice to see a trailer that doesn’t give away the whole story.
Box Office wise Hunger Games is looking at some serious numbers. A $100m+ opening weekend and potential for $300m+ domestic total. Huge.
John Carter right now is in a more precarious position. I think at best its looking at a $30-$40m opening weekend and a $80-$120m total. Not bad but not good considering the budget. Thats state-side offcourse, worldwide it should be stronger.
Regardless Im looking forward to both, as well as The Avengers and American Pie : Reunion which are also coming in the next couple of months. These wont be oscar contenders but look to be alot of fun.
John Carter will surprise a lot of people. It deserves a much better marketing campaign than it received from Disney. I hope audiences give it a chance.
Advance ticket sales for The Hunger Games is strong and several showings (still a month away!) are already sold out. There is HUGE buzz with this movie. This is the first movie outside of Twilight and HP that teens and those under 30 will actually wait in line to see. I don’t know about the legs the movie will have but the first couple of weeks it will easily cross into $100 million range.
I have no idea how John Carter will do. This is one of those movies that could be a big flop or a huge success.
This new 1 minute TV spot for the Hunger Games does a good job showing off the direction Gary Ross decided to take:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qBASTjUGKt8
Ok i admit the first time i heard about Hunger Games movie i was afraid they woud make it to much like Battle Royal since i love the hunger games and unlike some people dont think its a BR ripoff ,and i both watched and read BR but i was afraid that Hollywood woud make it to simmiler since BR is aleready a movie, but from what i saw it looks very different, and hopefully it woudbe as diferent as BR as possible so all this ripoff debate will be over. Now sorry BR fans but the movie was hardly a masterpiese read Manga instead it has way better charecter development.