Game Popularity Causing Influx Of "Chick Flicks"
See Full ImageMaybe you hadn't noticed, but the chick flick has enjoyed a big resurgence in the theaters lately. ...or maybe you hadn't noticed.
Well, either way, according to a recent article in UK publication The Telegraph, the ever-increasing popularity of video games with the male population has helped generate this influx of chick flicks in Hollywood. Citing the success of the critically panned "Valentine's Day" as just one example, the article says studio executives believe that as games keep targeting guys, there just isn't enough money to go around. Hence, they sacrifice going to the theaters for the latest, greatest game. Said Peter Guber, chairman of the Mandalay Pictures production company and former studio chief at Sony Pictures:
"A lot of young males are spending much more time on the internet, games and UFC [ultimate fighting]. They have not abandoned movies but they have diminished as a target, while the female audience has remained robust."
A 2009 NPD report suggested that the number of American game players have now surpassed the number of movie goers, but we're willing to bet the vast majority of hardcore gamers are still male. Even so, the number of girl gamers continue to rise - as evidenced by the sheer number of females who send me messages and e-mails every time I question this fact - so perhaps even the chick flicks will go away at some point (God willing). Perhaps Hollywood could try an original concept or storyline for once. You know, something that isn't a remake or based on a book or game. Maybe that'll help. Just a thought.
2/23/2010 9:32:16 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (51 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:10:19 PM
7 up, 4 down
CH1N00K
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:11:22 PM
2 up, 1 down
main_event05
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 8:58:29 AM
1 up, 4 down
HeXeN
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 10:40:46 AM
Is actually quite the opposite.Boxing is hanging by a tread which means is almost dead(Mayweather vs Pacquiao could have bough it more time to live) so MMA(UFC)is going to completely replace it, so expect to see a lot more :)
4 up, 0 down
main_event05
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 11:27:12 AM
Ben, Everyone, I want the above statement to go on official record.
Last edited by main_event05 on 2/24/2010 11:28:52 AM
3 up, 2 down
ace_boon_coon
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 2:38:11 PM
1 up, 1 down
Highlander
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 9:01:22 PM
You're advocating the replacement of Boxing with brawling. Why not give each man a bottle of Jack Daniels before they start? UFC is nothing more than brawling. It reminds of of the so called MMA, both are simply ways of dressing up a fist fight with no rules as a sport. Boxing is a sport, there are rules and specific equipment.
1 up, 2 down
piratedrunk
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 10:12:32 PM
It is even safer for the fighters than boxing when you factor in the count. It is more dangerous for a boxer to get rocked and come back than for a fighter to get punched in the head repeatedly then stop the fight.
1 up, 1 down
Qubex
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 9:59:57 PM
Reply
It was a heart warming story and quite different from what I had just seen, that being Avatar...
You don't need a heavy laden special FX film to enjoy a good story.
Q!
"make.believe"
Last edited by Qubex on 2/23/2010 10:00:07 PM
3 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 11:37:51 PM
1 up, 1 down
Qubex
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 9:09:17 AM
Q!
"make.believe"
2 up, 1 down
Alienange
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:00:08 PM
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8 up, 1 down
Miggy
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:14:18 PM
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2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:15:59 PM
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However, if they go away then we will see an influx of chick games, and not the good kind meant for young males to ogle.
I personally would like to see somebody do something effective in a horror movie, instead of the same old crap, probably have to wait until Del Toro comes out with Lovecrafts "At the Mountains of Madness"
1 up, 0 down
Swim_Irr
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:40:19 PM
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interesting though.
0 up, 0 down
chedison
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 10:59:09 PM
2 up, 1 down
Highlander
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 11:16:08 PM
2 up, 2 down
Swim_Irr
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 12:57:13 AM
lol.
1 up, 0 down
chedison
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 11:34:39 PM
ps. your avatar is awesome, actually your name is two 8).
0 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 11:20:45 PM
Reply
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/23/2010 11:37:59 PM
3 up, 2 down
Dancemachine55
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 12:46:52 AM
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2 up, 0 down
randomname
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 1:05:01 AM
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Great article btw.
2 up, 2 down
___________
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 1:20:04 AM
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one thing i really dont get is they put a movie thats been out for 2 weeks in the largest cinema and shutter island which had been out for 2 days and was EXTREMELY! popular in the smallest cinema they had.
i went to the bathroom half way through my movie and the larger cinema was honestly not even a 1/3 full and mine was stuffed to the brim.
that is why i hate going to the movies because you either
1 get stuffed in like a sardine in a can.
2 have to put up with all the di** heads screaming with their laser pointers and chucking popcorn.
3 forced to sit at the front for 3 hours so when you get home your neck is so stiff it could be used for a diving board.
not to mention everything is ludicrously overpriced. 8 bucks for a fu***ng bottle of water!
no thanks, id rather sit in my lounge room nice and comfy and warm with my jack Daniels or even maybe some black galliano sambuca.
only racket i have to worry about there is the rattling glass from my sub........ or my dog :(
0 up, 2 down
Robochic
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 1:47:44 AM
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3 up, 0 down
johnld
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 2:34:56 AM
I mean, why the hell would i pay to watch a movie that would get me depressed? Its pretty weird though because i would play any type of game.
As far as picking games or movies, it goes down to a few things. Games are worth more for my money because i can play them multiple times, movies you only really need to see one unless you're an enthusiast. Gaming also let me play and set up my surroundings the way i want. Movies, you dont know whos sitting next to you. The past movie viewing experience subjected me to a scared person constantly tapping his feet, a group of annoying kids who talked during the entire movie, a crying baby(why?), and two old guys critiquing the movie as it happened.
2 up, 0 down
johnld
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 2:23:55 AM
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Also if you make your movie to target certain audiences like gamers or comic book fans, get someone who knows a lot about the subject and not just the name. yeah, the latest street fighter blew, story was crap, even the pronounciation of some of the key terms were off. When you have someone thats genuinely interested in the subject matter, thats when it all takes off. I mean Jon Favreau was interested in comics and Iron man was amazing. I cant wait for Iron Man 2. You cant just create a movie and slap a label/name to it like street fighter and expect me to accept it even if it sucks. The reason i prefer games is that i know what i'm getting into when i buy a game. with movies, its more of a hit and miss.
1 up, 0 down
Robochic
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 4:41:03 AM
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LOL nope I'm a girl. Just have great taste LOL. But I agree why watch a movie that would either make you want to kill yourself afterwards or go postal or just depressed to the point you don't want to do anything. Where as games take u out of the real world and into a whole new world of fun and make believe that why either I play games alot or read a book. PLus chick flicks are same old ending guy gets girl blah blah make me barf why don't you.... Give me gore like Hostle or give me freaky like Shutter Island. (really want to see shutter island)
3 up, 1 down
Kowhoho
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 7:01:01 AM
2 up, 0 down
fstop
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 7:54:18 AM
I haven't seen a mystery like this in ages.
1 up, 0 down
johnld
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 2:31:06 PM
for some reason, most of the horror movies never scared me. I keep ending up laughing my ass off. maybe theres something wrong with me, lol.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 5:45:41 PM
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/24/2010 5:45:58 PM
0 up, 0 down
johnld
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 7:21:10 PM
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Ultimadream
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 6:16:36 AM
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Also Robochic, Films have the simlar structure of escapism as movies, just as books.
I saw 'The Lovely Bones' last night, while it wasn't as in depth as the book, i personally thought it was very well made. I go to the cinema at least 2-3 times a month and i can say i havent been disapointed for a very long time, i think the film industry has really perked up in the last few years as in a similar manner to the PS3's line up.
2 up, 0 down
JackC8
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 6:35:26 AM
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2 up, 1 down
SympoziumPawa
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 6:27:58 PM
*cough *cough
0 up, 0 down
Shatterday
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 6:48:37 AM
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p.s. Rachel McAdams..... mmmmm
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 12:26:02 PM
1 up, 0 down
SvenMD
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 7:36:45 AM
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Granted I didn't go into this movie thinking it was going to be great, but I was still let down. They try too hard to have alot of characters that interact with one another - and they do it poorly.
You wanna see some intermingled plots - check out Crash - that's a great movie.
Anyway, chick flicks are just outlets for girls to get together and talk about guys...they aren't made to be ground breaking in the first place.
0 up, 0 down
shaydey77
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 8:24:52 AM
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Chick flicks are grand once a year. Valentines day is that once a year.
Popcorn and Dualshock. A winning combination!! :)
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 7:25:27 PM
Aw man, you just got butter all over the freaking controller again!!!!!
Now, go get some %&$^#%#%$ paper towels!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 2/24/2010 7:29:03 PM
1 up, 0 down
Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 10:26:14 AM
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0 up, 2 down
HeXeN
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 10:47:51 AM
1 up, 0 down
Darwin1967
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 10:34:20 AM
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2 up, 0 down
Blaiyan
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 12:25:41 AM
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I don't want to go to a theater where the ticket prices keeping getting higher, I have to get there on time, the theater over sells seats, Squeezing by people is not fun (though i've rarely had to do it), sticky whatever on the floor, I always have to take a bathroom break, Some theaters have speakers that are just way too loud and I always have to be cautious not to spill any food.
I buy all my movies and watch them at home. I can make food or order any kind the food I like. What does the theater have besides hot dogs?. I can turn on substitles if I didn't understand something that was said. Start, Pause or rewind the movie if I want to see something again without buying another ticket. Watch Special Features. I'm more comfortable and I don't have to travel. Frankly the experience is just so much better to/for me.
Video Games; though I often have a problem with some content just give you more for your buck. I enjoy being able to sort of play out a movie similar to what U2 offers. Which is why i'd like a Next Gen Blade game but anyway besides that most of the Television shows aren't catered to me and have really turned me off in the past year or two and I was a real TV addict. Well still am sort of. I just buy the shows I want on DVD now or check out new shows by buying episode 1 or watching them on a video site.
Either I doubt the movie industry is hurting.
Comic book/heavy action with GG movies seem to be keeping their wallets pretty fat.
1 up, 1 down
Ultimadream
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 3:26:48 AM
0 up, 0 down
Blaiyan
Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 11:54:35 AM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Reply
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 @ 9:52:33 PM