Why Do Studios Let Great Movies Die?

The 2007 Toronto International Film Festival ended recently and the 2008 Sundance Film Festival is just around the corner, and these have gotten me thinking (uh oh!).

I've been thinking about why it is that some movies that are so mediocre go on to earn hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office while other films that are just as good (and quite often far better) end up unseen not talked about. While I enjoy a good popcorn movie as much as the next guy, I do tend to hold even action and sci-fi movies to a higher standard than the average 14 year old.

So I find it extremely frustrating when movies that seem to be mediocre or worse make incredible amounts of money and give some directors credibility and the opportunity to pump out more schlock, while other movies that are better go on to make almost nothing and those directors continue to have to fight to get movies made.

Let's look at some examples from the last 10 years or so...

New Fido Trailer

There's a brand new trailer out for the zombie comedy (or "zom-com" if you're hipper than I am) Fido. I reviewed it back in January after I saw it at the Sundance Film Festival, and absolutely loved it (even before they used one of my quotes in their poster). It stars Billy Connolly, who gives a great performance and Carrie-Anne Moss (yes, from The Matrix).

New Fido Poster (And It Mentions Screen Rant!)

I saw Fido at the Sundance Film Festival this year and absolutely loved it (click here for my review). It's coming to theaters on June 15th and a new poster is out courtesy of CHUD (and thanks to /Film for bringing it to my attention).

Well check out who has a movie quote right on the poster:

Is that cool or what? :-)

Here's the full poster: