‘Box Office Poison’ Drills Down on Movie Mega-Bombs

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When it comes to failure, nobody does it better than Hollywood.

More Magnificent! More Audacious! Astonishingly Awkward on a New Level! We can’t tear our eyes away from films such as “Doctor Doolittle” (1967), “Rollerball” (2002) and “Catwoman” (2004), three box office disasters meticulously analyzed in Tim Robey’s “Box Office Poison.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d like to share my journey through the fascinating evolution of cinema. From its humble beginnings at the break of dawn right up to the pinnacle of contemporary flops, such as the ill-fated “Cats” in 2019.

Robey’s work is thorough and doesn’t resemble the failures like “Battlefield Earth,” “Waterworld,” “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” or “Heaven’s Gate.”)

(“The Devil’s Candy” shared everything we needed to know about the “Vanities” debacle.)

Rather than delving into masterpieces, we often find ourselves exploring flops such as “Nothing But Trouble” (1991), which featured some of the top comedic actors in Hollywood. Despite the wide range of time periods explored in “Poison”, it seems that certain aspects remain constant.

Ego. Denial. Overcompensation. Greed. Sometimes even the best of intentions lead filmmakers astray.

The journey is an entertaining exploration of Hollywood’s lavish lifestyle, and Robey’s mischievous demeanor manages to hold our interest as he delves deeper into the details. Studio bosses might cringe at each new chapter, but readers will appreciate the intense focus on the flops.

From the ruins, some antagonists arise. Actor Oliver Reed doesn’t appear favorably portrayed. Neither does Rex Harrison, known for “Doctor Doolittle.” The mystery remains as to how young Sarah Polley navigated her initial taste of fame through “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the unforeseen twists and turns that led to the making of the 1991 movie “Nothing But Trouble”. It seems as if fate played a tricky game with this one.

The text additionally highlights the harshness linked to falling short, as some film directors found their careers sinking following multiple unsuccessful movies. Others remained steadfast, refusing to let go of productions that appeared destined for failure from the outset.

Robey combines movie critique with the keen observation skills of a journalist, even spotting the slightest hint of gossip. He occasionally adds socially aware comments as well. One might wonder why he brings up the ghost of white male leads when critiquing the shortcomings of the film “Catwoman”?

It’s an unnecessary tic but hardly a distraction.

RELATED: WHY ‘KING ARTHUR’ DIDN’T DESERVE TO FLOP SO HARD

Uncovering ‘Poison’ reveals a treasure trove of mouthwatering tidbits for cinephiles to relish. The writer delves into archived conversations, worn-out press packets, and other artifacts to skillfully create vivid depictions of the chaotic behind-the-scenes stories.

1) He’s not unkind; instead, he evaluates with precision. Strangely enough, he seems fond of certain individuals, setting aside his affection to explain why they faced financial losses in their production houses.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but notice that resilient themes often rise from the ashes of cinematic chaos. The right cast is everything, it truly makes or breaks a project. Egos can be a shipwreck’s anchor, sinking more than their fair share of productions. Yet, one might argue that a stubborn artist’s attitude has played an instrumental role in shaping some of the most iconic films in history.

Suppose that instead of seeing the project through, James Cameron decided to abandon “Titanic” amidst negative public sentiment during most of its production process.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but share one intriguing tale that resonates deeply – the story of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the renowned composer, adopting an emotional support dog after the tumultuous release of “Cats.” Although the heartwarming climax of this tale is best savored unspoiled, let me assure you it’s so captivating that reading the book becomes a must-do.

The story concludes fittingly on the topic of “Cats.” Robey points out that the film industry has become increasingly complex in recent times. Despite this, Hollywood continues to exhibit an irrational fear of taking risks, favoring established intellectual properties and safe investments almost without exception.

Despite the past failure of Hollywood productions, the spirit of “Better Man,” the upcoming musical about a monkey representing Robbie Williams’ career in 2024, proves that such projects can persist and find new life.

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2025-01-27 21:03