Not every movie can be a hit, and some blockbusters offer far more than their big budget and failure to dominate the box office might suggest. Here's our look at ten fascinating failures...
There are blockbuster movies that fail for good reason. Jonah Hex, Town & Country, Catwoman - they deserved their fate, really. In fact, there are films that made bucketloads of cash that didn't deserve their success, too. You can probably name a few of them quite easily.
But what we're interested in here are the blockbuster movies that struggled to make an impact, yet have something about them that makes them worthy of discussion many, many years later. Some of the films we're about to discuss are outright box office flops. Some simply didn't meet commercial expectations. All of them, to some degree, disappointed the studios that backed them.
Some of these aren't, all in honesty, particularly good.
There are blockbuster movies that fail for good reason. Jonah Hex, Town & Country, Catwoman - they deserved their fate, really. In fact, there are films that made bucketloads of cash that didn't deserve their success, too. You can probably name a few of them quite easily.
But what we're interested in here are the blockbuster movies that struggled to make an impact, yet have something about them that makes them worthy of discussion many, many years later. Some of the films we're about to discuss are outright box office flops. Some simply didn't meet commercial expectations. All of them, to some degree, disappointed the studios that backed them.
Some of these aren't, all in honesty, particularly good.
- 5/22/2011
- Den of Geek
Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" has, of course, been adapted for cinema and television time and time again. This animated version (which includes a dash of live action) is an enjoyable though lightweight addition to the list that will probably be best remembered for the song "What If", performed by Kate Winslet, currently winging its way to the top of the U.K. charts.
"Christmas Carol, the Movie" lacks the sophistication expected in children's films these days. The film seems likely to enjoy a limited success over the holidays and will find a far longer life on the video and DVD shelves. At heart, the story remains an enjoyable and endearing one but finds itself let down by rather low-key animation that comes from sources as diverse as Estonia, Poland, Korea, the Czech Republic and Spain.
Director Jimmy T. Murakami and producer Iain Harvey were behind the impressive adaptations of Raymond Briggs' graphic novels "When the Wind Blows" and (a British Christmas favorite) "The Snowman". A strong cast of voices includes Winslet, Nicolas Cage, Simon Callow, Rhys Ifans, Michael Gambon and Jane Horrocks, who add much to the atmosphere.
To help lure in kids, screenwriters Piet Kroon and Robert Llewellyn have added two refugee mice, Gabriel and Ellen, to the story. A more felicitous addition to Dickens' festive tale is the expansion of Belle (Winslet), the one-time love of Scrooge, to help round out this story of redemption.
The film opens with live action in Boston of 1867. Charles Dickens (played by Simon Callow, who is also the voice of Scrooge) is giving a reading of "A Christmas Carol". The film then switches to animation. It's Christmas Eve. The kindly but debt-ridden Dr. Lambert, who runs the Alms Hospital, is taken off by bailiffs. Belle, a nurse there, writes to Scrooge (who controls the debt), asking for his kindness and charity. Fat chance!
At his office, Scrooge finally allows his clerk Bob Cratchit (Ifans) to head home to his family. Later that night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Cage). Marley warns Scrooge to expect visitations from three other ghosts.
In due course, Scrooge is shown his past by the Ghost of Christmas Past (with special focus on poor Belle, whom the young Scrooge was due to marry); the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows the suffering at the Cratchit household; and finally the Ghost of Christmas Future, who take Scrooge to a time when he is dead and unmourned.
Scrooge awakens Christmas morning a changed man. He reads Belle's letter and is lovingly reconciled with her. He then sets about happily presenting Cratchit with a festive turkey and a salary boost.
Yet at only one point does the visualization take flight, when the silent Ghost of Christmas Future takes Scrooge to a landscape that takes on an expressionist quality.
CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MOVIE
Pathe Distribution Ltd., the Film Consortium,
Illuminated Films, Scala and MBP present
in association with the Film Council and FilmFour
Producer: Iain Harvey
Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Executive Producers: Nik Powell, Rainer Mockert
Screenwriters: Piet Kroon, Robert Llewellyn
Based on the book by: Charles Dickens
Director of live-action photography: Mike Garfath
Editor: Taylor Grant
Editor (live action): Martin Brinkler
Production designer (live action): Christopher Woods
Music: Julian Nott
Color/stereo
Cast:
Scrooge: Simon Callow
Belle: Kate Winslet
Jacob Marley: Nicolas Cage
Ghost of Christmas Past: Jane Horrocks
Ghost of Christmas Present: Michael Gambon
Bob Cratchit: Rhys Ifans
Mrs. Cratchit/Mother Gimlet: Juliet Stevenson
Running time -- 80 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Christmas Carol, the Movie" lacks the sophistication expected in children's films these days. The film seems likely to enjoy a limited success over the holidays and will find a far longer life on the video and DVD shelves. At heart, the story remains an enjoyable and endearing one but finds itself let down by rather low-key animation that comes from sources as diverse as Estonia, Poland, Korea, the Czech Republic and Spain.
Director Jimmy T. Murakami and producer Iain Harvey were behind the impressive adaptations of Raymond Briggs' graphic novels "When the Wind Blows" and (a British Christmas favorite) "The Snowman". A strong cast of voices includes Winslet, Nicolas Cage, Simon Callow, Rhys Ifans, Michael Gambon and Jane Horrocks, who add much to the atmosphere.
To help lure in kids, screenwriters Piet Kroon and Robert Llewellyn have added two refugee mice, Gabriel and Ellen, to the story. A more felicitous addition to Dickens' festive tale is the expansion of Belle (Winslet), the one-time love of Scrooge, to help round out this story of redemption.
The film opens with live action in Boston of 1867. Charles Dickens (played by Simon Callow, who is also the voice of Scrooge) is giving a reading of "A Christmas Carol". The film then switches to animation. It's Christmas Eve. The kindly but debt-ridden Dr. Lambert, who runs the Alms Hospital, is taken off by bailiffs. Belle, a nurse there, writes to Scrooge (who controls the debt), asking for his kindness and charity. Fat chance!
At his office, Scrooge finally allows his clerk Bob Cratchit (Ifans) to head home to his family. Later that night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Cage). Marley warns Scrooge to expect visitations from three other ghosts.
In due course, Scrooge is shown his past by the Ghost of Christmas Past (with special focus on poor Belle, whom the young Scrooge was due to marry); the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows the suffering at the Cratchit household; and finally the Ghost of Christmas Future, who take Scrooge to a time when he is dead and unmourned.
Scrooge awakens Christmas morning a changed man. He reads Belle's letter and is lovingly reconciled with her. He then sets about happily presenting Cratchit with a festive turkey and a salary boost.
Yet at only one point does the visualization take flight, when the silent Ghost of Christmas Future takes Scrooge to a landscape that takes on an expressionist quality.
CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MOVIE
Pathe Distribution Ltd., the Film Consortium,
Illuminated Films, Scala and MBP present
in association with the Film Council and FilmFour
Producer: Iain Harvey
Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Executive Producers: Nik Powell, Rainer Mockert
Screenwriters: Piet Kroon, Robert Llewellyn
Based on the book by: Charles Dickens
Director of live-action photography: Mike Garfath
Editor: Taylor Grant
Editor (live action): Martin Brinkler
Production designer (live action): Christopher Woods
Music: Julian Nott
Color/stereo
Cast:
Scrooge: Simon Callow
Belle: Kate Winslet
Jacob Marley: Nicolas Cage
Ghost of Christmas Past: Jane Horrocks
Ghost of Christmas Present: Michael Gambon
Bob Cratchit: Rhys Ifans
Mrs. Cratchit/Mother Gimlet: Juliet Stevenson
Running time -- 80 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 7/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" has, of course, been adapted for cinema and television time and time again. This animated version (which includes a dash of live action) is an enjoyable though lightweight addition to the list that will probably be best remembered for the song "What If", performed by Kate Winslet, currently winging its way to the top of the U.K. charts.
"Christmas Carol, the Movie" lacks the sophistication expected in children's films these days. The film seems likely to enjoy a limited success over the holidays and will find a far longer life on the video and DVD shelves. At heart, the story remains an enjoyable and endearing one but finds itself let down by rather low-key animation that comes from sources as diverse as Estonia, Poland, Korea, the Czech Republic and Spain.
Director Jimmy T. Murakami and producer Iain Harvey were behind the impressive adaptations of Raymond Briggs' graphic novels "When the Wind Blows" and (a British Christmas favorite) "The Snowman". A strong cast of voices includes Winslet, Nicolas Cage, Simon Callow, Rhys Ifans, Michael Gambon and Jane Horrocks, who add much to the atmosphere.
To help lure in kids, screenwriters Piet Kroon and Robert Llewellyn have added two refugee mice, Gabriel and Ellen, to the story. A more felicitous addition to Dickens' festive tale is the expansion of Belle (Winslet), the one-time love of Scrooge, to help round out this story of redemption.
The film opens with live action in Boston of 1867. Charles Dickens (played by Simon Callow, who is also the voice of Scrooge) is giving a reading of "A Christmas Carol". The film then switches to animation. It's Christmas Eve. The kindly but debt-ridden Dr. Lambert, who runs the Alms Hospital, is taken off by bailiffs. Belle, a nurse there, writes to Scrooge (who controls the debt), asking for his kindness and charity. Fat chance!
At his office, Scrooge finally allows his clerk Bob Cratchit (Ifans) to head home to his family. Later that night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Cage). Marley warns Scrooge to expect visitations from three other ghosts.
In due course, Scrooge is shown his past by the Ghost of Christmas Past (with special focus on poor Belle, whom the young Scrooge was due to marry); the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows the suffering at the Cratchit household; and finally the Ghost of Christmas Future, who take Scrooge to a time when he is dead and unmourned.
Scrooge awakens Christmas morning a changed man. He reads Belle's letter and is lovingly reconciled with her. He then sets about happily presenting Cratchit with a festive turkey and a salary boost.
Yet at only one point does the visualization take flight, when the silent Ghost of Christmas Future takes Scrooge to a landscape that takes on an expressionist quality.
CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MOVIE
Pathe Distribution Ltd., the Film Consortium,
Illuminated Films, Scala and MBP present
in association with the Film Council and FilmFour
Producer: Iain Harvey
Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Executive Producers: Nik Powell, Rainer Mockert
Screenwriters: Piet Kroon, Robert Llewellyn
Based on the book by: Charles Dickens
Director of live-action photography: Mike Garfath
Editor: Taylor Grant
Editor (live action): Martin Brinkler
Production designer (live action): Christopher Woods
Music: Julian Nott
Color/stereo
Cast:
Scrooge: Simon Callow
Belle: Kate Winslet
Jacob Marley: Nicolas Cage
Ghost of Christmas Past: Jane Horrocks
Ghost of Christmas Present: Michael Gambon
Bob Cratchit: Rhys Ifans
Mrs. Cratchit/Mother Gimlet: Juliet Stevenson
Running time -- 80 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Christmas Carol, the Movie" lacks the sophistication expected in children's films these days. The film seems likely to enjoy a limited success over the holidays and will find a far longer life on the video and DVD shelves. At heart, the story remains an enjoyable and endearing one but finds itself let down by rather low-key animation that comes from sources as diverse as Estonia, Poland, Korea, the Czech Republic and Spain.
Director Jimmy T. Murakami and producer Iain Harvey were behind the impressive adaptations of Raymond Briggs' graphic novels "When the Wind Blows" and (a British Christmas favorite) "The Snowman". A strong cast of voices includes Winslet, Nicolas Cage, Simon Callow, Rhys Ifans, Michael Gambon and Jane Horrocks, who add much to the atmosphere.
To help lure in kids, screenwriters Piet Kroon and Robert Llewellyn have added two refugee mice, Gabriel and Ellen, to the story. A more felicitous addition to Dickens' festive tale is the expansion of Belle (Winslet), the one-time love of Scrooge, to help round out this story of redemption.
The film opens with live action in Boston of 1867. Charles Dickens (played by Simon Callow, who is also the voice of Scrooge) is giving a reading of "A Christmas Carol". The film then switches to animation. It's Christmas Eve. The kindly but debt-ridden Dr. Lambert, who runs the Alms Hospital, is taken off by bailiffs. Belle, a nurse there, writes to Scrooge (who controls the debt), asking for his kindness and charity. Fat chance!
At his office, Scrooge finally allows his clerk Bob Cratchit (Ifans) to head home to his family. Later that night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Cage). Marley warns Scrooge to expect visitations from three other ghosts.
In due course, Scrooge is shown his past by the Ghost of Christmas Past (with special focus on poor Belle, whom the young Scrooge was due to marry); the Ghost of Christmas Present, who shows the suffering at the Cratchit household; and finally the Ghost of Christmas Future, who take Scrooge to a time when he is dead and unmourned.
Scrooge awakens Christmas morning a changed man. He reads Belle's letter and is lovingly reconciled with her. He then sets about happily presenting Cratchit with a festive turkey and a salary boost.
Yet at only one point does the visualization take flight, when the silent Ghost of Christmas Future takes Scrooge to a landscape that takes on an expressionist quality.
CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MOVIE
Pathe Distribution Ltd., the Film Consortium,
Illuminated Films, Scala and MBP present
in association with the Film Council and FilmFour
Producer: Iain Harvey
Director: Jimmy T. Murakami
Executive Producers: Nik Powell, Rainer Mockert
Screenwriters: Piet Kroon, Robert Llewellyn
Based on the book by: Charles Dickens
Director of live-action photography: Mike Garfath
Editor: Taylor Grant
Editor (live action): Martin Brinkler
Production designer (live action): Christopher Woods
Music: Julian Nott
Color/stereo
Cast:
Scrooge: Simon Callow
Belle: Kate Winslet
Jacob Marley: Nicolas Cage
Ghost of Christmas Past: Jane Horrocks
Ghost of Christmas Present: Michael Gambon
Bob Cratchit: Rhys Ifans
Mrs. Cratchit/Mother Gimlet: Juliet Stevenson
Running time -- 80 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 12/27/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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