Ari Aster's father advised him not to write his own movies after 'Beau Is Afraid,' which, despite critical acclaim, did not resonate with audiences, leading Aster to reflect on his father's advice.
Jurassic World Rebirth dominated the 4th of July box office with a record-breaking $147.3 million domestic opening, driven by positive audience reception, strategic focus on new characters, and lack of competition, reaffirming the franchise's global appeal and strong audience loyalty.
Actor Zachary Levi, known for his role in Shazam 2, criticized the quality of movies coming out of Hollywood, urging audiences to actively avoid "garbage" films. Levi expressed his frustration with the lack of effort put into making great movies and highlighted the disappointment he felt when trailers promised more than the actual films delivered. Despite the critical reception, Shazam 2 received a positive audience score, but its box office performance fell short. Levi's comments raise questions about who determines what is considered good and whether avoiding low-quality films will lead to a change in Hollywood's production.
Tomek Baginski, executive producer of Netflix's The Witcher, has attributed the simplified plot of the TV series to American audiences and social media platforms like TikTok. Baginski explained that decisions to change plot elements were made due to various reasons behind the scenes, but viewers lack this context and may find it disappointing. He specifically mentioned the difficulty of presenting complex historical contexts to American audiences. Baginski acknowledged the necessity of plot simplification for a global audience, particularly for American viewers, but expressed his personal frustration with the need to do so. The Witcher's third season has received mixed reviews, with criticism of its departure from the source material, while the game franchise continues to thrive.
The disappointing box office performance of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" highlights a new danger for films that rely on nostalgia. Despite opening at number one, the movie fell short of expectations, grossing $60 million domestically compared to the $100 million opening of its predecessor in 2008. The film's lukewarm reception among younger audiences and the older demographic of its loyal fanbase raises questions about the lasting appeal of aging properties and whether audiences are becoming saturated with nostalgia-driven movies. This trend could pose challenges for future releases in franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and DC, as studios continue to tap into '80s and '90s nostalgia.