Full Version: The Hunting Party
A little Googling might answer this for me, but I thought I’d check here.
Does anyone know if the bit about the death of Gere’s lover and child is part of the true story behind this film, or was that element fictionalized? It reeks of a bad plot ploy to gin up sympathy, but I’m hesitant to go further, realizing that something like that might actually have occurred. If so, how odd that something so horrible in human terms would feel so generic and stilted in this film.
Does anyone know if the bit about the death of Gere’s lover and child is part of the true story behind this film, or was that element fictionalized? It reeks of a bad plot ploy to gin up sympathy, but I’m hesitant to go further, realizing that something like that might actually have occurred. If so, how odd that something so horrible in human terms would feel so generic and stilted in this film.
No idea about that element, Christian; it certainly wasn't among the "facts" that were confirmed or debunked during the end credits.
It's funny how some things that happen in real life would look completely contrived if we first encountered them in a movie, like the space shuttle with the first Israeli astronaut breaking up over Palestine, Texas, or like the Mountain Meadows Massacre happening on September 11. In the husband-and-wife commentary on Apollo 13, they mention how some people criticized Ron Howard for "making up" the bit where the astronaut's wife loses her wedding ring in the shower on the morning of the launch, but apparently that "bad omen" actually happened.
It's funny how some things that happen in real life would look completely contrived if we first encountered them in a movie, like the space shuttle with the first Israeli astronaut breaking up over Palestine, Texas, or like the Mountain Meadows Massacre happening on September 11. In the husband-and-wife commentary on Apollo 13, they mention how some people criticized Ron Howard for "making up" the bit where the astronaut's wife loses her wedding ring in the shower on the morning of the launch, but apparently that "bad omen" actually happened.
Remember how the Weinstein Co. did some late-in-the-game release-date shuffling a month or two ago, with regard to several of their films? There, they were at least giving people a month or two's notice.
This week, on the other hand... yikes.
As you may know, The Hunting Party opened in New York (and possibly one or two other cities?) last week, and the studio is rolling it out this week and next. The particular city where the particular outlet that I am writing for is based was GOING to get the movie this Friday, September 14. But then, a day or two ago, they moved it to September 21. And then, yesterday, they moved it back to September 14. And then, today, they moved it to September 21 again.
Yikes. Never mind how weird this looks to us journalists who get the press releases yanking us one way or the other. I'm curious to know what's going on with the THEATRES where this film is supposed to be BOOKED. I am also curious to know if this is happening only in that one particular city, or if this part of some wider Weinstein, uh, strategy.
This week, on the other hand... yikes.
As you may know, The Hunting Party opened in New York (and possibly one or two other cities?) last week, and the studio is rolling it out this week and next. The particular city where the particular outlet that I am writing for is based was GOING to get the movie this Friday, September 14. But then, a day or two ago, they moved it to September 21. And then, yesterday, they moved it back to September 14. And then, today, they moved it to September 21 again.
Yikes. Never mind how weird this looks to us journalists who get the press releases yanking us one way or the other. I'm curious to know what's going on with the THEATRES where this film is supposed to be BOOKED. I am also curious to know if this is happening only in that one particular city, or if this part of some wider Weinstein, uh, strategy.
I got those e-mails, too, Peter, and when the most recent indicated that Sept. 21 was the new official date, after yesterday's assurance that the film would *still* release in D.C. on Sept. 14, I was thoroughly confused. Sept. 21 for all markets, I wondered? Sounds like it.
As for my earlier question about veracity, although I haven't been able to confirm this, Owen Gleiberman writes:
"Although Gere and Howard's characters are invented, they feel the truest of all."
--Maybe so, but not that plot point I mentioned earlier, which, although it may have happened in some sense to someone related to the film, likely is a complete fabrication to provide certain motive to one of the principal characters in this film. Mawkish, I thought.
As for my earlier question about veracity, although I haven't been able to confirm this, Owen Gleiberman writes:
"Although Gere and Howard's characters are invented, they feel the truest of all."
--Maybe so, but not that plot point I mentioned earlier, which, although it may have happened in some sense to someone related to the film, likely is a complete fabrication to provide certain motive to one of the principal characters in this film. Mawkish, I thought.
Same deal with scheduling here in Seattle.
QUOTE(Peter T Chattaway @ Sep 12 2007, 12:51 PM) 
Yikes. Never mind how weird this looks to us journalists who get the press releases yanking us one way or the other. I'm curious to know what's going on with the THEATRES where this film is supposed to be BOOKED. I am also curious to know if this is happening only in that one particular city, or if this part of some wider Weinstein, uh, strategy.
I wonder what theaters are thinking about Warner Brother's "release date" for The Assassination of Jesse James ... . Here's the note I received yesterday about this heretofore September release (or so I thought):
Please note the opening date for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD is set for Friday, October 5. This is the confirmed opening date for Washington, DC and a few select markets ONLY. The nationwide release date has not yet been finalized.
Huh, just a few hours ago I got a press release for Jesse James which said:
Interestingly, it appears The Hunting Party is opening in Vancouver, at least, tomorrow.
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD opens as an exclusive Toronto engagement September 21.I'm not sure why they sent me (and all the other Vancouver critics) this, though, since we're obviously not based in EITHER of those cities.
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD opens in Calgary on October 5.
Interestingly, it appears The Hunting Party is opening in Vancouver, at least, tomorrow.
I'm still not certain whether The Hunting Party opens tomorrow in D.C.
My review is up, and has already spawned one nasty comment from a reader who quotes my "Caution" section before accusing me of being "filthy" in spirit:
hisredeemed1 9/14/2007 9:51 AM The Hunting Party
CAUTIONS:
Language/Profanity: Lord’s name taken in vain multiple times; excessive profanity.
Drugs/Alcohol: Smoking and drinking.
Sex/Nudity: Discussion of Penthouse; some kissing; a man and woman are pictured in bed, covered; a man drops his pants and “moons” officials; topless women on a boat; man in a tub, but nothing is shown; a woman mentions she was gang-raped; threatening description of sodomy.
Violence: Images of the war victims; gunfire; a pregnant woman is killed; men are menaced by an axe-wielding killer.
Other than that it was a pretty good movie!
WHY are any Christians going to see this movie? Just to make sure that other Christians know what to expect??
Uh, what kind of filth remains behind in the spirit of the reviewer?
Don't Christians know what an "R" rating means or are we also so desensitized to the world that we have to send someone forth to see if it's completely vulgar or just partially vulgar??
Priorities??
I count ths as a warm-hearted "welcome back" from Crosswalk readers who missed me while I was away on vacation.
hisredeemed1 9/14/2007 9:51 AM The Hunting Party
CAUTIONS:
Language/Profanity: Lord’s name taken in vain multiple times; excessive profanity.
Drugs/Alcohol: Smoking and drinking.
Sex/Nudity: Discussion of Penthouse; some kissing; a man and woman are pictured in bed, covered; a man drops his pants and “moons” officials; topless women on a boat; man in a tub, but nothing is shown; a woman mentions she was gang-raped; threatening description of sodomy.
Violence: Images of the war victims; gunfire; a pregnant woman is killed; men are menaced by an axe-wielding killer.
Other than that it was a pretty good movie!
WHY are any Christians going to see this movie? Just to make sure that other Christians know what to expect??
Uh, what kind of filth remains behind in the spirit of the reviewer?
Don't Christians know what an "R" rating means or are we also so desensitized to the world that we have to send someone forth to see if it's completely vulgar or just partially vulgar??
Priorities??
I count ths as a warm-hearted "welcome back" from Crosswalk readers who missed me while I was away on vacation.
: Don't Christians know what an "R" rating means or are we also so desensitized to the world that we have to send someone forth to see if it's completely vulgar or just partially vulgar??
Anybody who thinks an American "R" rating automatically means something "vulgar" clearly hasn't got a fricken clue WHAT the "R" rating means. So, if this person is representative of Christians, then no, Christians DON'T know what an "R" rating means.
Sheesh. Grow up, people.
Anybody who thinks an American "R" rating automatically means something "vulgar" clearly hasn't got a fricken clue WHAT the "R" rating means. So, if this person is representative of Christians, then no, Christians DON'T know what an "R" rating means.
Sheesh. Grow up, people.
QUOTE(Peter T Chattaway @ Sep 14 2007, 02:04 PM)
Anybody who thinks an American "R" rating automatically means something "vulgar" clearly hasn't got a fricken clue WHAT the "R" rating means.
It means "fricken" gets filled in with some other letters a gross or more times, gets demonstrated, and shot to ribbons or pulverized.
Or, it means The Passion of the Christ. Praise Jesus!
Greg Wright wrote:
: Or, it means The Passion of the Christ. Praise Jesus!
Yeah, nothing "vulgar" about a Mel Gibson movie!
- - -
Audiences feeling 'Brave'
. . . The Weinstein Co.'s "The Hunting Party" only mustered an estimated Friday gross of $6,000 as it expanded to 40 locations in its second frame for a per-screen average of $150. TWC had planned to expand the Richard Gere-Terrence Howard starrer to 600 locations this weekend, but then pulled back. Drama grossed $39,609 last weekend from 4 locations.
Variety, September 15
: Or, it means The Passion of the Christ. Praise Jesus!
Yeah, nothing "vulgar" about a Mel Gibson movie!
- - -
Audiences feeling 'Brave'
. . . The Weinstein Co.'s "The Hunting Party" only mustered an estimated Friday gross of $6,000 as it expanded to 40 locations in its second frame for a per-screen average of $150. TWC had planned to expand the Richard Gere-Terrence Howard starrer to 600 locations this weekend, but then pulled back. Drama grossed $39,609 last weekend from 4 locations.
Variety, September 15
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