In the cinema, there were only a few viewers. Bruce watched the movie being played, and boredly grabbed the popcorn and threw it into his mouth, chewing it until it was crunchy and fragrant.
Martin picked up the Coke and took a sip. On the screen, Alexander commanded the Greek coalition forces to form a Macedonian phalanx and fight with the Persian army.
One of the most important aspects of epic films is the war scenes. What are the criteria for a good movie?
Everyone's judgment is different. But studios have a very consistent standard: make money or not. Bruce couldn't bear the sight of the glass dog's blood-soaking scene and said, "I'm going to go out and take a breath." Martin wasn't too interested in this either: "Let's go." The two stood up and prepared to leave.
Martin discovered that besides them, some people were also exiting the theater. The number exceeds a quarter of the theater audience.
That's bad news for any movie. Martin has long forgotten what the film was in his previous life. Apart from Angelina Jolie, it seems that this film left no other impression on him.
The two left the theater and walked towards the parking lot. Bruce said: "I watched King Arthur's v. It's much more interesting than this one." Martin thought for a while: "Because King Arthur will die after death, but it is very commercial. This one is more literary?" Bruce shrugged: "Maybe, If I had known it would be so boring, me going to find Jin would be no more interesting than watching bad movies with you." Martin asked: "Fengyoujing?"
"Jin only used a little, and he screamed in pain. He washed it for a long time and almost went to the hospital." Bruce wanted to lift his clothes again: "You are a rotten person, you actually want me to apply it there." Martin grabbed his clothes: "Don't mess around, p, be careful of the magazine being emptied." He came up with a random idea: "Jin Yongfengyoujing is popular all over the world." Bruce gave him the middle finger: "You are such a pervert!" The two got in the car, Let's go back to the apartment together.
Martin was a little worried and called Louise: "Drunkard, what are you doing?" Louise whispered back: "Be with the family." She asked back: "What are you doing?" Martin had many things on his mind: "I just came out of the theater with Lao Bu." Louise understood why Martin called: "I know, the response to the film is not very good, it's okay."
"I won't disturb you anymore." Martin hung up the phone on his own initiative. Sitting in the passenger seat, he concentrated on thinking, focusing on the relationship between people.
Bruce accelerated the car and asked: "Do you think this film will fail?" Martin simply said: "In the same theater, there are so many people leaving midway, which always explains something."
"Are you worried about Louise Meyer? Man, when did you have a conscience?" Bruce said: "I thought you left your conscience in Atlanta." Martin said: "She is a multi-millionaire, there is no need for me to worry .”
"Man, are you going to do something bad again?" Bruce had a bad premonition. Martin was vague: "The Mountain Has Eyes posted this film, and I'm worried that the bad luck will continue." Bruce remembered something: "The coke that Robert transferred arrived a few days ago, and I rented a warehouse to store it. , and also took some and put them in the studio, you can go and drink a can." He said deliberately: "Expired Coke, endless aftertaste." Martin shook his head and said nothing.
.........Brentwood, a famous wealthy area in Los Angeles. In a mansion on the top of the mountain, Louise stood in front of the window, put away her mobile phone, and overlooked the night view of Los Angeles in the distance.
The status of the film Alexander the Great was actually determined before its release. The only uncertainty is how tragic the failure will be.
Martin was able to call at this time and ask about the relevant situation. Louise sighed lightly: "I still have some conscience." There were footsteps behind her, and a woman in her 50s came behind her: "My dear, are you worried? Something?" Louise turned around and smiled: "It's about work, don't worry, Mom, I can handle it." Mrs. Meyer nodded slightly and didn't ask much: "You just need to remember one thing, no matter what happens, your father and I will Always have your back.”
"I know..." Louise held her mother's arm: "Come on, let's go have a drink." Mrs. Meyer reminded: "You are drinking more and more out of control. Do you need me to send you to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting?" Lu Yi Si said: "It's not that serious. I just drink a drink occasionally to relax." The mother and daughter went to the small bar at home and just opened a bottle of low-alcohol liqueur.
Mrs. Meyer asked: "Is this project not going well?" Louise slowly took a sip of wine: "I guess all the money earned this year will be lost."
"In business, it's normal to make profits and lose money. Buffett can't guarantee that every business will make money." Mrs. Meyer has also worked hard in the shopping mall and is used to seeing the storm: "Since you graduated from the University of Southern California, your career and life have It has been going smoothly, and setbacks are not necessarily a bad thing." Louise's face almost collapsed: "Mom, do you want me to drop it hard once?" Mrs. Mel never touched the wine glass: "I don't understand the big truth. But when you fail, it is easier for you to see clearly who are trustworthy, who can face the storm with you, and who will abandon you at any time." Louise put down her wine glass and thought carefully.
Mrs. Meyer picked up the wine and drank slowly. After "Alexander the Great" was fully released in North America, Martin was very concerned about the film's market response.
Some films have good reputations but poor box office. Depending on long-term operation, they can always make back their money slowly. However, the film's reputation exploded. From film critics to ordinary viewers to industry media, it received negative reviews. The imb score was 5.6, and the Rotten Tomatoes freshness score was an outrageous 16%.
Naturally, Alexander the Great only took in $13.69 million at the box office during its opening weekend in North America.
The film's disclosed production cost was $155 million. Its popularity was even more severe than that of "King Arthur" and "Van Helsing".
It can be called the first box office tragedy in Hollywood in 2004. All investors participating in the platter will face huge losses.
The failure of a major A-level production will always have many consequences. .........Sherman Oaks, in a villa on the south hillside.
Louise sat in front of the bar in the lobby, opened a bottle of whiskey, filled the glass, and drank it in one gulp.
The personal cell phone placed aside rang at this time. But it was Martin who called. Louise asked: "Is something wrong?" Martin asked: "What are you doing?" Louise said: "We are in a meeting, don't disturb me for the time being." Martin responded: "You are busy first, take your time." Send me a message." Just as Louise put down her phone, the official phone on the other side rang.
She answered: "This is Louise Meyer."
"Hi, Louise, it's me, Fairman." The person on the other side spoke very politely: "My Zero Degree Foundation participated in your fund-raising at that time, and the funds were invested in your Pacific Pictures in batches to participate in Hollywood's Movie platter investment, the foundation is now encountering difficulties. The second and third phases of investment cannot be made available. The first phase investment..." How could Louise not understand what he meant: "Don't worry, I will invest the first phase within the contract period. And the promised interest dividends will be returned to you." Fermat laughed twice: "This is the best. I will participate in your platter investment when there is a suitable opportunity." Louise threw the phone on the bar and poured another drink. Keep drinking.
Although she was mentally prepared, the film was so brutal that it was beyond her expectation. Within a few minutes, the business phone rang again. It was the same foundation that was preparing to withdraw its investment.
Louise's Pacific Pictures, like Relativity Entertainment Media established with Wall Street funds, raises funds from foundations and other investors and invests them in Hollywood movie platter projects to make profits.
The difference is that Louise will also invest herself. The platter projects invested in are profitable and even only need to return the capital, and investors are coming in an endless stream.
It is normal for investors to withdraw their capital and cancel cooperation after such a tragic failure. Since the media officially disclosed the North American box office data last weekend, in just a few hours, Louise received 7 phone calls, all of which were investors unilaterally canceling cooperation.
Even though she was mentally prepared, she was still annoyed. When people encounter this kind of thing, how can they feel happy? Louise drank one glass after another, and the bottle of 40-proof whiskey quickly ran out.
The personal cell phone rang at this time, and there was a call from Kelly Gray. Louise's face was gloomy, and she pressed the connect button and played: "Slut, you are not going to cooperate with me anymore?" Kelly let out a clear laugh: "Slut, I do want to abandon you, but I want more. Let’s see how many times you fail.”
"You have a conscience." Louise decided to give her a reward: "Next time, I will not only let Martin open the broadcast, but also open the live broadcast." Kelly hated it and said, "You are not like that bad guy. Are you preparing for a new movie? Are you planning to come to Atlanta to shoot? When you come over, I have prepared a surprise for you." Louise said: "I like surprises the most." The two of them didn't say much, hung up the phone, and Louise He stood up, grabbed another bottle of wine, and continued drinking.
You can leave the troubles to deal with tomorrow. At least you can get drunk today. Louise drank a few more glasses of wine, and when she was about to get another drink, Mary, the housekeeper, suddenly came over and grabbed her.
"You drank too much, don't drink anymore." Mary advised: "Your body will not be able to bear it." Louise looked very sober: "I didn't drink too much, this is just a little, I know it in my heart, it's okay." Mary said, "I'll help you go upstairs to rest."
"I'm really fine." Louise waved her hand and suddenly whispered a few words to Mary. Mary hurried to the hall.
Louise poured her wine and continued drinking. Mary picked up the hall phone and dialed Martin's number. The other side picked up: "Louise?" Mary said, "I am Louise's housekeeper, Mary." Martin found a deserted place and asked, "Do you have anything?"
"Mr. Davis, if you have time, please come and persuade me. Louise has been drinking since this morning." Mary spoke very quickly and seemed particularly anxious: "There are calls from more than a dozen companies and foundations. , ended the cooperation with Pacific Pictures and demanded a complete divestment. Pacific Pictures may not be able to survive this, which will be a big blow to Louise..." She paused slightly: "There are still calls coming in. I am worried that something will happen to her. I can’t persuade her.” After saying this, Mary waited quietly for a reply from the other party.
