Comments (0)

By Mark D, July 18, 2012 5:17 pm

Has there ever been a bigger fall from grace in Hollywood then the Wachowski brothers? Entering the 00s they were the hottest duo due to the surprise success of The Matrix. They quickly showed they had no ability to understand what made The Matrix good as the two sequels are considered two of the worst sequels to ever come out. While Reloaded made 281 million, it cost 151 million to make. For comparison the first Matrix made 171 million on a 63 million dollar budget and Revolutions made 140 million on a 150 million dollar budget.

But Hollywood wasn’t done throwing money at them.  V for Vendetta barely made back it’s 51 million dollar budget, making 70 million. The Wachowski’s though hadn’t directed V for Vendetta.  They hadn’t directed anything since Matrix Revolutions while still writing and producing. But Speed Racer was going to change that. An anime that hardly anyone remembers and was most notable for being on MTV in it’s early days, Speed Racer was going to be the summer blockbuster. It was even given a 120 million dollar budget.

It made 43 Million dollars domestically (like all totals I have reported) but even combining the overseas total it only made  93 million. It is widely considered one of the all time movie busts. That they haven’t written or directed another movie in 4 years since it was released should tell you something. They did of course produce a movie during that time, Ninja Assassin. A movie that once again made 38 million against a 40 million dollar budget.

Once again though, someone has given the Wachowski’s another 100 million dollar budget. You would believe this has to be their absolute last chance to actually make money on a movie. For 100 million you could probably make 5 20 million and one of them will make more then enough to recoup your 100 million. It’s also a movie adaptation of a Novel, and so far the Wachowski’s have shown a penchant for slaughtering source material.

For a business that complains it’s losing money hand over fist due to the internet, that Warner Brothers will continue hand money over to the Wachowski’s is a joke. At least maybe only give them 50 million and see if they still got it first. Nope, let’s let them follow up one of the all time biggest busts by giving them 20 million less then last time.

This is one of the reasons why the Studio system needs to die. There seemingly is never an original thought due to it. When something original does happen, it gets milked dry and then some. Hell the Wachowski’s basically stole Wire Fu from Hong Kong movies, and stumbled upon a decent plot twist. The Matrix doesn’t really stand up to multiple viewings. The beginning even drags a bit. But hey, they are geniuses, give them all your money!

Comments (0)

By admin, January 25, 2010 10:43 am

Zion Councilor: Today we are here to decide who we will contract for the construction of APUs for our defense. We have Quality Zion Defense and Red Tag Defense.

Quality Zion Defense: Yes, our design not only includes large caliber guns and an intuitive movement system allowing anyone to use it. We also included high level magnets so the APUs can’t be knocked off platforms and body armor that encases the user. Given that Squids do not use projectile weapons we believe that this armor will insure the APUs are near invulnerable.

Red Tag Defense: We have designed nearly the same APU as Quality. We have discovered that without the magnets and body armor Zion can save a near fortune. The APUs should still be fine and able to fight off squids and anything else that might attack.

QZD: Councilor this is—

Councilor: We shall let the representative from Red Tag finish. We must consider every aspect of every design offered to us. The council must also consider the economy of Zion.

QZD: What economy? We don’t produce anything, we don’t sell anything. Actually the only thing that seems to happen regularly around here is the orgy in the temple and the complete waste of mud and water!

Councilor: Silence, the orgy in the temple is a tradition which can not be broken. We do not know how we could go on without the weekly traditional orgy in the temple.

RTD: I’ve noted that with my APU design the savings will allow us three more orgies in the temple then the Quality design. I can assure you that no Squid could possibly get close enough to the APUs to cause damage to personnel.

QZD: But if we just cancel three orgies in the temple we can easily afford to fully armor all APUs to a point of nearly invulnerable. The magnets will insure that an APU knocked off the many platforms and walkways that criss cross Zion.

Councilor: If you please, we will take it upon ourselves to make the best choices for the defense of Zion. We also must tend to the spiritual and economic needs of Zion. We shall take both designs now and consider both arguments before we make our decision.

(Council leaves chamber)

QZD: I can’t believe you stole my design and removed two of the most important aspects

RTD: What can I say, I love the orgies.

(Council returns)

Councilor: We have reviewed both designs and all considerations involved with those designs. It is our decision that we will go with the design from Red Tag Defenses. Traditions can not be broken, and we have nothing more to live for then the weekly Orgy in the temple.

QZD: But But But, Think of the lifes! Think of the City!

Councilor: Silence, the decision is final. Work is to begin immediately on these designs. We must be prepared for the possible attack as soon as possible.

RTD: Thank you Councilor, we will begin immediately.

QZD: (mumbles) I hate you.

Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions

Really, what were they thinking? The Sentinels appear to have no ability to attack at a distance. Instead they must move in close and swarm. So why did the APUs have NO ARMOR AROUND THE HUMAN! That might have been an important idea so they couldn’t tear people to shreds while they were inside the APUs. I’m going to do a longer review eventually, especially of the bullshit quasi-philosophy of both of them.