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Post by ClericRyan on Nov 21, 2006 16:19:41 GMT -5
Ok, so first of all, I love Kurt Wimmer, and think he is one of the best directors out there. But he flopped UV. I mean flopped it, with the budget and expectations, profits were not even close to the expectations and his reputation is what has taken the biggest hit due to the conflicts and various rumors that came out of the last film. Will he direct films again in the future? Yes. But will he ever get a budget and any sort of production capital to make a great film? No. lets face it, he has been black listed and I highly doubt he will ever get a big studio production to put him on as a director of even a medium budget film. I am very sad to say it, but I think our good friend Mr. Wimmer will be a one hit wonder with Equilibrium.  |
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Post by Aedh on Nov 21, 2006 16:30:55 GMT -5
Maybe Hollywood doesn't deserve him ... I can envision him going indie, perhaps overseas. I hope he doesn't wind up in TV.
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Post by frivolity on Nov 21, 2006 16:32:06 GMT -5
Funnily enough, I was wondering about Mr Wimmer today.
All I can say is, I jolly well hope not.
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Post by Mirabilis on Nov 21, 2006 16:40:39 GMT -5
I'd hate to think of Kurt's career as a director as being finished...the indie route would definitely seem to be the best way to go...and Hollywood be damned! |
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Post by Vespertilio on Nov 22, 2006 0:17:43 GMT -5
Hmmm...well, I wouldn't say that Kurt flopped UV, that blame lies squarely on Sony "Screen Gems" (meh!). However...there's been nary a peep from him since just before UV was released.
I hope he's just waiting for whatever went on behind the scenes at Sony to blow over and he gets a chance to work on either something of quality for someone else or gets full control over a project of his own.
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Post by Walldude on Nov 22, 2006 0:26:20 GMT -5
So you make this judgement based on a directors second movie? First of all, with the DVD and foreign releases UV has turned a nice little profit, so it's not like it was a disaster. Second, many directors have had hit and miss careers, some have had major flops,*cough*1941*cough* and came back with huge hits. And C, Wimmer has already proven he doesn't need a budget to make a great film, he will do just as well if he has to go indie. No matter what happens I don't think we've seen the last of Wimmer.
Besides all that, if a no talent hack like Uwe Boll can get financing for a movie I'm pretty sure Wimmer can find the dough..
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Post by Ankhareon on Nov 22, 2006 1:28:50 GMT -5
No, I don't think Kurt's doomed, His movies just suffered from bad promotion and worse editing. it's no fault of his. Even if his career is in trouble, it's nothing an Ultraviolet Director's cut shouldn't fix.
And as you said, at least he isn't as bad as Uwe Boll
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Post by kaitenproductions on Nov 22, 2006 11:48:40 GMT -5
I want want wimmer to do something new soon. Something different, show us some range. But UV flopping wasnt the only thing that went wrong. Im sure he will have trouble trusting another studio after what sony did. And Hollywood isnt helping uwe boll. He is exploiting a loop hole in his countries tax deduction. He counts on his moving not making its money back.
"Boll is able to acquire funding thanks to German tax laws that reward investments in film. The law allows investors in German-owned films to write off 100% of their investment as a tax deduction; it also allows them to invest borrowed money and write off any fees associated with the loan. The investor is then only required to pay taxes on the profits made by the movie; if the movie loses money, the investor gets a tax writeoff."
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Post by Aedh on Nov 22, 2006 11:53:21 GMT -5
What's wrong with Uwe Boll? I contend the man makes slam-bang, rockem-sockem B-movies ... which I clearly distinguish from A-movies. I think people lose this distinction. Sure, Hitchcock he ain't ... Peter Jackson he ain't ... James Cameron he ain't ... but can he successfully divert me from reality for a hour and a half? Yes! That's what I plunk down my five bucks for! I say, go go go Bollmeister! Hoch Hoch! (PS: And Hoch Hoch! for the German tax laws that keep him in business!)
Mandatory Aedh disclaimer, v3: This statement is a matter of strictly personal, subjective taste, proffered for entertainment value only; and in no way intended to be prejudicial or demeaning toward, or dismissive of, any person, or persons, or organisation, belief, or creed in any way whatsoever. Had the world been a slightly different place, Aedh might in fact chance to be a HUGE fan of the work, person, or event referenced, but alas, it was not to be. Aedh wishes to express his deeply felt personal respect for all those, on this board and off, who actually are fans of work, person, or event referenced. By replying to this post, you signify your acceptance of the abovegoing, as well as the proposition that Aedh (if a bit eccentric) is a decent fellow, without prejudice to your rights to take up differences as provided on the “Is Aedh a bloody snob?” thread.
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Post by Walldude on Nov 23, 2006 20:23:36 GMT -5
I didn't say Uwe Boll was getting help from Hollywood, I said he was getting financing. Also UV may not have been a mega blockbuster but it made a profit, a flop is when you lose money.
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Nov 24, 2006 5:16:32 GMT -5
Well old Peter Jackson started with Brain Dead, Meet the Feebles and Bad Taste so perhaps there's hope for Uwe yet  |
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Post by Mirabilis on Nov 24, 2006 7:51:15 GMT -5
Good point there Wolf! |
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Post by Cleric Dogbert on Nov 25, 2006 10:45:37 GMT -5
Well old Peter Jackson started with Brain Dead, Meet the Feebles and Bad Taste so perhaps there's hope for Uwe yet Actually Wolf, you misspelled Kurt's name there...it should be Wimmer There is no hope for Uwe |
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Post by Aedh on Nov 25, 2006 11:44:47 GMT -5
For anyone who's watching out for the next "World's Greatest Director," to be anointed and acclaimed by the New York Times and all the critics... no, there's no hope for Uwe Boll. However, for the person who wants to flush ninety minutes away with a bit of gonad-tickling derring-do, there is not only hope, but considerable trust, in Der Bollmeister. (Refer to Mandatory Aedh Disclaimer (v3) as attached to Reply above.)
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Post by JenGe on Nov 25, 2006 12:19:53 GMT -5
Aedh, I'm actually with you on the Boll issue. I enjoyed Alone in the Dark for what it was...a silly B film that even has an Equilibrium homage in it (admited by Boll himself.)
See, I'm of the opinion that any filmmaker should be able to make whatever they want or can. We then can choose to see it or not.
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Nov 25, 2006 19:14:24 GMT -5
Well old Peter Jackson started with Brain Dead, Meet the Feebles and Bad Taste so perhaps there's hope for Uwe yet Actually Wolf, you misspelled Kurt's name there...it should be Wimmer There is no hope for Uwe There's no need for Kurt to have hope as far as I am concerned the guy did a good job with EQ, UV wasn't a smash hit but I enjoyed it. Boll on the other hand has got a lot of room for improvement but he needs to realise that himself. Funny joke though  |
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Nov 25, 2006 19:15:35 GMT -5
For anyone who's watching out for the next "World's Greatest Director," to be anointed and acclaimed by the New York Times and all the critics... no, there's no hope for Uwe Boll. However, for the person who wants to flush ninety minutes away with a bit of gonad-tickling derring-do, there is not only hope, but considerable trust, in Der Bollmeister. (Refer to Mandatory Aedh Disclaimer (v3) as attached to Reply above.)I am curious to see how he does with Dungeon Siege. |
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Post by Aedh on Nov 26, 2006 23:29:03 GMT -5
I am curious to see how [Uwe Boll] does with Dungeon Siege. He'll do alright ... it'll be a romp ... which a lot of people won't like ... neither he nor I will lose any sleep over that. (See Mandatory Aedh disclaimer, v3, as posted above) |
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Nov 27, 2006 8:01:35 GMT -5
Well, it's got Ron Pearlman and Jason Statham in it |
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Post by ClericRyan on Nov 27, 2006 13:22:58 GMT -5
Hmmm...well, I wouldn't say that Kurt flopped UV, that blame lies squarely on Sony "Screen Gems" (meh!). However...there's been nary a peep from him since just before UV was released. I hope he's just waiting for whatever went on behind the scenes at Sony to blow over and he gets a chance to work on either something of quality for someone else or gets full control over a project of his own. I think he did not flop it personally but UV was a flop and the only reason people like it is because he made it, however it is not a bad film. Just very poorly edited. |
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Post by ClericRyan on Nov 27, 2006 13:26:02 GMT -5
So you make this judgement based on a directors second movie? First of all, with the DVD and foreign releases UV has turned a nice little profit, so it's not like it was a disaster. Second, many directors have had hit and miss careers, some have had major flops,*cough*1941*cough* and came back with huge hits. And C, Wimmer has already proven he doesn't need a budget to make a great film, he will do just as well if he has to go indie. No matter what happens I don't think we've seen the last of Wimmer. Besides all that, if a no talent hack like Uwe Boll can get financing for a movie I'm pretty sure Wimmer can find the dough.. Sorry if my post was a "judgment" I stated from the start I love KW. I just think in the Hollywood budget culture of big films, he is no longer marketable. Lets not forget how poorly EQ did, other then cult status it was also a flop in box office earnings. And for big budget films you have to convince producers of 10Mil min. at the box office. My main beef is with the system maybe not being ready for Kurt. |
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Post by dsolidsnake on Nov 27, 2006 22:52:01 GMT -5
Well in my book Uwe Boll is 0-3 so he struck out with me. Count me out for his next film.
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Post by Walldude on Nov 28, 2006 9:56:32 GMT -5
Well, it's got Ron Pearlman and Jason Statham in it Burt Reynolds and Ray Liotta too... |
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Nov 29, 2006 5:55:18 GMT -5
Yup. And personally, I don't think Kurt is finished...I would like to think we'll see something more from him, where he has creative control and not the other way around.
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Post by Cleric Russ on Dec 1, 2006 11:54:23 GMT -5
As I see it, UV did fine both domestically and is shaping up to be "fine" in foreign/other markets as well.
The DVD compilation may have equal, if not greater, success- one of the secrets that Sony has figured out is that if a film does "nominal" [in this case, considering "above-line" costs of marketing and theater distribution against the end budget "below-line" costs of actually producing the film] at the box office, often what an audience as a collective set of voyeurs their library tends to do "better than nominal" in the video/DVD realm where consumers can go home and view something and enjoy it more intimately without "answering" to their seat-mates...
Where Sony fails is in the direct-to-video items- as they try to capitalize on themes and scripts that may be good, but receive little or no marketing other than by-contract pull from the mega-plex video stores who need to meet a quota of product from the various production/distribution companies and their contracts.
Mr Kurt may have had a relatively 'scarred' relationship with Sony productions with UV but this was also the case with the Lucas's, Speilbergs, Camerons, etc of film lore. He may not see an "all the plugs pulled" money wash budget for another production- and help keep me honest, but isn't he an "indy" as it is- he was hired by Sony for Ultraviolet was he not [could be wrong- heaven knows that happens hourly...]?
If this is the case, the $$ made on UV [full net profit versus below the line costs] will play out well with independent distributors/investors who as a collective may pony-up cash for something Kurt has proven himself with! Based on who he can get as talent will then sell the finished product to a more 'notorious' distributor instead of the celler-dwellers I've often seen.
I really don't think Kurt is down for the count- how he'll go about tackling either his next project [for-hire] or his own project and getting that all too important distributorship [*cough*cough* Miramax* cough*cough*] will dictate not only his own personal success but to the success of his vendors into building his financial potential as well as artistic potential.
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gary
Sense Offender
Posts: 6
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Post by gary on Mar 7, 2007 19:34:37 GMT -5
Is Kurt finished?
Kurt is not finished for one simple reason; he's gotta skill 99% of Hollywood hasn't got: He can WRITE. He writes the most difficult genre with a unique, twisted, and compelling voice: action. As long as he's packing that six-gun he's ALWAYS gonna be in demand in tinsel town. Kurt will pop to the surface of the public conscious again. All he's gotta do is keep doing what he does best: write kick-ass scripts. One of these days he's gonna get the opportunity to direct one of 'em. Then look the f__ out.
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Post by Ankhareon on Mar 11, 2007 2:27:04 GMT -5
What he really needs is studios who won't eviscerate his movies before releasing them and never give them any publicity
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Post by ianlow32 on Mar 16, 2007 3:25:31 GMT -5
Kurt's career is side tracked for now i think due to the less than warm reception from UV, but I doubt its far from over. In fact, I think having done 2 very similar sci-fi flicks, it may be a signal for him to try something different.
The point about peter jackson is valid as he did some lousy b-grade horror flicks before he tried a different genre and came up with heavenly creatures .. and later the LOTR mammoth hits.
all he needs is a good script, not necessarily by himself, some luck and he might jus hv sleeper hit that raise his crenditals to a-list. look at gore verbinski, virtually unknown with mousehunt and mexican, and when he did pirates, he hit it big time.
maybe its a question of luck now ....
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Janus
Sweeper
He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
Posts: 92
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Post by Janus on Mar 24, 2007 18:08:09 GMT -5
I personally think Kurt Wimmer isn't down for the count. Good point brought up by a few here being that many "great" directors started down a shakey and rather low-key path before becoming big. Equilibrium didn't make Wimmer's career skyrocket due to having a limited release, but he's young and there's plenty of opportunity left.
Amen.
This seriously made me bust out laughing and ruined a perfectly decent shirt as I spilled coffee all over myself. Uwe Boll makes movies like Shaq solves math conundrums.
True. Though it shocks me to no end that Mr. Jackson's real passion and baby was the remake of King Kong as opposed to the legendary trilogy he helped slap together. That's a bit like George Lucas remaking the Creature from the Black Lagoon and calling it his mission in life, or Oliver Stone's obsession with Alexander.
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Post by TheKaiser on Mar 24, 2007 23:19:52 GMT -5
Difference is that Peter Jackson recieved tonnes of critical acclaim for his splatter-horror films. Bad Taste won several awards, Meet the Feebles generated controversy and got a lot of attention, Braindead won several more awards and critical acclaim as well. He also made a fantastic mockumentary that fooled nearly all of New Zealand into thinking it was real (Forgotten Silver), founded his own effects company and got even more acclaim for his drama Heavenly Creatures, before becoming starting LOTR, which finally made him a house-hold name (despite him already being one of NZ's most famous directors and widely known on the horror scene). Very different scenario then Wimmer who has yet to be critically recognized, and only recieved significant attention for Equilibrum among the internet community, which was soured for some by Ultraviolet and totally different from Uwe Boll who has only recieved attention for sucking (though he is probably one of the smartest and shrewdest businessmen in the industry).
Kurt is back to writing though, and one of his ideas got bought up recently, so I'm sure he'll come back with something. He got overabitious with UV. If he gets back in the director chair, it'll probably be a more modest project.
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