Hollywood Anti- War Movies Floppers

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Hollywood Anti- War Movies Floppers

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The wave of recent films set against the backdrop of war
in Iraq and post-9/11 security has failed to win over film-goers keen
to escape grim news headlines when they go to the movies, analysts say. Movie Chart

Almost without exception, however, the crop of movies have
struggled to turn a profit at the box-office and in many cases have
received a mauling from unimpressed critics as well.

"Rendition,"
a drama starring Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal about the CIA's
policy of outsourcing interrogation of terror suspects, has taken just
under 10 million dollars at the box office, a disastrous return. Maybe the American public is not nearly as angry and delirious about Iraq as some think.

UA/MGM's Lions For Lambs placed 4th. But the question Hollywood is asking today is what sank the movie: its star Tom Cruise or its controversial Iraq War subject matter? Judging from the exit polling, I'd have to say the latter, because the attendance for this film split straight down political lines already sharply drawn in this country. It was stronger on both coasts than in the middle of the country, and it played better in Blue states than Red states, and it appealed to older, more upscale, and educated audiences (or what is frequently termed by pundits "The Elites"). United Artists noted that Lions For Lambs "performed much better" than other anti-war themed movies In The Valley Of Elah and Rendition but that's not saying much -- all focused on the war and flopped at the box office. The film got some of the worst reviews ever for a prestige project like this -- only 27% positive according to Rotten Tomatoes, and Redford's direction was roundly criticized as was the talky script that played like a stage production. If it weren't for the marketing campaign, it might have tanked even worse. As for Cruise's career as a movie star, I believe the real test of his appeal will come the next time he stars in an action thriller, his speciality. If that pic tanks, then even Tom will know he's toast. MORE

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Source: deadlinehollywooddaily.com