THE ZAGAT GUIDE TO VALKYRIE
- By Russ Fischer
- Published 09/30/2008
- News
That's the case with this memo concerning the current online perception of Valkyrie, as released by Nikke Finke on Deadline Hollywood Daily. This is just part of a larger picture, though, in which a film is anticipated, then anticipated to be a major disaster, then makes strides to swat away the negative buzz by releasing some materials that, true to good old-fashioned showmanship, actually look entertaining.
Finke suggests that MGM is deliberately misinterpreting online buzz to give the film a more positive spin. But while I'm not evangelizing the movie by any means, and still don't really know what to expect from Singer, I think she's being unduly harsh. Taking responses here and on other sites as a gague, Valkyrie's profile seems to be improving.
I do like this memo's particular attention to accents. (Though not as much as the Fan-Boy tags.) As the primary actors are not speaking subtitled German, which would (I hope) be the first choice, I hope that audiences won't care about the lack of accents. Wouldn't actors who are obviously not German but speaking with Deutch-accented English be far more conspicuous than actors who simply speak as they do, or in some neutral English accent? I hate to think that obviously fake accents would make the film more palatable (or, god forbid, 'real') to average audiences, but I suspect that's actually the case.
Read the whole memo at Deadline Hollywood Daily. Unfortunately, the linked PDF is no longer available, and I didn't save it when I originally read the story last night.
Favorable Tone Dominates Trailer Buzz – Currently, reactions to the Valkyrie trailer are significantly favorable (approximately 80%) within Entertainment, Fan-Boy, Video Sharing, Social Networks, Social Bookmarks, and Fan communities. Fans deem the trailer “fantastic,” often praising the “stylistic” way that the footage was cut and asserting that it is “way better” than the initial teaser. Enthusiasts also note that the “intriguing” trailer has furthered their anticipation for the film’s release and anticipate that it will feature many great performances from the ensemble cast. Additionally, many viewers share avid excitement to see Bryan Singer’s “distinctive work” in the film and, while others admitted that they “aren’t fans” of Tom Cruise, they stated that the trailer has “sold” them on seeing Valkyrie in December. Neutral reactions (15%) arise from viewers sharing mixed reactions to the trailer, often asserting that while the film has the potential to be “awesome” they still have their doubts based on the initial critical buzz. The limited amount of unfavorable discussion (5%) stems from critics expressing general disinterest in the film, contending that the trailer makes Valkyrie look like “another Hollywood action movie.”
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by an unknown user)
first
Comment #2 (Posted by BOOM PING PING!)
Has the CHUD writing staff sat down to formulate their official position on the movie? Given Fataci's withering scorn, I assume that CHUD's collective coverage will be overwhelmingly negative.
Comment #3 (Posted by dr_ultimately)
i love being reduced to a statistic. thanks, mgm.
Comment #4 (Posted by mr_adam)
I found the trailer to FANTASTICally bad. It's not like Singer's last movie was WAY BETTER but at least it was INTRIGUING if a bit too STYLISTIC. It's been over 10 years since his AWESOME debut, the DISTINCTIVE WORK "Usual Suspects". My wife and I AREN'T FANS of Tom Cruise, and on the weekend Valyrie finally is stillborn we'll definitely be seeing ANOTHER HOLLYWOOD ACTION MOVIE.
Comment #5 (Posted by LD)
"Overwhelming negative" would seem right down the middle of where you live BOOM. Please don't hate on Faraci because he reminds you too much of yourself.
Comment #6 (Posted by an unknown user)
Did people bitch this much about accents with Enemy at the Gates?
Granted, Bob Hoskins still made a stab at a Russian accent, but other than that everyone spoke in their native dialect.
Comment #7 (Posted by Noah)
I always find a correct, but badly done accent to be more distracting than an actor just using their own accent.
Comment #8 (Posted by BurmaShave)
Hopefully K19: THE WIDOWMAKER killed the attempt at accents once and for all. Also mr_adam PUBLIC ACCESS was Singer's debut, not USUAL SUSPECTS.
Comment #9 (Posted by Scienwientogolologiest)
This movie isn't getting much cred on the net, Even after the new trailer was released. Singer punctured his own ass with Superman returns and cruise has been on a downward spiral since the xenu couch jump routine. Short of this movie getting ecstatic review from respected critics (NOT HARRY KNOWLES) I just don't see why people would a) give a shit b) want to see Xenu's number 2 playing a nazi with an american accent. Nice try, Russ. I know you liked the trailer, but putting a positive spin on this turkey is a real waste of time.

