June 16, 2005

There was a lot of response to the column on Cinderella Man and the press yesterday... most of it about one sentence involving Russell Crowe.

I'm in Vegas for CineVegas and a new 20 Weeks just went up on MCN. So here, for you amusement, a few of the letters from Crowe's crowd.

There may be some dispute about how the NYT story happened and who wanted what to run where, when, and why... but the punchline remains the same. The Paper of Record now has a habit of doing stories the way the trades might... in the interest of the person the story is about more than in the interest of the reader. And there were some very thoughtful e-mails about that subject, which I will run tomorrow. But right now, more importantly, Russell's fans love him... a lot! So they get their space first.

READERS OF THE DAY

BF writes: "Ok, I gather CM is a tough sell - although not to those who admire Russell Crowe. But, PLEASE, what the hell else you want him to do to promote his movie? He flys halfway around the world, does premieres in 2 cities, screenings in each, talks to all the nightly entertainment shows, goes on Leno, Letterman, Regis, Hardball, Ellen, Charlie Rose, Conan - major covers with GQ, EW, Interview - goes to Indy, Boxing Hall of Fame - what else would you have suggested?

Even phonegate, while not an admirable episode and one which will cause him future distress, kept the spotlight on him and the movie for another week!!

Everyone I know who's seen it loves it, and the critical acclaim is
there. I thought it could be the alternative movie for adults this
summer, but while I've actually seen a widely diverse age group in the
audiences for CM, obviously the biggie blockbusters have eaten up the movie going public so far this "summer." It's depressing."

Inside The Beltway But Out Of The Loop writes: "I am only a lowly movie goer, so I can't really comment on the machinations and motivations of producers and reporters. Your comment "with a star who doesn't break his back selling himself or his movies" really made me sit up and take umbrage.

I saw Mr. Crowe on The Tonight Show, The Letterman Show, The Ellen Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Charlie Rose Show, Late Nite with Conan O'Brian and Good Morning America. Call me crazy, but that seems like a pretty full plate to me. Mr Howard and Mr. Giamatti also have done a lot of appearances. As a matter of fact, the one person who seems to have been missing in action is Rene Zellweger, but I digress.

I would also like to let you know that I know many people who have given up seeing films in theaters and wait for the DVD to come out. This is in part because of the soaring costs ($9.25 is now pretty standard in the DC area) and partly because of the increase in ads and trailers and lastly because the product has gone downhill. People are buying big screen stereo TV/Entertainment systems and using Netflix and avoiding the lines, the rude behavior, the having to sit through the same commercials they see at home for free. (How timely, and a litte creepy actually - a Netflix ad just popped up on my PC - for the price of a movie I see you can get a month's worth from Netflix...no wonder people are making the switch!)

I used to go to movies once a week. Now I go maybe 6 times a year. I
have fallen in to the trap of trying to see films up for Academy Awards,
but I have been so disappointed in the last few years that I plan to NOT fall for that again. Million Dollar Baby was, as my Father used to say, the height of mediocrity

The real rating system out here in the real world is:

1 - Must see as soon as it comes out - Cinderella Man.
2 - would like to see, but not rushing out. 2A - see during a bargain
matinee. Both more likely if friends also want to go.
3 - wait for the DVD
4 - wait for cable.
5 - only as alternative to a root canal, say like Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Until the industry figures out that they are pricing themselves out of
most people's wallets, they will never get what is going on with the
drop in box office."

FROM KC BBQ, a shot at Tom as well as a Russell defense: "I am just sending this e-mail regarding your opinion that Russell Crowe
did not promote Cinderella Man well. He was on a media blitz for this
film, he appeared on Leno, Letterman, Ellen, Good Morning America, MSNBC with Chris Matthews, Charlie Rose a fantastic 1 hour on the making of Cinderella Man. The L.A. Premiere and the New York Premiere.

I know because I had trouble getting everything taped that he appeared on for about two weeks.

Give the guy a break. Universal has admitted poor timing for release of this Oscar Quality film. Russell Crowe is the finest actor working today, bar none. Cinderella Man is a very high quality film, that
is excellence in film at the highest level.

Russell does have a temper as everyone is well aware of by the hotel incident, and has admitted it publically, also has apologized publically. No doubt he makes mistakes, to err is human. I for one forgive him, he will indeed pay for this incident, he knows that. At least he is a real man who is about as honest a person as you will find in the business of the Hollywood Machine.

Russell has done everything in his power to promote this film, there has been no slacking on his part. He has done everything required, except standing on a sofa and jumping up and down, maybe thats what you wanted from him."

A great stat from MAAAAAAAA: "I'm sorry but I had to respond to your assertion that Russell Crowe is "a star who doesn't break his back selling himself or his movie". I disagree 100%.

He was on virtually every talk show and entertainment program promoting Cinderella Man. I also saw him on PBS, MSNBC, Bravo and ESPN. I don't know how much more he could have done to promote this film.

Also, Russell is not just a star because of how well his films do at the boxoffice, but also because his films are of such high quality. Prior to Cinderella Man , 5 of his last 7 films have been Oscar nominated for Best Picture and 2 of them have won. Does any other actor or actress in recent memory have a comparable record?"

Finally, this from SIMS CITY: "I NEVER reply to a column but I must say that after reading your Cinderella Man article I have to. Can you please explain to me what you mean by Russell Crowe doesn't break his back selling himself or his movies??????

This is someone who seems to me to be extremely passionate about every movie he makes and promotes the "crap" out of it in my opinion.

Charlie Rose
Ellen
Leno
Letterman
Conan
The Daily Show
GMA
Regis and Kelly
I'll go on if you would like. Really, I will.

Do you maybe have some advice for him on how to promote the "crap" out of his movies a little better?

And unlike some actors he chooses quality over quantity when it comes to films. Do you really think that when he made The Insider, he was thinking "This is going to bring in some serious dough"? I'm sure if he agreed to the Matrix films or The Lord of the Rings films then his box office returns would be quite high. But he doesn't usually go that route for a reason."

E-ME. Forgive me, for I have Crowed.