TC4 Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Sounds like some people are scared that this film might not be so good http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2005062303020002605482&dt=20050623030200&w=RTR&coview= German critics on 'War' path over embargo COLOGNE, Germany (Hollywood Reporter) - German film critics are up in arms over Paramount's worldwide embargo on reviews of Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" until the film's day-and-date release next Wednesday. The country's leading film critics association launched an official protest Wednesday against what it calls "a violation of basic constitutional rights." In an open letter, the German association of film critics called on its members to protest the "War of the Worlds" embargo by publicizing details of the studio's demands and criticizing the distributor's no-review policy. The association also called on its members to violate any future embargoes or to refuse to review films where an embargo is imposed. "We know this (embargoes on film reviews) is common in the U.S., but it has never happened here in Germany before, and we won't stand for it," Andrea Dittgen, head of the German critics association, said in an interview. "We believe this violates basic freedom of speech rights and is illegal under German law." It is common in Germany for distributors not to screen their films for critics before release, but "War of the Worlds" is the first film where critics have had to sign waivers pledging not to review the film before its official bow. Not all German critics agreed to the embargo. A number refused to sign the distributor's waivers and reviewed the film ahead of schedule. Reviews of the film published so far here have been mixed but generally positive. In place of their usual reviews, some German broadsheets have printed articles protesting the embargo policy. The Berliner Morgenpost compared Paramount to the aliens in the film, looking to "achieve world domination." The embargo on reviews for the Tom Cruise tentpole comes straight from Paramount in the U.S. and has been rolled out in Europe by distributor United International Pictures. According to Rob Friedman, vice chairman of the Paramount Motion Picture Group, "Bascially, it has pretty much been the policy on all our movies (to embargo reviews until opening day). Because of the movie's Wednesday opening and the early premieres, we have been asking everyone to honor review dates around the world, because we don't want to put anyone at a disadvantage." Consumer press review embargoes are standard policy for all Paramount films in the U.S. (Trade reviews occasionally run earlier when the studio chooses to run so-called "quote ads" in its advertising.) The studio has extended that policy for "War of the Worlds," which is its largest ever worldwide day-and-date release. There has been no protest by critics in other countries, some of whom are accustomed to such embargoes. The German association also criticized the security measures undertaken at the first press screening of "War of the Worlds" on June 14 in Berlin. For the first time at such a screening, the distributor filmed the audience as an anti-piracy measure. The screening sparked a minor uproar in the German film press, with some journalists comparing the security measures to the surveillance by the Stasi in communist East Germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiebear Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Definately a sign of a crappy movie.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 this is a sign that the movie will suck, sorry Tom :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Originally posted by jbooma this is a sign that the movie will suck, sorry Tom :laugh: Yep, too bad, I was really looking forward to it... Guess I can wait a bit to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Not true at all. It premiered internationally first -- the studio doesn't want reviews to come out until it premieres here. You'll see reviews in the next couple days. I have two friends who've seen it and thought it was fantastic -- but kind of had a letdown of an ending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC4 Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 Originally posted by Hooper I have two friends who've seen it and thought it was fantastic -- but kind of had a letdown of an ending. Well, if you read the H.G Wells book or seen the 1953 film, then there really can be ONLY one ending Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Exactly. Which may disappoint some folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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