Steve Johnson

Host

The Hobbit Vs. The Hunger Games

Jul 28, 2014·11 visitors

Jack Terry

Cohost

Stage· 50 messages

Jul 28, 2014

Two new trailers are released and social media explodes. Steve and jack tawk about their impact

Steve Johnson · 8:30 PM

Good afternoon Jack and anyone who might be out there. Welcome to this "emergency" movie meeting!

Jack Terry · 8:31 PM

Ha! Yeah, as soon as I got my computer turned on and saw what was trending I had a feeling I'd be hearing from you. How are you?

Steve Johnson · 8:31 PM

After watching the new trailers for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One" and "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" I'm super excited.

Jack Terry · 8:32 PM

Perfect! You fell into my trap!

Steve Johnson · 8:32 PM

What do you mean?

Jack Terry · 8:32 PM

Weren't you already excited for both of these movies even before these new trailers came out?

Steve Johnson · 8:32 PM

Of course. Me and millions of other people.

Jack Terry · 8:33 PM

Exactly. How much effect do you think releasing these trailers is going to have on the movie going public?

Steve Johnson · 8:33 PM

I see your point. People who have already been going to see The Hunger Games movies and the Hobbit movies probably have every intention of seeing these movies as well.

Steve Johnson · 8:34 PM

Are you asking do I think these trailers will help to create an even bigger audience?

Jack Terry · 8:34 PM

Yes. Will they?

Steve Johnson · 8:35 PM

It's hard to say. It creates attention, for sure, and I think that it might help to remind people of the fact that there are other movies that came out before, so now's the time to join up and catch up.

Jack Terry · 8:36 PM

I can see your point. Something similar happened with me and the Harry Potter books. I didn't start reading them until about the third or fourth one came out. Not sure why I waited, but...

Jack Terry · 8:36 PM

...it was almost a shame thing at that point: "Am I the only one who hasn't read these yet?"

Steve Johnson · 8:36 PM

Which just goes to show you that peer pressure doesn't go away once we grow out of puberty.

Jack Terry · 8:37 PM

Interesting angle when you think about it.

Steve Johnson · 8:37 PM

What is?

Jack Terry · 8:37 PM

The Hunger Games is predominantly about a person willfully not fitting in with the rest of the society, yet to watch the movies (or read the books) means to do just that.

Steve Johnson · 8:38 PM

Well that's a cynicism that goes back decades, like the character Mike Teevee in "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

Jack Terry · 8:39 PM

And the song about how you shouldn't watch so much television, while you're probably watching the movie on television.

Steve Johnson · 8:39 PM

Yup. Now obviously though there is a reason these trailers were released today.

Jack Terry · 8:39 PM

Comic-Con 2014 Baby!!

Steve Johnson · 8:40 PM

That's certainly the big reason, but I'm going to test you. What do you think a second reason for the release specifically of another Hunger Games; Mockingjay part 1 trailer today?

Jack Terry · 8:41 PM

Hmm, let me put on my sleuthing hat. As you say, it's another one. They have already released several, while this is one of the first for The Hobbit final installment.

Steve Johnson · 8:41 PM

That is correct.

Jack Terry · 8:41 PM

So there must be something specific they want to cash in on, more so than just the Comic-Con effect.

Steve Johnson · 8:42 PM

Which goes back to your earlier point: do these big tent pole movies need a presence at Comic-Con to attract attenion?

Jack Terry · 8:42 PM

No, but stop trying to distract me. There's got to be an ulterior motive...

Jack Terry · 8:43 PM

I got it! The trailer is barely a minute but I just watched it again and saw who was featured most prominently in it!

Steve Johnson · 8:43 PM

And that would be.

Jack Terry · 8:43 PM

A most wanted man, starring in the movie "A Most Wanted Man" that just came out to very good reviews this past weekend!

Steve Johnson · 8:44 PM

The late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Jack Terry · 8:44 PM

That's almost a little on the dirty side of marketing, don't you think?

Steve Johnson · 8:44 PM

Should they not make mention of the fact that he's in the movie?

Jack Terry · 8:45 PM

Well, no. I mean, it's Heath Ledger and The Dark Knight all over again.

Steve Johnson · 8:46 PM

And it's a great way to tap into a potential new audience: fans of Phillip Seymour Hoffman who have not seen the earlier Hunger games movies because they thought they were above such Young Adult fare.

Steve Johnson · 8:47 PM

But now, as his fans, will see him in whatever they can because they know there will be no more chances.

Jack Terry · 8:47 PM

That just seems shady.

Steve Johnson · 8:47 PM

It is what it is. It's not like anyone planned it that way.

Jack Terry · 8:48 PM

No but...I don't know, it's business I guess. But you're right. I've already had friends talk about going watching the Hunger Games movies now because of that.

Steve Johnson · 8:48 PM

It's the meeting of two worlds.

Jack Terry · 8:49 PM

Speaking of that, my favorite news from Comic-Con has easily got to be The Simpsons/Family Guy crossover!

Steve Johnson · 8:49 PM

Holy poop does that look awesome!!

Jack Terry · 8:50 PM

I watched the released footage, and it just seems so odd to tell you the truth. But odd in a very exciting way!

Steve Johnson · 8:50 PM

I'm certainly way more excited about this mash-up than I am about the whole Superman and batman meeting up!

Jack Terry · 8:50 PM

September 28th (I think) Can't wait!

Steve Johnson · 8:51 PM

Followed by Hunger Games Mockingjay part 1 in November

Jack Terry · 8:51 PM

and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies in December.

Steve Johnson · 8:51 PM

Thanks for joining me as always Jack. A great tawk as usual.

Jack Terry · 8:52 PM

See you at the movies Steve!