Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesWe’re uncertain of whether it’s due to redundancies, but Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s film Cemetery Junction will be heading to the dreaded straight-to-DVD rack in the U.S. That’s an indignity usually reserved for the likes of Steven Seagal and Gervais’ Extras character Andy Millman. The film is a surprisingly somber coming-of-age tale set in a dream-killingly small British burg. Not exactly a larff riot, but it might have been interesting to see the comedic duo stretch their wings. Plus, it’s not like The Office didn’t have its share of hanging on in quiet desperation, which is, after all, the English way.
I think I’ll probably pick up the movie once it makes it’s way to stores on Aug. 17, if only to see what happens when Gervais and Merchant get serious. But what I’m really interested in is when we’re going to see a Karl Pilkington movie. Or a documentary about the quest for a boy who can swim faster than a shark. What do you think, PopWatchers? Disappointed that Cemetery Junction won’t be hitting a theater near you? Sad to see it consigned to the straight-to-DVD bin, or is that not necessarily a fate worse than death?
it did pretty well here in the UK, disappointing that the US market doesn’t have a place for it
I was so looking forward to this movie too! I mean, Ralph Fiennes is in it! Blerg.
Its considered something of an indignity I suppose, but I for one am glad that I won’t have to pay $10 to see it in theaters on top of the money I was already planning to spend on the eventual DVD release anyways. The reviews have been pretty positive, so its not like the studio thinks it is a terrible film they need to ditch, but rather one they don’t think will make enough money to justify marketing and releasing it cinematically. They are right, btw. It is a coming-of-age dramedy starring unknowns; it wasn’t meant to be Avatar. The only sad part is that we are hardwired to associate a film’s box office gross with its quality as a piece of art. That mindset tells us that this movie is terrible, while Paul Blart: Mall Cop must be a cinematic masterpiece.
well put, mo_j!
I thought Paul Blart: Mall Cop was supposed to be a somber coming-of-age tale so I was doubly disappointed.
i am disappointed, because those i know who saw it in britain said that it was rather good…i think it’s a shame movies like this don’t get a shot at the theater. the argument is that there’s not an audience, but if they’re all consigned to the discount bin, how is an audience supposed to be created? my local theater is STILL showing avatar on THREE screens. surely one of those showings could be moved for something like this?
where do you live???
Well, he lives on Pandora, so that explains a little.
I trust Gervais and Merchant to write a good dramatic movie, but the question is, do we need em? K. Dilkington forever!
It’s being released by Columbia (Sony) in the UK. You mean to tell me there isn’t a Sony-owned releasing company here in the US that couldn’t take the time to release it in the US theatrically? Even if it’s a date-and-day release? Not even Apparition or Sony Picture Classics? Boo.
As much as I would have liked to have seen it in a theater as God intended, a smaller distributer would mean for a shorter run in fewer theaters. Since many of us don’t live in New York, LA, or the other major cities where limited releases happen, this just means that we would have to wait even longer for the DVD release to see it. While not the ideal viewing experience, DVD sales, rentals, and illegal downloads (what?) just mean that more of us get to see and enjoy it sooner. Egalitarianism!
True
I would’ve expected at least a limited release. It never seemed like it would be a mainstream success at all, but I think it would’ve done alright as a limited release or something. Looking forward to it anyway.
This is a good sign cause Americans don’t really know a good movie/television show . . . eg the biggest show in the US is “2 and a half men” . . . enough said
Hey man, please don’t judge a whole country based solely on what ‘middle America’ likes. Yes, a lot of dumb shows are successful here, but only if you measure ‘success’ by what people who spend all day watching TV like. Remember, the US is responsible for some television gems like Arrested Development, Firefly, Futurama, and countless others (not to mention films).
Yes, the UK has put out a lot of great TV and film–I personally love Doctor Who, The [original] Office, and Extras, just to name a few. But that doesn’t mean that stupid shows and films aren’t also being made there. Like I said, let’s not be so judgmental of entire populations.
**Yes, I realize that many of these shows have been cancelled. I still think that they are worth mentioning.
Yes, and we can thank the Brits for “reality TV” (American Idol, etc.)
Its not a “larff a minute riot” because it’s not supposed to be. Just because its written by Gervais and Merchant is irrelevant.
That is where EVERYONE got confused with the movie because noone knew how to market it, not even here in the UK. A Gervais fronted project thats not funny, nor supposed to be. It was just asking to do badly from the very beginning.
That being said: Cemetery Junction was actually a very good movie provided you didnt expect it to be a comedy. Not earth shattering, but very good nonetheless, and well worth picking up if it arrives in a bargain bin near you soon.
How stupid. Ricky is pretty damn popular in the United States too, and their directorial debut absolutely deserved a theatrical release. I’m very surprised, but I’ll pick it up as soon as it comes out. I’ve been excited for it.
I think Gervais himself is pretty much a non-entity in the US. Note how his most successful project here is a drastically changed in tone Office with a much more telegenic star. Season 2 of Extras was already running on fumes and the features? Huh…?
DFSF:
Oh, wow, you do NOT know what you’re talking about. Gervais’ original “The Office” was miles beyond the American version–the point was never to have a “telegenic” star.
As for “Extras”, as hilarious as season 1 was, season 2 was beyond brilliant in so many ways. You’re speaking from ignorance. Don’t let it happen again.
you made Garry cry
I don’t think this movie was ever really targeted towards U.S. audiences anyway.
This is so disappointing. Some of the worst film-related news to hit in a long time.
He doesn’t have enough pull at the box office. This is a logical decision.
True. His movies fail at the box office.
As much as it pains me to do so, I have to agree. The Invention of Lying was not successful, and while it wasn’t his film, he was the star, and he just doesn’t have enough pull to get the people who aren’t already fans into the theatre. I’m also in one of those towns where movies like The Ugly Truth stick around for months and months, and we never get to see films of any substance. Thank God for DVDs.
Daisy, he co-wrote and co-directed The Invention of Lying. It absolutely was his film.
I dont think its a view of Britain, that Americans like to see.
I tell ya, I’ve seen some straight-to-DVD gems and some theatrical wide-release theatrical. It all boils down to whether any distributor thinks they can make any money off it. While I’m totally down for any Gervais-Merchant creation (ooh, maybe they should call it “a Merchant-Gervais production” and maybe fool some folks into thinking “Merchant-Ivory”), I can understand American distributors doubting a payday from it.
Well, that editing was unsuccessful. It should say “theatrical wide-release stinkers”.
I saw it over here in Britain and thought it was a great film, would’ve been better if Clive Warren and Rebecca De Mornay had starred though