Made in Hollywood

"Here, Scarlett."

As the car stopped steadily, Duke reminded the little girl sitting in the back seat, "Don't forget your schoolbag."

"Got it."

Scarlett Johansson dangled her ponytail, picked up her schoolbag, got out of the car, closed the door with her backhand, waved to Duke, and walked home without looking back.

"She won't be angry?" Charlize in the co-pilot looked over there and asked.

"It's ok."

Duke started the car only after seeing Scarlett walking into the house, "She is like this normally."

Although he could guess something vaguely from the voice of the phone call, Duke would not speak. After all, this is the private matter of Johnson’s family, let alone him, even his mother Scarlett’s godmother. To interfere.

"Let's go."

Duke turned the steering wheel, turned out of this quiet path, and drove towards North Hollywood.

Arrived at Laurel Valley Avenue and found a high-end restaurant, the two of them ordered casually, and sat at the table by the window, eating and talking.

"Congratulations on your film's big sales." Charlize Theron raised his glass, "You have broken three records in North American film history."

"At the same time I was scolded miserably."

"√,

Taking a sip of the red wine, Duke teased himself, "Perhaps I will become the worst director in Hollywood history next week."

"There are a lot of people who want to be criticized by film critics like you." Charlize passed the growing blond hair behind his ears, and sipped fruit salad without salad dressing. "You don't know, my acting class has How many people envy the cast of "Independence Day"."

"There will always be opportunities." How could Duke fail to hear what she meant. "Your agent didn't let you audition recently?"

"Yes, how could he let me go." Charlize Theron seemed to be annoyed, "I temporarily pushed it off, if it continues. I think I will soon be given up by him."

She leaned forward slightly, her delicate face moved closer, "Duke, can you introduce an agent for me?"

Lifting his head, Duke looked at her as if not joking. After thinking about it, he said, "If you have time, you can go to icm and say that I introduced it."

"Are there any arrangements for tonight?" Charlize asked timely.

"Hmm..." Duke pinched his chin. Naturally, there are some activities that don't need to be mentioned, and there is no need to worry. He suddenly remembered the movie that was once known as the first in history.

The answer seemed to be something Charlize had expected, she smiled, "Okay."

Having been talking in the restaurant until late, the two came out hand in hand. Duke bought a baseball cap from a sports shop on the side of the road and took Charlize Theron to a cinema not far away.

Although the recent hot spots about him and "Independence Day", there is no legendary scene where paparazzi come to take pictures. The director is always the director. Compared with the stars in front of the scene, the attractiveness and newsworthiness are much worse.

of course. There may also be paparazzi hiding in the dark to take pictures. That is not in Duke's consideration. He is neither married nor has a girlfriend. Even if he is photographed by some caring people, it is not a big deal.

Laurel Valley Boulevard is one of the most prosperous areas in North Hollywood, even if it is close to midnight. Still brightly lit, pedestrians like weaving, and walking only a few hundred feet away, Dukla turned into the roadside theater with the tall and **** blonde.

Maybe it's too late. Or maybe the film released this week was not attractive enough. There were not many people in the theater. After buying two tickets, the two entered the theater, chose a seat slightly back, and sat together.

"Drink some water."

Charlize was very attentive and handed a bottle of mineral water she had just unscrewed, "The Shawshank's Redemption? Are you interested in such a film?"

"Why can't I be interested in such a film?" Duke laughed.

"I thought you were interested in movies..." Charlize made several fist gestures. "They are all movies of this type."

After a few words, the midnight scene started soon. Because of the similarity of the film, Duke's energy was not completely focused on the film. His eyes swept across the theater, including him and Charlize Theron. There were less than ten people sitting.

If it's a theater in a remote area, such a midnight attendance rate is not bad, but here is the prosperous Laurel Valley Boulevard in all of Los Angeles, and the number of attendance is a bit less.

However, this is also normal. The midnight show relies on fan support. This type of film cannot be like action films or science fiction films, with hard-core supporters. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman do not have many fans today. At all.

The beginning of the film was very depressing. Although there was no lack of hope, it still felt too heavy. Before even halfway through the screening, three people in their 20s left early.

Even if Tim Robbins's depressive emotions in the rain are released, but there is no feeling of invigorating and dripping. The dullness and depression always fall in people's hearts...

"Very infectious film."

Compared to Duke, Charlize Theron watched very seriously, and felt very emotional when the subtitles fell. "I think... I think the film has a feeling of indescribable..."

She can't seem to find a suitable description.

"Let's go."

Without waiting for Charlize Theron to continue to sigh, Dukla walked her out. When he came outside the theater, he rejected the questionnaire feedback from the investigating consultant and walked slowly out.

There was a voice behind it, and it seemed that other audience members were talking to the investigating consultant.

"The Redemption of Shawshank is very exciting. This is the best movie I have ever seen this year. It only talks about the plot and the touch. Now the popular "Independence Day" is not as popular as it, but I have a strange I feel, I always feel that watching this movie in the cinema is weird..."

As if to understand, the male audience said, "This kind of film does not seem to be suitable for the atmosphere of the theater, but should be hidden in the home or other quieter place by yourself, and taste the theater environment. It's too contrary to the theme of the movie."

When he walked out of the theater, Duke was still thinking about what the person said earlier that the reason for the box office failure of "Shawshank's Redemption" was very complicated, and it must be one of them that it was not suitable for theater screenings. As for the promotion and marketing problems mentioned by many people , On the contrary, it is not too prominent. After all, the marketing expenses before the film’s first release are not low compared to the investment, and after the Oscar’s failure, it caused overwhelming sympathy and was even named the best in history by the media. It also advertised the release again, but the second time it entered the theater line ended with a big fight.

"what are you thinking about?"

After getting in the car, Charlize asked Duke curiously, "I just wandered out of the theater."

"I was thinking..." Duke fastened his seat belt and turned his head to look at her. "How can I eat your beautiful and delicious snack tonight."

"As long as it's not the sandwich like the last time," Charlize's red lips came to Duke's ear, "I am happy to accompany you."

A few minutes later, the Bentley drove into the community. The two walked into the apartment arm in arm, and almost untied each other’s clothes at the fastest speed. Duke even carried the naked Charlize Theron directly into the bedroom. , Threw it onto the thick mattress, and then threw it on.

Last time, although there were still some vague memories, for Duke who was drunk at the time, he could hardly remember the process of enjoyment. This time I naturally have to take a closer look at this beauty that was once famous all over the world. The taste of drilling, although it is more youthful now, and far from the powerful queen aura in the future, it also has a different style.

The sun rose to the sky on Friday, and there was no holiday at the Sony Columbia Pictures headquarters, and some were just busy.

Sitting behind his desk, Ralph was quickly flipping through the major newspapers in North America, looking for film reviews of "Shawshank's Redemption" from the film critic column.

"A long road to freedom, a deep washing of the soul, an immortal inspirational classic, "Shawshank's Redemption" brings about the everlasting sincere friendship, the indomitable soul forging and the endless destiny. Fire! This is a great movie!"

In the column of the "Chicago Sun", Roger Albert not only gave the iconic thumbs up, he also gave the film a very good point!

"The film touches on the eternal theme of mankind and the current unavoidable dilemma. The structure of the film is more refined than the original novel, and the lines are more rhythmic, more refined, and more profound than the original novel. The characters are more refined than the original novel. More vivid and powerful. With rich and ingenious artistic texts, the director has raised the spirit of freedom between heaven and earth!"

David Denby, the critic of "The New Yorker", who has always been famous for his cynicism, gave him a high score of 9.5!

Similarly, other film critics also praised the film.

"The film melts the soul of freedom and redemption into the bones, thus creating an irresistible and moving appeal."

"The Shawshank's Redemption is the most powerful commentary on hope."

In the film critic column of the paper media, especially the most famous group of film critics, "Shawshank's Redemption" has been unanimously praised. Most of the professional scores are nine or ten. It is definitely the most popular professional film in recent years. .

However, what he saw in the newspaper did not excite Ralph, because he had already seen the midnight performance of "Shawshank's Redemption" before the secretary sent it to the newspaper.

US$970,000!

Even if the film type and actors lack fans and appeal, such data, especially in the summer vacation of the North American movie watching boom, is inevitably less.

However, Ralph still has some hope. According to survey statistics, although not many viewers have watched the film, the reputation is also excellent. The a-level praise rate is close to 90%, and it is completely only for the audience of big-selling movies. Word of mouth.

Perhaps word of mouth and word-of-mouth fermentation will increase box office during the day?

Although they understand that they have to fight against a strong film like Independence Day, the hopes of Ralph and Sony Columbia Pictures have not been dashed. (To be continued...)

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