A Sound of Thunder...coming out friday. But you wouldn't know it.

[Silly McGooses]

A Sound of Thunder (http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=soundofthunder.htm) Warner Bros. (http://boxofficemojo.com/schedule/?view=distributor&id=warnerbros.htm) 800 Theater opening
I got that from Box Office Mojo. Years and years in the making, $75 million budget, a surprisingly good cast, and yet WB has decided to completely shaft this movie after pushing it back over and over. I have yet to see one TV spot, just a 1 inch tall ad with the words "a sound of thunder" in small print in the paper, as if any average joe would know what the heck they're talking about.
The movie is based on Ray Bradbury's classic short story, the original "if you go back in time and do something it will screw the future up" story, and I know that for the first time Ray is 100% happy with a film adaptation of his work. I've read one review from a test screening from about a year ago that was very positive despite some "rough edges and incomplete special effects."
To me, everything about this movie indicated that it could have been huge. The first trailer that came out over a year ago looked fantastic; it was engrossing and genuinely frightening. The newer trailer seems like a desperate attempt to market it as a teen horror flick.
I think it's very sad that WB isn't going to give the movie a chance. I hope that there's still enough TV spots this week to generate some interest.
The official site is
asoundofthunder.com
But WB doesn't even have a link to it from their official site.

[The Clown Prince]

Yeah, I've noticed the lack of TV spots as well. And because of that, I forgot it was opening this coming Friday. I knew it was in September, but the release date had slipped my mind.

It has been sad how this movie has been treated. Release date change after release date change. Finally, I think it got to the point where WB said, "all right, we have to release this thing soon. We can't keep sitting on it anymore. Why don't we just release it at the end of the summer movie season and hope we make a few bucks on it."

That's been the mentality I've gotten from them. If Bradbury has been happy with the result of the actual film (not the marketing), I think it's extremely wonderful for him. But it's also sad though how this thing will do at the box office. Maybe it will make some dollars on DVD or at overseas theaters.

I've always loved Bradbury's story of this, and I wish nothing but the best. I would be seeing it this weekend, but unfortunately I'll be out of town the entire holiday weekend. It'll definitely be on my see list though during the regular week. Kids will start to be going back to school.

The Clown Prince

[Stewie]

I'll see it if I can, now that I know Bradbury is happy with it. From the tv spots I've seen (there have been a few), it looked like another "science gone awry/scary monsters" movie. Every time I see the trailer, I have flashes of Paul Walker and the words "Timeline".
I never read the original story, but from what I have read if his stuff, I always get the impression that Bradbury at least takes an interesting view of a situation.

[Chris Wood]

It might do good business on DVD, but it'll probably flop in theaters like The Great Raid.

[Gatomon41]

I actually read the short story, which was quite good and typical Bradbury. I wonder how they're going to appoarch the subject in the movie.

[Silly McGooses]

It seems like most of the movie is an expansion on what the consequences of the interference of the past was.

[Gatomon41]

It seems like most of the movie is an expansion on what the consequences of the interference of the past was.
That would be preety good. I thought the short story by itself was kinda short for a flim.

[Hades]

I agree as I stumbled upon this movie by accident last month when looking at releases coming out in Sept. It will bomb because WB wants it to bomb this way they can show that books to movies should not be made after LotR, and that we should only get remakes of old movies and tv shows. Yes, I know that made no sense. :p

[Silly McGooses]

Really, this is getting a worse release than any other big-budget movie in recent memory. Has anyone seen any promotional material for it at ALL?

[Silly McGooses]

http://harpercollins.com/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0060785691&tc=bd
That's the only promotional material I've yet to see. And it only says "Now a major motion picture."

[Harley_Quinn]

http://harpercollins.com/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0060785691&tc=bd
That's the only promotional material I've yet to see. And it only says "Now a major motion picture."
Wow, that is pretty crazy, I remember seeing the trailer a while back and I was really excited about it. I don't understand why they are giving it the shaft

[Stewie]

I just found out that David Oyelowo is in A Sound of Thunder. Now I will definitely see it in the theater. Thank you rottentomatoes.

[Temple Fugate]

Wow, that is pretty crazy, I remember seeing the trailer a while back and I was really excited about it. I don't understand why they are giving it the shaftI had the same reaction. Having read the story, and a fondness for Ray Bradbury, I was interested in seeing if a film adaptation would be any good. I don't think it's playing anywhere around where I live.

[The Weed Of Cri]

I'm surprised to find that Bradbury approves of the film. From what I've seen (the trailers), it looks like it bears as close a resemblance to Bradbury's story as, well, I Robot had to anything Asimov wrote (i.e. no resemblance at all). I mean, the dino-baboons and vulture-sized bats look kind of cool, but I don't remember them being in the story.

[Silly McGooses]

They weren't in the story; but aparently, from what I heard in an interview, Bradbury was involved in a number of the story meetings and either approved or helped with all the additions to the story.

[Scirel]

HOLY *****!!!


I checked Moviefone, and it`s actuaully showing in my local theater!

I was excited by the trailer a while ago and with this news I though I would never see it.

[Silly McGooses]

egads, it's at mine too!

-claps-
unfortunately, it's only a few showtimes, and I'll be in NYC. I hope it's still there when I get back...

[Harley_Quinn]

I had the same reaction. Having read the story, and a fondness for Ray Bradbury, I was interested in seeing if a film adaptation would be any good. I don't think it's playing anywhere around where I live.
I know what you mean, I grew up reading Bradbury and watching that old TV show. Anyway, just got some good news, they are showing it at my local theater, gonna check it out tomorrow!

[Scirel]

I know what you mean, I grew up reading Bradbury and watching that old TV show. Anyway, just got some good news, they are showing it at my local theater, gonna check it out tomorrow!

Geez, including me, that`s 3 people in a row.

Are you sure it`s just 800?

Movies liek Spirited Away I never got to see in theaters because the closest one showing it was out of state.

[Silly McGooses]

Yep, just 800. Since it isn't an artsy little movie either, I'm sure it's mostly being picked up by multiplexes with a whole lotta screens to fill.

So, still haven't seen a single ad for the movie....

[Zero Signal]

I saw the tv trailer tonight, playing during WWE Smackdown on UPN. Looks like a cool movie, just too bad it won't play anywhere near here. I've never read he story but I'll have to check it out now.

[Silly McGooses]

wow, they're actually putting out TV spots now?
bout time, it opens today!

[Harley_Quinn]

wow, they're actually putting out TV spots now?
bout time, it opens today!
Off today gonna check it out later today, will give you all my 2 cents afterwards

[Silly McGooses]

ouch...the reviews look terrible. Maybe WB kept pushing it back for a reason after all....boxofficemojo is predicting just 1.4 million for the weekend. whatever. bradbury movies have never been very sucessful, even Fahrenheit 451 lost a lot of money.
I don't know why nobody's ever managed to make a decent adaptation of one of his books. I'm hoping Frank Darabont finally does get around to making Fahrenhiet 451, I really want to see that done right on film.

[Scirel]

I`m actually trying to read thee rviews, and so far, it`s wierd.

Tey basically take one sentance to say "ZOMG! This moovy IZ TEH SUKC!" And then take the rest of the review to describe the plot, and these are the so called "cream of the crop". I`ve heard a few say the CGI is bad but I can live with that(IMO, all CGI to me except the first two JP movies seems fake). Still haven`t seen one which actually gives reasons for it being bad, rather than just saying it is. They`d count as flaming on toonzone, which has had much better an d longer reviews, and when they say something is bad, goshdarnit, they say WHY.

[Conekiller]

I saw a trailer in the theatres about a month ago (I think it was wit Stealth, but I try to put that memory in the far reaches of my mind) and th e preview looked silly as hell.

on the radio this morning Reviewer Kit Bowen (who I usually agree with, she isn't your typical stuffy/artsy movie critic, she loves action and comedies) summarised it as "fantastic idea, but some of the most embarrasingly bad execution I've seen"

[Enrique]

When it comes to whether or not you see commercials/ads for a movie, it depends on whether or not it's even playing in your area. Being released in only 816 theaters I can understand why most of you haven't seen promotions for it. But being in Los Angeles myself, I can testify that I've seen commercials for this movie for a couple weeks now (although not very frequently). It all depends on how many theaters a movie is being shown in and in what areas.

[Scirel]

Just saw it.

It was exactly what I expected. not the best, not the worst. A fun movie to see, and not think about too much. In no way does it deserve the "ZOMG, teh worstest EVAR" title some reviewers have been giving it. Keeping in mind only 30 reviews have been logged for it at RT.

One comment that can`t be made was that it "ruined the author`s original vision" since Bradbury himself oversaw portions of the movie and was quoted to have liked it.

Some effects were really bad, such as the dinosaur in the beginning and the cars on the street in the future scenes in the beginning.

However, all the future creatures were at least average CGI quality(Giant Bats, water serpent, and especailly the Gorilla-dinosaurs). The plants looked really good, as did the city itself, minus the aforementioned cars and street in the beginning.

[True Noir]

How strange? Today in English we had to read a short selection on "A Sound of Thunder". I had no idea it was coming out as a movie. The author has had many of his short stories and some novels created into a movie. The selection I read in English was pretty good.

[Silly McGooses]

Scirel, thanks for posting your review. This is basically what I was expecting; just a fun movie, not too much. Was there anyone else in the theater, by the way? I don't know why I'm so concerned about this movie, maybe it's because I've been following it so long.

I'll probably see it Monday when I come back from NYC. Movies are just ridiculously expensive here.

[Terminatah]

Just saw it.

It was exactly what I expected. not the best, not the worst. A fun movie to see, and not think about too much. In no way does it deserve the "ZOMG, teh worstest EVAR" title some reviewers have been giving it. Keeping in mind only 30 reviews have been logged for it at RT.This movie is far worse than what you describe. I've seen student films that were leagues better than this, with better effects. It barely passes as a movie. The fact that this received zero advertising actually makes sense after you see the movie. Did the studio give them a three dollar budget? Also, the script is ridiculously trite. However, I did enjoy myself because of how bad it was. And Ben Kingsley does prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can be in a movie that is a big piece of crap and still manage to be brilliant.


One comment that can`t be made was that it "ruined the author`s original vision" since Bradbury himself oversaw portions of the movie and was quoted to have liked it.The intelligence level of the script and production value of the movie were insulting. Other than that, I would agree that it doesn't much damage Bradbury's original vision.


Some effects were really bad, such as the dinosaur in the beginning and the cars on the street in the future scenes in the beginning.

However, all the future creatures were at least average CGI quality(Giant Bats, water serpent, and especailly the Gorilla-dinosaurs). The plants looked really good, as did the city itself, minus the aforementioned cars and street in the beginning.I will give you the dino-babboons. I will GIVE you that. But besides those little bastards, every single effect in this movie was bafflingly terrible. For those who haven't seen it, let me explain. There is a recurring Allosaurus in this film. The effects are so crappy that they could have achieved a better dinosaur by taking an old VHS recorder onto the Back to the Future ride at Universal and recording that. Any time the characters walk through the streets of future Chicago, it is painfully obvious that they are using green screen. The illusion is at about the same level as Late Night with Conan O'Brien. There's also a lot of stupid-looking buildings, disaster-surviving bridges that lose small segments without completely crumbling, and crazy box cars that all drive three inches behind each other. The dragon sea-serpent scene was a personal favorite, because not only were the effects about as groundbreaking as Casper: A Spirited Beginning, but Edward Burns doesn't hesitate to fight off this gargantuan paramount of evolution with a hunting knife. So it was hard to pick which thing to laugh at.

And I will reiterate that there was nothing extraordinary about this script. From the disgustingly expositional dialogue that litters all the opening scenes to the transparent order in which all the characters die, this movie is one giant cliché. Although they do make excellent use of the "don't look at the lights" joke. I guess this wouldn't be so catastrophic a tragedy if the story didn't have so much awesome potential. But like I said, I still had fun. If you enjoy bad movies, A Sound of Thunder is a do-not-miss.

-Terminatah

[Scirel]

There is a recurring Allosaurus in this film. The effects are so crappy that they could have achieved a better dinosaur by taking an old VHS recorder onto the Back to the Future ride at Universal and recording that. Any time the characters walk through the streets of future Chicago, it is painfully obvious that they are using green screen. The illusion is at about the same level as Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
As I said, I agree here.


There's also a lot of stupid-looking buildings, disaster-surviving bridges that lose small segments without completely crumbling, and crazy box cars that all drive three inches behind each other.
I didn`t notice any unusual buildings aside from the two tall ones with a bridge in between, other than that they looked relatively modern for a futuristic city. As I said before, I agree about the cars. I meant the far-away city shots, and the sets with the plants covering the city, were fine, but certainly not the ones in the "normal" city.



And I will reiterate that there was nothing extraordinary about this script. From the disgustingly expositional dialogue that litters all the opening scenes to the transparent order in which all the characters die, this movie is one giant cliché. Although they do make excellent use of the "don't look at the lights" joke. I guess this wouldn't be so catastrophic a tragedy if the story didn't have so much awesome potential. But like I said, I still had fun. If you enjoy bad movies, A Sound of Thunder is a do-not-miss.

I don`t see that many scifi/horror movies, In fact, I`ve seen relatively few,so I guess I`m not as angered at the cliches .


The intelligence level of the script and production value of the movie were insulting.
I wouldn`t put it so harshly. This kind of movie you just sit back and relax to have a few cheap thrills, not one you look for for deep meaning or anything. I guess my naturally low expectations for just about everything help here. Or maybe it`s because I don`t find exposition insulting like so many do? I dunno.

[Harley_Quinn]

Agree with most of what Scirel and Terminatah had to say about the flick but I'm with Scirel, I enjoyed portions of the movie. However, that whole knife deal that Terminatah mentioned was pretty terrible along with the creature FX.


I can see why they chose to bury it, all in all it was probably a B level Sci Fi channel movie with D level FX, except for the Baboon lizards

[Hades]

It was an enjoyable movie. Was it the best? No! Did anyone expect it to be? NO! My favorite part was when the dino-eel broke through the window and devoured the girl. The special effects could have been better, but oh well. The dino-baboons were really cool. I like how it expanded on the idea. However, as far as time screw ups go, I think Butterfly Effect did it better.