Nines news, reviews and updates
Briefly, because there’s a lot going on and I haven’t started packing for Venice.
1. Sellout at the Nuart
The 7:30 p.m. Q&A tonight with me and Melissa (and others) apparently sold out yesterday afternoon. But there’s also a 10 p.m. show that I’ll be introducing. I haven’t gotten an update about the NY screening at the Sunshine, which Ryan Reynolds and Bruce Cohen will be introducing. (That’s not a Q&A, btw. Ryan might play me in the movie, but he can’t really answer questions about what the hell was up with koalas in the movie.)
2. Hooray for reviews
The two reviews we were banking on — the LA Times and the NY Times — were great. While local and regional reviews matter, the LAT and NYT are incredibly important for overseas buyers, who will be watching the movie in Venice, checkbooks in hand. So if you live in France, or Germany, or Italy your chances of seeing the movie in a theater just increased a lot.
These are also the reviews we’ll be pulling quotes from for future newspaper ads. So now we can say things like, “a philosophical mind teaser with satirical fangs,” (Stephen Holden, NY Times) or, “it dispenses about a minor epiphany a minute and hooks you like a flounder.” (Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times).
UPDATE: MTV’s Kurt Loder made sweet, sweet love to the movie: “It’s a creative triumph — small in scale, but rich in ideas — for first-time feature director August (a writer best-known for scripting several Tim Burton movies). And it’s a quietly dazzling breakthrough for Ryan Reynolds, who has heretofore been indifferently utilized in movies like “Smokin’ Aces” or consigned to elevating such schlock as “The Amityville Horror.”
Meanwhile, the Christian Science Monitor was, shall we say, less than effusive in its praise: “So unspeakably bad is screenwriter John August’s debut as director, so hilariously unaware is the film of its overweening pretensions that it’s tempting to want to deem it a Hollywood writer’s fever dream that can be cured with a little editing, a bit of rest and relaxation – or something, anything.”
3. I cheated on you again
I wrote one last blog post for EW.com.
Articles
August 31st, 2007 at 8:51 am
Ashley Tisdale? I feel like I deserve an explanation, not only because it seems so random, but the fact that I had my speakers up all the way and when I went to sleuth, I jumped five feet out of my chair while my fellow office mates wondered why I was listening to Disney bubble-gum pop. No grudge though.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:52 am
John, congratulations! And the very best of luck in Venice. When do we get to see the film in the SF/Bay Area? Allow me to interview you for Twitch and The Evening Class when that time comes.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:33 am
I was pleased to see the NYT review this morning. However, “the stressed-out psyches of jockeying Hollywood muckety-mucks are disturbed by strange metaphysical intimations” is not a piece of prose one should have to read over breakfast.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:49 am
Congrats on the reviews. Good luck, John.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:57 am
John, how do you feel about so much plot content divulged in these reviews? (especially the NY Times) Do you feel those are ’spoilers’ or not?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:50 am
The side-blogging’s not really cheating if you tell us about it. More like an open marriage.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:13 pm
John,
I’m so excited to be seeing the film tonight with a sold out crowd. Congrats on the reviews!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Hi John,
I managed to snag two tix to the 5PM show tonight. Not sure if the broad gets off work in time to join me, but I’ll be there! I’m a long time reader of your blog but rarely leave comments, so you probably don’t remember me. Hope the premiere goes well and good luck in Venice.
Ciao!
August 31st, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Break a leg, John.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
The NY Times review was encouraging, but the review from the guy called Mirajeff at Ain’t it Cool News (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33850) was quite a slam. Usually I wouldn’t take their reviews too seriously, but this one happen to raise all the issues I was little worried about with The Nines (something about the we’re-not-even-telling-you-what-kind-of-movie-this-is marketing campaign rubbed me the wrong way). While I have to admit I’m a bit disheartened by some of what I’m hearing, I’ll be going to see the movie out of my devotion to this blog.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Mr. August, will it be screened in Madison, Wisconsin?
August 31st, 2007 at 2:47 pm
The Christian Science Monitor? Holy Fuck! They’re my definitive source for movie reviewing.
Yes.
I have 8 tickets for the 7:30 show & tell at the Nuart.
Who want’s ‘em?
(The CSM? This is why I don’t read reviews.)
August 31st, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Congratulations on the good reviews and the sellout show.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Just got out of the 8:00 with Ryan and Bruce introducing. So much to think about, so much I want to ask you (or anyone) – not so much for answers as theories – so much to say about it…in other words, a fantastic movie. But then. You can’t describe it with human words.
Of course, I would’ve traded Bruce and Ryan for your being there in a heartbeat – but they seemed appreciative enough of you that I felt karmically at ease: Ryan called you a “skin-covered miracle.”
It’s hard to fight off the urge not to see it nine times. If anything, it’s a very re-watchable movie (like any good puzzle – the same way The Prestige or Fight Club are rewatchable). And who needs food anyway?
I can’t resist pointing out that it’s all too fitting that Christian Science Monitor hated it.
One question, though, I won’t hold back: What’s up with Elle Fanning’s character in part 2 – was she deaf and mute, or just mute?
August 31st, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Reached home from the 7:30 LA screening, and just had to write a comment…
Loved the movie, was really glad you were there for the Q & A, wished there was more time though… Brilliant film John. Bravo.
P.S. Loved the Koalas line!
September 1st, 2007 at 12:25 am
John,
Saw the 7:30 show at the Nuart. I really enjoyed it. I think this film is as good as a directorial debut as Go was for a screenwriting debut.
I’m so glad that I finally understand the title, now. It’s the kind of thing that’s just a little off, I felt like I almost knew what it meant, but of course the film really cleared that up.
Thanks for the Q&A, but I didn’t get time to ask a question. It’s below:
SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT
Why were certain characters aware of who/what Ryan’s character was? Were they unique in some way or did every “person” on the planet know about him?
September 1st, 2007 at 4:09 am
hi John. I got an unusual question regarding hair.
I think I’m getting bald. Nobody noticed yet. I’m 21. When did you start to get bald and how did you cope with it?
hehe that’s about it. I’m attached to my hair.. i can’t belive this is happening to me..
September 1st, 2007 at 5:53 am
Hey John!! I am currently working at the Biennale’s Pool area!!! I for one can’t wait to see the movie, or even catch a glimpse of you!!! See you here, have a nice trip!!!
Giacomo
September 1st, 2007 at 8:04 am
Hey everyone!
John…the movie was very good. It took me a night to process it given the questions that were raised. And, I’m going to have to think about them when I sit down to write my review for my site.
But, the cast was excellent…EVERYONE was on point and perfect. Ryan Reynolds was perfectly cast and really did show he can more than handle a role, and other roles, like this. Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, etc. Everyone was fantastic…
But, it was a good film. And, enjoy your time at the Venice Film Festival
September 1st, 2007 at 8:59 am
“Davis and McCarthy, in particular, are talented enough to have many tens after this “Nines” is long forgotten.”
I knew critics wouldn’t be able to help themselves – pulling out the tricks they learned working on their high school newspaper.
September 1st, 2007 at 9:05 am
Glad I was in down L.A. and able to catch your movie. Enjoyed it a lot, and it looked like the rest of the crowd at 10 pm did as well. Loved the Evercrack and Orc references, and my only wish was there were more of them. God knows I’ve been that boyfriend she was talking about in Part Three.
I’m still not sure if I “get it all”, because I thought it was fairly clear by the time the credits rolled, or if there’s going to be some “Eureka!” moment later today. Either way, a very impressive job all around, and I can’t wait to see what you do with the next film you direct.
September 1st, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Hey John,
I was the dude who asked you the first question, about your experience with game developers. (As a current game writer and aspiring screenwriter, I felt it was my duty). I just wanted to say thanks a bunch for coming out, it was a zillion flavors of awesome.
Side story: I brought my girlfriend, who didn’t know anything about the movie and who thought she didn’t know who Melissa McCarthy was. But as soon as the movie was over and we were driving home, all she could say was “Sookie! That was Sookie from Gilmore Girls! SOOKIE!” Turns out, she was a fan. Thanks again!
September 1st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Matjaz – with John away, I can handle this one for you. I started losing my hair at 21 too. I’m 36 now. I know at 21 it seems a big deal. Trust me – in time you’re realise it’s not, really. Best advice I can give you – once it DOES start to become noticeable, buy a set of hair clippers and crop your hair short. Like No.1 short. Don’t try to hide it or succumb to the combover. As balding comedian Jimeoin said to his hair when he made this move: “You’re going now, and you’re going on my terms”.
You’ll worry women/men won’t find you as attractive. Some may not. But plenty of others won’t care. Many seem to have a thing about rubbing the close-cropped hair that’s left. It feels kinda nice.
And it looks a lot better than the alternative. Don’t believe me? Rent the original Die Hard. Then go see the latest one. Compare Bruce’s hair. Much cooler in the last one.
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Congrats John, can’t wait to see the movie!
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Per theater average (from 2 screens) is a sweet $11,800. Looking good!
September 4th, 2007 at 9:42 am
haha I can imagine reviews being the worst part of the creative process in Hollywood. I mean you read them just for advice, when you’re completely detached from a project, and you might have thoughts like “oh that doesn’t make any sense” or “hey that was a clever play on words,” but actually having to read those things like they carry some sort of weight or truth must be awful. Kind of like pouring oil on the top of a banana split instead of hot fudge–I mean, even if most of the reviews are great, like in your case, if it were me, that one bad review would eat me alive. How do you deal with reviews, anyway?
September 4th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I saw the 10:00 show on Friday and loved it. Even my fiancee – who’s usually of the meetcute-romcom persuasion – thought it was great.
Thanks for introducing the show and thanks for the shout-out to your army of nerds (i.e. us johnaugust.com blog-readers). Although my future wife shook her head in that “Brock, you’re such a nerdy-computer/blog-reader-guy” way, I was still proud to raise my hand.
Looking forward to the movie’s DVD release so I can watch again.
brock.