Commentary: Midnight Meat Train and the Bitter Pill to Swallow
See that? That’s Vinnie Jones. And all those empty seats represent the people who went to see Midnight Meat Train this past weekend…
Controversies, whether they be real or make-believe, are fun. They rile people up. The horror community likes to be pissed off. Maybe that’s just in our genes (unless you are Jeff, who got the mutated Happy Horror Fan Gene). Public enemy #1 is usually Hollywood, who many of us decry as destroying and/or taking advantage of the genre. Those greedy rat bastards in Hollywood! For the past week or so you have probably been hard pressed to visit a horror website and not see something related to Midnight Meat Train and how the evil corporate conglomeration known as Lion’s Gate was making the filmmakers, and horror fans, pick up a bar of soap in a federal prison shower. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think some injustice is being inflicted on a personal level of every horror fan.
Clive Barker himself is joining in the chorus to “save” this film. The buffoon known as Mr. Disgusting has a big masturbatory news item that is trying to get to the bottom of why the film doesn’t have a release (really, how does anybody take that site seriously?). And the controversy has even spread to our little catacomb of cyberspace, as a friendly disagreement has sprung up on our message boards.
First, let me state up front that I do find it disappointing that the film is not being shown in most places. That’s just a natural reaction due to the fact that the film looks pretty cool and I can’t walk three blocks to see it. That being said, I find the “uproar” over this simply mind boggling. So what if you can’t see it in your local theatre. There are tons of horror films that never get wide releases that I would have liked to have seen in the theatre (The Last Winter springs immediately to mind). This happens all the time, so why the much-ado-about-nothing over MMT?
We as horror fans love to think of ourselves as a tight nit community. We support one another, support our filmmakers, and support the movies. Or do we? We like to think of ourselves as millions strong, ready to flock to our multiplex and plunk down our hard earned dollars to support a worthy cause. But do we? The bitter pill that horror fans need to swallow is this: get over yourselves. You aren’t as big or as important as you think you are.
This past week, Bloody-Disgusting has led the charge of a “grassroots” uprising. They’ve been trying their best to mobilize their visitors into petitioning, calling, and ordering tickets for this past weekend’s showings of MMT. This call to arms (great Foo Fighters song, by the way) has been echoed by every other horror site. You’d think that since our community is so uptight about what happens to “our” movies that we would answer that call, right?
A quick look at the numbers shows that, so far at least, the response has been pretty pathetic. MMT is only in 100 theatres but is being shown in some pretty decent sized cities. Denver, Phoenix, and Indianapolis. It’s also being shown in some out of the way locales, here in our state of Nebraska (Omaha) for example. It’s even in the backyard of our friends at the Sleepy Cast, playing in Memphis. A full week of shouting at the sky and trying to stick it to the man by the big names in web horror should have had a better impact than this:
Midnight Meat Train : $32,000 total for an average of $312 per screen.
To put that in perspective, a film called Brideshead Revisited starring nobody that you’ve ever heard of and showing on only 33 screens the previous weekend grossed over $300,000. You can read my more detailed observations on this in our message board thread. The point is that Lion’s Gate dumped Midnight Meat Train because it wasn’t going to make any money.
Now perhaps Lion’s Gate could have handled the PR of this a little better. I’m not going to defend how they went about this. Knowing that you have a growing number of angry people who dress in black (I’m one of those people, so don’t feel offended) ready to cause problems for you online should have been something Lion’s Gate was ready to deal with. They weren’t and they should be chided for that. But what horror fans have to understand is that these companies, in order to get these movies into thousands of theaters across the country, have to pay millions of dollars to do it. One of the ironic things about MMT is that the majority of people freaking out about this haven’t even seen the film. It could be total dogshit for all anybody knows. Oh wait. Mr. Disgusting said it was great, so let it be written, so let it be done (thick sarcasm there, people). But let’s just assume on good faith that the movie is pretty good. Well worthy of being on more than a 100 screens. The question then becomes, can you sell this movie to the populace?
Lion’s Gate has to make money. That is their goal. Now we can get into the eternal debate of artistry vs. economics, but that’s not really what I want to dive off into. The filmmakers have made MMT the best they can. The studio then sees it, scans the current market climate and makes a decision on what to do next. That decision has major consequences. If they look at this film and say “There is no way we can make money on this if we put it in theatres” then they won’t do it. A lot of people have this notion that Lion’s Gate just doesn’t believe in the film, therefore the motive is just to screw it. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. There very well could be some higher up at Lion’s Gate whose wife banged the director and now he wants revenge. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is whether or not they can make money.
In order to put the film in thousands of theatres, the studio must make thousands of prints. That costs a lot of money. Then, once they’ve secured it in theatres (whose owners will no doubt take a bigger chunk of the opening weekend receipts precisely because they don’t want to waste a screen that could be going to The Dark Knight to show some “garbage” that 5 people will show up to) the studio must buy millions of dollars in marketing in order to get people into those theatres. Here’s a huge splash of cold water in your face: This movie would not have made money. There. I’ve said it. That seems to be the huge 800 pound gorilla in cyberspace. Of all the self-righteous hating on Lion’s Gate, people don’t seem to realize that they are not as important as they want themselves to be.
Mr. Disgusting could be right. Midnight Meat Train might very well be awesome as hell. But Hollywood does not sell its theatrical horror movies to those of us who watch Cannibal Holocaust every other day. It’s incredible that so many people can be upset by this. When horror is booming in Hollywood, think back to who the majority of the people in the audience were. When you were watching Scream or The Ring or Final Destination, what made these films huge successes (and thus the trickle down effect to the rest of the genre) was not you and I who live and breath the genre. It was the casual non-horror fan. These are the people who infuse our genre with new life every ten years or so. These are the people who come in droves to The Ring and set off Hollywood’s money meter which in turn makes our genre that much better because of all the interest and booming creativity on the amateur level. Unfortunately, these people just aren’t going to come out en masse to a movie called Midnight Meat Train. It just wasn’t going to happen. Just like they didn’t come out to see Elisha Cuthbert tortured in Captivity. MMT is just one of those movies that is in the wrong place at the wrong time. So if you’re Lion’s Gate, you do the obvious: you don’t release it wide. Why waste millions of dollars just so Jo Horror Fan can walk three blocks and watch it in an empty theater? A business has to look out for their interests and they aren’t going to waste money just so horror fans can feel convenienced.
But what this really shows is that the horror community is not as mighty as some people may have you believe. We are dedicated, yet extremely small in the grand scheme of Hollywood’s design. Hollywood does not make movies for us, and if they accidentally churn one out, then we get it on DVD rather than the big screen. Every once in a while you’ll get a big hit, but those are almost always created on the backs of millions of non-horror fans that just happen to be in the zeitgeist of the moment. Once that passes, the horror community goes back to their message boards, occasional conventions, and podcasts.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I’m not trying to insinuate that people should just give up if they feel there is some injustice that has been committed. Perhaps more details will come out and we’ll find out that there is more to this story than meets the eye, but as it stands right now, there is simply no justifiable cause for the level of griping that is occurring. I’m the first to admit that a film should be seen on the big screen rather than on your home television. As I said before, it’s disappointing that this happened. But you also have to realize that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of movies that never get wide releases. If studios did that with every film then they would go bankrupt. It just can’t be done. We as horror fans should be proud that we have such a thriving niche community. It’s something to be proud of. Just don’t lose sight of the fact that, in all actuality, we are a very, very small minority of moviegoers. And it gets even more impractical when you come to the realization that there will never be any “max out” of our numbers going to a particular movie. There could be one million die hard horror fans, for example, but maybe only a third would ever go and actually see MMT in a theatre (if that, even. I’m being generous).
So calm down everybody. You’ll see Midnight Meat Train soon enough. It ain’t like Lion’s Gate is burning the negatives or anything 
Now, I fully expect every horror website to freak out just as much about Mother of Tears when the Weinstein’s release it later this year. Oh wait, there won’t be any bitching about that? Huh, that’s odd. You see, it’s by a famous director, Argento is his name? And it is the completion of a much anticipated horror trilogy…far more interesting than MMT.
But there won’t be any bitching about that movie not getting a wide release
Filed under: Commentary, News
Jeff said:
I think it’s funny that Mat seems to understand market capitalism when it comes to Hollywood movie distribution, but not in the other spheres of our economy
I guess I’m not reading the right sites, but I wasn’t even aware of this controversy. I did look up showtimes for MMT to see if I could go this weekend, and saw that it was listed as “limited release” and was not playing in my area. I just thought “Oh, bummer.” and went on with my business.
I agree that it’s a big disappointment. I’m not going to go the Mat route and chew you guys out like your high school principal if you’re angry about the way MMT is being handled. Hopefully we’ll all be pleased when it hits DVD.
MaT said:
“I think it’s funny that Mat seems to understand market capitalism when it comes to Hollywood movie distribution, but not in the other spheres of our economy
”
understanding it is one thing, accepting it is something different entirely.
Fake Larry said:
Bloody Disgusting pissed you off again? Why do you visit that website? Who are these horror fans you are taking to task?
And that “friendly disagreement” seems to be between MaT and Jeff. I see no pile-on happening here, at least.
Clive is asking for fans to let Lion’s Gate know that they are interested in seeing the film in theaters. I don’t know how well these grassroots things work, but that seems like a good idea to let LG know it would be worth the money to release it.
In any case, they would be wise to wait until the summer blockbusters have died down. Maybe they just aren’t releasing it until then.
MaT said:
“Bloody Disgusting pissed you off again? Why do you visit that website? Who are these horror fans you are taking to task?”
I don’t visit that site. However, every other horror website links to it in order to disseminate their “news”. I sort of had to see what B-D was saying to research my commentary. And whether I like it or not, B-D “speaks” for a lot of the horror community, as they have the largest number of visitors/parroters.
The people I’m “taking to task” are the ones who are acting so self-righteously outraged over this situation. Like Lion’s Gate personally stabbed them through the heart or something. There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling Lion’s Gate that you’d like to see the movie. But the way in which many of these fans, sites, and supporters are going about it, with a complete lack of any type of understanding of how all of this works, is just insane.
I guess I don’t understand what makes MMT different from any other horror film that gets short changed theatrically? I think I’m ranting more against the whole atmosphere of the situation more than people in particular. The horror community is so small that it risks alienating and pissing off Lion’s Gate more than helping itself. Especially with some of the insults that have been flung their way.
The entire thing is just stupid, in my opinion. And that’s why it is a commentary. I can say whatever I want and you are free to agree or disagree! Aint’ America great
Jeff said:
Mat consistently visits sites and watches movies that he absolutely knows beforehand he is going to disagree with. I guess it’s fun for him, in a twisted way. For what it’s worth, I also visit sites and consume material that I disagree with, though I do it more in the realm of political news than genre entertainment. In both cases, I guess the point of doing it is to get a picture of what “the other guys” are thinking.
Hat-tip to forum member Viking1066, who Mat is debating the MMT issue with in our forum.
On the grassroots thing… I think that, realistically, internet petitions don’t really matter much. However! It can’t hurt! It simply cannot hurt to lobby the studios and theaters to provide more of this content. The worst that can happen is they ignore our plea. So, most definitely, if you feel like you want to take some action, go ahead and write a letter (respectfully, of course) and tell the studio that you’d like to see MMT and similar films get a wider release.
Might not help, but it certainly can’t hurt.
Fake Larry said:
Lion’s Gate has a good reputation. They’ve done more for horror, studio and independant, than pretty much every other studio. It would take more than one event to convince me to turn on them.
I’ll have to see more evidence that people are really reacting out of hand about it. However, Clive is one of the family, and his passion is contageous, so if anything I’d chalk it up to him and not BD.
MaT said:
In response to the “hat-tip”: I agree that people should petition. There’s nothing wrong with that. Go ahead and tell Lion’s Gate that you are unhappy. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t. But don’t begrudge them a business decision simply because you are annoyed that you can’t see the film anywhere close to you.
As for Fake Larry: I’m not telling anybody to turn on Lion’s Gate. And I’m not saying it isn’t disappointing that the film isn’t getting a wide release. All I’m saying is this outrage being led by B-D is simply retarded. Is it wrong to ask fans to call Lion’s Gate? Absolutely not! However there comes a point when general dissatisfaction turns into overreaction. It’s just getting a bit out of hand, I’m afraid.
Fake Larry said:
I was talking about those whom you said were angry at Lion’s Gate, not you. I’m usually surprised at how some people will change like the wind. The horror community shouldn’t be too quick to turn on one of their own is all I’m saying.
But it does seem that I was right about BD pissing you off. I personally don’t pay much attention to them, so I don’t know the nature of the reputation that they’ve earned. I do think it’s interesting that your website/podcast is the third one I’ve come across that has commented on Bloody Disgusting in this way. The other two are Dread Central and Reel Horror.
Does BD really get a lot of traffic? How influential are they really?
Mark said:
You missed a vital piece of information in that comparison between MMT and “Brideshead Revisited”: Brideshead was screening for average ticket prices ($7 US). MMT was “dumped” to bargain theaters for $2 to $3 per ticket. Over 100 people seeing the movie this weekend per screen isn’t terrible, considering there was no release detailing where the movie was playing.
MaT said:
a valid point, to be sure. Unfortunately, extrapolating outwards for a full price admission, that still wouldn’t pay the bills.
And then one must wonder: if the film was playing at full price, how many of those people who saw it would still have gone?
Questions we’ll never know answers to, I suppose.
Viking1066 said:
Much like many falsely accused conspirators, I would like to go on record and say that my annoyance and beef with Lions Gate had no influence from outside sources accept for finding out on Upcoming Horror Movies that it would be a limited theatrical release. Just getting that out there in case anyone else feels like they are being lumped into a category of being overreactive.
Viking1066 said:
Oh, and also, I am not going to complain about Mother of Tear (although I am excited to see it) because it isn’t based on a work that is in my top ten most favorite short horror stories. Also, Argento has had his chance lately and I have not been impressed.
Sebastian of Horrormoviefans.com said:
Mate, I’ve added your site to my favourite list, because you’re clearly bang on the money with your commentary, and I loved every second of it!
I can’t really add much more to my agreement, other than that you really should come visit our site, we have someone who I think might be you in disguise (ask for Foo if you get a chance)
As for the controversy, being a foreigner who grew up in Japan I have become accustomed to waiting for films to come out later, farther away (continents away at times, I saw Jurrasic Park across an ocean from my home) and happily accept DVD releases and ordering from other countries as an everyday way of getting films. The fact that this film is by Clive Barker is not going to change my patience or my love of horror. I can’t believe people are offended that a studio isn’t gambling on a movie whose title sounds like a gay porn film. Such is life.
When the film comes out, it’ll be a joy to watch on DVD on my widescreen TV, packet of crisps and a coke on the table, and the room to myself. Pretty much like the cinema would’ve been, except my couch is comfier than their empty seats.
Foo of HorrorMovieFans.com said:
Mat, you hit the nail right on the head. I was in the middle of authoring a similar editorial, but I don’t really see much of a point, because you covered it so well.
People are so outraged because the studio gave a direct-to-DVD movie a shot in theaters? They are upset because the studio offers them the big screen viewing experince at a discount? Shame on that studio! How dare they try to give the movie a shot and the fans a bargain!
For some reason, the horror community like to overlook the obvious. Lion’s Gate has a marketing department, and they test films. They have a good idea of interest, before a release is set for a film. In this case, it appears they were 100% correct. They could not even sell the film in a limited number of theaters at a reduced price.
Mr. Disgusting and his staff tried to turn a non-story into a self-serving campaign to get attention for themselves. They made every attempt to insert themselves into the campaign, hoping to get mainstream media attention for their contrived plight.
After the weekend box office numbers started coming in, the gaggle of jackasses over at B-D decided they were going to spin the story into how much the company lost by going the route it did. Somehow, a film that is as popular as getting herpes, would have made shareholders much more money if Lion’s Gate invested millions into getting 3,000 prints out to theaters?
What kills me, is that they are making that case AFTER the movie was not even filling up a limited release at discount theaters. I thought even the most dense of us realized that making something less expensive leads to more sales, not vice-versa.
I find it ironic that just last week, Mr. Disgusting wrote this, “Half of these f**kers who run fansites have no idea how this industry works, how things are made, how press works”. It kinda makes me wonder which half Mr. Disgusting is in.
The truth is that when B-D decided to take on the Midnight Meat Train as their personal crusade, they also put their credibility on the line. Gee, Mr. Disgusting, what happened to those 1 million unique visitors and 19 million page views per month? Do they not exist, or do the people just not find you to be credible?
Don’t worry, Mr. D, in a couple days, this will all be in the distant past, and you can resume the propanda campaign for the next Platinum Dunes project.
Viking1066 said:
I’m confused…. how can we tell a straight to release DVD movie like Midnight Meat Train from say….. “Mirrors.” Kiefer Sutherland…. maybe?
MaT said:
Kiefer Sutherland does have star power right now with the popularity of 24
But most importantly, it doesn’t hurt that Alexandre Aja’s last Hollywood film, The Hills Have Eyes, made Fox a boatload of money. Hollywood rewards those who make them money.
Viking1066 said:
I know, I’m just playing devils advocate. I am not trying to come off as aggressive or mad and I know I conceded to stop arguing about all of this but I think some pretty generalizing statements are being made and the situation is a bit more complex (fan base and marketing wise) of the movie. But I will stop. I hope the Unrated will be good… maybe a few more bodies hanging around. I drove to the boonies to see it and I enjoyed it (it almost made the drive I had to make worth it… almost!)
SriMathe said:
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
Anthony L said:
I have visited your posts before. The more I take in, the more I keep coming back! ;~)
Ex zurueckgewinnen said:
Das ist ein interessanter Post – freue mich mehr zu lesen.