Call for Redemption: On TBYD Blockbuster Performance

Call for Redemption: On TBYD Blockbuster Performance

Months before Talk Back and You’re Dead has been released, there’s no denying that this film has been the talk of the town in Social Media, Television, and so on. TBYD Shooting Days and all activities related to the film were everyday trending topics worldwide and nationwide. Kudos to the fans who were participative in doing a free promotion of the film. Also, it became a big thing, when it was confirmed that Star Cinema would be part of the production and promotion arms of TBYD. My say about it, “ Wow – it was full house.” So I somehow expected a lot on the gross sales performance of TBYD. But how’s the performance of the film, really now?

Who gets the blame?

Just a while ago, I received an updated on the latest gross sales of TBYD as of August 31. Currently on its third week, the running sale is Php 67,890,960 Million as per Box Office Mojo. It’s inevitable to compare TBYD with the benchmark gross income of DNP which is more than Php 100 M, since it also starred the same box-office love team James and Nadine.

So here lies the big question: *Considering the unexpected popularity of the JaDine loveteam, the massive growth of their followers, the box-office reputation of James and Nadine that they had because of DnP, the inclusion of Joseph Marco (who has on-going soap Pure Love), the promotion of the two biggest production houses – Viva and Star Cinema, and the trending efforts of the JaDine fans and the Talkbackers, what the heck happened?

It all boils down on the story treatment of the film which has been the main critic of blog writers, movie review critics, journalists, etc. From an objective point of view, you’ll appreciate how beautiful it was written on the book than it was treated on the big screen. But I have already had my take about the movie adaptation, I already indicated the hero and the big-no-no on the film, my point right now is - who gets the blame? It’s 70% the Director and 30% the Screenplay writer.  

Just a disclaimer, I don’t mean to bash anyone. But this is reality. I am doing this on behalf of all the fans who expected, all the fans who gave their full-support promoting the film, all the fans who cry for Justice on TBYD; because seriously there are a lot of ‘could-have-been’s’ on the film.  

Moviegoers are dependent on movie reviews, and since TBYD has somehow been receiving bad reviews because of its jumpy scenes or problematic scene transitions and story-line treatment – those reviews became a major turn off to viewers and for some reasons, the good reviews and applause from Talkbackers and some people who watched the film were overshadowed by ‘the bad reviews’ from critics.

But with all the criticisms on the film, I assure you maganda talaga ang libro.  Alesana Marie’s Talk Back and You’re Dead and upcoming sequel, Never Talk Back to a Gangster have really good stories and it’s the best wattpad story or Candy Mag story (or any teen-written books) that I’ve read so far. I’ve read Diary Ng Panget, Breaking the Cassanova’s Heart – Operation, Marcelo Santos’ Para sa Hopeless Romantic, She’s Dating the Gangster – but Alesana’s story is the best so far, at least on my opinion. That’s why as a Talkbacker and as a JaDine fan, I call for justice on its movie adaptation and also justice on my idols’ reputation for this one.

Redemption for Never Talk Back to a Gangster

I am not an expert. I am just a mere movie junky. So I don’t know if my suggestion to the screenplay writer is valid. As much as I want to commend her faithfulness on the book, I suggest to summarized the whole book, get the gist, take note of the plot and the remarkable scenes, then write an outline of the film – 75% should tap the story line of the book, then dedicate the 25% to non readers, do some scenes that are relatable to the general public. Remember, Talkbackers are automatic ticket buyers; it’s your time to please the non-readers.

Sorry if I sound rude by calling out this petition to Viva, but for the betterment of the film, I would like VIVA to replace Direk Andoy Ranay as director for Never Talk Back to a Gangster. The final say of the film comes from Directors. He actually beautifies the scene as it was written on the script. Since Star Cinema takes part on this film, I suggest Direk Mae Cruz or Direk Laurenti Dyogi should take his place. They have produced remarkable films in Star Cinema.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Direk Andoy and I give him credit for launching JaDine’s film, but then again, for the betterment of the film, to give it a different attack and taste, to give us hope, I would like him to be replaced.

Although I am considering a second chance for Direk Andoy on NTBG, I don’t want to take that risk again. Plus, a change of director might be a good selling point once NTBG has been released. Like – “Sige Na nga, iba ang director eh, try na nga naten.”

As per the screenwriter, I am still okay with Ms Keiko, but collaboration with Star Cinema Film Writers would be advisable for this one. They know how TBYD performed and I’m pretty much sure that they already know what issues need to be addressed on their next take.

TBYD 68M as of August 31: Still A Good Sign

To those who are asking – Yes, 68M as of its 2^nd week run is still a good sign for a 6-month old love team, for two rising celebrities who don’t have regular shows to hone their skills and popularity, for two break out stars who didn’t have home networks yet (not until they signed last August 26), YES IT’S STILL A GOOD SIGN. It’s still a blockbuster film.

To all the bashers or haters out there, like what I have stated on my previous blog post, I would advise you to backtrack on how your idols started before you bash our idols. Allow me to do it for you by enumerating some Star Cinema / VIVA Films that performed fairly in the box office scene.

(Based on Box Office Mojo)

Last November 2012, Star Cinema produced 24/7 in love, a film lead by Kim Chiu and Gerald, John Lloyd Cruz and Angelica, Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe, Maja Salvador and Deither, and also Kathryn and Daniel. 24/7 in love movie earned around 75 Million in the Box Office. Same year around May 30, Star Cinema also produced Born to Love you by Angeline and Coco Martin which only earned Php 52 Million.

Fast Forward 2013, Star Cinema produced A Moment In Time which starred Coco Martin and Julia Montes, fresh from their TV Series Walang Hanggan. The film which was released Feb 13, 2013 earned Php 64 Million. The launching movie of KathNiel, entitled “Must Be Love” which was also released and produced by Star Cinema last 2013 earned around Php 65 Million in the box office. 

Take note, the lead stars of those films were bankable Teleserye actors of ABSCBN.

Why am I saying this?

I am saying this to enlighten the fans (JaDine or not), that all artists, even those who are already bankable stars at ‘that’ moment, experienced the same thing BUT look at where they are now? They’re still at the verge of their career. They're still the big deal in showbiz. Nothing changes.

That’s why I am still proud to congratulate JaDine for this one. They really pulled this off. Again, with no Teleserye Background to build them up and home networks to work with, they still made it big on the big screen. No one expected that DnP would be a big hit in the first place but it did. Just like what James said on their Pep interview, they expected only Php 5 Million on the first day of DnP, but the result was thrice of their prediction.  

I’ll reiterate this, before you guys laugh, bash, or judge, I suggest you also BACKTRACK on how your idols started. We cannot compare the achievements of JaDine to a 5-year old or 3-year old showbiz tandem or personality. They’re just starting their careers as compared to other artist who have already found their stability and spent years in the showbiz industry already. I believe all of them have gone through James and Nadine’s journey, too.

If I wanted to compare JaDine to other artists, I would have pointed out why DNP, with its new artists, earned higher compared to 24/7 in love. But I don’t want it that way. We don’t want to initiate hate. JaDine is not here to compete because they’re just jumpstarting their careers. The reason why they’re in demand now because a lot of people saw their potential. That’s basically the reason why the number 1 network signed them in as Kapamilya for two years.

So guys, nothing to be ashamed of. Let’s keep moving forward; the same thing how the fans of other artists move forward from one project to another, whether it turned out good or bad.

Before I end this note, Talk Back and You’re Dead didn’t perform bad in the box office scene; it’s just that the result didn’t meet our expectations, that is, if we based it on social media performance, demands prior to its release and other factors which I mentioned earlier (*considering…).

Regardless of anything, that wouldn’t change the fact that James and Nadine are on their way up. I always see this on twitter, people describe them as “Breath of Fresh Air” in Television. Don’t get us wrong, we are not bragging. We are just overwhelmed with the achievements that our idols have of the last 6 months of being together. We express this happiness without bashing other people. As much as possible, I’m calling out everyone not to practice CRAB MENTALITY. It’s unhealthy.

On a good vibes mode, who’s excited for My App Boyfie? I am! Curiosity never dies with JaDine. They have already proven their box office charisma, now let’s see how they make it as Teleserye Break Out Stars of ABSCBN.

Spread the love. No Hate.  

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