Made in Hollywood

"Here, Scarlett."

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

"understood."

Scarlett Johansson shook 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, will she?" Charlize in the co-pilot looked over there and asked.

"It's ok."

Duke didn't start the car until he saw Scarlett walk into the house, "She's always like this."

Although he could vaguely guess something from the voice of the phone call, Duke would not open his mouth. After all, this is a private matter of the Johnson family, not to mention him, even his mother Scarlett's godmother. to interfere.

"Let's go."

Duke spun the steering wheel out of the quiet lane and headed for North Hollywood.

Arrived on Laurier Valley Avenue and found a high-end restaurant, the two ordered casually, sat at the table by the window, and chatted while eating.

"Congratulations on your movie selling well." Charlize Theron raised his glass, "You have broken three records in North American film history in a row."

"At the same time, he was scolded badly."

Taking a sip of red wine, Duke teased himself, "Maybe next week I'll be the worst director ever in Hollywood."

"There are a lot of people who want to be slammed by film critics like you." Charlize slid his blond hair behind his ears and nibbled at fruit salad without salad dressing, "You don't know, my acting class has How many people envy the actor who starred in "Independence Day"."

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

"Yes, how could he let me go." Charlize Theron seemed annoyed, "I was pushed away temporarily. If it continues, I think I will be abandoned by him soon."

She leaned forward a little, and her delicate face came closer, "Duke, can you introduce me to an agent?"

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

"Do you have any plans for tonight?" Charlize asked in a timely manner.

"Well..." Duke squeezed his chin. Naturally, he didn't need to talk about some activities, and he didn't need to worry about it. He suddenly remembered the movie that was once known as the number one movie in history.

The answer seemed to be out of Charlize's expectations, and she smiled, "Okay."

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

Although there is a hot topic about him and "Independence Day" recently, there is no scene where the legendary paparazzi come to take pictures. The director is always the director. Compared with the stars in front of the screen, the appeal and news value are much worse.

Of course, there may also be paparazzi hiding in the dark to take pictures, which is not in Duke's consideration. He is neither married nor a girlfriend. Even if he is photographed by some caring people, it is no big deal.

Laurel Valley Boulevard is one of the most prosperous areas in North Hollywood. Even if it is close to midnight, it is still brightly lit, and the pedestrians are full of people, and it only looks like a few hundred feet away. Dukla, a tall and sexy blonde, turned in. the roadside cinema.

Maybe it was 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 slightly back seat, and sat down. Together.

"Drink some water."

Charlize was very attentive and handed a bottle of mineral water she had just unscrewed. "The Shawshank Redemption? Would you be interested in such a film?"

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

"The films I thought you were interested in..." Charlize gestured with a few fists, "It's all of this type of film."

After a few chats, the midnight show started soon. Because of the similarities between the films, Duke's energy was not fully focused on the film. His eyes swept across the theater, including him and Charlize Theron. There were less than ten people seated.

If it is a theater in a remote area, such a midnight show is not bad, but this is the bustling Laurier Valley Avenue in Los Angeles, and the number of seats is somewhat less.

However, this is also normal. Midnight scenes rely on fan support. This type of film cannot have die-hard supporters like action movies or sci-fi movies. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman don't have many fans nowadays. Arguably.

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 show, three people in their twenties left the show early.

Even though Tim Robbins's camera in the rain released the repressed emotions, there was no feeling of invigorating and dripping, and the dullness and depression always fell in people's hearts...

"An infectious film."

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

She can't seem to find the right description.

"Let's go."

Without waiting for Charlize Theron to continue to sigh, Dukra led her out. When she came out of the theater, she rejected the questionnaire feedback from the survey consultants and walked out slowly.

A voice came from behind, and it seemed that another audience member was speaking to the investigation consultant.

"The Shawshank Redemption is very exciting. It's the best movie I've seen this year. In terms of the plot and the feeling, the popular "Independence Day" doesn't compare to it at all, but I have a strange feeling about it. I feel like watching this movie in a movie theater is weird..."

As if he wanted to understand, the male audience said, "This kind of film doesn't seem to be suitable for the atmosphere of the theater, but one should hide at home or other quieter places, and taste it little by little, the environment of the theater. It's so out of touch with the theme of the movie."

When he walked out of the theater, Duke was still thinking about what the man said just now. The reason why "The Shawshank Redemption" failed at the box office was very complicated. It must be one of them that it was not suitable for theatrical screening. As for the problem of publicity and marketing that many people mentioned , but it is not too prominent. After all, the promotion and marketing expenses before the film's first release are not low compared to the investment, and after the loss of the Oscars, it aroused overwhelming sympathy, and was even dubbed the best in history by the media. It was also promoted and released again, but the second time it entered the theaters ended with a big splash.

"what are you thinking about?"

After getting into the car, Charlize asked Duke curiously, "I was distracted when I came out of the theater."

"I'm thinking..." Duke fastened his seatbelt and turned to look at her, "How to eat your beautiful and delicious snack tonight."

"As long as it's not a sandwich like last time," Charlize's red lips touched Duke's ear, "I'm happy to serve."

A few minutes later, the Bentley drove into the community. The two walked into the apartment hand in hand, and almost unbuttoned each other's clothes as quickly as possible. Duke even carried the naked Charlize Theron into the bedroom. , threw it on the thick mattress, and jumped on it.

Last time, although there were still some vague memories, for Duke, who was drunk at the time, he could hardly remember the process of enjoying it. This time, it is natural to experience this beauty that once famously spread all over the world. The taste of drilling, although it is more youthful now, far from the aura of a powerful queen in the future, but it also has a unique aura.

The sun was up in the sky on Friday, and there was no holiday relaxation at Sony's Columbia Pictures headquarters, just busy.

Sitting behind his desk, Ralph was quickly flipping through the major newspapers in North America, looking for "The Shawshank Redemption" film reviews from the film review columns.

"A long road to freedom, a deep cleansing of the soul, and an immortal inspirational classic, "The Shawshank Redemption" brings lasting sincere friendship, indomitable soul forging and eternal destiny. Fire! This is a great movie!"

In the column of the "Chicago Sun", Roger Albert not only gave an iconic thumbs up, but also directly showed a ten for the film!

"The film touches on the eternal theme of human beings and the unavoidable dilemma of the moment. The structure of the film is more refined than the original novel, the lines are more rhythmic, more scrutinized, and more profound than the original novel, and the characters are more refined than the original novel. More lively and powerful. With rich and ingenious artistic texts, the director elevates the spirit of freedom between heaven and earth!"

David Denby, the film critic of The New Yorker, who has always been known for his cynicism, gave it a high score of 9.5!

Likewise, other critics praised the film.

"The film melts the soul of liberty and redemption into its bones, thereby creating an irresistible, moving contagion."

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

In the film review columns of the paper media, especially the most famous film critics, "The Shawshank Redemption" has received unanimous praise. Most of the professional scores are nine or ten. It is definitely the film with the most professional reputation in recent years. .

However, what he saw in the newspaper could not make Ralph excited, because he had seen the midnight results of "The Shawshank Redemption" before the secretary sent it into the newspaper.

$970,000!

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

However, there is still some hope for Ralph. According to the survey statistics, although there are not many viewers who have seen the film, the reputation is also excellent. The A-level praise rate is close to 90%. word of mouth.

Maybe word of mouth and word-of-mouth fermentation will boost the box office during the day?

Although they knew they had to contend with a movie as strong as Independence Day, the hopes of Ralph and Sony Columbia Pictures were not dashed.