6.
We may never see another series like Harry Potter.
(Did Learn, but Will Still Try)
Let’s face it. Like many characters from popular book and film series, the name Harry Potter can be very polarizing. I myself have never been a huge fan of the Boy Wizard and yet I’ve seen at least half of the Harry Potter films either in a theater or on cable. We’ve all seen at least one of the Harry Potter flicks. Which is why Potter was able to overtake Star Wars this summer as the highest grossing series of all time with over $7 billion in ticket sales. While it took Potter eight films to achieve this mark to Star Wars‘ six, it is still a very impressive feat.
The other thing that separates the Potter series from the Star Wars series is that it took place over a period of a decade, which is why you saw so many college aged kids lined up at the multiplex this summer for the final installment. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows: Part 2 didn’t just mark the end of a film series, it marked the end of childhood for a certain age group. Anything that taps into an entire generation like that is very impressive indeed.
7.
Comic Book movies are here to stay.
(Did Learn, though wavering)
This is another statement that may sound counter intuitive. But look at the facts. Everyone is justifiably raving about the success of R-rated comedies this summer. The Hangover Part II is the highest grossing R-Rated comedy of all time and it has made $581 million at the worldwide box-office. The second place comedy this summer was Bridesmaids, which made a stellar $272 million. Most of the other hits finished in the $100+ million range. On the other hand, this was a terrible year for superheroes. Yet, the lowest total was Green Lantern with $194 million, while X-Men, Captain America are both over $300 million and Thor clocked in at $440 mil. Granted comic book movies are much more expensive to make and harder to make a profit on, but they bring people into theaters and that’s important for the industry.
8.
Kristen Wiig is a Star
(Should Have Learned)
Hollywood finally figured out how to use the talented Kristen Wiig. After years of using Wiig as the “sort of hot girlfriend” in bad comedies or the “funny best friend” in dramas, Wiig finally hit the big time when she was allowed to write her own material. Wiig should be given as much money as she wants to write and produce comedies for as long as she wants. Because the girl is money.
9.
Owen Wilson is the best Woody Allen stand-in yet
(Should Have Learned)
Ever since Woody Allen started using other actors as leads in his films the results have been very hit or miss. Putting Wilson in the lead of Midnight in Paris was a true stroke of genius. Wilson’s easygoing Texas charm and oddball southern neurosis made Midnight in Paris one of the most enjoyable films so far this year, and Woody’s biggest box-office hit to date as it recently clocked in at $50+ million and climbing at the domestic box-office.
10.
Give the fans what they want and you can’t go wrong.
(Should Have Learned)
The first film that really got people talking around the water cooler this summer was Bridesmaids. Why? Because it was marketed as a fun, entertaining comedy and that’s what it was. Now the summer is ending and the surprise number one movie is The Help. A film that, once again, gives its target audience exactly what they want. Personally, I don’t think the formula behind moneymaking movies is rocket science. Getting past the Hollywood suits and development people with your idea intact? Well, that just might be. Congrats to Christopher Nolan on that front, but I’m not sure everyone gets the chance to make The Dark Knight before they are allowed to make Inception.
So there you have my ten. Agree? Disagree? Do you have other lessons Hollywood can and, more importantly, should learn? Speak up in the comments below and let your opinion be heard!
