Jeffrey Rex
@imjeffreyrex.bsky.social
Film and TV Reviewer from Denmark. Master of Arts in English with a minor in Film and Media Studies. Member IFSCritics. He/Him.
True! I think the killer game show angle is a fair counterpoint. And while I mostly enjoyed it, I’d agree that the film left something to be desired. Still, though, I think the budget was far too big for something that wasn’t a safer bet.
November 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
True! I think the killer game show angle is a fair counterpoint. And while I mostly enjoyed it, I’d agree that the film left something to be desired. Still, though, I think the budget was far too big for something that wasn’t a safer bet.
That film (and this scene) is best known for this song where Dirch Passer and Ove Sprogøe sing about trams and women. youtu.be/HPpWQzl-AQ8?...
Ved Kongelunden (1953) - Der kommer altid en sporvogn og en pige til
YouTube video by Nordisk Film+
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 10:50 PM
That film (and this scene) is best known for this song where Dirch Passer and Ove Sprogøe sing about trams and women. youtu.be/HPpWQzl-AQ8?...
The last time this trend was going around, I went with one of the Pusher films. This time, though, I thought I’d go with this Danish ‘classic,’ Ved Kongelunden (1953) That scene right there was filmed less than 3kms from where I grew up, if memory serves me right.
November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The last time this trend was going around, I went with one of the Pusher films. This time, though, I thought I’d go with this Danish ‘classic,’ Ved Kongelunden (1953) That scene right there was filmed less than 3kms from where I grew up, if memory serves me right.
Anyway, just my two cents. As a fan of Wright’s and someone who really enjoys the Tron franchise (largely due to Legacy), I’d love for those films to thrive, but their total packages were way, way too risky. I don’t see how decision-makers thought they were going to make that money back in theaters.
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Anyway, just my two cents. As a fan of Wright’s and someone who really enjoys the Tron franchise (largely due to Legacy), I’d love for those films to thrive, but their total packages were way, way too risky. I don’t see how decision-makers thought they were going to make that money back in theaters.
The real problem with The Running Man’s total package was that the budget was too large for something without a major fanbase around it. Both it and Tron were chasing a sizable audience when the target audience is based on a smaller cult following or older IP.
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The real problem with The Running Man’s total package was that the budget was too large for something without a major fanbase around it. Both it and Tron were chasing a sizable audience when the target audience is based on a smaller cult following or older IP.
The Running Man ($110m) does have a director with a following behind him (big fan of Edgar Wright, and I enjoyed the film), but Baby Driver is his only non-Cornetto flick to be profitable (based on theatrical earnings). Still, neither Wright nor Powell (both of whom I like) is the film’s problem.
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The Running Man ($110m) does have a director with a following behind him (big fan of Edgar Wright, and I enjoyed the film), but Baby Driver is his only non-Cornetto flick to be profitable (based on theatrical earnings). Still, neither Wright nor Powell (both of whom I like) is the film’s problem.
Both were (reportedly) massively overbudgeted. Ares ($180-200m) has a leading man who, as a lead, has never opened a blockbuster movie that made a profit. Rønning shepherded it well-enough, but isn’t a director with a following behind him. You can’t expect huge box office numbers with that package.
November 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Both were (reportedly) massively overbudgeted. Ares ($180-200m) has a leading man who, as a lead, has never opened a blockbuster movie that made a profit. Rønning shepherded it well-enough, but isn’t a director with a following behind him. You can’t expect huge box office numbers with that package.
I can understand the appeal of swapping out the actor in a Bond type way (and, in a way, Dinklage would be a bizarre but brilliant choice). But Lyonne and her whole thing is just such a huge part of what makes the character so much fun.
November 13, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I can understand the appeal of swapping out the actor in a Bond type way (and, in a way, Dinklage would be a bizarre but brilliant choice). But Lyonne and her whole thing is just such a huge part of what makes the character so much fun.