Can 'MacGruber' Break The Saturday Night Live Movie Curse? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-20-2010, 11:03 PM

Of all the recent "Saturday Night Live" recurring characters, MacGruber seemed the least likely to land his own feature film. After all, the skit spends about 15 seconds with the action hero before he's blown to smithereens.

However, star Will Forte imagined greater things for our mulleted man of action, and he convinced Lorne Michaels and the powers that be to turn the skit into a 90-minute film that opens Friday.

"MacGruber" is getting solid buzz on the eve of its opening, but has to overcome the stigma that SNL films can't cut it both from a quality and financial standpoint. There have been dozens of movies based on SNL characters, and they can be classified into three main categories: the good, the so-so and the ugly.

Where will "MacGruber" stack up? Only time will tell. For now, let's take a look at the checkered history of "Saturday Night Live" on the silver screen.

THE GOOD
This is going to be a very brief section. Unfortunately, what's funny in two-minute increments often does not translate to film. Sure, you could make an argument for a couple of other films you'll find later on, but there are two standout SNL films that few could argue with.

"The Blues Brothers": Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi's mischevious musicians were a hit on the show, and thanks to an all-star cast, great musical numbers and one of the most spectacular car crashes in film, the film adaptation remains a comedy classic that retains its rewatchability to this day.

"Wayne's World": Mike Myers and Dana Carvey struck comedic gold with their tale of Wayne and Garth, two metalheads from Aurora, Ill. who host a cable access show. The film remains the highest-grossing SNL flick at $121 million, and helped Queen get back on the charts thanks to the in-car performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

THE SO-SO

These are SNL films that, just by not being abysmal, have moved up in the hierarchy. Yeah, by any other standard, they aren't very good, but you can at least get a couple of laughs out of them. I wouldn't argue with you if you wanted to send one of these down to the bad pile.

"A Night at the Roxbury": Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell's dancing Butabi brothers were a hit on the small screen, but people weren't as interested in their filmatic quest to open a club where "the inside is on the outside, and the outside is on the inside." Sue me, I thought it was pretty darn funny.

"The Ladies Man": Again, Tim Meadows' lacivious talk-show host was funny in spurts, but trying to pin a feature-length plot around a horny dude is more difficult. However, the film does sport some inspired supporting turns from Ferrell and Julianne Moore, which makes it more memorable than ...

THE BAD

Perhaps the folks behind these films should have quit while they were ahead. Critical and commercial failures, these films helped damage the SNL brand so much there hasn't been a SNL film since 2000.

"Coneheads": More than a decade too late, this tepid tale of the pointy-headed extraterrestrials living in suburbia lacked any satiric bite or topical humor.

"Blues Brothers 2000": Belushi likely rolled over in his grave after this abomination, which took everything good about the first movie and did the opposite. One of the worst sequels ever.

"Wayne's World 2": Nothing more than a quick cash grab, this follow-up lacked the humor and heart of the original, trading on the theory that bigger equals better. Made about 1/3 of its predecessor at the box office.

"Superstar": Clumsy schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher is pretty much a one-note character, and so once she flailed about a couple of times, the film ran out of creative gas.

"Stuart Saves His Family" and "It's Pat": How these two lower-tier characters got their own movies is beyond me, but both rank as two of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history. "Stuart" grossed less than $1 million, while "Pat," in its minimal release, gathered a meager $60K.

http://www.starpulse.com/news/Elliot...snl_movie_curs

TJL · 05-20-2010, 11:13 PM

So...

I'm the only person who actually liked Coneheads?

I take it back. Never seen it.

Retro4Life · 05-20-2010, 11:36 PM

In answer to the original question, no. MacGruber is going to crash and burn. How can you make an hour and a half movie out of a minute long sketch? And what do you do with a character who's sole appeal is that he blows up in every emergency? How can you sustain that?

Another cynical move by Hollywood. It'll do well for a week, then tank.

catlover79 · 05-20-2010, 11:37 PM

Bring in Betty White as the grandmother and you might just have a hit!!!

Retro4Life · 05-20-2010, 11:39 PM

Yeah Betty's the ultimate lucky charm these days.

catlover79 · 05-20-2010, 11:55 PM

She sure is!!

HuntingtonM15 · 05-21-2010, 01:35 AM

It looks incredibly stupid, but a lot of people seem to like that ridiculous "humor." I'm not exactly sure why.

catlover79 · 05-21-2010, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

It looks incredibly stupid, but a lot of people seem to like that ridiculous "humor." I'm not exactly sure why.

That makes two of us, Michael!!

robyrob · 05-21-2010, 10:59 AM

i don't even like the 15 second sketches and cringe when they come on.

and I usually fast forward through any of the Weekend Update segments with Will Forte.

70s show watcher · 05-22-2010, 01:51 AM

one thing i would change on that list i would switch laides man to the bad category i remember when i went to see it at the movies it was so bad that at the end of it the guy behind me stood up and yelled burn that film

catlover79 · 05-22-2010, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

one thing i would change on that list i would switch laides man to the bad category i remember when i went to see it at the movies it was so bad that at the end of it the guy behind me stood up and yelled burn that film

That was probably the only amusing part of your viewing experience!!!

Brian Damage · 05-22-2010, 05:29 PM

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...surprises-here

5. MacGruber: Estimated $1.6m for Friday (ouch!) and $4.5m for the weekend (holy crap).

Wow. I mean, wow. Look at that. MacGruber got stomped by Letters to Juliet. None of us were expecting this movie to crack the top two spots, but there were plenty of box office analysts out there who suspected the film would find its way into the number-three position. But there it is, buried under Russell Crowe, Letters to Juliet, and the two winners for the weekend. That's really gotta sting, huh? I saw MacGruber yesterday against my better judgement, so I can tell you that this box office bombing is well-deserved, but it's still kinda sad for everyone involved. Oh, well-- better luck next time, guys!

HuntingtonM15 · 05-22-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...surprises-here

5. MacGruber: Estimated $1.6m for Friday (ouch!) and $4.5m for the weekend (holy crap).

Wow. I mean, wow. Look at that. MacGruber got stomped by Letters to Juliet. None of us were expecting this movie to crack the top two spots, but there were plenty of box office analysts out there who suspected the film would find its way into the number-three position. But there it is, buried under Russell Crowe, Letters to Juliet, and the two winners for the weekend. That's really gotta sting, huh? I saw MacGruber yesterday against my better judgement, so I can tell you that this box office bombing is well-deserved, but it's still kinda sad for everyone involved. Oh, well-- better luck next time, guys!

And the trailer claimed it was going to be the biggest SNL movie since Wayne's World

steevo · 05-22-2010, 06:39 PM

^ I see a Razzie nomination for worst picture here.

catlover79 · 05-22-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

And the trailer claimed it was going to be the biggest SNL movie since Wayne's World

I bet they're eating their words now.

05-20-2010, 11:03 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Can 'MacGruber' Break The Saturday Night Live Movie Curse? Of all the recent "Saturday Night Live" recurring characters, MacGruber seemed the least likely to land his own feature film. After all, the skit spends about 15 seconds with the action hero before he's blown to smithereens. However, star Will Forte imagined greater things for our mulleted man of action, and he convinced Lorne Michaels and the powers that be to turn the skit into a 90-minute film that opens Friday. "MacGruber" is getting solid buzz on the eve of its opening, but has to overcome the stigma that SNL films can't cut it both from a quality and financial standpoint. There have been dozens of movies based on SNL characters, and they can be classified into three main categories: the good, the so-so and the ugly. Where will "MacGruber" stack up? Only time will tell. For now, let's take a look at the checkered history of "Saturday Night Live" on the silver screen. THE GOOD This is going to be a very brief section. Unfortunately, what's funny in two-minute increments often does not translate to film. Sure, you could make an argument for a couple of other films you'll find later on, but there are two standout SNL films that few could argue with. "The Blues Brothers": Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi's mischevious musicians were a hit on the show, and thanks to an all-star cast, great musical numbers and one of the most spectacular car crashes in film, the film adaptation remains a comedy classic that retains its rewatchability to this day. "Wayne's World": Mike Myers and Dana Carvey struck comedic gold with their tale of Wayne and Garth, two metalheads from Aurora, Ill. who host a cable access show. The film remains the highest-grossing SNL flick at $121 million, and helped Queen get back on the charts thanks to the in-car performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody." THE SO-SO These are SNL films that, just by not being abysmal, have moved up in the hierarchy. Yeah, by any other standard, they aren't very good, but you can at least get a couple of laughs out of them. I wouldn't argue with you if you wanted to send one of these down to the bad pile. "A Night at the Roxbury": Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell's dancing Butabi brothers were a hit on the small screen, but people weren't as interested in their filmatic quest to open a club where "the inside is on the outside, and the outside is on the inside." Sue me, I thought it was pretty darn funny. "The Ladies Man": Again, Tim Meadows' lacivious talk-show host was funny in spurts, but trying to pin a feature-length plot around a horny dude is more difficult. However, the film does sport some inspired supporting turns from Ferrell and Julianne Moore, which makes it more memorable than ... THE BAD Perhaps the folks behind these films should have quit while they were ahead. Critical and commercial failures, these films helped damage the SNL brand so much there hasn't been a SNL film since 2000. "Coneheads": More than a decade too late, this tepid tale of the pointy-headed extraterrestrials living in suburbia lacked any satiric bite or topical humor. "Blues Brothers 2000": Belushi likely rolled over in his grave after this abomination, which took everything good about the first movie and did the opposite. One of the worst sequels ever. "Wayne's World 2": Nothing more than a quick cash grab, this follow-up lacked the humor and heart of the original, trading on the theory that bigger equals better. Made about 1/3 of its predecessor at the box office. "Superstar": Clumsy schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher is pretty much a one-note character, and so once she flailed about a couple of times, the film ran out of creative gas. "Stuart Saves His Family" and "It's Pat": How these two lower-tier characters got their own movies is beyond me, but both rank as two of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history. "Stuart" grossed less than $1 million, while "Pat," in its minimal release, gathered a meager $60K. http://www.starpulse.com/news/Elliot...snl_movie_curs Attached Images
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05-20-2010, 11:13 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	So... I'm the only person who actually liked Coneheads? I take it back. Never seen it.
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05-20-2010, 11:36 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	In answer to the original question, no. MacGruber is going to crash and burn. How can you make an hour and a half movie out of a minute long sketch? And what do you do with a character who's sole appeal is that he blows up in every emergency? How can you sustain that? Another cynical move by Hollywood. It'll do well for a week, then tank.
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05-20-2010, 11:37 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Bring in Betty White as the grandmother and you might just have a hit!!!
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05-20-2010, 11:55 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	She sure is!! Attached Images

05-20-2010, 11:39 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Yeah Betty's the ultimate lucky charm these days.

05-21-2010, 01:35 AM	#7
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	It looks incredibly stupid, but a lot of people seem to like that ridiculous "humor." I'm not exactly sure why.

05-21-2010, 10:59 AM	#9
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,176	i don't even like the 15 second sketches and cringe when they come on. and I usually fast forward through any of the Weekend Update segments with Will Forte.
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05-22-2010, 01:51 AM	#10
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	one thing i would change on that list i would switch laides man to the bad category i remember when i went to see it at the movies it was so bad that at the end of it the guy behind me stood up and yelled burn that film

05-22-2010, 05:29 PM	#12
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	You're seriously never gonna believe how hard 'MacGruber' has bombed http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1...surprises-here 5. MacGruber: Estimated $1.6m for Friday (ouch!) and $4.5m for the weekend (holy crap). Wow. I mean, wow. Look at that. MacGruber got stomped by Letters to Juliet. None of us were expecting this movie to crack the top two spots, but there were plenty of box office analysts out there who suspected the film would find its way into the number-three position. But there it is, buried under Russell Crowe, Letters to Juliet, and the two winners for the weekend. That's really gotta sting, huh? I saw MacGruber yesterday against my better judgement, so I can tell you that this box office bombing is well-deserved, but it's still kinda sad for everyone involved. Oh, well-- better luck next time, guys!

05-22-2010, 06:39 PM	#14
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,474	^ I see a Razzie nomination for worst picture here.
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