MovieChat Forums > Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) Discussion > here's why i can't understand why this f...

here's why i can't understand why this film flopped

posted 17 years ago by big_hughezy
32 replies | jump to latest

now, i'm sure everyone has their own personal taste, but at the time of release Jack Black was on F'N fire. i mean, School Of Rock, King Kong, Nacho Libre and Shark Tale were all big hits, so were the F was his fanbase?

Also, they released THAT teaser which was a massive internet hit all over the world, so why the F wasn't the film that the tailer was for a hit aswell?!?!

not only that, most people who actually DID see this film loved it so word of mouth should've helped.

of all the films that have flopped in my lifetime this is the film that i am the most shocked about. seriously.

check out http://BigHughezy.bebo.com coz it's the best F'N site ever

[–] preacher1010 15 years ago

why this film flopped?

if you watched the Bonus Features of Masterworks Vol 2 DVD, JB said two things were the main factors.

Movie studio released this film with inadequate marketing support.

Secondly, the studio also decided to release the movie on the same week that the new Bond franchise kicked off - Daniel Craig's Casino Royale. Going up against an established movie franchise juggernaut was a big mistake. Mind you, Casino Royale was an 'R' too

..and its so easy to label a movie a flop just because it didnt make any instant profit during opening weeks.
The Bourne Identity is a frakking good example - a movie can be profitable through sales of DVD, and i think POD will do just fine in terms of profit - which sadly - is what the movie studios care nowadays.

wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenacious_D_in_The_Pick_of_Destiny#Box_of fice

Box office

The film performed poorly at the box office, only grossing a total of $8.2 million in the United States. It debuted with a mere $3 million during its opening weekend at number eleven. With a budget of $20,000,000 the film is considered a financial failure because it was not able to gross half the cost of production. In the fifth week after its release, the movie only earned $50,000 and virtually vanished from theaters. DVD sales outnumbered the box office receipts, totaling over $9 million. Prior to filming, Black and Gass each received $500,000 and were to share 10% of the total revenue of the film. This means that each of them earned about $865,000 from the project.[4] This movie is rated R for pervasive language, sexual content, and drug usage.
[edit] Critical Reception

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny polarized critics. The film holds a 53% at Rotten Tomatoes, with most commentators unimpressed by the film's low-brow humor.[5] Michael Phillips criticized the frequency of the drug-use by saying: "This may be the problem. Pot rarely helped anybody's comic timing."[6] Stephen Holden of The New York Times suggested that the film could be viewed as a "jolly rock 'n' roll comedy", but he also described the progression of the film as being a "garish mess."[7] Many critics felt that the film tried to stretch too little comic material into too long of a movie—and that the 93 minute running time feels long. However, most commentators agreed that any fans of Tenacious D's music—or Jack Black's rather frenetic acting style—would no doubt appreciate and enjoy the movie.

IMFHO, the "comedy" YEAR ONE is the worst Jack Black movie ever.

[–] ThereCanBonly1 15 years ago

1 - Yeah never even heard of it here in Australia.

2 - That was a bloody stupid idea.

Was a shame watching a doco that their whole concert tour was built around the movie too.

I think the start and the training where the 2 worst parts of the movie though. When it started and was singing right off the bat my first thought was 'christ this a musical with singing all the way through!' and almost, aaaaalmost turned it off. Maybe people walked out at that point, I probably would have if I didn't know who the D where?

But had lots of brilliant parts like Master Exploder and the finale. Its a pity they didn't get some people in to critique and maybe (with permission) tweak the script a bit.

Just played Master Exploder about 4 times in a row again ;)

[–] Gbradley13 15 years ago

i think its the r rating, i rember i wanted to see it. but i had no way of seeing it (parents wouldnt take me) so i had to wait for the dvd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt4Xfb-EfYg
Trailer for Upcoming Movie "48Hours" (1/28/10)

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] seh-7 14 years ago

so many great films tanked in theatrical release and then became cult classics. Think Rocky Horror.

This was never a film that was going to make millions. It's a stoner rock comedy. Parents who took kids to see other Jack Black films are not going to go in for a potty-mouthed version of Spinal Tap (with more pot).

It's great, I love it... but would never have expected it to be a success.

[–] Room_On_Fire 14 years ago

Casino Royale was PG-13.

"Oh, my God. Bear is driving! How can that be?!"

[–] virgiltx 13 years ago

It's possibly a success in ancillary. According to the-numbers.com it broke even with its $20M prod budget after just two weeks of DVD sales:
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2006/TENCD.php

And it's now available on Amazon and iTunes for download rent/buy.
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[–] 12 years ago

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