Another Thing For Me To Feign Anger About: GTA vs. Iron Man
May 1st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I’m so totally sick of reading these “OH CRAP IRON MAN IS OUT THE SAME WEEK AS GRAND THEFT AUTO WILL PEOPLE GO SEE IT????” stories. MTV’s got one of its own now.
I’m sure there’s something to it, as the dorks who would be most likely to go see Iron Man are probably the same dorks who would have more fun staying in and playing more GTA, but when people try to pin the woes of the movie exhibition business on games, it’s almost as pathetic as the music industry’s excuses for its own downturn.
1. Movie theaters have become an awful way to see a movie. Unless you hold some nostalgia for sticky seats and popcorn–you know, the “theater experience” or whatever–actually going to a movie theater has felt like an awful waste of time to me for years. Even if I didn’t have a sizable TV and a passable sound system, I’d rather gather up some friends and watch a movie at home. Since I’ve laid out the cash for decent equipment, I usually end up getting a better-looking, better-sounding movie than what most theaters offer these days.
2. Dude, it’s Iron Man. Hardly an A-lister in the Marvel world, unless things have somehow changed since I last followed comics. If Iron Man tanks, it’s probably because MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE HELL AN “IRON MAN” IS. Though as a counterpoint, if someone told me “hey, there’s a movie coming out where Robert Downey Jr. drinks and flies around fighting dudes,” I’d probably want to know more about it.
3. I once urinated on a seat in the back of a movie theater out of spite. To my knowledge, no one has urinated on my couch (yet).
So, yeah, I’ll probably stay in and play GTA, but not at the expense of Iron Man. I already didn’t care about that.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Work is renting out a theatre so we can all watch Iron Man during work hours. So there’s that. But yeah, it’s going to be stupid.
Also, one time I peed on your couch, but only a little.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
You urinated on a seat?
May 1st, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Dude, gross.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
sicko!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:34 am
want me to come pee on your couch? I would but I am too busy jumping over helicopters among other things in GTA.
And I agree about movie theaters, its 6 bucks on a cheap night at the only theater near my house worth paying for (versus my TV and sound system) and the only movie i really want to see anytime soon is Indiana Jones.
Oh well, this is the same as the GTA versus CoD idea to me. Sure, I usually play CoD, and I am now playing GTA, but I hope to finish GTA by Monday at the latest, and then Ill be back to CoD for my shooting of faces.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 am
I hope I don’t end up sitting in the back of that theater Friday night.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 am
Dude, gross.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Well you’re missing out on a great movie, my friend. I saw an advanced screening on Wednesday and the movie is fantastic. The best comic book movie I’ve seen in quite some time, probably since Spider-Man 2. I also consider it one of the best comic book movies ever made. Its not just mindless Michael Bay-style action but the film is very character driven. Sure there is action in it, but its really all about Tony Stark and his relationship with Pepper Potts and his “mentor” (can’t remember his name but he was played by Jeff Bridges). Robert Downey Jr is fantastic as Tony Stark. I don’t think anyone else could have done a better job. His wit and hilarious one liners are constant and help get through some darker moments in the film. I suggest you take a break from GTA and go see Iron Man at a matinee.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:15 am
Savage!
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 am
It’s truth, the way movies are complaining about games taking money out of them is patetic.
The same happend with Halo 3 and The Heartbreak Kid… The Hearthbreak Kid!!?? I guess it was easier to think it was because of a game than because those movies, don’t know… SUCKS!!! I still enjoy the “theater experience”, but it has gone downhill since the VHS days.
And Jeff, that story about you, urine and a back seat is plain gross… You just hope you don’t end up sitting behind me; although, on another hand, maybe thats one more reason not to go to a cinema.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 am
Bruh… well said. I’m in the same boat. I have a decent enough home setup, can get all my friends together, and don’t want to waste 20 mins watching commercials and previews while also having to fight for the best seats in the house.
Strangely enough, once my friends all get together in my basement, we end up jamming to some Rock Band and completely ignoring the hd movie we were gonna check out.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 am
I totally agree, I hate going to the theater, if for nothing else than the fact that I have to pay ten dollars and I can only watch the movie once, and I must watch it straight through without stopping and without doing anything else. That’s not really an enjoyable situation to me, but I often feel like I’m the only one. It seems like all my friends go to movies constantly. I can’t figure it out. DVDs are so cheap nowadays.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am
So that’s why my seat was wet. I think the movie is going to kick ass though, it is Robert Downey Jr. after all.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 am
I once urinated on a seat in a movie theater out of being 4 years old. That too has never happened on my couch.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
you cant beat the theatre experience. a home theatre aint the same thing. but it has to have a real projector with real film, not one of those digital projection monsrosities that are supposed to save money while offering a superior picture. analog is better than digital, most people dont know that but most gamers do (because of digital vs analog controllers). The real heydey of theatres was back in the 60s though with epics like ben hur, the vikings, or lawrence of arabia. I would have liked to have seen one of those, complete with overtures and intermissions.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 am
ew. That must have been some strong spite. What in the world caused that?
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Movie theaters are terrible, but Iron Man was amazing. And the Dark Knight trailer was a bonus.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:30 am
Dude aren’t you the same one who gave the backlash on Zelda TP because all the fans had beens wining about the review GS gave? It sure seems to have the same vile as this rant. Iron Man is going to be an awesome film. GTA4 is like something I will get around to some day.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Cinemas are full of kids who don’t know how to behave in public. I’d rather not have to pay to put up with that. Cinemas should do over 21 screenings of films for people who actually want to enjoy a film.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Cant’ beleive no comic geek has posted this response yet.
But yes IRON MAN is a big deal in the marvel universe right now. He’s the director of shield, and well kinda is responsible for the registration act (a law requiring super hero to register to be super heros).
But well one thing is for sure, GTA will probably help kill the iron man game (and that’s a good thing considering early review).
Still can’t beleive people manage to screw up an IRON MAN game!! It’s a dude flying, (drunk most of the times) and shooting plasma from his palms!!
How do you mess this up?? How can you not create a great game out of this??
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Well said.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
You forgot to mention all those annoying, forget to turn off their cell phone, dropped off by their parents, teeny-bobber punks who pack the theaters and talk or yell at the movie the whole time. This more than anything else has soured my movie theater enthusiasm ever since I stopped being a teenager myself.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Some movies need to be seen in a theater. The really good ones that will be classics for years. Also even though it makes me look like a nerd Iron Man is huge in Marvel Comic books atm. He started the civil war. Anyway it’s fun to go to the theater if you’re with your friends. Does anyone go to the theater alone? That would just be wierd.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
What the hell man, urinating on a seat? disappointed…
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Yeah, Iron Man is an A-lister now, and has been for some time. Even before Civil War, he was always the #2 Avenger behind Captain America.
GTA has been out for three days, so I’m about ready to take a while off to go see Iron Man. People have been saying great things about it, and it’s about time for a really good new superhero franchise. There’ve been too many letdowns lately.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Iron man is freaking awesome.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Dude, Iron Man is an A-lister, which comic books have you been reading?
Besides, the movie is worth a watch, perhaps one of the better comic flicks since Spider Man 1 in my book. Day one blu-ray purchase for me.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I beleive that a popular videogame (like GTA) can influence the release of a movie like Iron Man. I for one want to see the movie. But I wont be seeing it today because I spent all my free money on GTA IV. I’m sure this isn’t the case with most people, but I’m sure its a notable effect from the videogame industry.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
This post has taught me the meaning of CYNICAL.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Yeah I don’t Jeff, I actually always thought Iron Man was one of the A-Listers in Marvel. Isn’t he one of the founding members of the Avengers or something. I do agree with you on the whole movie going experience though, I would much rather watch a flick at home than the theater. Its a much more controllable environment and the shithead factor is reduced considerably.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Was my first comment deleted?
Heres an article from from Gaming Today blog. Frankly I agree with him.
“But this weekend, we as gamers might be able to at least eliminate one of Hollywood’s newest excuses for poor films: blaming low ticket sales on a huge video game release. And that is why, people, I implore you:
Go see Iron Man this weekend.”
http://news.filefront.com/go-see-the-iron-man-movie-dont-give-hollywood-any-more-excuses/
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I go to the theaters about 3 times a month. When I go, I do a self-double-feature. There is nothing to pair Ironman with this week, so I’m waiting until next week to pair it with Speedracer.
In the meantime, I will be playing GTA!
The new movies are really starting to look the best on a high-def disc. I saw Golden Compass 5 times in theaters (my girlfriend is obsessed), and when I saw it on Blu-Ray, the detail was amazing. Amazingly minimal grain. They also cleaned up the poorest lighted scene perfectly.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
yes you can beat the movie theater experience.
Just go anywhere that isn’t populated by a room full of dicks with no consideration for anyone else.
Even watching a movie on an old 3 inch iPod screen, in a interstate rest stop toilet after someone has had a bad batch of chile, is a more pleasant experience than the majority of movie theaters these days.
At least then you wouldn’t have some douche parents bringing a newborn baby into a screening of Aliens VS Predator.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I went on saw Iron Man in a local theatre two days ago, and I must say it caught me of guard. That has got to be one of the finer comic-to-film translations out there. The main problem is the story, I guess. There isn’t a lot to it. But the whole becoming Iron Man stuff is done reall well and Robert Downey jr is just awesome in this movie. He really caries the movie and is the prime reason why you would want to forgive the writers for the story they wrote.
That said, theatres do indeed suck.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
You people are a little too harsh on theaters, methinks. Having just got back from my Iron Man trip, it was pretty nice. Maybe all the theaters in Virginia are way better than the ones in California, but I don’t see the problem.
Also, Iron Man is really damn awesome. Robert Downey Jr. was perfectly cast and consistently kickass.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I want to know more about this urinating on the back of a seat story.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I’m the opposite, I’d rather see a movie in theater if I can. Transformers was not the same on a tv as it was in theaters. As for Iron Man, it freaking has a 94% on rottentomatoes and definitely isn’t going to tank. The movie was good, and should be seen by anyone vaguely interested.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I feel like there’s a story behind this urination.
Maybe not a story I want to hear, but a story nonetheless.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jeff baby, thats ice cold ICE COLD. giving me chills with shit!
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 am
I’m not sure exactly when it was you did read Marvel, but uh, Iron Man has always been one of the most important characters, and he certainly is one of the most important today. He leads the Avengers and is director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
He’s also a complete douche bag but that’s another story.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:03 am
hey
i know what teenagers do to those movies seats, god, i did it when i was a teenager and to be honast i dont really want to sit in a thearter seat ever again but i know i will because my friends enjoy going to the movies and i enjoy being with friends.
anyway im going to go play some mario cart wii.
man i cant believe how ignorant you are jeff, the only reason why any1 wont see iron man is because of MC.
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 am
You urinated on a seat in a theater?Always the rebel, eh?
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:46 am
I think you’re getting jaded Jeff. I saw Iron Man at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon and it was really entertaining. I was surprised by how good it is, Robert Downey Jnr. was an inspired casting for Tony Stark. I’m not into comics very much but I think some of the heroes are cool and I’ve known who Iron Man is since I was around 6.
After seeing Iron Man I went and bought myself a copy of GTA4 so I can have the best of both worlds.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 am
“I once urinated on a seat in the back of a movie theater out of spite.”
Wait, so YOU are one of those guys who make me never want to go to a movie theatre ever again?
I am disappointed in you, mr. Gerstmann.
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 am
I just saw Iron Man last night. Simply put, there’s nothing about that movie that I didn’t like.
There’s no camp, and nothing cheesy. Just Downey Jr and co. doing a fantastic job. Everyone played their part very well. Well, maybe not Favreau.
The scene after the credits was awesome as well.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 am
On a sidenote…
in sweden a ticket goes for around 100kr, sometimes more (lotr and other lengthy movies)
that would be the equivalent to almost 17 dollars…
ridiculous
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 am
You pissed on a seat? You’re a total asshole.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I’d have to disagree movie theatres are still alot of fun to go too. My theatre at least is awesome. Little expensive but i’ve never come out of there dissapointed.
But true most probably have no idea what iron man is.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I actually was more excited about Iron Man this week then GTA IV. I took time off from work to play GTA and go see Iron Man and out of the two I feel the time I spent seeing Iron Man has been the most enjoyable so far.
I haven’t had a bad theater experience in quite a while. I live about two minutes away from the theater and I can go see a movie for $4.75. I also work a split shift so I can see a movie during the work week when it’s not busy and my theater is very good about keeping everything clean.
FYI, currently Iron Man is the highest rated superhero movie of all time according to Rotten Tomatoes(by one percent), domestic sales through Friday are at $38.5 million so it’s doing well, Iron Man is a A-lister playing major roles in the Civil War and the current Secret Invasion story lines as well as being the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
I hope you give Iron Man a chance Jeff, later.
May 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I guess GTA didn’t effect Iron Man’s sales being as it took in $100 million this weekend.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
disagree with the cinema thing dude! i’ve never had problems with sticky seats, and if i go to a big cinema complex in the city (as opposed to a local suburban one), i’m guaranteed great sound and a great perve pre and post movie. regarding iron man, i saw it without knowing who he was and i really, really dislike comic-based movies (batman being the only exception) and i loved it! so entertaining and just a good movie in its own right.
May 4th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
IMO, i think there’s alot more geeks and nerds out there that are into Iron Man than GTA. Sure there’s a pretty big gaming crowd that foams at the mout whenever they see a trailer for GTA4 but Iron Man is a world wide event! Especially when you consider all the countries that ban violent games like GTA4.
Also, i geuss Jeff’s not a fan of Iron Man but he obviously doesn’t know any really big comic book geeks. Last i checked Iron Man was just as popular as other Marvel heroes such as Spider-man, Wolverine, etc.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:00 am
I bought GTA at launch and I saw Iron Man this weekend…twice. It was awesome, and I hate superhero movies.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I agree that the argument that GTA4 will prevent people from going to watch a movie is silly. But not because the movie is crap.
GTA 4 is a 35 hours experience at least, that takes place over the course of several days. Iron Man only takes about 2 hours of your time. I don’t see how finishing the game 2 hours earlier will improve your life. OK, except maybe if you’re a game reviewer that didn’t receive a pre-release copy and need to get the review out in a hurry. Kidding.
In fact during the last week i did complete GTA4 and I did go and see Iron Man.
And btw i’d like to mention that i went to see Iron Man with 3 chicks that had never heard of Iron Man nor have they ever read a comic book in their lives, and they all loved it.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:30 am
A little bitter?
May 5th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
So Jeff…you’re video game critic making statements about a medium you have no interest, or even insight, in. Yes, Iron Man is a popular Marvel character. In fact, less famous characters have starred in their own films recently, including Ghost Rider and Elektra. The difference in Iron Man is that the general critical consensus has been positive…so there you go.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I bought GTA4 at release and saw Iron Man… Iron Man was incredible. I went into it not expecting too much, but was shocked that it was possibly the best superhero movie I’ve seen since the first SpiderMan.
I’m wondering if Jeff will go see Iron Man and change his opinion after reading all these responses. =)
May 6th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Iron Man was sick, you would love it.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
imo i don’t think people are really complaining when they something like “damn i can’t go see iron man cause i’m playing gta4, why’d the hell did they get released at the same time?” any normal person can get around this ridiculous ‘obstacle’. i think it’s just an excuse to bring up gta4 in conversation cause they’re so pumped over it.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Iron Man was practically flawless as a super hero flick; it drops pretty obvious hints that would indicate a sequel as well… i’m thinking the next one should be equally great
May 7th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Rotten Tomatoes gave Iron Man 94%
161 fresh reviews, 11 rotten
I saw the movie myself and it was great. ALMOST at the same level of Batman Begins but not quite.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/iron_man/
I give it 8.5/10.
Go see it, it’ll change your mind.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I rather enjoyed Ironman to be honest. It was pretty redneck though. “Get them Terrorists Ironman!! Freedom!!”
May 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Dude, Iron Man turned out to be a really rad movie. Highly recommended.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I really disagree with you on this one i still feel the experience i get when i go to see a movie in theater is very good and does not compare to sitting on a cauch with friends.
Also as a huge fan of yours following you for more then 6 years and a older reader (35) i have to say i did find your comment on the seat peeing very distasteful.
June 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Ironman was a great movie, but GTA pretty much owns any theater