"Here we are, Scarlett."

The car came to a steady stop, and Duke reminded the little girl sitting in the back seat, "Don't forget your school bag." ”

"Got it."

Scarlett? Johnson dangled his ponytail, picked up his school bag, got out of the car and closed the door with his backhand, waved at Duke, and walked home without looking back.

"She's not going to be angry, is she?" Charlize in the co-pilot looked over there and asked.

"It's okay."

It wasn't until Scarlett walked into the house that Duke started the car, "She's usually like this." ”

Although he could vaguely guess something from the voice of the phone call, Duke would not speak, after all, this was a private matter of Johnson's family, let alone him, even his mother Scarlett's godmother, and he could not interfere.

"Let's go."

Duke spun the wheel and turned off the quiet path toward North Hollywood.

Arriving at Laurier Valley Boulevard, they found a high-end restaurant, and the two of them ordered casually, sat at the table by the window, and chatted while eating.

"Congratulations on the success of your film." Charlize? Theron raised his glass, "You've broken three North American film records in a row. ”

"At the same time, I was scolded very badly."

◎

Taking a sip of wine, Duke teased himself, "Maybe I'll be the worst director Hollywood has ever seen next week." ”

"There are a lot of people who want to be attacked by film critics like you." Charlize smoothed her blonde hair behind her ears and took a small bite of a fruit salad without salad dressing, "You don't know how many people in my acting class envy the actors who starred in "Independence Day." ”

"There's always a chance." Duke couldn't hear what she meant, "Your agent didn't let you audition lately?" ”

"Yes, how could he let me go." Charlize? Theron seemed annoyed, "I've pushed it off for the time being, if it continues." I feel like I'm going to be given up by him soon. ”

She leaned forward slightly, her delicate face leaning closer, "Duke, can you introduce me to an agent?" ”

Looking up, Duke looked at her, as if he wasn't joking. After thinking about it, he said, "If you have time, you can go to ICM, and just say that I introduced you." ”

"Is there anything scheduled for tonight?" Charlize asked duly.

"Hmm......" Duke pinched his chin, there was no need to say some activities, and there was no need to hurry, he suddenly remembered the movie that was once known as the number one movie in history, "It's better than this." Let's go to the midnight movie together. ”

The answer seemed to be a bit out of Charlize's expectations, and she smiled, "Okay." ”

They had been chatting late at the restaurant, and the two came out hand in hand, and Duke bought a baseball cap from a roadside sporting goods store. Theron walked to a theater not far away.

Although he and "Independence Day" have been hot recently, there is no scene where the legendary paparazzi come up to take pictures, and the director is always the director. Compared to the stars in front of the screen, the attraction and news value are much worse.

Of course. There may also be paparazzi hiding in the dark to take pictures, which is not in Duke's consideration, he is neither married nor girlfriend, even if he is photographed by some caring person, it is not a big deal.

The Rowell Valley Boulevard is one of the busiest areas in North Hollywood, even if it's close to midnight. Still brightly lit and full of pedestrians, and walking only a few hundred feet, Dukla turned into the roadside theater with a tall and sexy blonde beauty.

Maybe it's too late. Or maybe the film released this week was not attractive enough, there were not many people in the theater, bought two tickets, the two entered the theater, chose a slightly back seat, and sat together.

"Drink some water."

Charlize was very attentive and handed over a bottle of mineral water that she had just unscrewed, "The Shawshank Redemption? Would you be interested in such a film? ”

"Why can't I be interested in a film like this?" Duke laughed.

"I thought the films you were interested in ......," Charlize gestured with a few fist waves, "are all of this type of film." ”

After chatting for a few words, the midnight scene soon began, because of the roughly similar relationship between the films, Duke's energy was not completely focused on the movie, his eyes swept from the theater, counting him and Charlize? Theron, including Theron, sat less than ten people.

If it's a theater in the middle of nowhere, this kind of midnight attendance is okay, but this is the bustling Laurier Valley Boulevard in all of Los Angeles, and the attendance is inevitably a little less.

However, this is also normal, the midnight show relies on fan support, and this type of film can't have a hardcore supporter like an action movie or a sci-fi movie, Tim? Robbins and Morgan? Freeman doesn't have many fans to speak of these days.

The beginning of the film is very depressing, and although there is no lack of hope, it still feels too heavy, and even halfway through the screening, three people in their twenties left the show early.

Even Tim? Robbins's shot in the rain makes people's suppressed feelings unleashed, but there is no feeling of exuberance, dullness and depression always fall in people's hearts......

"Very infectious film."

Compared to Duke, Charlize? Theron watched it very seriously, and when the subtitles fell, he was also very touched, "I think...... I think there's an indescribable feeling in the film......"

She couldn't seem to find the right description.

"Let's go."

Not waiting for Charlize? Theron continued to sigh as Dukla walked out with her, and when she came to the outside of the theater, she rejected the questionnaire feedback from the survey counselors and walked out slowly.

A voice sounded from behind, and it seemed that another audience member was talking to the investigators.

"The Shawshank Redemption" is wonderful, this is the best movie I've seen this year, just in terms of the plot and the feeling, the current hit "Independence Day" is not in the stream at all, but I have a strange feeling, I always feel that watching this film in the theater is weird......"

As if he had figured it out, the male audience member said, "This kind of film doesn't seem to be suitable for the atmosphere of the theater, but you should hide at home or other quieter places alone, and taste it little by little, the environment of the theater is too contrary to the theme of the movie." ”

When he walked out of the theater, Duke was still thinking about the words of the man just now, the reasons for the box office failure of "The Shawshank Redemption" were very complicated, and it was definitely one of them that was not suitable for theatrical screening, as for the publicity and marketing problems mentioned by many people, it was not too prominent, after all, the publicity and marketing expenses before the first release of the film were not low compared to the investment, and after the Oscar failure, it aroused overwhelming sympathy voices, and was even crowned the best in history by the media, and the distributor also promoted the release again, As a result, the second time I entered the theater, it ended with Da Po Street.

"What are you thinking?"

After getting into the car, Charlize asked Duke curiously, "I'm wandering when I come out of the theater." ”

"I'm wondering......" Duke buckled up and turned to look at her, "how to eat your nice snack tonight." ”

"As long as it's not a sandwich like last time," Charlize said, his red lips leaning into Duke's ear, "I'm happy to accompany you." ”

A few minutes later, the Bentley drove into the community, and the two walked into the apartment arm in arm, almost undressing each other as fast as they could. Theron carried him into the bedroom, threw it on the thick mattress, and pounced on it.

Last time, although there were still some vague memories, but for Duke, who was drunk at the time, he could hardly remember the process of enjoyment, and this time he naturally had to experience the taste of this beautiful diamond that was once famous all over the world, although it is more green now, far from the aura of a powerful queen in the future, but it also has a different style.

As the sun rises in the sky on Friday, there is no holiday lightness at Sony's Columbia Pictures headquarters, just busyness.

Sitting behind his desk, Ralph was quickly flipping through the major newspapers in North America, looking for a review of "The Shawshank Redemption" in the film review column.

"A long road to freedom, a deep soul cleansing, an immortal inspirational classic, "The Shawshank Redemption" brings eternal and sincere friendship, indomitable soul casting and endless fire of destiny! It's a great movie! ”

In the Chicago Sun-Times' column, Roger? Albert not only gave his trademark thumbs up, but also directly showed ten points for the film!

"The film touches on the eternal theme of human beings and the unavoidable dilemma of the present. The structure of the movie is more refined than the original novel, the lines are more rhythmic than the original novel, more refined and more profound, and the characters are more vivid and powerful than the original novel. The director uses rich and ingenious artistic texts to exalt the spirit of freedom between heaven and earth! ”

The film critic David of The New Yorker, who has always been known for his cynicism? Dengbi gave a high score of 9.5 points!

Similarly, other critics praised the film.

"The film fuses the soul of freedom and redemption into the bones, thus creating an irresistible and moving contagion."

"The Shawshank Redemption is the most powerful commentary on hope."

In the film review column of the print media, especially the most famous film critics, "The Shawshank Redemption" has been unanimously praised, and most of the professional scores are nine or ten points, which is definitely the most popular film in recent years.

However, this qiē seen in the newspaper could not excite Ralph, because he had already seen the midnight performance of "The Shawshank Redemption" before the secretary sent it to the newspaper.

$970,000!

Even if the film genre and actors lack fans and appeal, such a number, especially in the summer of the North American movie-watching boom, is inevitably a little less.

According to survey statistics, although there are not many viewers who have watched the film, the reputation is also excellent, and the A-level praise rate is close to 90%, which is completely the audience reputation of a blockbuster movie.

Maybe word of mouth and word-of-mouth fermentation, the box office will rise during the day?

Although they knew they would have to compete with a film as strong as "Independence Day," Ralph and Sony's hopes for Columbia Pictures were not dashed. (To be continued......)

PS: Ask for subscription! Collect! Ask for a referral ticket!