Short release in USA for MATW

[TheWhale]

MATW will not be released in the rest of the USA. That decision was made after the second week of the initial release showed a big drop, almost 70% from the first week which had been pretty good.

The studio, I hear, will seek another venue for the movie in the USA, probably DVD or payforview TV. In the meantime, it is allowing autism and asperger organizations to use the movie masters from the first five theaters to raise money as long as they provide a theater.

I am not too surprised. While I liked the final version more than Josh did, I agree with him that it was short of theater-quality product for US audiences, particularly in the music and other features americans want. It may do better with the more intelligent audiences in European theaters.

It is too bad it will not get a wider USA audience. I see it as a mutually phyrric victory for all involved. Josh proved it couldn't make it without his promotion but that would be true of many movies whose stars do promote them. The studio proved it wouldn't spend any more money to fix the film, so it didn't and the film flopped.

I ask you, who won?

I will encourage my community to use MATW to raise awareness and educate people. I will make a point of seeing any film or other project in which Josh and Rahda and the rest of the cast star. I will be happy to buy a ticket to any movie that the studio makes, if it ever makes one that can last in theaters.

Oh, btw, I never even met the head of the studio. Funny how Stephen Spielberg had time to meet me and Mary twice. I guess this guy must really be important

It has been fun being here. I wish you and all involved in MATW the best of luck.

Jerry Newport aka The Whale, from my new home in Flagstaff

[Jocasta]

Thanks for the report, Jerry, and of course I'm sorry how this turned out; you and Mary deserved better but I hope the film can still help you and the autism/asperger's organisations.
(So is a European release still a possibility?)

It's been quite a ride over the last couple of years, even for us looking in from the safety of a fan's perspective, I can't imagine how much it's affected you.
But I'm sure I'm not alone in saying how much I've learnt about the syndrome and autism in general through following the project's development.

Personal I love the film but understand it's short comings and when (if?) a US DVD release happens more people will get the change to learn and enjoy!

Thanks again and please feel free to call in on us anytime.

This is very disheartening news, Jerry.

Having had a child with autism in my classroom, and friends with autistic children, I was anxiously awaiting the release of this film. But it will not stop me from learning more about autism/Asperger's Syndrome. The best lessons about this condition are learned directly from persons like yourself and Mary, and the parents of autistic children.

I am sorry for the way things turned out for this film. Please stop in from time to time to let us know how you and Mary are doing in Flagstaff.

[Intensely Deceiving]

Sorry to kind of change the focus here.

Originally Posted by TheWhale

It may do better with the more intelligent audiences in European theaters.

I'm not American, however, I do find that to be slightly insulting. I could be taking that statement the wrong way, though, so I give my apologies if I have.

Originally Posted by TheWhale

It is too bad it will not get a wider USA audience. I see it as a mutually phyrric victory for all involved. Josh proved it couldn't make it without his promotion but that would be true of many movies whose stars do promote them. The studio proved it wouldn't spend any more money to fix the film, so it didn't and the film flopped.

I ask you, who won?

I, personally, don't think it was about winning, but maybe you already understand that and I've taken this statement the wrong way also. Once again, please accept my apologies if I have.

Originally Posted by TheWhale

Oh, btw, I never even met the head of the studio. Funny how Stephen Spielberg had time to meet me and Mary twice. I guess this guy must really be important

Jerry Newport aka The Whale, from my new home in Flagstaff

I most definitely don't like the studio that produced MATW. It seems they really put you through a lot. It's really a shame they didn't treat you and Mary better. Without you two, there wouldn't be a story!

On a lighter note, I've been to Flagstaff, and I really like it there. I hope you do too! Best of luck in all of your endeavours Jerry!

[TheWhale]

Originally Posted by Intensely Deceiving

Sorry to kind of change the focus here.



ID: I'm not American, however, I do find that to be slightly insulting. I could be taking that statement the wrong way, though, so I give my apologies if I have.

TheWhale: It was meant to be insulting. I remember when my fellow Americans were a lot more educated than they are today. The USA is like Rome in its last days; dumb, decadent and directionless.

ID: I, personally, don't think it was about winning, but maybe you already understand that and I've taken this statement the wrong way also. Once again, please accept my apologies if I have.

Thewhale: done.

ID: I most definitely don't like the studio that produced MATW. It seems they really put you through a lot. It's really a shame they didn't treat you and Mary better. Without you two, there wouldn't be a story!

Thewhale: Considering the ten years we lived with this, the outcome is a real insult.

ID: On a lighter note, I've been to Flagstaff, and I really like it there. I hope you do too! Best of luck in all of your endeavours Jerry!

Thewhale: Thanks. I like it so far.

[annieHARTNETT]

Well it is still good that it would be released. if only it would come out better and more sponsers and more support

TheWhale: It was meant to be insulting. I remember when my fellow Americans were a lot more educated than they are today. The USA is like Rome in its last days; dumb, decadent and directionless.

OUCH, Jerry. That hurt!

I am American and I don't consider myself any of those things. Nor do I consider my family members, friends, or any one I know any of these things either. That statement is kind of a broad generalization, don't you think?

I am truly sorry you feel that way about your country and your fellow countrymen.

[TheWhale]

Olive, how old are you? Do you know any better? I grew up in a USA with a lot less crime, divorce, abortion, drug addiction etc than now. I grew up when a high school diploma required as much as most college degrees do today. I grew up in a USA where people actually read books and could write and spell. I went to high school where in geometry, for example, I actually had to prove every theorem, not just memorize them.

Sure, not everyone in the USA is what I described but there are far too many who are. I used to be proud to be an American but today I am not. Since I was born in 1948, we have gone a long way downhill. We used to be a united nation, like during world war two. Today, we are only united in our excesses and the rest of the world is really sick of us.

The Whale aka Jerry Newport

[Intensely Deceiving]

Originally Posted by TheWhale

Olive, how old are you? Do you know any better? I grew up in a USA with a lot less crime, divorce, abortion, drug addiction etc than now. I grew up when a high school diploma required as much as most college degrees do today. I grew up in a USA where people actually read books and could write and spell. I went to high school where in geometry, for example, I actually had to prove every theorem, not just memorize them.

Sure, not everyone in the USA is what I described but there are far too many who are. I used to be proud to be an American but today I am not. Since I was born in 1948, we have gone a long way downhill. We used to be a united nation, like during world war two. Today, we are only united in our excesses and the rest of the world is really sick of us.

The Whale aka Jerry Newport

I could spend a lot of time debating with you, and I had planned to, but I think my words would fall on deaf ears, so, I will say this. History has shown that no country rules the world and it's happenings for long. A friend of mine sent me a very short joke that I think to be hilarious, though I have found that most don't. It goes like this: "Hi, I'm from Britain. We ruled the world before you." Think of it this way Jerry, you should enjoy the few good things of today, the few improvements, rather than be ashamed of the fallbacks. Enjoy the USA of today because the USA of yesterday is never coming back. And in the future, you may be saying something very similar to that statement above. Maybe it's not in your lifetime. Maybe not in mine either. But one day, the United States won't have as much control over world events as it does today. Despite all that I am saying though, keep in mind that I do understand what you are getting at. I wouldn't want to be an american. However, I travel to the US all of the time, and I would never give up the experiences I've had there for anything. The memories I have are worth more than the world's weight in gold. And they wouldn't be possible if the US wasn't what it is today. And I must say that I've met many wonderful people during my travels. One of the many things I like about this forum is that despite the fact that everyone here has different beliefs about different things and come from different cultures with different values, none of us lets those things get in the way of us getting along. I firmly believe it is because everyone has been open minded and we have helped each other to understand why we say the things we do or feel the way we do. I would like that feeling to remain here, so I please ask that, when expressing your opinion, be considerate of others.

My sincerest appologies if I dragged on a little.

edit: I don't know if anyone has noticed, but my signature is poking fun at war, and how it is always lead by greed.

Oh my!

I suggest we get on with the delightful business of being Josh Hartnett fans.

[Intensely Deceiving]

Exactly. I wanted to remind everyone that the person who brought us all together is American. So God Bless America!!!

Thanks, Intensely Deceiving.

[Jocasta]

I think this thread has about run it's course but I don't want to close it. So let's keep things amicable and on topic.

[TheWhale]

Originally Posted by Intensely Deceiving

Exactly. I wanted to remind everyone that the person who brought us all together is American. So God Bless America!!!

If more americans were as dedicated and professional as Josh, I would not have the complaints I stated. However, there are other forums to talk of that. This is not the place.

The Whale

[Jocasta]

If more americans were as dedicated and professional as Josh...

Thanks for that, Jerry. I think we need to remember that Josh isn't here to defend himself or his actions, so comments like that are appreciated.

[TheWhale]

Originally Posted by Jocasta

Thanks for that, Jerry. I think we need to remember that Josh isn't here to defend himself or his actions, so comments like that are appreciated.

When I first met Josh, I told him that if I ever had a son, I would have been happy to have him turn out to be like Josh. It turned out that I am just twelve days older than Josh's father.

I think that if Josh had all of the information on MATW, he would have helped promote it but what is done is done.

Jerry Newport aka The Whale

[Jocasta]

I would have been happy to have him turn out to be like Josh.

I can relate to that, as a mother of a son myself (although one who's quite a lot younger than Josh!).

I think that if Josh had all of the information on MATW, he would have helped promote it

How does a situation like that arise; where a film's lead actor and someone who's own involvment helped get the film made, doesn't have all the necessary information?
I wish I knew the whole story here.

[TheWhale]

Originally Posted by Jocasta

I can relate to that, as a mother of a son myself (although one who's quite a lot younger than Josh!).

The Whale: But let me add that I have two fine stepsons, Steve and Peter, thanks to Mary. I also have a grand-daughter, Skye, ( named after her astronomer grandparents and great-grandparents) and a grandson due in July, both from Steve and his wife, Nan, from Thailand.

How does a situation like that arise; where a film's lead actor and someone who's own involvment helped get the film made, doesn't have all the necessary information?
I wish I knew the whole story here.

I need a twenty-foot pole to touch that. The fallout appears to have happened in post-production. Petter's edit, which I saw in 2004, didn't do well with test audiences. It was too dark. The studio claims Petter deserted the movie to go back to Norway and work on "Elling Three." Petter, far as I know, was never fired. He just left. I don't think Josh had all of that info but maybe he did. In any event, I think my life and Mary's deserved a more uplifting take than Petter's interpretation.

Jerry Newport aka The Whale

[TheWhale]

My brother, Jim, has been an art director and production designer for over three decades. Among his best efforts: "The Piano Lesson" (Emmy nomination 1995), "China Beach", "Codebreakers" and "Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams" ( He appeared as 'weird Jimmy", whose pot turned people into iguanas)

At any rate, Jim lives in Thailand but saw a couple of trailers for MATW. He knew me well when I drove taxis in San Diego at Josh's age. Jim's comment: "Josh nailed Jerry!"

Can't come from a better source than a brother who has known me since 1948.

Jerry Newport aka The Whale

[Jocasta]

Petter's edit, which I saw in 2004, didn't do well with test audiences. It was too dark.

OK, so I'm slowly starting to understand things a little better. I would love to see a darker version of the film (and maybe I share the same European perspective as the director in that respect) and is why he left the project when a more upbeat approach was demanded?
As for test audiences... I'm not sure the notion that "the customer is always right" is necessarily a good one where the arts are concerned.

I'm hoping the Norwegian release is of the director's cut and that gets a wider European release. This is in no way a slight on American tastes but we're a miserable, dark thinking lot, here in Northern Europe!

Jim's comment: "Josh nailed Jerry!"

Praise indeed!