they weren't mocking me because of my Jossness, they'd be mocking my terrible taste in shoes.

OMG. This is so completely me. Bless you for making me laugh out loud...at myself.

I'm just happy Serenity even exists. Is it disappointing that it wasn't #1 at the box office? Yes, in the sense that it would have been a very nice achievement, but #2 isn't anything to cry about, either. I'm just sitting back and enjoying the chance to see Serenity on the big screen.

As far as the evangelizing, there's no doubt it's definitely a dedicated fan base. I'm certainly a devoted fan (the area around my computer is littered with Serenity merchandise right now) who has tried to spread the word via old fashioned word-of-mouth to my friends who I think would enjoy it (and out of the group of eight who saw it with me Friday, I'd say 75% of them did), but to force the film down people's throats and attack anyone who doesn't think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread isn't the way to go. It disappoints me when I see reactions like that. (ETA: After posting, I read my tagline and realized it sounds contradictory to what I just wrote. Pretend the tagline isn't there.)

I must say that I am surprised, though, at just how many fans I encounter outside of the usual areas I'd expect. Many of the places I go online are fandom related, so buzz about something like Serenity is to be expected. But I've also seen posts in the off-topic area of a hockey message board and other places that aren't from overzealous fans trying to reach other audiences. They're people who found Firefly through some means and they're also excited about Serenity.

I was in line at the concession stand on Friday afternoon and the man behind me saw my Serenity t-shirt and started chatting with me. He was a Firefly fan who heard about the movie and had no idea about the internet-driven advance screenings and other stuff going on. Likewise, someone was looking at the script book at work. He caught part of an episode on Sci-Fi and bought the DVDs based off that. So, yes, it might be annoying if you're not a fan to see mentions of Serenity cropping up everywhere, but I think some of it is genuine buzz by people who might not have a clue about internet browncoats, etc.

I don't get the feelings of betrayal by Joss, either. When I sit down to watch or read something, I'm ultimately putting my trust in the creator(s) behind the work. I believe they have their reasons for their actions, and if that's the way they feel their story should be told, so be it, even if I disagree. I put my trust in their hands hoping that I feel fulfilled in return, but they don't owe me anything.

In non-serious fan news, my parents loved the movie, loved the show, but my mother never got why the show was called Firefly.

but #2 isn't anything to cry about, either.

Sadly, much of the time these days, it is. There is a big chunk of the Hollywood production mentality that says that if you don't open #1, you've failed (and certainly, a $10mil opening on a $45 mil film leaves a little something to be desired), however, there's also the subject of legs -- if a small movie has them, that can make up for a lot.

What's going to happen in this case? Don't know. Too soon to tell for sure, but I'll be very surprised if we get sequels.

Not that I'm "calling a time of death," mind you....

In non-serious fan news, my parents loved the movie, loved the show, but my mother never got why the show was called Firefly.

Did you explain about the ship?

> but #2 isn't anything to cry about, either.

Sadly, much of the time these days, it is

You've got me there when it comes to the overall finances. Thinking of a canceled TV show that got turned into a feature film, though, I think #2 (and #1 among new releases for the week) is a pretty good showing. I was worried something like Into the Blue would perform better, which really wouldn't bode well at all.

I did explain that Serenity was a Firefly class ship. My mother was like, @@.

There is a big chunk of the Hollywood production mentality that says that if you don't open #1, you've failed (and certainly, a $10mil opening on a $45 mil film leaves a little something to be desired), however, there's also the subject of legs -- if a small movie has them, that can make up for a lot.

However, when making the decision, studios are far more likely these days to factor in ancillary revenues, which, in this case, is pretty much just the DVDs and HBO (or Showtime, or whoever gets it). Oh, and books and such, too. And the anicllary on Serenity is predicted to be HUGE - at least, in relation to the box office. Look at it this way: Everyone who bought the DVDs of the show, minus, say, 10% for the BETRAYED folks, is going to buy the movie. how many is that? And that's just the built in people, not those who say, "Well, I kind of wanted to see it, I'll blow the $15 on the DVD."

I did explain that Serenity was a Firefly class ship. My mother was like, @@.

There's also the resemblance with the glowy yellow back end. (At least the series wasn't Lobster, like the Reaver ship.)

Browncoats are starting to scare me. The handwringing over the box office is making me nuts. A. Movie. Got. Made. And. Released. From this canceled television show. But that's not enough. There must be sequels and legos and collectible cups at burger king, or we've all failed Joss.

So. Agree. With this assessment.

I really, really liked the movie, but dude: relax. We (and by "we" I mean those of you who read the official message board more than once before running away in terror, perhaps. Or those of you who do more than suggest to a sci-fi fan friend "hey, this movie is funny, good, and has spaceships. Check it out.") aren't the front line anymore. We haven't actually been the front line for a WHILE.

At this point, the movie will make it or not. Critics mostly like it. It has a higher Metacritic rating than Batman Begins, War of the Worlds, Star Wars Episode III, The Island, Fantastic Four, or The Island, the other Big Action Sci-Fi Extravaganzas! of the season 'til now. Critical reviews don't make movies successful, but they often serve as a barometer of the people, to some extent, and this means the people will like it. So maybe word of mouth will carry the film. Hopefully, because I'd like sequels.

But those of us that have been hyping it for months? It's time to lay off. Suggest it casually if conversation comes up ("What good movies have you seen lately?") but more than that is off-putting, and it's time to let the movie stand on it's own, no matter what bullshit Joss is spouting these days. Dude writes some good shit, but he's not a marketing expert.