To start, there’s the movie’s reception. I knew it wasn’t setting critics alight, but the distributor, Lionsgate Studios, decided to gaslight people into seeing it. They used exaggerated “reviews” and called the movie “provocative”, as if to troll the critics. Smooth. It didn’t help that there was a teeny, tiny problem there:
The reviews weren’t real.
Lionsgate made these quotes up without consenting anyone prior. In the case of several reviews, Roger Ebert specifically, they couldn’t receive endorsements because those people were dead. So not only was there a mess of a movie on hand, there was also a nonconsensual campaign to boost awareness. And it gets worse. I don’t mean that figuratively, either.
If misrepresenting reviewers wasn’t bad enough, these “reviews” were also A.I.-generated. You know, that contentious issue that caused a writing and acting strike? The one that’s been scrutinized for sounding inauthentic? The one that’s also been accused of stealing from artists and making watered-down versions of their work? That A.I.?!
I wish I could be surprised. It not only would let me be naïve about what transpires in Hollywood, it’d let me pretend studio execs weren’t so desperate. However, I’m not surprised. Hollywood has plenty of nonsense, openly and behind closed doors, and studio execs are really shifty. In other words, Lionsgate using A.I. to make Megalopolis look good sits low on the list of shocking revelations.
That said, this is pathetic and unethical. It’s pathetic because it’s uncreative, and unethical because it’s putting words into reviewers’ mouths, some of whom aren’t alive anymore, and acting like they can’t sue for defamation. Because they can. Like every other A.I. scandal, this is an example of unvetted and unchecked access to something that can’t fully replace humans. I say this knowing A.I.’s also easier than hiring people.
Okay, the reviewer scandal was bad. Surely this can’t get worse? It can! Remember how the director, Francis Ford Coppola, was criticized for inappropriate conduct? That’s now coming back to bite him. Between his outbursts and inappropriate lap-dances with half-naked actresses, Coppola has outed himself as a predator. I get why he did this, he wanted to “get his actors in the right mood”, but it’s really uncomfortable anyway. Especially when he could’ve paid sex workers, he has the money. Is his romantic life really that lacking?!
That said, this is pathetic and unethical. It’s pathetic because it’s uncreative, and unethical because it’s putting words into reviewers’ mouths, some of whom aren’t alive anymore, and acting like they can’t sue for defamation. Because they can. Like every other A.I. scandal, this is an example of unvetted and unchecked access to something that can’t fully replace humans. I say this knowing A.I.’s also easier than hiring people.
Okay, the reviewer scandal was bad. Surely this can’t get worse? It can! Remember how the director, Francis Ford Coppola, was criticized for inappropriate conduct? That’s now coming back to bite him. Between his outbursts and inappropriate lap-dances with half-naked actresses, Coppola has outed himself as a predator. I get why he did this, he wanted to “get his actors in the right mood”, but it’s really uncomfortable anyway. Especially when he could’ve paid sex workers, he has the money. Is his romantic life really that lacking?!
Coppola also recently stated that he purposely cast actors like Shia LaBeouf and Jon Voight because he didn’t want to succumb to the woke culture mob. Lovely! We not only have an actor who has physical abuse allegations against him, we also have a far-right conspiracy theorist. All to make a statement. And not even a clever one.
At this rate, I’m almost expecting a cover-up for something. If that sounds ridiculous…can you blame me? Between trolling reviewers with A.I.-generated reviews, predatory behaviour from the director and intentionally casting people with checkered histories, Megalopolis has become a movie I actively encourage others not to support. Put aside how critics weren’t kind to it, as plenty of “bad” movies have been enjoyable for many different reasons. This is JK Rowling-levels of awful, the kind where supporting this movie is giving Coppola and Lionsgate a pass for bad behaviour!
I know Coppola’s a talented director who’s made several masterpieces. I also know he’s made great movies despite troubled productions, as evidenced by Apocalypse Now. And I know Lionsgate, like other studios, will continue to be shady anyway. I’m aware of all of this.
At this rate, I’m almost expecting a cover-up for something. If that sounds ridiculous…can you blame me? Between trolling reviewers with A.I.-generated reviews, predatory behaviour from the director and intentionally casting people with checkered histories, Megalopolis has become a movie I actively encourage others not to support. Put aside how critics weren’t kind to it, as plenty of “bad” movies have been enjoyable for many different reasons. This is JK Rowling-levels of awful, the kind where supporting this movie is giving Coppola and Lionsgate a pass for bad behaviour!
I know Coppola’s a talented director who’s made several masterpieces. I also know he’s made great movies despite troubled productions, as evidenced by Apocalypse Now. And I know Lionsgate, like other studios, will continue to be shady anyway. I’m aware of all of this.
Nevertheless, that shouldn’t mean giving a pass to Megalopolis. This isn’t like Jack, a bad movie from an otherwise-talented director. No, this is a bad movie that also has toxic behaviour involved, all of it intentional. It feels like Coppola and Lionsgate were making bad decisions on purpose, all to test audiences’ willingness to tolerate them. I’ll have no part in that, thanks!
I know this is upsetting for many people, and I don’t blame them. If Rowling’s taught me anything, it’s that it hurts when someone you look up to is malicious. With Coppola, one of The Movie Brats, it’s especially painful because he, along with his friends, actively shaped the modern landscape of American cinema. Hollywood, particularly epic dramas, wouldn’t be where it is now without Coppola. So for him to act how he did with Megalopolis, all while being left unchecked? It’s a huge slap in the face.
Unfortunately, save for boycotting, I don’t know how to remedy this situation. I don’t have sway in Hollywood, I barely have sway online, and my critiques won’t change anything in any meaningful way. Me saying not to support Megalopolis also won’t prevent people from doing so 100%. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel an obligation to express my concerns, as painful as they are. Because I definitely feel enough of an obligation to put off other pieces!
I know this is upsetting for many people, and I don’t blame them. If Rowling’s taught me anything, it’s that it hurts when someone you look up to is malicious. With Coppola, one of The Movie Brats, it’s especially painful because he, along with his friends, actively shaped the modern landscape of American cinema. Hollywood, particularly epic dramas, wouldn’t be where it is now without Coppola. So for him to act how he did with Megalopolis, all while being left unchecked? It’s a huge slap in the face.
Unfortunately, save for boycotting, I don’t know how to remedy this situation. I don’t have sway in Hollywood, I barely have sway online, and my critiques won’t change anything in any meaningful way. Me saying not to support Megalopolis also won’t prevent people from doing so 100%. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel an obligation to express my concerns, as painful as they are. Because I definitely feel enough of an obligation to put off other pieces!
Still, you do you. But don’t act shocked if something like this happens again!
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