A_nobody
patreon
Chapter 134: Shocked by Jack's Year
🕑 Added 2024-12-07 17:49:53 +0000 UTCSullivan and Bauer, who had once sneaked into the filming location of The Rock, were also invited to the premiere. The two high school film fans were excited the entire time, especially when they saw their own scenes appear on the big screen. They couldn't help but boast to the fan sitting next to them: "Look, that's me! That's me! Did you see that, buddy?"
The other fan, disturbed by the interruption, snapped back, "Shut up, don't disturb me while I'm watching the movie!"
Although the two high schoolers were scolded by other fans, they were still thrilled. Seeing themselves on the big screen felt incredibly surreal.
The second half of the film was equally exciting. After an intense battle, General Hammer was shot dead by a few of his underlings. Gusby and Mason teamed up to retrieve the container of poison gas from the thugs.
The Federation was about to issue an order for fighter jets to drop bombs, but Gusby's fiancée tearfully begged the director not to give the command. Gusby, holding a signal flare, ran heroically, signaling the aircraft amidst the stirring music.
When the order to stop the attack was given, all the viewers in the theater couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as the film wrapped up perfectly.
Although there was still a breathtaking shot of a bomb explosion, the audience felt that the film had ended.
In the final scene, under the setting sun, Gusby and John Mason had a conversation. Gusby allowed Mason to leave in peace, learning a secret from him.
As the music played and the camera pulled back, showing a car speeding away, the entire audience stood up, clapping, and applauded the amazing film.
Bauer clapped and said to Sullivan, "Captain Mason is so cool! He's definitely the coolest old man in Hollywood."
Sullivan disagreed, "I liked General Hammer's character. I don't know who played him, but he was fantastic."
"Yeah," Bauer agreed, "He did a really good job. I think General Hammer deserves to get some recognition during awards season. His two monologues really spoke to me."
Sullivan shook his head. "Unfortunately, with the type of film this is, it's not going to have much success during awards season."
That was true. While The Rock had some thought-provoking themes on loyalty, responsibility, and the meaning behind national honor and betrayal, it was still essentially a thrilling summer blockbuster.
During the interaction and media Q&A after the movie, Gilbert only answered a few questions before shifting the focus to the three main stars.
Nicolas Cage was happy. He had originally been reluctant to star in a commercial movie, but now he was confident it was a wise decision.
Roger Moore also shared the same feeling. He had been past his prime, but with this movie, he was back in the public's eye. Many younger fans even called him the coolest, most handsome old man in Hollywood, the best 007 actor.
This excited Roger Moore, who was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep that night.
After the interaction ended, Roger Moore found Gilbert, who was resting, and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Gilbert. If it weren't for you, I'd have been forgotten in the corner. But now, the applause, the cheers, the excitement, it's all back. I can't forget this feeling."
It was clear that Roger Moore was enjoying it. Gilbert patted him on the shoulder and said, "Roger, enjoy the moment!"
After the premiere, guests and fans left Devil's Island by boat, and The Rock began its midnight showing.
Midnight shows were a celebration for die-hard fans, and after a few films, Gilbert's fan base had grown significantly.
The filming location, a theater on Powell Street in San Francisco's Chinatown, suddenly saw an influx of fans. Local Chinese residents were puzzled, as they rarely saw so many white people here, especially at night. Chinatown had a gang presence, and the area wasn't known for being safe.
But these sudden crowds of white people confused the locals. One brave Chinese man asked one of the white people, who arrogantly and anxiously explained that they couldn't get tickets to nearby theaters, so they came here to watch the movie.
Watch a movie?
To be honest, a movie ticket was not cheap for the lower-class Chinese, many of whom never went to the cinema and instead watched movies on videotape or TV.
The local theater in Chinatown wasn't very popular either, just barely getting by. What kind of movie could be so hot that these white people would willingly come to a place they'd normally avoid?
Soon, everyone realized that it was because The Rock, the latest film by the American Dream representative, the famous Hollywood director Gilbert, was about to release.
For the lower-class Chinese who aspired to the American Dream, Gilbert's story was well-known. Many of them looked forward to becoming the next Gilbert.
Once they heard it was Gilbert's film, many Chinese were interested and decided to scrape together the money for a movie ticket and experience the cinema for themselves.
This was an unexpected surprise, as the Chinese population was not small. If they all turned into Gilbert's ticket sales, it could contribute a decent amount to the box office.
But unfortunately, in today's film market, white audiences were the primary moviegoers. Black, Latino, and other minority groups made up only a small part of the audience.
Watching movies, no matter the country, was an expensive entertainment option. A movie ticket could cost as much as two meals for a family struggling in the lower class.
Zhao Jack, a Chinese man working as a valet at the Fairmont Hotel, was among those white moviegoers who scraped together enough money to buy a ticket.
Zhao Jack had a younger brother with excellent grades. His father had died in a gang shootout, and his mother was sick, earning a living by washing clothes. Therefore, Zhao Jack had to work hard to provide for his family.
One day, after work at the hotel, Zhao Jack saw Gilbert arriving at the hotel with a large entourage. At that moment, he sighed, thinking about Gilbert's extravagant lifestyle.
Gilbert's one-night stay at the Fairmont Hotel was worth more than Zhao Jack's entire family's expenses for three months.
But Zhao Jack merely sighed and never thought about going to the cinema to watch Gilbert's movie.
When he saw a group of white moviegoers coming to Chinatown for the film, Zhao Jack became curious. With a bit of extra tip money from a hotel guest, he impulsively bought a ticket and entered the theater.
Inside the theater, Zhao Jack was the only Chinese person, surrounded by white moviegoers. His legs shook from fear, but the white audience seemed too busy talking and didn't notice him.
Seeing they weren't paying attention to him made Zhao Jack relax a little. He took his seat and prepared for the movie.
Two white girls sitting next to him were excitedly chatting, not even acknowledging Zhao Jack.
Zhao Jack, calming his nerves, sat back and enjoyed his first-ever movie theater experience. The feeling was beyond anything he had imagined. The excitement and tension, especially during the explosions and chase scenes, made him feel like he was flying.
When the movie ended, Zhao Jack felt a huge sense of relief and satisfaction. Despite possibly being scolded when he got home, he felt the trip to the cinema was well worth it.
No wonder the white audience loved the theater so much; the experience was truly special.
One of the white girls, seemingly embarrassed for holding Zhao Jack's arm during a tense scene, approached him as they left the theater.
"Hey, I'm sorry about holding your arm earlier."
Zhao Jack, still dazed, replied, "Oh? It's fine, I didn't really notice."
The girl, seeing his confused expression, chuckled and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Erin Case."
"Zhao Jack..." He awkwardly shook her hand.
Erin smiled and invited him, "I think you're interesting. We're going to the bar for a drink. Want to join us?"
Zhao Jack suddenly remembered his mother and brother waiting for him at home, so he hurriedly declined, "Sorry, miss, maybe next time. I have to go home."
Erin looked at him with surprise as he left.
One of her friends teased her, "Erin, don't tell me you're interested in that Asian guy?"
Erin shot her friend a glare before looking thoughtfully at Zhao Jack's retreating figure.
The next morning, at the top floor suite of the Fairmont Hotel, Cameron Diaz was reading the newspaper. Gilbert, Naomi Watts, and Charlize Theron were having breakfast together.
"Wow," Charlize Theron said, "It looks like you have a lot of fans. So many people came to the midnight showing to support your movie."
"I think the promotion worked well," Naomi Watts added with a proud smile. "I think the film will do great in the summer."
Gilbert didn't eat much breakfast and quickly finished. Wiping his mouth, he said, "The midnight showing is a good start, but the real test will be the first weekend box office. That will show if the market accepts it."
The weekend box office was crucial for summer blockbusters. Audience feedback, occupancy rates, and word of mouth would determine the film's future. However, Gilbert was confident.
