Friday, July 15, 2011

The 'midnight showing' story is complete bullsh*t; Update

Update: The author of the linked article has confirmed that there was, in fact, a small, one line listing for a 12:01 AM showing in the LA Times. That still does not change the fact that it was not advertised on The Undefeated website -- which incidentally, links directly to AMC's site. The people most likely to view the movie were unlikely to have known about the showing. Some commenters also correctly pointed out that the target audience for a political documentary is unlikely to show up at midnight.

The journalist from The Atlantic claims to have had the intent of interviewing Palin supporters about the movie. As the author of the linked article rightfully points out, it seems a bit disingenuous of the leftist hack to show up at midnight to a showing that wasn't even listed on AMC's website, and expect a sizable crowd. The target audience for The Undefeated has jobs to go to in the morning, and were likely sound asleep by that time.

I stand by the original premise of my post. The intent of the Atlantic hit piece was to make Palin look bad by spinning the narrative that The Undefeated is doomed to failure.

Here's is the update from the linked article:
Update: Apparently, there was advanced advertising for this movie on Thursday, July 14th, in the LA TIMES- an obscure listing- one line- and- perhaps someone looking for The Undefeated in Orange County may have allegedly found a listing for 12:45 am. In the article- Conor says he was going to a 12:45 am showing, but the ad lists the time as 12:01 am. Perhaps Conor may not be in collusion with a movie theater manager, but why, if he wanted to interview Palin Supporters, would he go a midnight showing that was barely advertised? We stick by our story that this was a rigged MSM event perpetrated by Conor Friedersdorf for the sole purpose of discrediting the movie’s weekend release and even Sarah Palin herself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apparently, this was some sort of stunt to make Palin look bad. There was never a "midnight showing" on the schedule. A marketing company involved with the film has confirmed it.

Once again, some one our side ran with a narrative manufactured by the left without waiting for the FACTS! This is exactly what this movie is about. I won't hold my breath waiting for retractions.

Here's a screen cap of today's Orange County show times for The Undefeated:


Here's the story:
(...)

Did Conor Friedersdorf from The Atlantic arrange to have a secret showing of “The Palin Movie, The Undefeated” just so he could say “the theater was empty”?

California seems to have jumped the gun on The Undefeated movie, which debuts today in 10 cities in the US, with a special midnight showing for a a reporter from The Atlantic.

Conor Friedersdorf wrote breathlessly about an “empty theater” for a “debut.” The progressive journolist may have been told about such a showing but we know that nobody knew anything about it.

How did we know?

Our company, Kross Publishing, has been engaged in online marketing support and mobilizing a group of on the ground Hosts and virtual Ambassadors, and there has never been any mention of or advertising for any midnight showing.


The open question is: how did this reporter, Conor Friedersdorf, KNOW about this totally un-advertised showing that our company, which is working on marketing for the film, did not know about?

(...)

This reporter’s cute little stunt goes right to the heart of what the movie is about- the blatant attempts by the journolist media elites to impugn, smear, and destroy anyone who does not go along with their Progressive ideology.

You may not want to vote for Sarah Palin, but this little episode reveals why Palin supporters and conservatives in general want to see this movie- for here is laid bare the media’s ongoing war against the freedom of conservatives, Christians, and non-Progressives through the very same types of stunts pulled by this Conor character.

Tickets for the movie are available here- http://theundefeated.cinedigm.com/tickets.html

The purpose of Conor’s report is clear- he was fishing for the headline he wanted to write, i.e. “Sarah Palin Movie Debuts to Empty Theater in Orange County.”

Perhaps the real headline should read, “The Atlantic Covers Unadvertised, Unscheduled Movie Showing As Debut.”

This just in- on the day before The Atlantic hit the stands there were no sales for that issue!
Read the entire story HERE

Please check us out on Facebook and If you like what you see, please "Like" us. You can find us here.

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the reporter will be along soon with a copy of his ticket stub.

Anonymous said...

What time do you think 12:45 A.M. is?

Anonymous said...

I just called the theater. I spoke with Claudia. She confirmed that there was a 12:01 AM showing. She could not confirm how many tickets were sold for that showing. She also confirmed that two shows are sold out today and the rest of the showings are extremely slow.

All it takes is a short phone call to get to the truth. The theater phone number is 1-714-769-4288

The truth is always easy to find, if you really want to find it.

dd

Right Wingnut said...

Anon, the 12:45 showing on the schedule is later on tonight...Saturday morning actually. The first scheduled showing was at 10:15 AM this morning.

I'll choose to believe the published schedule and the marketing company over Dumb Ditz or anonymous hacks. The Atlantic reporter attended a showing that was never planned or advertised to the public. The attached article makes at fairly clear...unless you lack Basic comprehension skills.

Adam Villani said...

I've already mentioned this on Conor's blog, but if you pick up a copy of yesterday's LA Times, you can see that they did indeed have a listing for a 12:01 AM showing of the Palin documentary.

Just as the 12:45 AM showing that you show in the screencap actually screens at 12:45 AM Saturday, the 12:01 AM Friday screening was in Thursday's listings.

Please issue a retraction.

Anonymous said...

Wingnut, I gave you the phone number. Since you don't believe me, call the theater yourself. All it will take is one minute. Or, do you not want to know the truth?

The movie may tempt even the most ardent conservatives to emulate their idol’s tenure as Governor and walk out halfway through.” — Richard Corliss, Time

dd

Anonymous said...

I agree, we must see a retraction and an apology.

Anonymous said...

"Toward the end of the movie, one of Palin’s cheerleaders describes her as a tiger that “charges into danger.” The problem is that Palin is the most sheltered of all modern political candidates, fearful of holding a simple press conference, ever-protected by the friendly folks at the Fox News Network. Trying to make her look fearless while omitting anything that could ding her mask of righteous certainty, The Undefeated makes Sarah Palin look eminently defeatable." - David Edelstein

Right Wingnut said...

Dd, I did not say it wasn't shown. I said it wasn't a scheduled, advertised showing. I've got people telling me it was not in the LA Times. I chose to believe them over you. You lost your credibility a long time ago.

Adam, I don't know who you are, so I'll pass on your suggestion. Thanks anyway.

Anonymous said...

Wingnut, Excuse me, you did say it wasn't shown, and I quote, "Apparently, this was some sort of STUNT to make Palin look bad. There was never a "midnight showing" on the schedule. A marketing company involved with the film has confirmed it.

It was scheduled in the LA Times. Many of us saw it. You have come completely unglued. You jumped the gun, without doing even one minute of fact checking. I provided the phone number. You just do not want to know the truth. Typical Palinbot...living a life of fantasies, lies and delusions.

dd

Nicole Owl said...

"The problem is that Palin is the most sheltered of all modern political candidates."

You mean like when she took questions from the media 17 times over the course of four days last month, despite being locked into an exclusive television contract that normally precludes her speaking to other media outlets, and despite the fact she is a FREAKING PRIVATE CITIZEN who is not currently running for any office?

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-04/politics/palin.tour_1_sarah-palin-lame-stream-media-bus-tour?_s=PM:POLITICS

Right Wingnut said...

dd, I said there was no showing ON THE SCHEDULE.

I've had people from the area confirm it and the marketing company confirmed it.

Again, I believe them over someone who thinks Palin got brest implants in the past month

Anonymous said...

Wingnutcase...you're a liar and a coward. Why are you afraid to call the theater? Why are you sooooo afraid of the truth. Sarah and her cult are pathological liars who will never admit when they are wrong. You are WRONG. There was a 12:01 movie, and it was advertised. Just because you didn't see the advertisement doesn't mean it didn't happen....geez. This is very typical of everything Palin does...disorganized, and screwed up. You owe many people an apology.

dd

Elizabeth said...

*Didn't actually happen. [Hate typoing]

Adam Villani said...

Here's a scanned-in jpeg of the listing from yesterday's LA Times. You will have to go in and zoom to read it, but the listing is up at the top under "Special Midnight Show," and if you look at the bottom, it says, "Times for Thursday, July 14, 2011."

https://picasaweb.google.com/adamnvillani/LosAngelesTimes?authkey=Gv1sRgCKT5_8rR-67MEQ#5629719627968593298

The proof is right there.

Anonymous said...

@Wingnutcase, when are you going to retract that lying thread at C4P? Or will you continue the lying dialogue forever? I will be happy to go over there and tell them the truth. I expect there might be a few Palinbots who actually want to know the truth. A retraction is in order at C4P and an apology is way over due here.

Anonymous said...

@ Adam, I'm sure you know that the Palinbots do not want to know the truth. If they did, they would not be Palinbots.

Thanks for sharing the truth. RW denies what you have posted and is too much of a coward to call the theater, like I did, and get the truth. He's rather make a fool of himself.

dd

Anonymous said...

I don't think this is a story at all. Hardly anyone but young people go out to midnight showings. This doesn't reflect badly on the movie, or on Palin.

RW, calm down. We'll see how well the movie goes. No need to go nuts just yet.

-Martha

Nicole Owl said...

Have you ever in your life heard of a midnight screening for a political documentary?

I don't care how or where it was advertised or if it even was shown. It wasn't on The Undefeated website. And it's not like there has been any TV ads for this show.

Moreover, the lefties and Palin haters are going to ignore that this movie SOLD OUT of two screenings today in Orange, and focus on a midnight showing that nobody knew about?

They are seriously comparing Sarah Palin's documentary being screened in 10 theaters to Harry Potter being screened in 4000+ theaters.

Unfreakin' believable.

Right Wingnut said...

DD,

What you provided poves nothing. Are you nuts? If I see something concrete, I'll take it under consideration, but I need to be somewhere in a half hour. happy digging.

And for the 4th or 5th time, I did not say it didn't air.

Ohio JOE said...

That you RW for once again exposing Martha, Doug, DD and Ellie. They certainly did not do their homework on this.

Adam Villani said...

"I did not say it didn't air."

You said it was not on the schedule. I have now provided you with a schedule, and if you or someone in the area has a copy of yesterday's LA Times, page D7. you can confirm that what I posted is genuine.

It WAS on the schedule. Please issue a retraction.

Elizabeth said...

@ Nicole:

Well, yeah. Usually it's for Michael Moore films though. My theory on this airing is that it was more likely due to the big push by Palin's supporters to get in lots of advanced ticket sales. They probably thought since they'd be open for HP anyway that there was no harm in trying to cash in on what seemed like Palin momentum. To be honest, even though I wouldn't expect the theatre to sell out, I am surprised at least a few die-hards weren't there after the line-ups for her book signings.

The far-right blogosphere's reaction to this is befuddling. Instead of the obvious (which one commenter here so politely state) point: Palin's audience is going to trend older and less willing to go out at midnight for a film, which is a valid argument to make, people are making it harder by themselves by stating over and over again things that are simply not true (the movie wasn't advertised, the movie wasn't listed, etc) even in the face of evidence to the contrary. Guys, it's okay. Her audience isn't a 12:01 a.m. kind of audience. Make the point and chill out. Don't make yourselves look ridiculous by making statements that are blatantly false.

Adam Villani said...

Right. I agree that it was silly to try to make some sort of conclusion based on a lack of crowds for a Thursday midnight showing for a political documentary, no matter who is was about. If the right-wingers had stuck to that narrative, they would have had a valid point.

But they didn't --- they concocted a bizarre conspiracy theory where a movie theater in Orange County ran a "secret" showing for a journalist to make Palin look bad (a theater showing her film!), which aside from being absurd on its face, is easily disproven by checking theater listings or calling the theater. When called on this absurdity, they dug in their heels and simply refused to acknowledge reality.

Nicole Owl said...

And instead of pointing out the obvious fact that DEMAND to see The Undefeated is HIGH (the primetime showings are selling out in nearly all 10 cities it is being shown) ... "leftwingers" would rather paint a narrative about an empty showing at midnight, the night before the "scheduled" premiere.

Welcome to JOURNOLISM 2011!

The normal rules don't apply when you're Sarah Palin or her supporters.

Up is down. Down is up.

What other politician would be selling out screenings of a documentary?

We "rightwingers" are freaking out because the Atlantic piece was used to smear Sarah Palin.

No suprise. We've come to expect it.

Right Wingnut said...

The linked article has posted an update. Although an obscure, one line blurb appeared in the LA Times, it was not advertised on The Undefeated website. Furthermore, I agree with Martha and Nicole...people don't attend political documentaries at midnight. And Ialso agree with Nicole that the intent of the Atlantic journalist was to smear Palin.

I will post an update later when I have access to my laptop, but I stand by my post.

Read the update at the linked article.

Doug NYC GOP said...

The movie was advertised in the LA Times, per Adam's entry at 7:13pm.

According to RW: "Although an obscure, one line blurb appeared in the LA Times, it was not advertised on The Undefeated website."

So he now has to "qualify" is claims about the nature of the advertisement. I guess only items on the offical "undeated" website are to be believed.

My original post carried as one of it's labels, the word HUMOR. What's really funny is watching the gut wrenching emotionalism that erupts whenever anything anti-Palin appears.

What delights me more than posting such jovial items, is watching the "barbarians" react as if their littles Huggies are damp.

Anonymous said...

This Right Wingnut is an idiot. The loonacy of the left is out there for all to see. This is hypocricy. It's not that hard to say I made a mistake and live by it. I guess cause it's the internet it's easy to hide behind a mistake and pridefully protect yourself while no one knows who you are.

Right Wingnut said...

Doug,

Has it ever occured to you that whenever discussing Palin related items, you more often than not take the side of the left?

Doug NYC GOP said...

Ms. Coulter,

With all due respect, you are trying to have it both ways when dealing with Palin and the press.

You wrote:

"'The problem is that Palin is the most sheltered of all modern political candidates.'

'You mean like when she took questions from the media 17 times over the course of four days last month, despite being locked into an exclusive television contract that normally precludes her speaking to other media outlets, and despite the fact she is a FREAKING PRIVATE CITIZEN who is not currently running for any office?

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-04/politics/palin.tour_1_sarah-palin-lame-stream-media-bus-tour?_s=PM:POLITICS '"
------------------

Now answering questions when walking around is fine, but that was not what the author of the article was referring to. Palin has not gone on any significant, "unfriendly" turf to do an interview, and prove she has the chops she crows about so often.

As to being just a "Freaking Private Citizen" - why put yourself out there with the big bus and announce to the world that you are setting out remind America of it's historic past (insert Paul Revere joke here) if you didn't WANT the attention.

If yo want to be a Freaking Private Citizen, you load up the family truckster and go about your business, DISCRETELY.

Anonymous said...

Wingnut, one would think you would be happy that the movie was advertised in another venue, other than The Undefeated Website. In my entire life I have never gone to any official website to decide if I go to any movie. I go based on previews or ads in the paper, magazines, etc.

Nicolle, in regards to two movies selling out. I'd hardly be bragging about that. Each theater seats approx 50 people. For all the hype I would have thought all of the showings would be sold out. I made a few calls around to other theaters. Ticket sales are dismal, to say the least.

dd

Right Wingnut said...

Anon, I said I will post an update acknowledging the obscure one line blurb in the LAT.

Not good enough for you?

Doug NYC GOP said...

"Physcian heal thyself"

I notice the vast majority of your Romney articles and discussions lean the same way.

Right Wingnut said...

Dismal ticket sales? that's not the word on the ground.

http://conservatives4palin.com/2011/07/here-is-an-open-thread-for-people-who-attended-the-debut-of-the-undefeated.html

Anonymous said...

What is it with the Palinbots, they're all afraid of the truth. Is it from listening to Sarah's lies for so long, they think they can get away with the same crap?

I thought Sarah was the one who touts honesty in journalism? RW, there is nothing honest in your thread or your plan to correct your huge mistake.

dd

Anonymous said...

RW...were you referring to yourself when you wrote this:

"This reporter’s cute little stunt goes right to the heart of what the movie is about- the blatant attempts by the journolist media elites to impugn, smear, and destroy anyone who does not go along with their Progressive ideology.


Hmm...impugn, smear, and destroy anyone who does not go along

dd

Right Wingnut said...

DD,

I acknowledged the LAT blurb. It was advertised there. What else do you want?

Regardless, the story is still bullshit. Just like all of the other manufactured Palin controversies that you and others on this site love to repeat.

Right Wingnut said...

DD,

I didn't write that. The author of the linked article did. I agree with it though.

Right Wingnut said...

Anyway, gotta run. I'll have the update posted by midnight CST.

Don't let it ruin your night..

Anonymous said...

fact is this post is worthless, yes it was advertised, if it wasnt on the undefeated website, then blame whoever is managing the site for palin.I check movie listings in the paper or on the theatre website, i never go to an actual movie website. There never should be a midnight showing for some political documentary about palin. Rw admit you were partially wrong. Period. Next subject.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone pay for a ticket...you can see her lie for free on Fox. NN

Noelle said...

So much analysis for such a silly story. Make that non-story. Comparing Harry Potter to a Sarah Palin documentary is utter nonsense. Whoever started it is foolish, and the continued analysis and rehashing of it is a waste of time.

Elizabeth said...

Nicole - You're just proving my point here. There is a narrative that rightwingers could be using (that a 12:01 a.m. showing is not indicative of popular support because it doesn't comport with the viewing habits of most of Palin's demographic). Instead they, well, make stuff up. Incidentally, you're overstating the popularity of the film so far. I think one or two showings may have sold out in the OC. The others have been about half full.

[As a side note, there seems to be the feeling of 'how could he possibly have believed he would have found anyone? he couldn't have been going in good faith'. As I said in earlier posts, I wouldn't expect a midnight premier to sell out, but I would expect a group of die hards to be there. I assume he would have as well (especially given the location). I think that would have actually made a really good article.]

RW- Wait... 'an obscure one line blurb'? Dude, it's a movie listing. That's not obscure. That's where you go to find out when and where *movies are playing*. If The Undefeated didn't update their site, that's really their problem, but the film received several nicely sized LA Times write ups (linked above) as well as being listed in the same way that every other film is listed.

So basically that little edit at the top of your post really isn't sufficient, because it does not at all reflect what actually happened here.

Doug NYC GOP said...

This entire post, which is really a rebuttal of my earlier one this morning, only proves how defensive the Palin fans are.

In my original post and in The atlantic article from which it was based, the tone is not overly serious.

I pointed out that no one expects the Palin film to exceed the Potter epic. It's a marvel to see how some in the Palin camp get so twisted, they can't see humor, satire or farce.

This heavy handed, over wrought neurotic, emotionalism about anything even slightly percieved to be a slight against Sarah is out of control.

That Freedomist post linked to in the story above, which seemed to be the catalyst for this nonsense, is a perfect illustration of how fatiguing aPalin Presidency would be.

Any and all criticism, opinions, statements, you name it, which would seem to go against the Palin DOctrine, would be endlessly scrutinized, analyzed, examined, investigated and studied, all inorder to prove the conspiracy theory that would most certianly have to exist.

Nothing would ever get done, because the Administration would be forever trying to figure out who said what about them.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Right Wingnut said...

Doug,

Just for you, I added a "humor" tag to my Romney post from earlier today. ;)

Your cohorts were taking it a little too personally.

Anonymous said...

All this over a lame movie? Sheesh! Don't you people have better things to do on a Friday night? I just got back from an wonderful evening with my handsome husband. I have about 2 hours of work to get up on line, but I'll soon be snuggled up next to him.
ellie

Anonymous said...

Doug, you hit it right on the head!

-Martha

Ohio JOE said...

"This entire post, which is really a rebuttal of my earlier one this morning, only proves how defensive the Palin fans are." Now that is rich coming from a camp that is defensive about mandates.

Anonymous said...

The only thing Wingnut proved is that he truly is a nutcase who is afraid of accepting the fact that not only is Sarah a liar, but that he is too.

My guess is the movie sold less than 1000 tickets all day. That's pathetic.

I agree with Doug, 100%

dd

Anonymous said...

rw spends all his day on google, bypassing all the negatives about palin, while desperately searching for any good article from whatever source to post on here. Now post the millions of articles saying the movie was a failure like the palins

Anonymous said...

He won't, he's too much of a coward and too much out of touch with reality, like the rest of the pathetic cult.