Official Lance Armstrong Thread: Part 3 (Post-Confession)

[Digger]

I think Hog you are being unfair here.
Ticket sales for the doc haven't been great - but there has been a headwind following people around who want to see that movie!!

Also if you compare ticket sales on this documentary, to the homemade movie I made about my bike, there is a 12% difference - which is a good sign!!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

The Armstrong Lie is supposedly coming out in DVD format on Netflix some time next month. (I have it in my Netflix queue.) They'll probably have only two copies of it, though, so I'll probably have to wait a year till the DVD makes its way around the country to me. No loss, I'm not sure I'll learn much of anything new.

If you had Michael Bay directing it and had lots of explosions I bet AL would get a much wider audience.

 

[TheEnoculator]

The Armstrong Lie is supposedly coming out in DVD format on Netflix some time next month. (I have it in my Netflix queue.) They'll probably have only two copies of it, though, so I'll probably have to wait a year till the DVD makes its way around the country to me. No loss, I'm not sure I'll learn much of anything new.

If you had Michael Bay directing it and had lots of explosions I bet AL would get a much wider audience.

You won't learn anything new. The film was designed to inform the general public, not cater to real cycling fans. I was at the premiere in Toronto in September and my goal was more about meeting JV and Betsy, which I did, than seeing the film.

 

[MonkeyFace]

Agreed, the long life cycle of documentaries can make them hard to see. It can take years before they finish their theatrical release and head to DVD.

The good news on the Pantani doc is the rights for Australia and NZ have already been sold. They have an international distributor already signed. It should be launched in the UK before the Tour.

The US is a different story. Our best hope is Netflix streaming. They streamed the Senna film for a short period then pulled it as they decided to do a cinematic run. It is up there now

This isn't true with all documentaries or independent movies for that matter. The movie Arbitrage and I forgot the name of the other but it was a very good documentary about the financial crisis were released in the theaters and on pay-per view on the same day. Arbitrage did pretty well on PPV as I remember.

This is side tracking but there is an interview out there I think on youtube of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas talking about what they think will happen in the movie industry. They believed that everything would eventually go directly to home viewing and the few 3D,big action, and IMAX (stuff that there is a real difference to see in the theater) would be in the theaters and those movies would be there for an extended period of time.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/13/steven-spielberg-george-lucas-film-industry

 

[DirtyWorks]

This isn't true with all documentaries or independent movies for that matter. The movie Arbitrage and I forgot the name of the other but it was a very good documentary about the financial crisis were released in the theaters and on pay-per view on the same day. Arbitrage did pretty well on PPV as I remember.

FYI, many of these documentaries that pop-up in theaters are just renting a screen for a day or more and try to do some before-hand marketing to fill the seats.

Another FYI, the delay in DVD distribution is finding a distributor willing to rep the title and pay to play. Then, it's still up to the movie's owner to promote the DVD.

Digital eliminates all of these costs, but the distributors are working hard to limit/monetize consumer access.

The producer of Wonderboy's documentary have deep pockets as they paid for the privilege of using Wonderboy. Hopefully it does not get any well-known award nominations.

 

[MarkvW]

You've got to have a movie chronicling Lance's downfall, because it is an essential component of the Rise-Fall-Redemption myth. It's the prequel to the movie about Lance's redemption (i.e., Comeback 3.0). The buzz about Lance needs to be maintained so that the marketability of his personality can be preserved, to some extent! Any publicity is better than no publicity.

Watching a movie (that Lance got paid for appearing in) is about as gross as buying Livestrong schwag, or wearing the fraudulent yellow bracelet. But that's just my opinion. Other people may be concerned about clogging that toilet, but I just don't want to go there at all.

 

[Berzin]

You've got to have a movie chronicling Lance's downfall, because it is an essential component of the Rise-Fall-Redemption myth. It's the prequel to the movie about Lance's redemption (i.e., Comeback 3.0). The buzz about Lance needs to be maintained so that the marketability of his personality can be preserved, to some extent! Any publicity is better than no publicity.

This is a tired, worn-out cliché that needs to get put to rest in this particular instance.

For there to be forgiveness, there has to be contrition. There isn't any here. Armstrong's latest attempt, the so-called "Apology Tour", did nothing for him. His calculating, cynical approach just highlights his personality disorder.

He keeps courting public opinion as if that's going to save him. Sports fans move on from their hero worship once they've been let down, and since Armstrong can't compete anymore, why should anyone care? To see him do Irronman? He's already aged out of the potential overall winner category, and only his most ardent worshipers, of whom there are very few left, will care.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

You've got to have a movie chronicling Lance's downfall, because it is an essential component of the Rise-Fall-Redemption myth. It's the prequel to the movie about Lance's redemption (i.e., Comeback 3.0). The buzz about Lance needs to be maintained so that the marketability of his personality can be preserved, to some extent! Any publicity is better than no publicity.

Watching a movie (that Lance got paid for appearing in) is about as gross as buying Livestrong schwag, or wearing the fraudulent yellow bracelet. But that's just my opinion. Other people may be concerned about clogging that toilet, but I just don't want to go there at all.

You have proof of this? I don't know either way, but I do know that many times, documentary filmmakers do not pay the objects of their documentary to establish credibility. I looked on the Google, and I cannot find any proof of your statement...but you sure love to play the "above it all" guy...

 

[thehog]

Crazy days!

American refused EPO and quit professional but 16 years on is friends with the sport's biggest cheat who replaced him in the US Postal team

It is, perhaps, the unlikeliest friendship in sport. The former cyclist who turned his back on the profession in disgust after refusing to submit to its all-pervasive doping culture; and the most notorious drugs cheat in history, whose seven tainted Tour de France titles shredded the peloton’s credibility at a stroke.

Yet take a trip to the mountain peaks of Vail, Colorado, and there is a fair chance you will see Scott Mercier and Lance Armstrong cycling side by side, hunched over their handlebars, deep in conversation. “It’s Lance and the anti-Lance,” Mercier reflects, with a chuckle.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ot...-I-am-Lance-Armstrongs-best-riding-buddy.html

 

[Granville57]

Crazy days!



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ot...-I-am-Lance-Armstrongs-best-riding-buddy.html

Well fook me. He's downright smitten!

“Lance looks back and tells me about the fun they had. When you’re winning the Tour de France, that’s a big deal. You’re riding into the Champs Élysées, the whole team is up front drinking champagne and you’ve just slugged it out with the best endurance athletes in the world and kicked their asses. That would be a terrific feeling. It’s something I missed and I live with those consequences.”

“I’ve said to Lance that we would have made a pretty decent partnership. And he just said: ‘Absolutely’. He says he could have done with some smart guys around him. You hear about what a bully he is and now he’s the one getting bullied.”

“I don’t know where our friendship is going and it’s bizarre quite frankly,” admits Mercier. “He might be playing me, I don’t know.

 

[mewmewmew13]

that is a really old article..I remember reading this ages ago..
and I unfollowed Scott Mercier immediately.

if you look at the photos he has posted on his twitter account there is at least one of him and Lance..ugh..do not get why he is so smitten with fecking lance

disgusting fawning

 

[Race Radio]

You have proof of this? I don't know either way, but I do know that many times, documentary filmmakers do not pay the objects of their documentary to establish credibility. I looked on the Google, and I cannot find any proof of your statement...but you sure love to play the "above it all" guy...

He got "Monkey Points" It is what they give the suckers.

As Alex said, the likelihood that Armstrong will make money off this film is about same as the likelihood that he raced clean in 2009

 

[thehog]

Well fook me. He's downright smitten!

Funny thing. During the Bassons "I'm so sad and sorry" meeting / interview Lance said he's only playing golf and not riding anymore.

This redemption story he's riding his bike and telling Mercer to bring his!

Those stories oscillating.

 

[Race Radio]

that is a really old article..I remember reading this ages ago..
and I unfollowed Scott Mercier immediately.

if you look at the photos he has posted on his twitter account there is at least one of him and Lance..ugh..do not get why he is so smitten with fecking lance

disgusting fawning

Funny how it is now big news when someone want hangs out with Lance.....it is like a bigfoot sighting or something

 

[42x16ss]

that is a really old article..I remember reading this ages ago..
and I unfollowed Scott Mercier immediately.

if you look at the photos he has posted on his twitter account there is at least one of him and Lance..ugh..do not get why he is so smitten with fecking lance

disgusting fawning

Maybe he's had enough time to bury the hatchet? Not everyone can hold a grudge forever.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Maybe he's had enough time to bury the hatchet? Not everyone can hold a grudge forever.

Abused wife syndrome? Or he smells some kind of benefit for himself.

 

[DirtyWorks]

that is a really old article..I remember reading this ages ago..
and I unfollowed Scott Mercier immediately.

if you look at the photos he has posted on his twitter account there is at least one of him and Lance..ugh..do not get why he is so smitten with fecking lance

disgusting fawning

It may not be fawning for Mercier.

I could not see how Wonderboy could keep the peace though. He seems to need to be betrayed by someone at all times. Fight the UCI Lance! Fight Thom!

If they get along, then that's their business.

 

[DirtyWorks]

You have proof of this? I don't know either way, but I do know that many times, documentary filmmakers do not pay the objects of their documentary to establish credibility. I looked on the Google, and I cannot find any proof of your statement...but you sure love to play the "above it all" guy...

The timing of the last round of interviews coincided with the documentary. He's getting some part of the action. What exactly? I don't pretend to know.

There's a budget for distribution, so the project has deep pockets for a documentary.

 

[42x16ss]

Abused wife syndrome? Or he smells some kind of benefit for himself.

What benefit? Armstrong's name is mud and isn't Mercier totally removed from the entire industry these days?

 

[Wallace and Gromit]

What benefit? Armstrong's name is mud and isn't Mercier totally removed from the entire industry these days?

Maybe it's a simple as Lance actually being charismatic and interesting company when interacting with him in a non-threatening way?

Obviously if you rock up to Lance and give him the full Clinic view, he's not going to be very sociable, but if you just ride and talk b*llocks - as middle-aged men are inclined to do - then it might well be good fun. I doubt Lance is one of those monsyllabic types who just want to suck your wheel or a man to talk endlessly about his gear ratios.

I'd happily ride with him, though I'd not want him as a dinner-party guest or camping partner.

 

[gooner]

I don't see the big deal in this.

I listened to a number of interviews with Scott at the time of the USADA report over here on Sky and Newstalk and while he disclosed his own experiences, I always found his criticism was more directed at the UCI/McQuaid/Hein, the doping issue as a whole than to focus on anyone individual as the villain of that era.

I'm not going to criticise anyone who refused to dope in that enviroment when it was so widespread and morals and preconceived ideas going into the sport about not doping went out the window as time went by.

In fact he has my respect for doing so.

 

[Wallace and Gromit]

I don't see the big deal in this.

It's because he's been seen voluntarily associating with the Anti-Christ and apparently enjoying it. This is, of course, unforgiveable and is considered so serious that someone reports they've unfollowed him as a result. That will teach the naughty Mr Mercier a lesson, I'm sure! I'm equally sure ex-communication by the Pope will follow shortly, and maybe even a trip to Room 101.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Maybe it's a simple as Lance actually being charismatic and interesting company when interacting with him in a non-threatening way?

Obviously if you rock up to Lance and give him the full Clinic view, he's not going to be very sociable, but if you just ride and talk b*llocks - as middle-aged men are inclined to do - then it might well be good fun. I doubt Lance is one of those monsyllabic types who just want to suck your wheel or a man to talk endlessly about his gear ratios.

I'd happily ride with him, though I'd not want him as a dinner-party guest or camping partner.

I'm sure the feeling's mutual...

 

[Wallace and Gromit]

I'm sure the feeling's mutual...

Well on another forum, no lesser Cyber Legend than Mrs John Murphy accused me of being Lance's biggest fan. If Mrs M has put in a good word for me, I'm sure Lance would accept an invitation!

 

[Race Radio]

The timing of the last round of interviews coincided with the documentary. He's getting some part of the action. What exactly? I don't pretend to know.

There's a budget for distribution, so the project has deep pockets for a documentary.

nope, the interviews were 2 months after the launch. Hates the film and will not talk with any of the producers or Alex Gibney