Who buys straight to DVD movies?

OK, just saw a commercial for "Without a Paddle 2" which they advertised as, "Better than the first."

This is obviously bullshit, since if it were better than the first, which was released to theaters, it would have been in your local cineplex.

Now, obviously, since most of these movies are cheap to make (no-name actors, no CGI, etc.), they probably make financial sense for the production studios. They wouldn't make them - and certainly wouldn't advertise them - otherwise.

So my question is this: Who the fuck is buying these movies?? They're obviously terrible. Why would anyone go buy one of these flicks (outside of Disney movies, which little kids will enjoy pretty much no matter what)?

 

I recently went to Blockbuster for the first time in years, and could not believe the number of straight-to-video movies among the new releases. National Lampoon appears to be cranking out that shit nonstop. And they all just look horrendous.

I have no idea how they make money.

 

I thought the same thing, Babar. I'd wager that there is MORE straight-to-DVD dreck at Blockbuster than actual theatrical releases.

I saw something even worse the other day, though. Was coming back from my folks and stopped at a highway rest stop for some gas. Walked into the store to use the can and I saw a rack of $3.99 DVDs. The only "star" I recognized among these clearly shittastic movies was............ERIK ESTRADA!!!! And it was clearly an old movie. Seriously, who walks into a highway rest stop and says "Hey, I know what I want to watch when I get home...this $3.99 movie I've never heard of starring Erik Estrada!"

 

Me dammit! I mean with the sound off, obviously, and only a really old Erik Estrada movie cause he hasn't aged all that well.

I understand the cartoon sequel straight to DVD releases. Hell, my sister owns a ton for her kiddos. The other ones, not so much. My brother gave me one for my birthday one time (had Elijah Wood, Mandy Moore and that chick from the first Bourne in it). It was dreck, even with a really solid cast, the movie was terrible.

 

I believe "Barely Legal" volumes 1-108 all went straight to DVD.

 

I think a lot of these movies do well overseas.

 

holy crap! Look at which sure-fire NFL Hall of Famer who can't gracefully slide into anonymity "stars" in "Without A Paddle 2!"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276107/

 

Holy crap. Why would he do this?

 

Because there's a three-year moratorium between "Dancing With The Stars" appearances?

 

But, I mean, I'm really kind of shocked. Someone of his stature shouldn't be doing this shit.

 

oh ... I thought you were looking for suggestions. I was gonna vote mikey ... not sure why. just seems to fit.