“A Haunting in Venice” is based on an Agatha Christie mystery novel, but the theatrical film adaptation was marketed as a horror film, ignoring its best-selling author pedigree. What gives? It seems Walt Disney Studios decided that moviegoers are not moved by literary acclaim, but horror sells at the boxoffice. Christie, who died in 1976, did not get noticeably … [Read more...] about ‘Haunting in Venice’ Downplays Pedigree, Hypes Horror
Testing Prompts More ‘Nun II’ Gore
Warner Bros. Pictures amped up the gore in “The Nun II” after prerelease test screenings indicated audiences wanted more mayhem, in a departure from the first “Nun” flick, which emphasized suspense. The R-rated “Nun II” rolled up a healthy $32.6 million in domestic boxoffice Sept. 8-10 at 3,728 theaters. The horror genre-flick ranking No. 1 In weekend boxoffice and easily … [Read more...] about Testing Prompts More ‘Nun II’ Gore
Netflix Hot on Films, Warms to Big Screen
Netflix will offer 27 original films from September to December, reaffirming movies as a pillar of its programming, including what seems a growing number with minor theatrical windows before streaming. Some 11 of the 27 have a short exclusive cinema run ("in select theaters"), which is a growing phenomenon. The movies run the gamut with adult dramas, romantic fare, family … [Read more...] about Netflix Hot on Films, Warms to Big Screen
Netflix Film Gets ‘Nose’-ticed
The Netflix-produced movie about composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein is getting unexpected publicity because of star Bradley Cooper’s prominent prosthetic nose in its trailer. Cooper portrays the late Bernstein in “Maestro,” which is also the actor’s second time as a director. He also co-wrote the film. Critics snipe that the large nose is an antisemitic swipe since it's … [Read more...] about Netflix Film Gets ‘Nose’-ticed
Ken Makes ‘Barbie’ Sizzle
“Barbie” walked a marketing tightrope with Job No. 1 being to satisfy the core girl audience of the toy line while at the same time pushing different messages to adult demographics. To go wider, the breezy Ken character delivered dry humor, a police mug-shot photo of the Barbie character showed her being busted (Ken too), and other out-of-character self-parody was introduced … [Read more...] about Ken Makes ‘Barbie’ Sizzle
Crowd-Funding P&A for ‘Freedom’
Indie blockbuster “Sound of Freedom” raised $5 million from 7,134 small investors for its marketing expenses, which is an out-of-Hollywood story involving grassroots America. The $5 million covered “prints & advertising” (P&A) theatrical releasing expenses. This crowd-funding effort is the realization of much talked about, but seldom achieved, leveraging of a … [Read more...] about Crowd-Funding P&A for ‘Freedom’
Strikes Derail Film Marketing, Cinema Comeback
The Hollywood strikes by actors and writers undercut movie publicity for new releases — since talent ordinarily publicize their films — and more ominously threaten to push back normal film flow already upended by the pandemic. The actors SAG-AFTRA work stoppage started July 14, which augments the May 2 beginning of the Writers Guild of America walkout. The strikes impact … [Read more...] about Strikes Derail Film Marketing, Cinema Comeback
Lightning Strikes Indie Hit ‘Freedom’
Child trafficking drama “Sound of Freedom” emerged as a surprise independent-caliber blockbuster, and is unwittingly a lightning rod for culture wars/political buzz. The $15 million production has grossed $66 In domestic boxoffice as of July 14 (10 days in release) and is rated PG-13. Most indie films would be happy with half that for final U.S./Canada boxoffice, and “Sound … [Read more...] about Lightning Strikes Indie Hit ‘Freedom’
‘Barbie’ Banned in Vietnam, Naughty in France
A fleeting image of a geographic map of Southeast Asia showing disputed borders was enough to get Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Barbie” banned in Vietnam. Meanwhile, in France, seemingly innocuous marketing messaging for “Barbie’ can have a naughty meaning (double entendre, anyone?). Instead of the usual domestic analysis, here are some overseas marketing developments of … [Read more...] about ‘Barbie’ Banned in Vietnam, Naughty in France
Cinema Forecast: Snap-Back by 2025
Consultancy PwC forecasts that global cinema revenue will surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2025 at a projected $46.6 billion worldwide, compared with $43 billion in 2019. The 2025 figure is the sum of $43 billion in boxoffice (ticket sales) plus another $3.3 billion in on-screen advertising. That’s according to PwC’s mammoth annual “Global Entertainment & Media Outlook” … [Read more...] about Cinema Forecast: Snap-Back by 2025