-“Django Unchained” action figures are drawing criticism for satirizing America’s sensitive slavery era. An activist, who says he saw and liked the movie argues the plastic action figures are "a slap in the face of our ancestors," he tells the Associated Press. "We feel that it trivializes the horrors of slavery and what African Americans experienced." The plastic … [Read more...] about ‘Django’ Slavery Action Figures Irk Activist
Mercedes Drives Palm Springs Fest Sponsorship
Mercedes Benz embraces movie glitz and star talent in a sponsorship of the gala awards ceremony of the 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. The German car maker is connected to a rare film festival that is part of the Oscar awards season calendar because of its early January date (most other fests are outside awards season). Mercedes also trots out celebrity … [Read more...] about Mercedes Drives Palm Springs Fest Sponsorship
‘Hobbit’ Merchandise Comes Cheap & Also Pricey
With “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” now in theaters, Warner Bros. revealed details about its “Hobbit” licensed merchandise and a Wall Street Journal article describes bidding for pricey items and prop replicas from that movie and its precursor “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy. Here are some of the movie’s licensees for standard merchandise: * Co-master toy licensees The … [Read more...] about ‘Hobbit’ Merchandise Comes Cheap & Also Pricey
ThinkGeek Beams Up ‘Star Trek’ Merchandise
"Star Trek” fans can slice their pizzas with a U.S.S. Enterprise Pizza Cutter from ThinkGeek, which is a licensed merchandise outfit based in Fairfax VA. A press release says that the $99.99 cutter, which is in the shape of the space ship, is "limited to 1,701 units and each will feature a unique number laser etched onto the blade. Under license by CBS Consumer … [Read more...] about ThinkGeek Beams Up ‘Star Trek’ Merchandise
AMC Publicizes Apatow Film
AMC Theatres is mounting a movie publicity event connected with “This Is 40,” which ties into the circuit’s loyalty program. AMC is hosting a question-and-answer session Nov. 28 with director Judd Apatow at its AMC NorthPark 15 in Dallas. Members of AMC Stubs—which is the circuit’s loyalty program—are given tickets to see “This Is 40” for a by-invitation-only screening prior … [Read more...] about AMC Publicizes Apatow Film
Confessions of a Horror Film Mogul
Horror filmmaker Eli Roth is a “brand” that he milks online and in other media. A creative force behind "Cabin Fever" and "Hostel," Roth provided a fascinating tour of the horror film genre in an interview at the Variety Film Marketing Summit last week. His big break came as director of “Cabin Fever” released in 2003, though that low-budget film that was a hit with $21 … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Horror Film Mogul
AMC Revamps Consumer Marketing
The nation’s second largest theater, AMC Entertainment has completely revamped its consumer marketing in the past few years. Now the bulk of marketing spending goes into digital, instead of print newspapers, such as online digital platforms where consumer like to express their opinions about movies. “Social media is pervasive and consumers expect brands to be in social … [Read more...] about AMC Revamps Consumer Marketing
In-theater Restaurant Dining Grows
In-theater dining is gaining momentum. National Amusement’s Showcase Cinema is planning a restaurant-style meal service in a Boston-area theater and similar venues are planned for Kansas and suburban Chicago. National Amusements, which is a major circuit in the Northeast United States, will open a Davio’s Cucina restaurant at a to-be-built six-screen multiplex in Chestnut … [Read more...] about In-theater Restaurant Dining Grows
Anti-Obama Docu Soars
The anti-Obama movie “2016: Obama’s America” is emerging as an out-of-nowhere hit in the documentary category. The Rocky Mountain Pictures release premiered at one theater in Houston July 13 and hefty box office from a small start supported an ever-wider release in later weeks--now at 1,800 locations. While that trajectory is impressive, 2,000+ locations on opening weekend … [Read more...] about Anti-Obama Docu Soars
‘Oogieloves’ Bust
Ouch! The toddler movie “The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure” posted what is among the worst openings ever for a wide release movie. The $20 million production grossed just $47 per screen on its opening day on Wednesday, which works out to a paltry $104,564 total from 2,160 screens, according to BoxOfficeMojo. “Apparently, there’s not much love for the … [Read more...] about ‘Oogieloves’ Bust