Seven-year-old Neon emerged as a mainstay in the hardscrabble domestic theatrical distribution business, where most new entrants fail or shrink to irrelevancy within a few years. Highlights of its short history include 2020 Oscar Best Picture winner “Parasite,” the Korean-language import; and also sassy ice skater drama “I, Tonya.” And this year, there's the sleeper horror … [Read more...] about Neon Stakes Out Distribution Turf
Film Fests Want Oscars Mojo Back
Movie festivals in the autumn lost their prominence as Oscar launching pads in recent years, but this cycle are working hard to again be harbingers of awards. “For 14 years between 2007 and 2020, from ‘No Country for Old Men’ to ‘Nomadland,’ the Oscar Best Picture winner screened (and in all but three cases premiered) at the Venice International Film Festival, the Telluride … [Read more...] about Film Fests Want Oscars Mojo Back
‘Reagan’ Knocks Media Bias
Presidential biographic drama “Reagan” is courting conservative audience segments as it heads to an Aug. 30 domestic theatrical premiere, after finding liberal-leaning media is trying to stifle its marketing. Showbiz Direct is distributing the PG-13-rated movie that reportedly cost $25 million to make and stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan. “Quaid told Joe Rogan on his … [Read more...] about ‘Reagan’ Knocks Media Bias
Premiere Press Coverage Propels ‘It Ends’
Romantic comedy “It Ends With Us” is headed for a relatively big cinema premiere Friday, helped by buzz from its star-laden premiere. “It Ends,” whose star Blake Lively was catalyst for extensive media coverage of its premiere, is a PG-13 rom-com from Sony Pictures Releasing. The film is based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. The gala Aug. 6 premiere at the … [Read more...] about Premiere Press Coverage Propels ‘It Ends’
YouTube Film Critic Makes Movie
A prominent YouTube critic has parlayed his online celebrity into crowd-funding a horror film that he directed and wrote, which received a prestigious fest play. Then, it was acquired by hot indie distribution Neon. Chris Stuckman, who amassed a staggering 2 million YouTube followers over 13 years for his film reviews/commentaries, is the director of supernatural drama … [Read more...] about YouTube Film Critic Makes Movie
‘Twisters’ Storming Mid-America, 4DX
Tornado yarn “Twisters” surpassed audience tracking estimates by a wide margin, playing exceptionally well in middle America and the Southeast (where real twisters are a menace!) and on big-screen cinema. Universal Pictures collected a sizeable $81.2 million in domestic boxoffice July 19-21, as “Twisters" surpassed prerelease tracking estimates by 60% (the estimate was $50 … [Read more...] about ‘Twisters’ Storming Mid-America, 4DX
‘Deadpool’ Chows Down on Fast Food
“Deadpool & Wolverine” snagged the 2,200-restaurant Jack In the Box chain for a tie-in promotion, a rare alliance for an age-restricted R-rated film. No kiddie meals here! The R cinema classification requires accompanying parent or guardian for ages 17 and younger. Walt Disney Studios will premiere “Deadpool & Wolverine” on July 26 domestically (U.S. and Canada). The … [Read more...] about ‘Deadpool’ Chows Down on Fast Food
Movie Music Drives Concert Tour
Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer conducts a multinational tour playing movie music in orchestral majesty, in what is a “service” type of film licensed merchandise. Hans Zimmer Live is scheduled to perform in 17 U.S. and Canadian cities by end-tour in October, after starting in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The music is from movies “The Dark Knight,” “Dune,” … [Read more...] about Movie Music Drives Concert Tour
Hard Times Grip Cinema
Hard times have hit the cinema business as the Bronx region with 1.4 million residents lost one of its two multiplexes; Walt Disney Studios' once-dependable comic book adaptations are sputtering; and Paramount Pictures struggles to sell itself. While recent developments are mostly unfavorable, Sony Pictures Entertainment agreed to buy movie-and-a-meal Alamo Drafthouse … [Read more...] about Hard Times Grip Cinema
Hot Tech Looks Cool in Faux Film Trailer
Artificial intelligence company Perplexity employs the traditional film trailer format as newfangled tech goes old school in its consumer marketing. Perplexity is an “answer engine” that employs AI. AI capabilities and startup companies are revolutionizing computing, achieving huge valuations with investors, and closely held startup Perplexity is trolling for human users. … [Read more...] about Hot Tech Looks Cool in Faux Film Trailer