Hollywood’s major studios are close to deals for a “premium video-on-demand window” to put movies on TV screens just 60 days after theatrical premiere for $30, prompting denunciation from theaters and some in Hollywood. The timing is odd because studios and theater operators just met in Las Vegas for the CinemaCon convention but the studio premium VOD plans only … [Read more...] about Studios Push Fast 60-day VOD Window
cinema distribution
Gripes over Film Rating System
The movie classification system is under attack in a spate of press commentaries, but I’ve got a simple fix. All those films that don’t like their ratings should withdraw from classification and play in cinemas “unrated.” There is no requirement to be classified and some films go that route all the time. It’s really an argument about Hollywood making more money by … [Read more...] about Gripes over Film Rating System
Reiner Film Fades After Short Test Run
It’s industry practice that films faring poorly in closed test screenings -- so called test previews -- are not given regular theatrical release on the belief that multimillion-dollar spending on prints-and-advertising expense would be wasted. Coming of age teen drama “Flipped” is a rare film given guarded tryout with narrow release to theaters, presumably because its … [Read more...] about Reiner Film Fades After Short Test Run
‘Paranormal Activity’s’ Unlikely Stardom
“Paranormal Activity,” the micro-budgeted film that has grossed $97 million to date in domestic box office, perplexed the Hollywood distribution community before emerging as an unlikely blockbuster. “Early on, few distributors were interested at all — even after the film played to breathless praise at L.A.’s Screamfest in late ‘07, and again in early ‘08 at Slamdance,” … [Read more...] about ‘Paranormal Activity’s’ Unlikely Stardom
Females Dig Scary Movies?
Hollywood has learned that women are a bigger audience for some horror films than men, which is impacting selection of projects and marketing, according to an “Entertainment Weekly” story. “Name any recent horror hit and odds are that female moviegoers bought more tickets than men,” says the “EW” article written by Christine Spines. “And we’re not just talking about … [Read more...] about Females Dig Scary Movies?
High Concept ‘Bruno’ Proves Fragile
The second weekend of “Bruno” plunged an astronomical 73% at the boxoffice, indicating the R-rated black comedy will fade fast after a decent opening and underscoring that “high concept” films are fragile. Universal Pictures’ Bruno grossed $8.3 million for the July 17-19 weekend on 2,759 screens in the U.S. and Canada. It took in $30.6 million on three less screens its … [Read more...] about High Concept ‘Bruno’ Proves Fragile
Studios Tap Down Outside Expectations
Hollywood’s wrangling with media coverage of weekend box office grosses is a delicate balance of pre-release cajoling, begging and arm twisting in an attempt to manage expectations, writes “Los Angeles Times” columnist Patrick Goldstein. “If your movie doesn't match those opening weekend predictions come Monday morning, you're faced with an onslaught of stories … [Read more...] about Studios Tap Down Outside Expectations
No ‘Oscar Bounce’ For Nominees
Mainstream entertainment films lifted box office 15.4% year-to-date, but prestige films in the Oscar race are having a lousy year. The fabled “Oscar bounce” at the box office has eluded this year’s Academy Award contenders, notes the “Los Angeles Times.” “The whispers you hear everywhere around town are asking the same hushed question: What happened to the fabled Oscar … [Read more...] about No ‘Oscar Bounce’ For Nominees
Top Indie ‘Fireproof’ Warms Christian Demo
Uplifting martial relationship drama “Fireproof” beat long odds to be last year’s top grossing indie film with $33 million in domestic box office via Samuel Goldwyn Distribution. Marketing targeted the Christian audience that is sometimes called the faith demographic. At its widest distribution, "Fireproof" played at 905 theaters, according to Boxofficemojo.com, which … [Read more...] about Top Indie ‘Fireproof’ Warms Christian Demo
Oscar Films Roll Out Gradually
Oscar contenders are being screened all over Hollywood for industry insiders who are award voters, but have barely cracked the heartland of America, according to a “New York Times” article. That’s because distribution strategies call for slow roll-outs to theaters in increments. Notes the article by Michael Cieply, “‘Frost/Nixon,’ described far and wide as a favorite in the … [Read more...] about Oscar Films Roll Out Gradually