The Netflix movie "Hillbilly Elegy" is a lightning rod for attention as film critics and pundits find a stealth political undertone that irritates them. The searing family drama starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams is based on a 2016 memoir nonfiction book about growing up poor in economically backward America. The political buzz for the book and now Netflix movie directed by … [Read more...] about Viewing ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Via Politics
digital distribution
Cinemas Craft Durable VOD Model
The movie-release window for video-on-demand after cinema is getting more crowded, in what should be viewed as good news because a durable formula is being hashed out that works for both Hollywood and cinema. Earlier this week, the nation’s #3 theater chain Cinemark cinched a deal for the Universal Pictures slate and separately Warner Bros. unveiled a combination … [Read more...] about Cinemas Craft Durable VOD Model
Majors Retool Execs for Streaming Age
Hollywood’s major movie studios are remaking their executive structures to adapt to the steaming age, which means reducing theatrical marketing infrastructure. This week, Sony Pictures combined theatrical, home video (includes DVD) and TV executive structures, and reduced headcount. “Moving forward, we will be combining our theatrical, home entertainment and television … [Read more...] about Majors Retool Execs for Streaming Age
Netflix, Major Studios on Spending Binge for Awards
Trade newspaper Variety reports that Hollywood spending on awards marketing is escalating as dot.coms such as Netflix flash their huge cash-wads in the movie business. On top of that, the major studios have some legitimate Oscar contenders for Best Picture, unlike in past years, so they too are reaching into their deep pockets (usually it's cash-strapped indie film companies … [Read more...] about Netflix, Major Studios on Spending Binge for Awards
Netflix, Other Streamers Walk Tightrope on Theatrical Runs
The great unresolved issue of this era of cinema is how video streamers like Netflix will alter theatrical release. The answer unfolds slowly with Netflix, which is the streamer least committed to theatrical -- inching back to cinema. Streamers originating and acquiring theatrical films for their online services pursue different strategies for the cinema window. Amazon … [Read more...] about Netflix, Other Streamers Walk Tightrope on Theatrical Runs
Netflix Pushes Into Film Unconcerned About Cinemas
Netflix is unconcerned with maintaining a theatrical window for its in-house-produced movies, presenting a contrast to Amazon that supports theatricals for its films. "Most major theater chains refuse to show the releases because Netflix posts them online right away, without giving exhibition an exclusive window," writes journalist David Lieberman on Hollywood news website … [Read more...] about Netflix Pushes Into Film Unconcerned About Cinemas
Studios Push Shorter Window to VOD
While it’s cheery that domestic box office revenue is up 3.7% year-to-date, movie theaters are under threat of further encroachment of the video-on-demand window. In presentation to stock-market investors, the parent companies of Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures revealed they are in negotiations with theaters to shrink the customary 90-day exclusive window for … [Read more...] about Studios Push Shorter Window to VOD
Par Agrees to Video Revenue Share For Short Window
Paramount Pictures agreed to let two theater chains share in video revenue for two second-tier theatrical films, in exchange for allowing quick video play after theatrical run finishes. Video run will start 17 days after the screen count for each falls under 300 screens. Typically, the theater-to-video window is a minimum of 12 weeks, and this new arrangement looks to be … [Read more...] about Par Agrees to Video Revenue Share For Short Window
Weinstein Film Sets Simultaneous Netflix Run
The top four U.S. movie theater chains say they won't play the sequel to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" if it is telecast on Netflix simultaneous with its Aug. 25 2015 debut in theaters. Independent distributor The Weinstein Co. and Imax say that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend" will be booked on big-screen Imax screens at the same time as subscription TV … [Read more...] about Weinstein Film Sets Simultaneous Netflix Run
Studios Push Fast 60-day VOD Window
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