Professional film critics trashed “Scream 7” but audiences paid no attention. The horror film opened to a blockbuster cinema premiere (above, the sinister Ghostface character unleashes movie mayhem!). The disconnect between pros and fanboys is striking. The Paramount Pictures release averaged a 77% favorable on Rotten Tomatoes (called the Popcornmeter), with above 60% is … [Read more...] about ‘Scream 7’ Divides Critics, Audiences
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Film Merchandise Wows Toy Fair
The toy industry expects an extraordinary lift from film-related licensed merchandise this year. Trade show Toy Fair, which ended in New York this week, generated lots of buzz for movie-related toys from journalists and film fans (the polished Stormtroopers screengrab above from YouTube about Toy Fair is by a New Zealand couple who are “Star Wars” aficionados). The … [Read more...] about Film Merchandise Wows Toy Fair
Six Films Showcased During Super Bowl
Six movie-focused TV commercials aired during the Super Bowl, shining in what is the most expensive advertising platform. The NFL football championship game averaged 125 million people — TV’s biggest audience — in the U.S. and Canada with 30-second commercials priced $8 million to $10 million each. The six are for Netflix’s “The Adventures of Cliff Booth”; Disney’s “Star … [Read more...] about Six Films Showcased During Super Bowl
Devotees Lift ‘Melania’ Past Critics’ Barbs
Most film critics panned the first lady documentary “Melania,” even going outside their professional-reviewer roles to promise that the movie would bomb in cinemas. But mean-spirited film critics proved inept at business forecasting. The frothy Melania Trump movie (Instagram screen grab above) defied those knocks to gross a decent $7.2 million domestically (U.S. and Canada) … [Read more...] about Devotees Lift ‘Melania’ Past Critics’ Barbs
Luxury Wristwatches Star in Hollywood
The luxury wristwatch industry is going ga-ga over product placements on celebrities at awards shows. Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney are among the stars conspicuously flashing pricey time-piece metal for TV and photographers at Sunday’s Golden Globe awards. A Hollywood Reporter magazine story summed up with the headline: “Leonardo DiCaprio Really Wanted You to See His … [Read more...] about Luxury Wristwatches Star in Hollywood
Microsoft Wants to Reward You!
Movie theaters have their loyalty/rewards programs and so little surprise that tech giant Microsoft offers a rewards program whose prizes include permanent digital copies of movies. The Microsoft Rewards initiative recently blasted an ezine to consumers offering (pictured above) 2024’s “BeetleJuice BeetleJuice,” the 1939 version of “Wizard of Oz” and 2021’s “Dune,” as well … [Read more...] about Microsoft Wants to Reward You!
Art Forgery: Kevin James Goes Undercover
Comedian Kevin James promotes his romantic comedy film “Solo Mio” as an unrelated character in online videos without identifying himself or the movie. James dropped videos on social media weeks ago presenting himself as art teacher Matt Taylor delivering earnest learning tips. The publicity ploy garnered growing attention from celebrity news outlets over time. The Parade … [Read more...] about Art Forgery: Kevin James Goes Undercover
Celebrity Skin Sells Films
Lionsgate's creepy drama “The Housemaid” is tracking toward a decent $35 million premiere weekend, helped in part by star Sydney Sweeney ginning up publicity with a topless photo. The pretty blonde actress released the still image of getting makeup applied while topless, though artfully concealing her bare breasts. That behind-the-scenes staged photo was given to fans Dec. … [Read more...] about Celebrity Skin Sells Films
Kids Demographic Saving Cinema
Despite the naysayers, cinema’s outlook continues to gradually improve as it recovers from the pandemic, video streaming competition and interrupted movie flow from Hollywood labor strikes. The key favorable trends are wide-release film output expected to return to pre-pandemic levels next year, the children’s demographic embraces movie-going (children's blockbuster … [Read more...] about Kids Demographic Saving Cinema
Serious Thrust Trips Up ‘Running Man’
“The Running Man” is a rare example of a film suffering declining audience interest the more that its marketing campaign rolls out. Starring up-and-comer leading man Glen Powell, the dystopian drama got knocked for being too serious , which hews close to its source Stephen King novel, a dark thriller. The 1987 film adaptation with the identical title starring Arnold … [Read more...] about Serious Thrust Trips Up ‘Running Man’