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
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‘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
Studio Ghibli Film Festival Flexes ‘Brand’
Theatrical rereleases of famed Japanese animation Studio Ghibli play across American cinemas in a sprawling annual festival, representing one of the few “brands” in motion pictures. Ghibli’s films have a cult-like following globally topped by “Spirited Away” that grossed a blockbuster $357 million in cinemas worldwide and won the 2002 Oscar for best animated feature. What is … [Read more...] about Studio Ghibli Film Festival Flexes ‘Brand’
Volkswagen Mounts ‘Despicable 4’ Promotion
Volkswagen has rolled out a promotional tie-in with its Atlas sports-utility vehicle with animated “Despicable Me 4” distributed by Universal Pictures. There’s a fun 30-second commercial with “Despicable’s” oddball villain Gru surrounded by a sea of impish little minions with an Atlas in the center. Volkswagen says that it rolls with “Despicable Me 4”-themed national TV … [Read more...] about Volkswagen Mounts ‘Despicable 4’ Promotion
Coppola Wants to Prove Hollywood Wrong on ‘Megalopolis’
Filmmaker extraordinaire Frances Ford Coppola is struggling with placating puzzled film critics, marketing an esoteric film to wide audiences and struggling for industry sales for his “Megalopolis.” The $120 million self-financed social commentary epic is in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in France, where Coppola hopes those problems will be solved by critical acclaim … [Read more...] about Coppola Wants to Prove Hollywood Wrong on ‘Megalopolis’
Marketing Often Exceeds Film Costs
Deadline.com’s annual rankings of film profitability highlights one of oddities of the movie biz. How much one spends on making “the product” — meaning film production cost — frequently has little bearing on profitability and is sometime dwarfed by basic marketing expenses. Universal Pictures spent just $20 million to make cheapie horror film “Five Nights at Freddy’s” but … [Read more...] about Marketing Often Exceeds Film Costs