Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery shouldn’t be held up by regulators because it won't entrench a monopoly. Here’s why: The $81 billion merger is stalled at a U.S. federal court over monopoly concerns. The two entertainment giants are parents of two of Hollywood’s five major studios. Netflix is so large at $45.2 billion in film/TV program … [Read more...] about Par-WB: Merger Meddling Gone Awry
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Mood Swing: Cinema Is Cool Again
Though underappreciated, movies in cinemas are again top of the Hollywood food chain (cinema’s appeal illustrated in AI-generated image above). “The big screen’s obituary has been written so many times — even by the people who make films,” writes entertainment critic Johnny Oleksinski in the New York Post. “When ‘The Sopranos’ and 'The Wire' were airing on HBO (Home Box … [Read more...] about Mood Swing: Cinema Is Cool Again
Samsung Ignites ‘Spider-Man’ Glow
Samsung rolls out a multilevel promotional tie-in with “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which audience tracking says is poised for a blockbuster run. Sony Pictures premieres “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” on July 31 in domestic cinemas (U.S. and Canada). The marketing campaign plays out with these interconnected strands: In a product placement, the Samsung logo is visible in the … [Read more...] about Samsung Ignites ‘Spider-Man’ Glow
Minions Drop ‘Easter Eggs’ on Hollywood
Hollywood’s silent film era is remembered lovingly and humorously in “Minions & Monsters” with “Easter eggs” stuffed in the animated film (above a trailer screen grab). An “Easter egg” is an embedded element that conveys hidden meaning, and those nuggets ignited a social media buzz for “Minions.” For example, Cartoon Clubhouse on YouTube posted a 20-minute ”30+ CRAZY … [Read more...] about Minions Drop ‘Easter Eggs’ on Hollywood
Films Starving for Restaurant Tie-ins
Family- and kids-oriented summer movie tie-in promotions with restaurants used to saturate media, but it appears there's a diminishing appetite for them. In a sign of the times, there's a short list of big promotions with major chains this summer. Warner's "Supergirl hits theaters June 26 with KFC restaurants providing promotion. The Wendy’s restaurant chain is partnered … [Read more...] about Films Starving for Restaurant Tie-ins
Culture Wars Engulf ‘Odyssey’
Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan takes a thoroughly-modern approach to casting his next movie that is based on a classic ancient Greek tale, igniting a media firestorm from influencers, movie fans and critics. For his film "The Odyssey," Nolan selected black actress Lupita Nyong’o as famed historical character Helen of Troy, whom ancient text and history depict as … [Read more...] about Culture Wars Engulf ‘Odyssey’
Defining Cinema Audiences by Passions
Teen, young adult and middle-aged consumers increasingly embrace elements of popular cultural to define themselves, which prompts movie research to sometimes miss their preferences. A 37-page research analysis titled “Fandom in Focus: How Cinema Will Captivate Passionate Audiences in 2026” makes the case for needing a new yardstick to measure youth audiences. The report is … [Read more...] about Defining Cinema Audiences by Passions
Change up: Netflix Warms to Cinema
Video streamers are pumping up their theatrical slates, which is good for film supply to cinema. Amazon MGM Studios mapped out a dozen theatricals this year premiering in cinemas, in what gives it a major-studio-like profile. Now, colossus Netflix is putting one foot forward. The largest streamer with 325 million paid subscribers globally, Netflix upgraded sci-fi fantasy … [Read more...] about Change up: Netflix Warms to Cinema
‘Scary’ Film Marketing Mocks ‘Michael’
The new blockbuster Michael Jackson biography movie gets zinged by another movie with the marketing messaging that the late King of Pop is “Touching Fans Everywhere.” Oh, dear! The satirical comedy film “Scary Movie 6” hoists an eerie image that is unmistakably Jackson (poster image above) in its advertising that incorporates the “touching” phrase. That image and verbiage … [Read more...] about ‘Scary’ Film Marketing Mocks ‘Michael’
AI Resurrects Actor for Trailer
The late actor Val Kilmer is resurrected in a movie trailer via artificial intelligence technology, in a film marketing milestone. Kilmer, who died a year ago and is famous for his “Top Gun” roles, is re-created for independent-made western “As Deep as the Grave” (trailer screen grab with Kilmer above). “The footage includes Kilmer at various ages — at one point, he’s a … [Read more...] about AI Resurrects Actor for Trailer