There’s little chance for a return to past highs for Hollywood in the China cinema market, which is the world’s second largest overall. And it’s not just because of pandemic. While “Avatar: The Way of Water” is a blockbuster, Chinese regulators reduced theatrical distribution slots for foreign imports — meaning Hollywood films — that in years past bulked up overall cinema … [Read more...] about Even ‘Avatar 2’ Can’t Fix China Doldrums
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Oscars Endured Rough Road to Fame
The Hollywood organization that confers the Oscars was founded in 1927 with strikingly different ambitions than the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) that the world knows today. “The Academy and the Awards” book by Bruce Davis details Oscar’s little-known history going back nearly a century. The Academy Awards — Oscar honors — were not a high priority and … [Read more...] about Oscars Endured Rough Road to Fame
Will Crowd-Pleasers Rule the Oscars?
“Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” can win Oscar Best Picture, say awards pundits, instead of the low-grossing, high-brow movies that usually scoop up Hollywood’s most prestigious award. The National Board of Review (NBR), which is composed of up-market film buffs, actually voted Paramount Pictures’ “Maverick” its Best Picture earlier this month. That’s not … [Read more...] about Will Crowd-Pleasers Rule the Oscars?
Data-Hungry Theaters Eye Branded Credit Cards
In bankruptcies of airlines and other consumer-facing companies, sometimes their most valuable asset are their sideline credit card businesses. After some false starts in past years, exhibition is coming to recognize the value of leveraging such consumer financial relationships to build durable collateral businesses. AMC Entertainment announced its own Visa credit card this … [Read more...] about Data-Hungry Theaters Eye Branded Credit Cards
Netflix Audiences Emerge From Shadows
Netflix is pouring billions into original TV programming and competition is intensifying, so the leading video streamer is listening more closely to its subscribers. For about a year, Netflix impaneled 2,000 subscribers (out of its 223 million worldwide currently) to give feedback on its original programs in what it calls its Preview Club; this effort will grow to 10,000 … [Read more...] about Netflix Audiences Emerge From Shadows
Cinemas Splurge on Upgrades
Despite the lingering ravages of the pandemic, movie theater operators are making sizeable investments to upgrade and reconfigure their physical plants. It’s something of a surprise because of post-Covid economic uncertainty and most cinema companies are already weighed down with heavy debt. But the capital-expenditure (CapEx) investment cycle is happening in … [Read more...] about Cinemas Splurge on Upgrades
Streamer Foreign Films Fill Indie Gap
The homegrown indie-film sector characterized by prestige movies is suffering, but moviegoers are getting relief. Similarly-crafted, high-minded movies are playing in the U.S. that streamers commissioned from overseas producers. A case in point is German-made World War I drama “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which Netflix gave a truncated U.S. cinema run. All the U.S. … [Read more...] about Streamer Foreign Films Fill Indie Gap
Celebrating Hollywood’s Snarky Side
Hollywood today wrestles with the same rough-and-tumble corporate culture and marketing riddles that are illuminated in the1952 drama/satire “The Bad and the Beautiful.” It’s a movie about movies spotlighting every corner of Hollywood including marketing matters that are still relevant today: agonizing over crafting promotional messages to turn heads; the behind-the-scenes … [Read more...] about Celebrating Hollywood’s Snarky Side
‘Terrifier 2’ Ignites Boxoffice
Independent horror film “Terrifier 2” is feasting on boxoffice as a moderate hit, benefiting because of pandemic disruptions of film supply. “Terrifier 2” has grossed a respectable $5.3 million in 17 days of domestic theatrical release, and that’s boffo for a horror/slasher film with a bare minimum national release. “While these grosses may seem low, don’t forget that … [Read more...] about ‘Terrifier 2’ Ignites Boxoffice
TikTok Adds Cinema Ticket Commerce
Trying to increase its advertising/promotion revenue from film distributors, top social network TikTok has added presentation of local movie start times. The Showtimes on TikTok initiative will facilitate direct online ticket sales as well. TikTok touts its value to Hollywood with its own research showing 52% of moviegoers research a “movie, show or actor through its … [Read more...] about TikTok Adds Cinema Ticket Commerce