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
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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’
Dialing In Fickle Film Audiences
Conventional wisdom holds only one out of four mainstream films is profitable, but Hollywood veteran Kevin Goetz says that industry would hit three of four if it paid more attention to the audience. “Shouldn’t every movie make money?” Goetz posits in his new book, suggesting Hollywood needs to dial in the audience at early stages. “When the decisions are made about how much … [Read more...] about Dialing In Fickle Film Audiences
Instagram Adopts Filmdom’s PG-13 Rating
Instagram will police content for ages 18 and under using Hollywood’s PG-13-rating standard, as the website is under regulatory and legal pressure over child protection. Implementing the off-the-shelf PG-13 standard (image above), which is proven in decades of cinema use, aims to blunt complaints that Instagram makes it too easy for sex predators to connect with teens and for … [Read more...] about Instagram Adopts Filmdom’s PG-13 Rating
‘Wicked’ Merch Casts Magical Spell
“Wicked” was a surprise theatrical boxoffice hit last year, so Universal Pictures is ready with a licensed-merchandise extravaganza for sequel “Wicked: For Good.” Some 300 movie-themed items are licensed by Universal Products & Experiences, including two models of singing toy dolls from Mattel. Universal hopes that the movie about a wizard, witches and a mythical land … [Read more...] about ‘Wicked’ Merch Casts Magical Spell