Fox Searchlight period slave drama “The Birth of a Nation” premiered to weak box office this weekend amid acclaim, high hopes and scandal. The drama, acquired for a sizeable $17.5 million at the Sundance Film Festival, generated just $7 million in domestic box office its premiere weekend Oct 7-9 with a lackluster $2,105 per screen average. “Birth of a Nation” -- about a … [Read more...] about Filmmaker Controversy Sinks ‘Birth’
talent
The Fall of ‘Saint Angelina’ (Jolie)
With the Brangelina "brand" in tatters, the New York Post published an informative dissection of how actress Angelina Jolie constantly reinvents herself and her divorce from Brad Pitt blows up one of her incarnations. “Jolie carved her own niche, controlled her own narrative, and it was impossible to look away,” notes New York Post journalist Maureen Callahan. But with her … [Read more...] about The Fall of ‘Saint Angelina’ (Jolie)
AFI Controversy Exposes Divide About Cinema Studies
A debate about leadership at the famed AFI Conservatory cinema and TV school brings out student comments complaining bitterly about the worth of degrees in film schools and what students should expect -- and not expect. In this post, I’m looking at those tangential issues in the controversy surrounding AFI Film school dean Jan Schuette, who some faculty want fired (AFI is the … [Read more...] about AFI Controversy Exposes Divide About Cinema Studies
Heineken Gets ‘Spectre’ Star Craig in Commercial
'Spectre' movie actor Daniel Craig appears in a Heineken beer video commercial that promotes upcoming James Bond spy thriller, which Sony Pictures will premiere domestically Nov. 6. “The Heineken spot will be launched mobile-first via Facebook, and will be shown on TV and cinema screens worldwide 24 hours later,” says a press release from the brewer. “Heineken is the only … [Read more...] about Heineken Gets ‘Spectre’ Star Craig in Commercial
‘Blart 2’ Ties Segway Record to Premiere
Sony Pictures orchestrated a publicity stunt at the premiere for “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2” by drumming up two Guinness World Records firsts connected to the Segway personal transport vehicles seen in the movie. The publicity stunt was incorporated in the red-carpet premiere for the PG-rated youth comedy movie, which hits theaters next Friday. record, which yields some breadth … [Read more...] about ‘Blart 2’ Ties Segway Record to Premiere
‘Furious 7’ Flogs Social Media
The car-crazed movie “Furious 7” is riding high in social media, including the clout of its stars, for what is projected as a huge opening. Trade news website Deadline.com says that “film’s social-media outreach has been through the roof. RelishMix cites the “Fast & Furious” brand as the most social in terms of reach and engagement combined. ‘Furious … [Read more...] about ‘Furious 7’ Flogs Social Media
Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
It's every corporate sponsor's nightmare: A Hollywood star tarnishes the brand in a speech at an event underwritten by the sponsor. At the Film Independent Spirit Awards, actor Paul Thomas Anderson ripped American Airlines while accepting an honor from the podium. American Airlines is a Spirit Awards sponsor. "Don't fly American Airlines, man," Anderson said while accepting … [Read more...] about Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
Dissecting ‘Birdman’ Publicity Campaign
Fox Searchlight pushed a particularly ambitious and early starting publicity campaign for ”Birdman” knowing the cast of the off-beat drama would not be available later. Cast members would be tied down filming other movies. Michael Keaton stars as a washed-up former movie super-hero trying to revive his career with a stage play. The $18 million film, which is getting good … [Read more...] about Dissecting ‘Birdman’ Publicity Campaign
Huckster Antics Dull Stars
It's unimaginable that Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas or John Wayne would have endorsed a perfume at the height of their careers. But it's a new era where movie stars routinely are pitchmen/women for wrist watches (Leonardo DiCaprio for the Tag Heuer brand), cars (Laurence Fishburne for Kia) and fashion (Nicole Kidman for designer Jimmy Choo). And don't forget the stinky … [Read more...] about Huckster Antics Dull Stars
Fishburne Projects ‘Matrix’ in Kia Commercial
Viewers of Kia car commercials see presenter Laurence Fishburne projecting his character in “The Matrix” movies as he appears in a leather trench coat and sun glasses. But surprisingly, Kia did not license the “Matrix” character, though it did pay Fishburne to be presenter, says the carmaker. A Variety story by Marc Graser notes Kia breaks with the normal approach of car … [Read more...] about Fishburne Projects ‘Matrix’ in Kia Commercial