What do the professional film critics say? This audience doesn’t care. What’s the plot of the movie? It’s immaterial. Welcome to the world of the hard-action film trailers. Liongate acquired distribution rights to the Hong Kong martial arts film “The Furious” for May 29 cinema premiere in North America (U.S. and Canada). It’s R-rated and the trailer is a case study … [Read more...] about Hard-Action Trailer Targets Fanboys
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‘Scream 7’ Divides Critics, Audiences
Professional film critics trashed “Scream 7” but audiences paid no attention. The horror film opened to a blockbuster cinema premiere (above, the sinister Ghostface character unleashes movie mayhem!). The disconnect between pros and fanboys is striking. The Paramount Pictures release averaged a 77% favorable on Rotten Tomatoes (called the Popcornmeter), with above 60% is … [Read more...] about ‘Scream 7’ Divides Critics, Audiences
Devotees Lift ‘Melania’ Past Critics’ Barbs
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
Distributor Going Public Validates Indies
Smallish independent film distributor Angel Studios went public earlier this month at a hefty $1.6 billion in pro forma enterprise value (sum of stock value and borrowings). That’s an amazing validation of economic value for a company in domestic theatrical distribution, which is a hardscrabble business outside of Hollywood’s five major movie studios, and also video streaming, … [Read more...] about Distributor Going Public Validates Indies
‘Reagan’ Knocks Media Bias
Presidential biographic drama “Reagan” is courting conservative audience segments as it heads to an Aug. 30 domestic theatrical premiere, after finding liberal-leaning media is trying to stifle its marketing. Showbiz Direct is distributing the PG-13-rated movie that reportedly cost $25 million to make and stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan. “Quaid told Joe Rogan on his … [Read more...] about ‘Reagan’ Knocks Media Bias
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’
Tribeca Offers Perks Program
The glitzy Tribeca Festival rolls out a membership program offering events perks, special merchandise offers and benefits from sponsors. Membership costs $100 a year, reflecting that flat-fee subscriptions offerings in media continue to multiply. It’s a type of loyalty program from the fest’s parent, Tribeca Enterprise. “Tribeca Membership offers year-round access to … [Read more...] about Tribeca Offers Perks Program
Film Marketer Banks on Crowd Funding
Emerging independent film company Legion M will test its crowd-funding capability to support the cinema release of a theatrical documentary on “Star Trek” icon William Shatner. The Shatner biography, “You Can Call Me Bill,” is a PG-13 rated documentary set for March 22 theatrical release. It’s Legion M’s first time going in-house for a cinema release. The documentary … [Read more...] about Film Marketer Banks on Crowd Funding
Crowd-Funding P&A for ‘Freedom’
Indie blockbuster “Sound of Freedom” raised $5 million from 7,134 small investors for its marketing expenses, which is an out-of-Hollywood story involving grassroots America. The $5 million covered “prints & advertising” (P&A) theatrical releasing expenses. This crowd-funding effort is the realization of much talked about, but seldom achieved, leveraging of a … [Read more...] about Crowd-Funding P&A for ‘Freedom’
Lightning Strikes Indie Hit ‘Freedom’
Child trafficking drama “Sound of Freedom” emerged as a surprise independent-caliber blockbuster, and is unwittingly a lightning rod for culture wars/political buzz. The $15 million production has grossed $66 In domestic boxoffice as of July 14 (10 days in release) and is rated PG-13. Most indie films would be happy with half that for final U.S./Canada boxoffice, and “Sound … [Read more...] about Lightning Strikes Indie Hit ‘Freedom’