Once considered a strength, the Marvel Cinematic Universe that interconnects movies and comic books has become a drag. New theatrical film “The Marvels” generated a disappointing $47 million over the Nov. 10-12 premiere weekend, the lowest of any big-budget movie in the modern era of adapting Marvel comic books to cinema screens. And stumbles have become a trend in which three … [Read more...] about Marvel Film Universe Gets Too Inbred
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‘People’s’ Rescue of AMC Fizzles
After an unbelievable run-up, the stock price of cinema circuit AMC Entertainment is in free fall, as the flood of small investors calling themselves apes evaporates. From a high surpassing $55 a share last year, AMC closed at $14.52 a share today. With the air out of the balloon, professional investors expect AMC’s stock price to settle under $10/share because of its heavy … [Read more...] about ‘People’s’ Rescue of AMC Fizzles
Films Sold at Fests Often Disappoint Later
Acquiring finished movies at film festivals is a celebrated activity generating breathless news reports and industry buzz. Chosen films are bought after informal industry auctions to later be put in general theatrical release -- which is a marketing function. A "Hollywood Reporter" article by Tatiana Siegel recounts that festival deals -- while often result of frenzied … [Read more...] about Films Sold at Fests Often Disappoint Later
Ad Spend, Audience Test Central in Beatty Film Spat
Warren Beatty's passion project "Rules Don't Apply" became a financial flop in 2016 at the box office, but still-boiling lawsuits from investors reveals behind-the-scenes disputes over marketing. Creative talent, financiers and studio executives battled over interpreting audience reactions in prerelease test screenings, selection of its holiday release date, creative … [Read more...] about Ad Spend, Audience Test Central in Beatty Film Spat
Analyst Blames ‘Poor Marketing’ in ‘Star Wars’ Stumble
A Wall Street stock analyst says "Solo: A Star Wars Story" stumbled at the box office because Walt Disney Studios didn't present a credible replacement to the Hans Solo character, immortalized by Harrison Ford in the early "Star War" movies. This most interesting film critic of "Solo" is Doug Creutz, who is a veteran media analyst at investment house Cowen & Co., and … [Read more...] about Analyst Blames ‘Poor Marketing’ in ‘Star Wars’ Stumble
MoviePass Risks Becoming MoviePast
Flat-monthly-fee cinema ticket subscription service MoviePass is at a crossroads. Shares of its parent (NasdaqCM: ticker symbol HMNY) peaked at $32.90 a share back in October when MoviePass cut its monthly fee, which swelled its subscribers that now number about 2.7 million. But as losses mounted, share price collapsed to a penny-stock level under 60 cents today, amid … [Read more...] about MoviePass Risks Becoming MoviePast
Dissecting ‘Geostorm’ Flop: Reshoots Couldn’t Save It
Warner Bros. disaster yarn 'Geostorm' bombed and a Deadline.com analysis lays the blame on an incoherent on-screen story that furious behind-the-scene scrambling did not completely repair. The $120+ million production grossed just $13.3 million domestically in its premiere three-day weekend to tepid reviews from critics and audiences exiting theaters. Warner Bros. Pictures … [Read more...] about Dissecting ‘Geostorm’ Flop: Reshoots Couldn’t Save It
Overseas BO Props Up Domestic Flops
Three recent big-budget Hollywood movie stumbles are getting bailed out by booming overseas box office -- “The Mummy,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” and “Transformers: The Dark Knight.” The don’t-worry-foreign-will-save-us syndrome is much discussed, but usually not true. A bomb domestically is typically a dud overseas too. But the recent trio are … [Read more...] about Overseas BO Props Up Domestic Flops
Star Power Wanes for Leading Men
Movie audiences used to revere male movie stars as god-like, but today's movie stars have meltdowns in public, showing clay feet that pierces their aura. This relates to movie marketing because star-power is diminishing as a draw, and it's no surprise why. "It's curious to see so many male megastars -- so good-looking, wealthy, undeniably privileged -- unravel so … [Read more...] about Star Power Wanes for Leading Men
Fake News Websites for ‘Wellness’ Embarrass Fox
20th Century Fox stretched for relevance by erecting fake news website to promote film “A Cure for Wellness,” but apologized later. The $40 million-budgeted psychological thriller “A Cure for Wellness” premieres in theaters this weekend. Phony news websites were anchored with “an elaborate, yet fictitious news story claiming that President Donald Trump met with Russian … [Read more...] about Fake News Websites for ‘Wellness’ Embarrass Fox