An independent film, “True to the Game 2,” made an impact in national box office laid low by Corona-19 pandemic. Over the Nov 6-8 boxoffice weekend, the urban action film took in $290,000 from 247 locations with a per screen average of $1,174—a good showing in the virus social-distancing era. That per-screen average appears to rank #2 nationally among all films in … [Read more...] about Indie ‘True’ Shines Amid Pandemic
demographics
Pitt-produced ‘Lost City’ Loses R-rating Appeal
Brad Pitt-produced "Lost City of Z" was rejected in its appeal of a R-rating for "brief violence" in the period drama that is scheduled to premiere in theaters April 21. The movie comes from Amazon Studios and its distributor is Bleecker Street. With the Restricted rating, persons under age 17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian. Presumably, the movie was … [Read more...] about Pitt-produced ‘Lost City’ Loses R-rating Appeal
Update on Faith-based Audience Marketing
The faith-based movie audience for Hollywood films gets star treatment in two articles with slightly different takes on the increasingly-important moviegoers influenced by their religious beliefs. Deadline.comís Michael Cieply notes that box office was soft for faith films in 2016. "The faith audience is clearly taking a break from the movies," Cieply wrote. "Actually, 2016 … [Read more...] about Update on Faith-based Audience Marketing
Benghazi Drama Aims at Conservatives
Paramount Pictures’ movie about the Benghazi, Libya attack on a diplomatic outpost in which four Americans were killed in 2012 is being marketed heavily to political conservatives, though the $50 million production isn’t an overtly political movie. Says a Hollywood Reporter article, “Paramount, along with director Michael Bay and the other filmmakers, have maintained that … [Read more...] about Benghazi Drama Aims at Conservatives
Why ‘American Sniper’ Hits Marketing Bullseye
Feb 15 late addition: “NY Post” article link and quote citing success of films and TV programs that show a "frank admiration for the sacrifice, bravery and personal nobility of the men doing the fighting." Feb. 14, 2015- A big part of audience marketing is selecting the right tone, as evidenced by Warner Bros. surprise blockbuster “American Sniper,” which avoided being … [Read more...] about Why ‘American Sniper’ Hits Marketing Bullseye
Christian Film Stokes Group-Tix Sales
Documentaries and films with strong appeal to identifiable affinity groups are ideal for cinema group sales, and “Son of God” is a case in point. The 20th Century Fox release appeals to faith-based audience, which is an intense affinity group. Group sales started yesterday—three months before its Feb. 28, 2014, cinema premiere. The PG-13-rated movie is a period drama that … [Read more...] about Christian Film Stokes Group-Tix Sales
Whites Suddenly Boost Black-themed Films
Movies centered on stories about blacks are suddenly doing big box office, which the Hollywood Reporter attributes to white moviegoers increasingly part of their cinema audience. “Never before has such a diverse slate of black-led films performed so well at the box office as they have in recent months,” says the Hollywood Reporter article by Pamela McClintock and Rebecca … [Read more...] about Whites Suddenly Boost Black-themed Films
Research Shuffle for Movie ‘Playability’
A new entrant is shaking up the research niche for evaluating movies once they are in theaters, squeezing incumbent CinemaScore, says a Hollywood Reporter article. This research evaluates what moviegoers think of a movie itself, which is called playability. The THR article by Pamela McClintock notes that “box-office tracking service Rentrak and partner Screen Engine have … [Read more...] about Research Shuffle for Movie ‘Playability’
Mainstream Films to Screen in Spanish
A mainstream theater circuit, Digital Cinema Destinations (known as Digiplex), will screen major-studio films in Spanish language, in a bid to tap the growing Hispanic demographic in the U.S. The effort will start with Spanish language tracks for some showing of Paramount’s “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” on April 1, 8 and 15; Universal’s “Oblivion” on April 22 and 29; Disney’s … [Read more...] about Mainstream Films to Screen in Spanish
AMC Publicizes Apatow Film
AMC Theatres is mounting a movie publicity event connected with “This Is 40,” which ties into the circuit’s loyalty program. AMC is hosting a question-and-answer session Nov. 28 with director Judd Apatow at its AMC NorthPark 15 in Dallas. Members of AMC Stubs—which is the circuit’s loyalty program—are given tickets to see “This Is 40” for a by-invitation-only screening prior … [Read more...] about AMC Publicizes Apatow Film