Netflix is unconcerned with maintaining a theatrical window for its in-house-produced movies, presenting a contrast to Amazon that supports theatricals for its films. "Most major theater chains refuse to show the releases because Netflix posts them online right away, without giving exhibition an exclusive window," writes journalist David Lieberman on Hollywood news website … [Read more...] about Netflix Pushes Into Film Unconcerned About Cinemas
economics
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
‘Suicide Squad’ Soundtrack Makes Beautiful Music
The fanboy-oriented movie “Suicide Squad” spawns a soundtrack music album with edgy music that is emerging as a hit. Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records reports its movie soundtrack is the top-ranked album seller in its first week with 167,000 album units sold in the U.S. and is number one in 63 iTunes countries. “It has already set the record for the most streams ever … [Read more...] about ‘Suicide Squad’ Soundtrack Makes Beautiful Music
Par Agrees to Video Revenue Share For Short Window
Paramount Pictures agreed to let two theater chains share in video revenue for two second-tier theatrical films, in exchange for allowing quick video play after theatrical run finishes. Video run will start 17 days after the screen count for each falls under 300 screens. Typically, the theater-to-video window is a minimum of 12 weeks, and this new arrangement looks to be … [Read more...] about Par Agrees to Video Revenue Share For Short Window
AMC Tests Monthly Movie Pass
Major-theater chain AMC Theatres is offering a monthly pass in two cities, seeing if the all-you-can-eat subscription model that made Netflix a success will work in cinema. with film distributors; it’s not clear what box office money should be attributed to what movie, as with a regular ticket purchase. AMC did not respond to a request for more information. The … [Read more...] about AMC Tests Monthly Movie Pass
Captain America Stalks Superman in 2016
Walt Disney Studios penciled in “Captain American 3” on May 6, 2016, setting up a faceoff with an untitled Superman-and-Batman movie already scheduled on that date by Warner Bros. “A lot can happen with jockeying dates,” writes Deadline.com, “especially this far out on the schedule. But it does seem as though Disney/Marvel is drawing a line in the sand against its DC Comics … [Read more...] about Captain America Stalks Superman in 2016
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
Horror-film Hits Enchant H’wood
Horror films, which are always part of Hollywood’s ecosystem, are suddenly very hot. The $5 million production of “Insidious: Chapter 2” rolled up about $41 million in domestic box office on its opening weekend of Sept 13-15 for distributor FilmDistrict. “The success of the genre has upended a release calendar that once relegated horror movies to the winter months and … [Read more...] about Horror-film Hits Enchant H’wood
Casual Games Based on Films Become Money Spinners
Casual/mobile games based on movies are morphing from marketing vehicles mostly for promotional lift to money spinners for film companies, according to a Variety story. A case in point is Kabam’s game “The Godfather: Five Families,” which Variety says generated $100 million in sales and “Godfather” licensor Paramount gets a cut. “That’s a stunning result that surprised … [Read more...] about Casual Games Based on Films Become Money Spinners
Honda Drives Outdoor Movie-Theater Rescue
Automaker Honda mounts a big tie-in promotion with drive-in theaters. The car manufacturer roped in film critic Leonard Maltin to host online efforts for Honda’s Save A Drive-In effort and also enlisted Sony Pictures for advanced screenings of animated “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” “In less than three months, many of the 368 remaining drive-ins across the U.S. … [Read more...] about Honda Drives Outdoor Movie-Theater Rescue