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
economics
Canadian Circuit Diversifies into Movie-less Complexes
Leading Canadian theater circuit Cineplex is diversifying into entertainment complexes -- what used to be arcades. Cineplex will overhaul a 10-screen multiplex in Brampton, Canada, later this year and replace with its Playdium entertainment concept. “The new Brampton location will feature a selection of classic and new-to-market video and redemption games, as well as … [Read more...] about Canadian Circuit Diversifies into Movie-less Complexes
Disney Retaliates Against Newspaper By Blocking Reviewers
Walt Disney Studios won’t give customary access to film critics from the “Los Angeles Times” for advance screenings because of displeasure for the newspaper questioning in questioning if an area Disney theme park pays its fair share of local taxes. The “Los Angeles Times” published a note to readers that accompanies its holiday movie section: “This year, Walt Disney Co. … [Read more...] about Disney Retaliates Against Newspaper By Blocking Reviewers
Netflix Pushes Into Film Unconcerned About Cinemas
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
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