Public Enemies - What Did You Think?
Zack Snyder Watch: Watchmen Director’s Cut, Sucker Punch and 300 Follow-Up
Posted on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 by Russ Fischer
Zack Snyder did promotion yesterday for the Blu-Ray release of Watchmen, and quite a few small tidbits of news came out of his various interviews. He talked about the theatrical release of the Watchmen Director’s Cut, which will hit four theatres, the future of his next film Sucker Punch, a possible follow-up to 300 and more. Read More »
Rian Johnson Releases MP3 Audio Commentary for The Brothers Bloom
Posted on Thursday, May 21st, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
Rian Johnson has recorded an online exclusive audio commentary for his new film The Brothers Bloom, which hit theaters in New York and Los Angeles last week, and expands further nationwide tomorrow.
You can download the track now on Apple.com. The idea is to load the mp3 file onto your ipod, iphone or zune (wait, does anyone really have a Zune?) and listen to the track while watching the film at your local multiplex. There are instructions at the beginning of the recording for when to pause / unpause, and if all goes well you will have a live commentary track playing along with the movie.
Of course, you don’t want to do this on your first viewing (I wouldn’t reccomend listing to any audio commentary as a first viewing). The brilliant thing about this idea from a marketing is that it encourages multiple theatrical viewings.
The digital revolution has begun. Earlier this year AMC announced that they had signed a $315 million deal to install Sony 4K digital projectors in their entire 309 theater circuit and 4,628 screens. Now Sony has inked a deal with Regal Entertainment to convert a minimum of 5,000 of the exhibitor’s 6,700 screens in 550 theaters.
The two deals, which are set to be completed in the next three to five years, will comprise of over 11,000 screens with Sony 4K digital projectors. Holding out has paid off for the exhibitors, because 4K projectors are not “just marginally more expensive” than the couple year old 2K projectors.
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The Rise of Movie Theater Popcorn Prices Over The Last 80 Years
Posted on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
I’ve heard people complain about the increasing cost of movie theater tickets, but it’s really the cost of popcorn that people should be complaining about. Gizmodo has an interesting article about the rising cost of movie theater popcorn over the last 80 years, and how the price increase is extremely disproportionate in comparison to the average cost of a movie theater ticket.
In 1929, a bag of popcorn cost only 5 cents (the equivalent of 62 cents after inflation) and a movie ticket cost 35 cents ($4.32 after inflation). And today, the average cost of a small popcorn is $4.75, and a movie ticket costs $7.20. Of course, modern day movie theaters make most of their money of concession purchases, because Hollywood movie studios take upwards to 70% of the opening weekend box office.
One could argue that the cost of operating and maintaining a movie theater has gone up, with surround sound systems, stadium seating and now digital projection. But others could argue that the addition of revenue from in-theater advertising has made up for those expenses. In theater ads generated $456 million in 2007, an estimated $1 - $2 per moviegoer. Also, digital projection has been proven to increase ticket sales by a rather large percentage, primarily due to 3D films, which also charge a 33% higher admission cost.
Movie Theater Chain Experiments with Recession Specials
Posted on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 by Peter Sciretta
The Carpetbagger reports that some movie theaters have begun experimenting with “Recession Specials” in an effort to get people into the theaters during the week. Carmike Cinemas, which operates 2,276 screens in 36 states, is offering 16-ounce sodas and 46-ounce popcorns for $1 each on Tuesdays to try to lure the masses.
As you probably know, exhibitors make most of their money off concessions, especially in the first week of release. So taking a hit at the concession stand will probably result in minimal profit. The hope is to build customer loyalty, bring attention to digital and 3-D projection upgrades, as well as encourage other non-discounted concession stand purchases. While ticket sales are 14% ahead of last year’s January-February take and a full 23% stronger than the first two months of 2007, Carmike is seeing a a significant drop in concession sales.
Discuss: Would you go to the movies on Tuesdays if they offered $1 Sodas and Popcorn?
The Next Format War: 3D TVs Coming 2010 - Will Avatar Be The Killer App?
Posted on Sunday, March 1st, 2009 by Brendon Connelly
No sooner has Blu-Ray seen off HD-DVD with it’s knobbly knocking stick than another format war starts brewing in, quite literally, the R&D labs. According to a report in Video Business, Panasonic are looking to launch their first 3D-ready HD sets in what they hope will be an industry-wide standard, and will do so as soon as next year.
It’s probably pertinent to tell you right away that while Panasonic aren’t the only manufacturers working on a 3D standard, they are the ones in league with James Cameron. That alone has very possibly won them any upcoming format war before it even reaches the shop floor. Their system does indeed sound really brilliant, but so do the others, in their ways…
For me, the word Technicolor immediately brings to mind images of Robin Hood’s tights or Becky Sharp singing for her supper, but there’s more to that Trademark than just the three strip process. Indeed, Technicolor have been behind film presentation technology for a lot longer than you might think - with two strip colour being developed in the 19teens - and still are, in their capacity as one of the busiest manufacturers of DVDs.
So, imagine what would happen if a company on a truly massive scale and responsible for the mass production of many, many products for the film industry were to suddenly get sucked down by the recession. What would that mean? Would we see the shelves stripped bare of new discs? Unfortunately, we may not have to only imagine this for too much longer. We may soon be living it.
You read that right - it was Sony showcasing Pixar’s latest, not Disney/Pixar themselves, or even Apple (the event also had a Dreamworks moment, but that’s nothing to do with this).
The exclusive Up trailer - embedded below - showed some brilliant new material from the one film I hope we’re all looking forward to this Summer (okay - I also hope we’re all looking forward to Inglourious Basterds and The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, but I don’t want to appear overly optimistic, even about release dates let alone widespread anticipation). Every new image, every new scene, every new tidbit of plot or spoiler information just makes me want this film more.
Is Social Networking the Future of On Demand Cinema?
Posted on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
I’ve always said that digital movie theaters will lead to a social cinema revolution where the audience decides the movies. But apparently it is already happening in Brazil. MovieMobz has been doing for a few months now. BBC describes the company as “Part social network, part digital content aggregator,” but basically the concept is this: You join the website, pick your favorite local movie theaters, and create a wish list of films you would like to see shown there. This could include films from years past, an art film which isn’t expected to come to that neck of the woods, or maybe even a television show or event.
The principal behind this concept is that digital distribution makes it extremely affordable to screen any movie, any where. Theaters no longer have to rent a movie reel, have it shipped, insured, shipped back. In this digital cinema world, the movie theater will eventually become more of an on demand experience, like many people experience cable television today.
In the past one movie would play in one theater at the local cinema for the entire week. With digital cinema, it is possible to have many movies playing in that one theater throughout one day, never mind the week. MovieMobz founder Fabio Lima says “If we can have flexible programming, you can have one French movie, one local documentary, one South Korean movie, one Brazilian movie and maybe you’re going to sell more than the 1,000 tickets.”"
But the best part is that moviegoers will have the chance to decide what ight be shown. Don’t get me wrong, we’ll always have the big blockbuster films on the weekends. But throughout the week, the movie theater could be transformed into an on demand social experience. Say 150 people sign up to watch REPO! The Genetic Opera, a movie which is only playing in a handful of cities. MovieMobz could schedule a REPO! screening for that group of people on say a Monday night, when that screen would normally only have 10 or 15 ticket buyers at most. MovieMobz now boasts over 200 screens in 26 cities as part of its network, and have plans to expand into the UK and US very soon.
Thanks to /Film friend Dan Trachtenberg for the tip.
Earlier this year, we asked you if you would spend $35 on a movie ticket. We told you that Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinema would be opening a bunch of 40-seat-maximum premium movie theaters with a high-end atmosphere, with food or alcohol purchases not included in the $35 ticket price (They say to expect to spend an additional $120 for food and drinks). MSNBC visited one of Roadshow’s Gold Class Cinemas, check out the video above. Thanks to /Film reader Lascelles L for the tip.
Discuss: Now that you’ve seen the cinema in full motion video, let me ask the question again: Would you spend $35 on a movie ticket?
L.A. Readers: Fright Night Midnight Screening Tonight with Director Tom Holland and Cast
Posted on Friday, September 19th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson
If you’re in L.A. tonight, there is a can’t-miss midnight screening and cast-reunion for Fright Night at the NuArt Theatre. On hand for the event will be the film’s writer/director Tom Holland (Child’s Play, Cloak and Dagger) and stars Chris Surandon (!), William Ragsdale, Stephen Geoffreys and Jonathan Stark. Also joining the festive occasion will be composer Brad Fiedel (Terminator, T2, Let’s Get Harry) and Oscar-winning visual effects artist Randall Cook (LOTR trilogy, The Gate).
There will be a post-screening Q&A, signings and meet-and-greet. Good times for one of the best and smartest horror-comedies (and Rear Window homages) of all time. The original poster is also up there, eh? Tickets are $10.50 for the youngs, $7.50 for the olds and kiddies (bring ‘em, especially if they’re sexually confused and love ’80s jams!). More info here.
Discuss: How old were you when you saw Fright Night? Way back in the day, Jonathan Stark was my favorite actor (this, House II, Project X).
Iron Man 2 in 3D? Favreau Wants to Shoot Scenes in IMAX!
Posted on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta
Like many of you, when I first saw The Dark Knight on the IMAX screen, I knew then that Hollywood had no choice but to follow Nolan’s lead, at least on some of the big tentpole films. How could they not? The footage was just that incredible. Our friends at Collider were at an Iron Man DVD press conference today when director Jon Favreau announced that he would love to shoot part of Iron Man 2 with IMAX cameras. Not only that but the director also said he would love to shoot the sequel in 3D. Will it happen? It will all come down to costs.
Seeing Iron Man flying around the screen in 3D could be very cool, but also limiting. Filming in 3D means that you have to do shorter cuts so that the audience won’t suffer from eye fatigue. However, I think Marvel would be stupid not to shoot some sequences in IMAX. The result for The Dark Knight is undeniable. Many fans went to the theaters twice just to see it again on the huge screen. An extra $60 million from the IMAX box office is certainly enough to at least consider the idea.
Discuss: Do you think they should shoot Iron Man 2 sequences using IMAX cameras? What about 3D?
