The Wick Franchise - What's Next?

 

The success of the John Wick films is huge. The latest installment, John Wick: Chapter 4, grossed over $140 million its opening weekend globally. However, there was never talk of a 5th episode as Wiek seemingly meets his demise (sort of - Wick is never shown dead) at the end of 'Chapter 4', until now!

Lionsgate, the franchise producer, wants a 5th Wick, and nothing is impossible in Hollywood even a death-rise. If there is a 5th film, Keanu Reeves would return but not necessarily in the lead role.

There is a spinoff of the series already in development, 'Ballerina', which is schedule for release next year. It stars Ana de Armas, as a female Wick style assassin. The chronology of this film fits between John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and Chapter 4.

Reeves and Armas in Wick spinoff, 'Ballerina'

I really like the Wick franchise and think a 5th episode will be made but that would be the last we will see of Baba Yaga.

Another thought would be to make a prequel to the original John Wick which would delve into how Wick got started and become the top hit man.

At 59, Reeves indicated Wick role is physically very demanding.

Diversity in Movies

 

UCLA recently issued a Hollywood Diversity Report, and, as one would expect, it found that movies were not diverse enough. The Study was based on 200 theatrical releases and 100 streamed films.

What the study found was that people of color (there was no breakdown of ethnicity) comprised 22% of lead stars (no mention of entire cast makeup), 17% of directors, and 12% of writers. Women were 39% lead actors and 15% of directors for theatrical releases.

Now, it is widely known that Hispanics are the most frequent moviegoers on a percentage basis vs. other groups. With Hispanic women the most avid moviegoers of all groups. However, the UCLA study didn't breakdown who or how many of each ethic group made up the numbers of actors, directors, or writers. Nor who frequents the cinema to view a movie vs. those that stream films.

I my experience, Hollywood is all about one thing, 'green'. If there are good script writers, good directors, and great actors they will be employed. It's not a matter of gender, race, etc. the only deterrent to getting roles is age. And the major motivator is box office gross. 

The UCLA study did take into account how many disabled actors were used. Which is meaningless, as anyone at any time can say they have a disability or one sort or another.

Overall, the UCLA report doesn't provide any new helpful information - it just reiterates the same old non-diversity rant and how much better films would be if only Hollywood would be more inclusive. It's really tiresome and a complete waste of time and money.

Disney Sheds 7,000 Across the Company

 

No division was sparred in CEO Bob Iger's employee purge at the Mouse house. The layoffs are taking place in three stages: starting this week, in April, and May end. 

The ABC News Division lost 50 high-level employees. A corporate press release couched the downsizing as "necessary step to ensure we're on solid footing for the years ahead."

In addition to the cuts at ABC, major staff slashes are taking place at the TV production and acquisitions unit, the newly formed 'Web3/metaverse division, and Marvel Entertainment, which is shedding staff as it gets rolled up into other divisions. 

Disney has massive debt (currently totaling $51.6 billion), and its business units are not generating the revenue or market growth that was previously envisioned. Coupled with a cultural shift to a 'woke' posture which has also contributed to weaker revenue at theme parks and Disney+.

A total staff reduction of 7,000 is planned throughout the company as Iger repositions the company to emphasize its core business functions. 

2023 Oscars Were in Keeping With the Past - As Bad as Ever

Although viewership was up over last year by 12% the Academy show was as lackluster as ever.

I didn't watch the Awards, I rarely do, but from the post writeups and after-party photos, it seems that the gowns and dresses were the highlights of the evening.  

A lot of legs was shown this year

As were other body parts

But, who am I to argue with haute couture. Besides the revealing evening wear, as is tradition, faux pas were abundant.

First, the red carpet wasn't red this year but a beige tone which did nothing to embellish the gowns, oops.

Second, having a donkey on stage with Kimmel was a good idea, as Kimmel is not funny. He has very poor timing and delivery, and is the host because no one else wants the job of MCing the Show.

Suffice it to say that this year the Awards where an Asian romp and that was a good thing, as 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' deserved all the accolades bestowed upon it.

Oh yes, kudos to James Hong who I have watched in many, many movies and TV shows throughout my life (he played in over 650). He was great in any role he played, be it hero, villain, comic, in any genre.

Hong at Oscar Awards, at 94 he is still making movies.

To sum up, this year's gala didn't go entirely off the rails but it still lacks the showmanship the biggest entertainment awards show deserves.

 

Better Movie Viewing at Independent Cinemas...Here's Why

 

North Park Theatre, Buffalo, NY

Lane Brown, authored an article for Vulture Magazine, entitled "Bad Projection is Ruining the Movie Theater Experience".

Brown's premise is that multiplexes are failing at the most basic function: presenting a best on-screen image with great sound ... and he's right!

Aurora Theater, East Aurora, NY

The large cinema circuits are doing a great disservice to the industry. Dim images, bad sound, torn masking, poor general facility upkeep, and other issues make going-to-the-movies an expensive but unpleasant experience. Much of this has to do with money issues, which I'll discuss later, but a lot has to do with poor staff training and mismanagement of the business operations at major circuits.

Brown's article centers on, not smaller, independent cinemas but with flagship AMC and Regal (Cineworld) theaters in New York City.

Old, discolored screens, bad or no masking, out-of-calibration lighting and sound, over and under thrown on-screen images, it goes on and on. 

BarnZ's Meredith Cinema, Meredith, NH

Moviegoers can tolerate a lot, but the very poor quality of exhibition has reached a point where they are not showing up at the box office. 

I don't buy the argument that the pandemic is still impacting the current poor attendance figures. The large cinema chains, like all other businesses, were compensated for being shuttered - via salary recoupment, mortgage and/or lease payments, etc. So, equipment maintenance should have been maintained. 

Additionally, the theaters knew that the public was pent-up and yearning to return to the movies and offered very little showmanship on reopening. 

Capitol Theater, Rome, NY

Most of the large circuits let go of their projection staff upon the introduction of digital cinema projection. They under-train their staff and use ushers or assistant managers to act as projectionists, including movie setup, formats, cleaning of lenses and portholes, general maintenance of equipment. 

Luckily, Entertainment Equipment, recommended and installed NEC projectors which had, in my judgment the best light engine of all the digital projectors. Additionally, we have always impressed upon our customers that hours of usage be keep and lamps changed out within 50 hours before warranty expiration. 

Little Theater, Rochester, NY

I believe independent exhibitors present the best movie screenings. They are fastidious, are acutely aware of their clients' needs and likes, and know they must compete not only against the large circuits but with their customers' living rooms. 

People like going to the movies but the large circuits are making it very difficult to justify the cost/benefit of admission. If you have a local, independent cinema in your neighborhood or town, please plan a visit - you'll be pleasantly surprised. 

Apollo Theater, St. Mary's, PA

Throughout this post, I have inserted photos of several independent theaters that are long-time EEC customers. We service many independent, first-run cinemas, as well as art houses and university cinemas.

Notes on the Large Cinema Circuits 

The top five circuits: AMC, Cineworld (Regal), Cinemark, Cineplex Entertainment, and Marcus Corporation have a combined screen count of 21,867 out of a total of approx. 43,000 screens in North America, about 50%.

 If you look at them from an ongoing business perspective, it's a scary sight. For example:

•  AMC's share price is $6.50, it has a negative cash flow and outstanding debt of $6.8 billion.
•  Cineworld is worse, it had an operating loss in 2021 (last year financials are available) of $565 million and debt totaling $9 billion.
•  If you skip to Marcus (which is probably the best of the lot) their share price is currently $16. They reported a net profit of $3.7 million in 2022, however, their debt load is over $700 million. 

Support your local independent cinema. It's less expensive and the presentations are superior.

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 Entertainment Equipment Corp.