CORD CUTTING - Not A Big Savings

Value in the Bundle 

You hear a lot about people 'cutting-the-cord' or getting off of cable TV and going with internet or 'over-the-top' (OTT) content viewing. The biggest reason for 'cord-cutting' is cost. Many people believe that cable has gotten too expensive and many of the channels they are paying for they never watch.  But is this true?  If you look at the numbers you get a different picture.

what is referred to as

Despite the hype, OTT packages offer a very limited number of channels, and most don't have all of the sports - that many people young and old crave.  Even non-sports fans get short-changed as they have to subscribe to several OTT packages or services to satisfy their entertainment needs. Factor in the cost of basic broadband and the total cost of OTT  approaches a 'double' or 'triple' play from a cable provider. 'Double' play means having cable TV and internet connection. 'Triple' play means having cable TV, internet connection, and phone connection.

To me 'cord-cutting' sounds great in conversation but crumbles when faced with reality.  When taken individually, none of the OTT offerings provide everything viewers want, and cable providers will move toward a menu driven programming whereby subscribers can pick-and-choose the channels they want to see and only be charged for these.

What Are The Costs

A cable TV provider 'bundle' (TV, internet (broadband) service, and phone service) runs about $100 per month - give or take.  The cost of  OTT services varies greatly, but here is a current rundown:

- Amazon Prime - $99/year and free Amazon shipping. Offer some original series and library of old movies, music, etc.
- Apple TV- $30-40/month.  25 live channels including ABC, CBS, and Fox.
- Sling - $20/month. Live streaming channels, including ESPN, TNT, TBS. Other content and extra $5/month.
- HBO Now - $14.99/month. Movies and original series
- Hulu Plus- $7.99/month. Current and past TV shows from major broadcasters and cable networks.
- CBS All Access - $5.99/month. Live and on-demand programming from CBS network.
- Noggin- $5.99/month. Ad-free programming for kids.
- PlayStation Vue - $49.99/month. 50 networks including CBS, NBC, Fox, TNT, TBS, etc.
- Netflix - $7.99/month. Original programming plus library of movies, TV shows, etc.
- Xfinity - $49.99/month. Offers 140 channels including major networks, plus ESPN and others.

So, you still need an internet (broadband) connection to access any of the above. Average cost of broadband $50-60 per month. On all of the above a lot of the newer content, especially movies, are on a pay-per-view basis and most don't offer 'everything' that you want. The result is that most 'cord-cutters' wind-up subscribing to two OTT services and sometimes more!  So the 'bundle' being offered by the cable TV provider gets to look better and better in terms of value, accessibility, and content variety.

What is happening is that the folks are, by-and-large, sticking with their cable provider (which also provides broadband service) and subscribing to one or two of the OTT services - like Amazon or Netflix.

Best
Jim

It's All About Moms

It's Mother's Day and I want to congratulate all of the great Moms out there, each any very one.
However, it struck me that sometimes Moms aren't so great. And what about bad Moms in the cinema.

Let's start with the first Mom, Eve. Hmmmm not so great.  Ate the forbidden fruit and condemned us all to hell. Plus one of her sons killed the other. Not too nurturing, Eve.  But let's talk bad cinema Moms. Here are some of my favorites:

Ramsey in 'Throw Mama'

Throw Mama From The Train (1987) - starring Danny Devito, Billy Crystal, and Rob Reiner with Anne Ramsey playing Devito's cruel and domineering mother who he plots to kill.  This is a black comedy that is well worth the view, bad Ma aside.

Dunaway with wire hanger

Mommie Dearest (1981) Semi-bio memoir and expose' of actress Joan Crawford. Played by Faye Dunaway, the story goes that Crawford, the mother of four children (two of which were orphans), becomes abusive due to a series of career and romantic frustrations, coupled with alcoholism. "I told you never to use a wire hanger" Crawford screams at her daughter.

Ma Barker's Killer Brood (1960) depicts the life of Arizona Donnie Barker, better known as Ma Barker - the ring-leader of a notorious gang (which included her four sons).  The Barker gang robbed, kidnapped, and murdered throughout the mid-western U.S. in the early 1930s.  Ma was a great role model and taught her sons the tricks of the criminal trade. The real Ma Barker was killed in a shoot-out with FBI agents in 1935.  Although the movie was highly dramatized it nonetheless showed Ma in her glory days.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Eleanor Iselin (played to perfection by Angela Lansbury) takes pleasure in brainwashing her son into becoming an assassin in the hopes of using him to further her (and her new husband's) political fortunes.  The movie, which was controversial had its release postponed due to the Kennedy assassination.  The film also starred Frank Sinatra and Lawrence Harvey and ends well, as the son kills the not-so-good nurturing Mom.

Well, what can I say. Yes, there are bad Moms, just ask Oedipus.

Just saying,
Jim

Cinema Buzz

IN THIS POST:

- Another Actor Agrees With Me ...... They are finally getting it right!
- Deluxe and Technicolor Join Forces
- Eastwood Opens Up At CinemaCon


Downey Gets Down on Indie Films

Another actor has come forward in describing the movie industry and its fixation with indie films that are "exhausting to make and a lot of times suck."  That according to Robert Downey, Jr., one of Hollywood's highest paid and sought after actors.

On a promotional campaign for 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' Downey got down in an interview and stated that independent film-makers are "inexperienced and lame for the most part".  As I've stated many times in this blog the big, blockbusters need to get their due.

When asked by an interviewer from Entertainment Weekly whether he ever felt like making a $500,000 budget indie movie, Downey's response was a flat, "No. Because they're exhausting and sometimes they suck and then you just go, "What was I thinking?"  The indie film makers are like, "Hey, man, we're just running a couple of days behind. Do you think you can stay through your birthday and then come back on the fourth of July? And, by the way, like the crew - can you pay for the craft services?"  Craft services are snacks provided on film sets between main meals.

Downey indicated that he has little patience with the snobbery of those in the indie industry.  Three cheers for Robert Downey. Finally actors are coming to the front and speaking out regarding the Hollywood hoi poloi and their films that make no money and have little entertainment value.


Deluxe and Technicolor Form Joint Venture

Together in a new venture, called, 'Deluxe Technicolor Digital Cinema', the new entity will specialize in cinema digital mastering, distribution, and key (movie codes) management.

The new venture will be managed by Deluxe and be based in Burbank, CA.  The company was conceived to streamline the D-Cinema distribution process and open the way to the next generation of immersive cinema entertainment without competing with each other. This will impact all movie exhibitors and hopefully make the distribution and running of movies easier and more efficient.

Both Technicolor, Inc. and Deluxe Entertainment Services Group have been in the movie industry from the beginning. Deluxe since 1915 and Technicolor since 1914.

Eastwood on Eastwood

At this year's CinemaCon, Clint Eastwood received the 'Legends of the Cinema Award'.  At 84, Eastwood is still going strong, having just seen his latest film, 'American Sniper' become a huge box office success.  On 'American Sniper' Eastwood said, "Everyone has opinions on it, but nobody's really thought about it from the point of view of the families of the people who volunteer for a belief that some of us think is a great idea and some of us don't thing is a great idea."

 As Man with No Name

Eastwood has had a long and very successful career - starting in TV, moving overseas to star in the famous spaghetti westerns, then into direction and production of a wide range of films including several that gave him Best Director Oscars - 'Unforgiven' (1992) and 'Million Dollar Baby' (2004), Regarding his career, Eastwood stated, "I ain't stopping when it comes to making movies, but I won't be doing any superhero movies."

Eastwood started his production company, Malpaso Productions in 1967.  He has starred in many of his films but there are many in which he did not appear, such as 'Mystic River'(2003), 'Letter from Iwo Jima' (2006), and the recent 'American Sniper' - most of which have won critical acclaim.

Clint deserves the 'Legends' award. We all owe him thanks for a great many hours of fine viewing entertainment.

Jim

Cinema's Unlikely Ally

'A Movie Never Looks The Same on TV'

Moore speaking at CinemaCon

At CinemaCon this week, Julianne Moore, this year's Best Actress Oscar winner for her role in 'Still Alice' had this to say about the cinema. "A movie never looks the same on television. We work very hard as creators in creating a theatrical experience. We're always so disappointed when you hear the words, 'day-and-date'." And she is absolutely right.

Of course, Moore is referring to the practice of studios releasing a film in cinemas, on DVD, and streamed via video-on-demand (VOD) to homes entertainment services - all at the same time. A practice which is becoming more and more prevalent, and one which I have noted in this blog for some time.

Now, there is debate over whether a day-and-date release actually hinders or helps a movie's total box office gross, but irregardless, it doesn't help a cinema's gross from a particular film.  However, I believe the trend will continue so cinemas must take this quite seriously and ensure that their movie presentations are spectacular in both image and sound quality, and that their concession is first-rate, and their cinema is clean, tidy, and inviting - a little showmanship goes a long way as well.

Moore further stated, "Hollywood isn't in the business of creating parts for actors.  They're in the business of creating product. It's about making a package."  Moore acknowledged her need to continue making big studio pictures, as well as, indie films, like 'Still Alice'. "The great parts are not going to come to you on a silver platter. You need a commercial profile so that investors will invest in something smaller. You can't make a living doing just indie films."

And that is why the big, box office bruisers. The high-impact, action and animated films deserve credit for generating the huge box office paydays that support the indie type films.  The blockbusters deserve more awards and kudos than they receive. And Julianne is right when she says that movies look much better on the big-screen than at home.

Best
Jim

Fans, Fans, Crazy Fans - Which Are The Best

There are fans, and than there are FANS. Hello Kitty Fans, Cosplay Fans, Comic Fans, Sports Fans - but which are the best fans. Well, it is hard to beat 'Star Wars' fans. At a time when obtaining, and harder still, controlling the fan community none does it better than the folks at LucasFilms.

Unlike most studios, LucasFilms (now owned by Disney) has a Fan Relations Department, which is responsible for, among other things, responding to hard-written notes and letters (yes, I said hand-written, the mailed kind - which come mostly from children), pumping out daily buzz on six social networks, and coordinating the fan based marketing efforts of the studio.

One of  the LucasFilms'  Fan Relations Department's major responsibilities is the coordination of a biennial get-together called the "Star Wars" Celebration - a four day event which was held in Anaheim last week.  Thousands attend the Celebration - the line to get into the convention started forming Wednesday afternoon, 28 hours before the doors were scheduled to open.  To help feed the  'faithful',  LucasFilm employees arrived Wednesday night and served up 200 pizzas.

This year, there will be over 30 hours of 'Star Wars' events, including a droid demolition derby, a sculptor who carves 'Star' characters out of vegetables, a Q&A session with Princess Leia (aka Carrie Fisher) and numerous events to enthrall the faithful.  Disney wants to prove to fans, many of which had mixed feelings about its purchase of LucasFilms, that their beloved 'Star Wars' is in good hands and went all out to demonstrate this. LucasFilms  even had a history of recruiting from its fan base and making them employees. Disney, kept up that tradition, when it hired fans to work in the 'creative department' building droids for use in  'The Force Awakens' - the next 'Star Wars' installment to be released at cinemas in December.

Lucas with Leia look-alikes at the 'Celebration'

LucasFilms' approach to fan relations may be impossible for other studios to copy, as George Lucas ran the studio as he wanted - if he wanted a vibrant fan department he simply allocated to funds for it. Most studios don't work like that, but Disney is trying, and in some respects has very good fan relations given their roster of animated characters which have fan bases.

The scene at this year's Celebration  (the tenth) was described as organized chaos, as thousands of, mostly adults, clad as Jedis, Empire Stormtroopers, Wookiees, droids, and many other 'Star Wars' characters clamored to get to the events.

Cinema operators should tap into the 'Star Wars' craze and prepare an event at their cinema for the upcoming December film - you have plenty of time to plan and market an event.

May the Force be with You
Jim

INVENTING THE CINEMA

Inventing the Cinema, The Lumiere Brothers

Louis and Auguste Lumiere invented the cinema. Now, 120 years later, a new exhibition is being held in Paris at the Grand Palais to celebrate and pay homage to their achievement.

The exhibition entitled 'Lumiere! Inventing Cinema' will be on view until June 14th, and showcases all of the Lumieres' early films which have been pain-stakingly restored.  The show also seeks to put the Lumieres in historical context. Many inventors at that time were experimenting with recording images, including Thomas Edison, but it was the Lumieres, who in 1894, invented the cinematograph, a compact device that united all the existing technology to capture 17-minute films on 35mm film strips and project them. Their cinematograph was patented in 1895.

As soon as the technology took hold, the Lumieres sent novice filmmakers all over the world to document what they saw. Additionally, their cinematograph had early adopters, who began making movies on their own, so that by the early 1900s the first 'feature films' were being made and distributed for projection to the masses, and by 1914, Hollywood had started to form entities which we now refer to as movie studios.

The Lumieres made over 1500 films, which included fiction, as well as, reporting and documentaries. For this tribute to the Lumieres, all 1500 films will be exhibited on large cinema screens.  The first known cinema screening was held at the Salon Indien, inside the Hotel Scribe - Paris in 1895, where 10 Lumiere films were exhibited to a paying audience, thus ushering  in the cinema as we know it today.  

Cinema News & Views

IN THIS POST:

- D-Cinema Equipment Less to Operate
- Blackmagic Launches Tiny Cinema Camera for Drone Use
- Celebs Who Don't Live Large


On-going Operating Cost of D-Cinema Proves Advantageous

For movie exhibitors the day-to-day cost of operating a D-Cinema Projection system is relatively small even when compared to the carbon arcs of begone days.  In the '80s, when I started out in the cinema equipment business, it was common for cinemas to spend anywhere from $300-500 per month for carbons to burn in their carbon arc lamphouses.  Today, a xenon lamp cost a fraction of that. A grind house running 10-12 hours per day will use up a xenon lamp in about 9 months, or the equivalent of $100-200 per month - a far cry from what they were paying 25 years ago!

Xenon lamps for cinemas are inexpensive and besides the lamps and filter kits for the projectors there is really no cost for equipment. No gears. No Sprockets. No Parts. No Splice or Cue Tape. No Reels. No Platter Parts. No Supplies. No Lubricants. No Projectionist!

So, I wish exhibitors would stop complaining about the high cost of digital and focus their attention on showmanship and concession management - where the money is.


Blackmagic Masters of Drone Photography 

Blackmagic camera attached to drone

A GoPro just doesn't cut it for filming movies as the quality demands are too high. For aerial footage not only is a heavy cinema camera demanded but to lift and control them large drones are required. Enter the world of Blackmagic Design, the company that produces the Micro Cinema Camera.

Blackmagic's cameras are suited for high-end image capture while attached to drones.  The cameras have 13 stops of dynamic range and weigh only one pound, including the lens.  This means that it can be mounted on a drone that cost $700 vs. one that costs $3,500 and are much easier to control.

Celebs Who Don't Live Large

We all think that big Hollywood celebs live the high-life. Multiple homes, numerous cars, bling everywhere, an entourage.  But many extremely rich celebs lead very normal and even modest lives. No glitz. No bling. Just living ordinary lives despite their super wealth.

Tyra Banks

- Tyra Banks - 42, net worth $90 million. Super model turned actress, and TV celebrity leads a very normal lifestyle without frills and glitz.

- Jennifer Lawrence - 25, net worth $50 million. Lives in a modest apartment and drives a Chevy.

Jennifer Lawrence

- Sarah Jessica Parker - 50, net worth $100 million. No expensive vacations or restaurants. Lives in a NYC brownstone.

- Jay Leno - 65, net worth $350 million. Has never spent a dime of what he earned from the 'Tonight' show. Lives modestly off of his earnings from his stand-up gigs. Only excessive expense - his auto collection. Never had an agent or manager.

Halle Berry

- Sharon Stone - 56, net worth $60 million. Started out as fashion model and moved onto movies. Lives very modestly and is ordained minister in Universal Life Church.

- Halle Berry - 49, net worth $80. A beauty queen (came in 2nd in Miss USA contest). A Best Actor Oscar winner she lives modestly and is seldom seen at any Hollywood or NYC nightclub or restaurant.

-Denzel Washington 61, net worth $190 million. Although he has one of the nicest homes in Beverly Hills, along with neighbors Eddie Murphy, Sly Stallone, and Rod Stewart, Washington lives a quiet and relatively modest lifestyle. He is noted for his charity and philanthropic work.

Best
Jim Lavorato

CINEMA SCENE by Seymore Flix

Into the Scrap Heap of Cinema

Grace Kelly

Grace of Monaco, the much hyped biopic about the life of Grace Kelly, and which stars Nicole Kidman, have been relegated to the equivalent of the 'cinema trash bin'.  The film will never see the light of day at cinemas and will premiere on the Lifetime cable TV network in May.

The movie had generated much controversy and was publicly labeled a total misrepresentation of Princess Grace's life by the royal family of Monaco - Princess Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco.  The movie was a big budget project produced by Weinstein Films and the move to release it directly to cable TV represents a big financial loss.

Kidman as Kelly

The Monegasque royal family, now headed by Kelly's son Prince Albert II and including her daughters Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, issued a statement saying the film, "in no way constitutes a biopic, as it recounts one rewritten, needlessly glamorized page in the history of Monaco and its family with both major historical inaccuracies and a series of purely fictional scenes".

The film's director,Oliver Dahan said, "a have made a human portrait of a modern woman who wants to reconcile her family, her husband, her career."  The Weinsteins had no comment.


Depp: In Rehap or Not?

Production of the fifth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and its entire crew have been put on hold because Johnny Depp has been a no-show on the set.  Depp, who is 51, flew home from the Gold Coast, on March 10th to have 'surgery on his hand' was the official word - he hasn't been seen since.

About half of the film crew, which totals 400, were told there would be no more work for them for 'at least two weeks'.  Speculation is rampant that Depp is in rehab and not recuperating from hand surgery.

Depp as Cap. Jack Sparrow

According to a spokesperson for Jerry Bruckheimer Films, which is making the movie for Disney, said production of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, "will absolutely continue when he returns".  However questions are being raised as to when that will exactly be, as it is widely believed that Depp is in rehab in the U.S. Production still has fourteen weeks of shoot time to go.

Depp has admitted problems with alcohol in the past. Last December, Depp appeared to give a drunken speech at a Hollywood Press Association awards night. Shortly afterwards, the National Enquirer reported that Depp was attempting an "at-home" treatment for his alcohol issues.

Clearly Disney is not going to scrap the project, it is far too important a franchise. The four prior 'Pirates' films have grossed over $3.73 billion and have generated many more billions in video games, toys, DVDs, pay-per-view, and other revenue enhancers.  The treasure chest are the movies and Disney won't be giving up that booty just because Jack Sparrow has a few too many rums.

Beating Out The Pundits

Furious 7 Hits It Realllly Big

Yesterday I posted that 'Furious 7' would gross $145 million over the weekend - going against most of the pundits which were predicting a box office of $110-120 million. Well, I hate to brag but the movie grossed a friggin $143.6 million. That coupled with a global gross of $384 million.

The $143.6 gross was the 3rd largest pure weekend debut for a film and a real vindication for a franchise that is 14 years old - and proves, once again, that the action, high-impact movie is what moviegoers are eager to view at cinemas and these are the films that deserve the awards and accolades.

I believe that 'Furious 7' is on its way to a $1 billion total gross before all is said and done which is remarkable for a seventh film in a franchise that started out with a little, small budget, B movie about racing cars.

The film played in N. America to a 51% male audience of which 25% was white, 37% Hispanic, 24% black, and 10% Asian.  So, its demographic was very wide as the gross numbers indicate.

Get ready cinemas for your biggest ever year!

Best
Jim

CINEMA SCENE by Seymore Flix

For Cinemas, Summer Started April 1st

Furious Stars, Michelle Rodriques and the late Paul Walker

The summer box office season started yesterday.  That's right, the summer blockbusters are here and it started with 'Furious 7' which raked in a huge $67+ million on Friday. It's now Saturday evening, as I compose this post, and I believe 'Furious 7's weekend gross will top $145 million. We are talking high altitude, thin air numbers where records will be broken, and the best part about it is that it's only the beginning of April!

2015 is going blow the top off of the 2013 box office record and it's going to do so in a big way. Finally, cinemas get their fair share and it's all coming from the high-impact, action, fantasy films - the very films that the Hollywood hoi polloi castigate yet which bring in the big paydays and support all of the other 'junk'. Yes, I said it - junk - perfect examples of which were most of this year's Oscar winners.

The cinema needs more films like 'Furious 7' and 2015 will have its share - to the betterment of the entire cinema industry - junk and all.

Box office bruisers to come: 'The Avengers', 'Batman vs. Superman', 'Ant-Man', 'Star Wars - The Force Awakens', 'Jurassic World', 'The Fantastic Four', X-Men - Apocalypse' and many others.

Tataouine Becomes Isis Stronghold

Tataouine littered with 'Star Wars' 'stuff'

The Tunisian town of Tataouine, with its ancient domed structures, was the model used by George Lucas for the 'Star Wars' planet Tatooine, Luke Skywalker's  home. The town and the surrounding area in Tunisia has become a destination for die-hard 'Star Wars' fans but is now unsafe to visit as it has become a way point for Isis Islamic fighters traveling to and from training bases in Libya.

Although the upcoming 'Star Wars - The Force Awakens' will feature Tatooine, JJ Abrams, the film's director, did not return to Tunisia for filming but instead used locations in Abu Dhabi.  It will be a big blow to Tunisia's economy if the tourist trade dries-up so it appears the Tunisian authorities are pushing back against the insurgents. who killed 23 people on March 8th in Tunis, the capitol of Tunisia. Government forces have now set up a buffer zones between Tunisia and both Libya and Algeria.

Weinstein Joins The List

Ambra Battilana

Accused of assaulting  a 22 year-old model he met the day before, Harvey Weinstein, (owner of Weinstein studios) is now under investigation by the NYPD for the alleged sexual abuse. The incident took place at the Tribeca Film Center where Weinstein has an office.

Ambra Battilana, told police that Weinstein, 63, sexually assaulted her by grabbing her breasts and asking her "are these real". She asked him to stop, but he then put his hand up her skirt and asked her to "kiss him".  She told him "No" and left his office. She then went to the police station and reported the incident.

Weinstein - Accused of Sexual Assault

Ms. Battilana had met Weinstein the day before at the red-carpet premiere of  'The Rockettes Spectacular' that he had co-produced.  "He initiated the contact" a NYPD source said of Weinstein. "He saw her and spoke to her. She didn't know who he was until he approached her." Ms. Battilana, a former Miss Italy runner-up, reported that Weinstein gave her his business card and they exchanged emails and agreed to meet the next afternoon. She went to Weinstein's office at "his request to talk business".

NYPD Special Victims Unit interviewed Weinstein the next day. He requested that he speak with his lawyer and was allowed to leave the police station.

Reportedly, Battilana has turned down offers of up to $100.000 from media outlets to go public with her story - but so far has refused.  Good luck Harvey.

Best,
Seymore

Mind Turning Off The 'Rant'

Every other critique I see regarding Hollywood is a tirade by some pundit about 'gender or race casting'.  Which according to these social watchdogs is rampant and a great smudge on our culture.

News Flash: To all race and gender casting baiters - the only color that Hollywood cares about is green - period.

Race or Gender Casting - You've Got To Be Kidding

If a minority actor can put butts in cinema seats they are as golden as any other actor of any race or gender.  For example, of the top grossing action heroes,Will Smith and Denzel Washington come out tops.  I can't turn on my TV without seeing Samuel L Jackson in a commercial or Morgan Freeman in a voice-over.

It costs ten if not hundreds of millions to make a movie, so the studios do their best to ensure that every movie they produce and distribute is profitable.  Right now, the high-impact, action film is what generates the big grosses.  The 25 top grossing movies generate about 50% of the entire global box office - action, superheroes, fantasy, post-apocalyptic films are the 'now' income generators, and the same holds true of scripted TV shows.

Actors, even 'A' listers. are becoming less relevant in films. The big box office blockbuster bruisers, in many cases, have no 'A' list actors simply because they are not required to entice moviegoers - those days are gone.

So, please pundits and moral judgmenters, turn off  your rants.  Your arguments are unfounded, dumb, childish, and do not depict the truth regarding how movies are made and what drives the people who make them.  The last thing movie-makers are thinking about is how do we screw over women and minorities - that notion is ludicrous at best and plain crazy at worst.  How can I prove this. Simple.  Just look at the credits at the end of any major film.  There are hundreds, and sometimes, thousands of names.  Names of all sorts. Minority names, female names, Hispanic names, Asian names, Greek, Italian, Irish, Russian, you name it names.

Just saying,
Jim

The Cinema 'Scene' by Seymore Flix

Movies Go Dark

Is the zombie craze over?  Have audiences moved on to happier more lighter fare?  Not by a long-shot.  The demographic that's driving both movies and TV shows to the dark and gloomy (the Millennials) is getting stronger! Gloom and doom dramas are the Millennials (18-34 age group) most watched. In fact, post-apocalyptic films and dark-themed fantasy movies are stronger than ever.

Sociologists say that Millennials, having grown up under the constant threat of  terrorism, a stagnant economy, high unemployment, and the burden of high student loans are not an optimistic group.

The darker movies of today are a far cry from the upbeat films of 30 years ago as the boomer generation viewed the world in optimistic terms and movies reflected that with happy endings, and certainty.  Today, Millennials see the world as a dangerous place filled with uncertainty and fear - and this is manifested in the movies they view.  In fact, this darker and foreboding theme is now influencing the boomer generation as well.

Movies and TV shows that feature chaos mixed with an ounce of hope for salvation are hot - be it 'The Hunger Games' or 'The Walking Dead'.  The trend is dark movies that feature antiheroes who are angry, conflicted and flawed.

Like all fads, this dark phase in movies and TV shows will pass but it appears this trend will be with us for awhile.


Hollywood Stars Get Pay Cut?

What's all the buzz about 'A' Listers working for less. And what is the driving force behind H'wood pay cuts.  It seems that some of the biggest big screen stars are working for less pay these days
- the question is why and the answer lies with both the stars themselves and the box office in general.

'Bad Teacher' was big payday for Diaz

The current thinking by stars these days (including 'A' listers) is to just get good roles. For example, Jonah Hill got just $60,000 for his role in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' but the part brought him his second Oscar nomination.  So, currently, actors will often take work for the prestige over pay in the hopes that the project will evolve into a 'hit' at the box office.  Cameron Diaz (an 'A' Lister) agreed to a $1 million salary for her part in 'Bad Teacher'; however, the movie was a box office hit and her back-end deal pushed her paltry $1 million salary up to $42 million - the risk was definitely worth the reward.

A low pay deal can also work as a long-term tactic.  Jennifer Lawrence made $500,000 for her role in the first installment of  ' The Hunger Games', but after that film grossed over $700 million, she demanded and received $10 million for the next 'HG'  installment.

The other reason for the pay trimming is that the studios don't see the value in paying 'A'. 'B', or even 'C' listers high salaries, simply because 'star value' ain't what it use to be. While Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Will Smith, and other stars may have ruled with huge eight-figure salaries in the past, they're all on losing streaks now.  So, there is less need to pay their inflated salaries.  To be a blockbuster today a movie doesn't need 'named actors' - just look at 'Fifty Shades of Grey', or the 'Twilight' series. In fact there is a greater risk for the studios in signing a 'big name' to a project than not.

It seems that the earning power of the stars is shifting to the advantage of the studios.  Moviegoers aren't demanding that the movies they frequent require named actors, it's all about the action, special effects, stunts, crashes, and a. sort of, coherent plot.

Best
Seymore

BIG APPLE Movies

NYC has been the host to countless films over the decades. In fact more films has been made in the Big Apple than any other city including LA.  NYC has become almost a character in many of the movies it has 'starred' in as those films wouldn't have been the same without the City as a backdrop.

My favorites include the following:

1930s - 40s - King Kong, The Thin Man, Citizen Kane (many parts shot in NYC), Yankee Doodle Dandy, Miracle on 34th Street, Rope

1950s - 60s - Rear Window, The Seven Year Itch, Sweet Smell of Success, Marty, West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Pawnbroker, The Odd Couple, Rosemary's Baby, Midnight Cowboy,

1970s - 80s - The French Connection, Serpico, Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Dog Day Afternoon, Annie Hall, All That Jazz, Tootsie, Ghostbusters, Moonstruck, Raging Bull, Wall Street

1990s - present - Home Alone 2, Goodfellas, You've Got Mail, Being John Malkovich, The Royal Tenenbaums, Spider-Man, Elf, American Gangster, The Avengers, Birdman

There are hundreds of other NYC films and I'm sure you have your favorites as well - it doesn't take too long to think of favorites.

U.S. Cinema On Course For Record Breaking Year

Last year's lackluster box office has made a huge recovery and the cinema business is on track to have its biggest year ever.  Industry analysts are predicting that box office revenues will exceed $11.5 billion, and are expected to easily exceed 2013's record $10.9 billion gross.

U.S. Cinemas Gear-up for record year.

The U.S. cinema is already more than 10% above last year and a slew of blockbusters are waiting in the release wings: 'Frozen', 'Star Wars', 'Hunger Games', 'Avengers', 'Jurassic Park' to name just several.  Two mega-hits began the year: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' and 'American Sniper' and set the pace for things to come.  Even 'Sponge Bob' exceeded expectations.

January was a big deal for cinemas as it demonstrated that even winter releases can prove to be box office bruisers, as a typical January gross averages about one-half a July's take.  Studios would worry about risking an off-summer release but that scenario has changed.  Good movies generate good grosses no matter when released.  Additionally, a year-round release schedule ensures that big films don't cannibalize each other during over crowded summer debut weekends.

Outstanding sound if imperative for cinemas

An added benefit to exhibitors is that a record year will strengthen their argument for keeping the theatrical release window open as opposed to day-and-date release via streaming or pay-per-view. Cinemas are also finding ways to increase concession revenues with pricier products, improved moviegoer comfort, and outstanding presentations, unavailable in the home environment.  Several of the larger cinema circuits have tried self-serve concessions with great results as it creates impulse buying and people do not have to deal with wait-lines.

What this all means is that cinemas aren't going away any time soon, if ever.  People want to get out of their homes and get away from sitting in front of a computer or TV.  They crave an afternoon or night out at a good, clean, and inviting cinema that offers great entertainment and great concession.

Just saying,
Jim  

The Cinema 'Scene' by Seymore Flix

H'wood Cleaning Up

Joy Mangano selling her wares

Self-wringing mops and plastic tubs that burp are two hot topics in H'wood - as Jennifer Lawrence and Sandra Bullock (arguably the reigning top female actors) are booked to star in biopics about trailblazing business women.

Lawrence is currently involved in the production of a biopic about Joy Mangano, the inventor of the self-wringing mop and over 100 other inventions.  The title of the movie is 'Joy', which is being filmed in Boston and depicts the career of Mangano, a single mother of three, whose rise from rags to riches is very inspiring. In 1990 she made 100 mops and sold them to shops in Long Island.  Then Mangano went on QVC to sell her mops and sold 18,000 in 20 minutes. Today, they have sold in the millions.  She next invented and sold the very popular Huggable Hangers. She then  broke a record on the Home Shopping Network in 2010 by selling over 180,000 of her Forever Fragrant air fresheners in one day.

Her company, Ingenious Designs was eventually sold to HSN for an undisclosed amount and she now works there as a senior executive.  Mangano is predicting that the film will be a blockbuster hit - and I for one wouldn't bet against her.

For her part, Sandra Bullock (who is also co-producing) the film will be portraying Brownie Wise the brains behind the Tupperware empire. The movie is based on a novel written by Bob Kealing entitled, "Tupperware Unsealed". Basically,  Earl Tupper, the inventor of Tupperware, could not market or distribute his product and hired Wise, a single mother, who had a talent for marketing.  She developed the concept of having sales parties sponsored by stay-at-home-moms, which was the perfect promotion answer during the postwar baby-boom era.

Brownie Wise the Queen of Tupperware

Thousands of women became Tupperware hostesses, many of them becoming rich in the process.  In 1954, Wise was the first woman to appear on the cover of Business Week magazine when the company's sales reached the $100 million mark.  Tupper came to resent Wise's success and in 1957 fired her from the company and gave her an outgoing severance of just $30,000.  Wise died in 1992 at the age of 79.  "She was one of the most important businesswomen of the 20th century, the prototype for all women who are marketing products online", says Kealing, "I'm glad she will finally get the recognition she deserves."

I think both of these films will have huge followings and be great entertainment for both men and women.

SCREENS RULE

Just think about it.  The first thing you do before getting out of bed is look at a screen. The last thing you do before going to bed is look at a screen.  Screens are everywhere, and it's not crazy to say that they rule your life!

It's not just TVs, tablets, and phones it's also windshields, refrigerators, eyeglasses - screens rule.  They dominate our existence, they are omnipresent, and we interact with them constantly. Screens enhance our lives but also detract from our time - many wasted hours playing games, binging on TV shows, or browsing, but we can not survive without them.

Cinemas were once the dominate screens. It was a destination providing a shared experience which today offers that same experience only with much improved sensory stimulus.  Next came TV, which was much more personal than cinema, and provided choice in viewing to tens of millions.  Then came the PC and a major shift to our relationship with screens. Now it was super-personal and super controllable by the viewer/user - hence the name 'personal computer'.  The passive viewer of cinema and TV became the active user and the possibilities of use and abuse proliferated.

The cell phone screen came next.  Growing from a simple dial-up device to present day multi-functionality.  Today your phone not only provides voice, text, and email communication but can act as a cinema, meeting room, game player, monitor, radio, music player, camera, and offer up thousands of apps for your convenience, pleasure, and information.  Tablets and phone screens provide on-the-go access to the internet - over 50% of all traffic on the internet originates from mobile devices.

Screens allow us the ability to document and broadcast our lives providing the ultimate in personal expression.  Thus screens have created huge cultural, business, and social changes and, in fact, made the world a much smaller place - all from a device you carry in your pocket!

Windshield Heads-up Display

Now comes the smart watch - the smallest screen.  I recently received a FitBit for my birthday. A FitBit is a fashionable device (a black band in this case) worn on the wrist. It provides me data: time, heart rate, steps taken, miles walked, stair risen, and when worn to bed records my sleep patterns which can be traced and graphically displayed, by wirelessly interfacing the FitBit to a PC.

But the wrist is just the beginning. Screens are and will be everywhere. Heads-up displays on windshields, providing traffic patterns, weather, GPS assist etc. On appliances, on entry doors, on eyeglasses, on almost any electronic device you can think of.

Screens Rule - it's that simple.

Best
Jim

'Cinema Scene' by Seymore Flix

In Defense of the Super Hero Movie

Finally, someone in Hollywood agrees with me. What drives the global box office aren't the 'so-called' thoughtful movies - such as the likes of this year's Oscar nominees (all about personal frailties and misjudgments). Give me a super hero pic or perhaps a well constructed Pixar
movie and I am completely satisfied and feel well entertained.

Now James Gunn, the director of last year's biggest grosser, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' has spoken out to defend the high-impact, action films that generate all of the money and are the fodder that most moviegoers feed upon.

Gunn took to Facebook after there was a fair amount of critical snootiness towards superhero films. Jack Black commented that superheros were a blight on Hollywood during his rant at the Oscars. And Dan Gilroy said that "we must rise up against the tsunami of superhero movies that have swept over this industry."   Are they kidding! Without these films there is no Hollywood.

High-impact films are popular worldwide

Gunn argues that comic book movies should be judged on the same criteria as more celebrated art house features. "Whatever the case, the truth is, popular fare in any medium has always been snubbed by the self-appointed elite. I've already won more awards than I ever expected for 'Guardians'. What bothers me is that many people assume because you make big films that you put less love, care, and thought into them then people who make what are considered more serious Hollywood films."  I couldn't have stated it better.

Gunn went on further to say, "I find there are plenty of people everywhere making movies for a buck or to feed their own vanity.  And than there are people who do what they do because they love story-telling, they love cinema, and they want to add back to the world some of the same magic they've taken from the works of others.  If you think people who make superhero movies are dumb, come out and say we're dumb.  But if you are a serious film maker and think you put more love into your characters then superhero directors you are simply mistaken."

Three Cheers for James Gunn! We couldn't agree more. The Oscars should reflect what films are currently driving the industry and which films are the ones most consumers go to the local cinema to see.

Chinese Box Office Numero Uno

Chinese Box Office Breaks Record

The box office gross in China hit a record in February, amassing a huge $650 million which set a record and beat the U.S. generated gross ($640 million) for the first time.

February is always a big month for movie-going in China with the Lunar New Year but this year all the stops were off.  The big news however, was that the Chinese box office was fueled by non-Hollywood product.  The big grosser was a move entitled, 'The Man from Manchu II', a comedy sequel and 'Dragon Blade' an action movie starring Jackie Chan and John Cusack (of all people).

One of the major reasons for China's box office increase is that the number of screens keeps rising and now totals over 25,000.  This compares with the U.S.'s roughly 37,000 screens but China has over 3 times the population - leaving lots of room for growth and China will easily surpass the U.S. in total box office gross in the near future.

Oscar Winner, Halle Berry Speaks Out

Being the first and only black actress to win a Best Actor Oscar Halle Berry spoke frankly recently about Hollywood and her career. She is currently awaiting the release of a film she produced and stars in entitled, 'Frankie and Alice' - about a woman with a multiple personality disorder. She has been waiting for its release for 6 years.

Halle, can you even remember making Frankie and Alice?

Absolutely. When something is that important to you, and you put your blood, sweat, and tears into, I doubt you'll ever forget it.  When people say "there's no way you're going to make a little movie about this subject no one cares about it", I think you remember every step of the way.

Is it hard to make a low-budget film?

If you have an artistic itch, and there's a story you want to tell, you go on that journey and do it anyway.  And if only five people see it, it's worth taking the time to make the journey, to do the art. If for no other reason than to get it out of your system.  Little movies are hard to do, people don't always want to see them.

In terms of producing your own movies, do you get burnt by the experience?

No, not at all. You win some, you lose some. Some things turn out great, some things are great but don't get an audience, some things are shit and get a huge audience.  You can't let any of that discourage you, if you're in this business.

What's your take on winning the Oscar for Best Actress

If anybody tells you after winning an Oscar they can pick out things that will be hits, they're lying! The quality and value of our work isn't determined by an award.  Find the win in the work. Do your craft well.

What about the quality of work for women over the age of 40?

I've always had a hard time getting roles, being of color, so I get as many offers as I always did - there is no difference for me.  When I was 21, it was as hard as it is now when I'm 48.  For me it's the same.

You are starring in and producing 'Extant', which will debut on the Amazon Prime streaming service, why go the TV route?

Anyone in this industry will tell you that that's where the best writing is. Good actors are going to TV. It's not just about making movies any more, Movies are becoming harder and harder to make.
The taboo of television is long gone. There was a time when movies were 'movies' but now we have big screens in our homes.

Thanks Halle.

French Director Sues the Cannes Festival

For the first time in its history, the Cannes Film Festival has been sued.  Paul Verhoeven, a French film director, as sued the Festival claiming his film, 'Teenagers', was rejected by the festival due to homophobia and sexual prejudice.

The low-budget movie was rejected by Cannes officials saying that "the film is ethically very doubtful."  For his part, Verhoeven seeks either having the festival forced to screen his film or pay for it to be screened in cinemas.

A spokesman for the festival called the case "absurd" and said that films were rejected or accepted on grounds of quality alone.  'Teenagers' has received poor to bad reviews from critics. A ruling in the case is scheduled to be released this month.

Ford to Star in 'Blade Runner' Sequel

Harrison Ford will star in the sequel to the iconic sci-fi cult film 'Blade Runner'. Ford was quoted as saying that the script for the new film as, "this is the best thing I have ever read".

Released in 1982, 'Blade Runner' tells the story of a police officer, Rick Deckard, set in a dark and gritty futuristic Los Angeles.  The movie has become a classic sci-fi film and a sequel has been long-awaited.

Ford will also be starring in the upcoming 'Star Wars' , which is scheduled for release in December. He will be returning as Han Solo, space smuggler extraordinaire.


Happy Move Going,
Seymore

Cinema's Salvation ....... TV

In what could be the biggest turn of events in cinema history, the next big boost in cinema box office could be TV shows !

In a first-of-its-kind presentation, and what may be the ultimate in alternative content for cinemas, HBO and IMAX teamed up to exhibit two episodes of HBO's very popular 'Game of Thrones' series. Running on the largest in-door screens available (IMAX's 72' x 53' screens) between January 29th - February 5th the concept is contrary to the heretofore notion that small screen productions are not exhibited on big screens.

"The passionate  'Game of Thrones' fans have helped make the series a worldwide phenomenon and we are always looking for new, innovative ways to get them excited for the upcoming season" Pamela Levine, HBO's chief marketing officer, stated. "We thought the IMAX promotion would be a fun way for fans to come together, on a national level, and experience the show in a way that has never been done before."

In addition to two episodes from Season 4, the presentation included the worldwide debut of a 'sneak peek' trailer for the upcoming Season 5, which was created exclusively for the IMAX presentations.

Tickets went on sale January 16th but due to the overwhelming and unanticipated response, the shows were delayed a week to let IMAX increase the number of theatres scheduled to exhibit the show - the final tally was 205 theatres out of a total of 430 domestic IMAX cinemas.  The show carried an 'R' rating.

"IMAX is always looking for ways to provide audiences with something different and unique, said Lorne Orleans, SVP of production at IMAX, "and this relationship with HBO, Warner Bros., and 'Game of Thrones' achieves just that. 'Game' is a truly epic series and the scope, scale, and production value are remarkable and will really highlight what the IMAX experience is capable of."

Fortunately, 'Game' is shot in HD 1920x1080 format using JPEG2000 codecs which is a part of the cinema standard for DCP (digital cinema package) files, although, the picture was slightly cropped for the IMAX presentations.

The exhibition of very popular TV shows will allow fans to engage in a new and unique way.  This is really about a very different kind of communal viewing experience that was not available previously and it demonstrates how popular these screening could become and how good the box office generated. In my opinion, this is the beginning of a new cinema audience market as many TV shows are very popular and carry widely different demographics, making for a huge audience base.

This type of programming is giving TV show fans an experience they can't find anywhere else and a reason to leave their homes.  There is something special about being part of a presentation where you are surrounded by people that enjoy what you do - and that is an experience you can't get at home in front of your TV.

For its part, IMAX is in talks with other entertainment companies about exhibiting other popular TV series - and why not, the first weekend it showed, 'Game of Thrones' grossed over $1.5 million for IMAX.

TV may be the shot-in-the-arm the cinema needs.  The content is available, of high quality, and has a built-in fan base ready and willing to go to the cinema to view their favorite episodes. This is all good and a real win-win all around.

Best
Jim Lavorato

And The Loser Gets ........ The Oscar Swag Bag

If you read this blog you are aware I am not a big fan of the Oscars as, in my opinion, they are not representative of  today's movie industry and what drives it.

However, I do love the hypocrisy and self-indulgence of Hollywood and the Oscar's swag (goodie) bag demonstrates just that.  This year's swag is valued at $125,000 and is given to all of the nominees for any Award - win or loose.  Each year I present a glimpse of what the bag contains, so here goes.

- 3 night stay at a Tuscany resort - $1,500
- Luxury train ride through the Canadian Rockies - $14,000
- French Mediterranean Sea Salts - $1,500
- Candy & Dessert Buffet - $800
- One Year's Rental of Audi A4 - $20,000
- Reset Lifestyle Makeover Package - $14,200

My favorite: His/Hers Mace Guns

- Robotic Hair Transplant System - $16,000
- 'O' Shot - Female Libido Rejuvenation Treatment - $2,700
- His & Hers Mace Attack Repellent - $120
- Leather iPhone Case - $230
- Sampling of Maple Syrups - $280
- Home Visit/Show of Le Petite Cirque - $575
- Mexico vacation at Ocean Casa - $3,300
and so on

You've got to love it. I often wonder if the winners have the time to take all of the trips - my guess is Yes! An yes, I'm going to get me a camo Mace gun.

The Alternative Oscars / DIY Lightsabers / Another 'Alien'

Each year (for the past 16) Esquire Magazine publishes the Alternative Oscars - "because somebody has to acknowledge the films that weren't" nominated - and never would be.  In turn, CMG has posted some of these 'alternates'.  Here's this year's picks.


- Most Unlikely Title for a Science Fiction Film : 'Mockingjay, Part 1'
- Best Performance: Al Pacino in 'A Most Violent Year'
- Soundtrack Most Like A Classic Rock Station at Rush Hour: 'Guardians of the Galaxy'
- Movie Most Watched During Cross-county Flights: '22 Jump Street'
- Movie Most Unwatched During Cross-country Flights: 'Chef'
- Best Wrestling Match in a Film (Men): 'Foxcatcher' (Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo)
- Best Wrestling Match in a Film (Women): 'Wild' (Reese Wetherspoon and her giant backpack)
- Movie Pretending to be a Real Movie and Not Just a Cheap Marketing Ploy: 'The Lego Movie'
- Best Person vs. Nature Scene: Reese Wetherspoon,  yelling "Fuck you, bitch" to a canyon: 'Wild'
- Best "What Was That Movie About?": 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

There you have it folks.




Hasbro To Sell 'DIY' Lightsaber


For $49.95 Hasbro will be selling, through toy retailers, a build-your-own Lightsaber kit pre-release of the new Star Wars movie in December. Hasbro anticipates the new toy will have Star Wars fans rushing to get their hands on the saber kit.  Look for it at your local toy outlet soon
.


Lucas Wealthiest in Hollywood


It's official - George Lucas is the richest person in Hollywood.  Worth an estimated $5.4billion puts Lucas in a class by himself.  He attained this distinction upon the sale of his production company, Lucan Films, to Disney for $4billion.  Not bad, George
.


Weaver Wants Role in new 'Alien' pic


Sigourney Weaver has told director Neill Bloomkamp and Fox Studios that she wants to return to her role as Ellen Ripley in the much anticipated sequel to the 'Alien' franchise. "If something should happen from this, it would be very organic and very original, and because of that it would make me want to do it" said Weaver.  This might just happen, as Fox is reportedly ready to greenlight the project. The 'Alien' movies represent great sci-fi and a new one would be a sure-fired box office smash.




Best
Seymore Flix

IN-Cinema Advertising and Content Assess

'Fifty Shades' Sets In-Cinema Ad Record

Typical '50 Shades' female-based ad

'Fifty Shades of Grey' has mopped-up all of the in-cinema ad space available prior to its Valentine Day release.  So, advertisers who didn't book their ads last month are now out of luck.

OPI fingernail polish ad

National CineMedia, who sells ads for the Regal, AMC, and CineMark cinema circuits announced that they were "sold out" of all ad space for February due to 'Fifty Shades'.  It was the first time in years that NCM has sold out all of its ad space.

In general, the cinema advertising business is anticipating a banner year thanks to a slew of upcoming box office bruisers, including: 'Star Wars', 'Minions', and Pixar's newest, 'Inside Out' - just to name several.  NCM, which is trying to form a merger with ScreenVision (its rival in the in-cinema ad space) reported that it has ad commitments exceeding $225 million for 2015, a huge increase over last year's total of $110 million.

Many of the advertisers for 'Fifty Shades' were female focused brands and their commitment represents the biggest advertising expenditure since 'Sex In the City'. What's good about in-cinema ads is that they are relatively inexpensive, compared to say TV, and they are very measurable.

Is Content As 'Available' As Providers Boast

Seek and ye shall find - or maybe not!  The boast of accessing content anytime, anyplace. on any device is just that - a boast.  In fact, just finding what and when it's available for viewing is a real chore - as there exists no fully integrated digital program guide.

A recent survey by Hub Entertainment Research found that 61% of viewers say "they need a universal program listing to find shows across all sources and devices".  A universal source to search across content platforms simply does not exist today.

The survey found that in regards to the high-impact, action and animated films consumers' preference was to go to the cinema vs. any other platform.

Just saying,
Jim