“Kalevala,” a compilation of epic poetry drawn from Karelian and Finnish folklore and mythology, is full of violence, but director Antti J. Jokinen – who has adapted the book for his film “Kalevala: The Story of Kullervo,” set in the 1100s and centering on the tragic hero Kullervo – has “no interest” in that.
“It won’t be a super violent film. We have fight sequences, the swords are heavy and the actors have been training for a year now. But it’s more interesting to show the impact violence has on people,” he tells Variety.
Jokinen has already dealt with a similar dilemma in “Purge,” taking on human trafficking and sexual cruelty. “I cut out a lot of [the violence] from the original book but its writer Sofi [Oksanen] was adamant: ‘Don’t clean it up too much.’ The violence towards women needed to be shown. This time, I had more freedom, because everyone...
“It won’t be a super violent film. We have fight sequences, the swords are heavy and the actors have been training for a year now. But it’s more interesting to show the impact violence has on people,” he tells Variety.
Jokinen has already dealt with a similar dilemma in “Purge,” taking on human trafficking and sexual cruelty. “I cut out a lot of [the violence] from the original book but its writer Sofi [Oksanen] was adamant: ‘Don’t clean it up too much.’ The violence towards women needed to be shown. This time, I had more freedom, because everyone...
- 9/28/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
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If you’re not a subscriber yet, we’d be glad to add you as one. Just head over to the YouTube channel, then hit the subscribe button and the little bell so you’ll be notified whenever we upload a new video.
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Content released through the JoBlo...
- 8/14/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
If your only introduction to the Indian Film Industry is S. S. Rajamouli‘s Rrr, prepare for another bloody ride in Kill. The Hindi language film is one of the most violent and gory films ever made. Written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the 2024 film follows the story of Amrit, an army commando who is on a train to New Delhi, but his train ride becomes a blood-filled journey when a couple of bandits come on board. Kill stars Lakshya in the lead role, with Raghav Juyal, Tanya Maniktala, Adrija Sinha, Abhishek Chauhan, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Harsh Chhaya starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the gore, brilliant action sequences, unapologetic violence, non-stop deaths, and an incredible story in Kill, here are some similar action films you should watch next.
John Wick Credit – Lionsgate Movies
John Wick is a high-octane action thriller directed by Chad Stahelski from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad.
John Wick Credit – Lionsgate Movies
John Wick is a high-octane action thriller directed by Chad Stahelski from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad.
- 7/10/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
The month of April seemingly sailed by with far too many moderate releases, and the month ends this weekend with more of the same. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino returns with the sexy tennis drama “Challengers,” starring the powerhouse trio of Zendaya (“Euphoria”), Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and Mike Faist (“West Side Story”) as superstar tennis players who fall into a competitive love triangle. This is Zendaya’s first movie after “Dune: Part Two,” and it will be a real test for her as a box office star, since sports dramas can be hit or miss. “Challengers” really is riding on her popularity to avoid the pitfalls of the genre.
Tennis has had an especially tough time at the box office, as seen by Will Smith‘s Oscar-winning turn in the 2021 release “King Richard,” about the father of Venus and Serena Williams,...
Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino returns with the sexy tennis drama “Challengers,” starring the powerhouse trio of Zendaya (“Euphoria”), Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and Mike Faist (“West Side Story”) as superstar tennis players who fall into a competitive love triangle. This is Zendaya’s first movie after “Dune: Part Two,” and it will be a real test for her as a box office star, since sports dramas can be hit or miss. “Challengers” really is riding on her popularity to avoid the pitfalls of the genre.
Tennis has had an especially tough time at the box office, as seen by Will Smith‘s Oscar-winning turn in the 2021 release “King Richard,” about the father of Venus and Serena Williams,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Alex Pettyfer, Alan Ritchson, Henry Cavill, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Henry Goldin in The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare Photo: Dan Smith/Lionsgate Storming into theaters this weekend to play alongside murky, politically fraught films like Civil War, there’s something comfortingly simple and familiar about a historical action flick dedicated entirely...
- 4/19/2024
- by Lauren Coates
- avclub.com
Alex Pettyfer, Alan Ritchson, Henry Cavill, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Henry Goldin in The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly WarfarePhoto: Dan Smith/Lionsgate
Storming into theaters this weekend to play alongside murky, politically fraught films like Civil War, there’s something comfortingly simple and familiar about a historical action flick dedicated entirely to...
Storming into theaters this weekend to play alongside murky, politically fraught films like Civil War, there’s something comfortingly simple and familiar about a historical action flick dedicated entirely to...
- 4/19/2024
- by Lauren Coates
- avclub.com
Exclusive: Sources tell us that Regal Theatres VP and Head of Film Andrew Turner is exiting the No. 2 U.S. chain.
Though the UK native and 35-year film industry distribution/exhibition vet was in the role for two years, several execs at studios have reached out to tell us how upset they are about Turner’s departure. Turner made a big impression during his run at Regal with his passion for theatrical. While at Regal, Turner launched the chain’s Monday Mystery Movie which features early screenings of studio releases for $5 per ticket across the circuit nationwide. The Regal event typically brings in around a hearty 30K admissions in any given Monday, a big boost for concessions. The Monday Mystery Movie has hosted such screenings as Sony’s Gran Turismo and Lionsgate’s Sisu. While the title is never revealed, moviegoers are typically given clues as to what the movie will be before purchasing tickets.
Though the UK native and 35-year film industry distribution/exhibition vet was in the role for two years, several execs at studios have reached out to tell us how upset they are about Turner’s departure. Turner made a big impression during his run at Regal with his passion for theatrical. While at Regal, Turner launched the chain’s Monday Mystery Movie which features early screenings of studio releases for $5 per ticket across the circuit nationwide. The Regal event typically brings in around a hearty 30K admissions in any given Monday, a big boost for concessions. The Monday Mystery Movie has hosted such screenings as Sony’s Gran Turismo and Lionsgate’s Sisu. While the title is never revealed, moviegoers are typically given clues as to what the movie will be before purchasing tickets.
- 3/28/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Reacher’s Alan Ritchson is set to star in War Machine, the Patrick Hughes-directed and scripted action sci-fi film that will find its home with Netflix. Lionsgate developed the script with Hughes, best known for The Hitman’s Bodyguard films. Hughes wrote the script with James Beaufort (Machine). Lionsgate set the title in a deal with Netflix.
This comes on the heels of Lionsgate announcing it has Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reuniting for A Simple Favor 2, setting the film as a streamer title with Amazon MGM Studios. It is part of a third facet of Lionsgate’s long term plan, which includes a direct-to-streaming business, to go with theatricals and multiplatform titles that have included Sisu and Retribution.
The film is produced by Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young, Range Media Partners’ Rich Cook and Hughes’ Huge Film with Greg McLean (Wolf Creek). Story is by Hughes.
This comes on the heels of Lionsgate announcing it has Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively reuniting for A Simple Favor 2, setting the film as a streamer title with Amazon MGM Studios. It is part of a third facet of Lionsgate’s long term plan, which includes a direct-to-streaming business, to go with theatricals and multiplatform titles that have included Sisu and Retribution.
The film is produced by Hidden Pictures’ Todd Lieberman and Alex Young, Range Media Partners’ Rich Cook and Hughes’ Huge Film with Greg McLean (Wolf Creek). Story is by Hughes.
- 3/27/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The theatrical releases that saw the highest median return on investment (Roi) in 2023 were those whose casts reflected racial representation proportionate to the real-world U.S. population, according to the latest Hollywood Diversity Report from UCLA.
Horror movies like M3GAN (14.0 Roi) and Saw X (7.5 Roi) were among the films whose casts were 41 to 50 percent Bipoc, the category with the highest median Roi (1.1). Conversely, the category with the lowest Roi (-0.25) was the least diverse (less than 11 percent Bipoc cast). According to U.S. census data, 43.6 percent of the country in 2023 was Bipoc.
Proportionately representative movies also earned a median of $114.2 million worldwide, the second highest median box office take behind only movies whose casts were 31 to 40 percent Bipoc ($119.8 million). That latter category included the billion-dollar Barbie ($1.4 billion, to be exact), which won the worldwide box office in 2023. The lowest-earning category was again the least diverse, with a median of just $18.2 million globally.
Horror movies like M3GAN (14.0 Roi) and Saw X (7.5 Roi) were among the films whose casts were 41 to 50 percent Bipoc, the category with the highest median Roi (1.1). Conversely, the category with the lowest Roi (-0.25) was the least diverse (less than 11 percent Bipoc cast). According to U.S. census data, 43.6 percent of the country in 2023 was Bipoc.
Proportionately representative movies also earned a median of $114.2 million worldwide, the second highest median box office take behind only movies whose casts were 31 to 40 percent Bipoc ($119.8 million). That latter category included the billion-dollar Barbie ($1.4 billion, to be exact), which won the worldwide box office in 2023. The lowest-earning category was again the least diverse, with a median of just $18.2 million globally.
- 3/7/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Christopher Nolan’s deal with Universal for “Oppenheimer” included this: The studio, a leader in early release of films to home platforms, would need to make a very big exception.
At 122 days, “Oppenheimer” had the longest theatrical window of 2023. Compared to the year’s 84 other wide releases, it was more than triple the industry average of 37 days. Universal’s second-longest window belonged to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which was a bigger hit than Nolan’s film but lost theatrical exclusivity after 41 days.
Studios aren’t interested in specifics around theatrical windows — or, in offering PVOD data beyond top 10 lists that offer neither financial context nor independent verification. This is our attempt to provide a full-year view of theatrical windows, after prior surveys revealed a 30-day average for the first four months of 2023 and 40 days for early summer.
Seasonal differences can be stark; all five of this January’s releases are now on PVOD,...
At 122 days, “Oppenheimer” had the longest theatrical window of 2023. Compared to the year’s 84 other wide releases, it was more than triple the industry average of 37 days. Universal’s second-longest window belonged to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which was a bigger hit than Nolan’s film but lost theatrical exclusivity after 41 days.
Studios aren’t interested in specifics around theatrical windows — or, in offering PVOD data beyond top 10 lists that offer neither financial context nor independent verification. This is our attempt to provide a full-year view of theatrical windows, after prior surveys revealed a 30-day average for the first four months of 2023 and 40 days for early summer.
Seasonal differences can be stark; all five of this January’s releases are now on PVOD,...
- 2/25/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
World War II is a subject that filmmakers return to every year. In 2023 alone, we saw the U.S. home front tackled at a universal scale in “Oppenheimer,” the sweep of European resistance in “All The Light We Cannot See,” “A Small Light,” and “Transatlantic,” indulged in the action-packed catharsis of a Nazi murder-spree in “Sisu,” and heard, if not saw, the horror of the death camps in “The Zone of Interest.” In 2024, we’re already looking ahead to Guy Ritchie fucking up Nazis in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.”
More recent series recreate the era, too, including Tom Hanks’ and Steven Spielberg’s final installment in their TV miniseries triumvirate about the American war effort, “Masters of the Air,” Hulu’s Holocaust survival story “We Were the Lucky Ones,” as well as Baz Lurhman’s, Hugh Jackman’s, and Nicole Kidman’s return to sweeping WWII melodrama in “Faraway Downs.
More recent series recreate the era, too, including Tom Hanks’ and Steven Spielberg’s final installment in their TV miniseries triumvirate about the American war effort, “Masters of the Air,” Hulu’s Holocaust survival story “We Were the Lucky Ones,” as well as Baz Lurhman’s, Hugh Jackman’s, and Nicole Kidman’s return to sweeping WWII melodrama in “Faraway Downs.
- 2/17/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Surprise move comes on back of company’s first billion-dollar box office year since 2019.
Joe Drake will step down as chair of Lionsgate motion picture group and Adam Fogelson will assume the reins at the company, which just recorded its first billion-dollar year at the box office since 2019.
The company said in a press release that Drake, who renewed his contract in late 2022, initiated the transition and will work with Fogelson over the coming months to ensure a smooth succession. Fogelson currently serves as vice chair of the motion picture group.
The move came as a surprise to industry sources...
Joe Drake will step down as chair of Lionsgate motion picture group and Adam Fogelson will assume the reins at the company, which just recorded its first billion-dollar year at the box office since 2019.
The company said in a press release that Drake, who renewed his contract in late 2022, initiated the transition and will work with Fogelson over the coming months to ensure a smooth succession. Fogelson currently serves as vice chair of the motion picture group.
The move came as a surprise to industry sources...
- 1/10/2024
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Shift: Joe Drake Stepping Down As Chair, Hands Reins To Adam Fogelson
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake is exiting the company, and handing over executive duties and title to Motion Picture Group Vice Chair Adam Fogelson.
This was a move initiated by Drake who’ll be working with Fogelson over the coming months to transition him to the Chair role.
The corporate segue follows Lionsgate’s reboot of the Hunger Games franchise with the Q4 holiday prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which has grossed over $340M global box office to date.
Drake rejoined Lionsgate in 2017 after having success with Good Universe Pictures, the second company acquired by Lionsgate from Drake. Other highlights during his current run of the Motion Picture Group include multi-award-winning Knives Out ($312M global B.O.), the last two John Wick movies ($766M+ global B.O.), and the latest installment in the Saw franchise ($111M global box). Last year, Lionsgate achieved its...
This was a move initiated by Drake who’ll be working with Fogelson over the coming months to transition him to the Chair role.
The corporate segue follows Lionsgate’s reboot of the Hunger Games franchise with the Q4 holiday prequel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which has grossed over $340M global box office to date.
Drake rejoined Lionsgate in 2017 after having success with Good Universe Pictures, the second company acquired by Lionsgate from Drake. Other highlights during his current run of the Motion Picture Group include multi-award-winning Knives Out ($312M global B.O.), the last two John Wick movies ($766M+ global B.O.), and the latest installment in the Saw franchise ($111M global box). Last year, Lionsgate achieved its...
- 1/10/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Was 2023 a good year for movies? The end of each moviegoing year always raises that age-old question and, as always, the ultimate answer remains squarely in the eye of the beholder. For most, that tends to come down to the most populist theatrical offerings. If the latest superhero sequels and nostalgic remakes and most highly-anticipated blockbusters failed to live up to their crowd-pleasing billing, well, at least there's always next year. But for those of us who spend entirely too much time and effort on the hunt for hidden gems beneath the surface, international cinema from the most exciting talent around the globe, and overlooked indies that didn't have millions of marketing dollars to throw around, that turns out to be the wrong question to ask in the first place.
What we should be talking about is whether we've caught up on all the undeniably great movies readily available to us,...
What we should be talking about is whether we've caught up on all the undeniably great movies readily available to us,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
One of last year’s collaborations between Bloody Disgusting and Dark Star Pictures was Japanese crime thriller Missing, now nominated for the 51st annual Saturn Awards!
Deadline explains, “The Saturns, which honor the best in genre entertainment across film and television, are organized by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.”
Missing has been nominated in the “Best International Film” category, alongside Madeleine Collins, The Origin of Evil, Ransomed, Speak No Evil and Sisu.
You can see the full list of Saturn Awards nominations over on Deadline.
Winners will be announced February 4, 2024.
In Missing from Bloody Disgusting and Dark Star Pictures…
“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘No Name’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the...
Deadline explains, “The Saturns, which honor the best in genre entertainment across film and television, are organized by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.”
Missing has been nominated in the “Best International Film” category, alongside Madeleine Collins, The Origin of Evil, Ransomed, Speak No Evil and Sisu.
You can see the full list of Saturn Awards nominations over on Deadline.
Winners will be announced February 4, 2024.
In Missing from Bloody Disgusting and Dark Star Pictures…
“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘No Name’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the...
- 12/7/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Watching Santastein as part of this year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival felt like unwrapping a Christmas gift extra early this past summer, so I'm especially excited that Manuel Camilion and Benjamin Edelman's new holiday horror film is coming to Screambox on December 19th as part of their streaming lineup this month!
Below, you can check out the previous Santastein trailer and details on Screambox's December streaming lineup (which also includes Rare Exports), and in case you missed it, feel free to read my Popcorn Frights review of Santastein, which brings Santa Claus back to life with a blood-splattered vengeance!
Santastein synopsis: Max was only six years old when he accidentally burned Santa to a crisp on Christmas Eve. 12 years later, Max attempts to raise Santa from the dead in order to fix his past mistakes and restore the Christmas spirit. But he soon realizes that the creature he has...
Below, you can check out the previous Santastein trailer and details on Screambox's December streaming lineup (which also includes Rare Exports), and in case you missed it, feel free to read my Popcorn Frights review of Santastein, which brings Santa Claus back to life with a blood-splattered vengeance!
Santastein synopsis: Max was only six years old when he accidentally burned Santa to a crisp on Christmas Eve. 12 years later, Max attempts to raise Santa from the dead in order to fix his past mistakes and restore the Christmas spirit. But he soon realizes that the creature he has...
- 12/4/2023
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
December is here and Screambox has announced their lilneup of programming. There is a lot of Argento, a lot of festive holiday horror treats and some festival faves coming this month. Screambox December Streaming Line-Up Includes Adam Chaplin, Santastein, Devils, Phenomena, Eaten Alive Screambox has revealed the new films that are joining the horror streaming service in December, including Adam Chaplin, Santastein, Devils, Phenomena, and Eaten Alive. Fresh off its Beyond Fest premiere, the extended cut of Adam Chaplin is streaming exclusively on Screambox now. Drawing comparison to The Crow, Fist of the North Star, and Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, the unrated Italian splatterfest is a must-see for gorehounds. Santa Claus has come to Screambox in Rare Exports. From Sisu...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 12/3/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Hopefully, everyone had a good Thanksgiving weekend, but now we head into December with what has regularly been a down weekend by comparison. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
In this case, December kicks off with “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” the latest concert doc released by AMC after the enormous success of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which has surpassed $175 million domestically. Beyoncé Knowles is an equally popular entertainer and pop icon, whose “Renaissance Tour” ended up bringing in $580 million over 56 shows – yeah, I did the math and that means she made $10 million per night?! Beyoncé’s fans have heard murmurings about this movie for some time, but now they’ll have a chance to see it with a release into thousands of theaters, including large format premium screens like IMAX.
Beyoncé might not have quite the social media presence and rapport as the one between Swift with her fans,...
In this case, December kicks off with “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” the latest concert doc released by AMC after the enormous success of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which has surpassed $175 million domestically. Beyoncé Knowles is an equally popular entertainer and pop icon, whose “Renaissance Tour” ended up bringing in $580 million over 56 shows – yeah, I did the math and that means she made $10 million per night?! Beyoncé’s fans have heard murmurings about this movie for some time, but now they’ll have a chance to see it with a release into thousands of theaters, including large format premium screens like IMAX.
Beyoncé might not have quite the social media presence and rapport as the one between Swift with her fans,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
As streaming prices continue to rise, and more and more streaming services drop titles from their libraries, it’s worth considering whether it makes more sense to simply buy a digital version of your favorite movie or TV show so that you never have to worry about whether or not you will be able to watch it again. If that sounds like a good idea to you, Prime Video has dropped an early Black Friday deal that might be right up your alley. Head to the Prime Video store and you’ll find steep discounts on some of the most popular movies and TV shows up to 50% off the normal price! The one catch is that — as of publication time — you must be a Prime Video member to receive these discounts. However, they are expected to be extended to non-members as well before Black Friday, but The Streamable was unable...
- 11/20/2023
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The /Film Holiday Gift Guide is back for another year of draining your wallet with things you absolutely need. For the 2023 edition, we've got endless movies and TV shows and anything and everything inspired by your favorite titles from the big and small screens.
To kick things off, we're digging into tons of movies and TV shows that are available on physical media. That's right, we're still championing physical media, and in case you haven't heard, having movies and TV shows on discs may be having a bit of a comeback. The Hollywood Reporter recently ran a story about how rising streaming costs and dwindling licensed titles could find the Blu-ray and DVD market enjoying a comeback, just like we've seen with CDs and vinyl.
Below, we've got an assembly of the biggest movies of the year,...
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The /Film Holiday Gift Guide is back for another year of draining your wallet with things you absolutely need. For the 2023 edition, we've got endless movies and TV shows and anything and everything inspired by your favorite titles from the big and small screens.
To kick things off, we're digging into tons of movies and TV shows that are available on physical media. That's right, we're still championing physical media, and in case you haven't heard, having movies and TV shows on discs may be having a bit of a comeback. The Hollywood Reporter recently ran a story about how rising streaming costs and dwindling licensed titles could find the Blu-ray and DVD market enjoying a comeback, just like we've seen with CDs and vinyl.
Below, we've got an assembly of the biggest movies of the year,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Each of the other films in ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise is available on Peacock, but will ‘Ballad’ follow suit?
May the odds be ever in your favor this weekend, as you seek out tickets to “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” The newest entrant in the franchise is actually a prequel, and though preview screenings have already begun, it officially heads to theaters on Friday, Nov. 17.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” follows Coriolanus Snow, but not in the guise most viewers will know him. Instead of the iron-fisted President of Panem, “Ballad” follows Snow as an 18-year-old, desperate to revive the prestige of his fading family name. When he is assigned to mentor a young tribute with a highly independent streak for the 10th Hunger Games, Snow realizes he has an opportunity to vault himself to notoriety.
As of this writing the movie...
May the odds be ever in your favor this weekend, as you seek out tickets to “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” The newest entrant in the franchise is actually a prequel, and though preview screenings have already begun, it officially heads to theaters on Friday, Nov. 17.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” follows Coriolanus Snow, but not in the guise most viewers will know him. Instead of the iron-fisted President of Panem, “Ballad” follows Snow as an 18-year-old, desperate to revive the prestige of his fading family name. When he is assigned to mentor a young tribute with a highly independent streak for the 10th Hunger Games, Snow realizes he has an opportunity to vault himself to notoriety.
As of this writing the movie...
- 11/16/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Lionsgate has partnered with Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment to grab distribution rights in North America and the UK for the Indian actioner “Kill.”
While Indian films have played in North American theaters regularly, often in semi-wide or wide releases, it’s much less common for a major Hollywood studio to participate stateside. In fact, this is the first for a Hindi-language feature.
The Hindi-language flick, due for theatrical release in 2024, can be loosely described as “Die Hard on a train,” with the lone wolf hero (Lakshya) doing his best to dispatch the bandits (led by Raghav Juyal) so he can complete his journey to save his beloved (Tanya Maniktala) from an arranged marriage.
Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, “Kill” is produced by Karan Johar & Apoorva Mehta for Dharma Productions and Guneet Monga Kapoor & Achin Jain for Sikhya Entertainment. The picture made its acclaimed premiere at TIFF as a Midnight Madness selection,...
While Indian films have played in North American theaters regularly, often in semi-wide or wide releases, it’s much less common for a major Hollywood studio to participate stateside. In fact, this is the first for a Hindi-language feature.
The Hindi-language flick, due for theatrical release in 2024, can be loosely described as “Die Hard on a train,” with the lone wolf hero (Lakshya) doing his best to dispatch the bandits (led by Raghav Juyal) so he can complete his journey to save his beloved (Tanya Maniktala) from an arranged marriage.
Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, “Kill” is produced by Karan Johar & Apoorva Mehta for Dharma Productions and Guneet Monga Kapoor & Achin Jain for Sikhya Entertainment. The picture made its acclaimed premiere at TIFF as a Midnight Madness selection,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Here’s something to set your sights on: a brand new David Fincher thriller, bringing the :a[return of Michael Fassbender to our screens]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/david-fincher-the-killer-brings-michael-fassbender-back-to-the-screen-its-the-type-of-film-i-was-salivating-to-do-exclusive-image/' target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'}, about a methodical hitman forced on the run after his ordered life is disturbed. :a[The Killer]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/david-fincher-the-killer-teaser-shows-michael-fassbender-as-a-lethal-assassin/' target='blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} is locked and loaded – just weeks away from coming our way. And :a[this month’s issue of Empire]{href='https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/empire-massive-david-fincher-celebration-issue-revealed/' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener'} goes on set with Fincher and Fassbender themselves, getting up close and personal on a pulse-pounding noir from one of Hollywood’s finest filmmakers.
The issue hits newsstands on 28 November – :a[available to order online here]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/empire-november-2023?utm_source=dynamic&utm_medium=bws&utm_campaign=empire_singles&utm_content=empirenovember2023' target='_blank'...
The issue hits newsstands on 28 November – :a[available to order online here]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/empire-november-2023?utm_source=dynamic&utm_medium=bws&utm_campaign=empire_singles&utm_content=empirenovember2023' target='_blank'...
- 9/27/2023
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
The "John Wick" series is known for subverting action movie tropes. It's part of what has made the Keanu Reeves-led films such a success, with the latest entry, "John Wick: Chapter 4," headshoting a new franchise box office record on its opening weekend. The saga of Baba Yaga has now officially passed the $1 billion mark at the box office, proving that "John Wick" is a bonafide blockbuster franchise.
But while a huge part of the films' success has been upending genre clichés and basically inventing a whole new action subgenre — think "Nobody," "Atomic Blonde," and "Sisu" — sometimes the films just lean into the standard tricks of action movie-making. Case in point: the famous "Baba Yaga" sequence in 2014's "John Wick." The inaugural entry in the franchise features so many classic John Wick moments, but the scene where Michael Nyqvist's Russian crime lord Viggo Tarasov brings his son, Losef...
But while a huge part of the films' success has been upending genre clichés and basically inventing a whole new action subgenre — think "Nobody," "Atomic Blonde," and "Sisu" — sometimes the films just lean into the standard tricks of action movie-making. Case in point: the famous "Baba Yaga" sequence in 2014's "John Wick." The inaugural entry in the franchise features so many classic John Wick moments, but the scene where Michael Nyqvist's Russian crime lord Viggo Tarasov brings his son, Losef...
- 9/10/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
"The Flash" movie, opening June 16, 2023, debuted on top of VOD Digital platforms 'iTunes', 'Google Play' and 'Vudu' and is now prepping for a 4K Ultra HD release, available September 15. 2023:
iTunes
1. The Flash (WB) 2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal)
3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) 5. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) 6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) 7. Sisu (Lionsgate) 8. The Covenant (MGM) 9. Asteroid City (Focus) 10. Fast X (Universal)
Google Play
1. The Flash (WB) 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) 3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) 5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate)
6. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) 7. Fast X (Universal) 8. Asteroid City (Focus)
9. The Covenant (MGM)
10. Sisu (Lionsgate)
Vudu
1. The Flash (WB) 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) 3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) 4. Gotg Vol. 3 (Disney) 5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) 6. Fast X (Universal) 7. Renfield (Universal) 8. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) 9. The Blackening...
iTunes
1. The Flash (WB) 2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal)
3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) 5. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) 6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) 7. Sisu (Lionsgate) 8. The Covenant (MGM) 9. Asteroid City (Focus) 10. Fast X (Universal)
Google Play
1. The Flash (WB) 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) 3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) 5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate)
6. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) 7. Fast X (Universal) 8. Asteroid City (Focus)
9. The Covenant (MGM)
10. Sisu (Lionsgate)
Vudu
1. The Flash (WB) 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) 3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) 4. Gotg Vol. 3 (Disney) 5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) 6. Fast X (Universal) 7. Renfield (Universal) 8. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) 9. The Blackening...
- 9/6/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Lionsgate has promoted two executives, Adam Frank and Jill Anderson, to lead its transactional home entertainment business.
The move comes amid a strong period for Lionsgate’s home entertainment business — which comprises electronic sell-through (download-to-own), video-on-demand and physical media — with an industry market share of 11.9% in the first six months of the year. It’s the highest sixth-month share in the studio’s history, driven by new releases “John Wick: Chapter Four,” “Plane” and “Sisu,” as well as library titles “Knives Out,” “Django Unchained,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Sicario.”
Frank, a 12-year veteran of Lionsgate, has been elevated to executive VP of global partner management of sales and distribution. He’ll be overseeing the company’s global transactional digital and packaged media operations and heading up sales, licensing and strategic planning initiatives for the home entertainment group. Frank has overseen the digital home entertainment rollouts of “The Hunger Games,” “John Wick,...
The move comes amid a strong period for Lionsgate’s home entertainment business — which comprises electronic sell-through (download-to-own), video-on-demand and physical media — with an industry market share of 11.9% in the first six months of the year. It’s the highest sixth-month share in the studio’s history, driven by new releases “John Wick: Chapter Four,” “Plane” and “Sisu,” as well as library titles “Knives Out,” “Django Unchained,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Sicario.”
Frank, a 12-year veteran of Lionsgate, has been elevated to executive VP of global partner management of sales and distribution. He’ll be overseeing the company’s global transactional digital and packaged media operations and heading up sales, licensing and strategic planning initiatives for the home entertainment group. Frank has overseen the digital home entertainment rollouts of “The Hunger Games,” “John Wick,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Adam Frank and Jill Anderson will lead Lionsgate’s worldwide transactional home entertainment business. The longtime Lionsgate executives were promoted amid a strong moment for Lionsgate’s at-home entertainment departments.
The studio achieved an 11.9% industry share for the first half of 2023. That is a record for the studio in terms of market share. Theatrical titles like “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Sisu” and “Plane” drove that upswing alongside multiplatform releases like “Alice, Darling, “The Old Way” and “Mindcage” along with library titles like “Knives Out,” “Django Unchained” and “Sicario.”
“Our transactional home entertainment business continues to thrive due to our team’s ability to create bespoke windowing strategies for our theatrical releases and library titles and over-convert across their PVOD, transactional Est, VOD and packaged media windows,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President of Global Licensing & Distribution Ron Schwartz said in a statement.
Frank, who has been with Lionsgate for 12 years, has been promoted to EVP,...
The studio achieved an 11.9% industry share for the first half of 2023. That is a record for the studio in terms of market share. Theatrical titles like “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Sisu” and “Plane” drove that upswing alongside multiplatform releases like “Alice, Darling, “The Old Way” and “Mindcage” along with library titles like “Knives Out,” “Django Unchained” and “Sicario.”
“Our transactional home entertainment business continues to thrive due to our team’s ability to create bespoke windowing strategies for our theatrical releases and library titles and over-convert across their PVOD, transactional Est, VOD and packaged media windows,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President of Global Licensing & Distribution Ron Schwartz said in a statement.
Frank, who has been with Lionsgate for 12 years, has been promoted to EVP,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Lionsgate has promoted Adam Frank and Jill Anderson to lead worldwide transactional home entertainment as it hit a market share milestone in the business, which includes transactional Est (electronic sell-through), VOD and packaged media.
The company said its 11.9% market share through the first half of calendar 2023 was the studio’s highest for a six-month period, driven by new releases John Wick: Chapter Four, Plane and Sisu; multiplatform releases Alice, Darling, The Old Way and Mindcage; and library titles Knives Out, Django Unchained, Dirty Dancing and Sicario.
Frank, a 12-year veteran of the company, has been promoted to EVP, Global Partner Management, Sales & Distribution, overseeing global transactional digital and packaged media operations and heading up sales, licensing and strategic planning initiatives for the home entertainment group.
He previously served as SVP for the studio’s worldwide transactional Est and VOD business, working on key windowing strategies for Lionsgate’s 50+ multi-platform titles...
The company said its 11.9% market share through the first half of calendar 2023 was the studio’s highest for a six-month period, driven by new releases John Wick: Chapter Four, Plane and Sisu; multiplatform releases Alice, Darling, The Old Way and Mindcage; and library titles Knives Out, Django Unchained, Dirty Dancing and Sicario.
Frank, a 12-year veteran of the company, has been promoted to EVP, Global Partner Management, Sales & Distribution, overseeing global transactional digital and packaged media operations and heading up sales, licensing and strategic planning initiatives for the home entertainment group.
He previously served as SVP for the studio’s worldwide transactional Est and VOD business, working on key windowing strategies for Lionsgate’s 50+ multi-platform titles...
- 8/31/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate has promoted studio veterans Adam Frank and Jill Anderson to lead its worldwide transactional home entertainment business across electronic sell-through, video-on-demand and packaged media.
Frank has been upped to executive vp, global partner management, sales and distribution, where he will head up digital and packaged media operations and sales, licensing and strategic planning for the home entertainment group. He was most recently senior vp of studio’s worldwide transactional Est and VOD business.
Anderson has been promoted to head of home entertainment sales and partner management, overseeing the digital home entertainment and packaged media sales teams as she reports to Frank. She previously served as senior vp of home entertainment sell-through sales.
As Hollywood studios look to exploit the box office recovery coming out of the pandemic, some are looking to drive more movie revenue from disc rental or sales, a once-vibrant business, rather than have consumers look only...
Frank has been upped to executive vp, global partner management, sales and distribution, where he will head up digital and packaged media operations and sales, licensing and strategic planning for the home entertainment group. He was most recently senior vp of studio’s worldwide transactional Est and VOD business.
Anderson has been promoted to head of home entertainment sales and partner management, overseeing the digital home entertainment and packaged media sales teams as she reports to Frank. She previously served as senior vp of home entertainment sell-through sales.
As Hollywood studios look to exploit the box office recovery coming out of the pandemic, some are looking to drive more movie revenue from disc rental or sales, a once-vibrant business, rather than have consumers look only...
- 8/31/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. isn’t happy with industry consensus appointing “Gran Turismo” as the weekend’s top-grossing film, beating “Barbie.”. It will be small solace, but Warners’ “Meg 2: The Trench” is the dominant title on this week’s VOD charts.
“Meg 2” moved to PVOD after 21 days — a quick turnaround previously reserved for Max exclusives and/or lower-budget titles like “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” and “House Party.” However, “Meg 2” is the $130 million sequel to a film that grossed over $500 million worldwide.
It dropped Friday and quickly reached #1 at iTunes. It also is #1 at Vudu, more impressive since its chart covers seven days and “it “Meg 2” was available for only three of them. Google Play, as always lagging a few days behind, has it at #3 and rising.
“Meg 2” opened two weeks after “Barbie,” yet came to PVOD at least 11 days ahead of Greta Gerwig’s #1 film for 2023. Though not confirmed, the PVOD...
“Meg 2” moved to PVOD after 21 days — a quick turnaround previously reserved for Max exclusives and/or lower-budget titles like “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” and “House Party.” However, “Meg 2” is the $130 million sequel to a film that grossed over $500 million worldwide.
It dropped Friday and quickly reached #1 at iTunes. It also is #1 at Vudu, more impressive since its chart covers seven days and “it “Meg 2” was available for only three of them. Google Play, as always lagging a few days behind, has it at #3 and rising.
“Meg 2” opened two weeks after “Barbie,” yet came to PVOD at least 11 days ahead of Greta Gerwig’s #1 film for 2023. Though not confirmed, the PVOD...
- 8/28/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
This week, the top title for at-home viewing is all a matter of perspective. New releases “Elemental” (Disney) and “No Hard Feelings” (Sony) took the top position at Vudu and iTunes, respectively, while last week’s unanimous #1 “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (Sony) kept the lead spot at GooglePlay. With “The Pope’s Exorcist” now #1 at Netflix, Sony topped three out of four lists.
Expect more changes to come: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (Paramount) reportedly debuts August 29 and unconfirmed reports have the PVOD of “Barbie” (Warner Bros.) as soon as September 5.
It’s notable that “Elemental” doesn’t dominate. The Pixar film sustained a better-than-anticipated theatrical run of $151 million domestic — five times its opening weekend — and $458 million worldwide. But with a reported $200 million production cost before marketing, it needs a very strong post-theatrical response that starts with PVOD.
Both “Elemental” and “No Hard Feelings” debuted as $19.99 sale titles rather than 72-hour rentals.
Expect more changes to come: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (Paramount) reportedly debuts August 29 and unconfirmed reports have the PVOD of “Barbie” (Warner Bros.) as soon as September 5.
It’s notable that “Elemental” doesn’t dominate. The Pixar film sustained a better-than-anticipated theatrical run of $151 million domestic — five times its opening weekend — and $458 million worldwide. But with a reported $200 million production cost before marketing, it needs a very strong post-theatrical response that starts with PVOD.
Both “Elemental” and “No Hard Feelings” debuted as $19.99 sale titles rather than 72-hour rentals.
- 8/21/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Few cinematic traditions are more enduring than thinking up new and inventive ways to beat up Nazis. From “Inglourious Basterds” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to “Dead Snow” and “Sisu,” such projects run the gamut: prestige pictures, blockbusters, low-rent genre fare and everything in between. Icelandic helmer Óskar Thór Axelsson’s “Operation Napoleon,” an adaptation of the bestseller by Arnaldur Indriðason, is the latest offshoot of that storied subgenre: the alt-history thriller that imagines the long-lasting effects of a heretofore untold Third Reich conspiracy.
With such first-act intrigue as a shadowy CIA official instructing a subordinate to “initiate phase one” over the phone and the discovery of an intact Nazi aircraft on Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier in the present day, the film is sure to endear itself to a certain kind of genre-loving movie buff. As the plot fails to truly thicken and the film settles into something unexpectedly self-serious,...
With such first-act intrigue as a shadowy CIA official instructing a subordinate to “initiate phase one” over the phone and the discovery of an intact Nazi aircraft on Iceland’s Vatnajökull glacier in the present day, the film is sure to endear itself to a certain kind of genre-loving movie buff. As the plot fails to truly thicken and the film settles into something unexpectedly self-serious,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Michael Nordine
- Variety Film + TV
Unlike their just opened “Haunted Mansion”, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” might ultimately break even. If it does, its performance on PVOD could be make or break.
Of note, suggesting Disney’s much-revised strategy, this release came after nine weekends in theaters (60 days) and ahead of future Disney+ streaming.
With a reported production cost of $250 million and the usual added expense, its ultimate worldwide gross of $600 million, though otherwise impressive, means post-theatrical revenues need to be substantial. Opening #1 on all charts its initial week is a good first step.
What it will need is multiple weeks of strong play beyond a default first week #1. Last week “The Flash” (Warner Bros.), a far smaller performer in theaters, did debut at the top. But this week it’s only #2 on one chart (Vudu), while third and fourth elsewhere. The bounty for PVOD comes from long term, and high end charts (with the...
Of note, suggesting Disney’s much-revised strategy, this release came after nine weekends in theaters (60 days) and ahead of future Disney+ streaming.
With a reported production cost of $250 million and the usual added expense, its ultimate worldwide gross of $600 million, though otherwise impressive, means post-theatrical revenues need to be substantial. Opening #1 on all charts its initial week is a good first step.
What it will need is multiple weeks of strong play beyond a default first week #1. Last week “The Flash” (Warner Bros.), a far smaller performer in theaters, did debut at the top. But this week it’s only #2 on one chart (Vudu), while third and fourth elsewhere. The bounty for PVOD comes from long term, and high end charts (with the...
- 7/31/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
"The Flash" movie, that opened June 16, 2023, quickly ran out of steam during its initial theatrical run, but after recently debuting on Digital platforms, has managed to race to the top of all three major VOD charts, including 'iTunes', 'Google Play' and 'Vudu':
iTunes
1. The Flash (WB) – $19.99 2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99 3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99 5. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99 6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99 7. Sisu (Lionsgate) – $5.99 8. The Covenant (MGM) – $5.99 9. Asteroid City (Focus) – $19.99 10. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99
Google Play
1. The Flash (WB) – $19.99 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99 3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99 5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99 6. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99 7. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99 8. Asteroid City (Focus) – $19.99 9. The Covenant (MGM) – $5.99 10. Sisu (Lionsgate) – $5.99
Vudu
1. The Flash (WB) – $19.99 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99 3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99 4. Gotg Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99 5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie...
iTunes
1. The Flash (WB) – $19.99 2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99 3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99 5. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99 6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99 7. Sisu (Lionsgate) – $5.99 8. The Covenant (MGM) – $5.99 9. Asteroid City (Focus) – $19.99 10. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99
Google Play
1. The Flash (WB) – $19.99 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99 3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) – $5.99 4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99 5. John Wick: Chapter 4 (Lionsgate) – $5.99 6. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99 7. Fast X (Universal) – $19.99 8. Asteroid City (Focus) – $19.99 9. The Covenant (MGM) – $5.99 10. Sisu (Lionsgate) – $5.99
Vudu
1. The Flash (WB) – $19.99 2. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Paramount) – $19.99 3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) – $19.99 4. Gotg Vol. 3 (Disney) – $19.99 5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie...
- 7/27/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
With a troubled history and soft box office, DC Comics’ “The Flash” ($19.99) on PVOD gives Warner Bros. its second #1 film right now. As “Barbie” comes off a $162 million domestic opening in theaters, “The Flash” takes the top spot at all three VOD charts this week, just over a month after debuting in theaters. Never mind that “Barbie” made more in its opening weekend than “The Flash” did in its under-$110 million domestic run, on a movie with twice the production cost.
In an even quicker turnaround, “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” ($19.99), consistent with Universal’s home release strategy after three weekends in theaters, also made all three lists after the animated feature grossed $15 million. Vudu, with a revenue-based chart that favors higher-priced titles, is best at #3.
At some undetermined point, those studios will have massive potential post-theater play films Based on its agreement with Christopher Nolan on “Oppenheimer,” Universal will not...
In an even quicker turnaround, “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” ($19.99), consistent with Universal’s home release strategy after three weekends in theaters, also made all three lists after the animated feature grossed $15 million. Vudu, with a revenue-based chart that favors higher-priced titles, is best at #3.
At some undetermined point, those studios will have massive potential post-theater play films Based on its agreement with Christopher Nolan on “Oppenheimer,” Universal will not...
- 7/24/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo, Onni Tommila | Written and Directed by Jalmari Helander
Our film tells us that Sisu is an untranslatable Finnish word, for extreme courage. I would debate who that word is supposed to apply to, as our protagonist here is an unfeeling mass murderer Perhaps it refers best to the rape victims of the Nazis, doing their best to survive.
Sisu had me thinking about real history. If I were to create a list of all the peoples and counties who had a legitimate beef with Nazi Germany, during the Second World War the Jews would be at the top and Finland would be at the very bottom. Finland was in a horrible position (literally) as it fought a nasty civil war, to keep Stalin from taking control of their country, but in doing so they signed a pact with the devil, and for most of the war,...
Our film tells us that Sisu is an untranslatable Finnish word, for extreme courage. I would debate who that word is supposed to apply to, as our protagonist here is an unfeeling mass murderer Perhaps it refers best to the rape victims of the Nazis, doing their best to survive.
Sisu had me thinking about real history. If I were to create a list of all the peoples and counties who had a legitimate beef with Nazi Germany, during the Second World War the Jews would be at the top and Finland would be at the very bottom. Finland was in a horrible position (literally) as it fought a nasty civil war, to keep Stalin from taking control of their country, but in doing so they signed a pact with the devil, and for most of the war,...
- 7/18/2023
- by Chris Thomas
- Nerdly
Franchises in theaters are showing their age, but they’re a sure bet at home. This week’s VOD charts have “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (Paramount) and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Disney), both $19.99, battling for top spot. The Hasbro action film is #1 at Vudu and iTunes, while the latest Marvel entry remains #1 at GooglePlay.
Meantime, Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” (Focus), released at $19.99 after its fourth weekend, is fourth or fifth on all three lists. It is behind “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” the year’s biggest domestic hit, now at $5.99 and ranks third everywhere. The top three films all grossed between $150 million and $575 million; “Asteroid” is not yet at $30 million. Anderson’s $25 million budget, a fraction of its competitors’, suggests a lucrative haul for Focus.
Only 13 titles made the charts, with eight on all three. The still-pvod “Fast X” (Universal) and standard-price “Sisu” and “John Wick: Chapter 4...
Meantime, Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” (Focus), released at $19.99 after its fourth weekend, is fourth or fifth on all three lists. It is behind “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” the year’s biggest domestic hit, now at $5.99 and ranks third everywhere. The top three films all grossed between $150 million and $575 million; “Asteroid” is not yet at $30 million. Anderson’s $25 million budget, a fraction of its competitors’, suggests a lucrative haul for Focus.
Only 13 titles made the charts, with eight on all three. The still-pvod “Fast X” (Universal) and standard-price “Sisu” and “John Wick: Chapter 4...
- 7/17/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
If one must ascribe a theme to the Michel Hazanavicius project, it might be documenting the progression of film history: The Artist the silent era, Redoubtable the new wave, and now Final Cut the dreaded hyper-capitalist streaming era. Considering his 2014 Cannes completion entry and Fred Zinnemann remake The Search, likely one of the most-forgotten works of recent times, seemingly killed all his Hollywood crossover potential in one fell swoop, there’s likely some bitterness about being the rare French Academy Award winner still at the mercy of ever-changing markets.
Having (admittedly) never seen Shin’ichirō Ueda’s One Cut of the Dead I’m unsure to what degree his remake, Final Cut, is riffing or reinventing the basic premise, but it’s not hard to detect some personal angle when a seeming Hazanivicius stand-in, fading French director Remi (Romain Duris), serves as the lead. An opportunity for the helmer comes when...
Having (admittedly) never seen Shin’ichirō Ueda’s One Cut of the Dead I’m unsure to what degree his remake, Final Cut, is riffing or reinventing the basic premise, but it’s not hard to detect some personal angle when a seeming Hazanivicius stand-in, fading French director Remi (Romain Duris), serves as the lead. An opportunity for the helmer comes when...
- 7/14/2023
- by Ethan Vestby
- The Film Stage
Three VOD charts and Netflix’s top 10 all resulted in films set in non-Earth planetary worlds leading the pack in home viewing. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Disney) is #1 on VOD (at $19.99) at iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu, while “65,” four months after its theatrical release and multiple weeks scoring on VOD, tops Netflix’s movie chart.
“Galaxy” had a two-month window, as Disney increasingly slows down its initial home releases (“Avatar: The Way of Water” waited 100 days), and then to PVOD, not streaming. It was dominant enough that it led Vudu’s revenue-based list, even though it was only available for three of the seven days of their full-week rankings.
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”Courtesy of Sony Pictures
The deal struck between Netflix and Sony for an exclusive streaming arrangement, which started late last year, has brought more than a billion dollars to Sony. Multiple films such as “Bullet Train,...
“Galaxy” had a two-month window, as Disney increasingly slows down its initial home releases (“Avatar: The Way of Water” waited 100 days), and then to PVOD, not streaming. It was dominant enough that it led Vudu’s revenue-based list, even though it was only available for three of the seven days of their full-week rankings.
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”Courtesy of Sony Pictures
The deal struck between Netflix and Sony for an exclusive streaming arrangement, which started late last year, has brought more than a billion dollars to Sony. Multiple films such as “Bullet Train,...
- 7/10/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
“What’s the worst that could happen?” has become cliche famous last words for a reason. That’s a lesson that four friends are about to learn in “Joy Ride,” the newest release from Lionsgate that hits movie theaters on Friday, July 7.
The movie centers on four Asian-American friends — played by Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu — as they travel through Asia in search of one of their gang’s birth mothers. Along the way, their experience becomes one of bonding, friendship, belonging, and no-holds-barred debauchery. It’s just a road trip, what could possibly go wrong??
The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, gathering a 92% rating. Critics point out there’s plenty of base humor in the film, but it’s balanced with a surprisingly earnest emotional story that will leave viewers cry-laughing all the way home.
Watch the Trailer for ‘Joy Ride’:
If...
The movie centers on four Asian-American friends — played by Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu — as they travel through Asia in search of one of their gang’s birth mothers. Along the way, their experience becomes one of bonding, friendship, belonging, and no-holds-barred debauchery. It’s just a road trip, what could possibly go wrong??
The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, gathering a 92% rating. Critics point out there’s plenty of base humor in the film, but it’s balanced with a surprisingly earnest emotional story that will leave viewers cry-laughing all the way home.
Watch the Trailer for ‘Joy Ride’:
If...
- 7/7/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Once again. “John Wick: Chapter 4” (Lionsgate) ($5.99) is #1 at iTunes and Google Play, while “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at $19.99 (Universal) is #1 at Vudu.
Like most weeks, Netflix’s top 10 movie list is topsy-turvy. New at #1 is “Run Rabbit Run,” an Australian horror film the streamer acquired out of the Sundance Film Festival’s Midnight section. It stars “Succession” actress Sarah Snook as a fertility doctor who notices her daughter’s strange behavior.
Beyond that, “Mario” is in two second-place spots while “Fast X” is #2 at Vudu, helped by its $19.99 price. “The Covenant” (MGM) is #3 at iTunes, “The Machine” (Sony) at $19.99 #3 at Vudu, with “Fast X” taking third at Google Play.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”Courtesy of Marvel Studios
The #1 summer release (for now), “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Disney), is set for release July 7, a generous 63 days after its theatrical release. It should have no problem...
Like most weeks, Netflix’s top 10 movie list is topsy-turvy. New at #1 is “Run Rabbit Run,” an Australian horror film the streamer acquired out of the Sundance Film Festival’s Midnight section. It stars “Succession” actress Sarah Snook as a fertility doctor who notices her daughter’s strange behavior.
Beyond that, “Mario” is in two second-place spots while “Fast X” is #2 at Vudu, helped by its $19.99 price. “The Covenant” (MGM) is #3 at iTunes, “The Machine” (Sony) at $19.99 #3 at Vudu, with “Fast X” taking third at Google Play.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”Courtesy of Marvel Studios
The #1 summer release (for now), “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (Disney), is set for release July 7, a generous 63 days after its theatrical release. It should have no problem...
- 7/4/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Central Europe’s biggest cinema fest and party, has a reputation for offering up a healthy mix of regional and international films, as well as a mix of serious and fun fare, including some more outlandish and challenging movies.
The festival’s 57th edition, running June 30-July 8 in the Czech spa town, is no different.
Here is THR‘s look at some of the more outlandish and bizarre-sounding films that it will offer up to cineasts and industry insiders from around the globe.
Sisu, Midnight Screenings section
Described as “a survivalist action film stripped down to the bone” on the Karlovy Vary festival website, Sisu features a tired unit of Nazis at the end of the war picking a fight with a lone man, portrayed by Jorma Tommila, in Finland. “Part Western and part ironic Finnish answer” to action flicks starring the likes of Sylvester Stallone,...
The festival’s 57th edition, running June 30-July 8 in the Czech spa town, is no different.
Here is THR‘s look at some of the more outlandish and bizarre-sounding films that it will offer up to cineasts and industry insiders from around the globe.
Sisu, Midnight Screenings section
Described as “a survivalist action film stripped down to the bone” on the Karlovy Vary festival website, Sisu features a tired unit of Nazis at the end of the war picking a fight with a lone man, portrayed by Jorma Tommila, in Finland. “Part Western and part ironic Finnish answer” to action flicks starring the likes of Sylvester Stallone,...
- 6/29/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
’Across The Spider-Verse’ has now surpassed the lifetime takings of its predecessor after swooping another £4.1m
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (May 19-21)Total gross to date Week 1. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £4.1m £16.2m 2 2. Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (Paramount) £2.5m £3m 1 3. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £2.1m £20m 3 4. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) £511,755 £35.6 6 5. Fast X (Universal) £475,381 £14.3m 4
Paramount’s Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts failed to knock Sony’s Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse off top spot at the UK-Ireland box office after an opening weekend of £2.5m (£3m including previews).
Despite opening in 595 sites, a record for the shapeshifting action franchise,...
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (May 19-21)Total gross to date Week 1. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £4.1m £16.2m 2 2. Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (Paramount) £2.5m £3m 1 3. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £2.1m £20m 3 4. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) £511,755 £35.6 6 5. Fast X (Universal) £475,381 £14.3m 4
Paramount’s Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts failed to knock Sony’s Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse off top spot at the UK-Ireland box office after an opening weekend of £2.5m (£3m including previews).
Despite opening in 595 sites, a record for the shapeshifting action franchise,...
- 6/12/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Crimson Peak Vinyl Soundtrack from Waxwork Records
Crimson Peak’s original motion picture soundtrack is available on 2xLP vinyl for $40 via Waxwork Records. The score is composed by Fernando Velázquez.
Between Jérémy Pailler’s ethereal artwork on the gatefold jacket and the “Ice Blue & Red Clay” splatter color vinyl, not to mention Velázquez’s haunting music, this is certain to be one of the most beautiful records in your collection.
My Best Friend Is a Vampire Blu-ray from Lionsgate
My Best Friend Is a Vampire will be released on Blu-ray on July 25 as the 30th installment in Lionsgate’s Vestron Video Collector’s Series. Matthew Therrien designed the cover art for the 1987 horror-comedy.
Also known...
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Crimson Peak Vinyl Soundtrack from Waxwork Records
Crimson Peak’s original motion picture soundtrack is available on 2xLP vinyl for $40 via Waxwork Records. The score is composed by Fernando Velázquez.
Between Jérémy Pailler’s ethereal artwork on the gatefold jacket and the “Ice Blue & Red Clay” splatter color vinyl, not to mention Velázquez’s haunting music, this is certain to be one of the most beautiful records in your collection.
My Best Friend Is a Vampire Blu-ray from Lionsgate
My Best Friend Is a Vampire will be released on Blu-ray on July 25 as the 30th installment in Lionsgate’s Vestron Video Collector’s Series. Matthew Therrien designed the cover art for the 1987 horror-comedy.
Also known...
- 6/9/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) kicks off its 16th edition from Thursday, 1 June until Sunday, 4 June 2023 bringing together a diverse group of acclaimed filmmakers and prominent professionals from the film, entertainment, and creative industries to celebrate cinema.
Balinale showcases the finest Indonesian and International movies.
Over our 4-day event will present forty-five films from thirteen countries at Park23 Creative Hub Cinema Xxi, Tuban Kuta, Bali. Several of these films are world, Asian, and international premieres. Opening Balinale is A Guilty Conscience directed by Jack Ng. actor, Dee Ho, will be at the festival to present the film.
Notable films include Sisu from Finland, directed by Jalmari Helander; Klondike from Ukraine, directed by Maryna Er Gorbach; Where the Wind Blows from Hong Kong, directed by Philip Yung; and Women Talking from the United States, directed by Sarah Polley.
In competition 2023
In 2023, the festival's juried competition will present awards in several artistic and technical categories: Narrative Features,...
Balinale showcases the finest Indonesian and International movies.
Over our 4-day event will present forty-five films from thirteen countries at Park23 Creative Hub Cinema Xxi, Tuban Kuta, Bali. Several of these films are world, Asian, and international premieres. Opening Balinale is A Guilty Conscience directed by Jack Ng. actor, Dee Ho, will be at the festival to present the film.
Notable films include Sisu from Finland, directed by Jalmari Helander; Klondike from Ukraine, directed by Maryna Er Gorbach; Where the Wind Blows from Hong Kong, directed by Philip Yung; and Women Talking from the United States, directed by Sarah Polley.
In competition 2023
In 2023, the festival's juried competition will present awards in several artistic and technical categories: Narrative Features,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Distribution
Anthony Lapaglia‘s upcoming factual series “The Black Hand” is set to be distributed internationally by eOne.
The three-part series will explore Australia’s Italian community, looking at the difficulties they face, their politics, the threat of war and the mafia. According to the series synopsis, The Black Hand is the name for a gang of Italian criminals in Australia.
Alan Erson, Lapaglia, Michael Tear exec produce. Adam Grossetti and Kate Pappas produce. “The Black Hand” is directed by Kriv Stenders and written by Grossetti, Stenders and Anya Beyersdorf.
The series was produced by Wildbear Entertainment for ABC in Australia. The deal with eOne excludes Australia and Scandinavia.
“The Black Hand is truly the definition of premium factual,” said Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP for acquisitions. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to take to market a hugely popular genre like true crime with some amazing auspicious.”
***
Meanwhile,...
Anthony Lapaglia‘s upcoming factual series “The Black Hand” is set to be distributed internationally by eOne.
The three-part series will explore Australia’s Italian community, looking at the difficulties they face, their politics, the threat of war and the mafia. According to the series synopsis, The Black Hand is the name for a gang of Italian criminals in Australia.
Alan Erson, Lapaglia, Michael Tear exec produce. Adam Grossetti and Kate Pappas produce. “The Black Hand” is directed by Kriv Stenders and written by Grossetti, Stenders and Anya Beyersdorf.
The series was produced by Wildbear Entertainment for ABC in Australia. The deal with eOne excludes Australia and Scandinavia.
“The Black Hand is truly the definition of premium factual,” said Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP for acquisitions. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to take to market a hugely popular genre like true crime with some amazing auspicious.”
***
Meanwhile,...
- 5/31/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” made a splashy debut at the U.K. and Ireland box office, topping the charts with £5 million ($6.2 million), per numbers from Comscore.
The film accounted for 49% of all ticket sales across the three-day weekend, according to Disney.
In its second weekend, Universal’s “Fast X” held strong with £2.2 million in second place for a total of £10.2 million. In third position, in its fourth weekend, Disney’s “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” collected £1.5 million for a total of £31.6 million.
Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” earned £292,155 in fourth place in its eighth weekend for a total of £52.2 million. Warner Bros.’ “Hypnotic” rounded off the top five, debuting with £217,252.
There were two more debuts in the top 10. Sony’s “Sisu” bowed in sixth place with £144,567 while National Amusements/Vue’s concert film “Tomorrow X Together World Tour – Act: Sweet Mirage – Live” debuted in...
The film accounted for 49% of all ticket sales across the three-day weekend, according to Disney.
In its second weekend, Universal’s “Fast X” held strong with £2.2 million in second place for a total of £10.2 million. In third position, in its fourth weekend, Disney’s “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” collected £1.5 million for a total of £31.6 million.
Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” earned £292,155 in fourth place in its eighth weekend for a total of £52.2 million. Warner Bros.’ “Hypnotic” rounded off the top five, debuting with £217,252.
There were two more debuts in the top 10. Sony’s “Sisu” bowed in sixth place with £144,567 while National Amusements/Vue’s concert film “Tomorrow X Together World Tour – Act: Sweet Mirage – Live” debuted in...
- 5/31/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The live-action remake made a total of £6.9m including bank holiday Monday
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (May 19-May 21)Total gross to date Week 1. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £5m £5m 1 2. Fast X (Universal) £2.2m £10.9m 2 3. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) £1.6m £32.3m 4 4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) £290,897 £52.4 8 5. Hypnotic (Warner Bros) £187,503 £238,150 1
Disney’s The Little Mermaid topped the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, opening with just under £5m.
The live-action remake took in another £1.9m on bank holiday Monday to bring its total to £6.9m. Directed by Rob Marshall and starring Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid opened in 732 locations...
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (May 19-May 21)Total gross to date Week 1. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £5m £5m 1 2. Fast X (Universal) £2.2m £10.9m 2 3. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney) £1.6m £32.3m 4 4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Universal) £290,897 £52.4 8 5. Hypnotic (Warner Bros) £187,503 £238,150 1
Disney’s The Little Mermaid topped the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, opening with just under £5m.
The live-action remake took in another £1.9m on bank holiday Monday to bring its total to £6.9m. Directed by Rob Marshall and starring Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid opened in 732 locations...
- 5/30/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (Universal) has grossed triple what “John Wick: Chapter 4” (Lionsgate) has in theaters. But for home viewers, the latest Keunu Reeves action sequel booted the Nintendo game animated film out of all #1 VOD rankings after only one week.
Impressively, this was not only on iTunes and Google Play (which rank by number of transactions) but also Vudu, which tallies by revenue. “Wick” costs the standard $19.99 to view, while “Smb” is $24.99 ($29.99 to own). That suggests at that site at least it had a clear lead for the week. Meantime, “Smb” is a unanimous #2.
At Netflix, the success of recent Sony titles continues to be seen among their most viewed movies. The studio, lacking its own streaming site, now regularly sends its films there a few months after release. “Missing” continues at #1, but the surprise this week has been the success of “The Son.”
“The Son”Sony Pictures Classics...
Impressively, this was not only on iTunes and Google Play (which rank by number of transactions) but also Vudu, which tallies by revenue. “Wick” costs the standard $19.99 to view, while “Smb” is $24.99 ($29.99 to own). That suggests at that site at least it had a clear lead for the week. Meantime, “Smb” is a unanimous #2.
At Netflix, the success of recent Sony titles continues to be seen among their most viewed movies. The studio, lacking its own streaming site, now regularly sends its films there a few months after release. “Missing” continues at #1, but the surprise this week has been the success of “The Son.”
“The Son”Sony Pictures Classics...
- 5/29/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is better, down where it's wetter. Although we wouldn't recommend listening to this under the sea, in case you get your phone all soggy. Anyway, this is our way of saying that we're joined this week by Javier Bardem and Daveed Diggs, two of the stars of the latest Disney live-action animation adaptation (try saying that when you're the worse for wear), The Little Mermaid. They talk to Helen O'Hara and Ben Travis, respectively, and both are tons of fun.
Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen, James Dyer and, in the fourth chair, Kobi Omenaka, co-host of the Flixwatcher podcast, who tells us all about his brush with fame on Gladiators. Then, the four of them pay tribute to Tina Turner, talk about their favourite musicians-turned-actors, discuss the week's movie news (including the sad death of Ray Stevenson...
Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen, James Dyer and, in the fourth chair, Kobi Omenaka, co-host of the Flixwatcher podcast, who tells us all about his brush with fame on Gladiators. Then, the four of them pay tribute to Tina Turner, talk about their favourite musicians-turned-actors, discuss the week's movie news (including the sad death of Ray Stevenson...
- 5/26/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
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