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KONG SET FOR BIGGEST US PANDEMIC OPENING…
…AS WW84 SHIFTS 72,000 COPIES IN THE UK
DAWN COMES AGAIN…
…AS SECOND SIGHT HEADS TO LAKE
ARROW’S EASTER SALE ARRIVES…
…AND COMPANY UNVEILS JUNE SLATE
IRREVERSIBLE GOES FORWARD
SIGNATURE'S SCI-FI HIT ON TARGET
MIDSOMER PERFECT FOR LOCKDOWN
GRAY DAY FOR SOVEREIGN
BULLDOG SPIRIT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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Godzilla Vs Kong has arrived on both sides of the Atlantic and there’s some interesting early word from the US, where the film is released day and date with cinemas, which are open in certain parts of the country and its HBO Max service. The creature feature is part of Warner’s ongoing US strategy to release titles simultaneously theatrically and through its new svod offerings and the initial indications from the US are promising for the major. According to reports from the likes of US trade magazine Deadline, the film has racked up the biggest box office opening day figures during the pandemic, earning $9.6 million in its first day of release. That tops the previous record, held by another Warner title, Wonder Woman 1984. But it highlights that maybe, just maybe, audiences appreciate the possibility of either seeing the film at cinemas or at home and, if the film is right, they’re happy to go out and see it at a cinema even if they can watch it on TV. As the magazine noted: “Since mid-March 2020, when theatres closed, and slowly returned in late August, no other film has done this type of business. Even though folks can watch Godzilla vs. Kong at home on WarnerMedia’s streaming service HBO Max for the next 30 days, there are those who want to get out and experience this monster clash in a boom-shaka-laka rattling auditorium on a big screen.” On Twitter, box office analyst Rich Greenfield of LightShed said: "So people still go to see movies in theatres even when available at no extra cost on a streaming platform at home. Looks like Hollywood can learn from [Warner Bros.] and [WarnerMedia CEO] Jason Kilar.”
Meanwhile, over here, Warner is heading into Easter with the current Official Film Chart number one title, Wonder Woman 1984, still selling through in impressive numbers. The title has shifted 72,000 copies over the week to March 28 according to the numbers announced on Wednesday March 31. The title is now the biggest seller of 2021 so far, with further support coming from a box set featuring the first Wonder Woman film alongside this sequel, in at number two in the listing. With a new entry for Tim Burton's first Batman film, called, er, Batman, in at number three on the back of a new Steelbook edition, and two other titles (Joker and Godzilla King Of Monsters), Warner has half of the top 10 this week.
Little more than six months since it returned to the chart, George A Romero’s classic shopping mall-based horror Dawn Of The Dead, the zombie film that, as we noted last year, simply refuses to die is back bothering the charts again. Second Sight’s latest version of the release, which sold out in a mammoth multi-disc box set complete with hardback book (with some words from The Raygun’s Tim Murray, no less) in 2020, has returned in a scaled back version, without the box, soundtrack CDs, book and some of the other bells and whistles. But the lower-priced set still carries a hefty retail price tag, and, for the fans, it's still the definitive version of the film. The title is now back in the top 10 of the Official Film Chart, re-entering at number five. Commenting on its continued success, Second Sight’s Chris Holden said: “Having sold 18,000 of the Limited Edition set it’s great to see our, shall we say 'slightly more standard’ version back in the charts. As well as people holding out for this set we’ve seen a lot of feedback from people who are buying this one having already bought the Limited, some taking the chance to buy the other format, some wanting to keep the Limited safely in its outer wrap and some just wanting to complete their collection. It really is unique in the passion people have for it.”
The success of Dawn Of The Dead comes as Second Sight continues to bring both older and more recent titles to market. Its next batch of releases includes the excellent cannibal-esque coming of age saga Raw – one that has, as rumour had long insisted audiences collapsing at screenings – followed by the equally acclaimed recent horror Lake Mungo. Squaring the circle of recent releases, the Lake Mungo set includes contributions from director du jour Rob Savage, the man behind host, said: "So honoured to be included on the definitive new release of LAKE MUNGO - one of the greatest films ever made, horror or otherwise.” And another director, rising Hollywood big name Leigh Whannell, who directed another recent Second Sight Blu-ray release, Upgrade, who added: "Love this film, and this special edition by @SecondSightFilm looks glorious.” Another director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting Of Hill House) said: ”Phenomenal film… I ordered extra copies to give away as gifts, that's how much I love this.”
Into the Easter weekend and now becoming as traditional as chocolate eggs and bunnies is Arrow Video’s big Easter sale, and it’s kicked of to a warm response. Commenting on the initiative, Arrow’s Mike Hewitt said: “This week has also seen the launch of our Arrow Video Easter Carnage Sale across the UK, US and Canada. Running in the UK across our own website at www.arrowfilms.co.uk, and across our retail partners at hmv.com and Zavvi, it's been a record-breaking first two days, proving there is a definite Spring in customer's steps this holiday. The Easter Carnage Sale runs until April 13, so snap up a bargain or two via your favourite outlet, and don't forget to place your orders for our gorgeous Limited Edition 4k UHD releases of Donnie Darko and Battle Royale - both released on April 26 and pre-ordering fast!”
Sticking with Arrow Video and the imprint has unveiled its June titles for release, which will, the company said, be one of its best months of the year thanks to the strength of the titles on offer. Here’s marketing chief Mike Hewitt, who said: “In what is looking like one of our best release slates of the year so far, we have been thrilled with the reaction to our Arrow Video June releases. First up is Jill Gevargizian's The Stylist, debuting on Blu-ray following its premiere on ARROW last month. The film shot straight to the top of our most watched charts on ARROW, and the Blu-ray is being given the deluxe treatment as a limited edition two-disc release packed with extras. From the East, and available for the first time outside of Japan, and in a new 4k restoration, Irezumi (1966) is a stylish tale of lust, betrayal and revenge directed by Yasuzo Masumura, whilst from the West we have a gorgeous Limited Edition release of Sam Peckinpah's Major Dundee (1965), including a 60-page perfect-bound book and fold-out poster. Moving to Italy, our big boxset release is Years Of Lead, featuring five classic Italian crime thrillers from 1973-1977 which defined the poliziotteschi genre. This set is a must for both newcomers and grizzled veterans alike. And finally, we have a beautiful 4k UHD restoration of Argento's genre-defining debut and all-time Arrow classic, The Bird With The Crystal Plumage (1970), complete with collector's booklet, poster, lobby cards and more!” Sticking with the boutique label world and good news from Powerhouse, its Indicator Series imprint is releasing Irreversible, which boasts a number of firsts and, what’s more, has also doubled its initial print run to meet the strong consumer demand. The company’s Sam Dunn told The Raygun: "We're incredibly excited to be releasing Gaspar Noé's powerful and technically innovative Irreversible on April 26. And, although it's actually the second time I've worked on the film (I was at Tartan at the time of its original theatrical release), it's the first time the film has been released on Blu-ray in the UK. It's also Powerhouse's first-ever foreign-language title, and is the first film in our catalogue to have been produced after the year 2000. Given just how many of the films that we publish were made so long ago, it's very rare for us to be given the opportunity to work with a living director. And, despite his being extremely busy with a number of projects, I'm delighted to say that Gaspar was incredibly generous with his time, overseeing many aspects of the packaging design and enabling us to include some really great extras. Pre-sales quickly exceeded our initial expectations, so we've doubled the run of our numbered, limited edition to avoid customer disappointment."
Monday releases and finally arriving on physical formats on April 5 after winding its way through a lockdown-affected release strategy, is one of our favourites from the past year or two, Synchronic. Here’s the company’s Emilie Barra on the title. She said: “Aaron and Benson's much-awaited follow-up to The Endless – Synchronic – is finally available on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday. The timing couldn't be better with Disney+'s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier on the platform now, which also stars Anthony Mackie. With a lead glowing review in Empire's home ent section, a range of high profile competitions and a mouth-watering list of extras on the Blu-Ray including a commentary and an alternate ending - we have a great set-up for one of this year's best sci-fi movies.
It’s been lauded as one of the lockdown treats for viewers, with its stories of a countryside peopled with all kinds of murderers finding ever-ingenious ways to bump off villagers proving to be just the kind of gentle yet sometimes thrilling ride viewers are yearning for during the pandemic. And on Monday, fans can warm themselves with the 21st series of long-running series Midsomer Murders as it arrives on shelves courtesy of Acorn. As the Guardian noted as the latest series began its transmission: “Like many others, I have immersed myself in box sets, chiefly crime dramas, as a coping mechanism throughout the nightmare that has been the past year. But after scaring myself silly with The Fall and ending up cross-eyed with confusion at Marcella, I believe I have found the perfect lockdown watch: Midsomer Murders. I am not alone, either: viewing of show repeats was up 39 per cent last year, with the biggest repeat audience for 2020 during the first lockdown: 2.4 million viewers.” Commenting on the release, Acorn’s Stuart Shaw said: “Another year, another Midsomer Murders series doing brilliantly both with viewers and pre-orders; and to think that as series 21 ends series 22 begins. At Acorn we believe strongly in the home ent business and have been delighted over the past year to see such a strong performance across physical and digital, but also to see new customers emerging, performing strongly and showing significantly year on year growth; many thanks to our friends and partners at Spirit Entertainment for identifying and delivering on these opportunities. In 2020 our library share of our total business was its highest ever and gives me a huge amount of optimism for the future, especially with our strong new release slate. Q2 2021 promises to be a very happy one; thanks in part to the C.H.I.S.”
Producer and latterly distributor Sovereign Film Distribution is moving further into the home entertainment arena with its plans for the forthcoming release of Effie Gray. The company is giving a new lease of life to the Victorian costume drama about a relationship that shocked the art world and stars Dakota Fanning alongside acting royalty Julie Walters and Emma Thompson. The film, originally made in 2014, will be getting a a virtual cinemas and video on demand release on April 19 and Sovereign is now planning a special collectors' edition Blu-ray and DVD for release at the end of May. Managing Director of Sovereign Film Distribution Andreas Roald said "The unconsummated marriage of pre-Raphaelite champion John Ruskin, to his young wife Effie Gray, led to a scandalous Victorian divorce. In a time of societal strangulation, a strong woman fighting for emancipation. It was unheard of, challenging and full of passion. Sovereign Film Distribution is a natural ally of our Production division, Sovereign Films. We look for great storytellers with powerful visions, windows on the world that are passionate and vibrant. Stories that excite, enchant and challenge audiences. We will always support strong voices and filmmakers telling important stories."
Former Blockbuster staffer turned manager and owner of his own video store, Jon Spira, sometime Raygun contributor and reader, film director and author of the best book about running a rental shop in the UK, Videosyncratic (named after his own outlet) has announced a new film project. It’s his third feature length outing after Anyone Can Play Guitar (about Oxford bands) and Elstree 1976, about the filming of Star Wars just outside London, and another documentary, with Spira this time turning his attention to stunt men. Hollywood Bulldogs, subtitled The Rise And Falls Of The Great British Stuntmen will feature a host of talent, including legends such as Vic Armstrong, and will be narrated by none other than Ray Winstone. Abacus is looking after international sales, with a release expected later this year. The trailer link is below, but in the meantime, Spira said: “I’m incredibly excited to bring Hollywood Bulldogs out to a global audience. Both of my previous feature documentaries have focused on people who exist on the periphery of pop culture. I like to tell stories that haven’t been told and perhaps lift the curtain on things which are culturally very familiar to reveal whole communities of people living just outside the limelight. The Hollywood bulldogs are a bunch of tough old geezers with great stories to tell. They’re the guys who took the punches, did the falls and crashed the vehicles of the greatest cinematic characters of the 60s, 70s and 80s - Indiana Jones, James Bond, Superman, Flash Gordon and the rest of them. Interviewing these guys was one of the great pleasures of my life. They’re all now in differing states of health and prosperity but they gave us their all and every one of them sparkles with charisma - the footage we got is tremendous. Having gone to screenings of ELSTREE 1976 all over the world, I know there’s a great and enthusiastic audience for films like this anyway, but this one is so action-packed and filled with fun that I think there’s a whole new audience out there who are going to embrace this film and fall in love with the Bulldogs just like all of us who are working on the film have.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“With so much stuff going straight to digital and the vanity appeal of being able to upload your own stuff straight to Amazon Prime, a DVD is a badge of honor – that signifies that it’s a proper film.”
Producer Jonathan Sothcott on DTV titles in an excellent feature in the Daily Telegraph supporting the release of Nemesis, the latest title from his stable… See the full thing here, recommended reading.
AT THE MOVIES
Disney keeps on coming with assorted announcements on a weekly basis, this week’s latest news from the major concerned one of its next big Star Wars projects, Obi-Wan Kenobi is been developed by Disney-owned Lucasfilm and is a “special event series” or, as we used to call it in the pre-subscription video on demand days, a “series”. As reported previously, Ewan McGregor is reprising his role as the titular Jedi, with Hayden Christiansen returning from wherever he’s been recently to play Darth Vader, Kenobi’s former student turned nemesis. The rest of the excellent, and very diverse cast, has been announced this week, it includes Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell and Benny Safdie. Highlights for us, of course, include Edgerton and Safdie, both amazing in everything they’re in.
We love Dexter Fletcher, the former Press Gang star who has ended up, by a long, circuitous and thoroughly enjoyable route, an A-list Hollywood director thanks to the success of the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman. His big-name credentials were further cemented this week with the news that he will be directing a batch of episodes of the limited series on the making of The Godfather. The Offer, as it is known, is a dramatised version of the story of the film, which had a troubled production before breaking all kinds of records. It will be a flagship show for Paramount’s svod service in the US, no news as to who will air in the UK. Filming is likely to start this summer.
Meanwhile, looks like Rain Johnson is lining up not one but two sequels to Knives Out and is taking them away from Lionsgate, which backed the first film, to Netflix. Seems as if he had held on to the rights to the franchise, so has gone with the svod service after a thruway bidding war with other streaming services Amazon and Apple. Now, its great the films are getting made, but always a bit questionable when someone moves away from the company that ponied up the cash before it became a success and a potential franchise…
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun…
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Here come the stunt men…
Big animated Netflix feature…
On Netflix in the US, yet to appear here…
New Star Wars, via Disney+…
On the way from Vertical Entertainment…
Attenborough's Apple offering…
Long-awaited DreamWorks animated sequel…
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