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BOND STILL FIRING
BASE ON THE RADIO
WEEKLY APPEARANCES SCHEDULED
THING’S ULTRA RELEASE SCORES BIG
OUTSIDERS BACK ON THE INSIDE
FAST ARRIVAL IN STORES
MONKEY BUSINESS
HALLOWEEN SPIKE FOR SHUDDER IMPRINT
HELP IS ON ITS WAY
DEAD WALK AGAIN
SPIRITS BACK IN A BOX
EUREKA GETS SET FOR CHRISTMAS
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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Another week, another Bond update, with 007 scoring big again at UK – and global – cinemas, with a US release still to come but its total already looking pretty impressive. Its UK haul is now past the magic £50 million mark after just two weekends and one week on release, with no signs of slowing down. We headed to Edmonton over the weekend to catch the film and sat in a packed, sold-out lunchtime screening, the busiest we’ve seen a cinema for a good two years or so. We’ll be updating here and on our twitter, but as trade body Cinema UK noted, there’s still plenty to come to keep things rolling at the British box office. The organisation tweeted: “Another extraordinary weekend sees No Time To Die hit almost £50 million at the UK box office. With Venom Let There Be Carnage out this Friday and Dune the following week – both of which have done very well in international markets – the recovery of UK cinemas continues.”
Friday October 8 saw trade organisation BASE officially unveil its three-month cross-category campaign to outline the packed home entertainment release slate for Q4 to consumers, to grab their attention and drive awareness of all the titles due across physical and digital in the coming weeks and months. Appearing on broadcast radio each and every Friday right through until December 17, backed by further marketing and PR activity, it will unveil the Official Charts Company’s top five titles from the Official Film Chart across Blu-ray, DVD and digital in an editorial-style advert. Two separate 40’ creatives will appear across Capital FM, Heat, Kerrang!, Kiss and Radio X, outlining the top five that week as well as letting consumers know about new releases, box sets, gifting opportunities and more. Meanwhile, a regional PR campaign will target both new and lapsed consumers to let them know about the vast array of choices available this quarter, under the banner of What To Watch At Home This Weekend. The campaign has pulled together the likes of Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Studiocanal, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Group and more partnerships and elements are due to be added and announced shortly. You can hear the first two slots here and here .
Comment on the initiative came from BASE and partners at the Official Charts Company. Liz Bales, chief executive at BASE, said: “We are now beginning to witness the impact that the re- opening of cinemas this summer has on the new release home entertainment slate. While other areas of the category performed incredibly during lockdown, notably catalogue and TV, our insights tell us that it is new release product that drives so many consumers to our category, on disc and digital. Amplifying this slate through a national broadcast and PR campaign, and simultaneously helping customers with their content choices, was a perfect opportunity that I am so pleased to say we have confidently taken as a category in the lead up to Christmas. Becca Monahan, commercial director, The Official Charts Company said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners BASE to bring the Official Film Chart directly to consumers across the next three months. The Official Film Chart is the only weekly chart in the world to reflect sales of DVDs, Blu-rays and digital downloads, which makes it the perfect tool for audiences to use to know exactly what is available to buy and watch now in their chosen format. We have worked with BASE for a number of years and are so excited both for this wave of fresh activity, and the opportunities that 2022 will bring for us both.”
Talking of 4K, we were off to the BFI Southbank for a London Film Festival special, as Studiocanal showed off its brand new, sparkling 4K restoration of Francis Ford Coppola’s classic teen drama The Outsiders. The new version – dubbed The Complete Novel – sees Coppola restoring scenes excised from the original cut of the film and now sees it following SE Hinton’s much-loved novel, still a set text at schools around the globe. The new version, with some of his father’s score removed in favour of 50s rock n roll and rockabilly cuts, went down a storm with the packed audience, giving the perfect platform to launch the theatrical release this coming Friday, October 15, and Studiocanal’s subsequent multi-format home entertainment bow. The screening was followed by a transatlantic Q&A with Coppola via Zoom from his US base. The director revealed he hit upon the idea of restoring it after being asked to go into his granddaughter’s school to show the film. He found a Betamax with the original cut of the film, and, rather than face students’ questions as to why he’d left out some scenes from the book, decided to present the version that faithfully followed it. “I was able to bring to the class [the version] that was the complete novel and showed it to them. I had my reasons for taking out certain scenes, but felt I was wrong and that this movie was better in the full version.”
Also out in stores on Monday October 11 is the latest from CultFilms and a film that’s already picked up a five star review from The Guardian, The Ape Woman. It’s a global Blu-ray first and has earned big plaudits and coverage already (you can see the review here https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/07/the-ape-woman-review-freakshow-satire-with-bizarre-alternative-ending-payoff). Outlining more about the release, the company’s Garwin Spencer Davison said; “The CultFilms Blu-ray is from 4K restored materials made for the Venice Classic Film Festival a couple years ago; it’s a first ever on Blu-ray worldwide. The Ape Woman aka La Donna Scimmia) features both the director’s cut, Marco Ferreri’s sombre conclusion of the cruel story inspired by the real-life events – à la Elephant Man – of the exploitation of a young woman circus performer whose body was completely covered in hair. The Blu-ray also features via seamless branching the alternate longer version which Ferreri made for the producer: this ‘happy-ending’ producer’s version was nominated for thePalme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. There’s also a 90 minutes bonus extra documentary on the maverick Marco Ferreri, featuring Gerard Depardieu, Philippe Noiret, Christophe Lambert et al.”
More from Monday’s releases and as October 31 fast approaches, Acorn is readying itself for the big day with further additions to its Shudder imprint, adding new titles backed by the AMC-owned subscription video on demand service to the physical label under the same banner. Commenting on its latest activity, the company’s Helen Squire said: "As we head towards Halloween, we’re already seeing an uptick in interest around our Shudder releases. Last week saw the heart-warming and heart-ripping Psycho Goreman and monster movie Monstrum arrive on Blu-ray and this week we have possession horror, Son launching.”
Meanwhile, there’s a horror story of a different kind due for release by Acorn on Monday October 11 in the shape of Covid-19 care home drama Help, starring Stephen Graham and current star du jour Jodie Comer, the pair offering up two of the most powerful performances of 2021 in this pandemic charged outing. It’s part of a Stephen Graham double bill due in stores on Monday, as Acorn’s Helen Squire explains. She said: “Outstanding and acclaimed drama Help starring TV and Hollywood darlings Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer is out on DVD this week. This heartbreaking drama exposes the shocking struggle of a care home engulfed by the Covid-19 pandemic crisis as its left without support of protection for staff and residents. Prepare to be moved. Code 404 Series 2, also starring Stephen Graham, will be sure to cheer you up as it also makes its way onto DVD, along with a Series 1 and 2 boxset this week.”
And if that’s not enough, there’s more too, as the latest offshoot of the big AMC zombie franchise lands. Here’s Helen Squire again, she said: “Finally, another opportunity from parent company, AMC Networks, as we bring The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1 out of Blu-ray and DVD. With another season around the corner we’re excited to bring this to market.”
With a record 11 films appearing in this year’s London Film Festival, it’s a busy time for curated video on demand service MUBI, which continues to make inroads into the distribution sector and, in the shape of Paul Verhoeven’s eagerly awaited Benedetta, has what is set to be one of the festival’s most talked about films. And, as ever, it’s good to see the company supporting physical home entertainment releases too. Next up on DVD and Blu-ray is one of the company’s big LFF titles from last year’s festival in the shape of the excellent New Order, due on October 11. Part of a vibrant Mexican filmmaking resurgence, it presents a crumbling upper and middle class facade being threatened by revolution, as a wealthy event is caught up in a lawless, anarchic outbreak raging on the streets. As The Guardian’s review concluded: “And what is to be made of it all? On the most basic level, it is a warning of what inequality can cause in the future and what it is effectively causing right now. Perhaps there is something nihilistic here, but New Order very effectively persuades you that a real-life revolution might well be every bit as ugly, horrifying and un-Hollywood as this shows – and that it is on the way.”
It’s a busy month for Studiocanal and its Studio Ghibli catalogue, with, landing at the end of the month, a sumptuous box set marking two decades of one of the anime giant’s landmark titles, Spirited Away, along with some other Ghibli tales joining its deluxe releases for the brand’s titles. Commenting on the release, Studiocanal’s Carys Gaskin said: “We’re overjoyed to be adding to our premium collection of Studio Ghibli products, with a new boxset celebrating the 20th anniversary of the revered Spirited Away out at the end of the month, featuring exclusive products only available in these boxes including a bath token bookmark, card holder and washbag. This is in addition to the hardback Art of Spirited Away book, oversized artcards and fold out original Japanese poster plus the DVD and Blu-ray, all housed in a gorgeous rigid collector's box. We are also adding to a previous range of deluxe releases for the brand, with the beloved classics Laputa: Castle in the Sky and My Neighbour Totoro both on sale this month with new artwork across the slipcase and digipack holding artcards inside, with more titles to follow every month.”
Announcement time and Eureka and its Masters of Cinema imprint are looking forward to December and Christmas already, unveiling the company’s titles due for release in the final month of the year. As ever, here’s Eureka’s Marcus Garwood to talk us through the slate. He said: ”It’s end of year Christmas party time and Eureka’s buffet table is looking sweet. It’s appropriate then that the first title in our line-up is award-winning Boston Massachusetts director Alexandre Rockwell’s Sweet Thing. With stunning performances from the cast and eye-catching cinematography which sweeps between monochrome to colour palettes Sweet Thing is an intense but ultimately uplifting, poetic rendering of childhood that captures the essence of that time in life when a day can last forever. The friendships, loyalties, and challenges of adolescent youth propel the story into a triumph of childhood hope and resilience. It’s available in November on our Montage Pictures imprint and comes with a collector’s booklet featuring an essay by the film’s writer Jason Wood. Moving on into December and I’ll desperately try to avoid any Boxing Day puns as we head over to our Masters Of Cinema imprint for the UK Blu-ray debut release of 1949 boxing drama Champion. Directed by Mark Robson (The Harder They Fall, Peyton Place) and starring Kirk Douglas this Oscar award-winning film portrays the ups and downs of boxer Michael ‘Midge' Kelly (played by Douglas) as he chases success and also tries to avoid the mob. Kirk Douglas’ central performance in this film earned him his first ever Oscar nomination and propelled him into Hollywood stardom. Staying with Masters Of Cinema we round out our 2021 release schedule with the UK debut of 1927 silent gem The Love Of Jeanne Ney [Die Liebe der Jeanne Ney]. Directed by G. W. Pabst (Diary of a Lost Girl, Pandora’s Box), the film blends a variety of cinematic approaches as it weaves its complex narrative of moral chaos and political upheaval; the result is a stunning cinematic experiment that never fails to surprise the viewer as it races towards its exhilarating conclusion. The release comes complete with a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Philip Kemp and disc extras include a brand-new video essay by David Cairns and Fiona Watson entitled Too Romantic, Too Ghastly. And I’d like to sign off this final release announcement for 2021 by wishing everyone a great Christmas and a happy, safe and healthy 2022!”
AT THE MOVIES
Writer Irvine Welsh has provided plenty of sequel-friendly material for Trainspotting, arguably his most successful outing; not least the material that provided the inspiration for the Trainspotting sequel. And now it seems as if Begbie is set for his own spin-off, with Welsh’s The Blade Artist providing the source material. What’s more, Robert Carlyle, who famously brought vicious character to life in all his glory, is set to play him. The actor has discussed meetings with Welsh to discuss the project, which will be a TV series rather than a feature. Begbie, aka Carlyle, said: “It’s still in its early moments but it’s looking pretty good that this will happen eventually.”
Everything’s sweetening up for Wonka, the Charlie and the Chocolate factory prequel, which has now started shooting with Timothee Chalomet in the lead, he’s also issued a picture of himself in costume which appears to have gone viral. Crucially, more cast members have been announced, with Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins and Olivia Colman all joining the team alongside the young star. They’re joining director Paul King, the man behind the camera for Paddington and its sequel, who is also penning the script with Horrible Histories and Ghosts star Simon Farnaby, who will also appear.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun…
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Due in 2022…
More evil…
And more Almodovar…
https://youtu.be/TBo1pcwvZjo Due on Apple…
Not about the Fresh Prince song, sadly…
Fab! Gear! Etc…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0iRzVEsvLE THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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