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ENOUGH TIME TO BUY
NO WAY HOME SCORES BIG
BOXING CLEVER
SPEAKING UP FOR SILENCE
ENTER STAGEFRIGHT
ON THE SESSION…
…AS SECOND SIGHT GETS READY TO DRIVE…
HONEYMOON PERIOD
ARROW PUSHES MORE UHD TITLES…
…AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN HIGH DEF
“WHAT SHOULD I WATCH?” LAUNCHES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
It was a good week for… No Time To Die, naturally, with Spider-man No Way Home cleaning up at cinemas…
It was a bad week for… Thoughts with anyone suffering from pandemic-related issues…
And, of course, peace and goodwill to all, a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year tp every Raygun reader, thanks to everyone who's supported, helped, commented or even read the newsletter in 2021. We'll see you on or around January 7… If you build it, they will come. Or, rather, if you release it, they will buy. With No Time To Die landing in stores on Monday December 20, landing after its digital bow, customers were, Universal and its partner Warner said, flocking to stores (and online) to pick up their copies ahead of Christmas Day. The title is the Christmas number one on the Official Film Chart, according to the listing published on Wednesday. The period covers its digital release through to just ahead of the physical bow, with the downloads in its first week totalling 74,000 units (followed, it must be noted, by no less than four different Christmas titles). A spokesperson told The Raygun: “Bond has been flying off the shelves since our release on Monday, with still one trading day left of last minute Christmas shopping we have already surpassed our week 1 target and the results we saw on our very own Mamma Mia – Here We Go Again for its week 1 sales in Q4 2018 which shows with the right title in the right distribution supported by a great marketing and PR campaign we can drive consumer demand and people still want to own great content on Physical. We are delighted with the result and feel like we have truly brought Bond Home This Christmas!”
The record-breaking performance of Spider-man No Way Home, as outlined here just after the film’s opening weekend, means the film and home entertainment businesses can go into 2022 in a slightly more optimistic mood despite the continued uncertainty over lockdowns, potential enforced retail and cinema closures and more. The film took more than £30 million in its opening frame and, with audiences still flocking to the film, it’s got the potential to become one of the highest-grossing films ever, despite the ongoing pandemic conditions. It’s certainly given a fillip to the whole franchise too and, judging by anecdotal evidence about the film and reaction of audiences, the latest instalment in Spidey’s adventures looks like it’s going to be a keeper. One of our correspondents, who saw the film in its opening weekend in the West End of London, said the audience reaction was like nothing they’d ever seen in a cinema (audiences were whooping, hollering and cheering, more akin to a raucous American screening than anything seen on this, the more reserved side of the Atlantic. Its success certainly bodes well for 2022’s home entertainment release. But before Spider-man makes it to stores for a home entertainment release of No Way Home, there’s more to come from the wall-crawling, web-slinging world as another Peter Parker-related title arrives in stores first, in the shape of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the late summer sequel to the anti-hero’s adventures. It’s due from SPHE in stores on Monday January 3, making its bow across formats and SKUs, including sets pairing the two Venom outings.
The first few post-Christmas days, as consumers flock to the sales, have traditionally seen big video releases, particularly for what used to be considered more bloke-friendly titles. And there are still a few flying the flag out there, chief among them being Jack In The Box Awakenings. The horror sequel, complete with rather fetching creepy clown sleeve, comes from 4DigitalMedia, the company securing UK rights after enjoying strong success on the first film through its US arm. As the company’s Tony Taglienti said: “We released in the US and Canada in 2020. This was a huge success for us, it sold more than 50,000 DVDs in the US and doing well on digital, and so when the opportunity came up for us to acquire the rights to the sequel, we didn’t hesitate but this time, we also acquired the UK rights. We are releasing it in the UK on Monday January 3 and Tuesday January 18 US and Canada. It will be supported by a PR campaign and a social media campaign in all territories.” He added the company expected the film to have a long shelf life as a digital title beyond its DVD sales too.
Another post-Christmas arrival comes in the shape of Krays: Code Of Silence, a look at the notorious London gangsters from a fresh angle, that of the copper who nabbed them, Nipper Read, released via 101 Films. The film has benefited from a wealth of pre-release publicity from PR company Aim Publicity, including a money-can’t-buy double page spread in the Daily Star and more due to run. As the actor who plays Read, Stephen Moyer noted, “the world didn’t necessarily need another Krays movie”, but he was swayed by the strong script. And with more due in the likes of the Telegraph, Guardian and Reach publications, as well as broadcast, it seems as if the public’s thirst for Krays-related films has far from been quenched. You can see the trailer here… https://youtu.be/BwNH-o5x1Xo
Also out on December 27, is the latest from Shameless and it’s a treat for fans of Italian horror, as it’s another title by Michele Soavi, a director whose work has previously appeared through the company to huge success. Stagefright is a slice of prime Italo-slasher fare, complete with style and, er, owl’s heads, as noted on the strong sleeve. Shameless chief Garwin Spencer Davison believes interest in the title through its own website bodes well for the full release. He said: “We’ve had tremendous response for the new Shameless Films collector’s Blu-ray release of Stagefright, selling more than 100 units in its first hour on sale from our website. it’s a completely new restored 4K scan and colour-graded with the director’s own indication..Soavi, whose Cemetery Man, The Church and The Sect are all released by Shameless Films, is a whimsical magical filmmaker combining, in Stagefright, a brutal slasher action with an innate elegance and underplayed humour not seen anywhere else. The title is due for general retail release on December 27 and if our humble little e-commerce is any indication it should do well for the trade. We love the seasonal look of the iconic owl-headed nasty slasher-killer sitting composed under a snow-like flurry of feathers… with a pussycat (this ain’t your average Blofeld).”
And finally on December 27, there’s a Blu-ray first for horror Session 9, another title from Second Sight that sees the imprint further looking to more recent horror and genre fare to add to its ever-swelling catalogue. And it’s earning the label even more respect from genre fans as they flock to pick up the tale of a derelict mental hospital, with the shocker being given the kind of treatment it deserves, including a fine transfer, loads of new extras, tasty artwork and a weighty booklet with new writing on the film. As the company’s Chris Holden said: “Session 9 has proved to be one of our popular releases of the year. A film that didn’t really get the recognition at the time but has since become a real cult horror favourite and perfect for our limited edition treatment. We went all out on the new bonus features making it a double disc release.”
Also confirmed this week from Second Sight is another biggie for the label, as it continues its relationship with Icon and parent KFilm to Blu-ray next year, again with the love, care and attention that only a company of its ilk can bring. As the company’s Chris Holden said: “We know there had been rumours about us releasing Drive but this week we posted the first official announcement about the 4K coming next year and we've had overwhelming feedback. We’ve been working closely with Nicolas Winding Refn and this one will be a very special release.”
Just released from one of our favourite boutique imprints, 88 Films, are a brace of titles featuring words from The Raygun’s very own Tim Murray, who has written lengthy features for both. In Armour Of God, a slice of classic Jackie Chan action from the 1980s, we look at how the Jackie Chan Fan Club kept the flame alive for the superstar during the 1980s and helped turn him into a global superstar, it includes comments from the JCFC and later Eastern Heroes chief Ricky Baker. And for Hatchet For The Honeymoon, an Italian slasher directed by the legendary Mario Bava, we managed to track down its Canadian star Stephen Forsyth, who retired from acting after the film had completed and became a composer and artist. Both come with the kind of sumptuous packaging that the label has made its name on, with posters featuring both original and its newly commissioned artwork, as well as expansive booklets and gorgeously restored films replete with extras. The releases were the last from a busy 2021, and the label is anticipating an equally packed 12 months ahead for 2022, with more titles, including some with bespoke features from the likes of Tim Murray in the accompanying books (we’ve secured an interview with former Medusa chief executive for a Blu-ray first for Aussie skinhead (and early Russell Crowe starrer) Romper Stomper. Commenting on the year ahead, the label’s md Richard Elliott said: “2022 is shaping up to be an huge leap forward for 88 Films, we have some epic releases planned of incredible cult titles all with new extras, fantastic transfers, insightful booklets and we are also releasing our first 4K UHD titles and venturing into some British cult films for the first time.”
The final Friday (almost) of 2021 saw Arrow Video making its last product reveal of the year, with the unveiling of its March line-up. As ever, we’ve got some detail comment on the titles provided by the company, which continues to make inroads into the UHD sector, promising its biggest ever monthly slate for the ultra high-definition format. Here’s the company’s head of acquired content Kevin Lambert on March 2022 from Arrow Video. He said: “Our final set of announcements of 2021 and we’ve unleashed our biggest UHD month to date, we’re very excited about the format and what it can bring to classic cinema, so much so that we unleash three beasts in our March lineup. First up we have Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, in which Sir Kenneth Branagh leads an all-star cast including Robert De Niro, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Hulce, Ian Holm, John Cleese and Aidan Quinn in his definitive cinematic version of Mary Shelley’s classic tale of gothic terror. Released in three editions, Blu-ray, UHD, and Zavvi Exclusive Dual Format SteelBook editions, this brand new 4K restoration is an absolute monster.
Continuing Arrow Video’s March line-up, the company’s Kevin Lambert said: “Next we have the first of two cult cinema masterpieces that we have previously released on Blu-ray, Robocop, the film marked director Paul Verhoeven’s Hollywood debut and instantly became an enduring sci-fi/action classic when it landed in theatres in the summer of 1987. Verhoeven’s peerlessly exciting and kinetic visuals were matched by a sharp script, iconic cast and exceptional special effects by Rob Bottin (The Thing) and Phil Tippett (The Empire Strikes Back). Again, released in multiple editions, a Zavvi exclusive two-disc UHD Steelbook edition and a deluxe two-disc UHD edition available trade wide with rigid slipcase and book. Our final UHD of the month is an absolute beast, from one of the greatest directors of the 1980s, John Landis, expertly combining macabre horror with dark humour in the lycanthropic classic, An American Werewolf in London. Now newly restored and presented with an abundance of extra features, this big beast of horror can be devoured as never before... Presented in limited edition packaging featuring a rigid slipcase, and book, this is the release of this film that fans have been waiting to sink thier teeth into. Finally, we have a rare unseen gem of Japanese cinema, To Sleep So As To Dream. Two private detectives hunt for an actress trapped within the reel of a silent ninja film in the dreamlike debut of Kaizo Hayashi (Circus Boys, Zipang), a magical double-handed cinephilic homage to the movie worlds of the 1910s and 1950s. this magical film has been loving restored and is packed with extras. Largely unseen in the west this ode to silent cinema will leave you mesmerised throughout."
Some interesting news from the Official Charts Company and BASE, with the pair collaborating in a new initiative with Virgin Media O2. The company has launched a platform under the banner of What Should I Watch? In partnership with the industry groups; the interactive tool will offer up film and TV recommendations to consumers looking for something to view. The tool is based on genre, TV and film preferences and will feature a top 10 list of movies based on the Official Film Chart, along with algorithm recommendations. It follows Virgin Media 02’s own research which shows a 60 per cent rise on Google searches for “what to watch” after the pandemic started. Further Virgin research shows that families can spend more than an hour deciding what to watch during the busy channel surfing festive period, with a quarter of families admitting to arguing. Some 47.4 million hours are wasted making those decisions over the festive season. Simon Groves, Director of Brand and Marketing at Virgin Media O2, said: “Our new ‘What Should I Watch?’ platform has been designed to help save on time spent surfing TV channels by bringing the nation’s most popular films and TV shows together in one place, helping TV fans find the right genre, for the right mood, in minutes. We’re always looking at ways to offer our customers the latest tools and technology so they can enjoy the best in entertainment. Partnering with the Official Charts Company provides real time insight into the most popular films of the moment, ensuring we’re bringing customers the latest trends. Combining this with existing customer preferences means we can offer bespoke recommendations to make deciding what to watch that little bit easier.” Liz Bales, CEO, BASE said: “After a huge increase in consumers engaging with the Official Film Chart this year, it is incredibly exciting to announce this new integration with Virgin Media O2. Providing consumers with inspiration on what to watch and helping avoid endless scrolling will ensure families enjoy quality content instantly, helping boost the strength of the digital transactional format. It has been fantastic to work with the OCC and Virgin Media O2 teams on developing and launching this new tool before Christmas, just in time for some quality festive family movie nights.” You can see it here https://www.virginmedia.com/blog/tv/what-should-i-watch
Arguably the most talked about of the week…
Biggie due from Marvel…
Did Armie Hammer do it?
Heading into Uncharted territory…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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