If anyone doubted the impact of streaming on physical media, then look no further than this week’s big deal news. For a pact between a sports giant and a streaming company has had a huge knock-on effect on physical media worldwide – and more pertinently in the UK too. The big then centres on the WWE and Netflix. For the wrestling organisation which has signed on the dotted line with the SVOD operator, in a move which will see the popular Raw night coming to the streaming service in the US, UK, Latin America and other territories and also means UK viewers and others outside of the US, will be able to watch all other WWE shows, including the other bIg weekly instalment, Smackdown, as well as the big pay-per-view shows such as Wrestlemania, on Netflix. It’s a huge deal, and sees Netflix landing a big subscription driver and also means a massive cash boost for the wrestling organisation. The deal was done between the SVOD service and TKO, the company formed when the WWE merged with the UFC. Comment came from TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro, who said: “This deal is transformative. It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.” Netflix chief content officer, Bela Bajaria said: “We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix. By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.” WWE president Nick Khan said: “In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling. We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base.”

 

The deal kicks off in 2025, but what became apparent even before its announcement was that the WWE was planning to exit physical media on a global scale, instead moving further into the digital and streaming sphere. It’s not just in the US, although the grappling company’s deal with Warner ended in the US last year, it presaged a decision to quit DVD and Blu-ray all together worldwide. This means no more WWE releases on disc in the UK, one of the most successful international territories for wrestling titles. For more than 30 years the UK had blazed a trail for WWE on video, first on VHS and latterly on DVD and Blu-ray. Initially, Silver Vision had the deal in the UK, pioneering home entertainment releases and moving its operations into other European territories. For more than 10 years, the deal has resided with Fremantle in the UK. What’s galling for fans in this country is that the WWE releases in the UK and Ireland, were still hugely popular and were still enjoying strong sales on this side of the Atlantic. But the move away from physical was a global decision from the WWE and was clearly influenced by its plans to head to Netflix. For whole generations of wrestling fans in the UK, however, they will always have memories of their videos from Silver Vision and discs from Fremantle, which, alongside Sky airing the WWE in its formative years over here in the late 1980s and into the 90s, was a surefire way of watching the exploits of Shawn Michaels, Bret Hitman Hart, Hulk Hogan and others. 

 

And another knock-on effect of the WWE’s decision has been the one made by media giant Fremantle to shutter its home entertainment arm. Industry stalwart Ken Law will remain until the summer as the WWE winds down over here, with stock being sold off, although there will be no further new WWE releases. Ken Law told The Raygun: “It’s been a tough decision to bear. WWE DVD and Blu-ray sales in the UK have been bucking the market trend by exhibiting growth in recent years. Our new releases have been regularly charting Top 10, and even Top 5, and our overall market share has increased consistently since 2019. We’ve been doing everything right in a tough market. There was much more life left in the home entertainment sector for WWE in the UK. Sadly, it’s not to be and we face the premature end of the WWE Home Video label after 11 years with Fremantle and 38 years of physical home entertainment releasing in the UK. It’s very sad and is truly the end of an era.”

 

Another industry stalwart, Pete Kalhan, who had been at the company since its days as Pearson, has left Fremantle and is starting his own business, Old Gold Media (he is, after all, a Wolves fan). Fremantle, of course, had a vast film library and worked closely with imprints such as Network Distributing, which sadly fell into administration last year, and other Indies such as Fabulous Films. The other associated labels will now go through Spirit. Fremantle owns the vast Thames catalogue as well as assorted film libraries. More news on Pete Kalhan’s new operation will follow shortly, but in the meantime, Kalhan said “Despite our best efforts to renew the WWE deal last year, they just didn’t appear interested. We now know why – the Netflix deal. We had a tremendous 12 year run with WWE and it’s a shame we couldn’t get to Wrestlemania 40!”

Physical media then, is dead. Long live physical media. Because for every corporation such as the WWE that wants to eschew physical product, there’s an artist or creative type, or fan of physical media, who still wants to own something on disc. One of Monday's biggest releases is the excellent Typist Artist Pirate King, the latest from Carol Morley, who has developed a truly varied and inspired filmography over the past decade or more. And this latest, following on from the excellent Out Of Blue, is another similarly eclectic title and sees her presenting a fictionalised account of a journey taken by artist Audrey Amiss. It’s garnered great reviews ahead of its physical media release from Modern Films, and Carol Morley herself has penned a few words on the importance of a physical media release for people such as herself. Morley said: “The idea for the screenplay for TYPIST ARTIST PIRATE KING was conceived in an archive, and I’m convinced that my compulsion to make a film about Audrey Amiss would not have happened if all the materials she left behind, all the artworks and diaries and letters, were digital and on a drive or in the cloud. There is something wonderful about the weight of things, holding something in your hand, physically engaging with it. With a DVD/Blu-ray at your fingertips, you can appreciate the cover artwork, hold the weight of the disc in your hands, knowing that it’s yours to watch whenever you like, for as many times as you like, without the fear of it vanishing. While streaming has revolutionised how we watch film and TV, both in terms of access and range, owning physical media gives you utter control over what you get to see and when you get to see it. You are not at the mercy of a streamer removing a film from their platform, which as a filmmaker is my worst fear – both for my own films and for other films I want to watch. I suppose you could argue that in some cases (but not all…) if you own a digital download then you will have it forever, but I’m not sure that much is known about a download and its stability and longevity. For me, I’m only truly certain about things I can physically hold close.”

 

Carol Morley continued: “I wouldn’t want to own everything. I’m happy to watch something once, at a cinema (always my favourite way!) or on a streaming site, or TV, or legally on YouTube – but collecting Blu-rays/ DVDs, makes us all curators, and is a fantastic way of building a personal library of films and television programmes, and that take on a momentum as a collection, and that we can return to at any time. And owning physical media also makes archivists of us all, we are literally holding on to something, preserving and conserving it for future generations. As a filmmaker I want my films to reach the widest possible audience they can. We are living at a time when the route for a film release may end with a streamer, and not necessarily have a physical home movie release, so I’m delighted that TYPIST ARTIST PIRATE KING is going to exist as a Blu-ray/ DVD. It enables it to be collected by those that have already seen it, and wish to own it, but also it makes me happy that it will be accessible to a whole new audience who will discover the film for the first time.”

Also out on Monday January 29 is a new release from Third Window Films, Asian film specialist, which has unearthed another gem o the shape of Mad Cats. Comment on the title came from the company’s Adam Torel, who said: “After a great run at film festivals such as Slamdance, Fantasia, Sitges, Leeds and more, I'm very happy to bring Reiki Tsuno's Mad Cats to the UK! Despite it being a low-budget, debut feature, Mad Cats is incredibly well-made to match it's very original mix of comedy and action. With a strange and very Japanese type of storytelling blended with a very international rhythm and style, I hope that people will enjoy Tsuno's debut and follow his career forward as much as I will!.”

 

We’ve just been compiling our regular reviews for the next issue of what proudly boasts of being the UK’s biggest film magazine, Film Stories (we also rate it as the best, not just for our contributions, but because we love the magazine’s ideals and moral compass) as well as its editorial policy that doesn’t just rely on US blockbusters) and one of the key reviews for the next issue is the release – due on Monday January 29 – of Studiocanal’s wonderful new restoration of Peeping Tom. The Powell and Pressburger classic has been given a new lease of life by the restoration, which was overseen by none other than long-time fan of the legendary filmmaking duo Martin Scorsese alongside Michael Powell’s former partner and Scorsese’s editor Thelma Schoonmaker. It really does look marvellous and the package of extras makes it worth the cover price, while the image used on the front of the sleeve really does ensure that this Peeping Tom has never looked better, both on the packaging and on the disc itself. Studiocanal's Alison Arber said: “Today sees the release of our brand-new restoration of Michael Powell’s thrilling 1960s masterpiece Peeping Tom. Championed by Martin Scorsese since the 1970s Peeping Tom has been painstakingly restored by The Film Foundation, in collaboration with Powell’s widow Thelma Schoonmaker. After its premiere at the London Film Festival last year, fans have been eagerly awaiting the release, and from today can own the film on 4K UHD special edition. with a host of brand-new extra content plus a booklet with new essays and an introduction from Martin Scorsese – this release is not to be missed!”

 

Meanwhile Studiocanal has announced another big restoration package and is digging into its vast archives once more for a classic slice of Francis Ford Coppola fare, this time in the shape of One From The Heart. Made after the director’s Apocalypse Now had nearly driven him to an early grave (the title has been a shining star in Studiocanal’s catalogue and received a definitive version a few years back), it was meant to be a refreshing, musical-based romantic comedy although trouble was never far away – the production almost bankrupted his own studio American Zoetrope and the director himself. It is being released at cinemas on February 16 in a Reprise cut, with a physical and digital release across multiple SKUs on March 4. These include an extras-laden special four-disc 4K UHD, two-disc Blu-Ray and Digital as well as DVD on the same day. The announcement noted: “The REPRISE cut boasts never-before-seen footage, brand-new titles taken directly from the original camera negative and over 19 minutes of footage replaced with new source scan.” The film features an all-star cast and boasts old Hollywood involvement – Gene Kelly acted as choreographer – while Tom Waits’ soundtrack, voiced by Crystal Gayle, is similarly acclaimed. 

 

Comment on One From The Heart came from Coppola himself, who said: “I’ve always loved One From The Heart, despite the disruption it caused in my dreams for American Zoetrope. However, there is magic in cinema and while preparing this film for 4K, it was apparent I could refine the story. This new version is an improvement in many ways and I am proud of what was achieved with One From The Heart: Reprise.” Film archivist/restoration supervisor for American Zoetrope James Mockoski said: “Of all the films in our library, One From The Heart was the one I was most excited to restore. After 40 years, we can finally give the film the presentation it deserves.” Further comment came from Studiocanal’s Alison Arber, who said: “ONE FROM THE HEART: REPRISE is a spectacular 4K restoration and reimagining of the 1982 cult classic from Francis Ford Coppola. Six minutes of footage have been added to replace the original negative, previously thought to be destroyed, resulting in a brand-new REPRISE version, approved by Coppola himself.  We will be releasing on UHD, Blu-ray and digital on March 4.”

Last week, Monday 22, saw the latest instalment in the Trolls franchise, Trolls Band Together. And Universal’s campaign for the newest addition on the commercially popular series is being supported right up to and including the half-term school holidays in February, as outlined by the company’s Stephanie Don. She said: “After delighting fans with an *NSYNC reunion last year and introducing pop superstar Camila Cabello to the Trolls family, we’re thrilled to see Trolls Band Together hustling its way onto home entertainment in January. We’re delivering a Trolls-tastic at home experience to families and fans alike with brand new Sing-Along Edition along with an exclusive short film, and our all-singing, all-dancing campaign will be running throughout January and into February half-term with unmissable media and influencer activations.”

 

While much of the Oscar talk focused on what wasn’t nominated – Barbie and its director Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie being chief among them – it’s worth noting that there was a woman director given the nod by the Academy, as Justine Triet led the way for her fine job at the helm of Anatomy Of A Fall. The film has picked up a head of steam ever since it won big at the Cannes film festival last year, and its five Oscar nominations, for the aforementioned director, star Sandra Huller, editing, best original screenplay and, for the coup de grace, best picture too, go along with its seven BAFTA nominations and even more, 12, announced last week at France’s big film awards ceremony, the Cesars. Moreover, it has now amassed an impressive £1.7 million at UK cinemas, and this week Lionsgate has also announced a home entertainment release for the film, with Anatomy Of A Fall, currently available as a premium VOD release on digital, landing on the shelves on March 18. This means that the film will still be in the forefront of the film-going public’s minds when its released on DVD and Blu-ray – the Oscars ceremony takes place little more than a week ahead of the release. 

 

Meanwhile, the addition of Anatomy Of Fall caps a busy first quarter for Lionsgate, as the company has also announced the return of its big franchise The Hunger Games to the physical market, one that its first series of films performed remarkably well in. The first outing of the planned prequels to the original movies, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, also currently available as a premium VOD release, will be released across a number of SKUs on February 26. These include DVD, Blu-ray, a 4K UHD and Blu-ray set and a Steelbook, with Lionsgate using all its Hunger Games knowledge to ensure it sells through. Comment came from the company’s Sophie Fawcewtt,who said: “On Monday February 26 we release The Hunger Games The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD, and Steelbook. We have had a great reaction to the film, with audiences turning out in their droves to drive a continually growing box office of over £18 million and converting a whole new generation of fans, adding to the longevity and love of this magnificent franchise.”

 

Back to the Oscars and snubs are, of course, part and parcel of awards season, but this year’s controversy over the lack of Academy Award nods for Barbie has dominated proceedings and brought perhaps more column inches than normal. This is in no small part down to the likes of star Ryan Gosling, who saw his turn as Ken garner a nomination from the Academy, and issued a statement to support his director and co-star Margot Robbie, who both missed out. “I am extremely honoured to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honoured and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken. But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film.No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement. Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made history. Their work should be recognised along with the other very deserving nominees. Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera [nominated for best supporting actress for her role in Barbie] and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.”

Further successes for Barbie may not be as dependent on Oscar nods as some other titles, but if you need any proof of why Academy Awards can mean business for studios, look no further than a press release we received from Casino Alpha last week (we get tons of these kind of things, incidentally). For it outlined the fact that as the Oscar nominations were announced, the first immediate effect was that searches on Google for “watch Oppenheimer” soared as consumers decided they’d better view it, given its 13 nods. They “skyrocketed” by 376 per cent in the immediate aftermath. 

 

Big news from Eureka last week as the company teased its April releases as part of the announcement of its plans to also release titles in the US; this week we have more on what’s in store in the UK from the indie imprint, brought to us, as ever, by the company’s national accounts manager, Marcus Garwood who said: “April is a busy and exciting month for us here at Eureka Entertainment with three essential purchases lined up for your attention. First up is the inimitable martial arts superstar Cynthia Rothrock, who stars in two of the most gloriously entertaining films of her career – China O'Brien I + II. Directed by Richard Clouse (Enter The Dragon and Game Of Death) the China O’Brien films firmly established Cynthia Rothrock as an International action star following a successful string of hits in Hong Kong. Released in two separate formats, a two-disc Blu-ray (and for the higher res aficionados a UHD disc) Disc extras on both versions include brand new feature length audio commentaries on both films, plus a brand new interview with Cynthia Rothrock. Both versions are also encased in a limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Robert Sammelin and containing a limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on both films. Keeping the martial arts legends coming, our next release for April welcomes back the mighty Jet Li (Once Upon a Time In China, Romeo Must Die, Mulan) in the action-packed superhero spectacle Black Mask. Adapted from the manhua by Pang Chi-ming and Li Chi-tak and heavily influenced by Bruce Lee’s turn as Kato in The Green Hornet, Black Mask is one of the most entertaining movies in Jet Li’s filmography and boasts action orchestrated by Yuen Woo-ping, who would later win an Academy Award for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Its a limited two-disc edition set with the second bonus disc containing an alternate Taiwanese cut and an extended version of Black Mask featuring all the unique footage from the various releases of the film re-inserted. It’s the first time the HK version has been released in the UK fully uncut, and the first time on Blu-ray in the UK. The release has a limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju). Disc extras include a brand new interview with stuntman Mike Lambert, a brand new interview with film critic Andrew Heskins (easternKicks.com) and a brand new interview with Leon Hunt, author of Kung Fu Cult Masters: From Bruce Lee to Crouching Tiger."

 

Sticking with Eureka and its final April release and the company’ Marcus Garwood continued: “Classic horror rounds off the month of April as Paul Leni (The Man Who Laughs) directs one of the most important and influential films in the early history of American genre cinema, which perfected the old dark house formula and set the stage for the Universal horror cycle of the 1930s. Based upon the 1922 stage production by John Willard, The Cat And The Canary is a perfect blend of horror and black comedy and stands at the apex of a cycle of films adapted from mystery plays throughout the 1920s. Available for the first time ever on Blu-ray from a glorious 4K restoration, this limited edition release of The Cat And The Canary has a superb slipcase featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys. Disc extras include a brand new audio commentary by author Stephen Jones and author / critic Kim Newman, Mysteries Mean Dark Corners – a brand new video essay by David Cairns and Fiona Watson. The release is completed with a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Richard Combs, Craig Ian Mann, and Imogen Sara Smith.”

 

We’ll end with our old pals at Revelation Films, which, after starting life as a distributor, is now a seasoned production powerhouse too. And due for release later this year, almost certainly at cinemas and for home viewing, is the next in a long line of true crime documentaries from the company. Underdog charts the life and times of West Ham hooligan turned pirate radio and acid house mover and shaker and record label boss Andy Swallow, who founded the notorious ICF at the East London football club, before becoming a bona fide promoter, radio boss and music entrepreneur, all the while attracting a lot of interest from the Met and authorities. It features interviews with many of his associates and pals, and also includes insight from author and iconoclast Irvine Welsh and, after being filmed in an East London cinema last week, The Raygun’s very own Tim Murray. (He worked as a cub reporter on East London local newspapers at the height of the acid house malarkey, so offers up some insight and context.)  After securing Welsh, Revelation’s Trevor Drane said: “We’re thrilled to have signed FIRST such a well-respected, internationally renowned author and lauded voice on British culture. Irvine Welsh is one of the most revered writers of his generation, especially on street culture so it’s been a major result in securing him for our new feature documentary.” On the documentary, he added: "We have filmed all over Europe as Andy’s story is international, Switzerland, Rome, Tenerife. Andy is a modern real life Dickens character, a mix of Dodger, Fagin and with the darkness of Bill Sykes.” 

Nun more black

 

I know Kore-eda

 

Truly Despicable…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY1LOkmo2X8