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INVINCIBLES GUNNING FOR TOP SLOT
BBFC RACISM RESEARCH REVEALED…
…N-WORD WILL BE 12 OR ABOVE…
CENSOR RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED…
…LAVISH SET FOR NASTIES FEATURE
ANIME ON THE UNDERGROUND
CLASSIC DOC GOES HD
CLIFF’S BACK…
…AND SO’S ARNIE
SIGNATURE UNVEILS Q1…
…WITH MORE BRUCE AND MORE ACTION…
…AND LOADS OF BULL
MIDNIGHT STRIKES FOR EUREKA…
…AND ODD COUPLE BACK TOGETHER
101 HEADS TO SNOWTOWN
FACT PROSECUTES SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
It was a good week for… Raygun Christmas social drinks confirmed, see ad below and remember to RSVP…
It was a bad week for… Dodgy software developer jailed for 30 months, story below…
The Christmas gifting market sporting documentary is dead… Long live the Christmas gifting market sporting documentary,. ,For there nestling in the Official Film Chart as unveiled by BASE in midweek, is Noah Media’s Spirit-distributed Arsene Wenger Invincible title, the highest new entry in the chart at number six wedged between Marvel and blockbuster films as well as Christmas drafting titles, showing that the form is still well and truly alive and, with the right release strategy and support, can still turn into a hot property. Commenting on its success, Noah’s Tim Westbey said: “We're thrilled to have delivered a great result on Arsène Wenger: Invincible, and the response from film and sports fans alike has been great to see. Our campaign continues through to Christmas and with our partners at Spirit Entertainment we look forward to a strong end to the year.”
News from the BBFC and the classification organisation has revealed the results of its recent research into racism and discrimination in films and TV and its plans rot move forward following the research. It found that viewers didn’t think older titles with outdated language and racist behaviour should be classified higher, but they should carry warnings. While these might be a product of their age, the findings show that more recent films and programmes should not be classified lower than 12 or 12A (home ent or theatrical versions) if they contain the n-word, unless it has a “clear and strong educational value” in something like a documentary. While some parents wanted to show their children the reality of racism to prepare them for the real world, others prefer to shield their kids; these differing views show the need for clear warnings. And people are more attuned to what could offend others, again highlighting the need for clear warnings. Comment came from BBFC chief executive David Austin who said: “We must always assess the context in which content appears, especially with regards to the factors that may support a higher classification or help defend a lower one. Violent and threatening behaviour, or use of particularly offensive language, will always aggravate an instance of discriminatory or racist behaviour. However, clear condemnation, sympathy with the victims, or a documentary or historical setting can all work to help frame the sequence and potentially give the content educational value for younger viewers.”
More comment came from Lord Kamlesh Patel, Vice President of the BBFC, who said: “Movements dedicated to raising awareness and combatting discrimination and racism have gained important traction in the last two years. In response, we wanted to see how this has impacted the views of people in the UK, and particularly to hear from and listen to those who have been directly impacted by discrimination and racism as their voices are important. We recognise that our role isn't just about protecting children from harmful content, it's about helping parents who might want to use depictions of discrimination and racism as a potential teaching moment.” Maurice Wheeler, Co-Founder and CEO of We Are Family, said: “This was such a delightfully insightful project to be involved in. The structure and longitudinal nature of the research methodologies meant we could establish trusting and open relationships with our respondents. Over the 2 week long programme, this relationship enabled us to uncover much richer and more sincere responses than any other methodology. It is very common on a topic like this for participants to ‘clam up’ and not want to share their true thoughts, however on this project the respondents became partners, with a proactive desire to ensure their voices were heard.”
Talking of classification, and Second Sight has confirmed a release date for its limited edition physical SKU of one of the films of 2021, Prano Bailey Bond’s Censor. We’ve written about the film already, not least as industry veterans will find its tale of censorship and a classification organisation staffer during the video nasties furore hugely relevant. The independent is releasing a limited edition Blu-ray as part of its ongoing relationship with Vertigo, which has the rights to the film and has now said it will arrive in stores on January 31 2022, with the title now up for pre-order. It features a 108-page book looking at the film and its relevance (including a lengthy piece from The Raygun’s very own Tim Murray on the video nasties outcry from those who were there), a disc featuring three commentaries and a raft of extras, art cards and more all wrapped up in a sumptuous box. Judging by the Twitter response, the title is going to fly and for directors such as first-timer Bailey-Bond it gives them the opportunity to see their films on the shelves with the kind of packaging and treatment they can only dream of. “In a year where so much has had to be virtual due to the pandemic, CENSOR’s physical release means such an enormous amount to me. Second Sight have crafted this Blu-ray with such care and passion, the whole package has become an artwork in itself. It’s absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. The response to CENSOR has been phenomenal and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the film.”
Further comment came from Second Sight’s Chris Holden, with the label further moving into handpicked new release titles with this release. He said: “CENSOR has been a dream release to work on and continues the broadening of our Limited Editions to include new and recent productions we feel merit special attention. It really adds to the presentation when we have filmmakers on board and Prano has been incredibly supportive and involved across all aspects of the release. We want to say a big thanks for her time, particularly given her incredibly busy schedule over the past few months! We’re all really pleased with the end result and it’s great to give this incredible film the treatment it deserves.”
Monday releases and chief among them in terms of anime and manga is a new release of a classic slice of manga action in the shape of Neon Genesis Evangelion. And if you’ve been on the tube in London in the past week or so, you may have seen some of the ads for the title appearing at TfL sites, highlighting the release of this classic title on Blu-ray for the first time (see our twitter for more). Commenting on the release and marketing support, Anime Ltd’s Andrew Partridge said: “The tube adverts have been a big hit, from reactions on social media, to journalists coming to a junket the other day, excited about relaying all the different creatives for Evangelion that they'd seen on the Underground. People have loved seeing adverts for a great home video release. It really feels worth it. This is the first chance to own the wide range of extras for Neon Genesis Evangelion on home video since its Japanese Blu-Ray release and opens it up to an even wider fanbase than before. For us, this series has a reach on a similar level to works like Cowboy Bebop, Akira and Ghost in the Shell but this series has had a period of over ten years with no home video product. If I could go back to 2013 and do everything again, we'd have had TFL ads for Cowboy Bebop to raise similar awareness."
Now in stores – it was released on Friday, December 3 – is a newly created high definition take on Depeche Mode’s seminal DA Pennebaker directed documentary 101, available as a limited edition fie-disc box set or standalone Blu-ray release. It’s called 101 as the film chronicles the 101st date of their global tour at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California and it set the gold standard for concert and band documentaries much in the same way Pennebaker’s film had years before. In a statement the band themselves said: “It's incredible to be able to see D.A. Pennebaker's film and this period of our career presented in this new high-definition light.” Co-director Chris Hegedus said: “We were thrilled to partner with Sony Music on the digital restoration of Depeche Mode 101, definitely one of our all-time favourite films and one of our favourite filmmaking experiences. DM 101's parallel realities following the historic tour of this pioneering British band as they storm across America bringing an exciting new sound to the masses, along with an intimate view of a bus load of ardent young fans on an unforgettable road trip to the Rose Bowl made this documentary a groundbreaking influence on the reality genre. Making this movie was a grand adventure for both of us (Pennebaker and Hegedus).... By the end of the tour, we became their biggest fans. We are excited to introduce this new release to audiences."
If it’s Christmas, then it’s time for Cliff and it’s good to see the Peter Pan of Pop (our favourite tabloid descriptive praise), returning to another old stamping ground of physical releases with the arrival on Monday December 6 of a new release through Spirit, with his Great 80 Tour, a live record of his live birthday bash, Commenting on the release, Spirit’s Tracy Niland said: “It seems like only yesterday that we joined up with Sir Cliff to release his 75th Birthday Concert DVD into the market to staggering results, and now six years later (thanks COVID), he’s back with us for his 80th Birthday (well 81st in fact but let’s not split grey hairs). Once again we are thrilled to be supporting him by releasing this DVD recorded especially at The Royal Albert Hall to celebrate another milestone birthday. We know there’ll be pent up demand from his loyal fans after they had to wait a year, but we are confident the performance that he put on on the night will more than make up for the wait as he gives it his all – not bad for an 81 year old!”
Another elderly statesman of home entertainment, albeit at the opposite end of the spectrum, is Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monday sees the arrival of arguably one of his finest outings, Terminator 2, in a lavishly packaged edition from Studiocanal, complete with a vinyl soundtrack. Comment on the release came form the company’s Alison Arber, who said: “Arnie is back and celebrating 30 years since the release of James Cameron’s epic Terminator 2 Judgment Day. To mark this milestone, we are releasing a 30th anniversary Steelbook with new artwork by Tracie Ching and a limited-edition vinyl soundtrack collectors set, with 12” lenticular picture.
As the year-end approaches and we’re wading through Best Of 2021 lists, the schedule for 2022 is starting to fall into place, this week it’s been the turn of Signature to reveal its titles for the first quarter of the year, with the indie operator offering up its usual packed slate of titles and as the company’s Emilie Barra noted: “It’s an exciting quarter, with the usual mixture of genres, with one action thriller PVOD and two standout theatrical day and date releases.” The quarter kicks off with Resistance: 1942 starring Cary Elwes and Jason Patric, the kind of wartime title that the company always does particularly well with. As Barra said: “it’s a tense WWII action thriller with a great cast, a really solid drama thriller with great production values.” Glasshouse is a “haunting and sexy, dystopian sci-fi thriller”, pitched by Signature as landing somewhere between Annihilation and Snowpiercer. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Signature quarterly presentation without a Bruce Willis film and the perennial action hero returns with the first of two titles in Q1 on January 17 with Killing Field, co-starring Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill, Riverdale), followed by Fortress in March where Willis stars alongside 90210 almunus, Shannen Doherty. Back to January, and See For Me is a buzzy home invasion thriller that follows the likes of Hush and Don’t Breathe, at the same time as challenging stereotypes about disabilities and visually impaired people. Even Mice Go To Heaven is the latest animated tale and, in keeping with Signature’s expertise in this field, it arrives on the back of an October theatrical bow. It does have a point of difference, however, in that this is stop-motion animation, coming from the same team behind Isle Of Dogs. “you can see the craft in every single frame,” said Barra. Confession is a ”claustrophobic thriller” which features Colm Meaney playing a priest. Shadow In The Cloud stars Chloe Grace Moretz and mashes up different genres, mixing sci-fi and wartime thrills, giving it double the commercial edge. This and Moretz’s “amazing performance” both stand it in good stead, Signature said.
Into February and Caught In Time is a based-on-a-true-story Hong Kong actioner, starring Daniel Wu (Tomb Raider, Geostorm) and Signature said the title will benefit from an increased appetite for Asian cinema from UK audiences riding on the back of the success of Shang Chi and Squid Games. Michael Shannon, one of Hollywood’s finest talents who we’d watch racing the phone book, stars in another February 7 tale, Pressure Point, a sporting drama that sees Shannon pulling a team together. The PVOD title comes in the shape of February 11 release Zeros and Ones. It boasts commercial clout thanks to director Abel Ferrara, turning his attention to an action thriller and an attack on the Vatican, with Ethan Hawke defending the papal institution. Horror comedy is one genre that Signature has enjoyed success in recently, with the likes of Willy’s Wonderland and Werewolves Within performing well, and there’s another due on February 14 as Black Friday arrives. It boasts a key character int his arena in Bruce Campbell and sees zombies attacking the big shopping event. “There’s a lot of buzz around it following its screening at Fantastic Fest” said Barra. Unplugging is a relatable drama about a couple who go on a retreat to spend time together away from their phones and other devices, with the digital detox story giving it relevance; Desperate Housewives’ Eva Longoria gives it star power. Footballing hard man turned acting hard man Vinnie Jones is enjoying a mini-revival of late, with his appearance in the latest Rise Of The Footsoldier series, and he is reminding audiences of his tough guy credentials again in full-throttle thriller Death Pursuit. Brazilian political thriller Executive Order joins other recent corrupt features from the Americas, it stars music star Seu Jorge, who has appeared in the likes of The Life Aquatic and City Of God. More genre fare comes in Irish horror You Are Not My Mother, another strong acquisition from the indie, and part of a strong wave of films coming on the back of the likes of Calm With Horses, whose Hazel Doupe stars. It’s a ritual, folklore-based horror, with the kind of domestic setting that has worked for horror titles such as Relic and The Babadook.
Into March with Signature and Escape From Pretoria is a compelling prison break thriller featuring Signature’s long-time collaborator Daniel Radcliffe. The Devil To Pay stars Danielle Deadwyler, who stole the show in Netflix’s Harder They Fall. Catcher Was A Spy is in Signature’s favourite war film genre, but the appearance of the man voted 2021’s Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd, alongside Sienna Miller Mark Strong and Tom Wilkinson, only gives it a further boost. The Vault is a high-octane action thriller from the director of Rec, and revolves a gang of robbers pulling a heist during a Real Madrid football match a la Italian Job. Queen Of The North is an epic Scandinavian swords and sandals story, which boasts the biggest budget for a film from the area and also has enough Game Of Thrones-style action to pull in audiences. Mexican political thrillers have recently been performing well, if hardly acting as a tourist advert for the country, and La Civil is the latest in this line a powerful drama about a mother trying to rescue her kidnapped daughter in a crime-ridden, corrupt country. The Ledge is a strong woman in peril in remote place tense thriller, featuring plenty of on-trend free solo climbing. A Banquet arrives on the back of Toronto and London film festival appearances and is another psychological horror cum thriller that fits in the space created by the likes of Relic and Hereditary. Some Like It Rare is a French cannibal dark comedy horror, which comes complete with one of the year’s best taglines, Your Life Is At Steak! Bull at the end of March is without doubt one of the best films that we at the Raygun have seen in 2021, starring Neil Maskell, a Britfilm hard man par excellence, in perhaps his finest role yet as the hardest character he’s played yet. “It will absolutely smash it at home entertainment,” said Emilie Barra. Bull boasts Signature’s involvement in production, as does one of the quarter’s final titles, The Adventures Of Maid Marian, which as Barra noted, “turns the tale on its head”. The quarter is rounded out by Escape From Mogadishu, South Korea’s submission for the 2022 Oscars. It recently closed the London Korean Film Festival and again will ride on the back of increased interest in cinema from the country.
It seems like only the other week we were outlining Eureka’s February titles and now the company has moved on to revealing its slate for March and the company is springing into action, as national account manager Marcus Garwood revealed. He said: “Thrills and weaponry aplenty this coming March here at Eureka Entertainment as we unveil two stellar, must-have releases. ‘Red Light, Green Light’ was a phrase on everyone’s lips following the massive success of Netflix hit Squid Game and we are proud to present a brand new intense and unpredictable thriller starring one of Squid Game's main character actors Wi Ha-jun. Hailing from South Korea, Midnight is a twisted serial killer movie which won the Silver Audience Award for Best Asian Film at the 25th Fantasia International Film Festival. The initial manufacture run will feature a limited edition silver laminate O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Grégory Sacré (Gokaiju), as well as a collector’s booklet featuring new writing by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. Disc extras include a brand new video essay on the history of Korean horror cinema by critic Travis Crawford.
Continuing with Eureka’s brace of releases due in March 2022, the company’’s Marcus Garwood said; “A classic tale of rivalry and vengeance next as we present a brand new 2k restoration of 1979's martial arts comedy Odd Couple. The film’s stars Sammo Hung (The Millionaires Express, Encounters of the Spooky Kind), Lau Kar-wing (Once Upon a Time in China) and Bryan Leung Kar-yan (Dreadnaught, The Victim) is widely considered to be one of the greatest classical weapons movie ever made. This quintessential classic from the Golden Age of Hong Kong Cinema makes its UK debut here as a limited edition featuring an O-card slipcase with new artwork by Darren Wheeling, and a limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver. Disc extras include brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) and martial artist / actor Robert ‘Bobby’ Samuels and brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema.”
Also on the announcement front, 101 Films has unveiled a new and hugely welcome addition tom its excellent Black Label collection of classic films given lavish treatment to. Due on January 31, Snowtown is the tough Australian crime thriller from 2011 that deserves the kind of wider audience that this excellent series can deliver. It includes new artwork, a booklet with new writing on this excellent film as well as extras on the disc too, including new commentary. 101’s Tim Scaping said: “With Justin Kurzel's similarly-themed Nitram due in UK cinemas next year, now is the perfect time to revisit his debut feature, the harrowing Snowtown, based on true events surrounding a series of murders committed throughout the 1990s in the outskirts of Adelaide. Our limited edition version is the latest in the 101 Films Black Label series and features ‘rigid box’ packaging with newly-commissioned artwork from Thomas Walker, brand new interviews with director Justin Kurzel and actor Lucas Pittaway, a new commentary from Australian film critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson and a booklet with new writing on the film. Comprehensive archive extras include a director's commentary, making this a definitive release.”
News from the Federation Against Copyright Theft and in a first of its kind, the anti-piracy organisation has secured a successful conviction against a software developer who invented a package that enabled viewers to get around paying for services such as Netflix, BT and Sky. The package created by Stephen Millington, 42, was distributed to “thousands” of users causing losses that could run into millions of pounds. Millngton was sentenced to two and a half years in jail, the total included sentences for both using the service and creating the programme. Inspector Chris McClellan from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: “We welcome today’s sentencing and hope this sends a clear message. We will continue to work together with our partners to take robust action against those who commit fraud and copyright offences for their own criminal gain.” FACT Chief Executive Kieron Sharp commented: “Enabling illegal access to content is fraud; a crime with serious consequences, as shown in this sentencing. It is now clear that the courts will hold those choosing to break the law to account, and will deliver convictions that will have a significant and long-lasting effect on individuals involved. We thank the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Greater Manchester Police and our members BT and Virgin Media for their work and support. FACT will continue to monitor channels used to advertise, market, sell and distribute software, add-ons, devices and streams to take action against suppliers and operators.” Richard Crisp, Corporate Investigations Manager at BT, commented: “Our Anti-Piracy Team regularly carries out investigations against illegal app developers and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) suppliers. The development of add-ons that carry unauthorised channels causes a significant loss of revenue for the UK creative industries. BT will continue to work with FACT and wider industry partners to prosecute developers enabling this illegal distribution.” A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: “Piracy costs our customers and the creative industries millions of pounds every year. We take this criminal behaviour very seriously and support action which prevents the illegal distribution of copyrighted content.”
AT THE MOVIES
And lo, as ever in December, it came to pass that the annual top 10s of films of the year did proliferate with everyone and their dog coming their list of the year’s best. As ever, Sight & Sound’s is arguably the most talked about of the year-end polls, pulling together the best of the year from critics around the globe. Top of the list – and many of its top titles for 2021 will not, in actual fact, be released until next year – is Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir Part II. Sight and Sound Editor in Chief Mike Williams said: “Congratulations to Joanna Hogg for topping our poll for a second time, becoming the first female director to do that. The list that she heads is wide-ranging and colourfully international, and it’s exciting to see such a plurality of voices being represented - proof if it were needed that while the pandemic may have impacted on the way we watch films, it’s not dimmed the brilliance of the people that make them. The Souvenir Part II is a powerful and personal film about the art, love and struggle of filmmaking as much as a story about grief and identity, and in a year where so much talk has been about the struggles and recoveries of the industry, its victory feels particularly apt.” As ever, the issue includes the best Blu-rays of the year, we’ll be reporting on its choices and selections next week…
Specialist horror streaming service Shudder has announced its latest Original film, as former FrightFest hit The Last Thing Mary Saw, a period horror set in 1843 and starring Rory Culkin, will arrive on the service in January 20 2022 The film drew plaudits at the UK horror fest as well as Fantasia and Shudder general manager Craig Engler said: “We are excited to bring Edoardo’s chilling and unique directorial debut to Shudder. Full of twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end and featuring an immensely talented cast and crew, The Last Thing Mary Saw is a gripping tale we can’t wait to share with our members.” Writer director Edoardo Vitaletti added: “It is such an honour to join Shudder’s incredible slate of films. For years they have been raising the bar for thought-provoking genre storytelling, and I’m thrilled to partner with them in releasing The Last Thing Mary Saw.”
It’s the news that many have been waiting for, as Channing Tatum this week turned up on Twitter with a surprise announcement and picture of a script for a third Magic Mike movie. And as well as the third outing following the first and its sequel Magic Mike XXL, entitled Magic Mike’;s Last Dance, the picture also showed that director Steven Soderbergh is returning to helm the the third outing after stepping away from the director’s chair for the second film.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
More Matrix…
And more Miles…
Due from Arrow…
Well, he’s bigger than Tom Cruise…
Due from the BFI on Monday December 6…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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