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TRIO OF BIGGIES TO END JANUARY
AFTERLIFE HAS STRONG EARLY LIFE
A NIGHT ON THE TILES
MOTHER’S DAY LOOMS
SNOW DUE THIS WEEK
FIRE RAGES IN STORES
ACCLAIMED DRAMA ARRIVES
PARTY DATE
LOVE, ACTUALLY
RIGHTEOUS RULES
ARROW UNVEILS APRIL SLATE
BELLE OF THE BALL
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Monday January 31 sees a trio of heavy hitters simultaneously stepping up the plate, as Warner’s Dune, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Universal’s Last Night In Soho all land in stores as physical releases. And, given the way the theatrical to home entertainment business has been in lockdown, it’s maybe not surprising to see three such big titles all appearing at once on the shelves. Normally, these titles would all probably have been released at cinemas at the height of summer, with all three then arriving on home ent formats before Christmas. But with the pandemic playing havoc with release schedules and cinemas’ opening hours, there are now three blockbusters arriving on the same day. And with a selection of other strong and, more pertinently, diverse releases, from world cinema and Hong Kong action to indie flicks and acclaimed TV dramas and the releases for the final Monday of the first month of the year are looking strong. The releases follow on the back of figures from the Film Distributors’ Association, the FDA, issued about admissions in 2021. It shows that, with a 80 million consumers through the door at cinemas over the last 12 months, people are returning to cinemas,. Admissions were up 67 per cent on the first year of COVID-19, and although there’s still some way to go to return to pre-pandemic levels (more than 190 million in 2018 and 2019), it’s looking good. As the FDA announcement noted: “The welcome rise in cinema visits, along with the improved box office, is firm evidence of a significant sector recovery… Throughout 2021 cinema operators strove to make their theatres comfortable and safe environments for audiences to enjoy the latest releases, with good ventilation, social distancing, face coverings and increased cleaning regimes. With most COVID-19 related restrictions coming to an end, coupled with an impressive slate of films, cinema looks to be in great shape for 2022.” And, of course, there are still more huge successes, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home, on the way to home entertainment too…
Before it gets to the latest Spider-Man outing, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has the not insignificant release of another new entry into another blockbuster franchise arriving, as Monday January 31 sees Ghostbusters: Afterlife in stores. The title has already achieved success, spending its second week at number one in the Official Film Chart on the strength of its digital sales alone. Commenting on its success thus far and looking ahead to the rest of the year, SPHE marketing manager for feature film Ina Batra said: “We are thrilled that Ghostbusters: Afterlife has stayed at Number 1 on the UK’s Official Film Chart for a second week despite it only being available digitally and fighting off tough competition. The sales to date would not have been possible without the spirit of collaboration and innovation across our distribution team, ensuring maximum support from our retail partners. We are so excited for our consumers to experience the amazing slate of films and shows to come from SPHE in 2022, including Spider-Man: No Way Home which has blown cinema audiences and records away with its phenomenal performance since its release in December. As you’d expect we are making huge plans for its release on Home Entertainment.”
Another biggie arrives on Monday with the latest from acclaimed Brit director Edgar Wright, which sees him returning to the UK, with Last Night In Soho. Comment on the release came from senior product manager Stephen White who said: “‘It’s a thrill to have Edgar Wright’s latest Last Night In Soho releasing this week. The film is a triumph of style and tension, and as always Edgar Wright has gone above and beyond in delivering a wealth of behind-the-scenes features, audio commentaries and bonus content for home entertainment, that make this release unmissable for fans.”
Mothering Sunday may be taking place at the end of March, but for Lionsgate it’s landing at the end of January as lathe feature Mothering Sunday is released on Monday (do you see what we did there?). Commenting on the release, junior marketing Katy Machin said: "We are very excited to finally release the exquisite and sensual Mothering Sunday on Blu-Ray and DVD. Longlisted for Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA awards, Mothering Sunday features an all-star cast including Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Glenda Jackson and Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. Partnering with the popular Girls on Film podcast, we recorded a live Q&A to feature as an episode of the show with filmmakers Eva Husson, Elizabeth Karlsen and Morgan Kibby. We also have a targeted media campaign running from day of release across social.”
More on Monday and there’s another title from the increasingly busy Picturehouse Entertainment imprint, with another home ent release just as the company continues with the theatrical bow of the film which topped most year-end charts in 2021, The Souvenir Part II. Its latest home ent release is Never Gonna Snow Again, and here’s Picturehouse Entertainment’s Bill Sich, who said: "We're really excited to be bringing this bold, beautiful and at times outrageously funny new film to Blu-ray and Digital next week. From acclaimed director Małgorzata Szumowska and her longtime collaborator Michał Englert, Never Gonna Snow Again is a genuinely transcendent experience - with stunning cinematography to match, this is certainly a film that will echo in your mind long after the credits have rolled!”
Also on Monday, via the Cine Asia imprint from Trinity, is its latest all-out assault from Asia in the shape of Raging Fire, on standard formats and as a 4K exclusive via Zavvi too. Here’s Trinity Filmed Entertainment md Cedric Behrel on the film, he said: “We are excited and humbled to bring Raging Fire to home formats in the UK, including our first entry into the 4K Ultra HD market, as a Limited Edition Steelbook in partnership with Zavvi. The release is packed with extra content including a collectible booklet with exclusive writing on the film from international stars such as Donnie Yen (who stars in the film), Daniel Wu and Andy On. It’s a fitting tribute to the director, Benny Chan, who gave so much to cinema in Hong Kong, and we’re proud to be able to honour him with this multi-hyphenated release of his final film, a stunning, modern action classic in the making. The film's response from audiences and critics has been incredibly positive, so we are excited to see how customers embrace the title during its home release."
One of the most acclaimed TV dramas of 2022 – and there have been a fair few high profile entrants already this year – is Anne, the sensitively handled but tough drama featuring a tour de force performance from Maxine Peake as the woman who fought for truth and justice for the victims of the Hillsborough football disaster. It has received a wealth of strong reviews, and the title arrives from ITV via Spirit in stores on Monday January 31. Comment on the release came from Spirit’s Tracy Niland, who said: “Anne is a drama that is uncomfortable to watch because of the subject matter. But it’s a story that needed to be told and the four-part drama starring Maxine Peake as the mother who fought with everything she had to gain justice not only for her son, but for all those who lost their lives on that fateful day is a testament of how the power of parenthood changes everything about you where your child is concerned. Those who suffered were vilified and made out to be criminals by the press, but Anne refused to give up hope of finding out the truth and tirelessly worked tracking down witnesses, experts and anyone who may have been able to help her cause. Bought to life with a powerhouse performance from Maxine Peake, Anne is released on Monday and should serve as a reminder of the power of the press and how those in charge can get things very wrong.”
Second Run continues to bring the best of world cinema to the market and another release, one that earned its stripes for the company on DVD, arrives on Blu-ray on Monday January 31 courtesy of the company. And, as the title suggests, the company will be bringing The Party And The Guests to stores, as Second Run’s Christ Barwick outlined: “Jan Němec’s The Party and the Guests was one of our most popular titles on DVD, so we’re delighted to be bringing this superb film to Blu-ray in a new 4K restoration. Once considered the most politically dangerous film of its time and subsequently ‘banned forever’ by Czech authorities, this surreal and sinister fable is a sharp satire of totalitarianism – and it remains potent and relevant today. Our world-premiere release also boasts Jiří Trnka's classic, but equally subversive and controversial animated film The Hand (1965), also making its world premiere on Blu-ray. A double whammy of excellent Czech cinema!”
Also on Monday, is a release from Curzon Artificial Eye, Love & Friendship, directed by Whit Stillman the second title under its A Curzon Film banner and featuring a reversible sleeve, as explained by the company’s Damien Spandley who said: “We're very proud of our new DVD and Blu-Ray issue of the great Whit Stillman's biggest hit, Love & Friendship, the second title we release under our new A Curzon Film label, with a reversible sleeve and beautifully illustrated artwork approved by the director.”
News from Arrow, which has this week unveiled a major acquisition and dated its theatrical bow for the summer. The film is The Righteous, the debut from actor, writer and director Mark O’Brien. It’s a “dark chiller” and has already earned plaudits at film festivals around the country. The deal takes in UK, Ireland and US rights at both theatrical and home ent, with a further home ent deal to cover Canada, where Vortex Media will be releasing. Arrow director of content Francesco Simeoni at Arrow commented: “We're delighted to be working with Vortex Media and The Righteous creative team on the forthcoming release. Mark O'Brien has put together a highly impressive debut with strong performances from himself and his stars. We knew upon seeing it at Fantasia that it would be perfect for Arrow fans.” Vortex Media ceo Justin Rebelo said: “Vortex Media has supported The Righteous from the script stage and are elated to have partnered with the wonderful team at Arrow Films to release what is a fantastic, visionary work by Mark O’Brien. We look forward to continuing the film’s journey sharing the film with audiences after the warm response from Fantasia, Grimmfest and Blood in the Snow.” Director O’Brien added: “As a dedicated fan of Arrow Films, I am beyond thrilled to be partnering with them on my debut feature film and continuing my relationship with Vortex Media. Arrow Films are a filmmaker and cinephile’s dream. It’s an honor to be a part of their tremendous catalog.”
Meanwhile, the last Friday of the month, January 28, saw Arrow Video unveil its next batch of releases, talking about its releases slated for April, including a stone-cold horror classic that proved to be extremely troublesome for the BBFC, among other things. Arrow director of content Fran Simeoni said: “We’re delighted with our announcements for April with cult classics from China, France, Italy, the US, action, horror, thriller, martial arts, there’s really something for everyone. Possibly the greatest and definitely one of the scuzziest serial killer films ever made Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer arrives in a limited edition with a fresh HDR grade to bump up the 4K restoration to a world premiere UHD which comes as a 2-disc set absolutely loaded with extras and includes two booklets featuring new writing on the film and storyboards. Then continuing our focus on classic Italian crime films with two of the most well regarded of the poliziottescho genre from Enzo G. Castellari (of Inglorious Bastards fame), The Big Racket and The Heroin Busters, both starring Fabio Testi. Both make their Blu-ray debut from our new restorations and come chock full of extras. Then we return to Claude Chabrol for our second volume of the master’s twilight period thrillers starring French icons including Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire with four films making their Blu-ray debuts from new restorations of The Swindle, The Colour of Lies, Nightcap and The Flower of Evil. Finally Terry Gilliam’s virus outbreak classic 12 Monkeys gets the UHD upgrade treatment with a sparkling new restoration and HDR grade approved by the former Python, accompanied by all our great extras from the previous release.”
And finally, to the legendary Soho Screening Rooms in the heart of London for a preview screening of the latest theatrical outing from Anime Ltd, Belle. The film, currently appearing all over London Underground sites in an impressive, high profile campaign from the indie, opens Friday February 4 and has already earned a stack of good notices from its Cannes premiere in 2021. The film, directed by Oscar nominee Mamoru Hosoda, is another gorgeously crafted and beautifully animated tale about an online world that feels hugely relevant today. And it will follow the theatrical to home entertainment route that has worked so well for the indie in recent years for its biggest releases. Commenting on the release, Anime Ltd’s Andrew Partridge said: “Belle continues to grow pace not just in a flood of media coverage but also now that it will play in both IMAX, premium formats and regular screenings. We've the broadest advertising campaign for a film in recent years including comprehensive activity to target the TikTok and Twitch generation. Add to that there's some very cool stuff coming up too promotionally including a mural on Camden Lock starting from this week in London too. Distributing Belle is a great honour for us and we intend to do it proud and set it up for a major home ent release in due course.”
EQUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The porn shops would flip the stock so the stuff seized wasn’t illegal. I think Nik Powell had been tipped off. I was in the room and he didn’t leave it, but the masters weren’t there. I think they were in a cab driving around Soho, they’d been spirited away. They were after anything and everything – paperwork, masters, materials, stock. Nik and filing were enemies, so there wasn’t much of that. I don’t know how they thought they were going to get them in a van.”
Trevor Drane, formerly at Palace during the company’s heyday (now at Revelation) on the day the Met raided the distribution and production company’s offices to seize The Evil Dead during the video nasties scandal. He was speaking to The Raygun’s Tim Murray for a feature included as part of the book that comes with Censor, released by Second Sight on Monday January 31
AT THE MOVIES
The Fast and a furious franchise has done its fair share of hoovering up assorted action stars to join the ever swelling ranks of its cast across its nine features, and the production has done of again for F10. For in its first major casting announcement, the film due to take the franchise into double figures, it's been revealed that Jason Momoa is joining the team. The DC comic book film star, who also appeared in Dune last year, will line up alongside the likes of Vin Diesel and co under the stewardship of director Justin Lin for the film which takes Fast and Furious into double figures. It’s due out in May 2023.
Dear old Kevin Costner and his numerous passion projects. When they work they really work - take the example of Dances With Wolves. And when they don’t work… well Arrow has helped with the rehabilitation of Waterworld, but The Postman still draws a gasp among executives after misfiring big-time… Now Costner is back with another pet project he’s desperate to get made. And it’s on the way too. He will write, direct and produce the “epic period Western” Horizon. Costner told Deadline: “America’s expansion into the west was one that was fraught with peril and intrigue from the natural elements, to the interactions with the indigenous peoples who lived on the land, and the determination and at many times ruthlessness of those who sought to settle it. Horizon tells the story of that journey in an honest and forthcoming way, highlighting the points of view and consequences of the characters life and death decisions.”
He Man’s on his way back in live action form, as the long-mooted plans for a Masters Of The Universe feature, reviving the classic franchise. The film has been rumoured to land at Sony but it’s now heading to Netflix, with filming set to start in the summer. It’s being overseen by toy giant Mattel and follows another Mattel and Netflix collaboration on an animated version. Masters of the Universe is an iconic property that shaped the imaginations of an entire generation of kids with the message of becoming the best version of yourself,” said Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films. “With our partners at Netflix, we look forward to showing audiences that anything can happen in Eternia. We are continuing to unlock this global franchise in new ways, and we can’t wait to see Kyle battle it out with Skeletor in this epic live-action saga.”
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun…
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Final trailer for game to film adaptation…
Here’s the Belle trailer…
More Picard…
Due from Picturehouse…
We’ve raved about this before…
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