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STORES, CINEMAS READY TO REOPEN
DAWN WAKES UP SLEEPS
HATE LEADS TO SALES…
UNDERTAKER WAKE TURNS INTO A PARTY
MARADONA’S DEATH LEADS TO RENEWED NTEREST
YET ANOTHER DISTRIBUTOR LAUNCHES…
PENINSULA STICKS OUT
BEAUTY’S LOOKING GOOD
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK…
…AS SIGNATURE LAUNCHES Q1 SLATE…
…ANOTHER PACKED SLATE FROM INDIE
ARROW HAS ITS DEMONS…
…AND ALSO BLACKER THAN BLACK OFERS
TERRACOTTA LAUNCHES VOD OFFERING
COLLISION COURSE SET
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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As England readied to leave the current lockdown and return to tiered Covid-19 conditions – albeit under stricter regulations – the industry was similarly preparing to reopen its stores and to start trying to return to some semblance of normaity. This came in another tumultuous week for the business, further rejigging and restructuring taking place (more on that next week when some of the dust has settled and official statements been issued), while the news that cinemas can reopen, at least in Tiers 1 and 2, will further boost optimism around the trade, just as the lack of big theatrical blockbusters coming through to home entertainment shelves really starts to bite. Cinemas are set to reopen from December 2, where allowed, while Friday December 4 will see a number of releases. Crucially too, Wonder Woman 1984, one of the last of the big 2020 titles that hasn't slipped into next year, is going to happen soon – Warner has confirmed a December 16 release date for the film in UK cinemas ahead of its US release, where the film will arrive in multiplexes on Christmas Day, a release simultaneous with the superhero’s appearance on the subscription video on demand service HBO Max. It's mixed news, certainly, as Tiers 2 and 3 will remain in place for some time, but at least cinemas returning and big films arriving in cinemas indicates good things for 2021…
As noted here previously, the lack of big new releases has given other titles the chance to shine. We’ve been banging on about Second Sight's epic restoration and release of George A Romero’s seminal zombie flick Dawn of The Dead since the company first announced the ambitious project back in 2019. Now the lavish multi-disc (both video and audio) box set, complete with two books, has been released, to great reviews (and loads of them too) and its sales success is as spectacular as the box itself. For the release has achieved the independent’s highest chart placing ever it’s number one in the overall Blu-ray charts and sitting at number four as the highest new entry in the Official Film Chart. It’s a huge feat for a low budget title released more than 40 yeas ago and, after a long and storied UK home entertainment history (as chronicled by The Raygun’s very own Tim Murray in a lengthy essay in one of the books), it’s great to see such a notorious video hit back in the charts. And it fully vindicates Second Sight’s significant investment in the project, which has been rated as one of the best box sets ever released. Commenting on its success, Second Sight's Chris Holden said: "I was overwhelmed by the incredible reviews we’ve been getting for the release, from both the established and much-respected review sites, to the countless posts across social media from fans sharing photos, unboxings and heaps of praise and thanks for what we achieved. To then see that translate into the phenomenal week one sales and our highest chart position ever, by some distance, has been the icing on the cake. Thanks again to everyone who's been involved in this massive labour of love.”
Another restoration of a classic film was released this week and the BFI’s glorious take on incendiary Parisian drama La Haine has got off to a flying start too. The BFI has said that the title, as well as its other November 23 release, Short Sharp Shocks, a collection of previously unreleased Horror and suspense short films added to its excellent Flipside imprint, had both over-exceeded expectations in terms of pre-orders and were continuing to sell strongly during week one. The BFI’s Phil Roberts said: “With Black Friday activity still to come this promises to be one of the busiest weeks ever in our label’s long history. Coming on top of the phenomenal success of the Pet Shop Boys’ It Couldn’t Happen Here earlier in the summer, the label’s amazing success throughout 2020 is further evidence of the strength of the premium Blu-ray collectors’ market in the UK.’
The Undertaker has been a mainstay of the WWE world for 30 years, the undead character having scored a record-breaking run of success at Wrestlemania during his time as a grappling superstar. And this week he proved his worth to the organisation for one last time as the character retired from the ring at Survivor series – “rest in peace”, his catchphrase, was obviously used. The Sunday night main event beamed around the world was followed by a wave of publicity about his time as a wrestler, appearing beyond the normal scope of WWE PR and moving into mainstream media, and, on Monday, Fremantle released The Last Ride, a special title celebrating The Undertaker's career. It was marked with unlikely but high profile coverage, including a feature in the Guardian, of all places (it’s well worth a read, over here and it helped The Last Ride achieve strong sales for the DVD – its first day numbers were ahead even those of Wrestlemania, the flagship release for WWE home entertainment fare. That feat was made all the more remarkable given the shuttering of HMV stores around the UK because of the pandemic. Commenting on its success, Fremantle’s Ken Law said: “We’re delighted with the early success of our Undertaker release. It just proves that even in these tough times, if you have the right product released at the right time with the right marketing and publicity behind it, you can still achieve great things.”
The news of Diego Maradona’s untimely death this week led to an outpouring of grief over the fallen footballer’s stunning achievements and much of the conversation surrounding the gifted Argentinian’s glittering career and ongoing personal problems centred on Asif Kapadia’s stunning documentary released by Altitude, Diego Maradona. The film aired on Film 4 on the day his death was announced, and the film is set to appear again in cinemas once their doors have reopened in England as lockdown is lifted in some areas. And expect, for those not served by reopening theatres and beyond, a lift in sales for Altitude's home entertainment release of the definitive story of Maradona’s life. Commenting on the title, Altitude’s Adam Eldrett said: “A true icon and as I have said before a man I once hated and ended up having a lot of sympathy for after watching and releasing Asif Kapadia's wonderful documentary. It was no surprise to me that only hours after the sad news broke we saw the title back in the top three of the iTunes chart. We have also been fielding a few requests from retail to re-chart the title and so expect it to be another addition to our Q4 campaign as we see footfall return to stores.”
A new joint venture has been announced this week which will see 101 Films partnering with the wittily-named (Yet) Another Distribution Company. The deal sees the expanding 101 operation overseeing the sales, distribution and marketing of titles acquired by the new distributor. (Yet) Another Distribution Company was formed by Phil Hunt, the founder of Head Gear Investments and Bankside Sales and who recently launched another distribution label, Bohemia Media. Aim Publicity will be handling the PR for the titles. The venture kicks off with festive comedy Cup Of Cheer as a digital release this December, with a mixture of both digital and physical for titles such as The Intergalactic Adventures Of Max Cloud, Riot Girls, Paradise Z, Last Moment of Clarity into 2021. 101 Films md Andy Lyon said "It’s a very exciting time to be a distributor with so many ways to now deliver content to consumers profitably. With the combination of 101 Films’ vast experience in distribution and Phil Hunt's access to content through his other ventures, (Yet) Another Distribution Company and 101 Films are set to grow at an incredible rate through 2021 and beyond. We already have a forward slate from early 2021 with over 50 further movies currently under consideration.” (Yet) Another Distribution Company Managing Director Phil Hunt said: “Finally after a quarter of a century in the business, I’ve expanded in to distribution and loving getting great stories out there. It’s only been possible with the huge help of 101, Andy Lyon and his teams who are hard-working, honest, straightforward and great fun to work with.”
Due in stores on Monday in what has been a classic year for strong horror fare, is another goodie in the shape of Studiocanal’s zombie sequel Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula. Given the first one’s success as a home entertainment offering, good things are rightly expected of this strong genre title. Commenting on the release, the company’s Carys Gaskin said: “Despite the lockdown scuppering our plans for a proper theatrical release, we were able to launch Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula early on EST this week and will follow on with rental, DVD and Blu-ray from Monday. We have fantastic set up across the grocers and huge support online thanks to the team at Elevation despite a busy sales period, and we plan to take a decent bite out of the market!”
Also arriving in stores on Monday November 30 is the latest from independent label Bulldog, which is bringing the critically acclaimed Eternal Beauty to the market, complete with its strong cast of acting talent. Commenting on the release, Bulldog's Philip Hoile said: "Craig Roberts is an exciting young filmmaker and has created a really striking work in Eternal Beauty. It’s amazing to see such a sensitive, moving and positive representation of a character with a mental health condition on screen and very special indeed to have it in an entertaining film that delivers humour in spades too. Sally Hawkins gives a compelling lead performance alongside an all-star supporting cast – notably David Thewlis, Alice Lowe, Billie Piper, Morfydd Clark and Penelope Wilton. We were lucky to get a theatrical release opportunity between the lockdowns with healthy cinema support alongside Premium VOD and the response from critics and audiences alike was really strong and has hopefully set it up nicely for its DVD/VOD/EST release on Monday. The physical edition includes a behind the scenes featurette and Sally Hawkins interview which add further depth to this captivating, stylish feature which really rewards repeat viewings."
Friday November 28 sees the release of one of the most eagerly anticipated films of 2020, as, in a vintage year for horror films, Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor, fresh from a rapturous reception at the London Film Festival, arrives courtesy of Signature. It’s earned plaudits and, following on from Relic, is another Signature genre film that possesses the potential to crossover to a wider audience. Commenting on the release, Signature’s Emilie Barra said: “From the visionary mind of writer director Brandon Cronenberg (Antiviral), Possessor is a game-changing sci-fi thriller about elite corporate assassin, Tasya Vos, who takes control of other people’s bodies to execute high profile targets. As she sinks deeper into her latest assignment Vos becomes trapped inside a mind that threatens to obliterate her. Following its UK premiere at last month's prestigious BFI London Film Festival, we are extremely excited to bring the most anticipated genre film to the UK. Possessor will receive a home premiere from Friday! Our campaign has gone from strength to strength and has received enormously positive praise from UK media. With a fantastic cast – who have supported the release with interviews in high profile, the film has seen glowing reviews across the board, including – hot off the press – Kermode’s film of the week!”
Possessor is given its home premiere launch at the same time as distributor Signature unveiled its Q1 slate, with a huge raft of titles taking in every genre and including plenty within the kind of areas that Signature traditionally excels in. As if to prove that point, January kicks off with the DVD release of one of the most Signature releases ever – Jiu Jitsu. The film blends martial arts and science fiction and sees some of the world’s finest fighters, including Tony Jaa and Frank Grillo, taking on an alien kung fu expert. Oh, and to add to its credentials, it also features Nicolas Cage in a martial arts film. As Signature's Emilie Barra noted: “It’s Nic Cage doing his best crazy along with the cream of the crop when it comes to MMA action. We feel we’ve got something really unique here – sci-fi, action and a good dollop of humour.” On the same date is Deliver Us From Evil, a Korean thriller that should appeal to fans of Korean action (think The Raid among others) as well as capitalising on the post-Parasite appetite for foreign language films. Suitably windy, and also on the same date, is Let it Snow, a thriller with touches of horror that sees Ivanna Sakhno battling against baddies and the elements on a desolate mountain. Relic (its EST, TVOD and DVD and Blu-Ray release spread across January 11 and 18) was one of the hits of LFF and a huge success when released as a Home Premiere is October. Barra said: “It’s really found its audience in the UK and it’s crossed over to the mainstream. We’ve had some amazing press and we’re proud to be supporting a genre film that feels so fresh. We are confident the film will be another huge hit at its next window .”
Continuing with Signature’s Q1 and January 18 sees a release for the kind of political thriller that Signature has traditionally scored well with with the release of Daniel, based on the harrowing true story of a photographer kidnapped in Syria by ISIS. The Sinners is a schoolgirl horror that echoes the likes of The Craft, which will come to the small screen in Q1. Far less scary is one of the post-lockdown theatrical hits in the shape of family favourite Elfkins. As Barra said: “This did really well at cinemas and we’ve got high hopes for home entertainment too.” The first on the revitalised and relaunched FrightFest Presents imprint for 2021 is out on January 25 with the release of the excellent stolen body parts black comedy horror 12 Hour Shift (this is highly recommended). Another gem waiting to be discovered is The Furnace, which Signature is pitching as Bone Tomahawk meets Walkabout meets The Nightingale and currently boasts a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes after its Venice Film Festival debut. Straddling January and February is World War II true story thriller Persian Lessons, which is benefiting from a theatrical campaign, elevated PR and marketing coverage. January 29 sees a simultaneous theatrical and VOD release for the excellent sci-fi tale Synchronic, one we’ve mentioned here already, which boasts the bankable A-listers Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie in the lead roles. Possessor, which we’ve discussed already here (see above), comes to VOD and then EST, DVD and Blu-ray on from January 28.
February 2021 continues for Signature with the release of romantic drama Tuscaloosa, followed by a remake of Swedish hit Rams starring Sam Neill, Michael Caton and Miranda Richardson (we’re sensing a strong Hunt For The WIlderpeople vibe) and Signature is planning a theatrical campaign with elevated PR. Modern Persuasion is, as the title suggests, a modern take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Nic Cage’s second appearance of the quarter is if anything, even more out there than many of his previous outings – Willy’s Wonderland (premium vod in Q1) is, Signature promised, Cage versus possessed animatronic theme park puppets “It sounds crazy,” said Signature’s Emilie Barra, “because it is! Cage takes it to 11 for this. It’s very commercial and is a no-brainer, an easy win for Cage fans.” A few days later comes the second addition to the FrightFest Presents imprint in the shape of vampire tale Broil. Anti Life on the same date (February 15) jettisons Bruce Willis Into Space for an effects-laden sci-fi action tale. Creature features are always commercial home entertainment titles, but they aren’t in plentiful supply, which is why Signature believes its February 22 title What Lies Below has legs, as Emilie Barra said: “It’s a unique proposition for the market.” Red Soil is a Dark Water meets Chernobyl ecological disaster story. Into March and The Owners is another hugely commercial offering, starring Maisie Williams in a home invasion thriller that even throws in Sylvester McCoy having the time of his life. Jailbreak is a super budget true story prison escape thriller. The Last Frontier is a multi-million dollar production looking at the Soviet fight against the Nazis, while Frank Grillo, star of Jiu Jitsu, returns to Signature for more fisticuffs in Body Brokers. The Adventures Of Wolfboy on March 22 is a thoughtful tale while the quarter is rounded off with a brace of horrors on March 29. Politically charged supernatural horror Witch Hunt and cannibal antics in Honeydew end the quarter in creepy style.
Meanwhile, others have already unveiled their January releases and are now on to their February titles, such was the case with Arrow Video, which announced its slate for the second month of 2021 on the last Friday of the month. Here’s the company's ”It's a vibrant February of both colourful films and characters on Arrow Video. Announced today and leading the way is an incredible double boxset of two of the most iconic Italian horror films of the 80s; Demons 1 and 2 (both on Limited Edition UHD and Blu-ray formats), with stunning brand new 4k restorations and brand new extras. More classic horror emerges with Beyond Re-Animator, the second sequel the Stuart Gordon's 1985 classic, Re-Animator, plus the outrageous Shogun’s Joy Of Torture (1968) from legendary cult director Teruo Ishii which set new benchmarks for Japanese exploitation. Rounding out the month see the Blu-ray release of the mesmerising new shock-rock-doc The El Duce Tapes focusing on the lead singer of the infamous band The Mentors, which will chew you up, spit you out and leave you floored. Also announced today in partnership with ZAVVI, Arrow Video unveiled a Limited Edition Steelbook and slipcase release of An American Werewolf In London. The Slipcase is an exclusive release for Zavvi Red Carpet customers exclusively in the UK here."
And amid all the Black Friday activity, Arrow has got its own promotional thrust on its own website, as Mike Hewitt added: “Finally, it's PITCH BLACK FRIDAY today as Arrow's Annual Christmas Sale opens for business here. Running until December 11, pick up your cult friends Xmas gifts now, and why not treat yourself whilst you're at it.”
Independent labels have been exploring their own video on demand channels and platforms throughout 2020 and the latest imprint to strike out on its own with its own service is Terracotta. It has launched its own vod offering through www.terracottadistribution.com, proudly claiming to be the first UK platform dedicated to East Asian Cinema. Its launch package includes offerings from its own Terracotta Far East Film, as well as a selection of titles for just £1 and classics rom Jackie Chan as well as more recent offerings. Terracotta md Joey Leung said: ““We are so happy to have a streaming site purely for Asian film and really pleased with the mix of classics, emerging directors and new releases we’ve put together. We’re really excited to have the Festival Retrospective too, and we hope festival goers will love re-visiting some of their favourite films from past editions. There are so many amazing films coming out of Asia that really need to be seen but never make it over here due to inefficiencies in the system, and now we can help to match film to audience in a more direct way.”
Meanwhile, one of the biggest theatrical success stories of the pandemic in the UK has been teen flick After We Collide, which has succeeded where others didn’t even attempt in scoring at the UK box office after the first lockdown was lifted. Now Amazon has confirmed that the film will be making its at home debut through its Amazon Prime Video offering from December 22. “We are excited to bring Afternators everywhere this highly-anticipated new movie from The After franchise,” said Chris Bird, head of content for Europe at Amazon Prime Video. “It’s a great opportunity for Prime members in Italy, Spain, France and in the UK to discover the second film of this worldwide young adult phenomenon.”
AT THE MOVIES
The Internet rumour, supposition and assumption machine went into overdrive this week after it emerged that David Lynch may or may not be working on a new TV series for Netflix. The news, as it is, comes from a Production Weekly listing that states a start date for shooting on a David Lynch project, with Netflix's name involved and a working title of Wisteria. That is pretty much it when it comes to speculation, but it has led to a whole load of fantasising, imagining and all kinds of mental gymnastics worthy of the man himself to try and deduce what it is, what it will be and what his plans are. The truth, it seems, is that literally no-one knows anything else. More as it develops, although with Lynch, who knows?
The news that everyone saw coming was confirmed this week, as Warner officially gave the nod to Mads Mikkelsen to join the cast of its ongoing JK Rowling franchise Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. Mikkelsen had been the favourite to replace the departing Johnny Depp, who exited the series after is high profile libel cast against the Sun ended in failure and ignominy or the star. Mikkelsen is now taking on the role of Gillert Grindelwald for the third film in the series.
The future on the Black Panther franchise, part of the Marvel empire, has been uncertain since the tragic death of star Chadwick Boseman, with conversations about what happens next muted due to the grief surrounding the news of Boseman’s untimely passing. Now trade magazine Deadline has said that shooting for the next film will start in the summer of 2021. Ryan Coogler is at the helm again, with many of the cast expected to return, although Marvel has confirmed that there will not be some kind of CGI version of the deceased star used in the film. It won’t see the light of day until 2022 or even the year after.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun…
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Still bossing things…
Viggo Mortensen's directorial debut…
Due on Disney+…
https://youtu.be/aOjr5gJdpMY
Not the one in Margate…
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