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MAVERICK IS TOPS…
…AS TITLE GUNS FOR MORE RECORDS
TOLKIEN POWERS ON
NATIONAL CINEMA DAY PULLS IN RECORD NUMBERS
SLAM DUNK FOR WWE
MORE FRIGHTFEST REACTION
101’S BURIAL RISES UP…
…AND JEEPERS IS REBORN
GHOSTWATCH RETURNS
YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YETI
ALTITUDE’S FEELING BLUE
A VISUAL TREAT…
…AS INDUSTRY STALWARTS GATHER
FAREWELL TO BOURNEMOUTH’S FLICKS
AT THE MOVIES TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
It’s been something of a record week for performances, with a raft of promising figures emerging from cinemas, digital releases and streaming titles, as consumers show they’re still ready to embrace film releases across all formats and more. We’ll start with Top Gun: Maverick, which, on its digital release in key territories, including the UK and US, had a strong performance despite the fact it is still airing in cinemas. Its digital release propelled it to number one in the Official Film Chart, with, as noted in the bulletin, the Tom Cruise starrer having a “massive impact” on the listing. As the bulletin further added: “[Maverick] secured the biggest number one debut of 2022 so far, and one of the biggest on record in the history of the Official Film Chart”. It was a similar story in the US too, where Paramount has said the title is now the biggest selling week one digital film release ever, and it has piled up further achievements too. As US trade Media Play News said: “It has already become one of the Top 20 bestselling digital releases in history after being available for only one week. In addition, the digital release was the top-selling item on Amazon.com in the U.S. across every category on the site on the first day, as well as on Fandango’s transactional on-demand service Vudu.”
Maverick has further turned convention on its head after further adding to its mammoth box office haul. It has now amassed more than $1.4 billion worldwide and has now passed $700 million at US cinemas, returning to the top of the box office charts (essentially bookending the summer in the top slot for big holiday weekends) and also now becoming the fifth highest grossing film ever in the States. “It’s without a doubt, that Top Gun: Maverick is a true cultural touchstone embodying the power of the cinematic experience,” said Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures. “As we celebrate this enormous achievement and the film’s massive impact, we want to extend our gratitude to Tom Cruise, our filmmakers and cast, Paramount’s marketing and distribution teams, and the legions of both new and longtime Top Gun fans who keep turning out to enjoy this remarkable movie.”
Meanwhile, over on Amazon’s Prime Video service, the debut of its new Lord Of The Rings outing, with two episodes of The Rings Of Power making their debut at the start of September, the streamer was also breaking its own records. With more than 25 million viewers across 240 territories, it become its biggest ever debut on Prime Video. Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said: “It is somehow fitting that Tolkien’s stories - among the most popular of all time, and what many consider to be the true origin of the fantasy genre - have led us to this proud moment. I am so grateful to the Tolkien Estate – and to our showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, executive producer Lindsey Weber, cast and crew - for their tireless collaborative efforts and boundless creative energy. And it is the tens of millions of fans watching – clearly as passionate about Middle-earth as we are – who are our true measure of success.”
Anything that gets punters excited about films, be it at theatrical or home entertainment, is worth applauding, particularly after the pandemic changed everything, so news of record crowds flocking to multiplexes and independent theatres around the UK to mark National Cinema Day, held on Saturday September 3, should be welcomed warmly by the entire entertainment business. The initiative, put together by cross-industry group Cinema First, and ably assisted and supported by the Film Distributors’ Association as well as the UK Cinema Association, charged consumers a mere £3 for any film airing at participating venues. With classics such as a re-released and revived ET The Extra Terrestrial as well as current blockbusters such as the latest Minions outing The Rise Of Gru and the ever-present summer hit Top Gun: Maverick leading the way, figures from cinema experts at Comscore showed that there were more than 1.46 million admissions. This is three times higher than an average Saturday pre-COVID-19, and more than the 1.34 million who went to a similar day a quarter of a century ago.
Comment on the success of National Cinema Day came from Cinema First chair Iain Jacob, who said: “The appeal to audiences of the true cinema experience is universal, enduring and deep rooted. We wanted to celebrate this with a big thank you to audiences and a great offer for everybody in the UK. People clearly really loved our inaugural National Cinema Day. The cinema experience has always been the most enriching and positive form of escapism, by combining the joy of cinema with an amazingly accessible price we are proud to have supported our audiences at this incredibly challenging time. Thank you to everybody who came.”
It's been a big week or two for the WWE and its ongoing home entertainment releases via long-standing partner Fremantle, as the arrival of the WWE superstars in the UK for a huge live event helped catapult its latest release into the upper echelons of the Official Charts Company’s listing. Here’s Fremantle’s Ken Law on the SummerSlam revival and Cardiff live activity. He said: “It’s been an incredible week for us and WWE. We kicked off the promotion of our 30th Anniversary DVD and Blu-ray release of SummerSlam 1992 with a launch screening at Boxpark, Wembley just a stone’s throw from where it all happened 30 years earlier. Five hundred fans packed into the venue on a Monday evening and the atmosphere was incredible. We’re thrilled that it’s resulted in our best ever UK Charts position this week. Number five for a 30 year old wrestling show is pretty amazing and SummerSlam 1992 has quickly become our best-selling WWE Blu-ray of all time. Then it was all down to Cardiff where WWE staged their first UK stadium live event since that legendary SummerSlam show at Wembley Stadium 30 years ago. Some 62,296 fans were in attendance for Clash at the Castle and the UK WWE fans showed why they are the best. The noise inside the Principality Stadium was incredible and didn’t dip for the entire three and a half hour hour show. We’re releasing Clash at the Castle on DVD and Blu-ray on October 24 and it’s going to be our biggest release of Q4.”
More from the August bank holiday Arrow FrightFest and we’ve been talking to attendees about the event, how films were received and more, and it’s always worth noting the organisers’ views on how it went too. After such uncertainty in recent years, it’s nice to see such positivity emanating from the event. (We certainly found that on our trips this year notably as many were saying “it’s good to finally be back”.) One of FrightFest’s quartet of directors, Ian Rattray, said: “It was just like the old days. The largest number of films for several years, a record turnout of guests including French star Brigitte Lahaie and Italian horror Legend Dario Argento, plus fans returning in numbers, contributed to a great atmosphere with the cinema foyer buzzing between films. Many fans were delighted just to be there and to be able to reconnect with others they hadn't seen for since 2019. We must also mention our sponsors, distributors and filmmakers who without their support it would be difficult to pull such an event as FrightFest off.”
Further comment came from 101 Films, which showed its increasing importance in the genre sector by upping its presence at the event. The company’s Tim Scaping said: “The 101 Films team were in attendance at FrightFest the entire weekend, and in terms of quality and energy it was surely up there with the best editions. This year we sponsored the Discovery Screens in the Prince Charles Cinema, and as ever it was great to chat with both filmmakers and fans about the incredibly diverse and high-quality films that played across the event's five screens. The highlight of the weekend for us was the World Premiere of BURIAL, a World War 2 thriller starring Charlotte Vega and Tom Felton, who were both in attendance. The film went down very well and is reviewing strongly, setting it up nicely for its digital release later in the month.” 
And also over the FrightFest weekend, 101 Films announced the latest addition to its thriving Black Label series of deluxe Blu-ray editions of classic genre fare – and what a belter it is too. Ghostwatch was the groundbreaking TV mockumentary which fooled many viewers into thinking demonic forces were at work and taking over TV presenters. It originally aired on the BBC 30 years ago, and to mark the occasion 101's imprint has put together a first ever Blu-ray for the title, which features Michael Parkinson and a whole host of familiar faces hoodwinking viewers. Released on October 31, exactly 30 years to the day since its first transmission, it features a new documentary looking at the programme's history, features from the likes of Sarah Appleton and The Raygun's very own Tim Murray, the latter writing about the furore that followed its airing. It's all wrapped in limited edition packaging with new artwork and art cards. 101's Tim Scaping said: "This Halloween we're very excited to be bringing GHOSTWATCH to Blu-ray for the first time - the BBC production that terrified Britain on 31st October 1992. The film was truly ground breaking and the reaction to our announcement has demonstrated the esteem it is held in by both horror fans and the general public. Released as part of the 101 Films Black Label, the package includes a new documentary on the making of Ghostwatch, a new commentary, limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork, a booklet with new writing on the film and more." Monday September 5 is a big day for Doctor Who fans as the latest in the BBC’s ongoing releases from the Timelord’s vast back catalogue of adventures makes its way to stores, and it’s one that’s got the fans excited. For The Abominable Snowman is a Patrick Troughton adventure from the 1960s long thought missing, with animation being added to the existing remaining audio tapes of the lost or destroyed episodes, and the remaining one has been added to these new takes. Commenting on the release, BBC Studios’ Rob Crowe said: “Out this Monday is Doctor Who – The Abominable Snowmen, the latest in our ongoing range of Doctor Who animations, once again creating new animation to go with the existing soundtracks of otherwise missing adventures from the 60s. Featuring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor and a fan-favourite monster in the form of the Yeti, this is sure to be just as popular with fans as our previous releases in the range.”
A few lucky souls are over at Venice for the city’s annual film festival and, judging from comment from critics out there, arguably the buzziest film is Blue Jean, a homegrown tale of teaching during the time of the government’s repressive Section 28 law in the 1980s. It’s already received five stars from the Daily Telegraph (“a slam-dunk masterpiece,” the paper noted) and, ahead of heading to Toronto and London film fests, Altitude has announced it has acquired UK and Irish rights to the film. The company’s head of acquisitions and development Laura Wilson said: "We are thrilled to be bringing Georgia Oakley's stunning debut to UK and Irish audiences. BLUE JEAN is a rare film, simultaneously moving, thought-provoking and entertaining, combining stunning visuals, a smart script and brilliant performances led by star Rosy McEwen. It's the start of an incredible journey for the film and we are proud to be able to part of it.”
News of Altitude inking the deal to release Blue Jean on these shores led to a quick catch-up with the company and a look at its forthcoming releases ahead of Q4. Outlining its current activity, the company’s home entertainment expert Adam Eldrett said: “On Monday September 5, we are releasing Action flick ONE WAY starring Kevin Bacon and Colson (Machine Gun Kelly) Baker and have DIG coming at the end of September, a frenetic heist/hostage tale starring Thomas Jane alongside his daughter Harlow, the first time they have acted opposite each other. Also coming in September we have the animated feature WHERE IS ANNE FRANK, critically acclaimed and obviously a very important story. Directed by Ari Folman (Walk With Bashir). It's available as a Home Premiere from September 12. We are finalising our Q4 line-up, more on that soon but have to mention ROCKS, coming to TVOD for the very first time on October 3. Nominated for several BAFTAs, with a win for Best Casting, it's one of the best British Films of the last decade and finally available to own.”
t's taken what seems like an age, and, after pandemic related delays and more – and a further postponement this summer after rail strikes intervened – but our old pals at Visual Data have returned with their annual summer party with a vengeance. The event, a familiar seasonal offering the day pre-COVID-19, was held at the Century Club in the heart of the West End of London, with the great and the good from across the industry and beyond in attendance. Labels and distributors from both small to large were there to mark the occasion on the roof terrace and a fine time was had by all, with talk ranging from the current state of the business, to recent successes in the boutique field (many of them handled by the fine folk at Visual Data), where next for the business and more. The company’s James Greenwall said: “It was lovely to see so many of our clients and industry friends, old and new, together after such a long time. We really are lucky to work with so many great people!”
Meanwhile, less than a mile away from there, a few old faces from Warner and beyond were out in force for a reunion drink of sorts organised by former studio staffer Keith Hillyer, a long-time Warner employee who transferred from the UK to Hollywood. It was good to see some familiar faces out and about after what seemed like an eternity. More of this kind of thing, please…
And finally, farewell to video rental store Flicks in Bournemouth, Dorset, which is shuttering after almost 40 years in business. Manager Terry Whitaker has been there for 27 of those, and he told the BBC: “When I started it was part-time, then two years became 10, then 20," he said. "But it never felt like work, I've always enjoyed it here. I found some old VHS machines, they're heavy, bulky things, and we kept a stash of the original Star Wars trilogy hidden away. I also found two old Braveheart posters. With a movie like Crocodile Dundee, people used to have to wait for it to come out on video, then they'd have to reserve it. Pretty Woman was the same. You wouldn't just walk in on the day it was released, you'd have to book or pre-book it before it even came out. Those were the good old days." He is one of what is estimated to be less than a dozen rental stores left in the UK, but noted that people watch films differently now and it is less of an occasion. “Back then, you'd come in as a family and pick a film each and sit round, have the build up and watch it as a family and eat popcorn. But people just watch films differently now, on iPads, phones - people will have two TVs in their homes so they'll watch movies separately now. I've got a couple of months to close down the company yet, then I'll find something else. My favourite movie of all time? It changes, but the constant is Dances With Wolves."
AT THE MOVIES
With the new musical take on Roald Dahl’s Matilda, Guillermo del Toro’s version of Pinocchio, the Knives Out sequel, Harry Styles, Sam Mendes and a list of returning talent taking in (dep breath) Darren Aronofsky, Noah Baumbach, James Benning, Marco Bellocchio, Bertrand Bonello, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Richard Eyre, Kevin Jerome Everson, Patricio Guzmán, Mani Haghighi, Mia Hansen-Løve, Joanna Hogg, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Rian Johnson, Asif Kapadia, Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy, Sebastián Lelio, Sébastien Lifshitz, Tobias Lindholm, Edward Lovelace, Martin McDonagh, Santiago Mitre, Michel Ocelot, Ruben Östlund, François Ozon, Park Chan-wook, Alexandre O. Philippe, Laura Poitras, Sarah Polley, Lucía Puenzo, João Pedro Rodrigues, Jerzy Skolimowski,Paolo Taviani, Guillermo del Toro, Lars von Trier, Nora Twomey and more, London Film Festival, due to take place from October 5 to 16, has unveiled its line-up. You can see the full programme here https://www.bfi.org.uk/lff
Comment on the LFF launch came from Ben Roberts, CEO, BFI, who said: “I’m immensely proud of the BFI London Film Festival and the talented team who take it from strength to strength every year. They continue to find creative ways of reaching new audiences across the UK, including through our free programme and a wider range of work, including our Series and VR and immersive works. The LFF provides a vital platform for global filmmakers to showcase their work and I’m excited to see such a bold and expansive range of films, more World Premieres than ever and an incredible range of debuts from UK directors. We couldn’t do it without our loyal supporters, including our principal partner of 13 years American Express, so huge thanks to them and our many other sponsors, funders, partners, including the UK Government and the UK’s National Lottery players who do so much to enable both the Festival and our work throughout the year.” Tricia Tuttle, BFI London Film Festival Director added: “If there is something that unites these brilliant but disparate works, it’s the boldness and ambition of their filmmakers and creators. As we emerge from an unprecedented period of disruption and change - a global health crisis, instability, climate change - artists are our North Star, helping guide us and shape our understanding in a complex and often confusing world. And the work here reminds me again of why we love films, television, visual storytelling of all kinds…it has the power to help us see. We are so grateful to these artists for their incredible films, series and immersive works and can’t wait to share it with audiences.“
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun…
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
That new Jeepers Creepers trailer…
Life’s a scream…
Due on Netflix…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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