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GIFTING, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT
THIS YEAR, GIVE IT TO SOMEONE SPECIAL
FROM RESLEEVES TO BIG BOXES VIA STEELBOOKS…
…UNIVERSAL’S CATALOGUE BONANZA
ZAVVI PRAISES CATALOGUE SLATE
LENNOX STILL PACKS A PUNCH
STORM WARNING
EVERYBODY NEEDS A HOLIDAY
KATHERINE THE GREAT
KINGS OF THE CASTLE
ROGUE FOR THE NATION
SKYFIRE’S THE LIMIT
NEW RESOURCE LAUNCHED FOR SCHOOLS
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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In more than 30 years in the industry, a time before buying home entertainment was anywhere near as accepted as it would become, we have never seen as strange a gifting season as the one we are now in, with stores shuttered, although supermarkets are still open, and with few summer blockbusters to fill the shelves. But, as we’ve noted in previous weeks, retailers and distributors alike are still pressing ahead with big releases they can turn into fourth quarter hits. This week sees a raft of chart activity based around catalogue titles, repackages and more, with plenty of smartly refurbished titles around, as studios and independents dip into the vaults to do everything from standard and simple resleeving-style upgrades through to lavishly packaged sets. There have been more announced this week, with the further unveiling of gifting opportunities as more try to find the kind of feature length documentary gifts that have worked in previous years. And for another week, we round up some of the catalogue activity and look at what’s happening out there…
First a look at the charts, where all of the new and re-entries into the top 10 Official Film Chart, published by BASE and its partners on Wednesday November 11, are classic catalogue titles given a new lease of life. There’s a reserved Last Christmas giving the top 10 a wintry, seasonal look, landing at number one (both Frozen 2 and The Nightmare Before Christmas are also in the listing), while the Steelbook Rogue One A Star Wars Story is a new entry at number two, with a 4K lavish release for V For Vendetta at number four and The Untouchables, one of the recently deceased Sean Connery’s finest outings, at number seven.
The number one slot for Last Christmas on the back of renewed activity from Universal brings the studio’s Q4 efforts into focus, highlighting the work it is doing across the whole catalogue sector. With north of 75 items landing in the run up to Christmas, it has looked at all areas from collectors through to more casual, impulse gift purchases and stocking fillers. In the case of the former group, it has a raft of titles, ranging from a new Back To The Future set, plenty of Steelbooks and releases that bring unusual and unique artwork to the fore. “For something like Back To The Future, you have to look at the forums, fans are very verbal about what they like. They love remasters, they want the best picture and sound, they want some new content and they’re really vocal about what they like and what they don’t like about packaging.” There’s a Japanese artwork series, exclusively at hmv, which uses original artwork created in Japan for the release of big name English language films such as Jaws and The Thing. Partridge explained: “I saw some artwork online that made Hot Fuzz look like a John Woo film, I spoke to our Japanese opco and looked at its artwork. We’ve got eight titles, all very iconic, all with the title in Japanese text. The Feedback from the Steelbook fans has been positive. We’re just giving them something they haven’t seen before.” There are also a wealth of Steelbook offers, some internationally co-ordinated releases, some generated by Universal in the UK, with around 20 worked up locally.
As well as the collectors, Universal is not forgetting about others too. As the company’s John Partridge explained: “We’ve returned to non-franchise box sets, themed by actors, themed by genres and more.” It has worked with grocery and wider retail to get sets focusing on animation powerhouses DreamWorks and Illumination, as well as sci-fi, Downton, Royal and, in October, Halloween sets. As Partridge explained: “There are gaps in the market, there’s not much new release, so we’ve said ‘let’s try some stuff we haven’t tried before’. We always do things on a local level; there’s a flow of product internationally and we try to add to that.” It has also resleeved classic titles such as Last Christmas and the two Grinch titles, which has given them a new lease of life, as evinced by the chart placing this week. “We’ve been super-busy trying to land all these projects, but the circumstances have allowed us to do more projects than ever before, and to get more support from retail. We’ve tried to do something for everyone, from higher-end collectors and because we still have an important grocery sector, we’ve been trying to support them with catalogue product too.”
Online retailer Zavvi is a key destination, making the most of exclusive Steelbooks, in which it’s become a leading exponent of beautifully redesigned, art-style packaged titles, and more. Steve Cook, head of buying for DVD and Blu-ray as well as toys at Zavvi parent The Hut Group told The Raygun: "It certainly is a different Q4 with a very limited film new release schedule, but it’s testament to the studios for filling those gaps with some really strong catalogue releases such as the Middle Earth, Total Recall, Back To The Future and GOT box sets, and many great promotions such as Disney’s gift-orientated multibuys and Warner’s sci-fi offer. Add to that some great label offers from Arrow Video, Criterion and Manga and of course a strong release schedule of zavvi exclusive products then all in all Q4 so far has been a huge success so far for zavvi from the uncomfort of kitchen tables and makeshift offices across Manchester. With the launch of two next gen gaming consoles both with 4K players that will continue to take 4K onto the next level & into more homes then things are looking good.”
Meanwhile, Altitude, as noted here last week, has a veritable quintet covering a raft of bases in the gifting sector, with more announced this week. Chief among them is the release (on Friday November 13 on digital, Monday November 16 on DVD) of boxing biography Lennox: The Untold Story. We’ll start a round-up of the company’s gifting titles here, and, as the company’s home entertainment head Adam Eldrett said: “This weekend we are gearing up for the release of Lennox: The Untold Story. As a boxing fan Lennox was 'my fighter' growing up and so much history behind the man who became a three time heavyweight champion of the world. Denied a theatrical thanks to COVID we are proceeding with our ambitious release plans and the trailer broke last week with The Sun to a strong reaction. The boxing fraternity are right behind our release with Lennox also due to cover off some press for us next week including a very special Q&A with BT Sports. It's on digital from this Friday and out on DVD from Monday, featuring some scintillating archive footage and all his major fights it's a great gifting title for any sports fan this Christmas.”
This week also saw Altitude unveiling the trailer for another biggie for the gifting market too. The teaser was for the company’s big Liverpool FC release, The End Of The Storm, a feature film documentary charting the club’s Premier League triumph during the strangest of all seasons in 2019 to 2020. The company’s Adam Eldrett said: “This week we are due to release a couple more trailers, the first being The End Of The Storm. The film was announced via Liverpool's FC twitter last week and we have seen a huge surge of interest in the release as both DVD and Blu-ray went straight into the top 10 of Amazon's main chart. From the director of One Night In Turin the film has been made and is being released with the full support of the club. We have some live Q&As also scheduled around release featuring some present faces and past legends from the club's history but it's also a film that transcends LFC and is a must watch for any documentary fan.”
Due on the same date as The End of The Storm is a music doc in the shape of Billie, looking at Ms Holiday, the singer who made her mark in America during a time of great turmoil and whose songs, notably Strange Fruit, became anthems for the African American struggle. The company’s Eldrett said: “Also from James Erskine, our director on The End of The Storm is Billie, the incredible story behind one of the greatest voices of all time. There was a huge amount of theatrical interest behind the film but the second lockdown has obviously put a dent in those plans. Thankfully we have been able to switch things around quickly and you will see a PVOD release emerging from this weekend with the support of Curzon Home Cinema, the IFI and the Barbican, which has the film as part of its Jazz festival. The film is also coming out on DVD from November 30 and pleased to see the pre-orders grow as the PR campaign has gathered pace. The film is also on release in the US where you can imagine interest is very high.”
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s been another big trailer launch this week from the company in the shape of an all-singing seasonal celebration from Katherine Jenkins. Altitude’s Adam Eldrett said: “This Thursday (November 12) we broke the trailer for Katherine Jenkins Christmas Spectacular from the Royal Albert Hall. We have been working with Katherine since the spring and it's been a project that has involved the whole company as we worked to film a brand new show from the Royal Albert Hall and were able to film in and around parts of the hall that normally wouldn't be possible with an audience. Katherine Jenkins needs little introduction, and we are excited to be bringing her into people's homes this Christmas and also hopefully into cinemas should we come out of Lockdown on December 2. That said we will also be across cinemas in Wales and Ireland as things stand and what a way to kick off December!
It's out on DVD and digital from December 7 in the UK and across the world in what's a huge part of our Q4 line up. We also have a signed edition available on Amazon which is selling fast since recently appearing on the site and are working closely with all the major retailers and our digital partners to ensure it's a huge part of everyone's Christmas celebrations.”
Only formally announced this week, but a title certain to get the anime fans positively, er, howling, is another sumptuous Studio Ghibli set from Studiocanal. The 15th anniversary edition of Howl’s Moving Castle – limited in number – will sit neatly alongside similar offerings for others from the Japanese animation giant My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service. It’s a lavish oversized box containing the film on DVD and Blu-ray and a host of other goodies, ranging from a book looking at the film’s art, coasters, prints, a poster, a bag and a keyring. Commenting on the December 14 release, the company’s Carys Gaskin said: “We’re thrilled that we could still complete and release our UK exclusive 15th Anniversary Collector’s Edition for the magical Studio Ghibli film Howl’s Moving Castle despite everything this year, so thank you to the Elevation team for all their hard work getting it over the line. The third from our Anniversary collection series following on from classics My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service, featuring a host of exclusive collectable items available only in this set, will release just in time for Christmas and will be a perfect gift (or self-purchase) for any Ghibli fan!”
In stores on Monday is Megan Fox, former Transformers franchise star, returning as a mercenary in Africa off to free some hostages. Commenting on the release and outlining Lionsgate’s support for the title, the company’s Olivia Dean said: “From writer/director MJ Bassett, and starring the fierce Megan Fox, we are very much looking forward to releasing Rogue on DVD on Monday. The film charts Megan Fox in a kick-ass role as a mercenary, leading a squad on a daring mission to rescue hostages in remote Africa. Helicopters, explosions, great action set-pieces and a ravenous lioness, this is perfect escapism for lockdown 2.0. To support the release we are running media assets across Amazon to capitalise on impulse purchase, alongside a fun social campaign. MJ Bassett has been incredibly supportive, completing a host of interviews that will complement the national reviews, feature placements and other publicity coverage which has started to run this week.”
As regular listeners to BBC 5 Live's Kermode and Mayo film show will be fully aware, there are ongoing running jokes and references aplenty to actor Jason Isaacs, and Patriot Films has capitalised on that after securing a lengthy slot for the star to be interviewed by the critic and presenter pal on their show, required listening for film fans, to promote the November 23 release of Skyfire. Isaacs slotted in an interview as part of an ongoing publicity push to promote the home entertainment bow for the big budget disaster film on Friday November 13, and will be appearing next weekend on the likes of Chris Evans' radio show, on Talk Radio and in the Guardian Weekend. The release of the film, a Patriot release through Trinity, is also being supported by director Simon West, the man behind such titles as Con Air, with a dedicated podcast from our old friends at Film Stories among others. The PR drive is helping the film pick up traction and interest ahead of the release. Commenting on the release, commercial director at Trinity Creative Andy Taylor said: We’re really excited for the release of Skyfire. It’s a genre we’ve done particularly well with previously and so have high hopes for it. A high production, all-action film, that should also benefit from Jason Isaacs star quality. Releasing on DVD, Blu-ray and digital, we’ve had excellent support across retail and due to the lack of studio releases, this year, we’re hoping the support can result in even stronger sales, as we move into the traditional gifting market period.
As anyone involved in the anti-piracy and copyright protection fight will tell you, the key to future success is educating youngsters over the importance of copyright and the potentially crippling adverse effects of illegal downloads and pirating films and TV. So the launch this week of a new school resource backed by the Industry Trust for IP Awareness and assorted partners, working alongside the advertising industry’s educational organisation Media Smart, is key news in the ongoing battle. The resource looks at piracy and the impact on the creative industries in the UK and beyond, introducing 11 to 14-year-olds to the concept of copyright and copyright infringement and looking at the risks it poses to individuals illegally accessing content, to its effects on the wider industry and its links with organised crime. Influencer Luke Franks and Sky One presenter Jacqueline Sheppard are on hand to present, while moving on further, students can make their own anti-piracy ads, with Rakuten vouchers being given away as prizes. Targeted ads will highlight the resource, while First News will also cover it. Liz Bales, Chief Executive of The Industry Trust, said “Research conducted by the Industry Trust has found that young people are among those most likely to be tempted to infringe copyright. These studies highlight a need for anti-piracy and pro-industry messaging that engages with and informs younger audiences, allowing them to consider their actions and positively change attitudes towards piracy. Our aim is primarily to education young people, to encourage them to value content and respect the creative industry and also to understand the personal and very real risks they expose themselves to if they do engage with illegally sourced content. We’re delighted to partner with Media Smart in order to produce this comprehensive and engaging resource that has the potential to reach millions of young people throughout the UK.” Rachel Barber-Mack, Director of Media Smart, said “Media Smart’s supporters have long wanted to work with the wider creative industry in educating young people about piracy, a subject that is ever more important during COVID-19 - when kids are online more. We are proud to say that the teaching resource have been awarded the PSHE Association Quality Mark and developed to support the curriculum for living in a wider world with media literacy and digital resilience. Our partnership with the Industry Trust, Sky, MPA and IPO has enabled us to create innovative film-based materials plus competition that will resonate with and inspire our target audience.”
AT THE MOVIES
Jeff Nichols is one of our favourite directors, not least because of the wonderful Midnight Special, but also as he is firm friends with the greatest living American actor, Michael Shannon and, when we saw him doing a Q&A in London a few years back, said he wanted to always have the star appear in every film he made. Which means the news that Nichols is now signing up to develop a third instalment in the world created by A Quiet Place is fantastic, as it should entail Shannon signing up too. The second film, a proper sequel, is due out next year later being delayed this spring by the pandemic. Nichols’ outing will be be set in the world created by John Krasinski, but will be separate from the other two films. Beyond that, those involved are remaining, ahem, silent about what it will involve…
As you might have noticed from the acres of publicity, seemingly none of it good for anyone involved, Johnny Depp is out of the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them franchise. And , after a pause for thought and reflection to think about the real victims, for all of a handful of seconds, everyone is now speculating as to who will replace him. And the smart money is on Mads Mikkelsen, said to be top of the list for the key platers. He will, as long as it progresses, replace Depp as Gellert Grindelwald.…
Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, much beloved of everyone and a regular in film news given the vast amount of projects he seems to have on the go, has now announced… another project. And he’s returned to his first crossover from the wrestling world, The Mummy franchise. Johnson burst into filmdom with his role as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns and a further spin-off, entitled just The Scorpion King. And now he’s going to produce a new take on that franchise for Universal through his Seven Bucks production company. Jonathan Herman, writer on Straight Outta Compton, will pen the script. There’s no confirmation of an acting role, but we reckon he won’t be able to resist turning up. Johnson said: “The Scorpion King was my very first role ever on the silver screen and I’m honored and excited to reimagine and deliver this cool mythology to a whole new generation. I wouldn’t have had the career I’m lucky enough to have had it not been for The Scorpion King and I’m thrilled that we at Seven Bucks Productions can help create those same opportunities for other hardworking actors today. I believe Jonathan Herman will put in the hard work to deliver a fantastic script for our global audience.”
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Season’s greeting…
Due on Disney+, albeit without the theme tune Alan Partridge liked so much…
Due at cinemas and home ent on December 14…
Thyme's up…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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