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'TATTOO' LEAVES ITS MARK
MOMENTUM'S 'FINEST' Q4
LIONSGATE GOES AFTER FITNESS MARKET…
AND EXPENDS ENERGY ON ITS Q4 TITLES
THE RAYGUN AND HMV GET INSPIRED
THIS WEEK ON THE WEBSITE
LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE SHANK
REVOLVER APPOINTS SADLER
AMOS LIVE REPORT
FOPP STORE OPENS THIS WEEKEND
FOX MAKES AN EXHIBITION OF ITSELF
TERRACOTTA RAISES THE DEAD
NO HELL FOR 'BLEEDING'
E1 DWARFS THE OPPOSITION
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
RELEASE OF THE WEEK: MY SON, MY SON…
AT THE MOVIES
SITE OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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 It Was A Good Week For... Momentum and Revolver, enjoying success with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Shank respectively…
It Was A Bad Week For… The fallout from the mooted closure of The UK Film Council continues… The Stieg Larsson phenomenon shows no sign of slowing down after the hugely impressive debut of Momentum's Girl With A Dragon Tattoo. The title out-performed its forecasts substantially in its first week, far exceeding both retail and the distributor's own expectations. The title sold 74,000 in its first week, adding another 37,500 in its second seven days, taking total sales to 112,000, with and with a lower than expected drop off week three sales continue to look strong. What's great news for Momentum is that the figures could suggest that the film is going far beyond the traditional foreign language audience and becoming more and more mainstream. It further suggests that a lot of people who possibly didn't see it theatrically have gone out and bought the DVD or Blu-ray, which can only further grow the franchise and disprove the diminishing returns of sequels theory. It all bodes well for the next two in the trilogy, with The Girl Who Played With Fire due at cinemas in a few weeks. Momentum's Kristin Ryan said: "We're absolutely delighted with the sales performance of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, we never doubted that the DVD had real potential based on the popularity of the books but to sell 75 per cent more week one than Lovely Bones on a third of the box office returns is fantastic. The franchise is set to go from strength to strength." HMV's Andy Anderson added: "I'm very pleased with the performance of The Girl…, especially for a world cinema release. It's always pleasing when quality films sell well. Roll on the next two films, and DVD releases, I can't wait." The retailer's Tim Scaping added: "The popularity of the Millennium Trilogy novels carried over to DVD and Blu-ray, with exceptionally strong sales for a foreign language film. The film is excellent and fully deserves the success that Momentum have achieved with this release, which bodes well for future installments."
The Raygun visited Momentum's Soho Square HQ to talk through its Q4 slate and, in particular, its exceedingly packed October. With The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (how we tire of typing that) performing so well on the back of its hectic third quarter, it's a good time to see the company, as the mood there is buoyant. Its schedule is made up of the right mix of theatrically released biggies and strong, well above average DTV fare that will work well in stores. October's Beneath Hell 60 is a case in point. Not only does it fit into a commercial genre – war – but it also boasts its own unique angle (national newspapers are already queuing up to write about the forgotten story of the the real-life First World War tunnelers). This Is War is a more modern wartime tale, a groundbreaking documentary filmed by a soldier in Iraq. Frozen, an Open Water-style tale of a trio trapped on a ski lift (great trailer) is one that will benefit from a theatrical release, which will certainly give it great word of mouth for its October DVD bow.. Another October release with an Open Water feel is shark thriller The Reef. The Experiment, starring, among others, Adrien Brody, is another of those films that, with a less packed theatrical schedule, would be deserving of a widespread release at cinemas, while the October biggie is Brooklyn's Finest. This has an impressive £1.3 million haul given its box office bow was so close to the World Cup and should convert at a higher level than that, especially with TV leading its marketing push. Into November and the company has TNA stars including Kurt Angle lining up in River Of Darkness (and everyone knows how well wrestling-related films perform) and Kevin Pollak in Choose, a commercial horror flick, will be released in the all-important December 27 slot. Into 2011 and as well as its ongoing Stieg Larsson releases and romcoms such as The Rebound, Momentum has a number of high profile homegrown titles, such as Tamara Drewe, starring Gemma Arterton; the new Mike Leigh, Another Year and the awards-friendly The King's Speech, a historical drama starring Colin Firth. Meanwhile, over at Lionsgate, as well as a strong film slate, including one former UK box office chart-topper and one that is almost certain to take top slot when it's released, the company is also looking to make further inroads into the fitness market. Lionsgate tops the American fitness market and it wants to further boost its market share on these shores. It is not only taking titles from its American parent, but also investing heavily in its own homegrown productions and potential franchises. From the US, it has Jillian Michaels, the number one DVD fitness personality in the world and one who regularly tops the DTV charts (special interest and film) in the US. She will be visiting the UK in January to back her October and December Lionsgate releases. There's also a release from Billy Blanks Jr, the son of the martial arts actor turned Tae Bo creator, who has developed his own system (Cardio-ke) and there's also a brand new title for the older woman from the original fitness queen, Jane Fonda. There are also some UK productions which, while still remaining under wraps, will appeal to a younger audience and tap in perfectly to current UK trends (more on these in the next week or two). Film-wise, Lionsgate's Q4 kicks off with Killers, the Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl action romcom that, as the company's Diane Bartholemew said, "has enough for the girls to keep thenm happy, and enough to keep their boyfriends happy too". The Heavy is a UK acquisition that stars sportsmen turned actors Gary Stretch and Vinnie Jones in a yarn that is perfect for the home entertainment sector. Later in the year, in time for Christmas, comes the DVD and Blu-ray juggernaut that will be The Expendables. Bear in mind that the cast have achieved a combined box office haul so far over their careers of almost half a billion pounds (yes, that's right), translating to combined home entertainment sales to date of 55 million units (and that's just from 1994..., ignoring their longer VHS histories). The UK release will be a world premiere, launching ahead of the US and other territories. Some interesting catalogue activity will include an all new version of Dirty Dancing (The Keepsake Edition), which will feature a tribute to Patrick Swayze, a first ever full release for Fraggle Rock, a collection of the first six Saw films, including space for the latest (Saw 3D) and drafting activity around the latter's October theatrical, which will also tie in with Halloween, as well as Blu-ray bows for Bend It Like Beckham and some Christmas-themed titles. On to 2011 and its slate looks strong too, with the first Lionsgate UK-backed production, Blitz, starring Jason Statham and ever-excellent Paddy Considine, John Woo's epic martial arts tale Reign Of Assassins, the CGI, family friendly shaggy wolf story Alpha And Omega 3D and The Next Three Days, a remake of Metrodome's Pour Elle. Commenting on the line-up, md Nicola Pearcey said: "We've nearly doubled our market share for the year to date against last year, which is just fantastic. And we're really excited about Christmas also, with every ambition for it to be our biggest yet."  The Raygun has teamed up with HMV to launch a new regular feature on our website, www.theraygun.co.uk. Based on HMV's award-winning, hugely innovative and much admired My Inspiration campaign that has been wowing the industry – and consumers – since its introduction more than three years ago. My Inspiration, of course, asks artists, from actors and directors to musicians, singers and producers for the songs, films, bands or singers that inspired them to greatness. And we at The Raygun will be doing the same for the trade. We will be asking leading lights, major players, personalities and our friends from the industry what inspired them, to either join our business, continue in it or to strive for excellence in their roles within the sector. We'll be regularly updating with new My Inspirations on the website at www.theraygun.co.uk and keeping you up to date on who's just contributed theirs. here on the weekly Raygun newsletter and via Twitter. The Raygun's Tim Murray said: "We've always loved the My Inspirations ads and we're delighted that we can now get our industry involved in talking about their own passions and influences." Up now, our own Tim Murray and HMV's Andy Anderson.
Also on the website this week –a slice of nostalgia, as we present a top 10 VHS rentals from the now defunct Video Palace; our round-up of the weekend's DVD and Blu-ray press coverage; 4DVD's Q4 in numbers and a whole lot more. Go to www.theraygun.co.uk
Revolver had double cause for celebration as last week's release Shank sold more than 28,000 in its first seven days. Double celebration? Well, not only was it a success for the company's DVD operation, but it also represents the first DVD outing for Revolver's sister production arm, Gunslinger. The company's Justin Marciano said: "Naturally we are delighted with the result of Shank. Our sales, marketing and publicity teams delivered a strong campaign that went well beyond our core audience. It also marks a great success as the debut feature for our production company Gunslinger. Thanks to all our retail partners for making Shank a hit." Next up from Gunslinger is the wonderfully titled Anuvahood.
Talking of Revolver, the company this week made a major new appointment, as industry veteran Jon Sadler, who has worked at most levels of the supply chain in the business, returned to distribution as Revolver's new head of marketing. Sadler will take responsibility for both theatrical and DVD marketing, overseeing both sides of Revolver's burgeoning business. Justin Marciano said: "We're all very excited to have him join our great team and play a part in pushing our marketing to even greater heights." Sadler added: "I couldn't be happier about joining the team at Revolver, especially at such a pivotal stage of their growth into production, and with such exciting acquisitions ahead the traditional Revolver marketing approach to business will make for a very creative period to be involved in."  Stand-up update: Not that you'd have noticed, but The Raygun's been on its summer holidays, meaning we didn't get to go and see ITV Studios Home Entertainment's big comedy signing for this season, Stephen K Amos, strut his stuff in the open air in London's Regents Park recently. But our on the spot comedy correspondent, HMV's Lee Symonds reported: "It was a beautiful Sunday evening in the Regents Park open air theatre, where we were well looked after by ITV. Stephen did a fantastic turn – this wasn't like a proper set show that he's been touring with, it was like an intimate evening with Stephen K Amos. The audience felt very close to him and vice versa, he was clearly improvising, and saying what came into his head, he was very relaxed, and he took the p*ss out of anyone that caught his eye. We were also treated to some of his new material that he will no doubt be using at the Edinburgh Festival. He seems like a different comedian from a few years ago, confident and very self assured, his presence was clearly felt and he looks like he could be a big player for Q4."
More on the impending FOPP launch in London's Gower Street, in the heart of the university area north of Oxford Street, taking place this Saturday. Aligned to the long-standing Waterstone's, it will have its own entrane and stock some 4,000 DVD and Blu-ray titles as well as 6,000 CDs. It will feature the keen pricing that has become synonymous with the FOPP brand, with titles from £3, and will launch with a Spanish world cinema promotion. Store manager Mrk Alexander, a former assistant manager at FOPP's Exeter store, who will head up a 10-strong team, said: "There's a lot of love out there for the Fopp brand and for its distinctive product offers, and I feel sure the new store will be made to feel at home very quickly by enthusiastic customers in what is a fantastic part of town that I'd like to think was almost made for the Fopp experience."
Duh-duh-duh-durrr, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duhrrrr… In case you haven't guessed, that's our interpretation of the classic 20th Century Fox theme tune at the start of its films. This year the studio is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and to celebrate, as well as a major in-store birthday promotion, the company is also marking the occasion with an exhibition at the London Film Museum at the old County Hall by the Thames. The exhibition will include a selection of costumes from classic Fox films such as Fight Club, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Moulin Rouge and others, as well as exclusive prints and props from films such as Star Wars and Alien.
Independent operator Terracotta Distribution is currently putting together some interesting marketing for its equally interestingly titled October release Big T*t Zombie 3D (we have asterisked out the offending "i" to avoid sensitive firewalls, not because we're overly worried about that kind of thing ourselves). The title is airing at the Prince Charles Cinema in London's West End in September and, as an unusual kind of stunt, the company is offering free entry to any punter who turns up as one of the titular (quite literally) characters from the film. Terracotta's Joey Leung said: "It’s a great way to get interactive with a movie, not just sit there and passively consume; actually who am I kidding? I just want to see the parade of people in costume!" If it's not zombies at the minute, then it's vampires, with the two dominating the limited theatrical and DTV market. Momentum has its own zombie flick (remember its Zombie Virus On Mulberry Street showed just what horror DTVs can achieve) with The Horde (more on this next week, but suffice to say it really is excellent), on September 20 and, two weeks before, September 6, it also has the vampire film The Bleeding. It is supporting the title with TV advertising across Channel 5, Five US, Bravo, SyFy, Horror Channel, Sky Sports and Virgin, targeting the key 18 to 34-year-old males, with print advertising on the day and in the week of release and online ads on horror and lifestyle sites. Momentum's Adam Eldrett said: "We are delighted to bring The Bleeding to DVD on September 6, it is a great example of premium DTV product. A strong cast along with some set pieces from one of the greatest special effects director in the world ensures we have clear proposition on DVD."
Acquisitions news from the ever-busy E1, which has picked up the UK rights for the wonderfully named Gnomeo And Juliet, which boasts the involvement of Elton John and is produced by David Furnish. As well as John, who is licensing his back catalogue and adding new songs to the film, the 3D animated film boasts the vocal talents of James McAvoy, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Stephen Merchant, and even Jason Statham. E1's president of filmed entertainment Patrice Theroux said: "With exceptional animation, a phenomenal cast and amazing music, we firmly believe that audiences in the UK will fall in love with this picture. This deal is further evidence that we have established multi-territory network that ensures broad distribution for independent producers and we look forward to working with Pathé and other partners involved in this film to ensure its success."
 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Whatever [culture secretary] Mr [Jeremy] Hunt decides to replace the UK Film Council with had better happen fast, and be effective, or he will have the death of an industry on his hands." Film producer Iain Smith OBE responds to the government's plans to close the organisation, in a letter to the Daily Telegraph.
RELEASE OF THE WEEK UK independent Scanbox had put itself in an enviable position after developing a strong relationship with David Lynch's Absurda production company. The deal has already seen the company releasing the likes of Eraserhead and The Short Films Of David Lynch and, in September, comes the meeting of minds with the release of the Lynch-produced and Werner Herzog-directed My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done. Due for a limited theatrical release ahead of its September 27 DVD bow, the film has already appeared at the Venice Film Festival and, in a well-reviewed UK debut, at the recent Edinburgh international film festival. As you'd expect, with the likes of Herzog involved, it's not your average linear tale, but it boasts a hugely impressive cast, including Michael Shannon, Willem Dafoe and Chloe Sevigny, and all will be supporting the release. Scanbox's Ken Law said: "We're delighted to continue our relationship with David Lynch and his production company Absurda. The mouth watering combination of Lynch and Herzog together for the first time, along with a terrific cast of Academy Award nominee actors and Lynch favourites, will have film fans everywhere salivating." AT THE MOVIES As the school holidays continue, so does Toy Story 3's reign at the UK box office; it has now taken just shy of £40 million. Elsewhere, The Karate Kid remake outdid The A-Team in the battle of the 1980s revivals, the former took closer to £5 million, the latter more like £3.5 million. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Optimum's Gainsbourg opened with £135,031. Not necessarily the weirdest news of the week, although not far off, concerns Will Ferrell. The rumour mill currently has it that one of his next projects will be a Spanish language picture, with Ferrell himself starring and speaking the lingo. The film will be entitled Casa De Mi Padre, or, in the subtitled version (as the film will be), it will appear be House Of My Father.
At least Ferrell has room in the diary – he spoke this week about the fact that the Anchorman sequel has now been put on hold due to financial constraints. He added that it was a disappointment, after being begged and begged to put the team back together again, he finally sorted it… Only to find that their financial demands were too much for Paramount's budget. He added that the project might have been a musical, so maybe we didn't miss that much… Another Will, although this time Arnett, he of Arrested Development and the creator of that show Mitch Hurwitz's new series, Running Wilde, has been talking about the likelihood of a film version of Fox's wonderful sitcom. And guess what? It looks like it's a goer. Both he and Hurwitz have confirmed the script is on its way, with the cast all pledging to appear. No date set yet, but we're all hugely excited. SITE OF THE WEEK We're obviously close to this one, seeing as we know its proprietor pretty well, but PR company Aim Publicity's newly redesigned and retooled website ticks all the right boxes for us; like the best publicity websites around it's functional, easy to use and looks pretty good as well. See it at http://www.aimpublicity.com/ TRAILERS OF THE WEEK Zach Galifianakis, Hollywood's go to man for kooky: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/itskindofafunnystory/ Would that we could type this fast: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/thesocialnetwork/ We reckon this will work a treat in 3D, on a big screen… http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/saw3d/ Great new artwork and trailer, we're really looking forward to this: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/buried/ OUT NEXT WEEK ON DVD
Animals (Chelsea)
Adventures Of A Teenage Dragon Slayer (High Fliers)
Bleach Series 4 (Manga)
The Blind Side (Warner)
Doctor Who Cybermen Box Set (2 entertain)
Evil Angel (Scanbox)
Humains (Scanbox)
The Infidel (Revolver)
Jackie Chan And The Kung Fu Kid (Kaleidoscope)
Kamui The Lone Ninja (Manga)
Legion (SPHE)
Let Him Have It (4 Digital Media)
Manson Girl (Momentum)
MegaFault (Anchor Bay)
Mega Piranha (Metrodome)
Naruto Shippenden box set 2 (Manga)
Pandora And The Flying Dutchman (Park Circus)
Penance (High Fliers)
Postman Pat A Speedy Delivery (Universal)
The Protectors The Complete Series (Network)
Psycho (Universal)
Rawhide (Optimum)
Resurrection County (OMG)
The Return Of Frank James (Optimum)
Revanche (Artificial Eye)
Serious Moonlight (Universal)
The Seven-Ups (Optimum)
Silent Witness Series 7 & 8 (2entertain)
Spiral Series 2 (2entertain)
The Torment (Momentum)
The White Feather (Optimum)
Women Without Men (Artificial Eye)
OUT THIS WEEK AT CINEMAS
Cats And Dogs The Revenge Of Kitty Galore (Warner)
Coco Chanel And Igor Stravinsky (Soda)
Eccentricities Of A Blond-Haired Girl (New Wave)
Knight And Day (Fox)
Step Up 3D (Universal)
Undertow (Axion)
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