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A PLACE IN THE SUN
AT THE MOVIESMIDWEEK CHART UPDATE
UP ON THE ROOFTOP
CAN’T LOSE, DOESN’T LOSE
ALL IN WTH AMAZON
THE CON IS ON FOR 101
THE BULLDOG SPIRIT
IMAGINE: THERE IS A HEAVEN
STEWART LANDS
A BEAST OF A FILM
SPITFIRE TARGETS CONSUMERS
WARNER’S ON THE RAMPAGE
NEW HUNTER IS NOT DEER
WHO DARES WINS
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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It Was A Good Week For… A Quiet Place, making some noise in the midweeks…
It Was A Bad Week For… Joes Mourinho, criticising the Amazon Prime Man City doc, but in turn giving it even more PR…
Horror in all its forms is all the rage this week, with A Quiet Place the subject of an excellent screening in south London to help its digital and home entertainment bow, with the title sitting pretty at number one on the Official Charts Company’s midweek listing after selling more than 22,000 in its first few days on sale as a physical release. It comes as the annual FrightFest event, now sponsored by Arrow Video, further highlighting the ongoing and symbiotic relationship between home entertainment and horror, looms. And the relationship between horror and home ent is one that is, as A Quiet Place is showing, continuing over into the digital realm…
A Quiet Place’s performance in its first few days on sale puts it ahead of Spielberg's Ready Player One, which shifted a six figure sum in physical terms in its first week on sale – managing a grand total of 106,000 according to the Official Charts Company. It leads a relatively small crop of new releases making an entry at the halfway point in the Official Charts Company’s midweek bulletin – just two in the shape of Mohawk at number 23 and, just three places further down, the complete fifth season of The Blacklist.
And with the clock ticking down to the big event of the August bank holiday weekend, the Arrow Video-sponsored FrightFest horror and genre film bonanza held in the West Hand over five days from next Thursday (August 23), FrightFest has notched up the next landmark in the countdown with the publication of this year’s programme (you can see it here www.frightfest.co.uk) As well as previewing all the films, it includes some editorial from The Raygun’s very own Tim Murray, who has contributed a brace of features on some of the titles featuring. And, as ever, if anyone was still wondering about the event’s relationship with the home entertainment side of the business, they need look no further than this publication. For as well as being emblazoned with Arrow Video’s logo and titles, it features advertising from a wealth of companies pushing their forthcoming home entertainment releases for titles airing at the five-day event, as well as others that will appeal to the scores of genre fans present. As Arrow Video’s Mike Hewitt noted in the programme: “Arrow Video has been a long-standing supporter of FrightFest, whether as official sponsors or, as many of our team can testify, attending purely as fans over the last 18 years.”
To the Rooftop Film Club in south east London for a special screening of A Quiet Place hosted by Paramount looking across London with above us only the night sky. The smartly themed event was to promote the studio’s release of the film on digital alongside Universal’s physical bow for the title. And some event it was too – the eerie, sound-reliant film worked a treat with the Bluetooth headsets needed to hear the film playing on the giant screen. Assorted film journalists, influencers and more were wowed by the film and neat little touches – including changing the colour of the perimeter lights to tie in with a key moment in the film – were much appreciated. Specially produced blankets also ensured the post-heatwave chill didn’t leave us freezing outdoors. Coverage ensued under the hashtag of #aquietplace and beyond. Comment on the event, Paramount’s Barney Hands said: “Our screening of A Quiet Place to key social influencers using Peckham’s Rooftop Cinema Bluetooth headsets gave us the opportunity to really show off the incredible audio and soundtrack design for this incredible film. The response and buzz from fans has been tremendous and is reflected nationally by the very positive sales across digital and physical formats. We expect this title to thrive not just as a new release, but also in future campaigns as Paramount works to deliver an eagerly-awaited sequel.”
Currently at number one in the iTunes chart and enjoying a notable success in the UK as a digital only release is an acquisition we reported a while ago. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s documentary charting YouTuber KSI and his entry into the boxing arena. The major believes that given the fact that the influencer and YouTube star is going on to another bout in the ring means this title has the potential to go the distance. As Tanya Johnson, Senior Marketing Manager, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment said: “Last Friday marked the release of KSI: Can’t Lose on Digital Download, a behind the scenes documentary which chronicles the life of the UK YouTube star as he trains for the biggest white collar boxing match in history. Our ambition was two-fold; work directly with KSI and his influencer network to rally his extensive fanbase and broaden wider appeal by targeting mainstream media and driving widespread support across digital retailers. In the first instance, we connected with KSI’s followers through fantastic social engagement including branded YouTube videos, a money can’t buy competition prize and social posts driving to pre-order. This activity was supplemented by key press breaks including an appearance on Channel 4’s The Big Narstie Show, Capital Breakfast and Joe.co.uk - culminating in the Can’t Lose World Premiere event attended by media and a handful of the top UK influencers. Sales are off to a strong start, as we continue to sustain the #1 spot on iTunes, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this title performs ahead of KSI’s next big match with YouTuber Logan Paul.”
To the Printworks venue in Manchester, where our north of England correspondent was on hand for the premiere of the latest high profile Amazon Prime launch, for its Manchester City series All Or Nothing. The title follows the club’s fortunes during last season. with a warts and all look at what ended up being a record-breaking season for the club. Th e event was certainly star-studded, with players including captain Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, manager Pep Guardiola and, further boosting the coverage, star player Kevin De Bruyne on crutches, all being snapped on the blue (not red) carpet. The amount of column inches garnered by the series show not just the lure of the club, nor the success of the All Or Nothing banner that Amazon Prime is using to cover a myriad of sports and teams, but also just how big Amazon Prime and svod launches can be. Oh, the PR was further boosted by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who even brought the subject up himself during a press conference, asking, rhetorically (before offering up his lengthy views on a programme he had apparently not seen yet): “Aren’t you going to ask me about the movie?” During assorted Q&As and speeches, Kompany admitted he hadn’t yet seem the series, saying: “None of us have seen it yet! It’s pretty nerve wracking! You don’t know what they’re going to show, they (the cameras) were there everywhere. You did [forget the cameras] but it took a while. They blended in and we got to know the camera crew. They were almost part of the team.” Our correspondent, a City fan, noted that not only was it a great night (and “Pep was lovely”), but it’s a cracking series too and one that can appeal beyond the city: “It’s a really well-made programme, not matter what team you support.”
The expanding 101 Films operation is joining forces with director Chee Keong Cheung for the release of Redcon-1, a zombie epic that has earned comparisons as a cross between The Raid and 28 Days Later. The films will be going on a UK tour, playing more than 70 times across 28 cities around the UK, including Vue cinemas, from the end of September. Many of the screenings will include Q&As with the director and cast, with further activities, including zombie walks, play ned around the events. It’s still booking further venues ahead of its home entertainment release some time early in 2019. Chee Keong Cheung said: “Reaction to the trailer has been incredible. After a brace of top genre sites picked it up we put it out on our Redcon1Film Facebook page last Friday August 10 and within 48 hours with no spend at all - so purely organic reach - we had over 50k views and added another 1k likes to the page. It’s an amazing start and really is going to help motivate an enormous push to the release.” 101 Films’ Andy Lyon said: "We've been following director Chee Keong Cheung and taken an interest in his impressive action packed film Redcon-1 for some time now and are really excited to be teaming up with Chee to help bring his epic passion project to UK audiences. With the unique strategy planned for the film and the extensive outreach to different fan bases, it will certainly make this title one to watch.” Dean Cross, Film Content Manager, Vue UK & Ireland commented “We’re delighted to be working with Chee to bring Redcon-1 to a number of our venues across the UK and look forward to welcoming customers to enjoy the film on the big screen.”
News from independent Bulldog Film Distribution, which has confirmed it has signed on the doted line to pick up a quartet of titles which add further weight and variety to its slate for the rest of 2018 and beyond. The four include Lizzie, a psychological thriller looking at notions turn of the 19th century killer Lizzie Borden (as the old rhyme goes, “Lizzie Borden took an axe… and gave her mother 40 whacks”). Due at cinemas in November, it stars and is co-produced by Chloe Sevigny, who takes on the eponymous role, alongside Kristen Stewart. Mug is a Polish satire about a man who has a face transplant (due on December 7), while due on the first part of next year is Steel Country, a thriller starring Andrew Scott (Moriarty in Sherlock) and Bronagh Waugh (The Fall). And released in October after an appearance at FrightFest is Possum, directed by Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace co-creator Matthew Holness and starring Sean Harris, currently wowing audiences in the latest Mission: Impossible, it also boasts a score by the legendary Radiophonic Workshop. Commenting on the acquisitions, the company’s Alan Partington said: “We couldn’t be more delighted with our recent acquisitions. They are all very different titles but all strong and powerful works which add to our growing slate of quality films. We can’t wait to bring them all to UK audiences in the coming months.”
One title worth keeping an eye on, in a genre that is, following its success in the US, becoming increasingly important, is I Can Only Imagine. It’s a Christian film, and, like others of its ilk, is using word of mouth and marketing through a network of believers to help make waves at cinemas.. And that’s just what this title, out now at theatrical ahead of a home entertainment release towards the end of 2018 from 4Digital Media and its faith-based imprint Lighthouse Alliance, is doing. Lighthouse Alliance is a collaboration between the distributor and Kingsway Trust, a Christian specialist operation. After an initial release, it’s going wider at cinemas all un the run up to a December home entertainment bow. The company’s Terry Dove said: “It’s exciting to see this deserving film reaching its target audience and doing so well. It refreshingly stands alone out there in cinemas, as an alternative, amongst the big summer blockbusters and could easily get lost and not noticed. Yet, despite that, it is shining through the mainstream clutter of films and bringing audiences in to what is often a neglected audience and rarely released genre of film.” Marketing and product manager Eve Greenow added: “We are thrilled to see Christians supporting Christian cinema in the UK, coming together to watch the film in theatres over the weekend and into this week. We’re excited to see how the film progresses.” Commenting both on the film’s current and future plans, acquisitions and product development Manager Lee Symonds noted: “We’re feeling the love right now, fans who want to see this film are really getting behind it, bringing together family, friends and various church groups, people are going to the cinema en-mass. The Lighthouse Alliance team continue to work incredibly hard spreading the word about I Can Only Imagine, rest assured we haven’t stopped as there’s lots more work to do and cinema goers are still requesting cinema locations."
Good to see our old mate Tom Stewart, the former acquisitions director at Arrow who has a quarter of a century or more’s experience across first sales then acquisitions in the film and video business, resurfacing this week, heading up a new distribution business. For he’s going to be running Parkland Entertainment, a new distribution offshoot of the similarly named, well-established production house and sales agent. It will be releasing films at UK cinemas and beyond into the home entertainment sector, with a first, as yet unnamed release due at cinemas at the end of 2018. Commenting on the venture, Stewart said: “It’s been quite a summer! I had a wonderful, serendipitous meeting with John Cairns (CEO of Parkland Pictures, which in turn led to some very positive further meetings and we’ve now formed a partnership together for a brand new Distribution company -Parkland Entertainment. John has a wonderful reputation bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry which mixed with my skillset, we feel is going to bring a very strong creative partnership. After a short family break, I’m looking forward to spending time meeting the industry over at the Toronto Film Festival. We’ve already acquired something that will see a theatrical release late 2018 and in discussions with others as we speak, but at the same we’re going to build the company gradually over the next 12-18 months.” Stay tuned for more as further acquisitions are announced and home entertainment plans firmed up…
Monday August 20 sees the release of one of our favourite films of the year, the homegrown independent hit Beast. Starring Jessie Buckley, whose star is in the ascendance, and directed by BAFTA-nominated Michael Pearce, it’s set in an isolated community and looks at a troubled woman who is caught between her insular family and her outsider boyfriend, who may or may not be a killer. It’s being released by Altitude, whose Adam Eldrett said: “Starring the wonderful Jessie Buckley the film has a wonderful vibe to it, like a dark fairy tale and it certainly delivers. It’s the kind of film that will make your palms sweat and you are never quite sure where it is taking you. Michael and Jessie have recorded a wonderful Audio Commentary for the release which is as compelling as the films dialogue at times and I hope people buying the disc will discover it, both have been incredibly supportive throughout the theatrical and now home entertainment campaign.”
Meanwhile, sticking with Altitude and the company’s Spitfire is shaping up well, we mentioned it a few weeks back after its big event screening launch. The documentary, charting the history of the plane that helped win the Battle Of Britain, is now shaping up nicely for its September 10 release. As Altitude’s Adam Eldrett said: “We have been working closely with the producers for a little while since they screened the film to us at the start of the spring, I had an immediate personal connection to the film as I am sure will many who have seen it and those who are yet to watch it. It was a challenging release, there have been many documentaries over the years but nothing has come close in terms of production values and crucially the involvement of so many WW2 veterans. Aided by the cinematography of John Dibbs, a master of aviation footage this really is the definite story of the plane that shaped our own history. Ever since the event release our pre-orders have been growing and our distribution is quite wide, we have been using as many touch points as possible throughout the campaign with the RAF celebrating 100 years and giving us several opportunities to promote the film to a very captive audience. Our campaign will come to an end with the physical release, already number one in most documentary charts the film has been available on EST and VOD for several weeks and has been flying high..I got quite far without a pun! We also have more non-traditional outlets on board than ever before and SPITFIRE will be available in gift shops, museums and at plenty more aviation events across the nation. As one of the producer’s said to me last week ‘SPITFIRE… it’s a spiritual thing’.”
London-based consumers should watch the skies next week as Warner takes to the air to mark the release on Monday August 20 for its monster-sized release Rampage. Love Island stars – currently being used to promote DVD and feature film releases left, right and centre – will be flying high above the capital as part of a Rampage-based helicopter ride during the week of release, with the fact that Laura Crane and Jack Fowler are providing photo opportunities aplenty certain to earn the title coverage. More will come from a media drop, while there is further coverage from interviews with Dwayne Johnson’s stunt double Myles Humphus – a full page spread in The Big Issue has appeared already, with a further interview feature running on Joe.co.uk on release day. There are also clips placed with the likes of Yahoo! Movies, Fandom and GamesRadar, with communication to Sky consumers across the network through its Sky Advance system, while there’s an HMV exclusive Steelbook and a competition for the retailer’s Pure members. As for the release itself, it’s home entertainment release has already earned plaudits, with perhaps The Sun’s glowing review best summing it up. “Move over, King Kong. Step aside, Godzilla,” it said. “The monster movie genre has finally been perfected, as a giant croc, a gargantuan wolf and a huge albino gorilla run amok in Chicago.It's not that Rampage does anything particularly original - it's just that it's all so polished and fun. It's far better than a film based on a 1986 arcade game has any right to be.”
Studiocanal has done it again, dipping into its vast catalogue to pull out one of the gems and give it the full treatment, including a wealth of additional materials, tying it in neatly to a relevant anniversary. This time round it’s The Deer Hunter that’s getting a welcome restoration. As Studiocanal’s Kristin Ryan said: ”Monday sees the release of Michael Cimino's Vietnam classic The Deer Hunter in our fully restored version following it's highly celebrated cinema re-release last month. Our 40th anniversary Collector's Edition is a four-disc edition featuring the 4k UHD, Blu-ray, bonus content disc featuring new content and original CD soundtrack, a 64 page booklet, artcards and a reprint of the early draft script The Man Who Came to Play. But the highlight is of course the stunning restoration itself which has already garnered much favourable review praise. A fitting tribute to this masterpiece of American cinema.”
As most on the business should know now, Blumhouse is one of the canniest production houses around, the US operator has made its name with savvy, low budget genre fare, most of it a lot smarter than the average schlock, with commercial nous to boot too, proving its worth at cinemas, on home entertainment and beyond. Latest to enter the latter market in the UK courtesy of Universal is Truth Or Dare, due on physical formats on Monday. The title is being backed by social media activity, which is targeting the audiences that have made the likes of Happy Death Day so successful, with further elements highlighting the film’s stars and the fact the home entertainment release includes a Director’s Cut. Commenting on the release, product manager Alicia Cho said: “This beloved and familiar game turned into a clever and thrilling film has been a pleasure to work on. The Extended Director’s Cut and Blumhouse pedigree along with the fun and bold concept will surely entertain any horror fans.”
AT THE MOVIES
Who watches the Watchmen? Well, lots of people will be if HBO gets its way. And lots of people may well want to. For, as reported here a few months ago, the television giant is developing a new take on Alan Moore’s classic comic. The feature length Zack Snyder affair had mixed results, earning its creator’s opprobrium as well as diehard fans’ ire too, but the new take, by TV whizz Damon Lindelof, is obviously going down well. HBO had ordered a pilot, but, although it has yet to reveal how literal this adaptation is and how closely it will follow the seminal graphic novel, it must be pretty good – so good, in fact, it has ordered the full series. All HBO has added is that it will air sometime in 2019…
Also making its way to TV screens after a feature film outing, albeit more of an original concept, is Sexy Beast. Paramount TV is said to be developing a series based around Jonathan Glazer’s classic Cockney gangsters on the Costa del Crime. This too is certain to be controversial, given the reverence within which the original film, starring Ray Winstone as the retired villain and Ben Kingsley having a whale of a time as the evil wrong’un Don Logan, is held. It will be a prequel to the film, looking at the history between the assorted characters. We’re reserving judgement until more is known…
After heading to the mythical Isle of Dogs (not the East End enclave turned capitalist haven in London) for his last outing, currently wagging its tail enjoyably on home entertainment formats, Wes Anderson is heading to France for his next project. Seems like the director is working on a French-based project. And it seems as if, according to reports from across the Channel, it will be a musical too. Filming will take place later this year…
Not necessarily the biggest news of the week, but hugely exciting nonetheless, is that Korean director Yeon Sang-Ho is working on a sequel to his classic zombie style flick Train To Busan. There’s already been an animated sequel in the shape of Seoul Station, both released by Studiocanal, but he’s now planning to shoot a new film next year. Bando, which translates as peninsula, will see him ratchet up the virus another notch. He said: “It is an extension of Train To Busan, after the virus has spread throughout Korea, but the characters are not the same. It shares the same world view and is a zombie action film that deals with the aftermath on the peninsula of what happened in Train To Busan.”
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
“Public relations…”
Worth the bereavement…
More Bumps…
New from Netflix…
Not that Maniac, buy still
Blowing the bloody doors off…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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