News Round Up 2020

[jade1]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/business/media/warner-bros-hbo-max-movies-pay.html
This kills that theory that when movies completely shift away from theaters, and when movie budgets have to be cut significantly due to the loss of theatrical gross, that actors will gladly take a pay cut.

With “Wonder Woman 1984,” agents argued that Ms. Gadot, Ms. Jenkins and the producer Charles Roven (among others) needed to be paid what they most likely would have received had the sequel been released in a traditional manner (an exclusive run in theaters before arriving online) and not during the height of a pandemic. After all, that was what they signed up for


HaHa, pretty sure many people are no longer getting what they signed up for.

 

[Mit88]

I think it’s true that the pandemic will change some things forever but how first run movies are released is not one of those things. We’ve had direct-to-tv movies for 70 years. Sometimes major things were launched on TV. But if people wanted to consume movies that way, movie theatres would have gone under years ago.

I don’t see many possibilities where WB movies aren’t released under this recently laid structure beyond 2021. And if people choose to watch them at home even when the theaters are safe enough to do so, it’s going to make quick work of shutting down theaters. If this happened in 2022/2023 when AMC/Regal were profiting off of their A-List programs, they’d have a better chance at surviving. But this hit them at a very bad time where a rebound is seriously unlikely.

It’s true that before the pandemic that people preferred to see big movies in theaters, but people are very insecure about their surroundings in public. Will that change when there’s a vaccine? That’s the hope. But even theater fans don’t want to go to the theater right now, and theater chains need that to change as soon as the vaccine is widely distributed. They can’t wait 2-3 years if that’s when people are comfortable being in public again

 

[tlmadden73]

I think it’s true that the pandemic will change some things forever but how first run movies are released is not one of those things. We’ve had direct-to-tv movies for 70 years. Sometimes major things were launched on TV. But if people wanted to consume movies that way, movie theatres would have gone under years ago.

True .. but only recently has HUGE screen TVs become the norm and affordable (as well as sound systems). Just 12 years ago I paid more for a 42" TV than I can get a brighter, sharper, 80" TV PLUS a sound system today. And movies are coming to home sooner and sooner. Even before this -- Disney would have most of its movies available for digital purchase maybe 3 months after release?

What I hope is that this shift will bring more quality movies to the big screen. Quality over quantity. Ditch the 20 screen megaplexes and go back to smaller, boutique theaters that can make it a unique experience or a "night out" again .. especially since the demand to go has been waning (even pre-virus). The move to big comfy seats and reservations took the soul out of movie theaters for me. No "life" or excitement in the lobby. No queues waiting in anticipation .. no midnight releases. You just walk in a few minutes before showtime and grab your seat. The theaters have less people in them .. and there is less buzz and excitement in the theater itself (especially if you don't go opening night). I've been to movies where it was literally just my family watching .. and could help but think "why are we here? .. we could be home on the couch with just a slightly smaller screen and cheaper popcorn".

 

[rteetz]

Work is happening in World Showcase lagoon this morning.

 

[Mit88]

Work is happening in World Showcase lagoon this morning.

Harmonius work, or just boring work?

 

[Mit88]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...rising-with-studios-skipping-theater-releases
An “old” article but if you think HBOMax putting these movies on their service is going to lead to a huge subscriber boost which will make this move worth it, I’m not sure that’s a slam dunk. Mulan was pirated twice as many times as Lion King. I think we’re going to see WW84 break piracy records.

 

[Mit88]

https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-2-hbo-max-release-james-gunn-response/
Add another one to the list. It’s getting real ugly.

 

[rteetz]

Harmonius work, or just boring work?

Harmonious work.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1336373728989495296

 

[tlmadden73]

Not earth shattering news, but the Runaway Railway promotion may be over at McDonalds. I went to one today thinking it would still be going on and the displays were gone, box was plain and my daughter got a 2x2 Rubiks cube (a pretty nice one actually .. usually spend more than the cost of the meal on them in the store).

Oh well .. that recall really put a damper on collecting them as a lot of the McDs stopped having them for a week or so .. and never seemed to get many new ones (or still had the ones from the first week) or was still handing out old toys. I was lucky to get 7 - missed out on Soaring, Teacups and Pirates. I even went on a hunt last Wednesday to like 3 different McDonalds and struck out at all of them .. finally hitting a McDonalds in a more rural area on Saturday and got a new one (Tower of Terror).

Was just hit and miss . some McDs were happy to go through the boxes for you .. others were too busy to bother.

Was fun while it lasted .. but didn't last long enough (without going to McDonalds like every other day .. ugh).

 

[DisneyPigFan]

I don’t see many possibilities where WB movies aren’t released under this recently laid structure beyond 2021. And if people choose to watch them at home even when the theaters are safe enough to do so, it’s going to make quick work of shutting down theaters. If this happened in 2022/2023 when AMC/Regal were profiting off of their A-List programs, they’d have a better chance at surviving. But this hit them at a very bad time where a rebound is seriously unlikely.

It’s true that before the pandemic that people preferred to see big movies in theaters, but people are very insecure about their surroundings in public. Will that change when there’s a vaccine? That’s the hope. But even theater fans don’t want to go to the theater right now, and theater chains need that to change as soon as the vaccine is widely distributed. They can’t wait 2-3 years if that’s when people are comfortable being in public again

It entirely depends on how successful (or not) it is for AT&T. If HBO Max subscriptions skyrocket, then yeah, this is the new normal. If it's just so-so, they might rethink it.

Also -- what will the other movie studios do? Your move Disney -- and none of that charge an extra $30 nonsense. And Universal could release movies on Peacock. Paramount could do so on Paramount Plus/CBS All Access (whatever they're calling it this week).

Is Sony the only major studio without a streaming service of its own? Sucks for them.

 

[Mit88]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1336380705224478720

 

[The Pho]

Is Sony the only major studio without a streaming service of its own? Sucks for them.

How dare you forget about glorious Crackle? Somehow it’s the longest running streaming service.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1336380705224478720

Awesome, he was perfect for that role

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It entirely depends on how successful (or not) it is for AT&T. If HBO Max subscriptions skyrocket, then yeah, this is the new normal. If it's just so-so, they might rethink it.

Also -- what will the other movie studios do? Your move Disney -- and none of that charge an extra $30 nonsense. And Universal could release movies on Peacock. Paramount could do so on Paramount Plus/CBS All Access (whatever they're calling it this week).

Is Sony the only major studio without a streaming service of its own? Sucks for them.

I believe I read a story that HBO is already curtailing their free trials to run out before the time period of WW84. Isn't that what Disney did for Hamilton? I can't remember.

Anyways it does look like HBO is running a discounted promotion for HBOMax with a 6months time commitment.

 

[Tom_E_D]

How dare you forget about glorious Crackle? Somehow it’s the longest running streaming service.

I'd be delighted if Sony showed first run motion pictures on Crackle . . . as long as it remains a free service. However, the fact it is ad-supported, rather than subscriber-supported, makes this very unlikely. To maximize revenue, I wouldn't be surprised if the streaming services soon make people pay a subscription fee to see movies that contain ads.

 

[Mit88]

It entirely depends on how successful (or not) it is for AT&T. If HBO Max subscriptions skyrocket, then yeah, this is the new normal. If it's just so-so, they might rethink it.

Also -- what will the other movie studios do? Your move Disney -- and none of that charge an extra $30 nonsense. And Universal could release movies on Peacock. Paramount could do so on Paramount Plus/CBS All Access (whatever they're calling it this week).

Is Sony the only major studio without a streaming service of its own? Sucks for them.

All these studios can release them on whatever streaming service they want, but until they stop piracy, they have an uphill battle. Disney+ is doing well for 3 reasons. The amount of free trials they provide through promotions like Verizon. The Mandalorian. And their very low monthly price. If Disney+ Was even $10 a month, you’d probably see a significant decrease in subscriber numbers, especially in Mandalorian offseason, and you’d probably see more pirating of Mando

I believe I read a story that HBO is already curtailing their free trials to run out before the time period of WW84. Isn't that what Disney did for Hamilton? I can't remember.

Anyways it does look like HBO is running a discounted promotion for HBOMax with a 6months time commitment.

Other than buying physical media made by WB (like the new LotR and Hobbit 4K sets) and other various promotions, there are no more free trials. They ended them a few weeks ago.

 

[FrankieWinthrop]

True .. but only recently has HUGE screen TVs become the norm and affordable (as well as sound systems). Just 12 years ago I paid more for a 42" TV than I can get a brighter, sharper, 80" TV PLUS a sound system today. And movies are coming to home sooner and sooner. Even before this -- Disney would have most of its movies available for digital purchase maybe 3 months after release?

What I hope is that this shift will bring more quality movies to the big screen. Quality over quantity. Ditch the 20 screen megaplexes and go back to smaller, boutique theaters that can make it a unique experience or a "night out" again .. especially since the demand to go has been waning (even pre-virus). The move to big comfy seats and reservations took the soul out of movie theaters for me. No "life" or excitement in the lobby. No queues waiting in anticipation .. no midnight releases. You just walk in a few minutes before showtime and grab your seat. The theaters have less people in them .. and there is less buzz and excitement in the theater itself (especially if you don't go opening night). I've been to movies where it was literally just my family watching .. and could help but think "why are we here? .. we could be home on the couch with just a slightly smaller screen and cheaper popcorn".

Half the time, we go to the movies FOR the popcorn. Sometimes you just need the buttery goodness that can't be replicated at home! We saw Onward! just prior to the shutdowns and we saw Tenet when Regal (only one near us) opened in the summer with only about 6 folks in the theatre. The worst part of that (besides the movie...sorry, opinion) was that Regal switched to Pepsi products! Not even a Dr. Pepper on tap - just Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, and other nasty things. That's enough to make me drive 30 minutes more to an AMC.

 

[Mit88]

Awesome, he was perfect for that role

After revisiting the movie a few months ago, he’s the only redeeming quality of Spiderman 2 imo. That movie has not aged well, at all. And it had been one of my favorite CBMs of all time, it probably doesn’t even crack my top 15-20 anymore.

Was really hoping for Kraven the Hunter, but an inter dimensional Sinister Six really peaks my interest. Which I now believe Kraven will be the villain, or one of the villains in Black Panther 2, along with Namor (maybe, hopefully). This all but confirms Tobey and Andrew will be coming back as well, and probably a loose intro to Miles Morales. And I also think this is setting up the exit for Spider-Man in the MCU, unfortunately

 

[The Pho]

After revisiting the movie a few months ago, he’s the only redeeming quality of Spiderman 2 imo. That movie has not aged well, at all. And it had been one of my favorite CBMs of all time, it probably doesn’t even crack my top 15-20 anymore.

Was really hoping for Kraven the Hunter, but an inter dimensional Sinister Six really peaks my interest. Which I now believe Kraven will be the villain, or one of the villains in Black Panther 2, along with Namor (maybe, hopefully). This all but confirms Tobey and Andrew will be coming back as well, and probably a loose intro to Miles Morales. And I also think this is setting up the exit for Spider-Man in the MCU, unfortunately

Kraven is probably the villain I’m most interested in seeing in a movie. I do hope they get around to him. I’m not all that convinced that Sony wants to leave the MCU. I think the previous issue was mostly a negotiating tactic/ marketing tool. But the MCU really doesn’t need him that much, they have enough material to go on without Spider-Man.

 

[Mit88]

Kraven is probably the villain I’m most interested in seeing in a movie. I do hope they get around to him. I’m not all that convinced that Sony wants to leave the MCU. I think the previous issue was mostly a negotiating tactic/ marketing tool. But the MCU really doesn’t need him that much, they have enough material to go on without Spider-Man.

Kraven works perfectly into this story where Spider-Man is on the run. There’s never been a better opportunity, imo.

Without Amy Pascal at Sony and her friendship with Feige, I think the partnership is about to end with his final 3 appearances. I’d like to be wrong, but Sony seems like they want to branch off into their own Spiderverse. Morbius, Venom 2 coming out in 2021 (), and the plans for a Black Cat and Silver Sable movie, and a Kraven standalone, Silk, and a Madame Web movie, I don’t see why they’d need the MCU anymore. Spider-Man and Batman are 2 heroes that have a rouges gallery to have a 10 movie run, there are so many villains for Spidey that I’d love to see on screen that we haven’t seen