Sundance starts this week, and it looks to be a good year for films. I say that because I’ve already seen two films that are going to be on my year end lists (BIRDS OF WAR and EVERYTONE TO KUMARE STREET) as the best of the year. Sure, it’s early in the year but what the films do is so extraordinary that I think you will agree how good they are.
This is going to be an interesting year coverage wise. I say that because while I am covering remotely via any links that I can scrounge, Ariela Rubin looks to be heading into the fray as credentialed press on the ground. I have no idea what she is planning but expect reports when she can find time to scribble and send them.
As it stands now coverage drops toward the end of the week when the embargoes fall.
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I have started to put coverage together for Animation First at L'Alliance New York.
Based on what I’ve seen the festival is going to truly rock. Films like ALLAH IS NOT OBLIGED and HEART OF DARKNESS truly rock the pillars of heaven.
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I am growing weary of studio PR people thinking influencers are the way to go.
Increasingly it seems that unless you are social media juggernaut the studios are only screening films super close to the release date. 28 YEARS LATER BONE TEMPLE screened well before Christmas but it was for influencers and writers with a large social media reach. A few days before it released I was offered a screening via an obtuse email that didn’t tell me where or when the screenings were. The new Sam Raimi has been screening for influencers but the one for regular writers is closer to the release.
I know that the PR people know that they can get good early word of mouth by doing this since many influencers will do anything to curry favor. Since the PR people are targeting specific people for a specific reaction they can cook the books. That seems to have happened with RUNNING MAN which had great word of mouth and then had the feelings fall off once regular people and regular writers saw it. It seems to have happened to some degree with BONE TEMPLE since the people I work with said they were disappointed since they had heard how great it was, and the hype didn’t meet what they heard about how good it was.
When I’ve spoken to people about their feeling about recent films not meeting expectations, I’m told it has been happening too much lately and that, at least within my circle, they are going to g to see movies less because they don’t know what’s truly good.
I know in this age of shortened theatrical windows they only need to get people in the first weekend, but at the same time if they cook the books too many times people are not going to listen. Worse they will not even wait for VOD and instead wait until it hits a service they pay for, or don't have to pay for. The cry of I’ll wait for Hulu or Apple or whatever is being said more and more frequently.
This is not a plea to get invited to see more things, more that I don’t want the studios to cut off their nose to spite their face. Going for cooked reviews over the truth will only hurt everyone in the end- because even a piece like mine is not going to be trusted
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So, Alamo Drafthouse is going to all kiosks and cellphones.
That’s a big step back and to the left for a company that until this turn of events would throw you out if you used your cell phone.
I should mention that they have also fired most of the staff at many locations (according to social media) because they aren’t needed. They new overlords figure you can do it all from your phone.
Personally, I’m thrilled it means I won’t be spending any money beyond admission because I can’t use the app on my phone, so no food. Then again, I only went to the Drafthouse on occasion because I live an hour train ride away from the closet location.
I know a number of people who are not going to go any more. As one person said on Twitter – why make a special trip to the Alamo to yell at people when I can go to the neighborhood AMC. That’s going to be a serious hit because people go to the Drafthouse because they want as few interruptions as possible. I know the settling up the tabs annoyed some, but for others it was a trade off they were willing to make.
I wish the Drafthouse well as they slide toward insolvency.
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Please do not get me started about the New York Mets.
I think we are in for a mediocre year.
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This week look for Dances spill over, Sundance when the embargoes drop, some new releases and a couple of old films I recently saw.
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