Reply to: UK/US Film Release Dates

[OwlHoot]

@OwlHoot, so if you wait about 25 years you'll get the version you've been eagerly awaiting

Drat - and such good potential. Shame they had to go and balls it up (if everyone is to be believed)

Most American film makers seem to be in a self indulgent sentimental mood at the moment. Maybe it's the "Afghan War and Depression dragging on" zeitgeist; but last weekend I had to abandon three newly released US films one after the other, because of their interminable chatter and slowness which seemed to be going nowhere.

One seemed quite promising, about a guy who keeps seeing premonitions of some great catastrophe about to unfold. But after the first half hour I didn't want to hang around for another hour only to find he had just been having a long drawn out nervous breakdown!

[Clippy]

Re: Prometheus

Another viewer who thoroughly enjoyed it probably because I never bought into the hype and have never been a 'die-hard' fan of the Alien franchise.

BTW, new Blu Ray boxset coming soon for all you Alien fanbois.


Re: Cloud Atlas

OP, good recent article in the New Yorker about the directors, the Wachowskis.

[Platypus]

Is that the Director's Cut, the Director's Director's Cut, or the Director's Director's Director's cut with added unicorn?

True dat. Check out:
Blade Runner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

@OwlHoot, so if you wait about 25 years you'll get the version you've been eagerly awaiting

[Lockhouse]

Re: Prometheus.

Definitely worth waiting for the director's cut. I think it will make a huge difference to the film.

[Hot Mess]

Humm did you see it at the cinema? You might want to watch it once for free before you waste your readies on the blu-ray.

Although if you do wait, your disappointment will be in stunning HD video with high fidelity surround sound

+1

Great example of a completely pointless film. The studio's seem to be pissing money away on risky ventures, so revert to these 're-boots'.

Nothing happens until the end and by that point you just don't care...

[Clippy]

Traditionally, one of the reasons for the staggered global release dates of US films was because the studio would only print a limited/fixed amount of prints/reels for use in cinemas, in part, due to the large cost involved for each new print/reel but also, I would imagine, to try and reduce/control piracy.

When the film would get to the end of its US run, the prints/reels would be physically shipped to the next territory which would also allow, as mentioned by TheBigD, the studio to focus its marketing machine accordingly.

I'd imagine this is still a (small) factor nowadays as, I believe, the industry still hasn't moved over to digital distribution - probably due to fears of piracy.

Another reason is actually getting screen time at cinemas - over the course of a year, the bulk of a cinemas schedule is taken up by Hollywood blockbusters which, by their very nature, generate sufficient audience demand to cover several weeks if not months.

As part of the distribution deal, cinemas have to agree to allocate a certain number of screens per cinema to the blockbuster for, I believe, a minimum period of time.

Also, particularly with blockbusters, it is in the cinemas interest for the film to play for a longer period of time.

Over the course of time, the revenue split shifts more in the cinema chains favour as, during the early part of a films release, the bulk of the takings go to the distributor.

With half a dozen blockbuster releases during a year, this makes it difficult for other films to find widespread screen time so they either go for a limited release, which reduces potential revenue, or wait for an available window.

[TheBigD]

Oh dear. No, I've held off so far. But I did hear it'd had mixed reviews and the aliens aren't much in evidence.

I enjoyed it. It wasn't without problems though and it was never going to live up to the hype.

I think a lot of the reason for staggered release dates is to allow the Film companies to move their promotional machines to wherever is hosting the next premier, or to avoid a rival blockbuster impeding it's profits.

[OwlHoot]

Humm did you see it at the cinema? You might want to watch it once for free before you waste your readies on the blu-ray.

Although if you do wait, your disappointment will be in stunning HD video with high fidelity surround sound

Oh dear. No, I've held off so far. But I did hear it'd had mixed reviews and the aliens aren't much in evidence.

[Platypus]

Prometheus, which I have been eagerly awaiting

Humm did you see it at the cinema? You might want to watch it once for free before you waste your readies on the blu-ray.

Although if you do wait, your disappointment will be in stunning HD video with high fidelity surround sound

[OwlHoot]

In the modern world, where films are easily downloaded, i cannot understand why films have different release dates in the UK and the US.

Surely the film producers must realise that having different release dates in different countries damages the takings as any one who is eagerly anticipating a film will be tempted to illegally download. Does anyone know of any justification for having release dates so far apart?

The film i am talking about is Cloud Atlas, the book is fantastic, out in the US in oct, but we have to wait until March for it in UK cinemas.

Cloud Atlas (2012) - Release dates

It's barking mad.

Another aspect of the craziness is that bluray & 3D versions are released weeks after the chav's DVD version. At least that is the case for Prometheus, which I have been eagerly awaiting in bluray that isn't due out until about Oct 10.

You'd think it would make more sense to release the higher-resolution versions first, to maximize the return (assuming there is a bigger mark up on these).

Perhaps they are worried that pirated bluray versions would reduce demand for normal DVD versions more than the converse.

[Ketchup]

Surely they are shooting themselves in the foot though. I only watch films once, i normally pay to see them in the cinema or buy the BR, rarely both. This isn't an issue of trying to get something for free, it is the fact my choices are either to wait 5 months to see it in UK or download it illegally when a decent copy is available.

[Ignis Fatuus]

The film industry has shown itself to be approximately as adept at adapting to rapid technological change that affects its distribution process as is the music industry.

They're part of the Entertainment Industry, who tried to ban Minidisc recorders, DAT recorders, VCRs, the phonograph, and even the player piano.

[ChimpMaster]

I don't go to the pictures much these days. Maybe two or three times a year. It's not about the cost but why should I pay for the privilege of having my film annoyed by people who can't keep quiet, when in six months time I can see it at home with my feet up, the volume set to house shaking and a glass of wine in my hand - all for 1/3 of the price.

It's called home cinema for a reason.

I much prefer watching the better movies at home too, in full HD (not a fan of 3D even though the TV supports it) and with the Kefs shaking the walls. And there's the added benefit of being able to watch the best scenes over and over again.

Was thinking of buying the Avenger bluray for that reason - I didn't watch it in the cinema.

[Lockhouse]

I don't go to the pictures much these days. Maybe two or three times a year. It's not about the cost but why should I pay for the privilege of having my film annoyed by people who can't keep quiet, when in six months time I can see it at home with my feet up, the volume set to house shaking and a glass of wine in my hand - all for 1/3 of the price.

It's called home cinema for a reason.

[d000hg]

Actors have to be there for premiers. That's hard enough in one country at a time.

Also reviews in one country could drive interest in the film in others.