You know, I'd totally watch that.
Review Cinema-Going
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chainsaw_metal1
Member: Rank 8
Tomorrow night I'm going to see the new Kingsmen movie. I still haven't seen the first one, but my son wants to go, and it's rater R, so I get to accompany him.
If the movie is right, there's no other way to see a film. So for me, that's fun. And while I haven't had a bad crowd experience in a while, I always dread what jagoff will start doing.
The phones. I have complained about this for years, but why spend the money to go to the theatre if you're just going to be on your phone the entire time? Just stay home and watch Netflix!
I remember the wife and I going to see Men In Black in the theatre, and some guy near us started telling his buddy everything that was about to happen. He stopped, after getting threatened. By my wife.
Midnight screening of Episode I, about 20 minutes into the film, some asshat lit up a cigarette. They shut the film off and turned the lights on, with all of us wondering what had happened, when all of a sudden he was escorted out by employees and a cop, acting like he was a victim.
And once in the late 90s, I remember one person answering their cell phone during a movie and having a brief conversation. I'm pretty lucky that I never had more issues with that, but yeah, seriously, just stay home!
My best one is still when I went to South Park. As I'm sitting there waiting for the movie to start, I see all sorts of parents bringing kids who were about 5 or so. About five minutes into the movie, most of them dragged their kids back out, and I'm certain most of them probably tried getting their money back. It reminded me of my folks talking about when they went to a midnight screening of Heavy Metal, and had left me with a babysitter. To their shock, other parents were bringing their small kids, because "well, it's a cartoon". Yup. Some folks are just stupid.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Is AMC Considering Tiered Seat Pricing?
Two separate sources have indicated that cinema chain AMC has, via a new survey, begun exploring the idea of charging different prices for different seats within the same cinema.
Both a source for Slashfilm and on Twitter have indicated that AMC is sending out a new survey to some of the members of its AMC Stubs reward program. One of the key questions in it? Where do members like to sit in a theater and would they’d be willing to pay more or less money for more desirable seats or less desirable seats.
An exploratory question in a survey is a long way from a confirmed ticketing policy change, nevertheless with audiences having gone off 3D screenings and its premium pricing model, it’s understandable cinemas are looking into ways to make more money – especially as many are being refurbished with better quality seating and conditions to attract customers.
AMC made headlines earlier this year for their staunch stand against subscription film ticketing service MoviePass.
Two separate sources have indicated that cinema chain AMC has, via a new survey, begun exploring the idea of charging different prices for different seats within the same cinema.
Both a source for Slashfilm and on Twitter have indicated that AMC is sending out a new survey to some of the members of its AMC Stubs reward program. One of the key questions in it? Where do members like to sit in a theater and would they’d be willing to pay more or less money for more desirable seats or less desirable seats.
An exploratory question in a survey is a long way from a confirmed ticketing policy change, nevertheless with audiences having gone off 3D screenings and its premium pricing model, it’s understandable cinemas are looking into ways to make more money – especially as many are being refurbished with better quality seating and conditions to attract customers.
AMC made headlines earlier this year for their staunch stand against subscription film ticketing service MoviePass.
McQualude
Member: Rank 3
I had a guy behind me, we were both in the end seat, answer a cell phone and start talking. I got up and loomed over him as he talked, staring him in the eye. He quickly said his goodbyes and hung up. I'm not usually an in your face person but that pissed me off.
I've had the film or projector break a number of time.
Worst was a film out of focus, we went to the manager and got our money back.
I've had the film or projector break a number of time.
Worst was a film out of focus, we went to the manager and got our money back.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
The film once broke during the bait and chase scenes in the corridors near the end of ALIEN 3.
Quite a few minutes before it resumed again.
Having the finale interrupted like that did the film no favours.
Quite a few minutes before it resumed again.
Having the finale interrupted like that did the film no favours.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
James Gunn On Jodie Foster’s Comments
Jodie Foster’s comments about the state of the film industry earlier this week saw her criticising the current studio fixation on giant tentpoles and superhero films, comparing it to fracking in its myopic focus on short term gains while ignoring the long term damage it is doing to the overall health of the industry.
Now James Gunn, writer-director of two of those big superhero tentpole films in the form of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, has weighed in on the comments and responded on Twitter saying:
“I think Foster looks at film in an old-fashioned way where spectacle film can’t be thought-provoking. It’s often true but not always. Her belief system is pretty common and isn’t totally without basis.
I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are quite soulless – and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions.
For cinema to survive I believe spectacle films NEED to have a vision and heart they traditionally haven’t. And some of us are doing our best to move in that direction. Creating spectacle films that are innovative, humane, and thoughtful is what excites me about this job.
But, to be fair, at least from Foster’s quotes, she seems to see filmmaking as something that’s primarily about her own personal growth. For me, that may be part of why I do this, but spending many millions of dollars on a film has to be about more than that – it’s communication – so my experience is merely one spoke on that wheel.
But I respect Foster and what she’s done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywood’s landscape.”
It’s a fair comment from Gunn who has made general comments about the industry in the past, including in 2016 when he publicly cautioned that studios would learn the wrong lesson from the success of “Deadpool” and think mimicing it with R-rated raunchy humor is the key to making any piece of underwritten nonsense work.
Jodie Foster’s comments about the state of the film industry earlier this week saw her criticising the current studio fixation on giant tentpoles and superhero films, comparing it to fracking in its myopic focus on short term gains while ignoring the long term damage it is doing to the overall health of the industry.
Now James Gunn, writer-director of two of those big superhero tentpole films in the form of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, has weighed in on the comments and responded on Twitter saying:
“I think Foster looks at film in an old-fashioned way where spectacle film can’t be thought-provoking. It’s often true but not always. Her belief system is pretty common and isn’t totally without basis.
I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are quite soulless – and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions.
For cinema to survive I believe spectacle films NEED to have a vision and heart they traditionally haven’t. And some of us are doing our best to move in that direction. Creating spectacle films that are innovative, humane, and thoughtful is what excites me about this job.
But, to be fair, at least from Foster’s quotes, she seems to see filmmaking as something that’s primarily about her own personal growth. For me, that may be part of why I do this, but spending many millions of dollars on a film has to be about more than that – it’s communication – so my experience is merely one spoke on that wheel.
But I respect Foster and what she’s done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywood’s landscape.”
It’s a fair comment from Gunn who has made general comments about the industry in the past, including in 2016 when he publicly cautioned that studios would learn the wrong lesson from the success of “Deadpool” and think mimicing it with R-rated raunchy humor is the key to making any piece of underwritten nonsense work.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Cinema 3D Sales Are Slumping Big Time
A decade after it was re-introduced into wide releases and just over eight years since “Avatar” helped make it mainstream, 3D cinema is now finally looking to be dying off.
Peaking in 2010 with $2.2 billion in sales, the revenue generated by 3D film session tickets has decreased each year with a new report from the Motion Picture Association of America (via Variety confirming 2017 saw a drop to $1.3 billion – an 18% decrease in 3D ticket sales from the previous year and the worst showing for 3D since 2009.
Compare that to just a 2% drop in general ticket sales in 2017 and its clear 3D films are not only no longer hot, but demand is thinning – which has led to cinemas pulling back on the number of 3D showings and studios opting to release less 3D films with much of the revenue these days coming from superhero film conversions.
This follows on from the death of 3D tech in TVs as the feature, which was once mandated, has now become a far less desirable extra as people opt for options improving picture quality including 4K resolution and HDR.
A decade after it was re-introduced into wide releases and just over eight years since “Avatar” helped make it mainstream, 3D cinema is now finally looking to be dying off.
Peaking in 2010 with $2.2 billion in sales, the revenue generated by 3D film session tickets has decreased each year with a new report from the Motion Picture Association of America (via Variety confirming 2017 saw a drop to $1.3 billion – an 18% decrease in 3D ticket sales from the previous year and the worst showing for 3D since 2009.
Compare that to just a 2% drop in general ticket sales in 2017 and its clear 3D films are not only no longer hot, but demand is thinning – which has led to cinemas pulling back on the number of 3D showings and studios opting to release less 3D films with much of the revenue these days coming from superhero film conversions.
This follows on from the death of 3D tech in TVs as the feature, which was once mandated, has now become a far less desirable extra as people opt for options improving picture quality including 4K resolution and HDR.
I tend to avoid 3D releases. It's very rare that the 3D process adds anything to the movie (Avatar being one of the few exceptions) and its hard to justify the higher ticket prices. Especially since so few movies are actually filmed in 3D - most being post-production conversions. If a movie is filmed in 3D and uses the technology to enhance the movie it might be worthwhile - but mostly it seems to be just another way to artificially inflate the ticket price.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Zoe Saldana On Film Snobs vs. Blockbusters
Some actors stick to blockbusters, some to arthouse movies, and some swing between the two. Amongst film nerds though, actors who tend to stick to only blockbusters don’t tend to get the same type of recognition and more often respect for their talent as those who do some awards fare as well or in place of.
In an interview with Net-A-Porter, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Star Trek” actress Zoe Saldana says she’s fed up at being looked down on because of the roles she’s chosen, and had some strong words about that ‘elitist’ mindset and how it’s hurtful to the ones these films are often made for:
“I’ve been in rooms with people in this industry who are great at what they do, but they’re absolutely elitist and they look down at movies like the Marvel films or actors like myself. They think we’re selling out in some way. Every time they speak I feel so disappointed in them, because whenever you see pictures of people in this industry who donate their time to children in need, it’s these actors that live in the world that you feel is selling out.
That actor takes time out of their life and sits down with that five-year-old and says, ‘I see you, I hear you, and you matter’. Those elitists should be a little more cognizant about what playing a superhero means to a young child. Because you’re not just dissing me, you’re dissing what that child considers important in their world.
I feel so proud to be living in space, to be playing green and blue aliens, to inspire, primarily, the younger generations. I remember what it was like to be young and to feel completely excluded out of the mainstream conversation of life because I was just little and unimportant and ‘other’.”
Saldana will next be seen in “Avengers: Infinity War” opening everywhere around the world on April 27th.
Some actors stick to blockbusters, some to arthouse movies, and some swing between the two. Amongst film nerds though, actors who tend to stick to only blockbusters don’t tend to get the same type of recognition and more often respect for their talent as those who do some awards fare as well or in place of.
In an interview with Net-A-Porter, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Star Trek” actress Zoe Saldana says she’s fed up at being looked down on because of the roles she’s chosen, and had some strong words about that ‘elitist’ mindset and how it’s hurtful to the ones these films are often made for:
“I’ve been in rooms with people in this industry who are great at what they do, but they’re absolutely elitist and they look down at movies like the Marvel films or actors like myself. They think we’re selling out in some way. Every time they speak I feel so disappointed in them, because whenever you see pictures of people in this industry who donate their time to children in need, it’s these actors that live in the world that you feel is selling out.
That actor takes time out of their life and sits down with that five-year-old and says, ‘I see you, I hear you, and you matter’. Those elitists should be a little more cognizant about what playing a superhero means to a young child. Because you’re not just dissing me, you’re dissing what that child considers important in their world.
I feel so proud to be living in space, to be playing green and blue aliens, to inspire, primarily, the younger generations. I remember what it was like to be young and to feel completely excluded out of the mainstream conversation of life because I was just little and unimportant and ‘other’.”
Saldana will next be seen in “Avengers: Infinity War” opening everywhere around the world on April 27th.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Group Plans “Solo” & “Avengers” Score Sabotage
Late last year the self-proclaimed alt-right group “Down With Disney’s Treatment of Franchises and its Fanboys” claimed to have successfully sabotaged the audience scores for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” on critical aggregate sites like Rotten Tomatoes and online sites like IMDb.
At its height, the group had over 5,000 apparent members who believed liberal media was behind the alleged glowing reviews that Disney films receive. Said group remained silent during the mixed reviews for Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” the other month.
Now We Got This Covered reports that the anonymous leader of the group, which was shut down in February after announcing plans to sabotage reviews of “Black Panther,” has issued a post claiming they plan to take down the review scores of both “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Avengers: Infinity War”.
The post also says despite the Facebook group’s shut down, they were still able to bring down the IMDb score of “Black Panther” from 90% to 79%. Whatever action they take, they aren’t expected to impact the two measures that count – the box-office performance and the critical scores. In the wake of ‘Last Jedi,’ Rotten Tomatoes has previously indicated they’ve installed new security measures to prevent tampering of this kind.
In better news, the aforementioned “Black Panther” has set its home video release plans with a Digital HD & 4K UHD release on May 8th followed by a Blu-ray and rental VOD release on May 15th.
Late last year the self-proclaimed alt-right group “Down With Disney’s Treatment of Franchises and its Fanboys” claimed to have successfully sabotaged the audience scores for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” on critical aggregate sites like Rotten Tomatoes and online sites like IMDb.
At its height, the group had over 5,000 apparent members who believed liberal media was behind the alleged glowing reviews that Disney films receive. Said group remained silent during the mixed reviews for Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” the other month.
Now We Got This Covered reports that the anonymous leader of the group, which was shut down in February after announcing plans to sabotage reviews of “Black Panther,” has issued a post claiming they plan to take down the review scores of both “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and “Avengers: Infinity War”.
The post also says despite the Facebook group’s shut down, they were still able to bring down the IMDb score of “Black Panther” from 90% to 79%. Whatever action they take, they aren’t expected to impact the two measures that count – the box-office performance and the critical scores. In the wake of ‘Last Jedi,’ Rotten Tomatoes has previously indicated they’ve installed new security measures to prevent tampering of this kind.
In better news, the aforementioned “Black Panther” has set its home video release plans with a Digital HD & 4K UHD release on May 8th followed by a Blu-ray and rental VOD release on May 15th.
chainsaw_metal1
Member: Rank 8
This is why we can't have nice things. Some asshat conservatives always gotta go and piss on everyone's parade.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Disney’s New Release Dates
Here are all of the Disney release dates they’ve claimed starting with next year, with the new dates in bold (courtesy of Exhibitor Relations):
Marvel Studios
Let’s look at the Marvel release dates first. I’ll drop our guesses into the following untitled slots, updated from the last time we guessed about them:
Lucasfilm
This is the first year Lucasfilm will be releasing two Star Wars movie in the same year, and even though Rian Johnson is developing a new trilogy and the Game of Thrones creators are working on their own separate series of films, it still may be a few years before they make that pace their new normal. That means we could see something like this:
Live Action
Here’s where things get trickier. There’s been at least one live action adaptation of a Disney animated classic for the past few years, and next year will have two with The Lion King and Dumbo. There are 19 Disney live action slots listed on that chart, so it’d be foolish to try to accurately guess every one of them. But we know Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, The Little Mermaid, Maleficent 2, Pinocchio, Labyrinth, Lady and the Tramp, Disenchanted, Cruella, and The Sword in the Stone are in the works – though a few of those could end up debuting on the studio’s new streaming service. Your guess is as good as ours.
Again, this is largely speculation on our part. And frankly, it’s kind of terrifying that any studio is releasing a calendar that’s this full this early. But it’s all about staking claims to dates in order to dominate competition, and other companies are certainly going to think twice about scheduling something against a few of these behemoths. And Disney hasn’t even acquired Fox yet. Think about how wild an announcement like this could be in a year or two. *shudders*
Here are all of the Disney release dates they’ve claimed starting with next year, with the new dates in bold (courtesy of Exhibitor Relations):
- March 8, 2019: Captain Marvel
- March 29, 2019: Tim Burton’s Dumbo
- April 19, 2019: Disneynature’s Penguins
- May 3, 2019: Avengers 4
- May 24, 2019: Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin
- June 21, 2019: Toy Story 4
- July 19, 2019: Jon Favreau’s The Lion King
- August 9, 2019: Kenneth Branagh’s Artemis Fowl
- October 4, 2019: Untitled Disney Live Action
- November 8, 2019: Untitled Disney Fairy Tale
- November 27, 2019: Frozen 2
- December 20, 2019: J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode 9
- February 14, 2020: Untitled Disney Live Action
- March 6, 2020: Untitled Pixar (Previously March 13, 2020)
- March 27, 2020: Nikki Caro’s Mulan
- April 3, 2020: Untitled Disney Live Action
- May 1, 2020: Untitled Marvel
- May 29, 2020: Untitled Disney Live Action
- June 19, 2020: Untitled Pixar
- July 10, 2020: Untitled Indiana Jones
- July 21, 2020: Untitled Marvel (Previously August 7, 2020)
- October 9, 2020: Untitled Disney Live Action
- November 6, 2020: Untitled Marvel
- November 25, 2020: Untitled Disney Animation
- December 23, 2020: Untitled Disney Live Action
- February 12, 2021: Untitled Disney Live Action
- March 12, 2021: Untitled Disney Live Action
- May 7, 2021: Untitled Marvel
- May 28, 2021: Untitled Disney Live Action
- July 9, 2021: Untitled Disney Live Action
- July 30, 2021: Untitled Marvel
- October 8, 2021: Untitled Disney Live Action
- November 5, 2021: Untitled Marvel
- November 24, 2021: Untitled Disney Animation
- December 22, 2021: Untitled Disney Live Action
- February 18, 2022: Untitled Marvel
- March 18, 2022: Untitled Pixar
- May 6, 2022: Untitled Marvel
- May 27, 2022: Untitled Disney Live Action
- June 17, 2022: Untitled Pixar
- July 8, 2022: Untitled Disney Live Action
- July 29, 2022: Untitled Marvel
- October 7, 2022: Untitled Disney Live Action
- November 4, 2022: Untitled Disney Live Action
- November 16, 2022: Untitled Disney Live Action
- February 17, 2023: Untitled Disney Live Action
Marvel Studios
Let’s look at the Marvel release dates first. I’ll drop our guesses into the following untitled slots, updated from the last time we guessed about them:
- May 1, 2020: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- July 21, 2020: Black Widow solo movie
- November 6, 2020: Doctor Strange 2
- May 7, 2021: Black Panther 2
- July 30, 2021: Ravagers/Guardians of the Galaxy spin-off
- November 5, 2021: Ant-Man and the Wasp sequel
- February 18, 2022: Captain Marvel 2
- May 6, 2022: Avengers 5 (maybe Secret Wars or Secret Invasion?)
- July 29, 2022: Black Widow 2
Lucasfilm
This is the first year Lucasfilm will be releasing two Star Wars movie in the same year, and even though Rian Johnson is developing a new trilogy and the Game of Thrones creators are working on their own separate series of films, it still may be a few years before they make that pace their new normal. That means we could see something like this:
- May 29, 2020: Obi-Wan Kenobi solo film
- May 28, 2021: Rian Johnson’s trilogy part 1
- May 27, 2022: Star Wars: Episode X, with Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and company returning (or maybe a Lando movie?)
Live Action
Here’s where things get trickier. There’s been at least one live action adaptation of a Disney animated classic for the past few years, and next year will have two with The Lion King and Dumbo. There are 19 Disney live action slots listed on that chart, so it’d be foolish to try to accurately guess every one of them. But we know Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, The Little Mermaid, Maleficent 2, Pinocchio, Labyrinth, Lady and the Tramp, Disenchanted, Cruella, and The Sword in the Stone are in the works – though a few of those could end up debuting on the studio’s new streaming service. Your guess is as good as ours.
Again, this is largely speculation on our part. And frankly, it’s kind of terrifying that any studio is releasing a calendar that’s this full this early. But it’s all about staking claims to dates in order to dominate competition, and other companies are certainly going to think twice about scheduling something against a few of these behemoths. And Disney hasn’t even acquired Fox yet. Think about how wild an announcement like this could be in a year or two. *shudders*
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
MoviePass Called A “Cancer On The Industry”
Movie theater subscription service MoviePass is growing rapidly, even faster than similar subscription-based media disruptors like Netflix has been for TV and Spotify for music.
Jumping from only a few thousand to two million subscribers in the past year, the company is now claiming they’ll have five million subscribers, and account for almost 10% of all tickets sold in the United States, by the end of the year.
Those type of numbers are significant, especially as the company has already thrown its weight around a bit with some eyebrow-raising behaviour. As a result, some in the film industry are now speaking out about the service in a feature piece in Variety.
These people fear for the future of the film industry, with one anonymous studio distribution executive calls MoviePass a “cancer on the industry”. Tom Bernard, co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics, is also concerned saying:
“Everyone is happy to take their money right now, but I don’t see that as something that’s going to continue. I’m concerned that to recoup their cash they’re going to try to work some type of deal with the theaters where my [cut of the] box office is going to be diminished.”
It isn’t just studios that aren’t happy with the new model, exhibitors are too as it takes the power away from them to control their own prices. For now many are waiting to see how long the company will last as it has to subsidise all those tickets people are buying.
MoviePass executive Ted Farnsworth, however, says he’s determined to stay, saying he’s sitting on: “hundreds of millions of dollars of dry powder, and I’ve got bankers and debt-financing companies calling me all the time.”
Movie theater subscription service MoviePass is growing rapidly, even faster than similar subscription-based media disruptors like Netflix has been for TV and Spotify for music.
Jumping from only a few thousand to two million subscribers in the past year, the company is now claiming they’ll have five million subscribers, and account for almost 10% of all tickets sold in the United States, by the end of the year.
Those type of numbers are significant, especially as the company has already thrown its weight around a bit with some eyebrow-raising behaviour. As a result, some in the film industry are now speaking out about the service in a feature piece in Variety.
These people fear for the future of the film industry, with one anonymous studio distribution executive calls MoviePass a “cancer on the industry”. Tom Bernard, co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics, is also concerned saying:
“Everyone is happy to take their money right now, but I don’t see that as something that’s going to continue. I’m concerned that to recoup their cash they’re going to try to work some type of deal with the theaters where my [cut of the] box office is going to be diminished.”
It isn’t just studios that aren’t happy with the new model, exhibitors are too as it takes the power away from them to control their own prices. For now many are waiting to see how long the company will last as it has to subsidise all those tickets people are buying.
MoviePass executive Ted Farnsworth, however, says he’s determined to stay, saying he’s sitting on: “hundreds of millions of dollars of dry powder, and I’ve got bankers and debt-financing companies calling me all the time.”
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Auditors Doubt MoviePass Sustainability
While its supporters love it and studios and exhibitors have had understandable issues with it, most of the arguments for or against movie ticket subscription service MoviePass have been discussed by those with some skin in the game – and thus tend towards a certain level of bias.
That changes today. Variety reports that Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman & Co., the independent auditor of MoviePass’ parent company Helios & Matheson Analytics, has issued a report about the acquisition and apparently there is “substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to continue operating.
MoviePass has attracted more than two million subscribers since slashing prices and offering a monthly plan for $9.95. Users can see a movie-a-day in return for signing up for the service and MoviePass pays most theaters full price for the tickets its subscribers buy – meaning they are heavily subsidizing movie-going and that is leading to understandable losses:
“MoviePass currently spends more to retain a subscriber than the revenue derived from that subscriber and MoviePass other sources of revenue are currently inadequate to offset or exceed the costs of subscriber retention. This results in a negative gross profit margin. MoviePass expects its negative gross profit margin to remain significant until MoviePass can sufficiently increase its other sources of revenues to offset the losses or achieve substantial economies of scale… There is no assurance that MoviePass will be able to sufficiently increase its other sources of revenue or be able to achieve economies of scale that would reduce the cost of revenue sufficiently to generate a positive gross profit margin.”
Helios & Matheson reportedly lost $150.8 million in 2017, a loss ascribed to its acquisition of MoviePass (its 2016 loss was just $7 million). MoviePass will reportedly have a need for additional funding and will have net losses for the foreseeable future, though the company’s CEO Mitch Lowe claims it will be profitable by 2019.
Additionally, Helios & Matheson CEO Ted Farnsworth says he has had raised $280 million and secured a $375 million line of credit since buying MoviePass in August. Investors aren’t spooked either, the company’s shares are up 36% in the last five days.
While its supporters love it and studios and exhibitors have had understandable issues with it, most of the arguments for or against movie ticket subscription service MoviePass have been discussed by those with some skin in the game – and thus tend towards a certain level of bias.
That changes today. Variety reports that Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman & Co., the independent auditor of MoviePass’ parent company Helios & Matheson Analytics, has issued a report about the acquisition and apparently there is “substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to continue operating.
MoviePass has attracted more than two million subscribers since slashing prices and offering a monthly plan for $9.95. Users can see a movie-a-day in return for signing up for the service and MoviePass pays most theaters full price for the tickets its subscribers buy – meaning they are heavily subsidizing movie-going and that is leading to understandable losses:
“MoviePass currently spends more to retain a subscriber than the revenue derived from that subscriber and MoviePass other sources of revenue are currently inadequate to offset or exceed the costs of subscriber retention. This results in a negative gross profit margin. MoviePass expects its negative gross profit margin to remain significant until MoviePass can sufficiently increase its other sources of revenues to offset the losses or achieve substantial economies of scale… There is no assurance that MoviePass will be able to sufficiently increase its other sources of revenue or be able to achieve economies of scale that would reduce the cost of revenue sufficiently to generate a positive gross profit margin.”
Helios & Matheson reportedly lost $150.8 million in 2017, a loss ascribed to its acquisition of MoviePass (its 2016 loss was just $7 million). MoviePass will reportedly have a need for additional funding and will have net losses for the foreseeable future, though the company’s CEO Mitch Lowe claims it will be profitable by 2019.
Additionally, Helios & Matheson CEO Ted Farnsworth says he has had raised $280 million and secured a $375 million line of credit since buying MoviePass in August. Investors aren’t spooked either, the company’s shares are up 36% in the last five days.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
“Quiet Place” Returns To Box-Office Top
Paramount’s horror film “A Quiet Place” returned to the top spot at the domestic box office this weekend with a further $22 million, bringing its three-week domestic gross to $132.4 million.
The Dwayne Johnson-led “Rampage” followed closely behind in second with $21 million in its second weekend and a further $57 million internationally with its global total to date at $283 million.
Both held off two newcomers – the Amy Schumer-led comedy “I Feel Pretty” in third with $16.2 million, and “Super Troopers 2” in fourth with $14.7 million. Both films scored B+ CinemaScores and both did not go down well with critics.
“Truth or Dare” slipped to fifth with a further $7.9 million, while “Ready Player One” was sixth with $7.5 million. The latter has so far amassed an impressive worldwide haul of $521.6 million to date.
Paramount’s horror film “A Quiet Place” returned to the top spot at the domestic box office this weekend with a further $22 million, bringing its three-week domestic gross to $132.4 million.
The Dwayne Johnson-led “Rampage” followed closely behind in second with $21 million in its second weekend and a further $57 million internationally with its global total to date at $283 million.
Both held off two newcomers – the Amy Schumer-led comedy “I Feel Pretty” in third with $16.2 million, and “Super Troopers 2” in fourth with $14.7 million. Both films scored B+ CinemaScores and both did not go down well with critics.
“Truth or Dare” slipped to fifth with a further $7.9 million, while “Ready Player One” was sixth with $7.5 million. The latter has so far amassed an impressive worldwide haul of $521.6 million to date.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Just what it says....
Your memories of seeing films at the cinema over the years....
Funny, sad, happy, nostalgic - or crazily trivial!
Share your anecdotes here.....
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Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Leaving the cinema in 1978 after seeing CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and hoping to see a multicoloured UFO gliding overhead - appearing above the cinema roof in the night time sky. Preferably the ice cream cone UFO.
It never did appear - and the cinema has long since been knocked down.
It never did appear - and the cinema has long since been knocked down.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Seeing Alien 3 in a cinema, where the sound system was poor and hardly knowing what Charles Dance had said. And then the film broke down during the bait and chase scenes near the end. It resumed. but we had had time to share bemused opinions aobut the film in progress.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Going to see Star Trek V and the group of people in front of me muttering distractedly about this, that and the other, before one finally cracked with a loud comment: "OH, THIS IS BORING!" before they all got up and left en-mass to do something - anything more interesting.
As for me, I stayed in my seat and started falling in love with this crazy, daft, train wreck folly of a film.
As for me, I stayed in my seat and started falling in love with this crazy, daft, train wreck folly of a film.
Doctor Omega
Member: Rank 10
Going to see HOWARD THE DUCK one afternoon in the 1980's.
Me and the projectionist.
Me and the projectionist.
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