Tag Archives: movie theaters

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Movies

‘Dune’ and all Warner Bros. 2021 films to stream on HBO Max same day as In Theaters

Video
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The epic sci-fi with man eating sandworms is coming to a theater or couch near you 

The production company Warner Bros. announced its plan to release ALL its 2021 movies in an unprecedented, unique hybrid, consumer-focused, yet very 2020 way.  Warner Bros. will release its films theatrically worldwide, while also adding exclusive access to the HBO Max streaming platform on the same day for a one month period (U.S. only). 

There will be a wide range of releases on HBO Max throughout 2021 for every type of movie lover. One much anticipated movie on the list is Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s of Dune.  The movie will hits both theaters and HBO Max on October 1, 2021.  

Read More: Matrix 4, Mortal Kombat and Godzilla vs. Kong will stream on HBO Max at Theater Launch

The  star-studded cast includes: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem. 

Speaking of Zendaya and HBO,  the “Euphoria” Rue special is coming this weekend and will air Dec. 6. The series premiered summer 2019 and was supposed to return for a second season this year.  Due to COVID-19 the production was shut down but creator Sam Levinson shot two “special episodes” in order to give audience a little something and bridge the gap to Season 2.

In an article by Inverse, Herbert’s son, Brian Herbert spoke about the upcoming film:

 “I was very impressed by the trailer, and I was thrilled to actually be on the movie set in Budapest last year, where my wife and I watched the filming of several scenes. This is a really big movie, a major project that will forever be considered THE definitive film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic novel. Fans are going to love this movie. Denis Villeneuve is the perfect director to do Dune.”

The mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Here is a little taste of the titles you’ll be seeing next year 

Alongside “Wonder Woman: 1984” for Christmas release 2020, there will be an additional 17 movies to be released over the next 12 months.

  • The Little Things
  • Judas and the Black Messiah
  • Tom & Jerry
  • Godzilla vs. Kong
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Those Who Wish Me Dead
  • The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
  • In The Heights
  • Space Jam: A New Legacy
  • The Suicide Squad
  • Reminiscence
  • Malignant
  • The Many Saints of Newark
  • King Richard
  • Cry Macho
  • Matrix 4
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Movies, Observation

HBO Max gets Huge Boost from Warner Brothers: All 2021 films to stream free same day in theaters

Video
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Immediate streaming option set after unprecedented, game-changing announcement

Warner Bros. has announced it will be releasing its 2021 movies in a unique hybrid, consumer-focused, yet very 2020 way.  Warner Bros. will release its films theatrically worldwide, while also adding exclusive access to the HBO Max streaming platform on the same day for a one month period (U.S. only). 

HBO Max and Warner Bros. are both owned by WarnerMedia, which is owned by AT&T.

This shift and strategic response by WarnerMedia is a game changer and highlights a major shift industry’s are recognizing in how viewers consume entertainment, or at least for the next year.  

There will be a wide range of releases on HBO Max throughout 2021 for every all types of movie lovers. Alongside Wonder Woman:1984 for Christmas release 2020, there will be an additional 17 movies to be released over the next 12 months.

  • The Little Things
  • Judas and the Black Messiah
  • Tom & Jerry
  • Godzilla vs. Kong
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Those Who Wish Me Dead
  • The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
  • In The Heights
  • Space Jam: A New Legacy
  • The Suicide Squad
  • Reminiscence
  • Malignant
  • Dune
  • The Many Saints of Newark
  • King Richard
  • Cry Macho
  • Matrix 4

The only other studio that is currently set up for dual release besides Warner Bros with HBO Max, is Disney with Disney+, which certainly will help to secure its position in the top tier of the very competitive world of streaming entertainment.  

Only time will tell if the pandemic will permanently alter the way we watch movies. Yet if  given  the option of getting access to blockbuster films at home and on the same exact date as the theatrical release, poses a serious question to how theaters will react.  

“No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do. We know new content is the lifeblood of theatrical exhibition, but we have to balance this with the reality that most theaters in the U.S. will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021. With this unique one-year plan, we can support our partners in exhibition with a steady pipeline of world-class films, while also giving moviegoers who may not have access to theaters or aren’t quite ready to go back to the movies the chance to see our amazing 2021 films. We see it as a win-win for film lovers and exhibitors, and we’re extremely grateful to our filmmaking partners for working with us on this innovative response to these circumstances.”

-Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios

What will come of Theater Chains and the future of the movie viewing experience

he debut for WB’s slate of movies to hit streaming services concurrently with theater releases, will undoubtedly have drastic consequences for the the already hard-pressed and struggling theaters.

Warner Bros. made mention that the hybrid release is strictly due to the pandemic, yet it’s unclear how the studio will navigate with movie releases for 2022 and beyond given the new model they are setting into motion.

Movie theater stock prices fell on the news. AMC shares dropped more than 15 percent, while Cinemark was down 14.5 percent.

Following the announcement, theater chain AMC’s CEO and president, Adam Aron made note they have “already commenced an immediate and urgent dialogue with the leadership of Warner on this subject.” He continued by saying “As for AMC, we will do all in our power to ensure that Warner does not do so at our expense. We will aggressively pursue economic terms that preserve our business.”

Theaters like AMC were agreeable to the one time exception of the Wonder Woman:1984 release to both theaters and streaming, however it appears they are less on board with the decision to upload  the entirety of 2021’s schedule of films with that same release model.

Another large theater chain, Cinemark, wasn’t able to comment on how the hybrid model would impact its theaters in the long-term,  “In light of the current operating environment, we are making near-term booking decisions on a film-by-film basis,”  said a spokesperson. 

It’s hard to not to have seen something like this coming.  Streaming videos are been on the rise. Earlier this year Disney+  released  “Mulan” and Universal released “King of Staten Island” and “Trolls: World Tour” straight to on-demand platforms.  

Warner Bros and HBO are doing it a little differently.  What has been typical during the pandemic, is the rise of premium video-on- demand (PVOD) where viewers are given access to blockbusters on the same day as theater release but you have to pay a premium price, upwards of $30.   Yet in the case of WB’s 2021 movies, if you are already a HBO Max subscriber, you get to watch these movies at no additional charge, other than your monthly fee. Compared to a PVOD price of $30 for one movie, $14.99 a month for the 17 movies for 2021 is a no brainer. 

Even though, announcements like those for WB are in a way a form of the studio experimenting to see what works while we are in a pandemic, there’s some major signs that this is the beginning of the end for movie theaters. 

It’s unclear whether the dual release model will become the new precedent for how Warner Bro operators in business, as currently only 2021 films are on the table.  However, at present,  theaters, like Regal Cinema are nearly at the brink of bankruptcy.   

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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Movies, Observation

HBO Max / Warner Bros. news Cast a Shadow over the Future of Live Cinema

A more permanent “new normal” appears to be emerging in effort to adapt to a post-pandemic future

The debut for WB’s slate of movies to hit streaming services concurrently with theater releases, will undoubtedly have drastic consequences for the the already hard-pressed and struggling theaters.

Warner Bros. made mention that the hybrid release is strictly due to the pandemic, yet it’s unclear how the studio will navigate with movie releases for 2022 and beyond given the new model they are setting into motion.

Movie theater stock prices fell on the news. AMC shares dropped more than 15 percent, while Cinemark was down 14.5 percent.

Following the announcement, theater chain AMC’s CEO and president, Adam Aron made note they have “already commenced an immediate and urgent dialogue with the leadership of Warner on this subject.” He continued by saying “As for AMC, we will do all in our power to ensure that Warner does not do so at our expense. We will aggressively pursue economic terms that preserve our business.”

Read More: In a blow to the future of live cinema – Regal shutting down all U.S. 536 theaters

Theaters like AMC were agreeable to the one time exception of the Wonder Woman:1984 release to both theaters and streaming, however it appears they appear less thrilled to be on-board with the decision to upload the entirety of 2021’s schedule of films with that same release model.

Another large theater chain, Cinemark, wasn’t able to comment on how the hybrid model would impact its theaters in the long-term,  “In light of the current operating environment, we are making near-term booking decisions on a film-by-film basis,”  said a spokesperson. 

Read More: New Streaming Ideas for Holiday Season Entertainment

It’s hard to not to have seen something like this coming.  Streaming videos are been on the rise. Earlier this year Disney+  released  “Mulan” and Universal released “King of Staten Island” and “Trolls: World Tour” straight to on-demand platforms.  

Future evolution of entertainment distribution is a big unknown, like nearly everything else

Warner Bros and HBO are doing it a little differently.  What has been typical during the pandemic, is the increased number of options for premium video-on-demand (PVOD) where viewers are given access to blockbusters on the same day as theater release but are required to pay a premium price, in some cases upwards of $30. 

Yet in the case of WB’s 2021 movies, provided you are already a HBO Max subscriber, you will be able to watch these movies at no additional charge, other than your monthly fee. Compared to a PVOD price of $30 for one movie, $14.99 a month for the 17 movies for 2021 seems like a no-brainer. 

There is a 30-day availability limitation currently set on these special same-day release titles, but that would likely only be an issue if you wanted to sign up for a single month to game the system, so to speak.

It does appear to be the case that this announcement and others that may be soon to come, still represent a  form of experimentation by WB / HBO max to see what works during a pandemic. At the same time, there are some major signs that this is the beginning of the end for movie theaters, at least as the primary vehicle for the initial release phase of major feature films. 

It’s unclear whether the dual release model will set a permanent new precedent for how Warner Brothers conducts its business, as currently only 2021 films are on the table. Come 2022 it is also possible that the entire entertainment landscape will be unrecognizable, since, for example, theater chains, such as Regal Cinema, are already at the brink of bankruptcy.

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Entertainment

In a blow to the future of live cinema – Regal shutting down all U.S. 536 theaters

Struggling cinemas may not survive the impact of the pandemic

On Thursday, October 8th, Regal Cinemas­— the second largest movie theater chain in America­—will be shutting its doors to audiences. This occurs as British parent company Cineworld deems the market far too unstable for its theaters to continue operating through the pandemic.

Read More: ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ showcases New Trailer during the virtual DC FanDome event

Cineworld owns 536 theaters in the United States and 127 in the UK. All of them will be closed indefinitely by the end of the week. According to the New York Times, these closures will impact 40,000 employees in the U.S. and over 5,000 in Europe. 

Many theaters have been holding on for dear life since COVID-19 arrived this year. Most were forced to shut their doors in April and have only reopened within the past couple months— notably for the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet.”

While “Tenet” should have been a blockbuster hit, though, the $200 million budget film only managed to earn $300 million at the box office. Evidently, even if the theaters are open, audiences are still tepid about returning to the cinema.

Read More: Covid-19 Documentary Exposes still more inside details of Trump’s failure to contain the Pandemic

Simultaneously, “Tenet’s” underperformance showed studios that they remain better off waiting to releasing their films or moving them onto other platforms. Unfortunately, this means a shortage of product for the theaters.

The dominos are falling with Bond as the last straw

Non-coincidentally then, Cineworld decided to close up just days after MGM delayed the release of its 25th James Bond movie, “No Time To Die.” This is the second time the film has been pushed back, as it was originally billed for this Spring, but was delayed until November, and now won’t see the screen until next April.

In fact, almost all of the 2020 blockbusters have seen perpetual delays. Warner Brother’s “Wonder Woman: 1984” was supposed to come out earlier this year, but is now aiming for a Christmas release. Likewise, Marvel’s “Black Widow” was meant to be a summer sensation, but now sits on the backburner until 2021. Meanwhile, Disney’s “Mulan” went straight to the company’s streaming site, for the premium price of $30 on top of the monthly subscription fee.

Clearly, “No Time To Die” was simply the straw that broke the camel’s back for Cineworld.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cineworld had already lost $1.6 billion in the first half of 2020. Now, on top of moviegoer’s concerns about COVID, there is not enough exciting content to get people into the cinema.

Perhaps people would risk going to the movies to see a new James Bond, Marvel, or DC film, but with these releases being continually postponed, staying open becomes a major and unrewarding gamble for theater owners.

Part of the struggle may also be tied to a reticence to consider theaters amongst other indoor businesses that warrant reopening. New York City and Los Angeles, for example, provide a huge portion of domestic audiences, but their respective government officials have been nervous about letting people return to the cinema. Without such hubs being operational, ticket prices will inevitably fall short of expectations.

As of right now, there is no telling when Regal Cinemas might reopen, or if other theater chains will follow in its footsteps. All of that depends heavily on how the country and its leaders deal with the coronavirus.

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