Blogs
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Windows Are Closing
Several “captains” in this month’s Women in Home Entertainment section noted that one of the long-term effects of the pandemic may be a change in how entertainment is distributed to consumers. Indeed, we’ve already seen the beginnings of that dramatic shift in content windowing with premium VOD releases such as Trolls World Tour and Scoob!, … Continue reading “Windows Are Closing”
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Not Ron Sanders!
In my more than 30 years of covering the home entertainment business, for a wide range of outlets ranging from Video Store Magazine to the Hollywood Reporter, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, I have witnessed more than a dozen top leadership changes at the major studios. At Universal Pictures, I witnessed the departures … Continue reading “Not Ron Sanders!”
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Ending a Relationship
It had been a long time coming. Cable TV had been a big part of our lives for decades, a constant entertainment companion, but being together so much during the pandemic took a toll on the relationship. Suddenly, those ever-expanding commercial breaks seemed endless after watching ad-free streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon … Continue reading “Ending a Relationship”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘The Mystery of the Wax Museum’ and ‘A Thousand Clowns’
The Mystery of the Wax Museum Available via Warner Archive Warner, Horror, $21.99 Blu-ray, NR. Stars Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh. 1933. This above-and-beyond is even more impressive for licking the salvage job that had to be done as opposed to the movie’s visual content, which is by nature on the dark … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘The Mystery of the Wax Museum’ and ‘A Thousand Clowns’”
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Windows Are Closing
Several “captains” in this month’s Women in Home Entertainment section noted that one of the long-term effects of the pandemic may be a change in how entertainment is distributed to consumers. Indeed, we’ve already seen the beginnings of that dramatic shift in content windowing with premium VOD releases such as Trolls World Tour and Scoob!, … Continue reading “Windows Are Closing”
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Not Ron Sanders!
In my more than 30 years of covering the home entertainment business, for a wide range of outlets ranging from Video Store Magazine to the Hollywood Reporter, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, I have witnessed more than a dozen top leadership changes at the major studios. At Universal Pictures, I witnessed the departures … Continue reading “Not Ron Sanders!”
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Ending a Relationship
It had been a long time coming. Cable TV had been a big part of our lives for decades, a constant entertainment companion, but being together so much during the pandemic took a toll on the relationship. Suddenly, those ever-expanding commercial breaks seemed endless after watching ad-free streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon … Continue reading “Ending a Relationship”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘The Mystery of the Wax Museum’ and ‘A Thousand Clowns’
The Mystery of the Wax Museum Available via Warner Archive Warner, Horror, $21.99 Blu-ray, NR. Stars Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh. 1933. This above-and-beyond is even more impressive for licking the salvage job that had to be done as opposed to the movie’s visual content, which is by nature on the dark … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘The Mystery of the Wax Museum’ and ‘A Thousand Clowns’”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘King Creole’ and ‘Destry Rides Again’
King Creole Paramount, Musical, $29.99 Blu-ray, NR. Stars Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones,Walter Matthau, Dolores Hart, Dean Jagger. 1958. King Creole was, like most of Elvis’ pre-army screen outings, shot in black-and-white. But there was nothing stingy about the production, and the New Orleans locales that producer Hal Wallis sprung for add immeasurably to the ambience … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘King Creole’ and ‘Destry Rides Again’”
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HBO Downsizes Apps, Increases Confusion
As expected, WarnerMedia is consolidating its HBO Go, HBO Now and HBO Max apps in an attempt to declutter the brand’s over-the-top video offerings to consumers. In the process, however, the corporate umbrella to Warner Bros., HBO and Turner has seemingly complicated matters. With the high-profile HBO Max spearheading WarnerMedia’s OTT aspirations, the former Time … Continue reading “HBO Downsizes Apps, Increases Confusion”
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COVID-19 a Push to Cut the Cord
During the pandemic, consumers are sitting at home looking for more visual entertainment than ever before — and evaluating their options. Happily, the disc has gotten a lift as consumers realize the value of the stalwart format, while digital transactional retailers have gained in part by offering premium VOD titles that bypassed or left theaters … Continue reading “COVID-19 a Push to Cut the Cord”
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Disc Continues to Spin
While premium VOD has been a rising star in the pandemic, the crisis is also giving new life to an aging player, the disc. Warner home entertainment chief Jim Wuthrich presented studio research showing the growth in home entertainment spending after stay-at-home orders took effect and noted physical held up. “The physical business has been … Continue reading “Disc Continues to Spin”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘Tin Cup’ and ‘The General Died at Dawn’
Tin Cup Available via Warner Archive Warner, Comedy, $21.99 Blu-ray, ‘R’ for language and brief nudity. Stars Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson. 1996. A golf-backdropped romantic comedy directed and co-written by Ron Shelton, Tin Cup was about as popular at the box office as the filmmaker’s breakthrough Bull Durham, yet it isn’t talked … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘Tin Cup’ and ‘The General Died at Dawn’”
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The Future of ‘Star Wars’ Storytelling Is Clear
The week of “May the 4th Be With You” has been a banner one for Dave Filoni, the longtime animation veteran who is now one of the leading creatives of “Star Wars” content over at Lucasfilm. Monday, May 4, marked the triumphant finale of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” the CG-animated series executive produced by … Continue reading “The Future of ‘Star Wars’ Storytelling Is Clear”