Blogs
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Freedom of Speech or Peddling Hate in an OTT World?
In the current politically toxic culture where “fake news” allegations and “enemies of the people” campaign rally cries by the POTUS against the media (except Fox News) continue to divide the country, bigotry and hate are now rationalized by many as differences of opinion between “good people on both sides.” While the First Amendment prohibits … Continue reading “Freedom of Speech or Peddling Hate in an OTT World?”
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MoviePass Missteps No Laughing Matter
Fiscally challenged MoviePass caught a break when it ditched a planned price hike and instituted a limit on the number of theatrical movies subscribers could see in a month. The new rule limiting the service’s 3 million subs to three screenings (instead of daily access) should go far staunching the reported $45 million monthly cash … Continue reading “MoviePass Missteps No Laughing Matter”
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MoviePass: We’re Still Standing
The PR blitz to try and save a flawed business model continues. MoviePass parent Helios and Matheson Analytics Aug. 2 issued a presser that essentially repeated claims from an Aug. 1 presser suggesting the ticket subscription service is responsible for a rise in moviegoers. HMNY has to say that. Its stock is currently trading around … Continue reading “MoviePass: We’re Still Standing”
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Mission Impossible: Saving MoviePass
Helios and Matheson Analytics, parent of fiscally-challenged theatrical subscription ticket service MoviePass, saw its stock close July 30 at 80 cents per share – less than a week after issuing a reverse-stock split aimed at buttressing the stock above the Nasdaq $1 minimum. The stock finished down 60% from its opening of $2 per share … Continue reading “Mission Impossible: Saving MoviePass”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ and ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’
A Matter of Life and Death Criterion, Fantasy, $29.95 DVD, $39.95 Blu-ray, NR. Stars David Niven, Kim Hunter, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey. 1946. You can watch Matter multiple times and always see something new or be affected by a shot or minor detail that didn’t make a direct hit previously. Extras: In addition to Stephanie … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ and ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’”
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MoviePass Owner Plans 1-for-250 Reverse Stock Split, ‘Rotten Tomatoes’-Like Rating System, Among Other Bravado
Early in the United States’ ill-advised war on Iraq, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, former Iraqi information minister (a.k.a. “Baghdad Bob” or “Comical Ali”), was known for his propaganda and colorful speech intended to boost the morale of Iraqi troops. Fifteen years later at Media & Entertainment Service Alliances’ Smart Content Summit in New York, Ted Farnsworth, … Continue reading “MoviePass Owner Plans 1-for-250 Reverse Stock Split, ‘Rotten Tomatoes’-Like Rating System, Among Other Bravado”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘I Walk Alone’ and ‘If I Had a Million’
I Walk Alone Street 7/24/18 Kino Lorber, Drama, $19.95 DVD, $24.95 Blu-ray, NR. Stars Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey. 1947. The first Burt Lancaster-Kirk Douglas teaming, I Walk Alone captures a special moment in marquee-name time and is thus worth a look by those for whom modest fun is enough. Extras: Includes … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘I Walk Alone’ and ‘If I Had a Million’”
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Comic-Con 2018: It’s All About Entertainment Coming Home
Comic-Con International: San Diego 2018 was an affirmation of the growing trend of entertainment to be geared toward viewers in their own homes – or using personal devices to watch movies, TV shows and other programming on demand, where, when and how they want to. Oh, sure, studios and broadcasters still pulled out all the … Continue reading “Comic-Con 2018: It’s All About Entertainment Coming Home”
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Walmart/Vudu Entering the SVOD Market is Fiscal Craziness
Media reports suggesting Walmart-owned Vudu.com will launch a subscription streaming video service in the fourth quarter to compete against Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu is noteworthy for a variety of reasons, including fiscal insanity. Walmart has owned and operated Vudu – which rents and sells digital movies – since 2010 will little fanfare. Entering … Continue reading “Walmart/Vudu Entering the SVOD Market is Fiscal Craziness”
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Mike’s Picks: ‘Let’s Make Love’ and ‘The Colossus of Rhodes’
Let’s Make Love Available via ScreenArchives.com Twilight Time, Drama, $29.95 Blu-ray, NR. Stars Marilyn Monroe, Yves Montand, Tony Randall. 1960. Five months before her final film The Misfits’ release, Marilyn Monroe starred in Let’s Make Love, the last completed pure MM “vehicle.” Basically a rack on which to hang a full array of hats, the script concerns an Old … Continue reading “Mike’s Picks: ‘Let’s Make Love’ and ‘The Colossus of Rhodes’”