"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[Jeff Kleist]

I do want to say, getting back to the subject of fake IMAX how dissapointed I am that the only presentations of the AVATAR special reel in the Philadelphia area are at AMCs, and they are all fake IMAXes. The two real IMAX theaters in the area, King of Prussia and the Omnimax at the Franklin Institute will be missing out on this experience. Couple with that the fact that there are no theaters within about a 45min drive of the vast majority of the Philly suburbs is kind-of inexcuseable. Both of those venues could have filled the need. If it's a digital only thing, AMC Plymouth Meeting and KOP both have DLP projectors now capable of all the 3D formats.

I'm sure other cities are in the same boat

[JonBidinger]

I concur with either mid-December or early January for the release. Whichever is least crowded. On one hand I think that it may have less competition in January. But I want it in the other hand as soon as possible.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I do want to say, getting back to the subject of fake IMAX how dissapointed I am that the only presentations of the AVATAR special reel in the Philadelphia area are at AMCs, and they are all fake IMAXes. The two real IMAX theaters in the area, King of Prussia and the Omnimax at the Franklin Institute will be missing out on this experience. Couple with that the fact that there are no theaters within about a 45min drive of the vast majority of the Philly suburbs is kind-of inexcuseable. Both of those venues could have filled the need. If it's a digital only thing, AMC Plymouth Meeting and KOP both have DLP projectors now capable of all the 3D formats.

I'm sure other cities are in the same boat

The AMC at Universal City is a "real" IMAX AFAIK.

[Jeff Kleist]

Yeah, there are a bunch of "real" IMAXes showing it, but none of the ones in one of the largest cities in the country

It's pretty obvious this was some deal with AMC and IMAX to showcase their new fake ones though.

[micks_address]

well i would say late november as well, to ensure if i buy it online its shipped and with me before christmas.. i always buy a wealth of titles before christmas.. after christmas not so much! money is to tight..

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, we’ve got late November, early December, late December/early Jan., mid-Jan.
No consensus so far.
Sheesh, this is like a committee meeting in the Marketing Dept.

Anyone else with an opinion?

[AstroBlu]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Why?

Or anyone else, why not?

It gives it enough time to make a boatload of cash in theaters and
then in the home during the holidays.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Oh, one last note for this morning.

This bit of News from the News Page sounds good.
Just strike the word "Apparently".
https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3269

Great job staying out of the debate by the "experts", but making the preferences of actual consumers count.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, we’ve got late November, early December, late December/early Jan., mid-Jan.
No consensus so far.
Sheesh, this is like a committee meeting in the Marketing Dept.

Anyone else with an opinion?

The studios are releasing titles earlier than usual this year to get every possible dollar out of the 2009 holiday season. The movie already banked $37 million (domestic) in its opening weekend with a total negative cost of $30 million. Thus, Sony has no real rush to release this ASAP. The DVD & Blu market is going to be very crowded with the Summer blockbusters in October and November. However, releasing in January will forfeit the last couple of weeks of Q4, and that is NOT likely to happen . December 8, 2009 looks good to me Penton.

[Slec]

Finally official..

Steven Spielberg and business partner Stacey Snider said Monday that their new film company, DreamWorks Studios, has completed its initial financing and has $825 million available to make up to 21 movies over the next four years.

Source: WSJ

Any thoughts P-man? oh, and you better be taking a LONG lunch today around 11:30. Find a sports bar for a business lunch and watch the first CL leg @ Celtic.

[Jeff Kleist]

The studios are releasing titles earlier than usual this year to get every possible dollar out of the 2009 holiday season. The movie already banked $37 million (domestic) in its opening weekend with a total negative cost of $30 million. Thus, Sony has no real rush to release this ASAP. The DVD & Blu market is going to be very crowded with the Summer blockbusters in October and November. However, releasing in January will forfeit the last couple of weeks of Q4, and that is NOT likely to happen . December 8, 2009 looks good to me Penton.

PJ financed it himself.Sony was smart enough to pick it up So they're the distributors on the film.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

If you owned the home video rights of this property (District 9), all things considered, when would you make it available on Blu-ray (possible screeners to Academy members aside).

Anyone?

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Hard to say. With the rather uninspiring summer so far at the cinemas, this is a strong contender for the sci-fi crowd, along with the home theater junkie. Let's face it, this hasn't been the summer everyone was hoping for so despite what should be stiff competition for the Blu-ray buck, this one may hold up quite well as a must have for the Blu-ray crowd this holiday season.

On top of that, Sony hasn't had any really huge titles this summer. Angels and Demons was good, but I don't think it will be a must have on Blu for most of the demographic out there. Year One fizzled. Pelham will be a good one for the format since it plays to its strengths (pic/audio). But District I think would be Sony's best bet for a strong Blu-ray release for the holiday season. I would put it out around the 15th of December or around there. But that is just me.

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, we’ve got late November, early December, late December/early Jan., mid-Jan.
No consensus so far.
Sheesh, this is like a committee meeting in the Marketing Dept.

Anyone else with an opinion?

While I tend to agree with Jeff (January sounds like a GREAT release window), I see Kris' point as well. Sony didn't have a strong Summer, so it really comes down to whether or not Sony wants a stronger December, or a stronger January.

I notice that D9 is "rumored" to be released in the UK on December 28.

~Alan

[sharkshark]

gooooooo gunners!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7M6y...eature=related

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

Great job staying out of the debate by the "experts", but making the preferences of actual consumers count.

Well, I must say one thing.
Despite being completely different topics, it is interesting that the only two polls I’ve ever initiated on this forum had the ‘winners’ pretty much settling out at less than one percentage point difference ……….

DTS-HD Master Audio -59.46%
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=99791

Subs in active picture all the time – 58.85%…….
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=104430

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Slec

Finally official..

Any thoughts P-man? oh, and you better be taking a LONG lunch today around 11:30. Find a sports bar for a business lunch and watch the first CL leg @ Celtic.

I recorded it.
Thanks for the heads-up though.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

While I tend to agree with Jeff (January sounds like a GREAT release window), I see Kris' point as well. Sony didn't have a strong Summer, so it really comes down to whether or not Sony wants a stronger December, or a stronger January.

Don't consider that to be a major determining factor if you owned the home video rights......just think maximum profitability.

So what is your final choice?

[juanell]

I would release District 9 Dec 22.Everyone who wants it would get it that week, either as a gift on christmas or with their christmas money or with their own money on the day of release.

[uniquetreatone]

Originally Posted by juanell

I would release District 9 Dec 22.Everyone who wants it would get it that week, either as a gift on christmas or with their christmas money or with their own money on the day of release.

I would also like this date because I could sneak it in the cart with all the late christmas shopping.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Don't consider that to be a major determining factor if you owned the home video rights......just think maximum profitability.

So what is your final choice?

May I Phone-A-Friend?

There's NO WAY I'd release it prior to December. juanell's idea of December 22 is intriguing in that you'd get some last minute Christmas gifts out of the way, but still manage to bypass a lot of competing titles, and the UK's "rumored" December 29 date would certainly be good timing for gift cards... but I'm going to go with Jeff and say the 5th Quarter. January 12th has a nice ring to it to me...

~Alan

[Anthony P]

can I play too?

q5 has its benefits (less competition) but there are also issues (after Christmas shopping there is less $ to spend, you missed the biggest gift giving season which brings lots of $$$$)

That is why, assuming there are no extra costs (i.e. replicators charging more) I would aim (assuming no other big titles) for Nov 24, early enough to get the early buyers (like myself) and late enough to still be considered new until Christmas. Also then you can follow with a sale after Christmas (Dec 26-Jan 7) and get the gift cards as well.

(also-bringing back something I brought up earlier)

you can always cheat a bit

BD/DVD combo Nov 24, DVD Dec 22 (or 29), I am sure most places will re-add the BD in the "new titles" when the DVD comes out.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

can I play too?

q5 has its benefits (less competition) but there are also issues (after Christmas shopping there is less $ to spend, you missed the biggest gift giving season which brings lots of $$$$)

Christmas shopping has other issues as well. I can't speak for everywhere, but Property Taxes are due right before Christmas, most of (at least for me) my money is being spent on gifts, and there is less to spend on me. Yes, the gift giving season is big, but I would imagine "R" rated movies probably sell less at Christmas than the Summer blockbusters with lower ratings ("Star Trek", etc...).

Originally Posted by Anthony P

Also then you can follow with a sale after Christmas (Dec 26-Jan 7) and get the gift cards as well.

Intriguing idea!

(also-bringing back something I brought up earlier)

Originally Posted by Anthony P

you can always cheat a bit

BD/DVD combo Nov 24, DVD Dec 22 (or 29), I am sure most places will re-add the BD in the "new titles" when the DVD comes out.

I rather like this one... but I would probably push the Blu-ray/DVD combo into early December and the DVD into January.

~Alan