Upcoming Screenings: Sunshine on Leith, Filth, How I Live Now

This week is looking a bit hectic with one premiere to attend and two preview screenings. First up on Monday I am going to interview the stars and director of Sunshine On Leith, Dexter Fletcher's new film. Then on Tuesday it's James McAvoy starring dirty cop black comedy Filth and finally on Wednesday, I'm going to a free student screening of How I Live Now from director Kevin MacDonald and starring Saoirse Ronan.

The cast in attendance at the Sunshine on Leith premiere will include Jane Horrocks, Freya Mavor, Kevin Guthrie, George Mackay, Antonia Thomas and apparently special guests The Proclaimers will also be there along with director Dexter Fletcher. Booooo no Peter Mullan though. I'll be standing in the press pen interviewing the attendees for Tastic Film so hopefully you will be able to see the videos up on the Tastic Film YouTube channel soon after. 

If this film is even half as good as Fletcher's directorial debut Wild Bill, I'll be very pleased!

Here is the trailer for Sunshine on Leith:



Then on Tuesday it's off to see the adaptation of Irvine Welsh's horrible novel Filth starring James McAvoy as a despicable copper with a tapeworm and highly dubious morals. I hated the book (from the same author as Trainspotting) but the trailer makes this look like it might actually be a bit of guilty, sick and twisted fun!



Then finally it's a young adult adaptation from awesome director Kevin MacDonald that sounds much darker than your average Twilight, Mortal Instruments or any other number of fantasy adaptations for teens. Stick with the trailer past the first 40 seconds of sunshine and laughing. When war breaks out in our recognisable reality this looks like it should get far more exciting than a bunch of CG supernatural creatures flying about the place!



Any of these take your fancy?

The Many Methods of Movie Marketing: Part 4 Premieres

This is the fourth part of my many posts on the different methods of movie marketing, this one covering premieres. This is mainly for my film students who are looking at the relationship between film producers and audiences. First we looked at how producers get information from audiences and now we move on to how producers give information to audiences. You can find part one on posters and trailers here. Part 2 on TV, radio and print media advertising and using the internet and viral marketing is here. Part 3 on movie merchandise is here.

Premieres are another way to help market a movie, particularly if the film has big internationally recognisable stars that are willing or contracted to attend. Premieres are the first official screening of the film to the public and are often big events in major cities across the world. They have a red carpet and the press and fans gather outside the cinemas to see the stars arrive for the screening. The press interview the stars and filmmakers on the red carpet (or blue in the case of Fast and Furious 6) and these interviews help to publicise the film in the media. 

Sometimes premieres for the biggest films even end up being covered by news programmes because they are such a big story. This is excellent publicity for the studios as it gets the film in the consciousness of everybody who watches the news or reads magazines. Often the stars are dressed in the latest fashions and minor celebrities also attend so pictures, videos and news items appear in celebrity gossip and fashion magazines. This targets an even wider audience for the film than the other forms of marketing.

The final Harry Potter film was covered by the news because fans were sleeping out on the streets in order to see the stars. Some premieres appear to take over Leicester Square with the landmark being transformed into a scene from Willy Wonka's chocolate factory complete with giant candy canes and lollipops for the premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The bigger the stars and the more work that is put into making the premiere an event, the more attention it will get.

Having even just one international star can really boost a smaller film if that star attends the premiere. For example the small British film Is Anybody There? would not have the same marketing budget as a Hollywood blockbuster but because Michael Caine stars in it and attended the premiere, there will be more attention brought to it in the press than a similar small British film with no recognisable stars in the cast.

Next part is on press junkets and preview screenings.

Interview with Hello Quo Director Alan G. Parker

Before the premiere of Hello Quo  in London’s Leicester Square, I got the oppotunity to interview director Alan G. Parker.  With the release of the 50-year-spanning rock documentary on DVD and Blu-ray on 29th October, I sat down with the director of Who Killed Nancy? and Monty Python: Almost the Truth - Lawyer's Cut to discuss his most recent film.

We discussed the Spinal Tap similiarities, the rumours of a reunion tour for the original members of Status Quo and the challenge of fitting 50 years of rock history into a feature length documentary.  Parker also mentioned his next project which promises to be another definitive look at an international rock band.

I got to spend 20 minutes chatting with the director and found him to be a really interesting guy with a great love of music.  His visible tattoos and big frame but thoughtful tone make him appear the right guy for the job of making rock-docs.  I even hear he has a tattoo of Sid Vicious on his arm.

The premiere was on Monday night and as I conducted the interview the fans were arriving and the barricades were being erected.  I hear the band were around for a photoshoot but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see them in person.  I recently reviewed Hello Quo for Filmoria and you can read it here.

I also asked Alan G. Parker about his favourite rock-docs and he mentioned the Metallica one Some Kind of Monster which I must see.  It's been on my Lovefilm list for ages but is one they have yet to send my way.

You can read the full interview with Hello Quo director Alan G. Parker at Filmoria here.

Avengers and Prometheus: Worldwide Distribution Madness!

 North American readers... ever wondered why the hell you're suddenly getting huge Blockbuster films like Avengers and Prometheus released later than the rest of the world?

Readers from the rest of the world... have you been wondering why here in Europe and elsewhere, we are being blessed with earlier release dates all of a sudden?

Well I've done some digging and come up with something resembling answers.  After first getting the chance to see Avengers on the big screen a full week before the Americans, I began wondering just what the hell was going on with the distribution plan of this most anticipated of blockbusters.  And then I find out we're getting Prometheus similarly early. 

My first thought was that staggered distribution is beneficial as the studios can fly the talent out to premieres and press junkets in many different parts of the world and they can essentially follow the release of the film, promoting it as they go.  But why not start with the USA as always used to be the case?  And also isn't this good for pirates?  Won't shoddy filmed copies from one country end up on street corners of some other country as soon as the film first gets shown on a big screen.  I'm pretty sure this was the case when I stupidly purchased a dodgy copy of Alien VS Predator in Malaysia.  The whooping, cheering and general enthusiasm of the audience watching the film on my dodgy copy meant it must have come from America!  (I mean that as a compliment!)

The point is it's not just down to staggered distribution patterns as these have been happening for years and America always got their big blockbusters first followed by the rest of the world.  So what's happened now to cause this (quite frankly) AWESOME shift in distribution tactics?

Rolling Stone report: 'It's somewhat unusual for a major commercial film like The Avengers to open abroad ahead of its U.S. release, but in this case, it may have worked in the film's favor. Given that American grosses for superhero movies typically dwarf international grosses, it looks like The Avengers will be a massive domestic hit.'

So the idea may be to get international audiences to be more excited about the film if they see it first.  As the international market is so huge, a film needs to get a fair shot at it and if it does not do well domestically, it may be less likely to gain success elsewhere.

The Hollywood Reporter said: 'Avengers posted the biggest opening day ever in New Zealand, earning $800,000. The film also bowed to $2.9 million in France and an even stronger $3.7 million in Italy -- the second-biggest opening day for Disney and the second-best for a Marvel title. All told, Joss Whedon's film earned an eye-popping $17.1 million from only 10 markets... Avengers, which is beginning its foreign rollout a week ahead of its domestic launch May 4, likewise enjoyed a record start in Taiwan, scoring the best opening gross of all time with $1.2 million. And it scored the second-highest opening day in the Philippines, grossing $1.3 million'

 

Seems like the early release in these foreign markets definitely had some impact.  These are huge numbers and the studios are no doubt licking their lips at the extra money rolling in from what they once saw as an opportunity for a little extra money after cleaning up at the domestic box office!  After the recent success of films like Titanic 3D in China, Hollywood are going to be increasingly paying attention to ways they can increase their revenue from all us suckers for American product that live outside their borders.

 

 

Bob Mondello writes: 'Hollywood studios have started premiering big films overseas before they come to the United States, and Battleship is a prime example of this practice: It first hoisted anchor six weeks ago in Japan, then cruised into Europe a week later. Soon after, it steamed into Russia and Pakistan, and has since docked in every movie port of call on the planet except the U.S., Canada and Paraguay... The Amazing Spider-Man will amaze Japan and New Zealand five days before it amazes the U.S. And if you positively can't wait to see Ridley Scott's prequel to Alien, Prometheus, you'll want to book a flight to Europe. Prometheus will open a week early in Europe to get ahead of soccer's Eurocup finals, which the studio figures will be a huge distraction to young males, the film's target audience.'

 

This is a fascinating article and just click on Mondello's name above to read more.  It is particularly interesting to note the consideration of football in the release pattern.  Is this solely the reason behind Prometheus' early UK release?  I can't quite believe it but I'm very interested in seeing how this develops in the future.  Just as long as the studios don't start delaying the UK release of films because they think we're all a bunch of football mad nutters who run around with shaved heads, flags painted on our faces and beating each other senseless because 'our' boys lost or beat another team.

 

What do you think dear international readers?  Should I just keep my mouth shut and enjoy the early releases in the UK?  American readers... is this pissing you off?  Sound off below!

Why I Love The Hunger Games

I know it's a bore when someone goes on and on about how the book is better than the film.  Well I'm not going to do that... yet.  But don't be surprised if there are millions of people moaning about the Hunger Games adaptation soon after it comes out. 

I was late onto the bandwagon (as usual) but as soon as I heard the synopsis of the film, I thought it sounded like a great story and a book worth reading before the release of the film.  So I got the trilogy for Christmas and read the first part in February.  I expected I would be finishing it just in time for the release of the movie on 23rd March but actaually got through it in less than a week.  It's nail-biting, excrutiatingly exciting stuff.

I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it but I do want to share with you my excitement over one of my new favourite books.  Here's a brief synopsis:

'The Hunger Games details a world where the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem, which was once North America, forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games.  A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which Tributes must fight with one another until one survivor remains.'

In case you don't know, the protagonist is a young woman called Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence).  She is from District 12 and offers herself as 'tribute' to save her youngest sister from being forced into the brutal annual Hunger Games.  Katniss is skilled with the bow and arrow due to her years spent illegally hunting in the woods around her district.  She is feisty, independent, brave, clever and caring.

There have been lots of comparisons with Twilight.  Both The Hunger Games and Twilight are based on hugely successful books for young adults.  Both have a female protagonist with possibilities of romance with a pair of young studs.  But hopefully that's where the comparisons end.  The Hunger Games is far from soppy.  Yes there is the possibility of a love triangle but at least in the first book, this is the last thing on the heroine's mind and love is a luxury that she cannot afford.

In fact one of the most interesting things about the book is it's heavily feminist slant.  Ok so Katniss is tarted up for the Hunger Games opening ceremony but so are the male tributes.  Jennifer Lawrence may be stunningly gorgeous but she can also have a face like thunder with determined eyes and a frequent scowl that show her character's brave and thoughtful nature.  Just watch Lawrence's captivating and fierce performance in Winter's Bone to eliminate any doubts about whether she can handle the role of Katniss.

Katniss lost her father in a mine accident and has since been providing food for her starving family.  She hunts animals in the woods, barters with traders in the market and takes care of her little sister.  She is excellent with a bow and arrow and has had no time for love in her short life so far, despite spending a lot of time roaming the woods with her male best friend.

When she volunteers to enter the Hunger Games, she is taken away from her family and her hunting buddy Gale and thrown together with the district 12 male tribute Peeta.  He might be falling in love with her but Katniss has no illusions about the way the Hunger Games work.  It's kill or be killed and there is no chance for alliances and partnerships to survive in a battle to the death.

To say anymore would be to ruin it.  All I will say is that Katniss is no damsel in distress.  She is a born survivor and will do what it takes to get back to her family.  Let the Games begin...


The Hunger Games may have been compared to Twilight but it is so much more.  And judging by what they are saying over at Anomalous Material, The Hunger Games is going to open a can of whoop-ass all over the latest installment of that franchise.  I for one hope they are right.

If you're still thinking that it sounds crap, soppy, for kids, for girls or whatever, here's my top 5 list of reasons why you should jump aboard the Hunger Games bandwagon RIGHT NOW!

1.  Awesome female hero.  Could be as cool as Ripley and Sarah Connor.

2. It may not be the most orginal story in the world but it's been influenced by some great films and books: 1984, Battle Royale, The Running Man, Series 7: The Contenders to name a few.  Dystopian futures don't come much better realised or much more dystopian than this!

3. The casting is brilliant.  Lawrence is perfect; tough and beautiful for the boys while the two guys (Hutcherson and Hemsworth) add sex appeal for the ladies.  Donald Sutherland is in there as the President, Woody Harrelson as a former Hunger Games winner, Stanley Tucci as a TV host and Lenny Kravitz appears as Katniss' stylist.

4. The violence.  Yes they've just cut it to get a 12A rating but at least it's not a PG and you never know, perhaps one day they will relase a 15 rated version.  Anyway when the story is about kids as young as 12 fighting to the death in a specially designed arena filled with mutated creatures and brutal weaponry, I can understand the need to go easy on the gore.  When some of these kids get nailed, it's going to have an impact on the audience, whether you see the gore or not!  Trust me.

5. The contemporary relevance.  Reality TV, exploitation, the rising up of the masses.  Whilst reading the book, you are constantly reminded of the parallels with today's reality TV and society.  It really does not seem so far-fetched as the story takes in the savagery of audiences and producers alike.







So there you have it.  I've unleashed my inner teenager and screamed and fainted over the latest franchise.  I'm saving the remaining two books in the trilogy for after I see the first film and I'm hoping like hell that they are as good as the first book.  The UK premiere was last night so the reviews will be coming in shortly.  If you fancy a pretty quick and easy read, you've got a week to get through the book before the release of the film.  It will be worth it.

Who else will be seeing this as soon as possible and why do you love The Hunger Games?

MORE ON THE HUNGER GAMES:

What is The Hunger Games trilogy really all about?

Katniss consoles sister in new Hunger Games Catching Fire image

Catching Fire Victory Tour Poster

Why Jennifer Lawrence deserves Hunger Games best actress award

Other Dystopian visions of the future 

 

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