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Louisiana Targets Digital Services with New Tax Proposals
1 year ago•Source: Variety
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7.7 min•1 year ago
AFM 2024: Las Vegas Debut Amid Election Tension and Horror Film Surge
The American Film Market (AFM), a key event for the indie film industry, has relocated to Las Vegas amid challenges like the pandemic, Hollywood strikes, and high participation costs. The move aims to reaffirm its significance, but competition from events like the Toronto Film Festival, which plans to launch its own market in 2026, looms. The AFM faces issues such as rising production costs and a shift towards international locations for filming due to better incentives. Despite these challenges, the indie film sector shows resilience, with successful theatrical releases and a growing international focus.
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More Film Industry Stories
"Late Night With the Devil: Box Office Success, AI Art, and Ending Explained"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Deadline
IFC Films' horror film "Late Night With The Devil" has had the distributor's largest opening weekend ever, grossing over $2.8 million on 1,043 screens and ranking sixth at the domestic box office. The film, set on the 1977 late-night talk show broadcast, has garnered attention for its unique concept and strong screenplay. Additionally, other specialty films such as "Carol Doda Topless At The Condor," "Femme," "Rad," and "Free Time" also made notable debuts at the box office.
"Civil War: A Terrifying Cautionary Tale with Outstanding Performances"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Boxoffice Pro
The long-range box office forecast for April includes A24's "Civil War" with an opening weekend range of $12M-$18M and a domestic total range of $34M-$65M, while Lionsgate's "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" is projected to have an opening weekend range of $6M-$10M and a domestic total range of $12M-$34M. Both films face competition, but benefit from strong filmmakers and appealing casts.
"2023 Sees Steep Decline in Women-Led Films, Reaching Historic Low"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Deadline
A study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that the representation of women, women of color, and women aged 45+ in films in 2023 dropped to near a 10-year low, despite the success of Barbie at the box office. The study found that only 30% of the top 100 films featured a female-identified actor as a lead or co-lead, down from 44% in 2022. Additionally, the percentage of films with leads/co-leads of color increased, but still lags behind the national percentage of underrepresented people. The study's authors emphasized the need for more diverse representation and urged studios to hire more women behind the camera, as there is a correlation between the identity of the director and the identity of the lead actor.
"Denzel Washington and Spike Lee to Reunite for Kurosawa Remake"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are set to collaborate for the fifth time on a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime drama "High and Low," based on the novel "King's Ransom" by Ed McBain. The original film, which inspired Steven Soderbergh's 2023 miniseries "Full Circle," starred Toshiro Mifune and centered around a wealthy man's downfall after paying a ransom. The remake will be released theatrically by A24 before heading to Apple TV+, with the script penned by Alan Fox.
"Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' Success Signals Shift to Post-Franchise, Post-IP Era in Cinema"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety
Christopher Nolan reflects on the box office success of "Oppenheimer," emphasizing the film's unprecedented earnings as a three-hour, R-rated historical drama. He sees this success as indicative of a shift towards a post-franchise, post-IP landscape in movies, highlighting the audience's appetite for original and innovative content. While acknowledging the importance of franchise films, Nolan stresses the power of surprising and new experiences for audiences, emphasizing the need for a balance between established titles and fresh, original films in Hollywood.
"Sundance Reunion: Marvel Directors, Pedro Pascal, and Angus Cloud Shine in Indie Films"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, known for their work on Marvel's Captain Marvel, are returning to their indie roots with the film "Freaky Tales," which will premiere at Sundance. The film, backed independently by Macro and eOne, is an anthology set in 1987 Oakland, combining sci-fi, Blaxploitation, and action-adventure elements. Despite their studio experience, the duo embraced creative freedom within budgetary constraints and leaned on skills gained from their studio tenure. "Freaky Tales" is generating buzz as a top sales title at the festival, with a premiere set for the Eccles Theater.
The Box Office Battle: Wonka vs. Marvel
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The A.V. Club
The box office success of "Wonka" compared to "The Marvels" can be attributed to several factors. While "The Marvels" technically made more money in its opening weekend, its higher budget and a significant drop in ticket sales during its second week affected its overall earning potential. Additionally, "The Marvels" faced criticism that seemed to unfairly target its Black, female director, Nia DaCosta. On the other hand, "Wonka" benefited from being a family-friendly nostalgia bomb and managed to perform well despite the decline in popularity of movie musicals. These contrasting outcomes highlight the importance of handling intellectual property in a fresh and creative manner to resonate with audiences.
2023's Biggest Box Office Flops and Worst Films: A Comprehensive Ranking
Originally Published 2 years ago — by SlashFilm
The article highlights the ten biggest box office flops and disappointments of 2023. Despite the overall recovery of the box office after the pandemic, several films failed to connect with audiences. Some notable flops include "Renfield," "The Creator," "Hypnotic," "Haunted Mansion," "Wish," "Freelance," "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," and "The Marvels." These films suffered from various issues such as poor marketing, bad timing, high budgets, and lack of audience interest. The article emphasizes the need for Hollywood to learn from these failures and make better decisions in the future.
Hollywood's Unexpected Shift: From Overdogs to Underdogs in 2023
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Ringer
The success of non-sequel, non-superhero films like Barbie and Oppenheimer, directed by acclaimed filmmakers with creative freedom, marked a shift in Hollywood. These films achieved box office success and resonated with audiences, while big-ticket superhero films like Black Adam and Thor: Love and Thunder received lukewarm responses. The triumph of these films, along with the varying degrees of success of other star filmmakers like David Fincher, Ridley Scott, and Martin Scorsese, highlights a growing demand for original and cerebral storytelling in a landscape dominated by franchises and IP adaptations. However, while these successes may indicate a desire for diverse films, the industry still heavily relies on box office profits, and the true value of these films lies in their artistic merit.
Top Films of 2023: Critics' Rankings, Streaming Availability
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Hollywood Reporter
Despite the success of a few blockbuster films, the film industry faced numerous challenges in 2023. Strikes by the writers and actors guilds disrupted production, leading to delays in major releases. Theatrical grosses remained inconsistent, with superhero blockbusters like The Marvels and The Flash underperforming. However, the year showcased the talent of women filmmakers, with notable debuts and strong performances from female leads. The documentary field also delivered impactful films, including works by Wim Wenders and Roger Ross Williams. Overall, 2023 was a year of mixed results for Hollywood, with uncertainty surrounding box office success.