Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - (Page 30) NEWS www.homemediamagazine.com AFM Kicks Off Amid Election Results market” for those looking to acquire the opening session. He compared “in no way a prediction.” Although many distributors home video product, but that “the Obama’s run to that of many independent films — small films that looked to sell titles rather than buy menu is far more limited than in few know, but that have potential for them at the show, a few deals had previous years.” Also, on Nov. 6 Koch Vision and the great success — and called AFM the been completed as of press time: “ground zero” for independent art, TLA Releasing acquired nontheat- Academy of Television Arts & Sciencrical, theatrical, home video, tele- es Foundation launched a new partthought and film. IFTA also talked up its own elec- vision and VOD rights for North nership at the show titled The Archive tion: In September the group an- America and the Caribbean region of American Television Presents, to nounced its new board of directors, for Finding Me, about a young, gay put historically important television with four new members on its exec- black man’s journey to self-discov- on DVD, beginning with the Studio utive committee as well as five more ery, for release in spring 2009; One Anthology, featuring episodes new members to the general board. while Wolfe Video acquired the from CBS’s “Westinghouse Presents Jonathan Wolf, EVP of IFTA and rights to gay-themed films Whirl- Studio One” series, releasing Nov. 11. managing director of AFM, called wind (DVD due Jan. 27, 2009) and Home Media Magazine publisher and the new board “visionary,” “gutsy,” Mulligans (DVD due spring 2009). editorial director Thomas K. Arnold Peace Arch Entertainment also had moderated the launch event Nov. 6, “fascinating” and “cross-cultural.” IFTA heads were upbeat about some acquisitions to announce: featuring actors Jack Klugman, Gloria AFM and its financial prospects Fling (aka Lie to Me), a romantic Strook and Barbara Rush, at the Leonwhile acknowledging the country’s comedy/drama starring and execu- ard H. Goldenson Theatre in North current financial woes. Wolf said tive produced by Superman Returns’ Hollywood, Calif. But overall, things were pretty quithat during poor economic times, Brandon Routh, due on DVD in “some say that movie ticket sales March 2009; and Fight Night (aka et on the first days of AFM, and with do go up,” but admitted that the Rigged), a “girl fight” actioner due 409 production and distribution companies from 36 countries, and $800 million in deals estimated to on DVD in April 2009. MTI Home Video president Larry more than 500 screenings schedThe CEO cited the recent Tinker be made at AFM was based on polls Continued from page 1 5% decline in studio revenue to $1.45 Bell direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray launch, from last year’s show and that it was Brahms said it was still a “buyer’s uled, deal-making had just begun. which he said sold 2 million units billion, from $1.53 billion last year. In addition, DVD releases of Pi- in its first seven days of release, rates of the Caribbean: At World’s End as proof of Disney’s relative recesA Weekly Product Update* and Ratatouille did not fare as well sion-proof home video content. Iger said Disney will continue to compared to last year’s DVD refocus on its proprietary brands leases Pirates of the Caribin DVD (including releasing bean: Dead Man’s Chest fewer titles), which he said and Cars. provided greater insulaSpeaking to analysts in tion against outside ecoa financial call, Iger said nomic pressures, comthe studios’ slate of propared to other studios’ prietary DVDs appeared content. relatively immune Death Race Mirrors Babylon A.D. “While there might to economic Ratatouille be [downward] presand industry STREET BOX OFFICE sure in general, we downturns. TITLE DATE PREBOOK (MILLIONS) GENRE PRICE like our position in “We have had Death Race 12/23 Now $36.1 Action DVD $29.98, BD $39.98 the [home entertainment] a good year for DVD on a per-title perspective,” Iger said. business,” he said. Universal. 2008. Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, Joan Allen. An innocent convict is forced to participate in a deathly car race to Overall, net income fell 13% to $760 “We have not seen softness in our win his freedom from prison. DVDs. It is a title-driven business, million, from $877 million, despite a Mirrors 1/13/09 12/17 $30.7 Horror DVD $29.98, BD $39.99 and ours are strong and have brand 5.6% rise in revenue to $9.4 billion, from $8.9 billion last year. value.” Fox. 2008. Kiefer Sutherland, Amy Smart, Paula Patton. An ex-cop takes a night-watchman job at an old luxury department store, where he is By Billy Gil he American Film Market (AFM) began Nov. 5 with the acknowledgment that the previous day’s election was weighing heavily on the minds of all in attendance. “Obviously today is a historic day,” said Jean Prewitt, president and CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), during the market’s opening session. IFTA, a nonprofit service and advocacy group for the independent film and television industry, puts on AFM, which takes place through Nov. 12 in Santa Monica, Calif. Prewitt spoke of the changes her group hopes to affect, of its many visits to Washington, D.C., in hopes of improving things for independent filmmakers, and that U.S. president- T elect Barack Obama’s win over John McCain was encouraging because Obama has spoken about encouraging diversity in media, among other issues the group advocates. “Those of us in the film industry know that it creates jobs,” Prewitt added. Indeed, much of the opening session had to do with the election results. Some distributors housed at the Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, both spaces sold to capacity, had CNN on in the background and discussed election results with visitors in the suites. “It was not long ago that he was a guy with a funny name that nobody knew,” said Lloyd Kaufman, chairman of IFTA, of Obama during Disney Down, But Optimistic JUST ANNOUNCED terrorized by horrific visions in the store’s mirrors. Includes a making-of featurette, deleted scenes and more. Fox Cautious About DVD Continued from page 1 DVD releases Jumper and What Happens in Vegas against fiscal-year 2008 theatrical releases The Simpsons Movie and Live Free or Die Hard, for the downturn. Speaking to analysts in a conference call, Chernin said that in the past three or four weeks he’d seen “quite a bit of softening” in DVD sales, most notably those from other studios. “We track pretty closely everybody else’s titles,” Chernin said. “Some of the titles (which he characterized as non-major) that have come out … have in our opinion underperformed what we expected of them.” He said Fox had not released a major title Babylon A.D. 1/6/09 12/10 $22.5 Sci-Fi DVD $29.98, BD $39.99 on DVD in “five or six weeks,” and thus the downturn “hasn’t really impacted us, yet.” Chernin said he remained confident in the studios’ retail relationships and category management at Wal-Mart as well as other big box retailers. “We have confidence we can outperform the market, but there are cautionary signs coming out of the DVD market,” he said. Overall, News Corp. reported a 9% decline in consolidated operating income to $953 million, from more than $1 billion last year. News Corp. net income fell 30% to $515 million (from $732 million) despite a 7% increase in revenue to $7.5 billion, from $7 billion last year. Fox. 2008. Vin Diesel, Mélanie Thierry, Michelle Yeoh, Gerard Depardieau. In a post-apocalyptic world, a mercenary is hired to smuggle a mysterious young woman from Eastern Europe to New York City. Also available as a special edition with digital copy at $34.98. The Wackness 1/6/09 12/4 $2.1 Comedy DVD $28.96, BD $39.95 Sony Pictures. 2008. Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby, Famke Janssen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Method Man. A recent high-school graduate dealing pot on the streets of New York City strikes an unusual agreement with a psychiatrist. Henry Poole Is Here 1/20/09 12/18 $1.8 Comedy DVD $29.98, BD $39.98 DATE CHANGE. Anchor Bay. 2008. Luke Wilson, Adriana Barraza, Radha Mitchell, George Lopez, Cheryl Hines. A man seeking desperate isolation instead finds himself in a neighborhood that provides hopeful company. Includes a making-of featurette, commentary and more. Hulk Vs. … 1/27/09 12/30 DTV Animated DVD $19.98, BD $29.99 Lionsgate. 2008. This newest edition to the Marvel Animated Features brings together fan-favorite heroes in two epic battles: “Hulk vs. Wolverine” and “Hulk vs. Thor.” Also available in a special edition at $24.98. All discs include audio commentaries and two featurettes. * In order of box office, then prebook date Home Media Magazine November 9–15, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 Contents News High-Def News Electronic Delivery News TV DVD Cine Mercado Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - News (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - News (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - High-Def News (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Electronic Delivery News (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - TV DVD (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 21) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Reviews (Page 22) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Reviews (Page 23) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Reviews (Page 24) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Reviews (Page 25) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 26) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Pipeline (Page 27) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 28) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 29) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 30) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 31) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 32) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - November 9-November 15, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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