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Big Theater Chains Ban Universal Films: ‘Halloween Kills,’ ‘Candyman’

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Halloween Kills and Candyman

AMC and Regal Theaters will be social distancing their customers from Universal films once the pandemic rules are over. The chains are the biggest movie houses in the country and executives aren’t too happy with Universal’s decision to release Trolls World Tour to home audiences before a traditional theatrical run. The animated film earned over $100 million since it dropped, making it the highest-grossing first-run film in digital release history.

That’s good for Universal’s revenue but bad for theater owners, and consequently movie ticket buyers. On Tuesday NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell spoke to the Wall Street Journal saying future films will be available on multiple formats, something that provoked both AMC and Regal to respond saying all future Universal releases would be banned from their screens.

If you’re keeping score that means Candyman which has already been moved from a summer to a fall release, Halloween Kills, and an untitled Purge sequel will not be shown in the country’s biggest movie houses.

Cineworld, Regal’s owner, called B.S. on Universal’s decision to traverse a formal theatrical window with Trolls, saying it made no economic sense. They added that the move was inappropriate and showed the absence of good-faith and transparency.

AMC CEO and President Adam Aron said his hand was forced and followed suit soon after Regal’s decision.

“It is disappointing to us, but Jeff’s comments as to Universal’s unilateral actions and intentions have left us with no choice,” Aron said in an open letter. “Therefore, effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theaters in the United States, Europe or the Middle East. This policy … goes into effect today and as our theaters reopen, and is not some hollow or ill-considered threat.”

Aron doubled-down and added, “any movie maker who unilaterally abandons current windowing practices absent good faith negotiations between us.” Perhaps that was a barb at Warner Bros. whose Scoob! is going straight to digital on May 15.

If Warner does indeed embrace PVOD and the chains are serious, films such as Godzilla vs. Kong, Wonder Woman 1984, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, and The Witches have uncertain places among the cineplex.

Today, in the wake of the heated flourishes among the Hollywood power teams, Jeff Shell said Universal’s commitment to releasing movies theatrically is still solid, however, they are also making PVOD a part of the equation.

“The question is when we come out of this (pandemic), what is going to be the model? I would expect that consumers will return to the theaters and we will be part of that. And I also expect that PVOD is going to be a part of that in some way. It’s not a replacement, it’s going to be a complementary element. We’re just going to have to see how long that takes and where it takes us,” Shell said.

He added: “There’s no question that theatrical will some day be a central element to our business and film business, it’s how people make their movies and how they expect their movies to be seen.”

While all this infighting is going on, the question remains, will fans opt to stay at home to watch first-run movies bypassing the theater if that option is available?

Releasing a kid’s movie during a quarantine is one thing since they seem to be the ones who have nothing to do during isolation, and it keeps them occupied while work-at-home parents are busy.

Adult themed blockbusters are a different matter especially to genre-specific fans who enjoy an immersive experience only a dark theater can provide.

The truth is, the big business shareholders can argue amongst themselves all they want, it’s the customer who will ultimately affect their bottom lines and if the person buying the tickets isn’t happy, then no one wins.

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Rob Zombie Joins McFarlane Figurine’s “Music Maniacs” Line

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Rob Zombie is joining the growing cast of horror music legends for McFarlane collectibles. The toy company, headed by Todd McFarlane, has been doing its Movie Maniacs line since 1998, and this year they have created a new series called Music Maniacs. This includes legendary musicians, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, and Trooper Eddie from Iron Maiden.

Adding to that iconic list is director Rob Zombie formerly of the band White Zombie. Yesterday, via Instagram, Zombie posted that his likeness will join the Music Maniacs line. The “Dracula” music video inspires his pose.

He wrote: “Another Zombie action figure is headed your way from @toddmcfarlane ☠️ It’s been 24 years since the first one he did of me! Crazy! ☠️ Preorder now! Coming this summer.”

This won’t be the first time Zombie has been featured with the company. Back in 2000, his likeness was the inspiration for a “Super Stage” edition where he is equipped with hydraulic claws in a diorama made of stones and human skulls.

For now, McFarlane’s Music Maniacs collection is only available for pre-order. The Zombie figure is limited to only 6,200 pieces. Pre-order yours at the McFarlane Toys website.

Specs:

  • Incredibly detailed 6” scale figure featuring ROB ZOMBIE likeness
  • Designed with up to 12 points of articulation for posing and play
  • Accessories include microphone and mic stand
  • Includes art card with numbered certificate of authenticity
  • Showcased in Music Maniacs themed window box packaging
  • Collect all McFarlane Toys Music Maniacs Metal Figures
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“In a Violent Nature” So Gory Audience Member Throws Up During Screening

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in a violent nature horror movie

Chis Nash (ABC’s of Death 2) just debuted his new horror film, In a Violent Nature, at the Chicago Critics Film Fest. Based on the audience’s reaction, those with squeamish stomachs may want to bring a barf bag to this one.

Thats right, we have another horror film that is causing audience members to walk out of the screening. According to a report from Film Updates at least one audience member threw up in the middle of the film. You can hear audio of the audience reaction to the film below.

In a Violent Nature

This is far from the first horror film to claim this kind of audience reaction. However, early reports of In a Violent Nature indicates that this film may be just that violent. The film promises to reinvent the slasher genre by telling the story from the killer’s perspective.

Here is the official synopsis for the film. When a group of teens takes a locket from a collapsed fire tower in the woods, they unwittingly resurrect the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime. The undead killer soon embarks on a bloody rampage to retrieve the stolen locket, methodically slaughtering anyone who gets in his way.

While we will have to wait and see if In a Violent Nature lives up to all of its hype, recent responses on X offer nothing but praise for the film. One user even makes the bold claim that this adaptation is like an arthouse Friday the 13th.

In a Violent Nature will receive a limited theatrical run starting May 31, 2024. The film will then be released on Shudder sometime later in the year. Make sure to check out the promo images and trailer below.

In a violent nature
In a violent nature
in a violent nature
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New Windswept Action Trailer for ‘Twisters’ Will Blow You Away

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The summer movie blockbuster game came in soft with The Fall Guy, but the new trailer for Twisters is bringing back the magic with an intense trailer full of action and suspense. Steven Spielberg’s production company, Amblin, is behind this newest disaster film just like its 1996 predecessor.

This time Daisy Edgar-Jones plays the female lead named Kate Cooper, “a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better. As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.”

Twisters cast includes Nope’s Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane (American Honey), Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Nik Dodani (Atypical) and Golden Globe winner Maura Tierney (Beautiful Boy).

Twisters is directed by Lee Isaac Chung and hits theaters on July 19.

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