March 5, 2017

Box Office Takeaways: ‘Logan’ Is R-Rated Marvel As ‘Get Out’ Also Roars

The lagging 2017 box office got a big boost as “Logan” (20th Century Fox), starring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine — the first of three anticipated March juggernauts — opened like a summer franchise blockbuster. The offshoot from the “Wolverine” subset of X-Men movies marks the first R-rating for the storied franchise.

Even better, it wasn’t the only upbeat news this post-Oscars weekend. Hitchcockian thriller “Get Out” (Universal), the Blumhouse sleeper from Jordan Peele, dropped only  22 per cent on its second weekend, which is stunning.

Lionsgate

And Lionsgate, fresh off eight wins from “La La Land” and “Hacksaw Ridge” on Oscar night, returned with the surprisingly strong faith-based “The Shack,” starring “Hidden Figures” Oscar-nominee and Saturday Night Live host Octavia Spencer.

The post-Oscar results were mixed to positive, as two of the top category winners are already available for home viewing. “Moonlight” (streaming and available on DVD/Blu-Ray) had both the widest break and best single weekend gross after almost five months in release.

(Check out my Oscar box office wrap here.)

The Top Ten

1. Logan (20th Century Fox) NEW – Cinemascore: A-; Metacritic: 77; Est. budget: $97 million

$85,300,000 in 4,071 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $20,953; Cumulative: $85,300,000

2. Get Out (Universal) Week 2 – Last weekend #1

$26,111,000 (-22%) in 2,938 theaters (+157); PTA: $8,884; Cumulative: $75,954,000

3. The Shack (Lionsgate) NEW – Cinemascore: A; Metacritic: 31; Est. budget: $5 million

$16,100,000 in 2,888 theaters; PTA: $2,888; Cumulative: $16,100,000

4. The LEGO Batman Movie (Warner Bros.) Week 4 – Last weekend #2

$11,650,000 (-39%) in 3,656 theaters (-401); PTA: $3,187; Cumulative: $148,632,000

5. Before I Fall (Open Road) NEW – Cinemascore: B; Metacritic: 58; Est. budget: $5 million

$4,949,000 in theaters; PTA: $2,109,000; Cumulative: $4,949,000

6. John Wick: Chapter 2 (Lionsgate) Week 4 – Last weekend #3

$4,725,000 (-50%) in 2,475 theaters (-479); PTA: $1,909; Cumulative: $82,866,000

7. Hidden Figures (20th Century Fox) Week 11- Last weekend #6

$3,825,000 (-34%) in 1,582 theaters (-440); PTA: $2,418; Cumulative: $158,765,000

8. The Great Wall (Universal) Week 3 – Last weekend #4

$3,507,000 (-62%) in 2,314 theaters (-1,014); PTA: $1,512; Cumulative: $41,268,000

9. Fifth Shades Darker (Universal) Week 4 – Last weekend #5

$3,485,000 (-55%) in 2,205 theaters (-1,011); PTA: $1,587; Cumulative: $109,912,000

10. La La Land (Lionsgate) Week 13 – Last weekend #8

$2,975,000 (-37%) in 1,411 theaters (-322); PTA: $1,411; Cumulative: $145,684,000

The Takeaways

This Could Be the Start of Something Big

The initial weekend Top Ten estimate comes to $163 million. That’s up 13 per cent from the first March weekend last year ($21 million). But even better, last year’s saw the release of “Zootopia,” one of the spring’s top hits.

Unlike other recent weeks with top hits, for once the aggregate also improved. That came with the help of a spectacular hold for “Get Out,” a decent opening for “The Shack” and continued interest in “The LEGO Batman Movie” (Warner Bros.). Their overlapping audiences do have differing appeal, and the weekend’s totals came from multiple cylinders connecting at the same time.

Each of the four releases can be typed — comic book, horror, faith-based, animated — but they all expand from their initial core appeal. “Logan” has film noir and western genre elements. “Get Out” has clearly tapped comedy and social issues. “The Shack” has its roots in tragedy and crime and boasts a multiracial cast including Spencer and Sam Worthington. “LEGO Batman” is animated and leans on a brand-name superhero.

And all four share something that has elevated many hits — familiar turf, original treatment. It’s a great start for a month that will include “Kong: Skull Island” and the live action “Beauty and the Beast” in the next two weeks, both potentially derivative projects that could break through with fresh takes.

So far so good.

Photo Credit: Ben Rothstein

“Logan” Pays Off

The tenth film in Marvel’s X-Men series and the third in Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine standalones is the first with an R-rating. Though Fox last year hit pay dirt with “Deadpool,” its tone was much different with Ryan Reynolds as its potty-mouth star and a sexy rom-com tone different from most Marvel entries.

The R rating, and the edgier freedom that came with it have revitalized the series a bit. Unadjusted numbers overstate the performance, impressive as it is. Putting all ten films in the series in 2017 dollars, it actually only comes in at seventh best. It did better than the second “Wolverine” film, which in 2013 opened to the equivalent of $58 million. That’s a big increase. It also is significantly better than last year’s main series entry “X-Men: Apocalypse,” which also had the advantage of a Memorial Day weekend opening.

With so many sequels, reboots and similar needing to connect in the months and years ahead, this turnaround is a crucial aspect of this unexpectedly high opening.

“Get Out” Soars

When “Get Out” last weekend grew from its initial $30 million estimate to an actual $33.5 million total, something special was happening. Its weekday numbers added another 50 per cent to the initial take, quite good for a non-summer period.

Even so, the normal drop would be about 40 per cent, better than most front-loaded genre films. So a 22 per cent drop is phenomenal. And that’s before factoring in competition and overlap from “Logan,” as well as shared appeal to African-American audiences who are part of the faith-based crowd that flocked to “The Shack.”

At $76 million so far, and with an expanded audience, this could end up reaching a $140 million or higher total before its through, on a $5 million initial budget. That’s about where the Blumhouse “Split” will end up domestically.  That’s a staggering two-film result. Add the acclaim for both films and the message is clear: good reviews don’t only help Oscar-bait movies, but mass audiences ones like “Get Out” and “Logan.”

Lionsgate Crashes the Faith-Based Genre

In recent years, Sony with such faith entries as “Heaven Is For Real,” “Miracles From Heaven” and “War Room” has cornered the market on contemporary Christian stories about middle American characters in crisis and finding answers to their prayers in faith.

Lionsgate has over the years shown the ability to create trends (they were dominant in the Young Adult field) and create unlikely original franchises (“John Wick,” “Now You See Me”). So it isn’t surprising they leaped onto Sony’s turf and scored a success.

Among similar films, “The Shack” stands as second only to “Heaven” which opened to around $23 million in 2017 figures three years ago. Like that film, this is based on a bestseller, boasts an eclectic cast. Their marketing emphasized elements that in other contexts might feel like fantasy genre.

The secret sauce — and it shows how top creative people see the virtues in these films — includes a producer, Gil Netter, who is a two-time Oscar Best Picture nominee for his work on “The Life of Pi” and “The Blind Side.” He oversaw a film with a $5 million budget, and different scale particularly from “Pi.”

The mediocre reviews didn’t appear before opening day, but the audience reaction is quite good, judging from an A Cinemascore and a healthy 11 per cent second full day uptick. Expect this to reach a four-time multiple and a total ultimate gross of $60 million or more.

Two Positive Notes for “Before I Fall”

Ry Russo-Young’s well-received Sundance Young Adult adaptation, a teenage girl variation on “Groundhog Day,” came in a bit under $5 million, not enough likely to project it into a success. Teens are a notoriously tough group to reach with marketing.

Fact is, the genre’s appeal to young women seems to be diminishing. “Before I Fall” (Open Road) managed to eke out a fifth place showing. It did however best the first weekend for better-reviewed “Edge of Seventeen” last fall. That STX film opened to $4.7 million vs. $4.9 million for “Fall.”

“Fall” also had the best Saturday pickup among the three openers, and at 16 per cent about double the second day for “Edge,” which suggests strong word of mouth.

Source: IndieWire film

March 3, 2017

Cyber Teleportation Tokyo at SXSW

Content provided by NTT

Get ready to go to Tokyo! This year at SXSW, NTT will present CYBER TELEPORTATION TOKYO, a concert featuring 2017 Grammy Award nominated Japanese DJ starRo performing live in Austin. At the same time, Japanese female dance duo AyaBambi, rapper Ryohu (KANDYTOWN), singer Taichi Mukai, and Cheeky Parade will perform simultaneously in Tokyo, and NTT’s technology will bring Tokyo to Texas for an unforgettable experience.

This remote J-Pop concert will take place on March 13 at Japan Factory.

Upon passing through the door, attendees will be magically transported to a city nine time zones and 6,560 miles away! Attendees will experience the most potent form of digital entertainment in the world using powerful live-streaming and cutting-edge and audio-visual technologies.

This live experience is made possible by NTT’s Immersive Telepresence Technology Kirari! alongside a high-speed communications networking technology.

Pairing the Kirari! real-time image capture capability with low-latency synchronized multimedia transmission, NTT will provide lightning-fast image capture from the Tokyo video feed to project the distant artists on transparent double-sided screens in a three-dimensional spatial layout. This will transform the Japan Factory into a venue that will tear through the limits of space and time.

The network infrastructure used for this showcase was established using NTT’s network testbed GEMnet2, in cooperation with Internet2 (a consortium of US universities providing an advanced networking environment), LEARN (Lonestar Education and Research Network) and the University of Texas System and Greater Austin Area Telecommunication Network.

CYBER TELEPORTATION TOKYO
Monday, March 13
10:30pm – 11:30pm
Trinity Warehouse
99 Trinity St.

Photo courtesy of NTT

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Source: SxSW Film

March 3, 2017

That’s a Hot Mic: Shure Microphones at SXSW

Content provided by Shure

From the big acts on the festival stage to your local dive bar around the corner, chances are you’ve seen and heard Shure products in use. Shure mics are everywhere, and when you close your eyes and think of a mic, you’re probably picturing a Shure model—the company invented the “Elvis mic” and its SM58 is the industry standard performing microphone.

Artists will be stopping by the Shure booth (#327) at the Trade Show for impromptu concerts, and the stage will be open to anyone else willing to step up to the mic! While you’re there, try out some Shure products, including the MOTIV line of digital mics for content creators. See how models like the MV88 can help you better capture every aspect of your SXSW experience.

There are many chances to claim Shure gear throughout the show, so keep an eye out for the Shure street team in “Hot mics” T-shirts, or jump in one of the sponsored pedicabs and tag Shure in a selfie for a chance to win.

Shure is honored that one of the company’s latest innovations, the KSM8 Dualdyne™ Microphone, is a finalist for the SXSW Interactive Innovation Award in Music & Audio Innovation. Stop by table 17 at the Finalist Showcase on 3/12 to see how Shure “broke physics” to make one of the best-sounding performance microphones ever invented.

To keep track of all things Shure at SXSW, visit shure.com/sxsw.

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Image courtesy of Shure

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Source: SxSW Film

March 3, 2017

Exploring Themes In the SXSW Film Lineup: Ripped From the Headlines

Justice and revenge are common narrative themes, but they are also very much entwined in our real lives. The SXSW lineup features both narrative and documentary films that came directly from the news. Explore the following titles to gain better knowledge of these catastrophic events.

The Blood Is At The Doorstep

(World Premiere) Director: Erik Ljung

After Dontre Hamilton, a black, unarmed man diagnosed with schizophrenia, was shot 14 times and killed by police in Milwaukee, his family embarks on a quest for answers, justice and reform as the investigation unfolds.

Disgraced

(World Premiere) Director: Pat Kondelis

The untold story of the summer of 2003 at Baylor University that exposes the attempted cover-up and corruption that became the most bizarre scandal in college sports history.

Most Hated Woman In America

(World Premiere) Director: Tommy O’Haver, Screenwriters: Tommy O’Haver, Irene Turner

Darkly funny, true story of the rise and untimely demise of Madeline Murray O’Hair: crank, swindler, iconoclast, and America’s most outspoken atheist. Cast: Melissa Leo, Adam Scott, Juno Temple, Vincent Kartheiser, Josh Lucas, Peter Fonda.

Stranger Fruit

(World Premiere) Director/Screenwriter: Jason Pollock

What happened on August 9th, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri? On that hot summer day, Officer Darren Wilson killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. Stranger Fruit is the unraveling of what took place that day, told through the eyes of Mike Brown’s family.

Experience 9 days, 13 screens, and 250+ Films

For nine days in March, creatives of all stripes gather for the acclaimed SXSW Film Program to celebrate raw innovation and emerging talent both behind and in front of the camera. Register today and explore the full 2017 lineup below.

Explore Full Film Lineup

The post Exploring Themes In the SXSW Film Lineup: Ripped From the Headlines appeared first on SXSW.

Source: SxSW Film

March 3, 2017

Innovation Policy Day at SXSW

Content provided by CTA

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) returns to SXSW this year to host the Innovation Policy Day on Tuesday, March 14. This day-long summit will bring together a diverse group of panelists to discuss government policies that impact the emerging and disruptive technologies improving the way we live and work.

Panel topics range from the outlook of tech under President Trump’s administration to the rise of self-driving cars. The event will take place at Old School Bar and Grill from 10:00am, until the last panel of the day starting at 3:30pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served. For more information, visit the Innovation Policy Day website.

In addition to the Innovation Policy Day, CTA executives will speak on several panels throughout SXSW. These will cover a variety of topics, including how tech companies can give back, unlocking technology for people with disabilities, defining VR, and strategies for tech advocates working with Trump.

For more information about the Consumer Technology Association’s presence at SXSW, visit their website.

Image courtesy of CTA

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Source: SxSW Film

March 3, 2017

The Rise And Fall Of Food Trends Over The Years

Like anything else, food trends and diet fads change as often as the seasons. If you’re curious about what recipes or regional cuisines are in, the best way to do it is to look at Google search analytics.

A collaboration between Google News Lab and Truth & Beauty, The Rhythm of Food explores how our interests in food have changed over the years:

“[W]e explore the hidden patterns in Google search trend data. This project sheds light on the many facets of food seasonality, as seen through the lens of search interest in the United States over the last twelve years.”

The Rhythm of Food looks at Google search data between 2004 and 2016 to determine just how trends and cuisine interests have developed and shifted. By analyzing the search patterns of ingredients and specific dishes and plotting them on a year clock, the study reveals how the seasons affect the rhythm of food.

The interactive lets users determine what food trends, ingredients, or recipes were searched for the most in a given month over the 12 year period compared to the other months. Each color represents a different year on the year clock and scrolling over each block reveals a Google Trends score and the week in which the data was pulled from. In-depth information is also provided for each search term, giving users a better understanding of the year over year trends.

The analysis shows very clear patterns of food searches based on the natural seasons, holidays, and special events. Another level of investigation compares how often certain foods are searched in a given country. With it, users can compare how often food items, such as “kale,” are searched for in Germany versus Japan.

The interface of the interactive itself is easy to navigate and provides a variety of categories and food items to choose from. The site currently includes 201 topics and displays 135,025 individual data points. All of the information gathered was obtained from Google Trends, with a focus on data from the United States, and search terms correctly determined using Google Knowledge Graph topics.

You can explore various food trends for yourself here.

Source: Visual News

March 2, 2017

The SXSW Film Pocket Guide Is LIVE

Hey SXSW Film Festival attendees,

We are one week away from SXSW 2017 and we want to ensure that you enjoy the SXSW Film Festival to the fullest. Our SXSW Film Pocket Guide is LIVE and downloadable for your viewing pleasure. Devour information about our films, parties, special events, and how to get around.

SXSW Film Pocket Guide

Experience 9 days, 13 screens, and 250+ Films

For nine days in March, creatives of all stripes gather for the acclaimed SXSW Film Program to celebrate raw innovation and emerging talent both behind and in front of the camera. Register today and explore the full 2017 lineup below.

Explore Full Film Lineup

Teaser photo by Ron Herrman

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Source: SxSW Film