Showbiz Sandbox 565: Are COVID Rules Unfairly Targeting Movie Theaters?
December 13, 2021
As COVID cases rise in various parts of the world, local governments are quick to restrict movie theater attendance, while at the same time allowing restaurants and pubs to operate normally. Patrick von Sychowski, editor of Celluloid Junkie, explains why these rules unfairly target movie theaters and discusses a new study that highlights which moviegoers are reluctant to return to cinemas. Plus, we’ll shine a light on LED movie screens and whether they’re the future everywhere…or just in China.
Meanwhile, the Golden Globes announced this year’s list of nominees, but since the ceremony will not be televised it remains to be seen whether they will still influence the ongoing awards season.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how the United Kingdom will get its own version of “Saturday Night Live,” Adele helps revive the sale of compact discs and all the big winners at this year’s video game awards show.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Showbiz Sandbox 564: Film Critics Start Selecting the Best Movies of 2021
December 7, 2021
It’s that time of year when Film Critics Start Selecting the Best Movies of 2021 for newspapers, magazines and websites begin naming their favorite movie releases. The National Board of Review named its favorite film of the 2021, then proceeded to name 32 more in various categories. The New York Film Critics were tougher however, naming five top films in categories like nonfiction, debut film, animated feature and foreign language. We discuss where any awards season favorites are beginning to stand out.
Thankfully, movie theatres around the world are mostly open, allowing audiences to catch up with some of the critics top picks. However, a new COVID variant named after what would appear to be a character out of a Transformers movie, is temporarily shuttering cinemas in various parts of the world such as China and Russia.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why CNN fired the host of its highest rated news program, the Grammys clarify who can be nominated as a songwriter and the reason Middle Eastern countries won’t show Steven Spielberg’s take on “West Side Story.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Showbiz Sandbox 554: China’s Love Affair With Hollywood May Be Over
September 7, 2021
For years analysts have breathlessly insisted China would become the largest movie market in the very near future. Well, last year after North American movie theatres spent most of 2020 shuttered, China did manage to become the top earner and did so primarily with local content. However, after COVID gave it a win with an asterisk, Patrick von Sychowski, the editor of Celluloid Junkie, discusses why the Chinese box office may stumble as the industry recovers from the pandemic whereas the Indian market is primed to take off.
Despite all the hurdles of getting their movies released in China, Hollywood’s affinity for the Middle Kingdom has hardly waned. The recent record breaking opening of Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” will surely provoke even more interest in chasing the Chinese market.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including another delay for “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kanye West enjoys his tenth number one album and the pop group ABBA reunites after 40 years.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Showbiz Sandbox 513: How Can Movie Theaters Survive Without Movies?
October 6, 2020
Studios are pushing movie releases into 2021, with the latest James Bond thriller abandoning it’s scheduled November date in cinemas. Now major theater chains are shutting their doors once again. We’re joined by Patrick von Sychowski, the editor of Celluloid Junkie, to help us break down the present and predict the future of the cinema industry.
Meanwhile in China, movie theaters are not only open, they are bringing in big audiences who are off work during the country’s Golden Week. More than two films earned over $100 million at the Chinese box office this past week, proving cinemas can reboot after a coronavirus shutdown.
Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including new charges against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, some good news for junior players at United Talent Agency and some bad news for 28,000 former Disney employees.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Showbiz Sandbox 239: A Gentleman’s Guide To This Year’s Tony Winners
June 9, 2014
This year’s Tony Awards spread the love around with many of the Broadway season’s most lauded shows taking home trophies. “A Raisin in the Sun” won several awards including best revival of a play. Actor Bryan Cranston earned a Tony for his portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson “All The Way”, which also won best play. The critical darling “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” walked off with one of the night’s biggest awards, best musical.
Meanwhile Audra McDonald made history by winning her sixth Tony for acting, the most ever won by a performer. There were very few surprises during this year’s ceremony, accept for maybe host Hugh Jackman starting the telecast off by hopping (literally) through a dance routine that lasted four minutes. And even though Neil Patrick Harris didn’t host this year’s ceremony as he has for the past three years, he still managed to make his presence felt by performing a number from “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and winning the Tony for best actor in a leading role in a musical.
In the world of movies it appears the day-and-date release of movies both in theatres and online is quickly becoming the new normal, if the practice hasn’t done so already. Now, a new research report out of Europe suggests that overlapping release windows is not eroding cinema attendance.
Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including the latest movie from the Wachowski siblings gets pushed into next year, “Game of Thrones” becomes the the most watched show in HBO’s history and despite critical praise the latest Tom Cruise blockbuster is struggling at the box office.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
