TheTVObserver presents a brand new series, “TheMovieReport” which will bring you weekly reports on movies making their theatrical release.
When HDNET (a premium pay-tv channel) broke the rules with some movies, by showing them on their pay-tv HD platform whilst such movies were still on theatrical release. It raised some eye brows and concerns from industry players.
Could this be a shift in how studios will release certain movies? Showtime, HBO and Starz spend multi-million dollars each year, to secure exclusive broadcast rights for movie windows following their theatrical release. Mnet, StarTV, Sky, CanalPlus are some of the pay-tv platforms worldwide who also spend millions each year to secure exclusive movie rights for their territories. TheTVObserver will be observing this emerging trend or concern, very closely as it affects pay-tv worldwide. We will keep all our readers informed.
Professional opinion suggests that the worst that could happen is for studios to shorten the period from Cinema, PayPerView, DVD Rental, OnDemand, and Pay-TV. That is also not going to happen over night, but we will be observing.
In its premiere,
TheTVObserver's MovieReport presents the following movies opening this weekend (13th March 2009). Please note:
Markets outside of the US and Canada should check local listings for worldwide vs country specific premierers.Movie #1: Race to Witch Mountain
About The Movie: Walt Disney Pictures resurrects one of their time-honored franchises with Race to Witch Mountain, a family film that tells the story of two children (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) with psychic abilities whose search for their origins gets them caught up in an adventure with a cab driver (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and a UFO specialist (Carla Gugino). The original 1975 picture Escape to Witch Mountain was followed by the sequel Return From Witch Mountain, as well as
a 1995 made-for-TV remake.
Movie #2: Brothers at War
About The Movie: 'Brothers at War' is an intimate portrait of an American family during a turbulent time. Jake Rademacher sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice, and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. The film follows Jake's exploits as he risks everything--including his life--to tell his brothers' story. Often humorous, but sometimes downright lethal, 'Brothers at War' is a remarkable journey where Jake embeds with four combat units in Iraq. Unprecedented access to U.S. and Iraqi combat units take him behind the camouflage curtain with secret reconnaissance troops on the Syrian border, into sniper "Hide Sites" in the Sunni Triangle, through raging machine gun battles with the Iraqi Army. Ultimately, the film follows his brothers home where separations and life-threatening work ripple through their parents, siblings, wives and children. 'Brothers at War' provides a rare look at the bonds and service of our soldiers on the frontlines and the profound effects their service has on the loved ones they leave behind.
Movie #3: The Edge of Love
About The Movie: Loosely on the life of the charismatic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and his love affairs with two women, 'Edge of Love' is a beautifully drawn story that explores the bohemian underworld of war-torn London and the complex lives of two couples whose relationships become dangerously intertwined. Starring:Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Matthew Rhys, Cillian Murphy
Movie #4: The Last House on the Left
About The Movie: Masters of horror Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham revisit their landmark film that launched Craven's directing career and influenced decades of horror films to follow: 'The Last House on the Left.' Bringing one of the most notorious thrillers of all time to a new generation, they produce the story that explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the sociopaths who harmed their child.
The night she arrives at the remote Collingwood lakehouse, Mari (Sara Paxton) and her friend are kidnapped by a prison escapee and his crew. Terrified and left for dead, Mari's only hope is to make it back to parents John and Emma (Tony Goldwyn and Monica Potter). Unfortunately, her attackers unknowingly seek shelter at the one place she could be safe. And when her family learns the horrifying story, they will make three strangers curse the day they came to 'The Last House on the Left.'Starring:Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome.
Movie #5: Miss March
'Miss March' tells the story of a young man (Cregger) who awakens from a four-year coma to hear that his once virginal high-school sweetheart (Alessi) has since become a naked centerfold in a men's magazine. He and his sex-crazed best friend (Moore) decide to take a cross-country road trip in order to crash a party at the magazine's legendary headquarters and win back the girl. Starring: Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Raquel Alessi, Molly Stanton, Craig Robinson.
Movie #6: Sunshine Cleaning
A single mom and her slacker sister find an unexpected way to turn their lives around in the off-beat dramatic comedy 'Sunshine Cleaning.' Directed by Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia), this uplifting film about an average family that finds the path to its dreams in an unlikely setting screened in competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Once the high school cheerleading captain who dated the quarterback, Rose Lorkowski (Academy Award nominee Amy Adams) now finds herself a thirty something single mother working as a maid. Her sister Norah, (Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt), is still living at home with their dad Joe (Academy Award winner Alan Arkin), a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get rich quick schemes.
Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and otherÂ…specialized situations. As they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find a true respect for one another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. By building their own improbable business, Rose and Norah open the door to the joys and challenges of being there for one another--no matter what--while creating a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family Starring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevack, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub.
TheTVObserver’s MovieReport is a brand new series.
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