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Lionsgate and Tribeca are launching a video-streaming service
There's no doubt that video on demand is about to go through its own gold rush era. From giant TV networks like CBS to wireless providers such as Rogers, it looks as if everyone wants to join the fun before it's too late. Taking note of this, film studio Lionsgate and Tribeca Enterprises, the media company behind the Tribeca Film Festival, announced today they are teaming up on a new, subscription-based video-streaming platform. The service will be known as Tribeca Short List and is slated to launch sometime during the first half of 2015. You can expect a "prestigious selection" of movie content from Lionsgate, which will be curated by Tribeca with help from "leading voices in contemporary culture."
'Twilight' mini-movies are coming to Facebook
The problem with owning the rights to Twilight is that the story eventually ends, meaning that there's no more massively profitable movies with glitter guy, mumbling girl and the shirtless one with all the teeth. It's a problem that Lionsgate knows all too well, which is why it's hoping to prolong the saga by producing a series of five short movies based on a "broad spectrum of characters" from the Twilight universe. Unlike other digital video properties that have chosen Netflix or Amazon Instant Video for distribution, Lionsgate is going with a website that better caters to the shrieking tween market: Facebook.
Hollywood production company Lionsgate grows gaming arm
Though best known for the films it produces and distributes - including hits like The Hunger Games - Lionsgate has decided to take a swing at the world of interactive entertainment via a newly-announced gaming division. According to Games Industry, Lionsgate has tapped Peter Levin to lead the company's new wing. Levin is best known as co-founder and former CEO of Nerdist Industries, a growing online presence created by former MTV fixture Chris Hardwick that caters to a wide range of geeky proclivities. At Lionsgate, Levin will be in charge of investing in new intellectual property, growing existing properties and leveraging the company's not insignificant supply of popular franchises to create games. "Peter is a perfect fit for our entrepreneurial culture, and he is ideally qualified to lead the continued growth of our content business into the video game space and other interactive digital ventures," said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer in a statement following the announcement. [Image: Lionsgate]
The Hunger Games sprints for its life in endless runner on iOS, Android
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire came out yesterday, but before you run off to your local theaters to learn the fate of Katniss, Peeta and the gang, you can start running (and never stop) with an official tie-in app on Android and iOS. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Panem Run by Reliance Games lets you play as characters from the Hunger Games trilogy as you sprint across Panem, inspiring the various Districts. The Hunger Games is a series ripe for endless runners, it seems - before the first film was released in March 2012, Canabalt creator Adam Saltsman created The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire, a 2D endless runner with art from Super Crate Box's Paul Veer and music by Super Meat Boy's Daniel Baranowsky. It was much cuter than the film or book which, if you haven't seen or read yet, you should probably do. They're kind of a thing.
CBS acquires all of TV Guide Digital
TV Guide Digital has fared well between its web portal and mobile apps, but part-owner CBS thinks there's a lot of potential locked away. Enough so, in fact, that CBS is taking over TV Guide Digital by acquiring Lionsgate's remaining 50 percent stake in the venture. The media giant now has full control of both TVGuide.com and the TV Guide Mobile apps, both of which are folding into CBS Interactive's Technology, Games and Lifestyle division. CBS mostly hopes that the deal will make it a font of wisdom for channel surfers -- it sees TV Guide Digital's rapidly growing audience and programming knowledge as complements to TV.com. We don't yet know how the acquisition will affect the TV Guide properties themselves, but we'd expect more than just the status quo.
Lionsgate teams up with Samsung to convert more films to 3D, starts with Gamer, Crank and Bangkok Dangerous
Got a 3D TV? You've probably noticed that not all depth perception is equal. It's true, not all films have the privilege of being shot in 3D -- many are converted in post production, and more still make the switch years after their initial release. Lionsgate and Samsung are planning to expand the latter category. Using Sammy's proprietary 3D processing technology, the two firms will dimensionalize a handful of films from Lionsgate's catalog, starting with Gamer, Bangkok Dangerous, Crank, and The Descent. More title are on the way too, slated for future release on DVD and Blu-ray. Groundbreaking? No, but worthwhile for 3D connoisseurs. After all, 3D conversion served Star Wars, I, Robot and Disney well enough, didn't it?
The Expendables 2 Blu-ray ships November 20th and is the first one with 11.1 channel DTS Neo:X audio
Just when we were getting used to 7.1 channel surround sound audio tracks on our movies, our friends at High Def Disc News have pointed out Lionsgate's announcement of The Expendables 2 on Blu-ray that cranks the audio up to 11 -- 11.1 to be exact. The extra channels come courtesy of the new DTS Neo:X codec which includes support for speakers in the front mounted both high and wide to create more of a 3D audio effect that can simulate planes flying overhead or a car driving past. While those who have upgraded their receivers and added extra speakers will mostly experience the effect thanks to upmixing, it does allow for an 11.1 audio track with the extra channel info matrixed into a standard 7.1 audio track. Of course, with a supercharged action flick like TE2 there should be plenty of explosions to give any audio system a workout, and now we have one more reason to check it out when it's released November 20th (just beating the also Neo:X ready Step Up Revolution to the punch.) Beyond the audio there's also several making-of featurettes if you need more Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme in your life, plus UltraViolet and regular Digital Copy; all of which is currently available for pre-order on Amazon for $27.99. Check out a press release with all the specs plus a theatrical trailer for the movie and a video explaining DTS Neo:X audio after the break.
Tarantino XX Blu-ray set brings 20 years of Quentin, eight movies and ten discs home November 20th
If you dig Quentin Tarantino flicks, an eight movie, 10-disc Blu-ray boxed set is on the way that will probably pique your interest. Lionsgate and Miramax are collaborating on the Tarantino XX set, which captures 20 years of the filmmaker's career and includes Reservoir Dogs, True Romance, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Death Proof and Inglourious Basterds. Additionally, there's special collectible packaging and artwork (shown after the break, along with the press release and full list of specs) and the two extra discs are filled with five hours of all new bonus interviews, retrospectives and the like. It seems unlikely to answer the mystery of what was in Marcellus Wallace's briefcase, but it will be available November 20th with an MSRP of $119.99, although Amazon is currently listing it at $83.97.
Amazon joins up with Epix, adds thousands of flicks to Prime Instant Video roster
Truth be told, Amazon's Prime Instant Video selection isn't the most comprehensive library on the net, but it's well on its way, thanks to a new licensing agreement with the Epix. The entertainment network, which partners with studios that include Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount, brings access to recent blockbusters like The Avengers, The Hunger Games and Thor, along with evergreen gems like Justin Bieber Never Say Never. Most importantly, it means Netflix is no longer the only subscription streaming home for those titles after its two year exclusive deal ran out. Amazon's streaming service, which includes thousands of movies and television shows, enables customers subscribing to Prime for $79 per year to stream content without additional monthly fees, in addition to benefits that include discounted shipping and a Kindle book loan program. The terms of the deal have not been announced, but the press release (available in full after the break) lists the partnership as a "multi-year licensing agreement," benefiting customers in the US.
That siren means it's the first Silent Hill: Revelation 3D trailer
When the above debut trailer for the movie sequel, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, hit the office, the Joystiq crew was derailed from any practical work for a good half hour while we discussed everything from the Australianness of the actress playing Heather Mason, to the canonical validity of Pyramid Head outside of James Sunderland's story.After multiple viewings, our general consensus is one of cautious optimism; while the creative liberties taken with the first film appear to carry over, man does that Otherworld look exactly right. The overall costume design appears to be spot on as well, though we're not so sure about the trailer's mannequin implementation. We suppose all will be revealed when Silent Hill: Revelation 3D hits theaters on October 26.
Reuters: Apple in talks to stream films owned by Epix, no deal expected before September
It's reasonably well known at this point that Apple is looking to line up partnerships for some sort of a streaming video service. We've heard again and again that it's coming, so get ready to hum along with that 'ol tune one more time. Reuters is reporting that Apple has been in negotiations with Epix since earlier this year, hoping to secure access to films from Lions Gate, MGM and Paramount Pictures. There's no indication of when such a service might come to light, but Reuters indicates the company's current deal with Netflix, which expires on September 1st, could be a conflict (though that hasn't stopped Google TV in the past). So, no proper Apple-branded TV until the fall? Stay tuned...
PSA: Hunger Games: Girl on Fire out today
The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire, the iOS adaptation of Suzanne Collins' breakout young-adult sensation, is now available for free on the App Store. As you'll recall, Girl on Fire was developed by a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young-esque indie-games supergroup captained by Adam Saltsman of Canabalt fame, featuring artwork by Super Crate Box's Paul Veer and music by Super Meat Boy composer Daniel Baranowsky.The above trailer was actually created before the game was in a playable state, using a combination of the game's art assets, Adobe After Effects and a powerful amount of ingenuity. Hopefully Lionsgate's film version of The Hunger Games, which hits theaters tomorrow, will have as much effort put into it.
Adam Saltsman on making a game out of The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire is what film company Lionsgate calls a "teaser game" for the upcoming movie, based on the popular books. iOS indie superstar Adam Saltsman (Canabalt, Capsule) is leading a team of other indie superstars for the App Store release, including Mark Johns and Kevin Coulton (aka DOOMLASER), Paul Veer, and composer Danny Baranowsky.It's a different world now, one in which the official tie-in video game for a major motion picture is a game for phones, designed by a tiny team of people best known for games they made without publishers. It's a game with a deliberate retro aesthetic, as you can see in the new "pixel poster" for the upcoming game (visible in full after the break). Author Suzanne Collins even chimed in with suggestions. How on earth did this all happen?The rise of iOS gaming is a separate, and larger topic, but pinpointing the design of this particular one was much simpler. "From the get-go my inspiration and motivation for this, aesthetically, has been to just pretend I am making a movie tie-in game for the Super Nintendo, only actually fun to play," Saltsman told Joystiq, explaining the look.
Indie dream team building The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire for iOS
Adam Saltsman, the mastermind behind Canabalt, Gravity Hook and Capsule, has rallied an indie dream team to make an original iOS title based on The Hunger Games movie. The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire is Saltsman's brainchild, backed by production company Lionsgate, and in collaboration with designers/programmers Mark Johns (Tap Tap Dance) and Kevin Coulton (Hot Throttle), lead artist and animator Paul Veer (Super Crate Box), and composer Daniel Baranowsky (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt).Saltsman says he was skeptical about taking on the adaptation, as most companies who approach him want to re-skin Canabalt and call it a day. Not Lionsgate though. "I pitched them on an original touch-based action game instead," Saltsman said. "It does feature a running character, but the focus of the game is more on marksmanship and strategy... but we'll have more to say and show about that later! It's a small idea, but a tight one too."The Hunger Games: Girl on Fire will launch for iOS devices "timed to the theatrical release," which is March 23.
Netflix close to signing deals with Sony, Disney, Paramount and ITV, to debut in the UK soon? (update: pricing pegged at £5.99/month, website live)
Those with a PS3 in the United Kingdom might have gotten a sneak peek at a placeholder, but according to The Guardian, apparently its proper "early 2012" launch isn't far off. Purportedly the video streaming service is close to signing rights to content from Sony, Disney and Paramount, which'll join existing agreements with Lionsgate, Miramax and MGM. But it isn't just studios, as Channel 4 and ITV are supposedly close to joining the UK bash as-well. If everything goes to plan, most of the British Isles will be treated to an ad campaign that'll reveal all next week. Game on, Lovefilm. Update: Well, it looks like we don't have to wait until next week for all of those details after all. Some Google ads have now started appearing in searches for Netflix that peg the price at £5.99 per month (or about $9), and also confirm that the service is headed to the Wii and Xbox 360 in addition to the PS3. Unfortunately, that netflix.com/UK page isn't functional just yet. Update 2: Looks like the UK website is live for many, confirming the Google ad pricing. Check it out after the break. [Thanks, Chris, James]
Netflix signs up Lionsgate UK films for its British debut
Now that Netflix has made its plans to launch in the British Isles official, it's gotten busy signing content deals and the latest affiliation is with Lionsgate's UK arm. The deal makes Netflix the "exclusive subscription streaming service" in the UK and Ireland for the studios first-run movies, with upcoming titles like The Expendables 2, and the Dirty Dancing remake already on deck. The agreement also extends to catalog hits like Reservoir Dogs, 3:10 to Yuma and The Blair Witch Project, which should be available when the service launches early next year. Check the press release after the break for all the details, although there's still plenty of time to decide whether or not its worth your pounds, pence, or bank notes.
Dead Island film optioned by Lionsgate, based on the trailer
Though reports from February of a planned film adaptation of Techland's then yet-to-be-released zombie title Dead Island were struck down by the studio, legitimate plans for the movie were revealed earlier today. Lionsgate announced in a press release that it's currently in the early development stage of a Dead Island feature, with producers Sean Daniel (Tombstone, Dazed and Confused) and Stefan Sonnenfeld attached. The press release mentions the game's first, Cannes-winning trailer will serve as the film's "primary creative inspiration," adding that the movie will adopt the commercial's "focus on human emotion, family ties and non-linear storytelling." Also, it's a horror movie from Lionsgate, so we're betting you'll get to see the insides of hastily removed human body parts.
Netflix adds Mad Men in the US today, CBS content in Canada and Latin America later
We're not sure how Don Draper would have sold a 60 percent price increase on your most popular service package but maybe Netflix executives can make a guess after they start watching the first four seasons of Mad Men today on Watch Instantly. Netflix's Lionsgate deal will keep reruns flowing for years to come, while a new agreement with CBS International is bringing its programming -- including Showtime shows like Dexter that were recently yanked from the US Netflix service -- to viewers in Canada (who already had Mad Men) and Latin America (where it locked up a cache of telenovelas yesterday). This CBS agreement is separate from their (also non-exclusive) US deal that brought Star Trek back, but international viewers will still get to both TOS and TNG, as well as shows like Twin Peaks and 90210. Check the press release after the break for more details on the international deal, the source link for a time warp back to 1960s NYC or hit the comments below to explain how canceling your $7.99 per month service is a stand against greedy corporations.
Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown Blu-ray discs get release dates (again)
Yes, we've been here before, but with Miramax back on its feet and under a new distribution deal with Lionsgate we're pretty sure these new October 4 release dates for Quentin Tarantino classics Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown on Blu-ray will stick. Reportedly, Jackie Brown will be a Walmart exclusive but other than that no details are known just yet. We'll keep our eyes out for official information, but for now you can check out the trailers again after the break.
YouTube seals deals with major studios to compete with iTunes
Google-owned YouTube plans to expand the premium on-demand video rental services offered through its website. Earlier this week, Google and YouTube reportedly closed deals with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Brothers, Universal and Lionsgate to offer filmed content from these studios as streaming rentals -- including access to new releases the same day as competing movie-on-demand services. YouTube's new service is expected to compete with market leaders in the online video rental market: Apple and Amazon. In an effort to generate revenue with professionally produced content, YouTube began offering premium video rentals on its website about a year ago, starting with a limited number of films from the Sundance Film Festival, Weinstein Co. and MGM. But the Google subsidiary has struggled to transform its 130 million monthly users into a sizable audience for its paid and ad-supported feature films. This week's licensing agreements that expand YouTube's library of rental titles may help more customers see value in paying the website for access to Hollywood films and make it a more competitive rival to Apple's iTunes and Amazon's Instant Video services. Google isn't the only big brand making big moves in the streaming video business. According to The Hollywood Reporter, both DirecTV and Dish Network are exploring subscription streaming service businesses to challenge Netflix and iTunes. Meanwhile, cable television provider Comcast is trying to negotiate deals to offer premium video-on-demand options that would allow cable subscribers to enjoy new movies only 6–8 weeks after their theatrical release dates.
