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Hallmark Warms Up Holiday Originals
Cable TV networks have pretty much ceded original made-for-TV movies to richer video streamers. But cable’s Hallmark Channel is a notable exception with its annual parade of original Christmas holiday films starting this month. Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas rolls out 34 TV movies for its 17th edition (image above promotes Hallmark’s movies on its TV channels and also its video streaming subscription). Hallmark Channel has created a cottage industry around Christmas, which dovetails with its wholesome family content format…
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AI Film Aims for Distribution, Awards
A hard-action sci-fi/horror film that aims for theatrical release and awards kudo claims production entirely with artificial intelligence. AI crafted the lifelike backgrounds and characters in “Gods Don’t Give Gifts,”…
Stunt Revs Up the Hollywood Sign
The new “Fast & Furious” roller-coaster ride took over the iconic Hollywood sign on a mountain top, lighting up digital media with reactions as well. Universal Studios Hollywood mounted the…
‘Buddy’ Lifted By Small But Potent Fandom
Director/filmmaker Casper Kelly has a niche in the vast popular culture, but that proved enough to propel his horror film “Buddy” (central character above) to a modest hit in cinemas.…
BMW Rides ‘Spider-Man’ Tsunami
German carmaker BMW rides the coattails of the “Spider-Man” blockbuster with a product placement and also peripheral tie-in marketing for its new iX3 midsized vehicle and 5 Series midsized sedan.…
Par-WB: Merger Meddling Gone Awry
Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery shouldn’t be held up by regulators because it won’t entrench a monopoly. Here’s why: The $81 billion merger is stalled at a…
Mood Swing: Cinema Is Cool Again
Though underappreciated, movies in cinemas are again top of the Hollywood food chain (cinema’s appeal illustrated in AI-generated image above). “The big screen’s obituary has been written so many times…
Samsung Ignites ‘Spider-Man’ Glow
Samsung rolls out a multilevel promotional tie-in with “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which audience tracking says is poised for a blockbuster run. Sony Pictures premieres “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” on…
Minions Drop ‘Easter Eggs’ on Hollywood
Hollywood’s silent film era is remembered lovingly and humorously in “Minions & Monsters” with “Easter eggs” stuffed in the animated film (above a trailer screen grab). An “Easter egg” is…
Films Starving for Restaurant Tie-ins
Family- and kids-oriented summer movie tie-in promotions with restaurants used to saturate media, but it appears there’s a diminishing appetite for them. In a sign of the times, there’s a…