SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
In the latest episode of the Sony hack, Hollywood Reporter says that Carmike Cinemas, which operates 278 theaters and 2,917 screens in 41 states, will not show the Sony comedy "The Interview" following threats of violence from hackers. Sony Pictures told exhibitors who had booked The Interview that it planned to move forward with the movie's release, but that they were free to decide not to show the film, and that the studio would support them in whatever decision they made.
Citing 9/11, the hackers issued a warning and said, "We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places The Interview be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to." The situation is also raising concerns among studios that the threat of violence could keep some movie-goers away from the multiplex over the lucrative holiday movie-going period. "This is bad for everyone. This will stop people from going to theaters, and that affects all of us," says one source at a rival studio. "If somebody called a bomb threat for a concert, and it was credible, you'd have to cancel or postpone the concert."
(Score: 2) by richtopia on Thursday December 18 2014, @04:14PM
Release the movie for free download. The movie is made, and Sony is giving up a large chunk of the revenue here. Just go the full nine yards and release it for everyone to see.
Now, being Sony I will not download anything from them because who knows what hides in that download.
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Thursday December 18 2014, @05:37PM
Sony isn't giving up revenue. If anything they're going to get more.
A lot of news stories are running with headlines that the entire film is cancelled. But if you actually read the article and look at the statements coming direct from Sony, they never say it's cancelled. They don't say it won't be released to theaters. They just say it won't be released *on December 25th*. It'll probably be released sometime in January, long enough for people to believe there was actually a threat, but not long enough for everyone to forget. This wasn't exactly expected to be a blockbuster before all of this hacking nonsense; but now it'll probably be one of the best selling movies of 2015...
(Score: 3, Interesting) by halcyon1234 on Thursday December 18 2014, @08:29PM
Exactly.
January is not well known for being a month of good movies. Or, as RLM puts it, "Fuck you, it's January." As in "What movies are on now? Fuck you. It's January."
So they have this movie, right? It's a so-so flick. Will probably make back it's bank roll (sorry, "lose money" according to the accountants). Nothing special. Not really an award winner or a classic. It tested okay-ish in the target demo. They already know how much it'll make.
Then comes this "threat". I'm sure it was actually uttered from Insane in the NK. But now some marketing exec cums in his pants because he realizes, they don't just have a movie. They have a BANNED movie. It plays well to the right key demos!
So they lie (sorry, use marketspeak) to say the threat is "credible" (no need to define that word anymore, I guess). Sony loves you, and wouldn't put your lives at risk. I know you want to see it, but you can't. You can't eat this fruit from the forbidden tree of mystery. Why? Well, because we're at war with Eurasia, just like always. Don't you HATE them? Don't you HATE that they're trying to keep you down, and steal your freedoms? Grr! Yes, grr little sheep. GRR!!
And then when everyone's built up a good 'Merica Mouth Froth, Sony reconsiders, or declares the threat over, and finally "lets" everyone seen the movie. Hordes of True Patriots line up, chins held tall while they salute the waving flag, in utter defiance of the now broken and defeated Enemy. Hand over your money. Each good, wholesome American dollar you spend is a sheer, brave act of defiance against The Red Threat-- as patriotic and heroic as if you stormed the beaches of Normandy itself. (Normandy is now in N.Korea, for your information). Join the movement, friend. BE a citizen. STAND for God and Country and buy your ticket to The Movie North Korea Doesn't Want You To See.
Fucking marketing execs.
Original Submission [thedailywtf.com]
(Score: 2) by halcyon1234 on Thursday December 18 2014, @08:32PM
Sidenote: If, instead, a group of Sony marketing execs end up strung up in front of Sony HQ, disemboweled, castrated-- with urine-soaked posters fro The Interview shoved down their throat, I'll rescind the above. Because THAT is a credible threat.
...
Actually, I wouldn't put them past marketing execs to stage that anyways. It's sad I'd still believe it's a marketing stunt, but that is the expectation they've established. So yeah-- if you are an intern or junior at Sony Marketing, and get a sudden and unexpected promotion in the next couple weeks to a senior position-- well, I tried to warn you. Stay at home and watch The Wicker Man instead.
Original Submission [thedailywtf.com]