A Box Office Roundup – A Flop for Every Success.

This week, Stealth Media Films gives you a roundup of box offices on both sides of the Atlantic; as whilst one film rides high in the UK, another flops in the US.

What Works At the Box Office?

As a film finance company, Stealth Media Films takes box office numbers very seriously. Box office numbers are the most useful tool that we have to hand to determine how an audience has received the latest projects making a splash in the world of film.

Film audiences are funny things. You can put millions into a film and they hate it, whilst they take like a duck to water to a low budget indie flick that nobody expected to even make up its production costs. That wasn’t quite the case over the past seven days, but the numbers certainly were interesting.

Those Inbetweeners do it Again!

As far as UK markets go – you guessed it – the second Inbetweeners film still reigns supreme. This is the comedy film’s second consecutive week at the top of the UK box office.

According to Digital Spy, the second film instalment of the rude coming-of-age franchise raked in an impressive £4.3 million this week to once again top the UK box office. It pulled in more than Hollywood blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy and latest release, Expendables 3 – also considered a heavyweight.

Whilst Galaxy Rode High, Sin City 2 Monumentally Flopped

Meanwhile, the US markets certainly proved fascinating to watch over the past seven days. Whilst Guardians of the Galaxy did manage to top that market (they really love a big-budget flick over there) – similar Hollywood heavyweight Sin City 2, flopped so hard you could hear it from China!

The Sin City sequel – Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill, pulled in a paltry $6 million at the US box office. It came eighth in the list of top ten. Guardians meanwhile, pulled in almost three times as much – over $17 million.

There is no Proven Recipe for Success

These numbers have once again shown Stealth Media Films that it’s hard to predict what’ll prove a hit at the box office. Both films – the Inbetweeners and Sin City, were seen as proven recipes for success; yet only one was. Why that was, we can only speculate. 

Lauren Bacall Passes Away at the Age of 89

According to ABC News, Lauren Bacall died recently at the age of 89 from a stroke. It was announced on Twitter by the Estate of her late husband, Humphrey Bogart.

The sad news has prompted us here at Stealth Media Films to remember the life of Lauren Bacall; one of the most iconic stars of Hollywood’s golden era. A New-York native, who was noted for her sultry looks, electric talent and her fiery on-screen chemistry with eventual husband Humphrey Bogart, Lauran Bacall was one of the greatest actresses who’s ever lived.

Stealth Media Films’ Top Five Lauren Bacall Roles

What better way to celebrate the life and times of Lauren Bacall than to look at the roles that defined her prolific career. So what are Lauren Bacall’s best five movie roles of all time?

1)      Marie ‘Slim’ Browning, To Have and Have Not: Bacall’s first ever role, the character of Marie ‘Slim’ Browning in romance-war-adventure flick To Have and Have Not has to be the best of her career. Bacall’s turn as American wanderer Slim saw her star opposite prolific on-screen love interest and eventual husband Humphrey Bogart as fishing boat captain Harry Morgan. Their chemistry was simply out-of-this-world, and the role established Bacall a one of the most daring femme fatales to ever feature on the silver screen.

2)      Hannah Morgan, The Mirror Has Two Faces: Believe it or not, Bacall didn’t receive a single OSCAR nomination until she took on her heralded (and last major) role of Hannah Morgan in lonely hearts drama The Mirror Has Two Faces. As Hannah Morgan, the selfish mother of lead character Rose Morgan, played by the ever-talented Barbara Streisand, Bacall showed that sometimes, even the A-List saves the best for last.

3)      Vivian Sternwood Rutledge, The Big Sleep: A flick added to the National Film Registry by the US Library of Congress in 1997 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," The Big Sleep is one of the most classic film noir productions ever made. As Vivian Sternwood Rutledge, the ultimate mysterious femme fatale, Bacall established the infinite unflappability that would come to characterise everything she would later come to do.

4)      Nora Temple, Key Largo: The fourth and final collaboration Bacall would take on with real-life husband Humphrey Bogart, Bacall shines as Nora Temple in hostage flick Key Largo. This comes despite the fact that she’s upstaged by Claire Trevor, who clinched an OSCAR for her turn as Edward G Robinson’s boozy moll Gaye Dawn.

5)      Bond Rogers, The Shootist: A Western featuring John Wayne (the King of Westerns) in his last ever film role, The Shootist was an unusual project for Bacall and one of the few she took on in the 1970’s. Yet she rose to the occasion as Bond Rogers, Wayne’s widowed landlady who touched the hearts and minds of viewers around the world, showing the incredible versatility she displayed as an actress. 

A Tribute to Menahem Golan

This week Stealth Media Films pay tribute to acclaimed film maker Menahem Golan, who died last Friday in Tel-Aviv.

It’s the People behind the Camera who Make the Movie

There are people in this world who define what we see on the silver screen. Often we think of A-list actors as those behind bringing a movie to life. The Brad Pitts, Angelina Jolies, George Clooneys and Jennifer Anistons of this world.

But in actual fact, they are only a small part of it. The people really responsible for bringing the script to life are behind the camera; the directors, producers, script writers etc. That is why this week, Stealth Media Films wants to pay tribute to the passing of a truly talented film maker. This was the Israeli producer, Menahem Golan, who passed away last Friday in Tel Aviv.

Menahem Golan has an Impressive CV as a Film Producer

You might not know the name but you should. Menahem Golan has worked with some of the most recognise names in Hollywood. These include Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stalone. Menahem is remembered for directing two Sylvester Stalone projects; Over the Top and Cobra.

With cousin and business partner Yoram Globus, he produced extremely ambitious projects such as Superman IV: The Quest for Peace alongside Christopher Reeve. The two also famously owned Elstree studios for some time. Golan was also known for his work on 1980’s action films such as Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Bloodsport.

Golan Changed the Cinematic Landscape as We Know It

According to the BBC, several of the stars that worked with Menahem have already spoken out in tribute. Van Damme tweeted "RIP, Menahem Golan." He went on to tweet "I love you and will always do." Chuck Norris also noted Menahem’s “faith” in him, for giving him his start in Hollywood.

Norris hit the nail on the head here. Yes, the actor may play the character, but we would never get the chance to see them in the role, if it weren’t for the people behind the camera. To produce such a stellar body of work, and collaborate with some of the most acclaimed names in the action movie world, suggests Golan was a truly talented film maker, who changed the cinematic landscape as we know it. 

Inbetweeners 2 smashes UK box office again

Here at Stealth Media Films we blogged a few weeks ago about the success of Mrs Browns Boys D Movie which was a massive hit at the UK box office.

On the back of Mrs Brown Boys success comes another UK TV show that’s turned into gold at the UK box office. The Inbetweeners 2 follows on the success of the first Inbetweeners film which back in 2011 was something of a surprise success at the cinema.

Biggest opening weekend of 2014

The sequel opened to a box office bonanza of £12.5 million over one weekend, this sort of return rivals even the biggest US hits and has set the record for the UK box office this summer so far. The Australian set youth comedy looks set to dwarf the original in terms of box office success.

Choosing to make a sequel to the first film seemed like a no-brainer when the Malia set first film hit box office pay dirt in 2011. However, there are always risks with follow-up films especially in the youth genre as the actors and characters age. This so far hasn’t proved an issue so far with the massively successful sequel.

What’s the story?

The first film involved the lads first holiday abroad, this time the boys are at University and Jay is on a gap year in Australia. Invariably, the lads make the trip around the world to catch up with the antics of their buddy.

The film is beautifully shot and makes the most of locations in Australia’s Gold Coast. The direction, by series creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley is more cinematic than the original outing which felt a little like an extended episode of the original show.

Striking a chord

Youth films have often been a staple of the UK and world box office. George Lucas made one of his biggest hits with American Graffiti back in 1974 – this went onto be one of the most profitable films ever made. During the 80s the late John Hughes made a career from teenage films such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Ferris Buellers Day Off.

It seems the very British growing pains of the Inbetweeners have struck a chord with UK film goers of all ages. The Inbetweeners 2 has been said to be the last outing of the characters, but with this sort of box office success we wouldn’t be surprised to see them appear again in another film together.

Critical reaction

Reaction to the film from the British press has so far been genuinely positive with a few detractors due to some crudity in the humour. Here at Stealth Media Films we’ll be keeping an eye on the trend for UK coming of age films over the next few years, it seems the Inbetweeners 2 has really tapped into a market that’s hungry for British youth humour.

Highest paid actor goes to the “Iron Man”

Here at Stealth Media Films we’re really big fans of ‘Iron Man’ actor Robert Downey Jr. And we weren’t surprised to see him top the Forbes ‘highest earning actor’ list for a second year running.

It’s said that Downey Jr. has earned an estimated $75 million dollars in around 12 months! “Iron Man 3” made over a billion dollars in 2013 and Downey Jr. has other films set for stateside releases in 2014.

Early Days

Downey Jr. was born in 1965 in New York into a show business family headed by his father Robert Downey Sr. His father was an actor and film-maker and even used his young son in the film Pound. His parents divorced when he was eleven.

During the 80s Downey Jr. turned in a number of memorable performances in some cult films. Including a wacky comedy turn in the Rodney Dangerfield vehicle Back to School. His comedy background led him to be the first regular member of the Saturday Night Live troupe to be nominated for a best actor Oscar.

Troubles

It’s great to see that Downey Jr. has truly overcome his much publicized problems earlier in his career. Nearly going off the rails due to drug abuse, Downey even spent time in prison.

In the early 90s he took the lead role in Richard Attenborough’s Chaplin where he won plaudits playing the silent cinema genius Charles Chaplin.

Sherlock Holmes

Downey Jr. has had success with a number of films recently that have spawned multiple sequels. As well as the Iron Man franchise Downey Jr. has been a box office smash as Sherlock Holmes. He’s currently rumoured to be preparing for a third outing as the Victorian detective.

The Avengers series is currently filming a third outing, again featuring Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark/Iron Man persona. Another standalone Iron Man film may also be on the cards in the future.

Astonishing productivity

Since he put his past problems behind him, Downey Jr. has been astonishingly busy, with an acting work rate that would put most stars to shame. He’s appeared so many film roles that he really is one of the hardest working men in Hollywood.

Here at Stealth Media Films we’re pleased that Downey Jr. is achieving the popularity and success that his hard work deserves.

Courtney Love Calls For Kurt Cobain Biopic

Perennial tabloid stalwart Courtney Love has called for a biopic of the life of her husband; iconic Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, Stealth Media Films has learned.

Stealth Media Films Knows How to Spot an Opportunity

Here at Stealth Media Films we have grown, through our international operations, based in cinematic hubs such as Los Angeles, London and Munich, to become a key film finance firm on a global level.

We have evolved to become a player in international film finance, quite simply, because we know how to spot an opportunity; we know what works in film, what’ll rock the box office, and what’s flop harder than a tourist belly flopping into the hotel pool in Majorca.

Will this go the Way of Love’s Other Media Stunts?

That’s why we felt we had to comment on this latest move by everlasting publicity hound Courtney Love. It could provide an epic window into the life of one of rock and roll’s last true icons. Or, it could be a disaster of proportions usually reserved for Love’s latest media stunt.

We’re fans of the biopic to be sure; we think, if done right, it can shed new light on the people who have shaped the world in which we live. Unfortunately, biopics can be tenuous. Look at the recent ones about Dianna and Grace of Monaco.

What Are the Plans for a Kurt Cobain Biopic?

So what has Love actually said? Well, according to Digital Spy, Love has claimed that she herself is hoping to create a biopic of the life of the legendary Nirvana singer. Inquirer further reported that Love is currently looking into casting the flick.

Love commented that the biopic should start within the next year or so. She went on to talk about casting, saying: "I won't name names because I don't want to jinx it for anyone but these are 25-year-olds who are blonde, gorgeous and the new Brad Pitts. There's a ton of those. Some are really good actors, not just pretty faces... I don't want to be the person who makes that decision.”

At Stealth Media Films, We’ll Reserve Judgement

The thing is, at Stealth Media Films, we really want to be excited about this. We think a glimpse into the life of the 90’s most elusive rocker could be fascinating. However, it’s a project run by Courtney Love; human disaster machine. We’ll hold our judgement until we know more!

5 top Star Wars VII rumours

Here at Stealth Media Films we’re as excited as anyone about next year’s Star Wars VII. In the digital age the rumours around the hotly anticipated film are running wild on the internet. In fact, the chat has reached a crescendo this week with Luke’s severed hand and Jar Jar Binks’ return leading the way.

So, to save you time Googling what’s being said, we decided to put all the conjecture, rumour and outright fabrication in one easy to digest blogpost.

Luke’s missing hand

One rumour that surfaced to us seems, a little ridiculous. The rumour involves Luke’s severed hand landing on a distant planet. Presumably this is the hand that Darth Vader severed during the infamous “I am your father” sequence in Empire Strikes Back.

The rumour seems to have developed further and indicates that it’s not ‘that hand’. We’re big fans of the Star Wars series, and we can’t remember Luke losing two hands, so we’re a little confused about this.

The hand is supposedly found by John Boyega and Daisy Ridley who team with Han Solo to track down Luke and return the hand (which is still gripping a Lightsabre – ouch).

The Emperor strikes back

Ian McDiarmid is brilliant throughout the series as Emperor Palpatine. For those who recall, he’s killed off in Return of the Jedi. This fact, hasn’t stopped the rumour mill online, who claim that McDiarmid is set to return as an Obi style ghost.

McDiarmid was speaking at the London Film and Comic-Con earlier this month, where he said he was “definitely” not in “Episode VII. That’s put that to rest then, or has it?

Jar Jar is back

Jar Jar Binks is set to return? We’re not sure this much reviled character will be turning up in part VII. This hasn’t stopped the rumour mongers who claim that Jar Jar will be played by actor Andy Serkis.

Andy has been kind enough to reveal that he definitely won’t be playing Jar Jar Binks.

Darth Vader

Darth Vader died in Return of the Jedi, however, spies on the set have reported that Vader’s costume has been seen, namely the iconic helmet. The original sculptor of the helmet, Brian Muir, recently admitted online that he was returning to work on the new series.

He fuelled conspiracy theorists when he later deleted the post.

If any of these rumours prove to be true we at Stealth Media films wouldn’t be too surprised, it’s certainly fun speculating on what the film-makers have in store for a new generation of Star Wars films. 

Who Are the Top Five Stars of Tomorrow?

It’s an exciting time to be an up and comer in Hollywood, and Stealth Media Films believes that’s especially true for these five emerging Hollywood stars.

Lupita Nyong’o

This woman is all anyone can talk about at the moment. Why is that? Well she’s pretty darned impressive. She rose to fame in a supporting role in film epic 12 Years a Slave, after graduating from the Yale School of Drama, and off the bat, she won an OSCAR.

You’d think that most people would stop and take a breath after such a stunning achievement, but Lupita is not most people, and she’s determined to become a Hollywood legend, clinching an upcoming role in the latest Star Wars movie! We so can’t wait!

Adam Driver

Another up and comer in Hollywood who’s slated to take a trip to a galaxy far far away in the next outing of the Star Wars franchise is Adam Driver; an acting talent set to take Hollywood by storm.

Driver first came to our (and the world’s attention) in massively popular HBO television series Girls, and has since gone on to appear in a number of prestige projects over the last two years, including Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln and the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, cementing his position as one of tinsel town’s most credible rising talents.

Karen Gillan

Whoever would have believed that little Amy Pond would have ever gone so far without the help of that flying blue box. Increasingly, Gillan is establishing a presence in Hollywood, and is set to take the US by storm.

She’s done a few projects since saying goodbye to the Doctor, including creepy horror flick Oculus and fluffy rom-com Not another Happy Ending. Now, she’s slated to appear in blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, and new US television series Selfie; it looks as though Karen is rising through the ranks faster than ever.

John Boyega

Go back six months and it’s unlikely you’d have ever heard of this emerging star. Boyega’s turn in Joe Cornish’s alien adventure flick Attack the Block had put him on some people radars, but since then, he’d kept a low profile with unremarkable TV roles.

What a difference a few months makes. First, he appeared in the first episode of Fox’s highly anticipated series, 24: Live Another Day, then was cast in what is believed to be a main role in the latest Star Wars movie. Suddenly, his future is brighter than the sun on Tattooine.

Stacy Martin

This British actress pretty much was thrown in at the deep end with Lars Von Trier’s four hour erotic epic Nymphomaniac, but she rose to the occasion, enchanting audiences and critics alike. Now she’s clinched a role in Ben Wheatley’s anticipated adaptation of JG Bellard’s High Rise, and is set to make a splash in Hollywood circles. 

Stealth Media Films’ Top Five Classic Rom Coms!

In a salute to love this week, we thought we’d take the time, here at StealthMedia Films, to list our top five rom coms of all time!  Get ready for waterworks!

They Make Us Believe in the Power of Love

There’s nothing better than breaking out the popcorn, cracking open a bottle of wine or two, and  settling down on the sofa with your loved one for an evening of classic rom-comy goodness.

Literally, a romantic-comedy, they are made to get us to laugh and cry in equal measure, ultimately getting us to once again believe in the power of love. Considering just how depressing love can be sometimes, they’re practically preforming a public service!

Stealth Media Films’ Classic Top Five

A truly classic rom-com is like a long-term relationship – we love it so much, we can’t help but go back and watch it again and again. In the course of Stealth Media Films’ extensive rom-com watching career, we’ve found that these top five films typify the rom-com genre!

The Proposal: Career enthusiasts everywhere cried tears of joy when 2009 rom-com The Proposal was first released.  Starring Sandra Bullock as a career obsessed Canadian woman looking for a green card, and Ryan Reynolds as the assistant she marries to get it, this situation comedy has us crying into our popcorn every time!

You’ve Got Mail: First released in 1998, You’ve Got Mail has been hailed as the rom-com that brought the genre into the digital age. Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks as a couple who fall in love through the use of e-mail, it practically gave birth to the modern online dating phenomenon!

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson reminded us of the thin line between love and hate in ode to accidental love, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. If only it were this exciting for the rest of us!

The Holiday: Romance and Christmas go together like PB&J, which is why we never get tired of classic Christmas rom-com, The Holiday, First released in 2006, and telling the story of two lovelorn women (Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz) who find love after swapping homes for the holiday season, it single-handedly continues to give hope to singletons everywhere whenever the holiday season rolls around.

Serendipity: Another holiday rom-com, Serendipity was the film that reassured the lovelorn singles of the world that you may meet the partner of your dreams when you least expect it. For that, this holiday classic will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Stealth Media Films Believe These Five Pop Stars Should Never Have Gone Into Movies!

Don’t you groan with despair when a pop star decides to act? Stealth Media Films does, and in our opinion, here are five pop stars, who really never should have tried.

Pop Stars, Please Stick To Singing

We love pop stars here at Stealth Media Films. We think they’re amazing and we’re so thankful that they’re making music. Emphasis on the music. What we don’t love is when they forsake music for an attempted career in Hollywood.

That’s because – and we know you’re all thinking it – the vast majority of pop stars can’t act. Admittedly, some can, and they’re pretty damned fantastic. Most of them though, are just so wooden there’s no possible way you can believe they’re even playing a human, never mind a complex character that’s supposed to be someone we can actually identify with.

Stealth Media Films’ Top Five

Of course some pop stars stand out more for their abysmal performances than others, and in our opinion, here are the top five pop stars who had no business transitioning to the big screen:

Britney Spears: The one time Britney tried acting resulted in the blight on humanity that was Crossroads. We still shudder every time we even think about it.

Madonna: Admittedly, she’s had some success with flicks like Desperately Seeking Susan and Evita, however she’s had a hell of a lot of stinkers too. Madonna, you’re never going to get an OSCAR, please stop trying.

Snoop Dog: Yes Snoop Dog or Snoop Lion or whatever moniker he’s going by these days tried acting in 2004 comedy Soul Plane. The lesson we learned here; Snoop Dog’s only funny when he’s not actually trying to be.

Christina Aguilera: It actually seemed that XTina would be able to pull off her performance in 2010’s Burlesque. In actuality, it just left you feeling slightly uncomfortable. We’re thankful she’s stuck to singing since.

Jennifer Lopez: She’s always going on about how she’s still so real, but the truth is, her performances in films like Maids of Manhattan and Gigli, couldn’t have been less real.

So let that be a lesson to any pop star out there who’s thinking of trying their hand at acting. You’re great at singing, why don’t you just stick to belting out the pop tunes we fell in love with you for?

Film4 looking for new boss

Stealth Media Films was keen to learn about the announcement earlier this year by Film4 boss Tessa Ross that she was stepping down from her post at Film4 to become head of the National Theatre. The announcement was made in March this year but ScreenDaily is now reporting on the likely candidates jostling into position to interview for her role.

Tessa Ross over saw production on a string of acclaimed films including Slumdog Millionaire, In Bruges, This Is England, The Last King of Scotland and more recently 12 Years a Slave. 

She leaves a long and successful legacy behind her at Film4 and her successor will have large shoes to fill.

The Contenders

London based David Kosse is currently president of international for Universal. He’s opted to stay in London when it was announced that he job was relocating to LA. He’s the favourite candidate for many in the industry. However, former head of drama at Channel 4 Liza Marshall is also a popular choice. Marshall had TV hits with The Red Riding Trilogy and The Long Firm.

Two other contenders are in with a chance for the role, these are Jenny Borgars and Alison Thompson. DNA’s Allon Reich has also been mentioned as an outside chance for the 

appointment, which could be a job share between two people.

Film4

Film4 has an important part to play in the UK film community, a healthy and well run Film4 is good for the UK film industry as a whole. At Stealth Media Films we’re pleased to see that all the candidates have a strong commercial mind set. It’s important for the sustainability of Film4 that some of their films do have an impact at the box office.

Slumdog Millionaire is a great example of the perfect Film4 production, a worthy and important subject combined with a populist approach that resulted in a box office bonanza and multiple industry awards. Film4 is a leader in this field, as the worldwide success of 12 Years a Slave has proved.

The high profile of Film4 under Ross has been a great aid to the wider film industry in the UK. Ross leaves her post to become chief executive at the National Theatre towards the end of the year. It’s fair to say UK film industry types will be keeping a keen eye on who takes over.

Stealth Media Films

Our current slate of films includes the eagerly anticipated Gummy Bear the Movie featuring the voice of John Travolta. We’re always keen to hear from parties interested in film investment, and we’re available for comment on film industry investment news. If you’re considering film investment you can contact Stealth Media Film Investments here. 

Stealth Media Films is pleased that the ‘Force is Strong’ for UK film production

Stealth Media Films was pleased with the news this week that yet another Star Wars film is set to shoot in the UK next year. Chancellor George Osbourne (not Chancellor Palpatine) was proud that his tax breaks are helping to keep the UK a first choice for film production.

American film companies benefit from choosing the UK as a production centre with 25% tax relief on the first £20m of qualifying expenditure and 20% thereafter. This is proving an attractive draw for companies looking to get maximum bang for their buck.

Tradition of the Star Wars Franchise

The treasury reported a massive boost of over 14% in film production investment on the previous year. In 2013 alone there was a massive £1bn investment into UK film production. It’s not just the tax breaks that attract film-makers, it’s also the talent and expertise of UK film technicians.

Disney and Lucasfilm have decided to shoot at Pinewood Studios which is a great boost for the UK industry and those employed here. It’s also in keeping tradition with the Star Wars franchise, the original film was partly lensed at Elstree Studios.

The Chancellor Speaks

Visiting the set of the current Star Wars film, the Chancellor George Osbourne praised the decision. "Lucasfilm and Disney's decision to shoot the Star Wars standalone movie in the UK is testament to the incredible talent in Britain," said Mr Osborne.

"This will mean more jobs and more investment. It is great news for people working at Pinewood Studios, from the set designers to the carpenters.

"As Chancellor I have been determined that we back our brilliant creative industries which is why we have invested in skills and training as well as providing tax relief for films, high-end TV, animation, video games and regional theatre.

"The further changes the Government made to the film tax relief at Budget 2014 will support our highly skilled, innovative creative sectors so that they continue to thrive and encourage more films to be made in the UK."

Stealth Media Films

At Stealth Media Films our current slate of films includes the eagerly anticipated Gummy Bear the Movie featuring the voice of John Travolta. We’re always keen to hear from parties interested in film investment, and we’re available for comment on film industry investment news. If you’re considering film investment you can contact Stealth Media Film Investments here.

UK Box Office Spellbound by Maleficent

It’s official, dark sorceress Maleficent has taken over the world. News sources announced that the Disney Film topped the UK box office over the weekend, and left us all spellbound. This week Stealth Media Group asks: just what is all the fuss about, and what are the reviewers saying?

Maleficent Clear Winner at UK Box Office

With the power of dark magic, a classic story of the anti-heroine, Angelina Jolie in the title role and the weight of the Disney film-making machine by its side, Maleficent steamrollered over its competitors this weekend, dominating the UK and Ireland box office with a power we can only call cataclysmic.

In its debut weekend, it managed to amass £6.6 million in the UK, knocking X Men: Days of Future Past into second place. Furthermore, the hype around the film hasn’t died down stateside either, as it cruised to the top of their box office last weekend. What’s in store for you if you’re thinking of taking a trip down local cinema to judge the Disney production for yourself?

The Tale of Maleficent

Maleficent is a retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale from the point of view of the villain. It’s similar to Wicked, in the way that it takes a bright, essentially good, young girl, and shows the audience how outside influences led her down the path of the dark side.

It’s everything you’d expected from a Disney film that has Angelina Jolie at the helm, and the ever delightful Elle Fanning in the supporting role of Aurora (sleeping beauty to the uninitiated). So what are the critics saying?

Angelina Jolie’s Greatest Performance?

It’s a bit of a mixed reaction. Ann Hornaday at the Washington Post called it “a relatively subdued, even dour affair,” however Betsey Sharkey at the Los Angeles Times hailed it as “visually striking” and reviews have fallen at every degree between these two extremes across the board.

However there is universal praise for Jolie as the enchantingly nasty, yet vulnerable Maleficent. Geoffrey Macnab at The Independent labelled her performance “diva like,” Sheri Linden at the Hollywood reporter says of her turn in  the role  that “she infuses it, wielding a magnetic and effortless power as the magnificently malevolent fairy,” and Hornaday says that the film is “improbably entertaining watch, due solely to its title character.

Stealth Media Group: If You Like Angelina Jolie, This Film is For You

So at Stealth Media Group, we think it’s a pretty clear consensus: Maleficent may be a bit of a mixed bag, but Jolie has been universally praised as its saving grace. If you’re a fan of the perennial actress, this is one film you have to see!

Could the political situation impact UK Film-Making?

Stealth Media Group were interested to read this week about how politics can sometimes have an impact on film production. As the industry bible Variety reported, the rise of UKIP in the UK may have a direct impact on the UK film industry.  UKIP wants an exit from the European Union and they were heavily supported in the European Union election last week.

UKIP grabbed 27.5% of the votes cast, this compares with 25.4% for Labour and 23.9% for the Conservatives.  It was the first time for over 100 years that a party other than Labour or Conservative came first in a national election.

But what will an exit from Europe mean for the UK film industry?

In the last seven years alone the EU’s Media Program granted over 100 million Euros to UK film companies and UK film production. In Cannes this year, two British films Ken Loach’s “Jimmy Hall” and Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner” both received funds from the EU programme.

Funds from the EU also help UK productions with distribution and often help with theatrically released films which have in the past included such hits as “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The King’s Speech”.

Funding for education

EU initiatives also give funding in some forms to various film and media education institutes, these include; London Film School and the National Film and Television School. The acclaimed Sheffield Doc/Fest also receives an amount of funding via European initiatives.

These sources of funding play a vital role in the UK and the chance this ending will be causing many headaches across the UK film industry.

Creative Europe

Moving forward, the EU’s Creative Europe scheme has a budget of $1.99 billion over the next seven years. An exit from Europe would deprive the UK of access to these funds. 

Even if UKIP don’t win and the Conservatives gain office, they themselves have committed to a referendum on Europe. Based on the current mood this could still mean that the UK could exit the EU.

Funding for all kinds of film

Film funding can come from all kinds of sources and politics has impacted film funding in the recent past. Government schemes and sources of money can always come and go under different political ideologies.

Stealth Media Film Investments doesn’t just work with funding from Europe, our films our financed from a variety of sources from all over the world. If you’re interested in finding out more please contact Stealth Media Group now.

Stealth Media on British Palme D’Or hopeful Mike Leigh

Stealth Media is tipping UK film-maker Mike Leigh to bag the Palme D’Or in this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Leigh’s film Mr. Turner is a front runner for the prestigious award that Leigh previous won in 1996 for his classic film Secrets and Lies.

Timothy Spall plays the artist JMW Turner (1775-1851) as a grunting Dickensian character, his performance is being lauded in this richly detailed character study that features the best of Leigh’s own unique style of film-making.

The camera work by Dick Pope captures the storms, clouds and vistas that the real life Turner loved to paint. The costumes and set design add to a wonderful recreation of the period. Leigh and Pope even manage to recreate some of Turner’s best known paintings.

Visual flights of fancy

Mr Turner features some great visuals but also concentrates on the mundane aspects of the artist’s life. Unlike other artist biopics there are no great affairs or scandal. Turner seems like an ordinary man with a great gift. Scenes showing his callousness towards his family stem from his preoccupation with his art.

Mike Leigh

Spall is always reliable as an actor, but this film showcases his ability to bring a historical figure to very real life on screen. Turner is often a bumbling figure, but he also possess a great intellectual curiosity and a single mindedness that explains his great work.

Geniuses are strange

Spall himself has commented about the film "It's about how genius is not in always the most romantic of packages," said Spall. "Most geniuses are strange." Leigh confirmed that two years before starting his famous lengthy rehearsal process for the film he urged Spall to work on his painting skills.

Leigh’s famous rehearsal process that helps put the film together (and often eschews a scripted blueprint) has resulted in many actors giving their greatest performances.

From Abigail to JMW Turner

Leigh’s career as a director began back in the 1970s working in television. His career really took off with the classic TV play Abigail’s Party. Originally done for the theatre the famous play was entirely improvised with Leigh working with each actor on their character.

Leigh worked on character background mostly, it’s been written in the past that Leigh and his actors worked on backgrounds from birth to the present day. The actors were given so much backstory that during the play they often appear preoppupied with other things. These preoccupations are never revealed to the audience but add to the tensions of the play and the performances.

The Palme D’Or

Competition for the Palme D’Or is always fierce but Mr Turner is definitely making the front running. It would be a deserved winner and another feather in the film-making cap of one of Britain’s best, and most unique directors.

For more information coming from Cannes, why not follow us on Twitter or visit our Steal Media Group News website.

You’ll Find These Fantastic Beasts on the Silver Screen!

It’s Official! This week saw the announcement of the release date for the movie version of Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. When is it coming to a screen near you and what can we expect from the next installment of the Harry Potter series?

Harry Potter: A Global Brand

Harry Potter is a global phenomenon. The books themselves saw epic success; to date over 400 million editions have been sold around the world. JK Rowling’s epic fantasy has since spawned spin-off books, a theme park, masses of merchandise and most importantly, an equally successful movie franchise.

If the books saw the Harry Potter franchise arrive, the films launched them into the stratosphere. Collectively, they have pulled in over $7 billion to date and they launched the careers of Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have since gone on to achieve A-List success in tinsel town.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

So what can we expect from this latest installment? The movie is officially slated to be released 18th November 2016 – a long wait for rabid fans eager to find out just what Rowling, who is currently adapting the novel for the big screen – has in store this time around.

Notably Beasts won’t see the return of stars like Radcliffe and Watson – we’ve seen their story. Instead it will focus on the spin-off novels fictional author, Newt Scamander, and his life long quest to discover and catalogue the fantastic beasts of the fictional Harry Potter world.

The film itself further deviates from its parent series as we move away from the hallowed halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and take a look at the magical underbelly of New York City 70 years before the arrival of the Boy Who Lived.

Furthermore, we know this next step into the magical world has been left in good hands. Not only is Rowling herself involved, but David Heyman – the man who served as producer on every single one of the eight Harry Potter films – is set to return as a producer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Stealth Media Comments

At Stealth Media we recognise the sheer might of the Harry Potter series and value the contributions it has delivered to the UK film industry. We know that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be just as much of a success and we can’t wait to see what the magical world’s creator has in store for us this time around!