As 2016 has started, the first film I had planned to see was Quentin Tarantino’s Eight film, The Hateful Eight
I am now sad to see that Cineworld, who I have often praised for initiatives such as my beloved unlimited card, have decided not to screen this film! This is due to an argument with the film’s distributors over the fact that a rival chain has exclusive rights to show the film in 70mm (not nationwide, just London)
Whilst you have to feel slightly for Cineworld, their reaction of ‘If we can’t show it in London, we won’t show it anywhere’, is a bit, for want of a better term, throwing their toys out of the pram a bit!
Cineworld really do not seem at times to put their customers first, only a couple of years ago, their stance of allocated seating caused them no end of abuse across social media, as is the removal of the Hateful 8 from their screens.Whilst this is a poor decision from Cineworld, surely a Tarantino film would bring in much-needed box office takings, it is greatly concerning for the film itself, with many others taking advantage of social media to offer illegal downloads of the film
Whilst this is a poor decision from Cineworld, not just on a business decision, surely a Tarantino film would bring in much-needed box office takings? It is greatly concerning for the film itself, with many others taking advantage of social media to offer illegal downloads of the film. Something I hasten to add, I would never get involved in.
I personally hope this is a one-off decision, and even hope an agreement can be made at a later date, but I do have concerns that this could be way films go in the future, with chains getting exclusivity!
This appears rife with streaming services, Netflix and Amazon Prime having exclusive shows, so you would need to subscribe to both to see everything or stream illegally causing Piracy to win
Cinemas do need to wake up a bit, premium services such as IMAX and 3D have helped increase the price of a ticket but if they get too greedy, they could go the way of Blockbuster video as an example, and on one would want that surely! Films deserve to be seen on the big screen.
On the plus side, it will be great to think smaller independent cinemas may get an unexpected boost by showing the film. I will certainly look out for a screening near myself, if not, I’m sure the films distributors will look to push for a fast home release of the film.
Are you going to miss seeing the Hateful Eight? Do you plan on going somewhere else to see it? We at Barking Mad About Films would love to hear from you
You can read Entertainment films statement about the film and agreement with Cineworld here via the Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/05/the-hateful-eight-quentin-tarantino-not-showing-cineworld-picturehouse
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