Following up on my earlier post about alternative distributions for indies, Splinter has its debut on HDNet Movies tonight, in anticipation of its theatrical roll-out this weekend. (And in competition with a certain presidential candidate’s national address.)
I haven’t seen the movie, but it got a nice review today in Variety, and awards at Screamfest.
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October 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Not exactly “alternative” since HDNet financed the movie. I am reviewing the movie myself tomorrow night.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Caught Splinter on On Demand, was pretty horrible. Bad characters, Bad script, Bad Acting.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
David Edelstein gives it a very favorable review in New York Magazine. He says it has a “hackneyed premise” but “real dramatic tension and a first-rate cast.”
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I haven’t seen the movie either but want to add that my friend Elia Cmiral scored this movie and won the ScreamFest award for best score of 2008.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
No real question or comment –just a “fingers crossed on Proposition 8″ message of support, solidarity and good karma!
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Alternative distro is a great idea, and HDNet seems like they’re positioning themselves to do some good stuff (I don’t have access to their network to see the results, though). We’ll see what revenue models shake out in the online, cable, and home video spaces in the coming years.
However, I hope that one business model that can be made to work is the return of the local independent theater. Films that are budgeted to not need wide distro, and that can release on cheaper media than 35mm, could do well at indie theaters, especially since an indie theater can program to local tastes, and sell better food (and beer, like SF’s Red Vic and the East Bay’s Parkway and Cerrito). I hope I’m right about that, because the best run indie theaters are really great viewing experiences.