Have Filmmakers run out of popular literary fare to adapt?

The link below from The Guardian.com looks at whether Filmmakers have run out of popular novelisation series to transform into motion pictures, with such adaptions such as Harry Potter, Lord of the rings and this year the Hunger games series being over and done with, what will take their place? As a result Filmmakers are having to write their own stories to take their place on the big screen examples include Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them (2016), Star Wars the Force Awakens (2015), several Marvel movies and more.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/30/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-end-of-appointment-cinema

How many of the greatest films (according to IMDb.com) have you seen?

The internet Movie Database recently celebrated its 25th anniversary (would birthday be more appropriate?) and to mark the occasion the website published a list of the 25 best films of the last 25 years. 

http://m.imdb.com/anniversary/

Buzzfeed have compiled these films, one from each year that the IMDB has been active and created a list. How many have you seen? Which ones would you like to see next? Do you agree with the list? 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/lifeonmars/how-many-of-imdbs-top-25-movies-from-the-past-25-4sj7#.xnyVkmeOoQ

Why Cinemas are refusing to show new Paranormal Activity film...

And no, it's not because it's too scary. 

One of the key issues with cinema chains is the period of time which a film cannot be seen AFTER it's been in the cinema. This is sometimes known as the 'cinema-to-digital window' and typically means that a film cannot be sold to watch at home until 90 days after the film has been in the cinema. 

However, Paramount, the distribution company in charge of the latest Paranormal Activity film, 'The Ghost Dimension' have struck a deal so that the film can be rented/purchased as soon as 17 days after the film opens in cinemas. 

This has annoyed cinema chains to the extent that many are now refusing to show the film and it will open in 1,400 North American locations when it opens 23 October, compared to 2,883 for the last film. This will massively impact the film's box office performance, but could open up the chance of a strong home viewing performance. 

This is a really interesting and contemporary issue which allows you to consider why Paramount has opted to do this, what it says about cinematic releases, the home market, 3D as a format and the evolution of the Paranormal Activity franchise. 

Read more below: 

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/16/paranormal-activity-the-ghost-dimension-scares-off-cinema-owners

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paranormal-activity-ghost-dimension-shunned-832289

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/paranormal-activity/37379/paranormal-activity-ghost-dimenson-being-boycotted-by-us-cinemas

90's film Quiz

Think you know your 90's cinema, then take the Shortlist quiz and see how many movies from the 90’s you can name. Take the quiz by following the link bellow.

http://www.shortlist.com/quizzes/can-you-name-99-movies-from-the-90s-by-a-single-screenshot

Mary Poppins is back !!!

Iconic, magical, super nanny Mary Poppins is set to return to the big screen. This new film is said to be more true to P.L. Travers original novels and include Poppins work from all 8 original books rather than just the 1 depicted in Walt Disney’s 1964 version.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11865219/Disney-announces-plan-for-Mary-Poppins-remake.html

Jaws and the making of the modern blockbuster.

Jaws is 40 years old. Frequently said to be the film that started the summer blockbuster it's not only a brilliant film, but it's also a really fascinating case study on how films get made, how the best Director's adapt on set and how release schedules today are influenced by the success of Jaws. 

This article on The Guardian is an interesting read for GCSE coursework and a useful example for AS film. Well worth a read. 

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/31/jaws-40-years-on-truly-great-lasting-classics-of-america-cinema

GCSE Film Studies Paper 2 Revision

Just to point out that the revision guide for Paper 2 can be found here:

http://mxbrfilm.blogspot.co.uk/p/gcse-film-revision.html

Wishing you all the very best of luck, but revise hard and you won't need it!