The dystopian, Chris Evans film, Snowpiercer has been getting rave reviews from pretty much everybody, meaning you have to go out and see it in the theater right now.
Or maybe you don't have to go out since it's on your television right this instant. Welcome to the future of Video on Demand, a service that has always been great with getting you films that have run their course at the box office. But what was once a mere convenience has now turned into quite possibly the future of how we're going to get our movies. Sure, it seems like only smaller films like Snowpiercer or the documentary, Life Itself, are really getting the early home treatment. But the success of Snowpiercer's home release (Entertainment Weekly cites an estimated $1.1 million in its first week on VOD) is a sure sign that Hollywood is going to start getting interested in the possibilities of releasing films in theaters and then, putting them on VOD in only a couple week's time. Especially if they're initially failures.
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But is this a good thing, or a bad thing? I think it could be a little of both. The main argument some have against this plan is that it will hurt box office sales. Why go see Transformers in the theater if you can watch it on your couch? Also, this kind of makes it seem like all movies need to be big-budget productions if you really want to get people out to the theaters. So there are definitely negatives.
But there are positives, too. Just think of all the films that didn't receive the attention they deserved, like Edge of Tomorrow that could benefit from VOD. A lot of hype formed around that film weeks after it came out. And if it were On Demand, there's a greater chance that people might check it out who wouldn't go to the theater now that it's been out for so long. The same goes for How To Train Your Dragon 2. I'm sure there are plenty of parents who, rather than take their kids out to the movies and spend all that money on popcorn and soda, would much prefer to sit in the comforts of their home and watch a brand new film that just recently came out. The possibilities are endless. All it takes is for a mega blockbuster like The Avengers: Age of Ultron to try the same tactic for us to see how this will truly impact the market. It's only a matter of time. VOD looks to be the future.
About the Author:
Rich Knight has written for a number of publications including Cinemablend.com, Complex, and SMITH Magazine. You can find more of his writing on his blog: http://knighttakesrook.blogspot.com He is also the author of the book, The Darkness of the Womb.
About the Author:
Rich Knight has written for a number of publications including Cinemablend.com, Complex, and SMITH Magazine. You can find more of his writing on his blog: http://knighttakesrook.blogspot.com He is also the author of the book, The Darkness of the Womb.