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YouTube To Follow Amazon By Screening Its Movies Inside Theaters (engadget.com)

Posted by msmash on from the up-next dept.

An anonymous reader shares a report: Following YouTube's announcement last month that it intends to spend "hundreds of millions" on original content for Red, it's just unveiled plans for a YouTube-made movie that'll also be released in theaters. And unlike its previous effort, 2016's widely-regarded flop Lazer Team, this project has a serious name attached to it: Susan Sarandon. The film, Vulture Club, is already in post-production. It stars Oscar-winning Susan Sarandon as an emergency room nurse whose son has been kidnapped by terrorists, and after being abandoned by the government, finds help in the unlikeliest of places. The thriller also stars Edie Falco of The Sopranos and Matt Bomer of Magic Mike, and is directed by Iranian-American Maryam Keshavarz, of Circumstance fame. Despite being slated for theatrical release, details on YouTube's plans to actually get the movie into theaters are scarce.

36 comments

  1. The old-fashioned way by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 1

    >> details on YouTube's plans to actually get the movie into theaters are scarce

    Payola.

    >> project has a serious name attached to it: Susan Sarandon

    That's only a big name if it's Bull Durham II (because I doubt there's a non-zombie version of Thelma & Louise).

    1. Re:The old-fashioned way by gnick · · Score: 1

      That's only a big name if it's Bull Durham II (because I doubt there's a non-zombie version of Thelma & Louise).

      Susan Sarandon peaked with Rocky Horror Picture Show and it's been downhill since.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    2. Re:The old-fashioned way by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Damn it, Janet!

  2. Just Another Movie Studio by sycodon · · Score: 2

    YouTube probably wants people to think this is something new, trendy, different and "Internetty", etc.

    Truth is, they would be just another movie studio. Nothing new about it.Might as well be Sony announcing a new Studio spin off or something.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
    1. Re:Just Another Movie Studio by gnick · · Score: 1

      ...just another movie studio.

      So? You could say the same about HBO & Netflix and they've both had huge successes. I don't foresee YouTube bringing us the next Game of Thrones, but I have no problem with another player with heavy backing entering the arena.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    2. Re:Just Another Movie Studio by Joviex · · Score: 1

      ...just another movie studio.

      So? You could say the same about HBO & Netflix and they've both had huge successes.

      The difference is, HBO and Netflix are in the MOVIE BUSINESS.

      Youtube THINKS its in the Movie Business.

    3. Re:Just Another Movie Studio by gnick · · Score: 1

      I don't know if you can call displaying movies being "in the movie business." Is Redbox more qualified than YouTube because they distribute movies? HBO & Netflix were in the business of showcasing video. Then they expanded into the business of creating content. I don't see a big difference between their movie-making debuts & YouTube's. I wasn't expecting much when Netflix said they were going to start creating content and they've had some real success.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    4. Re:Just Another Movie Studio by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...I wasn't expecting much when Netflix said they were going to start creating content ...

      I didn't either. 5 or 6 years ago. I am happy to report they have proven me wrong.

  3. terrorists by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 1

    Let me guess, the "terrorists" are rich American Presbyterians.

    1. Re:terrorists by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's actually Cobra Command, headed by Mark Zuckerburg.

  4. 71 year old emergency room nurse? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    her kidnapped son is 50?
    is this a thriller or a sleeper

    1. Re:71 year old emergency room nurse? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      haha, my thoughts exactly lol...

    2. Re:71 year old emergency room nurse? by gnick · · Score: 1

      her kidnapped son is 50?

      The second cast member listed on Vulture Club's IMDB page (Sam) is played by a 40-year-old. Maybe her son?

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  5. Nope. by RightwingNutjob · · Score: 1

    Not watching, not paying for Red.

  6. But What About Oil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hear there is a lot of money in oil. Why isn't YouTube trying to get into this market? You know since we are now just copying others successful business models rather than sticking to OUR OWN.

  7. Feels like an advertisement by alvinrod · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I know that it's difficult to discuss some stories without mentioning companies and products, but this just reads like regurgitated product marketing. It's definitely advertising on Engadget's part, though Slashdot seems to be happy to be enough of a useful idiot to play party to it as well. The summary contains a whole lot of information about this particular movie, but very little about what should be the real focus of the story, YouTube and other new media content platforms starting to get into the production business. The summary even points out how useless this is a story by stating "details on YouTube's plans to actually get the movie into theaters are scarce." Isn't it a journalists job to dig for that kind of information instead of just pushing thinly veiled ads on their readers?

  8. That's SO cute! Let's ALL be like Youtube, /.! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think it's very nice of them to pretend theaters are still relevant and aren't totally awful with their ridiculous prices and excruciating, soul-crushing series of ads, ads, ads and then more fucking ads followed by ads, with a big, loud, annoying ad on top.

    We could all learn from this example. Everyone, I don't expect you to actually go to a theater, but let's all say something nice about theaters, or complement their appearance or flatter some theater's sense of usefulness. I'll start.

    I sure liked going to that movie back in 1989. Yep, that was a thing. What a nice theater! I got to see Halloween 5 all by myself, in the least-crowded theater I haver ever seen. What a luxurious experience!

    Awwwww, my now-smizmar fell asleep at our first movie date (Dragon Wars; yes, I am totally not fucking kidding, that was our first movie-date). That must have been a very comfortable seat! A few weeks later she would stay awake for all of 30 Days of Night, so thanks for entertaining us, Hollywood.

    Paramount pictures, you sure have a pretty logo.

    Summer is coming. You know what I like about dark, air conditioned rooms? They're pretty nice places to kill a couple hours of your finite life on a hot day. HEY! Theaters are perfect for this! Theaters are neat places.

    Youtube, wow! Theaters, you sure are getting into the tech world!

    Boy, if there's one thing I like, it's popcorn!

    (See? Anyone can do this. You try! Same something nice to a theater. Don't worry, you don't actually have to go there and endure. Just use your words.)

    1. Re:That's SO cute! Let's ALL be like Youtube, /.! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      will they giv each ticket holder a keyboard to comment under the movie as it plays. I miss the 3$ / second run theaters. don't want to pay 10$, then see it for 3 in a theater a month before it hits dvd/vhs.

  9. Lazer Team was a flop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If it was such a flop why did they make a sequel? I mean the first movie's trailer pretty much said it all. That it was never going to win an Oscar. Anyone who watched the trailer understood the premise that it was supposed to be a silly funny movie. IMO, it looked funny but not a "I-have-to-watch-it" kind of funny.

    1. Re:Lazer Team was a flop? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, for a minute I though TFS was just throwing unneccessary shade at Lazer Team since it had pretty good reviews, but then I checked their box office revenues. They had a budget of $2.4 million and grossed ~$1.6 million in the box office, which I guess isn't that bad for a movie that was only shown in 35 theaters, but the sequel apparently only grossed $19,996 in its limited box office release. Ouch.

  10. Will the Terrorists use flowers and hugs? by dwillden · · Score: 1

    With their new anti-gun stance, what's the word for when their first movie is one that is likely to include at least some use of guns.

    Oh yes, Hypocrites.

    --
    I'm too lazy to compose a creative sig.
    1. Re:Will the Terrorists use flowers and hugs? by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      With their new anti-gun stance, what's the word for when their first movie is one that is likely to include at least some use of guns.

      Oh yes, Hypocrites.

      Exactly. Alphabet/Google/YT is happy to make money from glorifying gun violence in movies. Their corporate VIPs and those in Hollywood want to ban guns but see no problem protecting *themselves* with armed private security or even carrying a gun themselves, they just hate the idea of those regular non-'elites' who work for a living having the ability to protect themselves, their families, and their property because they view them as "deplorables" who really "aren't smart enough" to understand that forcing them to be helpless victims to armed criminals is all for "the greater good(TM) of The Collective".

      I've already deleted my Google/YT account and removed my content. I now use DuckDuckGo.com and created an account on full30.com as well as supporting full30.com and at least a couple of the content-creators there with my money. I know very well that Alphabet/Google/YT won't miss my content, my views, or my money. This is not about punishing Alphabet et al, it's about adhering to my personal principles. They oppose individual liberty and I am for it. It does not get more "irreconcilable" than that.

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
  11. Won't go see them by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

    I like Maru and other cat videos as much as the next person, but I'm not willing to go to all the trouble and expense of going to a theatre to see them. Sorry YouTube, just not happening.

  12. Thanks for the heads up! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now I have something else to avoid. I refuse to give my money to Google/YouTube. I am quite happy never seeing any content they produce.

    KTHNXBYE

  13. Abandoned by the government, eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What a surprise, another antiTrump film

    1. Re: Abandoned by the government, eh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sarandon and her ilk were instrumental in getting Trump elected by convincing those on the left that Hillary was no different from Trump, and that she was in fact much more likely to drag us into a preemptive war than the guy who just hired John "let's nuke Canada!" Bolton to be his National Security Adviser.

      If you are a Trump fan, you should be sending Sarandon a thank you note once a week and a fruit basket on her birtjday.

  14. Sounds fucking stupid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    .... like slashdot. "Hundreds of millions" is the equivalent of trying to piss in a cup during a hurricane. Glad to know someone is milking Google for some of that sweet, sweet cash.

  15. do I need ad block to watch it? by kiviQr · · Score: 1

    will it have random popups during the movie with ads?

  16. That synopsis of the film. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That seriously sounds like every third movie that comes out now. OMG! Kidnapping! Terrorists! Abandoned! UNLIKELY HEALP!

    Fuck off with that shit. You want to start another movie studio, try doing something a little fresher than shitty Taken clone #5,000. Good grief.

    1. Re: That synopsis of the film. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Taken was a clone of Iron Eagle which was a clone of Star Wars which was a clone of some Japanese movie.

  17. And the nominations are: by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

    "And the nominations for Best Editing 2019 are: David Brown, Deadpool II (applause), John Stevenson, Flowers over Belgium (applause), Kevin "Lolface" Michaels, "AWESOME FUNNY CAT VIDEOS 7" (murmers, confusion), and Axle of Trolldoom, for "Anita Sarkeesian BUSTED!!! Part 17" (more murmering, mass confusion.) And the winner is..."

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  18. Knowing Google... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The terrorists will all be white, male, redneck Americans and along the way she will be helped by Muslims, "undocumented workers", the LGBT freaks and Obama. The ending will reveal is was all a plot devised used by Trump and putin to help Trump win the 2020 election. The movie will include a foreword by Hillary explaining how her election loss was all someone else's fault.

  19. Spend 100 of millions for 5 countries by fateblossom · · Score: 1

    I hope that they will make RED available in more then 5 countries. (Australia, Korea, Mexico,New Zealand,The United States) Or it is a little wast of money.

    Google have a lot of products that is only available in a few countries. And it always supprices them that these products are not that popular.

  20. Movie will autoplay after this Ad by ausekilis · · Score: 1

    And the whole crowd starts rushing to push the button in the bottom-right after 5 seconds.

    Or maybe there will be some relationship between number of ads and total amount spent on concessions per screening?