Amazon to Release Spike Lee's Chicago Film in Late 2015
The much-criticized "Chicago" film by Spike Lee recently wrapped production last week. Story details are still under wraps, but as we noted many moons ago, the film was rumored to be a musical comedy based on the Greek play, Lysistrata, with a cast led by Mad Men's Teyonah Parris alongside Nick Cannon, Jennifer Hudson, Wesley Snipes, John Cusack, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. However, the "musical" element of the film is in question, as the script, co-written by Lee and Kevin Willmott, is in a lyrical style similar to Shakespeare, but assumedly modernized.
Originally, the film was going to hold its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2016 (if accepted), but both Spike Lee and Amazon Studios, the film's distributor, are confident enough in the film that they're bumping its release up to December 2015 as part of a limited theatrical run to qualify it for the awards season. Furthermore, the film will be Amazon Studios' first original film, establishing Amazon's film distribution program that was started back in January. The film will officially open next year in theaters, followed by an Amazon-exclusive release online.
Lee had this to say about the film and Amazon Studios' involvement:
I’m honored to be part of the film that will launch Amazon Studios and to tell a story that is so important. Please don’t be fooled by the title of Chi-Raq, this new Spike Lee joint will be something very special.
I've already cast judgment on the film and its offensive title, but I'll hold any real criticism until the film is released. Could this be Spike Lee's return to form? I can only hope.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
Amazon to Begin Producing, Distributing Theatrical Films
Following the success of their TV pilot program (thanks in no small part for Transparent's success at the Golden Globes), Amazon Studios is entering the film fray, but in an opposite manner than what most may have expected. Whereas Netflix has entered the film industry with a model that will premiere their films through their service, Amazon Studios will acquire film properties with intentions of distributing them through theaters with films appearing on Amazon Instant a few months after their theatrical releases.
According to Variety, Amazon Studios plans to produce around 12 films a year, with the first films under the new directive debuting later in 2015. The model will be similar to the ones other independent studios have followed (like Magnolia and IFC) where films would be available on VOD at the same time as their limited theatrical release dates. However, given the growing nature of the film industry and how important box office sales are, most theaters might balk at the idea of even screening Amazon Studios films under this model, which in turn would severely limit the potential of Amazon's growth in this field.
The venture is ambitious, especially with the notion of a film being released every month in a calendar year, but Amazon could find success. Given the success with their TV series, they have a formula for finding the proper projects to fund that could yield a positive outcome with their film venture.
[via /Film]
Amazon introduces payment plan for Kindle Fire HDX
Amazon really wants you to buy one of their Kindle Fire HDX tablets. When I purchased my PlayStation 4 from them, for example, they offered a pretty good discount off of the tablet. Then came all of the discounts during Black Friday/Cyber Monday to help drive sales for the formidable alternative to the iPad. The company hasn't released sales figures of their tablet, only noting that the new model has brought in very successful numbers since its release.
T0 make the decision even easier for potential Kindle Fire HDX customers, Amazon has introduced an interest-free payment plan for the tablet. For the normal Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon is offering three separate payments of $57.25 on top of an initial payment. The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" version will go for $94.75 per payment. Each payment will be due every 90 days; however, Amazon can block access to its content if you miss a payment, which is fair.
Amazon has full details on the payment program here for potential buyers. Does the offer sweeten the pot for any of you?
[Video] Amazon preparing 30-minute delivery drones for 2015
Amazon is really trying to do everything in their power to revolutionize the way their products are delivered. Last month, they began rolling out Sunday delivery services in a few small markets with plans to expand wider in 2014. Now, the online market wants to take things to the next level with their new proposal, Amazon Prime Air. The service would involve unmanned air drones delivering a parcel from a local warehouse to customers' houses in roughly 30 minutes. The company is already in talks with the FAA to ensure they meet the proper rules and regulations for airspace with hopes of Prime Air launching in 2015.
A rough concept process video can be seen below. I love Amazon's willingness to embrace innovative and new ways to guarantee great customer service. However, Amazon Prime Air is a bit confusing, at least this early on in the process. What happens if somebody attacks and takes the drone down before it arrives to your house? What do you do with the little parcels - do you return them or amass a large collection a la Netflix red envelopes?
The future is both awesome and confusing at the same time. One thing's for sure: If I can get DVDs and blu-rays in less than 30 minutes without having to put on real clothes, I'm all for it.
[youtube id="98BIu9dpwHU" mode="normal" align="center"]
[via IGN]
Amazon will begin mailing packages on Sundays thanks to USPS
Amazon has had a stranglehold on electronics for years, taking revenue away from former brick and mortar powerhouses like Best Buy and Circuit City (RIP). With subscription plans like Amazon Prime that offers free 2-day shipping to subscribers and free shipping for orders over $35 (recently increased from $25), the online commerce company has truly become the de facto website for all online orders.
Now, the company is preparing to increase their success with news that Amazon has partnered with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to begin delivering packages on Sundays. Beginning next Sunday, November 17, Amazon will test Sunday delivery in LA and New York, and will expand to cities like Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, and New Orleans in 2014. The partnership will not only boost Amazon's revenue, but also bring some money into the USPS itself, which has been facing dwindling business over recent years.
[via Wall Street Journal]
Amazon Introduces The Kindle Fire HDX
Since the release of the Kindle Fire Tablets, Amazon has been aggressively going after the competition trying to become the go to place for tablet products. With the release of the Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon is set on taking on the iPad Mini and Nexus 7 with what looks to be better specifications plus a video technical support system. This live tech support allows the customer and rep to video chat and enables the rep to draw on the person's screen to help walk them through their problem. The tablet is "powered by the latest 2.2-GHz Quadcore Snapdragon 800 processors, 2GBs of RAM, Adreno 330 graphics, 11 – 12 hours of battery life, 1900 x 1200 resolution in the 7?/2560 x 1600 resolution display in the 8.9" and optional 4G LTE connectivity." For more on the specifications and features, head on over to Amazon where you're also able to pre-order the Kindle Fire HDX for $229 USD.
[Via Highsnobiety]
Viacom and Amazon enter multi-year agreement, spurning Netflix in the process
Today, Viacom and Amazon announced their multi-year agreement to stream Viacom TV shows exclusively on Amazon's Prime Instant Video service. Viacom is one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, comprised of a large number of TV networks including MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. The agreement also comes at Netflix's expense whose own agreement with Viacom recently expired.
It's a huge blow for Netflix subscribers, as shows broadcast on any of the aforementioned networks (like South Park, Rocko's Modern Life, Workaholics, Teen Mom, etc.) will be unavailable to them. At the same time, it's a huge gain for Amazon, as Prime Instant Video hasn't had access to worthwhile content. Does this mean Netflix, who's experienced a bit of a subscription bump with exclusive series like Arrested Development premiering, will lose a large number of its 20-something demographic with this huge exodus of shows? We'll see. I know one thing: I finally have a good reason to actually use my Prime Instant Video subscription.
[via Deadline]