Boxoffice-April.2000

JERRY BRAND, VP, Film Dept., Cinemark
What is your favorite film, 1920-2000? "Patton."
(Because,
as told to BOXOFFICE by Brand. "After that movie,
George C. Scott was known from then-on-out as 'Patton.'")
Studios believe their percentage of gross should increase based
on the increased cost of moviemaking; exhibitors believe theirs
should based on the costs of building the multiplexes making
such wide releases possible. What do you think?
The distributors must understand the extremely high costs of
building these stadium megaplexes do not allow exhibitors to pay
hgher film rental percentages. These megaplexes. in some cases,
more than double the gross, therefore, at the same percentage as
in the past the distrbutors are greatly increasing their film rental.
What strategy do you believe is or could be most effective to
help exhibitors keep their film costs low?
'"Low" is a bad word. For film rental percentages to remain
where they were two to three years ago, while the grosses are
increasing due to millions upon millions of dollars exhibitors
are spending, we must have understanding and cooperation
from the distributors to work together for the future.
What is the secret to great film buying? |Besides "picking good
movies?"|
Good relationships and realizing there is not any one film
that is so "big" you "have to" buy it—regardless of terms.
In your experience for your markets, what makes for a "good
movie"? Comedy; action.
In your experience, what three specific charactersties
make for a good film buyer? Honesty; hard
work; good relationships.
What has been your "greatest" and "least greatest"
success as a film buyer?
Greatest: meeting my wife Joy at Buena Vista;
making life-long relationships with many good
film people.
What are your top three pics for summer 2000, and what is
your prognosis in dollar terms for boxoffice takes? Secret!
ymi miis
PATTON (1970)
20th Century Fox. 170 min. Starring George C Scott, Karl
Maiden, Stephen Young, Michael Strong and Bill Hickman.
Despite current semantic quibbling among antiwar protestors
over "hero" and "war hero" in particular. General
George S. Patton Jr. fits the category lock, stock and ivoryhandled
pistol. In the "Middle America" sense, and, indeed,
in a historic sense, Patton was a true American hero of World
War II. In creating a film biography of the famous tank commander,
20th Century Fox has produced one of the best of
the genre; it holds up well as both historical record and fine
entertainment. George C. Scott portrays Patton skillfully and
unforgettably, giving one of his best performances; irascible
and violent, flamboyant and profane. Colorful and outspoken,
Patton is presented on a Dimension 1 50 and
De Luxe Color screen in all his own glory following
his military campaigns in North Africa. Sicily
and across France and Germany. The character of
the man Patton pervades all, and, in the workmanlike
direction by Franklin Schaffner, the storyline
and the selling ("A Salute to a Rebel"), Fox has
wisely stressed the person over the grand scale of
war. Yet the conventional battle scenes are there,
nicely executed on the wide screen and beautifully photographed
(in Spain, for the most part). Production values
throughout are excellent.