It is a mystery as to why
Lionsgate Home Entertainment continues to short-sheet the A24 Films that they
handle for domestic home entertainment release.
You’d think there would be at least some
promotional energy placed behind the launch of DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
editions of a film that is nominated for Best Picture, plus Best Director, Best
Original Screenplay and two acting Oscar nominations.
But no, if it were not
for Amazon.com, the world would be blissfully unaware that director Greta
Gerwig’s Lady Bird is headed home on Mar. 6. That’s right, Mar. 6 … pre-book has probably
come and gone and Lionsgate Home Entertainment has yet make an official
announcement. Walt Disney Home
Entertainment was out weeks ago with trumpets blaring for Thor: Ragnarok, which
also streets on Mar. 6.
Normally, we point
fingers at Amazon.com for jumping the gun (get those orders, now!!!!), but last
week Lionsgate Home Entertainment did the ho-hum shuffle with another A24 Films
release, The Disaster Artist, so we will give Amazon.com a pass on this
one.
Maybe, just maybe, the
problem rests with A24 Films … perhaps they can’t get the proper sign-offs
through channels and back to Lionsgate Home Entertainment in a timely manner,
which leaves the Oscar-nominated producers of Lady Bird — Scott Rudin
(eight times nominated for his film productions, with a Best Picture win for No
Country for Old Men), Eli Bush and Evelyn O'Neill — to wonder why they
can’t get a little respect.
Are Scott Rudin, Eli Bush
and Evelyn O'Neill going to ask questions about the treatment of their film, or
maybe the problem actually rests with them?
Will Lionsgate Home Entertainment get all over A24 Films for foot-dragging?
Fingers will be pointed,
but it looks like Amazon.com is off the blame hook on this one. The fact that Amazon.com has the information
(including bonus features) means that their sales people went around the entire
PR process and fed the giant on-line retailer the necessary information to
begin the order-taking process (hell of a way to run a railroad).
For the record, Lady
Bird arrives with an ARR of 123 days and ticket sales currently stand
at $45.2 million.
According to Amazon.com, Lady
Bird features commentary from actor-turned-writer/director Greta Gerwig
(nominated as both Best Director and for her screenplay), who is joined by cinematographer
Sam Levy, plus there is a featurette titled “Realizing Lady Bird.”
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