(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Just when you thought the days of big theatrical releases were numbered, there are signs of a cinematic resurgence.
Much has been written about this year’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, which saw two major releases (“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”) simultaneously roll out to great success in July. But perhaps even more impressive are the successful big-screen concert features released by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, says Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips.
“Beyoncé and Taylor Swift both cut deals -- not with the studio, not with Warner Brothers, not with Paramount, not with anybody except AMC Theaters,” he says. “The entire film industry as we know it [was] cut out of the deal, streamlining the profits for the artists showcased by these movies.
“If I were Hollywood I would be nervous about that trend. I don’t know how well it will work for anything other than a marquee name concert film, but man, it sure worked twice in two months for these two.”
Meanwhile, Phillips notes, the restoration and revival of Jonathan Demme’s 1984 concert film of the Talking Heads, “Stop Making Sense,” was released to great acclaim earlier this year. He said this could lead to the reissue of other highly regarded concert films, such as Martin Scorsese’s 1978 documentary “The Last Waltz,” about The Band.
Phillips is the guest on this week’s Looped In: Chicago podcast. He discusses the latest trends in cinema, including Hollywood’s reliance on sequels, remakes and reboots.
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