Licorice Pizza - Speculation & General Reactions

[wilberfan]

'Licorice Pizza' Tickets on Sale Friday for New York and Los Angeles, All in 70mm
Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie gets a custom-made platform release, but most distributors have decided that approach is a luxury their films can no longer afford.

A two-city platform opening is normal for Anderson's films, but in today's climate it's a rarity. Specialized awards-contending titles like "Spencer" (Neon) and "Belfast" (Focus) are skipping limited strategies to open in 1,000 or more theaters, which positions them for early VOD availability. (Neither "Spencer" nor "Belfast" has announced VOD release dates). Other titles like "King Richard,"  "The House of Gucci," "Nightmare Alley," and "West Side Story" were always intended for wider debuts. Very few titles are hewing to an initial New York/Los Angeles release; an exception is Pedro Almodovar's "Parallel Mothers" (Sony Pictures Classics), which opens December 24.

A platform release on Thanksgiving weekend was key for awards players like "The Darkest Hour," "The Shape of Water," "The Imitation Game," and "The Artist." It provides maximum attention just before voting begins for awards groups and the holiday timing leads to elevated grosses — which, in turn, draws greater notice.

Cinephile interest in Paul Thomas Anderson movies is always high, but the "Licorice Pizza" strategy will make it stand out even more. It should make many of these initial dates sell out, even for those beyond the initial weekend. (Each theater represents a single 70mm screen.) The director's most dedicated fans will attend, which should help spur momentum and interest — not to mention social media — for its later wider release. Even Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch" opened in 50 theaters in 14 cities, and has expanded in the following weeks.

Of course, a bold strategy like this one comes with risk. Adult audiences have yet to make a significant comeback for specialized films, but it appears that United Artists believes "Licorice Pizza" will be a broadly popular. A 1970s California coming-of-age story is much less esoteric than other recent Anderson films, with a setting and period similar to "Boogie Nights," one of his most popular films.

[wilberfan]

Social Media embargo lifted today.

'Licorice Pizza' First Reactions Praise Paul Thomas Anderson's Latest Film as 'God Tier' and 'Impossibly Sweet'

Licorice Pizza' Might Be Tasty Enough for Oscar Voters, but Needs a Dash More Bradley Cooper

[Alma]

Cool

https://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP/status/1459001272732954624

[pynchonikon]

Yeah, doesn't sound like the minor PTA film I was promised. Might give it a shot after all.

https://twitter.com/kylebuchanan/status/1458995287167365122

https://twitter.com/joshrothkopf/status/1459033603388628996

https://twitter.com/karenyhan/status/1458991345867968518

https://twitter.com/ByClaytonDavis/status/1458990484232163330

https://twitter.com/NextBestPicture/status/1458989211730812930

https://twitter.com/davidehrlich/status/1458989313509707787

https://twitter.com/GermainLussier/status/1458989173059297280

https://twitter.com/Lulamaybelle/status/1458996839466762246

https://twitter.com/PNemiroff/status/1458989286737412102

[wilberfan]

...a horny cocaine godzilla in a pantsuit.

[Yes]

https://twitter.com/tnyfrontrow/status/1459053529591521287

[pynchonikon]

...a horny cocaine godzilla in a pantsuit.

Sounds poetic.

[Yes]

https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1459053849625329665

If the narrative beats for this... fingers crossed

I saw Belfast today. Worse than I expected. An even worse BP winner than Green Book should it happen but so be it. However, that Screenplay win... yikes. I can understand a Director win no matter how terrible it would be but I truly wonder if the Screenplay still gets passed up. The film is superficially compared to Roma which was never close to winning writing. Another recent and ofc more superior film Boyhood is a similar comp which also was not seen as a writing film. Ditto Shape of Water, Nomadland, La La Land, The Artist, etc

BP+Director+Screenplay winners like Parasite and Birdman had flashy writing. Maybe Belfast is just another King's Speech after all lol

[RudyBlatnoyd]

Don't really understand the argument that there's a requisite amount of screen time required for someone to win Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars. Surely, provided said actor is actually in the movie and makes an impression, then they're in with a shot? Cooper would seem one of the most likely awards magnets for this movie to me, since he's very famous and also apparently a scene stealer.

[Alma]

I think it's more that in recent years virtual co-lead performances have been increasingly (although not solely) winning in the supporting categories, as opposed to in the past where e.g. Beatrice Straight could win for like five minutes of screentime.

[pynchonikon]

Alan Arkin (Argo), Sam Elliot (ASiB) and Sam Rockwell (Vice) got in with 8 minutes of screentime.

If this goes REALLY big, I could see BCoop getting in. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

[jviness02]

"God-tier" = "minor"

[pa167k]

Got my tickets for Friday Nov 26th

[Alethia]

Thanksgiving Day for me. :D

[wilberfan]

Got my tickets for Friday Nov 26th

"We('ll) meet upon the level..."

First Matinee...