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Fandango pulls a Ticketmaster with plans to buy MovieTickets.com
Who doesn't love grabbing movie tickets from their mobile device before heading to the theater, skipping the long lines at the box office? No one, that's who. Now there's one less outlet to do so with, as Fandango continues to consolidate advance movie ticket sales with plans to acquire MovieTickets.com. According to Deadline, this leaves Atom Tickets as one of the only other competitors in the space, bringing Fandango closer to a Ticketmaster-style monopoly. The deal itself is set to close in the latter part of this year.
Paramount tries bringing movies home faster than ever
Despite attempts by Mark Cuban, Comcast, Netflix and others over the years, movie studios and big theater chains have combined to keep the "release window" in place -- until now. That window is the period of time between when a movie premieres in the theaters until you can actually buy or rent it to watch at home, and since the dawn of VHS it's usually remained at about 90 days or so. Now the Wall Street Journal says Paramount is testing out a plan with AMC and Cineplex to release a couple of movies in theaters just six weeks after they premiere instead of three months.
Pacific Rim tries out the Super Ticket theater + digital download combo in Canada
In June, Paramount and Regal Theaters tried out a $50 "Mega Ticket" promotion for World War Z, and this month Warner Bros. is testing out a similar package in Canada for Pacific Rim. Available at Cineplex theaters, it lets moviegoers pre-buy a digital Ultraviolet copy of the movie for $19.99 ($24.99 in HD) that's promised to arrive before anyone else can get it, plus 725 points for its loyalty program and some exclusive extra content, all viewable on the CineplexStore website. Unlike the WWZ promo this doesn't include an early screenings before the movie's July 12th release, but it does mean any ticket can be upgraded to the "Super Ticket" package. That the flick was shot in Toronto probably has a lot to do with the location for the offer, although it's hard to say what's needed to convince viewers to check out an action movie already getting glowing reviews from Hideo Kojima and Kanye West. Of course we'll miss the MegaTicket's included small popcorn ($75 value!), but this could be getting closer to a decent proposition -- what price would convince you to combine your movie ticket / home video copy in one purchase?
Samsung Canada launches Cineplex Store app, offers paid movies on 'select' Smart devices
Folks in Canada using Samsung's Smart lineup of home theater equipment have a new app to be excited about, thanks in part to Cineplex Entertainment. The two companies have teamed up for a video-on-demand app, dubbed Cineplex Store, which will allow owners of "select models of Samsung's Smart TVs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems" to purchase or rent videos from the comfort of their couches. Pricing is set from about three to five bucks for 48-hour unlimited play rentals (from the time you hit play within a 30-day period), while buying titles outright will cost ya between $10 and $20 -- all without any pesky contracts. Notably, for those prices you'll also be able to store your content in a "digital locker" and rack up Scene points with Cineplex. While it appears that there's nary mention of which Smart devices are compatible, you can hit up the source link below and the press release after break for more details.
Canadian chain renting out movie theaters for gaming
CBC News reports that Canadian theater chain Cineplex has begun renting out auditoriums at its locations during "downtime" for the sole purpose of very-big-screen gaming. The company will offer two-hour, up to 12-person rentals for CAN$179 (US$169), which includes use of a supplied Xbox 360 and games from an on-site library (although the gamer or gamers ponying up the cash can bring their own games to play on the 50' screen – how considerate!). The CBC piece mentions that Cineplex locations generally have between 12 and 24 hours a week open for game-ifying its theaters, and that sessions of four hours or more can be arranged with management (as can extra-late-night events). The chain began testing in-theater gaming three years ago in conjunction with Microsoft, and utilizes LCD projectors capable of HD resolutions. Given the partnership with MS, we're not too sure how accommodating Cineplex would be to bringing a PS3 or Wii of your own to hook up, but we'd love to hear from any Canadian readers willing (and able) to give it a shot. [Thanks, Kersch!]
WWE HD pay-per-view events head to Cineplex theatres in Canada
We can't exactly say we saw this one coming, but considering that you can catch the Metropolitan Opera in a cinema, we suppose it's not all that shocking. Just days after WWE aired its first live event in high-definition, it has partnered up with Cineplex Entertainment to bring future pay-per-view broadcasts to the big screen. Starting this Sunday with Royal Rumble, Canucks will be able to purchase tickets for $13.95 to enjoy the carnage from within one of Cineplex's many Canadian theaters. If you're impressed, you can check out the full lineup of upcoming HD PPV wrestling events that will be shown on screen here. 'Course, it'll be hard to mimic what you're watching with all those immobile seats, but we're sure you can find a way to sneak a headlock or two in if nothing else.[Image courtesy of WWE]
