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Disturbing news, made more troubling by this:

The chain does not rent NC-17 titles, and [Lisa] Schwartz says IFC would consider editing even unrated films for the chain, adding that "Blockbuster will decide which version they would like to distribute."

I also saw this today and found it completely ironic that the indie scene would sign an exclusive deal with the corporation that has been shunning them out of the rental displays. I also find disturbing that IFC is acomodating to BBV demands of cutting the film to fit into the corporation standards.

I'm wondering how much of this was mandated by The Weinstein Company and Genius Products, as this follows their existing arrangements with Blockbuster. Maybe IFC had to follow through with this as part of their home video output deal with Genius.

Regardless, it ain't the happiest thing I've heard in recent memory, especially with the talk of editing their titles for that hellish chain. But this may not have been entirely in their hands.

-BJ

And certainly their acquisitions team will now have to grapple with the question "Will this play with Blockbuster?" for the next few years.

I don't see how this effects me. I use netflix, I buy my films from deepdiscount, amazon, etc, and I watch these films in the theaters or on cable.

How many people still use blockbuster? And why? A tree is falling in the forest, people.

justeleblanc wrote:I don't see how this effects me. I use netflix, I buy my films from deepdiscount, amazon, etc, and I watch these films in the theaters or on cable.

How many people still use blockbuster? And why? A tree is falling in the forest, people.

I guess the questions is how "exclusive" does this mean. does that mean they don't distribute to ressellers? Or the only rental place that gets them is BB. Currently Netflix does somehow get the BB-exclusives (Weinstein), but they get them as BB copies, so these Netflix would be renting the editted versions...

justeleblanc wrote:How many people still use blockbuster? And why? A tree is falling in the forest, people.

If it weren't for Blockbuster I never would have seen Stalker.

Mr_sausage wrote:

justeleblanc wrote:How many people still use blockbuster? And why? A tree is falling in the forest, people.

If it weren't for Blockbuster I never would have seen Stalker.

But ten bucks says you didn't get to see the orgy scene.

redbill wrote:

justeleblanc wrote:I don't see how this effects me. I use netflix, I buy my films from deepdiscount, amazon, etc, and I watch these films in the theaters or on cable.

How many people still use blockbuster? And why? A tree is falling in the forest, people.

I guess the questions is how "exclusive" does this mean. does that mean they don't distribute to ressellers? Or the only rental place that gets them is BB. Currently Netflix does somehow get the BB-exclusives (Weinstein), but they get them as BB copies, so these Netflix would be renting the editted versions...

The article says:

The home video giant has inked a deal with IFC Entertainment for an exclusive 60-day window on U.S. rentals and downloads of IFC titles before they're sold, and is establishing an indie film section for new releases in around 1,000 of its 4,000 stores.

Blockbuster's two-year pact also includes exclusive physical rental distribution rights for IFC titles for three years after their retail street date, which is typically six months after each film's debut.

So basically it means that you will not be able to buy IFC Films from your favorite online or brick-and-mortar retailer until they have been at Blockbuster for 60 days.

Because Blockbuster is really where you turn first for the new Rivette and Chabrol films

oh well 60 days aint that bad. if I was that annoyed to have to wait that long I should have seen it in the theater anyway. I assume this won't affect their PPV deal they have now where some movies are available On-Demand same time as in theater...

domino harvey wrote:Because Blockbuster is really where you turn first for the new Rivette and Chabrol films

I am in Chicago and the only two indi stores that still operate within a 20 mile radius from my place are now exclusive to porn. So, as ironic as it may sound Blockbuster is the only "indi-store". The other route is going online.

Pro-B

redbill wrote:I guess the questions is how "exclusive" does this mean. does that mean they don't distribute to ressellers? Or the only rental place that gets them is BB. Currently Netflix does somehow get the BB-exclusives (Weinstein), but they get them as BB copies, so these Netflix would be renting the editted versions...

Technically, the only store that is supposed to be able to rent Weinstein Co. titles is Blockbusters, but the First Sale Doctrine makes it illegal for them to stop any rental store with a legally obtained copy from renting the movie. Thus, Genius has tried to restrict distribution on these titles in the attempt to make it difficult/expensive for non-Blockbuster rental outlets to obtain their movies. They even went so far as to put those dumb "THIS MOVIE IS FOR SALE ONLY" bits on their DVDs, even though they have no legal recourse - I believe they're actually in court right now trying to determine if those disclaimers are legal. However, the Weinsteins haven't done a good job of keeping their "exclusives" very exclusive - I work at an indie video store and most Weinstein Co./Dimension titles are available from our distributors (although I believe we technically have to state that we're selling those copies or something). And even if we can't get copies from our distributor, we can always buy copies at Best Buy and rent them due to the First Sale Doctrine. I'd assume Netflix does something similar (I've actually heard rumors that they get their copies from Canada).

The thing that scares a lot of people about the IFC deal is that word has gone around that there might be some sort of sell-through window exclusive to Blockbuster where they're the only place you can purchase a copy for the first two or three months. Basically, if all the copies are going to Blockbuster there's no way for Netflix or indie stores to get them. I'm not looking forward to telling customers that we don't have Paranoid Park because it's a Blockbuster exclusive.

(Sorry for the long post, but video stores are near and dear to my heart.)

IFC has signed a deal with MPI who will now handle DVD distribution for "the bulk" of their theatrical releases. MPI will roll out IFC titles as of August. No word on how this will affect the Blockbuster deal, if it all, but that arrangement is set to expire in 2010.

This probably means we'll be able to see an uncut release of Antichrist on DVD!

This means we will actually See some of their movies on DVD now.

Antoine Doinel wrote:IFC has signed a deal with MPI who will now handle DVD distribution for "the bulk" of their theatrical releases. MPI will roll out IFC titles as of August. No word on how this will affect the Blockbuster deal, if it all, but that arrangement is set to expire in 2010.

Yay, I can finally get "My Winnipeg"!

IFC is keeping their 60 day exclusive deal with Blockbuster while at MPI,